JP2003066977A - Karaoke service support apparatus provided with new song guide mail sending function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a karaoke service support apparatus capable of quickly sending a new song guide suitable for the tastes of customers by electronic mail. SOLUTION: The karaoke service support apparatus is provided with a new song guide mail sending function provided with a means for accessing index information of a karaoke database in a karaoke apparatus, a means for creating and managing a customer database that personal information of a plurality of the customers and histories of songs requested to the karaoke apparatus by the customers are separately organized per customer, a customer selecting means for selecting the customers who seem to like new songs by comparing the index information of the new songs with the histories of the requested songs per customer in the customer database after the new songs are added to and registered with the karaoke database, and a means for obtaining mail addresses of the customers selected by the customer selecting means from the customer database, creating the electronic mails for informing of the arrival of the new songs and delivering the electronic mails to the mail addresses.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a karaoke customer service support device used in an integrated manner with a karaoke device in a store that uses the karaoke device for customer service, and more particularly,
It relates to the one with the function to send new music guide mail.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Karaoke users are not a few singers (artists), composers, lyricists, etc. (hereinafter, musicians) that they like. Then, if a new song by a favorite musician is announced, I would like to sing that new song in karaoke. However, there is a slight time lag between the announcement of a new song and the availability of a new karaoke song (hereinafter referred to as a new song) on the karaoke device. When will the user register the new song on the karaoke device? I want to know

When the karaoke device is a performance terminal in a communication karaoke system, guidance of a new music piece is displayed by displaying that fact on a lyrics image display (karaoke monitor). As is well known, a communication karaoke system is a system in which a host device and a large number of karaoke devices are connected by a communication line. The host device stores and manages the karaoke data, which is the origin of the accompaniment music of the karaoke music and the lyrics image, and the table of contents information such as artist name, composer name, lyricist name, and genre, in association with the music number, and this host. The device timely delivers the karaoke data and the corresponding table of contents information to the karaoke device. The karaoke device stores the distributed data in its own karaoke database, processes the karaoke data of the karaoke piece requested by the user, and outputs the acoustic video in synchronization with the accompaniment music and the lyrics image. In addition to the karaoke data, the host device also distributes to the karaoke device the data from which the guide screen of the new music piece is generated. The karaoke device displays the guide screen during the performance of the karaoke piece, and presents the user with the arrival status of the new music piece.

However, in the new music guide system using the karaoke monitor, the user has to check the arrival status of the new music in each karaoke store. Therefore, some karaoke companies offer a service of notifying the user of the new music guide by e-mail. This service manages the e-mail address of the user who wants to be notified of the new song guide to a computer linked with the host device, and synchronizes with the host device delivering the karaoke data of the new song to various karaoke devices. This computer sends an e-mail for new music to the corresponding user. Usually, the e-mail is sent at the time when the new music piece is distributed to all the karaoke devices to which the new music piece is to be distributed.

[0005]

The above-described new music guide by electronic mail is delivered to the user after the time when the host device starts the distribution of the new music. Therefore, for a user who often enjoys karaoke at his or her favorite store, it is possible that a new music piece was actually being played at that store earlier than when the email was received. If the user is an avid fan of a particular musician or is particular about karaoke songs of a certain genre, then they should want to sing a new song as soon as possible, and it will be disappointing if the above situation is known. Will.

On the other hand, the karaoke apparatus is installed not only in karaoke specialty stores such as karaoke boxes but also in stores such as bars and clubs that serve customers while eating and drinking. At these stores, which provide services centered on customer service, in order to prevent regular customers from leaving or to acquire new customers, the clerk fully understands different karaoke preferences and request trends for each customer. Uses a karaoke machine to serve customers. Therefore, it is particularly desirable for such a store to promptly inform the customer of the new music guide. Further, in consideration of using the karaoke device for customer service, it is necessary to accurately grasp the music that each customer likes and not to provide unnecessary new music guide. However, it is extremely complicated for the store clerk to grasp the tastes and request trends of the songs of all the customers and sort out who should be sent the information about the new music that has arrived. If there are a large number of customers, it will take time before the new music guide is shipped, making it difficult to provide prompt information. If the sorting work for the guidance and dispatch is carefully performed, there is a high possibility that unnecessary new music guides will reach the customer.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a karaoke customer service support device capable of promptly sending a new music guide that suits each customer's tastes by e-mail in a store that uses the karaoke device for customer service.

[0008]

The present invention for achieving the above object is a karaoke customer service support apparatus used integrally with a karaoke machine in a store where the karaoke machine is used for customer service, and a first one thereof. The invention comprises means for accessing table-of-contents information of a karaoke database in the karaoke apparatus, means for creating and managing a customer database in which the personal information of a large number of customers and the history of songs requested by each customer to the karaoke apparatus are organized by customer. In response to the addition of new songs to the karaoke database,
Customer selecting means for selecting a customer who is likely to like the new song by comparing the table of contents information of the new song and the request song history for each customer in the customer database,
A new music guide mail sending function including means for acquiring the mail address of the customer selected by this means from the customer database, creating an electronic mail notifying that the new music piece has arrived, and sending it to the mail address. It is a karaoke customer service supporting device.

Further, the karaoke customer service support apparatus having the new music guide mail sending function in the following second to fourth inventions compares specific table-of-contents information about new music pieces received with the performance history of each customer. Customers who are likely to like the new music are selected.

In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the customer selection means compares the artist name of the new music piece with the artist name of each music piece in the request music history for each customer to thereby create the new music piece. This is a karaoke customer service support device equipped with a new music guide email sending function that selects customers who are likely to like.

A third aspect of the present invention is a karaoke customer service support device having a new music guide mail sending function according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the customer selection means is an author such as a composer or a lyricist of the new music. By comparing the name with the author name of each song in the requested song history for each customer, a customer who is likely to like the new song is selected.

In a fourth aspect based on the first aspect, the customer selecting means prefers the new music piece by comparing the genre of the new music piece with the genre of each music piece in the request music history for each customer. The karaoke customer service support device has a function to send a new music guide email to select such customers.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the customer selection means compares the requested song history for each customer recorded within the latest predetermined period with the table of contents information. This is a karaoke customer service support device equipped with a new music guide mail sending function.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram including a karaoke service support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. A personal computer (PC) 4 used by an unspecified number of users is connected to the Internet, and a mobile phone 5 having a browser and an e-mail transmission / reception function is also a mobile communication network 6 and a gateway server 7 in this network 6.
Connected to the Internet via.

The karaoke customer service support apparatus 1 in this embodiment is one of the PCs that can be connected to the Internet.
It is installed in karaoke store 3. The built-in hard disk device stores programs and various data for causing the PC 1 to function as a customer service support device. Further, in order to achieve integrated use with the karaoke device 2 in the same store 3, a communication interface for performing data communication with the nearest karaoke device 2 is mounted. In this embodiment,
The customer service support apparatus 1 and the karaoke apparatus 2 communicate with each other through the RS232C standard interface 10. As the communication interface 10, wired (USB etc.)
Not limited to wireless (IrDA, Bluetooth, etc.), an appropriate standard can be adopted. Of course, a mode in which the karaoke device 2 and the customer service support device 1 are connected to the LAN is also possible.

On the other hand, as the karaoke device 2, a karaoke performance terminal in a known communication karaoke system can be adopted. When the host device 8 distributes karaoke data and table of contents information such as genre / artist / author (composer, lyricist) about karaoke music to the karaoke device 2 through the public communication network 9, the karaoke device 2 has a built-in hard disk. These distribution data are accumulated in the device.

In addition to the above hardware and network connection configuration, the customer service support apparatus 1 of this embodiment accepts an operation input mainly using a pointing device such as a mouse and outputs various guide information and response information to the display. It has a graphical user interface (GUI) environment. Then, while supporting the customer service of the store clerk through the dialogue with the user (store clerk) through the GUI, when the new music piece can be played on the karaoke device 2, the customer's PC 4 or mobile phone is informed by e-mail. It is equipped with software for shipping to V.5. Hereinafter, various functions and operations of the customer service support apparatus 1 of this embodiment will be described.

=== Content Information Access Function === The customer service support apparatus of this embodiment accumulates the table information of the karaoke database used in the karaoke apparatus in the hard disk device and associates the table information of each song with the song number. And manage. When the new music piece is distributed to the karaoke device, the table of contents information of the new music piece is received via the communication interface and stored in the hard disk device. With this index information access function, the customer service support device operates as an "electronic index book" that presents index information of the music that meets the search conditions input by the user. Then, if the user indicates the retrieved music piece as a request music piece, a performance reservation command including the corresponding music piece number can be delivered to the karaoke apparatus via the communication interface.
Of course, the user can directly input the song number to specify the requested song.

When the performance reservation command is given from the customer service support device, the karaoke apparatus manages the music numbers included in the command as a queue for performance processing, and sequentially picks up the music numbers from this queue and the corresponding karaoke. Process the data and play a karaoke song. Of course, the karaoke device also accepts the performance reservation command transmitted from the attached remote control transmitter and the song number input to the karaoke device body.

==== Customer Database === The most important function of the customer service support device is that when a new music piece can be played on the karaoke device, a notification to that effect is sent to an appropriate customer by e-mail. There is a new music guide mail sending function. Moreover, we send out an e-mail (new music guide mail) only to customers who are likely to like the new music that has arrived. Therefore, the customer who seems to like the new music piece is selected by comparing the performance history (requested music history) of the music piece requested by the customer in the past with the table of contents information of the received new music piece. Therefore, the customer service support device aggregates a customer list that records names, ages, genders, e-mail addresses, etc. of a large number of customers and a requested music history in a customer database.
Manage. FIG. 2 shows a schematic structural diagram of the customer database. In this example, the request song history records the song number and performance date and time of the karaoke song that was sung in the past. The information to be entered in the customer list is obtained by the clerk through customer service and input to the customer service support device in a timely manner. Further, the requested music history is updated when a customer sings a karaoke music at the time of visiting the store, by writing the music in the column of the corresponding customer in the customer database.

=== Update of Requested Music History === When the music requested by the customer is played, the salesclerk inputs the requested music history into the customer service support device by associating the customer with the music number of the requested music. You can create / update it. Further, in the present embodiment, for a karaoke piece played from the performance reservation command transmitted from the customer service supporting apparatus, the piece is automatically added to the request piece history of the corresponding customer.

In order for the customer service support apparatus to automatically update the request song history for each customer, it is necessary to first register personal information in the customer database. Then, when the performance reservation command of the requested song of the person who is currently entering the store is transmitted to the karaoke device through the customer service support device, at the time of playing the requested song, the song is displayed in the column of the corresponding customer in the customer database. Fill in and update the requested song history.

FIGS. 3A to 3C show an outline of a screen (customer management screen) for providing a GUI for browsing the contents of the customer database and updating the contents of the database. There is. On this screen 20, a list of customers registered in the customer database (customer list) 2
1 and a list of customers who are currently entering the store (visitor list) 2
2 and are displayed (A). When a customer enters the store, the store clerk finds the customer in the customer list 21 and adds the entry column of the customer to the shop visitor list 22 in a "drag &drop" manner. In response to this operation, the customer service support device adds a code indicating that the customer is a store visitor to the corresponding customer column in the customer database, and registers it in the store visitor list.

When the "new registration" button 23 on the customer management screen 20 is designated, a card (customer card) 24 including a personal information entry field is displayed, and information about a new customer can be registered ( B). In addition, after designating an arbitrary customer in the customer list 21 or the visitor list 22, a predetermined operation input (double mouse click, etc.)
If you do, customer card 2 with personal information already written
5 is displayed. When the "Edit" button 26 on this card 25 is designated, the contents of this card can be edited to update the customer list (C).

FIGS. 4A and 4B show an operation screen (karaoke operation screen) 30 for playing the karaoke music requested by the customer on the karaoke device when the clerk actually uses the karaoke device to serve the customer. Shows the outline of. On this screen 30, there are a performance reservation list 32 and a store visitor list 31 that list the correspondence between the karaoke songs in the queue for performance processing acquired from the karaoke device via the communication interface and the requesting customer. It is displayed (A). Through this screen 30, the customer service support device provides a performance reservation function of designating a requested song and transmitting a performance reservation command to the karaoke device.

The customer service support apparatus of this embodiment is provided with a plurality of music selection systems (karaoke music selection mode) for designating requested music. On the karaoke operation screen 30, buttons 33 to 35 of "electronic table of contents", "music number", and "performance history" for activating each karaoke selection mode are arranged. When the customer in the store visitor list 31 is designated and the "electronic table of contents" button 33 is instructed, the above-mentioned electronic table of contents function is activated, and the karaoke music is searched by the index method to finally specify the music. Can be specified as the request song. Similarly, if the customer is designated and then the "music number" button 34 is designated, the requested music can be directly designated by the music number.

When the "performance history" button 35 is designated, the customer service support apparatus searches the customer database and acquires the performance history of the designated customer. Then, the child screen 36 including the list 37 in which the karaoke songs in the performance history are sorted in the order of the number of times of performance is displayed. This child screen 36 is provided with a button 38 for appropriately rearranging the karaoke songs in the performance history, such as the order of date and time of performance, and by instructing the button 38, the list of the performance history is rearranged. Redisplay 37. From the performance history list 37 displayed in this way, specify an arbitrary song and click the "Reserve" button 3
If 9 is indicated, the corresponding music number is transmitted to the karaoke device (B).

When transmitting the performance reservation command to the karaoke apparatus, the customer service support apparatus acquires a queue managed by the karaoke apparatus via the communication interface and associates it with the customer designated at the time of requesting the performance reservation list. Three
Add to 2. Furthermore, when the requested song is played on the karaoke device, a message to that effect is acquired through the communication interface at the start of playing the song, and the obtained date and time is used as the playing date and time in the playing history of the corresponding customer. In addition, update the customer database.

=== Sending of new music guide mail === When the customer service support device recognizes that a new music piece has arrived, it creates a new music music guide mail and selects the customer to whom the new music piece is to be sent based on the requested music history. To do. The customer service support apparatus timely acquires the index information about the music described in the requested music history of each customer from the music index database, and totals the contents described in a predetermined item in the index information. In this embodiment, artist names are totaled. Then, the artist name requested most by each customer is set as the condition for sending the new music guide mail for the customer, and the condition is recorded in the corresponding customer list. In this embodiment, when the requested music history of a customer is updated, the delivery condition of the new music guide mail of the customer is reset. Of course, shipping conditions may be set regularly.

On the other hand, when the new music piece is distributed to the karaoke apparatus, the customer service support apparatus acquires the table of contents information of the music piece through the communication interface, and, for example, "new music piece of artist XX has arrived." We are waiting for you to come to the store. " Then, the customer who sets the artist of the new music piece as the condition for sending the new music guide mail is selected, and the new music guide mail is sent to the Internet to the electronic mail address of the customer. FIG. 5 shows a flow chart in the process of sending the above-mentioned new music guide mail to a specific customer.

=== Other Embodiments / Modifications / Supplements ==
= In the above embodiment, a general-purpose PC was used as a customer service support device. Of course, the device is not limited to this, and may be a dedicated device. Alternatively, the customer service support device side may not have the table of contents information, and the karaoke database on the karaoke device side may be accessed to obtain the required table of contents information. Alternatively, the processing function of the customer service support apparatus, the customer database, and the like may be integrated on the karaoke apparatus side, and only the user interface portion related to the customer service support function may be separated from the main body of the karaoke apparatus. Of course, the data stored in the database may be in a computer other than the customer service support device or the karaoke device as long as the service support device can access the database and retrieve the required data. Further, the clerk may directly input the table-of-contents information of the new music piece in correspondence with a karaoke device in the online karaoke system.

In the above embodiment, the delivery conditions of the new music guide mail are specified for specific items in the table of contents information. Not limited to this example, it is also possible to set items as shipping conditions for each customer, such as an artist for one customer and an author for another customer. Also, instead of deciding the shipping conditions for one specific item, (Artist A) ∩ (Genre B), (Author A) ∪ (Artist B), etc.
The shipping condition can be the product or sum of multiple items. By flexibly setting the delivery condition of the new music guide mail for each customer in this way, it is possible to provide a detailed new music guide service that matches the taste of each customer.

Further, in response to the customer's preference changing with time, the request song history in the latest predetermined period such as the past one month is used as a reference when determining the sending condition of the new music guide mail. Good.

[0034]

According to the karaoke customer service support apparatus of the present invention, at a store that uses the karaoke apparatus for customer service, it is possible to notify the arrival of a new music piece by e-mail only to regular customers who are likely to like the music piece. Therefore, regular customers do not receive unsolicited new music guide emails, and can quickly know the arrival of desired new music. For the shop side, the work of sorting the destinations of the new music guide mail by examining the tastes of all the regular customers in detail will be released.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram including a karaoke customer service support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic structural diagram of a customer database managed by the above embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows (A) to the customer management function in the above embodiment.
It is shown by a schematic view of the GUI screen of (C).

FIG. 4 shows the karaoke operation function in the above embodiment (A).
It is shown by a schematic view of the GUI screen of (B).

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of a new music guide mail sending process in the above embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

20 Customer management screen 30 Karaoke operation screen 32 Performance reservation list 37 Performance history list

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G10K 15/02 G10K 15/02

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A karaoke customer service support device used in an integrated manner with a karaoke device in a store that uses the karaoke device for customer service, comprising means for accessing table of contents information of a karaoke database in the karaoke device and a large number of customers. Means for creating and managing a customer database in which the personal information and the history of songs requested by each customer to the karaoke device are organized for each customer, and, in response to the new song being additionally registered in the karaoke database, the table of contents information of the new song. And a customer selection means for selecting a customer who is likely to like the new music piece by comparing the request song history for each customer in the customer database, and the mail address of the customer selected by this means is acquired from the customer database. , An email notifying you that the new songs have arrived A karaoke customer service support device having a new music guide mail sending function, which is provided with means for creating and sending it to the mail address. 2. The customer selection device according to claim 1, wherein the customer selection means compares the artist name included in the table of contents information of the new music piece with the artist name of each music piece in the request music history for each customer. A karaoke customer service support device with a new music guide email sending function, which selects customers who are likely to like new music. 3. The customer selection means according to claim 1, wherein the name of the author such as a composer or a lyricist included in the table of contents information of the new song and the author of each song in the request song history for each customer. A karaoke customer service support device having a new music guide mail sending function, which selects a customer who is likely to like the new music piece by comparing it with the author's name. 4. The new music piece according to claim 1, wherein the customer selection means compares the genre included in the table of contents information of the new music piece with the genre of each music piece in the request music history for each customer. A karaoke customer service support device equipped with a new music guide email sending function, which selects customers who are likely to like. 5. The customer selection device according to claim 1, wherein the customer selection means compares the requested song history for each customer recorded within the latest predetermined period with the table of contents information. A karaoke customer service support device with a function to send a new music guide email.