JP2004109148A - Operation method for online karaoke system using mobile telephone set as medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an online karaoke system in which a karaoke playing apparatus installed in a karaoke usage store, a mobile telephone set that a person who uses the karaoke playing apparatus has, and a karaoke server operating on a public communication network operate in cooperation with each other. <P>SOLUTION: The mobile telephone set is enabled by an Internet connecting means to access the karaoke server, the karaoke playing apparatus communicates with a short-range radio communication means of the mobile telephone set to temporarily store karaoke data delivered from the mobile telephone set and manages its musical piece identifier by queuing, and outputs a sound of karaoke accompaniment music and the picture of lyrics subtitles synchronously on the basis of the temporarily stored karaoke data, and the karaoke server, after completing an authentication procedure for the accessing mobile telephone set, delivers the karaoke data of the musical piece that the mobile telephone set desires to the mobile telephone set, which transfers the karaoke data delivered from the karaoke server to the karaoke playing apparatus by the short-range radio communication means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of operating a communication karaoke system in which a karaoke performance device provided in a karaoke use store, a mobile phone owned by a person using the karaoke performance device, and a karaoke server operating on a public communication network are linked. Things.
[0002]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The commercial communication karaoke system that is widely used at present has basically the following structure. A person who intends to introduce a karaoke performance device to a shop contracts with a karaoke provider and has the purchased karaoke performance device installed by a field service person. At this time, the karaoke performance device is connected to the telephone line or ISDN line subscribed to at the store, a system for data communication with the karaoke host device operated by the karaoke provider is established, and the karaoke host device manages the system. Register new contractor data in the contractor database.
[0003]
The karaoke performance apparatus is provided with a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk, a CD-ROM, or a DVD-ROM, in which 20,000 to 30,000 karaoke data are stored.
Karaoke providers produce new karaoke data at the rate of about 100 songs per month, and the karaoke host device individually communicates with karaoke performance devices nationwide several times a month to transmit new karaoke data. Send it to each karaoke device and store it on the hard disk.
When performing data communication with each karaoke performance device, the karaoke host device collects operation records of each karaoke performance device, performs maintenance and inspection processing of each karaoke performance device, and updates software of each karaoke performance device. Or perform other processes.
[0004]
Next, in connection with the problem to be solved by the present invention, a simple explanation will be given with a symbolic example.
Suppose that you want to introduce a karaoke performance device that produces a high-quality sound and image in response to the wishes of many customers at a beach chaya that is open for a short period of time with a temporary hut at the seaside in summer. Communication karaoke is also good so that you can sing new songs that are popular among young people.
However, as described above, the communication karaoke system makes a long-term contract exclusively with a karaoke store that is continuously operating, and the karaoke performance device installed in the store frequently communicates with a karaoke host device via a telephone line or ISDN. Is a system that communicates data and is a business model.
Therefore, it is difficult for a short-term business Hamachaya to become a subscriber of the communication karaoke system in the same manner as a izakaya, a club or a karaoke box, not only in terms of usage environment and equipment environment but also in terms of introduction cost and running cost.
[0005]
By the way, recently, a product in which a short-range wireless communication means (such as IrDA or Bluetooth) is added to a mobile phone having an Internet connection function has been released. According to this type of mobile phone, various application functions using the short-range wireless communication means are realized by, for example, loading an application program using the short-range wireless communication means from a predetermined server on the Internet into the mobile phone. be able to.
[0006]
As an example of such an application, the applicant has developed and prototyped a base system that allows a mobile phone to function as a karaoke selection remote control device. This system uses a mobile phone owned by the user to access a music search server on the Internet, and uses a variety of search functions such as song name search and artist name search to list the desired songs and search for their own mobile phone. Can be stored in the memory.
[0007]
The user goes to the karaoke shop with the mobile phone, calls up the music list stored in the memory on the screen of the display, selects one music with the cursor, and performs a reservation event operation. Then, the mobile phone and the karaoke apparatus communicate with each other by short-range wireless communication means, and the identifier of the desired music notified from the mobile phone is registered in the queue of the karaoke apparatus. The karaoke performance device of this example is also a terminal of an existing communication karaoke system, and is basically only a substitute for a karaoke remote control even if it is applied to a mobile phone.
[0008]
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
This invention was created based on the recognition of the technical and social situations as described above. In the present invention, for example, a karaoke apparatus installed in a karaoke shop such as Hamachaya is directly connected to a karaoke server (corresponding to the karaoke host apparatus) operated by a karaoke provider via a communication line. Does not require the ability to The karaoke performance apparatus according to the present invention may be a stand-alone audio / video reproduction device that outputs audio / video in synchronization with karaoke accompaniment music and lyrics subtitles based on karaoke data temporarily stored in a built-in memory. According to the present invention, a karaoke server operating on the Internet or the like is used to access karaoke data of a desired song by using a user's own mobile phone (provided with an Internet connection function, a browser, and short-range wireless communication means) brought by the user. And the karaoke data is transferred to the karaoke performance device by short-range wireless communication means to make a performance reservation.
[0009]
The basic method invention is specified by the following items (1) to (6).
(1) A method of operating a communication karaoke system in which a karaoke performance device installed in a karaoke use store, a mobile phone possessed by a person using the karaoke performance device, and a karaoke server operating on a public communication network are linked. .
(2) The karaoke server includes a karaoke database in which karaoke data of a large number of music pieces are aggregated, and a user database that manages the usage status of each user using the unique information of the mobile phone as a key.
(3) The mobile phone has an Internet connection means, a browser, and a short-range wireless communication means, and can access the karaoke server by the Internet connection means.
(4) The karaoke performance apparatus temporarily stores the karaoke data transmitted from the mobile phone by the short-range wireless communication means and communicates with the short-range wireless communication means of the mobile phone and waits for the music identifier. Means for managing in a matrix, and means for synchronizing karaoke accompaniment music and lyrics subtitles based on temporarily stored karaoke data and outputting audio and video.
(5) The karaoke server, after completing the authentication procedure of the mobile phone that has accessed the karaoke server, sends the karaoke data of the music desired by the mobile phone to the mobile phone, and records the event in the user database.
(6) The mobile phone transfers the karaoke data delivered from the karaoke server to the karaoke performance device by short-range wireless communication means.
[0010]
The following items (A) to (D) are presented as technical ideas accompanying the present invention. These matters (A) to (D) can be appropriately selectively combined and applied to the basic invention.
(A) The mobile phone communicates with the karaoke performance device by short-range wireless communication means to obtain model information of the karaoke performance device, and notifies the model information when accessing the karaoke server.
(A) The karaoke server acquires the model information from the mobile phone and delivers karaoke data suitable for the model information to the mobile phone.
(C) The karaoke server includes a music index database and a search program for searching for a desired music from the karaoke database, and performs a music search process in accordance with an instruction from the mobile phone while performing HTTP communication with the mobile phone that has accessed the karaoke server. To notify the result to the mobile phone.
(D) The karaoke performance device temporarily stores karaoke data of a considerable number of songs in a memory, and when the desired song is determined in the mobile phone, the karaoke data of the desired song is stored in the karaoke performance device by communication through short-range wireless communication means. It is inquired whether or not the karaoke server has been used, and if it is stored, the process of obtaining karaoke data from the karaoke server is omitted.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
=== System Overview ===
FIG. 1 shows a network configuration of a communication karaoke system to which a method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of a karaoke performance apparatus according to the embodiment.
The karaoke playing apparatus 1 is a computer application device equivalent to a personal computer, and is a computer main body in which a central processing unit 21 includes a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM. Then, a hard disk device 22, which is a large-capacity external storage, and an optical disk reproducing device 23, such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM, accept input information from a user and present guidance information and response information to the user. User interface device 24, a music generation device 25 that generates an audio signal of accompaniment music based on music performance data mainly composed of MIDI data, and an audio signal from an accompaniment music or a microphone that is amplified and sounded from a speaker. An audio device 26, a video display device (display) 27 using a CRT, an LED, a PDP, or the like, and an image processing device 28 for processing image data to be displayed on the video display device are provided.
[0012]
The user interface device 24 includes an operation panel (keyboard and display) of the device main body, and also includes a short-range wireless communication interface such as Bluetooth or IrDA.
[0013]
The central processing unit 21 creates a queue for performance reservation in an appropriate storage unit and manages the performance order of karaoke music. The performance reservation data input from the user interface device 24 includes the karaoke data of the music, and is accompanied by a music ID consisting of a six-digit number specifying the music. When a performance reservation command is input, the central processing unit 21 registers the music ID in a queue and manages the performance order. The central processing unit 21 extracts music IDs from the queue in the order of registration and processes the karaoke data of the music corresponding to the music ID.
[0014]
The karaoke server 2 is a computer operated by a karaoke provider. The server 2 also has a web server function, and is connected to the Internet 3 via an ISP or the like.
The karaoke server 2 includes a karaoke database 4, a music index database 5, and a user database 6.
In the karaoke database 4, karaoke data for a large number of songs are aggregated and managed using song IDs as keys. The karaoke data for one song is composed of music performance data that is the origin of the accompaniment music represented by MIDI data and ADPCM data, lyrics subtitle data for displaying lyrics subtitles synchronized with the accompaniment music, and output of the accompaniment music. Background selection data that directly or indirectly specifies background image data to be displayed as the background of the lyrics subtitles during the period is associated with song description subtitle data for subtitle display of the title, artist, or author of the song. Data group.
In this embodiment, there are a plurality of types of karaoke performance apparatuses to which the operation method according to the present invention is applied. For example, models corresponding to each of a plurality of karaoke providers are different. The structure of the karaoke data differs depending on the model, or the number system for identifying music differs. Therefore, a plurality of different karaoke data may be included for each model information even for the same music of the same artist.
[0015]
In the music index database 5, related data of music that can be used in the karaoke apparatus 1, such as music names and artist names, are aggregated and managed using music IDs as keys. This also includes model information of the karaoke performance device 1. In response to an access request sent from the mobile phone 7 connected to the Internet 3 via the Internet 3, the karaoke server 2 allows the karaoke server 2 to browse or select karaoke music related data stored in the music index database 5. Web content is running. The music index database 5 is updated with the update of the karaoke database 4.
[0016]
The user database 6 stores, for a mobile phone 7 that can access the karaoke server 2 through a contract with a karaoke provider, usage history information when the mobile phone 7 accesses the karaoke server 2 via the Internet 3. It is aggregated and managed as a key. The user ID is unique information such as a telephone number of the mobile phone. Information such as the number of songs searched by the user using the mobile phone 7 and the song ID, or the song ID of the song from which the karaoke data is extracted is recorded in association with the user ID.
[0017]
The mobile phone 7 is provided with a browser that connects to the Internet 3 and browses a site, and a Bluetooth interface. In addition, it has a JAVA applet execution function, and can receive and execute a program from the karaoke server 2 as needed.
[0018]
Note that the short-range wireless interface provided in the mobile phone 7 is not limited to the Bluetooth interface, but may be another type of short-range wireless signal such as an IrDA signal.
[0019]
The karaoke server 2 may be configured to be directly connected to the mobile communication network 8 without passing through the Internet 3 and to perform data communication with the mobile phone 7 via the mobile communication network 8.
[0020]
=== Performance reservation processing ===
FIG. 3 shows an outline of a processing flow when a performance is reserved in the karaoke performance apparatus 1 using the method according to the present invention.
When the user brings his / her mobile phone 7 to the karaoke shop and comes near the karaoke apparatus 1, a Bluetooth communication link is established between the user's mobile phone 7 and the karaoke apparatus 1 (step). 301).
When the user accesses the karaoke server 2 on the Internet 3 by HTTP communication using the mobile phone 7, the karaoke server 2 receives the user ID from the mobile phone 7 by exchanging HTML documents (step 302). Then, the user database 6 is searched, and an authentication process is performed to determine whether or not the mobile phone 7 is permitted to access the karaoke server 2. That is, it is confirmed whether or not the user ID is registered in the user database 6.
[0021]
When the mobile phone 7 is authenticated by the karaoke server 2 to be permitted access (step 303), it receives the model information from the karaoke apparatus 1 via the Bluetooth interface and temporarily stores it (step 304). 305).
[0022]
The user exchanges HTML documents with the karaoke server 2 using the mobile phone 7, searches the song search database 5 using various search functions such as song name search and artist name search, and searches for the desired song (artist). Name, music name, and music ID) are determined (steps 306 to 309).
[0023]
At the time of this exchange, the mobile phone 7 notifies the karaoke server 2 of the model of the karaoke performance device 1 including the previously stored model information of the karaoke performance device 1 (step 306). Therefore, in this step, the music ID corresponding to the model information of the karaoke performance device 1 can be extracted.
[0024]
When the user causes the display of the mobile phone 7 to display the selected music piece and transmits an inquiry command to the karaoke performance device 1 via Bluetooth, the karaoke performance device 1 stores the karaoke data for the desired music. It is confirmed whether or not there is, that is, whether or not the karaoke data corresponding to the music ID is stored in the storage unit (step 309).
[0025]
If the karaoke data corresponding to the tune is not stored, the karaoke performance device 1 returns the fact to the mobile phone 7 (step 310). The mobile phone 7 requests the karaoke data by notifying the karaoke server 2 of the tune using an HTML document (step 311).
[0026]
The karaoke server 2 searches the karaoke database 4 based on the music ID, extracts the karaoke data of the music that can be used by the model of the karaoke apparatus 1, and returns the karaoke data to the mobile phone 7 together with the music ID (step). 312). The mobile phone 7 transfers the karaoke data to the karaoke performance device 1 (step 313) and issues a performance reservation command including the music ID (step 314).
[0027]
Of course, if the karaoke performance apparatus 1 has stored the corresponding karaoke data in step 310, the processing in steps 311 to 313 is omitted, and the processing in step 314 is performed.
[0028]
The karaoke performance apparatus 1 stores the received karaoke data in association with the tune and the music ID, and registers the karaoke data in a queue for performance reservation in the order in which the music IDs are received. Then, the corresponding karaoke data is taken out in the order of registration in the queue and a performance process is performed.
[0029]
The user can access the karaoke server 2 in advance to search for music and create a music list of the desired music even if the user does not have a karaoke service at home or on the road, even if he or she is out of hand. You can also keep. At the karaoke store, the created song list is displayed on the display, and the cursor is moved to select one song from the list. Then, the processing after step 309 can be executed. Further, when a plurality of karaoke models can be supported, this tune list includes a plurality of tune IDs for each tune type information per tune, so that a karaoke shop can retrieve the tune ID corresponding to the type. It has become.
[0030]
Also, as described above, the authentication process can be executed when the karaoke server 2 is accessed to create a music list in advance. Alternatively, the music list may be stored in the user database 6 or the like, and may be taken out at a karaoke store.
[0031]
In addition, the karaoke server 2 can perform the billing process mainly. For example, when the user accesses the karaoke server 2 to search for a desired song, or when the karaoke server 2 accesses the karaoke server and retrieves karaoke data, the user is charged according to the frequency of use or the number of songs used. can do. Based on the information recorded in the user database 6, the price can be settled when the user goes to a karaoke shop, or the communication provider of the mobile phone 7 can be charged. Of course, it is possible for the karaoke store to freely collect and collect the room charge of the karaoke store, but in such a case, it is also possible to grasp the use results by recording the user database. In this way, a billing method can be flexibly adopted.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
According to the operation method of the communication karaoke system according to the present invention, karaoke can be introduced even in a small-scale shop or a short-term business shop without having to exchange a troublesome contract with a karaoke provider. Running costs are also reduced. In addition, it is sufficient to introduce a stand-alone karaoke performance device by rental or the like, which is advantageous in terms of introduction costs. Furthermore, it is possible to flexibly cope with the collection of charges by, for example, having a mobile phone communication provider act as a proxy.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke performance apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a performance reservation process according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Karaoke playing device 2 Karaoke server 3 Internet 7 Mobile phone

Claims (5)

Invention of the method specified by the following items (1) to (6).
(1) A method of operating a communication karaoke system in which a karaoke performance device provided in a karaoke use store, a mobile phone possessed by a person using the karaoke performance device, and a karaoke server operating on a public communication network are linked. .
(2) The karaoke server is provided with a karaoke database in which karaoke data of a large number of music pieces are aggregated, and a user database that manages the usage status of each user using information unique to the mobile phone as a key.
(3) The mobile phone has an Internet connection means, a browser and a short-range wireless communication means, and can access the karaoke server by the Internet connection means.
(4) The karaoke performance apparatus temporarily stores the karaoke data transmitted from the mobile phone by the short-range wireless communication means and communicates with the short-range wireless communication means of the mobile phone, and waits for the music identifier. Means for managing in a queue and means for synchronizing karaoke accompaniment music and lyrics subtitles based on temporarily stored karaoke data and outputting audio and video.
(5) The karaoke server, after completing the authentication procedure of the mobile phone that has accessed the karaoke server, sends the karaoke data of the music desired by the mobile phone to the mobile phone, and records the event in the user database.
(6) The mobile phone transfers the karaoke data delivered from the karaoke server to the karaoke performance device by short-range wireless communication means. 2. The method of operating a communication karaoke system according to claim 1, wherein the mobile phone communicates with the karaoke performance device by short-range wireless communication means to acquire model information of the karaoke performance device, and when the mobile phone accesses the karaoke server. It is characterized in that model information is notified. The method of operating the communication karaoke system according to claim 2, wherein the karaoke server acquires model information from the mobile phone, and delivers karaoke data suitable for the model information to the mobile phone. The method of operating the communication karaoke system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the karaoke server has a music index database and a search program for searching for a desired music from the karaoke database, and the mobile phone has accessed the karaoke server. While performing HTTP communication with the mobile phone, music search processing is executed according to an instruction from the mobile phone, and the result is notified to the mobile phone. 5. The operation method of the communication karaoke system according to claim 1, wherein the karaoke performance device temporarily stores karaoke data of a considerable number of songs in a memory, and when a desired song is determined in the mobile phone, It is characterized in that the karaoke performance device is inquired as to whether or not the karaoke data of the desired music is stored by communication with the short-range wireless communication means, and if it is stored, the process of obtaining the karaoke data from the karaoke server is omitted. .

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