JPH11249668A - Information distributing device and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To timely grasp user's needs. SOLUTION: When a user selects a desired audio program by a selecting means 10 of a terminal device 3, a transmitting means transmits the information related to the program to an information center 2. The receiving means receives the program transmitted from the center 2. The center 2 receives the information relative to the user desired program transmitted from the device 3. Based on the information, a retrieving means 22 retrieves the user desired program from the plural audio program stored in a first storage means 23. If the retrieved result indicates that there exists no such program, a second storage means 24 makes a list on the auio programs which do not exist in the means 23. An outputting means 25 outputs the list about the audio programs stored in the means 24.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information distribution apparatus and a communication system, and more particularly to an information distribution apparatus and a communication system suitably used for a communication karaoke system and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, so-called karaoke, in which a user sings along with music output from a reproducing apparatus, has become widespread. This karaoke usually uses a karaoke apparatus that mixes and outputs performance music reproduced from the reproduction apparatus and singing voice input from a microphone. In order to output performance music with this karaoke apparatus, for example, performance information recorded on a disk-shaped recording medium such as a so-called video CD in which video data is recorded together with audio data on a so-called laser disk or compact disk (CD) is reproduced. MIDI (Musical Instrume), which is performance information received by a system or a communication system.
There is known a so-called communication karaoke system that stores MIDI data (nt digital interface) data and reproduces MIDI data corresponding to the selected music.

In the above-mentioned communication karaoke system employed in a karaoke box or the like, a contract is made between a host station that distributes data and a karaoke box that is a user, and the user uses a public telephone line or the like when using the system. Karaoke data is supplied from the host station to the karaoke box.

In such a communication karaoke system, for example, when a new song is released, the host station needs to prepare karaoke data composed of MIDI data corresponding to the new song and prepare it so that it can be supplied to the karaoke box. Occurs. In the current communication karaoke system, karaoke data of a new song that has just been released has been quickly supplied, and user satisfaction has also increased.

[0005]

However, in the communication karaoke system, not all new songs are supplied without exception. Also, in the communication karaoke system, songs are selected at the discretion of the song provider, so unpopular songs are included in the supplied songs, and the use frequency of such songs is low. turn into. As described above, the current communication karaoke system does not sufficiently respond to the demand of the user because the trend and the trend of the music desired by the user cannot be grasped in a timely manner.

[0006] The present invention has been proposed in view of such circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an information distribution apparatus and a communication system capable of grasping user demand in a timely manner.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an information distribution apparatus according to the present invention has a first storage unit in which a plurality of audio programs are stored, and an audio program stored in the first storage unit. Discriminating means for discriminating whether or not a user-desired program exists from a plurality of audio programs, and when the discriminating means determines that the user-desired program does not exist in the first storage means, A second storage unit configured to list and store the non-existing audio programs; and an output unit configured to output a list of programs not existing in the first storage unit stored in the second storage unit.

[0008] In the information distribution apparatus, the discriminating means determines whether or not a program desired by the user exists from a plurality of audio programs stored in the first storage means. The non-existent audio program is stored in a list by the second storage unit, and the list is output by the output unit.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a communication system according to the present invention has a selecting means for selecting a user-desired audio program and a transmitting means for transmitting information relating to the user-desired audio program selected by the selecting means. And a receiving device for receiving an audio program transmitted from the information center; a receiving device for receiving information relating to a user-desired audio program transmitted from the terminal device; and a plurality of audio programs. Is stored in the first
Based on the information about the user-desired audio program received by the receiving means.
Search means for searching a user desired program from a plurality of audio programs stored in the storage means,
If the search means determines that the program desired by the user does not exist in the first storage means, a second storage means for listing and storing the non-existent programs; First memorized
And an output center for outputting a list of programs that do not exist in the storage means.

[0010] In the communication system, in the terminal device,
When the user selects a desired audio program with the selection unit, a process of transmitting information about the audio program to the information center by the transmission unit and receiving the audio program transmitted from the information center by the reception unit is performed. On the other hand, in the information center, information relating to the user-desired audio program transmitted from the terminal device is received by the receiving unit, and based on this information, the searching unit searches the plurality of audio programs stored in the first storage unit. When a search is performed for a user-desired program and the search result indicates that the program does not exist,
A process is performed in which the second storage unit lists and stores audio programs that do not exist in the first storage unit, and the output unit outputs a list regarding the audio programs stored in the second storage unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information distribution apparatus comprising: a first storage unit storing a plurality of audio programs; and an audio program not stored in the first storage unit. Storage means for listing and storing information about the audio program, transmitting means for reading out information about the audio program not stored in the first storage means from the second storage means, and transmitting the information to the terminal side; Receiving means for receiving information about the audio program which is not stored in the first storage means and transmitted from the side.

In this information distribution apparatus, when the receiving means receives information about the audio program not stored in the first storage means and transmitted from the terminal side, the second storage means stores the information in the first storage means. The information about the audio program that is not stored is listed and stored, and the transmission unit reads out the information about the audio program that is not stored in the first storage unit from the second storage unit and transmits the information to the terminal side.

Furthermore, a communication system according to the present invention relates to a first storage unit storing a plurality of audio programs and an audio program not stored in the first storage unit in order to solve the above problems. Information comprising: a second storage unit that lists and stores information; and a transmission unit that reads information related to an audio program that is not stored in the first storage unit from the second storage unit and transmits the information to a terminal. A center, receiving means for receiving information relating to an audio program which is not stored in the first storage means in the information center and which is transmitted from the transmitting means of the information center, and The first in the information center
Display means for displaying information relating to an audio program not stored in the storage means, and selection for selecting information relating to the audio program not stored in the first storage means in the information center displayed on the display means. Means, and a terminal device provided with a transmitting means for transmitting to the information center information relating to the audio program which is not stored in the first storage means in the information center selected by the selecting means.

In this communication system, in the information center, the information relating to the audio program not stored in the first storage means is listed and stored in the second storage means, and the transmission means is transferred from the second storage means to the second storage means. A process for reading out information related to the audio program not stored in the first storage means and transmitting the information to the terminal side is performed. On the other hand, in the terminal device, information relating to the audio program which is not stored in the first storage means in the information center and which is transmitted from the transmission means of the information center is received by the receiving means, and this information is displayed on the display means. When the user selects an audio program by the selection means based on the display, information on the audio program is transmitted to the information center by the transmission means.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In a communication karaoke system 1 shown in FIG. 1 to which the present invention is applied, a host station 2 serving as an information center and a terminal device 3 receiving a service are connected via a public telephone line. In addition, for convenience of explanation, only one terminal device 3 is shown in FIG.
In practice, a plurality of terminal devices 3 are connected to the host station 2 via a public telephone line.

The host station 2 has a MIDI (Musical Instrument)
and a karaoke data storage unit that stores karaoke data created based on the request information transmitted from each terminal device 3 via a public telephone line. The device 3 is supplied.

The terminal device 3 is installed in, for example, a karaoke box or the like, and includes a terminal body 4, an amplifier 5 connected to the terminal body 4, a microphone 6, speakers 7a and 7b, and a monitor 8 connected to the amplifier 5. , And a remote controller (hereinafter, referred to as a remote controller) 10 for remotely controlling the terminal body 4. Terminal body 4
Has a hard disk or the like, temporarily stores the karaoke data supplied from the host station 2 in the hard disk, and stores the karaoke data in an audio signal and a video signal (hereinafter referred to as A
It is called V signal. Play as). The amplifier 5 monitors a video signal of the AV signal supplied from the terminal body 4.
Output to The amplifier 5 mixes the audio signal of the AV signal supplied from the terminal body 4 with the signal of the user's voice supplied from the microphone 6, performs a predetermined process such as an echo on the mixed signal, and performs a predetermined process such as echo. , 7b.

The remote controller 10 is individually owned by each user, and can store / transmit at least information that can be used for singing and that can specify a song such as a song title that is not supplied from the host station 2 side. ing. The remote control 10 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
11, a jog dial 12, various operation keys 13, a control unit, a memory, a transmission unit, and the like (not shown) are mounted. By operating these jog dials 12 and the like to select and input kana characters, etc. By inputting the title and the like of the requested music and storing it in a memory, information that can specify the music is stored. The stored information is transmitted from the transmission unit to the terminal body 4 by a signal such as infrared rays by pressing, for example, a transmission button of the operation keys 13.

As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal main unit 4 includes a receiving unit 14 for receiving a signal transmitted from the remote controller 10, a transmitting / receiving unit 15 including a modem for transmitting / receiving a signal to / from the host station 2, and the like. A hard disk drive (HDD) 16 as data storage means for storing karaoke data transmitted from the host station 2, a central processing unit (CPU) 17 for executing a processing program, and a RAM 18 as a work area for the CPU 17. A ROM 19 storing a processing program of the CPU 17 and management information of the HDD 16 is provided.

System management such as distribution of karaoke data in the communication karaoke system 1 is performed on the host station 2 side. Here, the host station 2 stores a transmission / reception unit 21 for transmitting / receiving signals to / from each terminal device, a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 22 including a determination unit 22a and a memory 22b, and karaoke data. A hard disk array 23, a RAM 24 serving as a work area for the microcomputer 22, and a monitor 25 for outputting the processing results of the microcomputer 22 and the like.

In the host station 2, request information from the terminal device 3 is received by the transmission / reception unit 21 via the public telephone line, and is stored in the memory 22b of the microcomputer 22.
Then, the microcomputer 22 determines whether or not the karaoke data corresponding to the request information is stored in the hard disk array 23 by the determining unit 22a. The stored karaoke data is read from the hard disk array 23 and read from the public telephone. Each block is controlled so as to be transmitted to the terminal device 3 via the line.

Next, the flow of processing in the communication karaoke system 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. FIG. 3 shows the flow of the processing of the entire system, and FIG. 4 shows the processing when the title of the requested music is input by the remote controller 10.

First, when starting karaoke, the user inputs a requested song name to the remote controller 10 and stores it (step S1). Here, as an operation procedure for inputting the requested song title to the remote controller 10, for example, the procedure of steps S1-1 to S1-9 shown in FIG. 4 is performed. That is, in the remote control 10, the operation keys 13
When a predetermined button (e.g., MODE button) is pressed, the process shifts to a character input mode for inputting characters of the song title of the requested song on the LCD 11 (step S1-1).
In the following step S1-2, the LCD 11 for inputting characters
Initialize the upper character input position. With this, LCD
For example, the character “A” is displayed on the left end side of 11.

In the next step S1-3, a state is entered in which the input of the jog dial 12 is accepted. Thus, in the remote control 10, by rotating the jog dial 12, the input characters displayed on the left end side of the LCD 11 change one after another (step S1-4). For example, when the jog dial 12 is rotated right,
Are changed to "i", "u", "e", and so on. When the jog dial 12 is rotated counterclockwise, the character of "a" becomes "0", "9", "8",.・ "Z", "Y", "X"
・ ・ It changes like "n", "wo", "wa" ...

In step S1-5, the jog dial 1
Waiting for the pressing of 2 prompts confirmation of one character. Here, a predetermined button (for example, ESC) of the operation keys 13
Button), the process returns to step S1-3 and the input operation of one character is redone.

In step S1-6 after one character is determined, the input position on the LCD 11 for inputting a character is advanced by one, and the process proceeds to step S1-7.

In step S1-7, it is determined from the characters displayed on the LCD 11 whether the input of all the characters for the desired music title has been confirmed, and the operation of the enter button is prompted.
Here, if the enter button or the jog dial 12 of the operation keys 13 is pressed, it is determined that the input music title is determined, and the process proceeds to step S1-8. On the other hand, operation key 1
When the predetermined button 3 is pressed, the process returns to step S1-3, assuming that the song title has not been determined yet, and returns to step S1-3.
Steps S1-7 are repeated.

When the input song name is determined, the process shifts to the transmission permission mode in step S1-8, and waits for pressing of a predetermined button (for example, a transmission button) of the operation keys 13 (step S1-1). 9). Then, when the transmission button is pressed, the process proceeds to step S2 shown in FIG.

In step S2, the song title of the determined requested song is transmitted from the remote controller 10 to the terminal body 4 as song title information. The transmitted song name information is received by the receiving unit 14 of the terminal main body 4 and transmitted to the host station 2 as request information under the control of the CPU 17 in the subsequent step S3.
After this, the above-described steps S1-1 to S1-1
By performing the processing of 1-9, request information is transmitted to the host station 2 as appropriate.

In step S4, the host station 2 receives the request information by the transmission / reception
2 is temporarily stored in the memory 22b.

In the following step S5, the judgment unit 22a
Determines whether the karaoke data corresponding to the request information is stored in the hard disk array 23 or not. If the decision result in the step S5 is YES, that is, if it is determined that the corresponding karaoke data is stored in the hard disk array 23, the process proceeds to a step S6, and the decision result in the step S5 is NO, that is, the corresponding karaoke data is stored in the hard disk array 23. If it is determined that it is not stored, the process moves to step S9.

In step S6, the microcomputer 22 reads out the corresponding karaoke data from the hard disk array 23 and transmits it to the terminal body 4. The transmitted karaoke data is transmitted to the receiving unit 14 of the terminal body 4 in the next step S7.
And stored in the HDD 16. And
In the next step S8, the reproduction processing is performed by the CPU 17 and the reproduction processing is output to the amplifier 5 as an AV signal.

If it is determined that the karaoke data corresponding to the request information is not stored in the hard disk array 23, the microcomputer 22 stores this request information in the memory 22b in step S9. At this time, the microcomputer 22 may notify the user by transmitting information to the effect that "there is no corresponding karaoke data" to the terminal device 3.

Further, the microcomputer 22 appropriately performs a tallying process using the RAM 24 for the request information stored in the memory 22b (step S10), and displays the tallying result on the monitor 25. The manager of the host station 2 selects, for example, a song with a large number of requests based on the result of the aggregation (step S11). The predetermined number of requests may be set in the microcomputer 22 as a threshold, and the microcomputer 22 may select a song exceeding the threshold. Then, the administrator creates karaoke data for the selected song (step S12), and stores this data in the hard disk array 23 anew. As a result, karaoke data can be supplied in response to a subsequent request from the user.

As described above, in the communication karaoke system 1, since the demand of the user can be grasped in a timely manner, a music return which can satisfy the demand of the user in music production can be prepared.

In this example, the input of the song name is performed in steps S1-1 to S1-9, but the input condition is not limited to this. For example, the album name, singer name, composition Other information, such as a house name, that can identify a song may be input, and furthermore, such information may be added and / or added as conditions.

In this example, in step S11, a song with a large number of requests is selected.
The selection criterion is not limited to this. For example, the selection may be made for the music remaining at the next point, or the selection may be performed for each area of the terminal device 3.

In the first embodiment, in the communication karaoke system, it is determined whether or not a music desired by the user exists in the host station 2 based on the request information from the terminal device 3 to the host station 2. Is determined, and if the song desired by the user does not exist in the host station 2 as a result of the determination, a list of the song names that have not been able to respond to the request is listed, so that the producer can be encouraged to create a song.
On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the host station 2
To send a new music list to the terminal device 3 and display the list on the terminal device 3 so that the user can select a title to be supplied in the future so that the creator can be prompted to produce a music. did.

Next, in the communication karaoke system 1,
A case will be described in which the host station 2 previously selects a song to be recruited for a request. In this case,
As shown in FIG. 5, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a request candidate song list (hereinafter simply referred to as a candidate song) in which the host station 2 describes a selection number, a song name, a singer name, a lyricist / composer name, etc. of a song for which a request is to be solicited. A list is created and transmitted to each terminal device, whereby processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is performed.

In step S21, the data of the candidate music list is transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 21 of the host station 2 to each terminal body 4. In step S22, the terminal body 4 receives the data of the candidate music list by the transmission / reception unit 15, and stores the data in the RAM.
18 temporarily.

In the following step S23, the CPU 17 determines whether or not the terminal device 3 is being used by the user. When the terminal device 3 is not operating, for example, when the user is performing a music selection operation, the CPU 17 transmits the music from the host station 2 side. When it is determined that the candidate music list can be displayed, the process proceeds to step S24, and the terminal device 3
When the user sings and is used by the user, it determines that the candidate music list transmitted from the host station 2 cannot be displayed and waits.

In step S24, the CPU 17 performs a reproducing process so as to output the data of the candidate music list as a video signal. Thereby, in the terminal device 3, the monitor 8
5 displays the candidate music list shown in FIG.

In the next step S25, a song number input for the selection number of the candidate song list is accepted. Here, the user who has viewed the candidate music list displayed on the monitor 8 uses the remote control 10 to input a selection number of the music he / she wants to sing and transmits the selection number to the terminal body 4. When this process is performed, the process moves to step S26. Note that the selection number is input in step S1-1 described above with reference to FIG.
To Step S1-9.

In step S26, the CPU 17 outputs, for example, a character "Can you decide about the song number?" As a video signal, so that it is displayed on the monitor 8. Here, for example, if the jog dial 12 of the remote controller 10 is pressed, it is determined that the input has been determined, and the process proceeds to step S27. If another key is pressed, the process proceeds to step S27.
Then, the process returns to step S25, and the music number input is accepted again.

In step S27, the CPU 17
The determined music number information is transmitted to the host station 2 as request information. The transmitted request information is received by the transmission / reception unit 21 on the host station 2 side. Then, the host station 2 performs the above-described step S based on the request information.
The processes from 9 to step S12 are performed, and karaoke data for a song with a large number of requests is produced, for example.

As described above, in the communication karaoke system 1, since the demand of the user can be grasped in a timely manner by using the candidate music list, it is possible to prepare a music production which has a good return on investment. Also,
By using the candidate music list, the function required for the remote controller 10 is sufficient for the number input function, and the character input function is not required. Therefore, the configuration of the remote controller 10 can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. Further, by using the candidate song list, for example, an advertisement effect can be obtained by notifying in advance, for example, a promotion for a new music to be released in the next month or a promotion for a new singer, and a user demand is investigated ( Market research).

In the communication karaoke system 1, the microcomputer 22 of the host station 2 also collects the karaoke data transmitted from the microcomputer 22 to the terminal device 3 (step S).
Step 10) may be performed. In this case, since the number of times the karaoke data is used is counted, the trend of the user can be grasped by referring to the counting result. In addition, the results of the aggregation serve as reference materials for producing karaoke data and creating a list of candidate songs, and further serve as basic materials for developing various services.

In the above-described embodiment, the host station 2 determines whether or not the data of the music requested by the user is stored in the hard disk array 23 of the host station 2. The present invention is not limited to this, and it is determined whether the music data requested by the user does not exist in either the host station 2 or the terminal device 3 by the host station 2 or the terminal device 3. What is necessary is just to judge.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example of the communication karaoke system for transmitting MIDI data of karaoke music has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and audio data or video data may be transmitted. Only ATRAC data (Adaptive Transform Acousti
c Coding), a system for transmitting program data such as game software, text data, and the like.

[0050]

As described above in detail, according to the information distribution apparatus of the present invention, it is determined whether a program desired by a user exists from a plurality of audio programs stored in the first storage means. If the determination means determines that the audio program does not exist, the second storage means lists and stores the audio program that does not exist,
Since this list is output by the output means, the demand of the user can be grasped in a timely manner, so that an audio program having good return on investment can be prepared.

According to the communication system of the present invention, in the terminal device, when the user selects a desired audio program by the selection means, the information relating to the audio program is transmitted to the information center by the transmission means and transmitted from the information center. The incoming audio program is received by the receiving means.
Receiving means receives information on a user-desired audio program transmitted from the terminal device, and based on this information, a retrieval means retrieves a user-desired program from a plurality of audio programs stored in the first storage means. If the search result indicates that the program does not exist, the second storage unit lists and stores the audio programs that do not exist in the first storage unit, and the output unit stores the list in the second storage unit. Since the processing for outputting the list relating to the audio program is performed, the demands of the user can be grasped in a timely manner at the information center side, and a good investment return can be prepared in the production of the audio program.

Further, according to the information distribution apparatus of the present invention, when the receiving means receives the information relating to the audio program not stored in the first storage means and transmitted from the terminal side, the second storage means The information relating to the audio program which is not stored in the first storage means is listed and stored, and the transmission means transmits the first program from the second storage means to the first storage means.
Since the information about the audio program which is not stored in the storage means is read and transmitted to the terminal side, the demand of the user can be grasped in a timely manner, so that an audio program with good return on investment can be prepared.

Further, according to the communication system of the present invention, in the information center, the information relating to the audio program not stored in the first storage means is listed and stored in the second storage means, and the transmission means is stored in the second storage means. In the terminal device, information relating to the audio program not stored in the first storage device is read from the second storage device and transmitted to the terminal side. The information about the audio program not stored in the first storage means is received by the receiving means, and this information is displayed on the display means. When the user selects the audio program by the selection means based on the display, the audio program is displayed. Since information about the program is sent to the information center by the sending means, It is possible to grasp the demand of users in a timely manner in the centers side, can prepare something good return on investment in the production of audio program.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a communication karaoke system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a terminal body.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the entire system.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an input operation of a remote controller for a song title of a requested song.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a request candidate music list.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing when a request candidate music list is transmitted from the host side.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Communication karaoke system, 2. Host station, 3. Terminal device, 4. Terminal body, 5. Amplifier, 6. Microphone, 7.
a, 7b speaker, 8 monitors, 10 remote control, 1
1 LCD, 12 jog dial, 13 operation keys,
14 receiving unit, 15 transmitting / receiving unit, 16 HDD, 17
CPU, 18 RAM, 19 ROM, 21 transmitting / receiving unit, 22 microcomputer, 22a determination unit, 22b memory, 23 hard disk array, 24 RAM, 25
monitor

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A first storage unit in which a plurality of audio programs are stored, and a determination as to whether a program desired by a user exists from the plurality of audio programs stored in the first storage unit. A determining unit; a second storing unit configured to list and store the non-existent audio program when the determining unit determines that the user-desired program does not exist in the first storing unit; Output means for outputting a list relating to programs not stored in the first storage means stored in the second storage means. 2. A selection means capable of selecting a user-desired audio program, a transmission means for transmitting information on the user-desired audio program selected by the selection means, and a reception of an audio program transmitted from an information center. A receiving device for receiving information relating to a user-desired audio program transmitted from the terminal device; a first storage device for storing a plurality of audio programs; Search means for searching for a user-desired program from a plurality of audio programs stored in the first storage means based on information on the user-desired audio program received by the reception means; and User-desired program exists in storage means If it is determined that the program does not exist, a second storage unit that lists and stores the non-existent programs and a list of programs that do not exist in the first storage unit stored in the second storage unit are output. A communication center comprising: 3. A first storage unit in which a plurality of audio programs are stored; a second storage unit which lists and stores information relating to audio programs not stored in the first storage unit; Transmitting means for reading out information relating to the audio program not stored in the first storage means from the second storage means and transmitting the information to the terminal; and storing the information in the first storage means transmitted from the terminal side Receiving means for receiving information about an audio program that does not exist. 4. A first storage means for storing a plurality of audio programs, a second storage means for listing and storing information relating to audio programs not stored in the first storage means, An information center including a transmission unit that reads information related to an audio program that is not stored in the first storage unit from the second storage unit and transmits the read information to the terminal, and transmitted from the transmission unit of the information center. Receiving means for receiving information relating to an audio program which is not stored in the first storage means in the information center, and which is not stored in the first storage means in the information center received by the receiving means Display means for displaying information about the audio program, and the information center displayed on the display means Selecting means for selecting information about an audio program not stored in the first storage means, and information about the audio program not stored in the first storage means in the information center selected by the selecting means; And a terminal device having transmission means for transmitting the information to the information center.