JP2008033149A - Karaoke machine and karaoke system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To promote prompt selection of a karaoke song by a user and suitable service providing to the user by correctly understanding a customer stratum of a karaoke store, by knowing the age range of persons selecting the specific karaoke song in which the user becomes interested, or which is often selected, and thereby, to contribute to operation and enhancement of benefit of the karaoke store while improving customer satisfaction. <P>SOLUTION: In a karaoke system 100, an age of the user is estimated from a voice signal input from a microphone 26 by a karaoke machine 1, a server 8 calculates an age value of a singer of each karaoke song based on the estimated age, for each karaoke song. The karaoke machine 1 acquires the value for the age of the singer of each karaoke song from the server 8 according to inquiry by the user through operation section 18, and displays it on a display section 36. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a karaoke apparatus and a karaoke system that are installed in a karaoke box and perform a karaoke performance desired by a user. In particular, by accurately grasping the customer base of the karaoke box, customer satisfaction is improved, It relates to technology that contributes to box operation.

  In recent years, karaoke businesses have provided various services for members using the infrastructure of online karaoke systems. As a form of providing this service, a storage area for each member is prepared in the host device, the communication karaoke terminal transmits the karaoke use history of each member to the host device, and the host device transmits each member's transmitted karaoke history. Store the karaoke usage history in the corresponding member's area. In addition, when a member uses a communication karaoke terminal, information stored in a storage area for each member of the host device is downloaded from the host device, and various services are provided to the member using the downloaded information. .

  As an example, in the communication karaoke system as described above, a performance reservation command including a remote control identifier and a music number is transmitted to a communication karaoke terminal from a music selection reservation remote control device individually owned by a member. The communication karaoke terminal uses the remote control identifier as a member identification code (member global ID), and records the use history of the communication karaoke terminal in association with the identification code. The usage history includes a music selection history, a scoring result when the above-described scoring function is used at the time of performance, and the like. Then, the communication karaoke terminal transmits the usage history to the host device at regular communication opportunities with the host device. On the other hand, in the host device, based on the usage history received from the online karaoke terminal, for example, the scoring results collected from other online karaoke terminals are periodically aggregated to create a scoring ranking, Points are given according to the number of reservations. Then, the karaoke company provides various privileges to members according to the scoring rankings and points created and aggregated by the host device. In this way, various services for members are provided to members by karaoke operators using the infrastructure of the online karaoke system.

  Among the karaoke systems as described above, there is a karaoke system that can preferentially supply information services (CM broadcast, karaoke performance, game play, etc.) that individual users will be interested in. . Specifically, based on the customer's personal information (attribute data such as age, gender, occupation, hobby, etc.), an attribute code indicating a comprehensive image of the customer is generated to create a customer image table. Then, based on the contents of the customer image table and the service history information included in the personal information, a schedule table for determining the broadcast order of the spot CM of the karaoke system is created, and a menu configuration table for determining the menu configuration of the interactive CM is created. . During service, a service history is recorded and reflected in the next service provision (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  By the way, in the karaoke box exchange behavior, after visiting the group, each person uses the so-called “song book” or “electronic quick sample” to select the song he / she wants to sing and input it to the karaoke device as a request. And it is a general way of enjoying to repeat becoming a singer and a listener in order.

  However, in the case of the above-mentioned way of enjoying, there are people who are reluctant to become a singer and do not easily select and sing songs. It is speculated that such reluctant people have no repertoire that they can sing well, and often do not think or remember what to sing on the spot .

In this way, there are quite a few situations where you can sing that song if you say it, and it is important to make this “reluctant group” in the karaoke box go to singing. To that end, for example, if you can know what age people are selecting the karaoke performance that the user is interested in, you can determine whether the karaoke performance is right for you. It is thought that it helps to make the “reluctant group” as described above to sing.
JP-A-9-251296

  However, in the above karaoke system, it is impossible to accurately know the ages of people who are singing karaoke performances in which individual users are interested, so it is possible to accurately grasp the customer base of karaoke stores. It was difficult. That is, for example, if it is possible to know what age person is selecting a karaoke performance piece that the user is interested in, it can be determined whether or not the karaoke performance piece suits the user. However, in the conventional karaoke system, it is impossible to know what age a person selects a karaoke performance song that the user is interested in, and hesitates to select the karaoke performance song. It was a cause. In addition, for example, if it is possible to know the age of a person who selects a karaoke performance piece that is often selected by the user, according to the age of the user who often selects the selected karaoke performance piece. Information services provided such as food and drink menus, movies, and advertisements can be changed. However, in the conventional karaoke system, it is impossible to know the age of the person who selects the karaoke performances often selected by the user, and the user is provided with a more appropriate information service. There was no fear.

  Although it is possible to acquire information related to the age of individual users from customer information, it is necessary to add a means for acquisition, and information related to the age of users not included in the customer information is acquired. There is a problem that can not be. For users who are not included in customer information, it may be possible to take a questionnaire or enter an age value from a remote control terminal, but such operations may not be performed because it is cumbersome for the user High nature.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to select a karaoke performance song that the user is interested in or often selected by the user at any age. By accurately knowing the customer base of the karaoke store by knowing what is being done, users can promptly select karaoke performance songs and provide more appropriate services to users to improve customer satisfaction It is to contribute to the operation and profit improvement of the karaoke store.

  The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, which has been made in order to solve the above problem, “estimates the age of the user from the audio signal input from the audio signal input means, and based on the estimated age, The characteristic information indicating the characteristics of the singer is calculated for each karaoke performance piece, and the characteristic information is notified in response to an inquiry by the user.

  Specifically, the reservation receiving unit receives a reservation for a karaoke performance song by the user, and the performance song storage unit stores one or more karaoke performance songs. The performance order storage means can store reservations of karaoke performance songs received by the reservation reception means as a reservation list in the order of performance. In addition, the storage control means stores the reservation of the karaoke performance music accepted by the reservation acceptance means in the reservation list stored in the performance order storage means, and the performance order storage means stores the reservation of the karaoke performance music that has been played. Delete from reservation list. And a karaoke performance means reads a karaoke performance music from a performance music memory | storage means based on the reservation list which a performance order memory | storage means memorize | stores, and performs a karaoke performance. Further, when the age estimating means performs the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance means, the age of the singer is determined from the voice signal of the karaoke song input from the voice signal input means for inputting the voice signal of the karaoke song. The estimated age storage means stores the information indicating the estimated age of the singer estimated by the age estimation means in association with the karaoke performance song on which the karaoke performance was performed. Then, the feature information calculating means calculates, for each karaoke performance song, feature information indicating the characteristics of the singer who sings each karaoke performance song, based on the stored contents stored in the estimated age storage means, and the feature information storage means, The feature information for each karaoke performance song calculated by the feature information calculation means is stored. The inquiry receiving means receives an inquiry about the karaoke performance song by the user, and the notifying means reads out the feature information corresponding to the karaoke performance song from the feature information storage means in response to the inquiry received by the inquiry receiving means. To do.

  According to the karaoke apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to know what age a person selects a karaoke performance piece that the user is interested in or is often selected by the user. By accurately grasping the karaoke store's customer base, users can quickly select karaoke performances and provide more appropriate services to users to improve customer satisfaction. It can contribute to improvement.

  In this case, the above-described feature information may be an “age value” that characterizes a singer who sings each karaoke performance piece. Specifically, as described in claim 2, the above-described feature information calculation means is characterized by an “age value” that characterizes a singer who sings each karaoke performance song based on the stored contents stored in the estimated age storage means. It may be calculated as information. By configuring in this way, it is possible to know what age the person selects the karaoke performance that the user is interested in, and whether the karaoke performance is right for you or not is easy. Can be judged.

  As for the above-mentioned age estimation means, the voice feature extraction means for extracting the voice features from the voice signal of the karaoke song input from the voice signal input means, and the specification included in the karaoke song input from the voice signal input means Corresponding to the speech feature extracted by the speech feature extraction means based on the analysis information stored in the analysis information storage means and the analysis information stored in the analysis information storage means. It is conceivable to have analysis information output means for outputting analysis information, and estimate the singer's age based on the analysis information output by the analysis information output means. If comprised in this way, the precision of the singer's age estimation by an age estimation means can be raised more.

  Further, the karaoke system according to claim 4 made to solve the above-mentioned problem is similarly “based on the estimated age by estimating the user's age from the audio signal input from the audio signal input means. The feature information indicating the characteristics of the singer of each karaoke performance song is calculated for each karaoke performance song, and the feature information is notified in response to an inquiry by the user.

  Specifically, the above-described karaoke system includes a plurality of karaoke apparatuses that perform karaoke performance based on music data, a server, and a network that connects the plurality of karaoke apparatuses and the server, and the plurality of karaoke apparatuses and servers. Various data can be sent and received via the network. Each of the plurality of karaoke apparatuses includes a reservation receiving unit that receives a reservation of a karaoke performance song by a user, a performance song storage unit that stores one or more karaoke performance songs, a performance order storage unit, and a storage control unit, A karaoke performance means, an audio signal input means for inputting an audio signal of karaoke singing, an age estimation means, an inquiry reception means for receiving an inquiry about a karaoke performance song by a user, a server and another karaoke apparatus The apparatus side transmission / reception means which can transmit / receive various data between, a transmission control means, and alerting | reporting means are provided. On the other hand, the server is a server-side transmission / reception means capable of transmitting / receiving various data to / from the karaoke apparatus, an estimation result information storage means for storing the estimation result information received by the server-side transmission / reception means, a feature information calculation means, Characteristic information storage means and server-side transmission control means.

  First, in the karaoke apparatus, the performance order storage means can store the reservation of the karaoke performance songs received by the reservation reception means as a reservation list in the order of performance, and the storage control means reserves the karaoke performance songs received by the reservation reception means. Are stored in the reservation list stored in the performance order storage means, and the reservation of the karaoke performance song that has been performed is deleted from the reservation list stored in the performance order storage means. And a karaoke performance means reads a karaoke performance music from a performance music memory | storage means based on the reservation list which a performance order memory | storage means memorize | stores, and performs a karaoke performance. Further, the age estimation means estimates the singer's age from the voice signal of the karaoke song input from the voice signal input means when the karaoke performance is performed by the karaoke performance means, and the apparatus-side transmission control means It generates estimation result information that associates information indicating the estimated age of the singer estimated by the estimation means with the karaoke performance song on which the karaoke performance was performed, and controls the generated transmission result information by controlling the apparatus-side transmission / reception means. To the server via the network.

  On the other hand, in the server, the estimation result information storage unit stores the estimation result information received by the server side transmission / reception unit. Then, the feature information calculation means calculates, for each karaoke performance song, feature information indicating the characteristics of the singer who sings each karaoke performance song based on the stored contents stored in the estimation result information storage means, and the feature information storage means The feature information for each karaoke performance song calculated by the feature information calculation means is stored.

  Further, in the karaoke apparatus, the apparatus-side transmission control means controls the apparatus-side transmission / reception means to transmit the inquiry information indicating the inquiry content received by the inquiry reception means to the server via the network. On the other hand, in the server, the server side transmission control means reads out the feature information corresponding to the karaoke performance music from the feature information storage means in response to the inquiry information from the karaoke apparatus received by the server side transmission / reception means, The read-out feature information is transmitted as inquiry result information to the server side transmission / reception means and transmitted to the karaoke apparatus which is the transmission source of the inquiry information via the network. On the other hand, in the karaoke apparatus, when the apparatus side transmission / reception means receives the inquiry result information which is information transmitted from the server in response to the inquiry information transmitted by the apparatus side transmission / reception means, the notification means performs the inquiry. Inform the result information.

  According to the karaoke system of the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to know what age a person selects a karaoke performance piece that the user is interested in or often selected by the user. By accurately grasping the customer base of karaoke stores, the user can quickly select karaoke performances and provide more appropriate services to users, thereby improving customer satisfaction and operating and profits of karaoke stores. It can contribute to improvement.

  In this case, it is conceivable that the above-described feature information is an “age value” that characterizes a singer who sings each karaoke performance piece. Specifically, as described in claim 5, with respect to the characteristic information calculation means of the server described above, an “age value” characterizing a singer who sings each karaoke performance piece based on the stored contents stored in the estimated age storage means Can be calculated as feature information. By configuring in this way, it is possible to know what age the person selects the karaoke performance that the user is interested in, and whether the karaoke performance is right for you or not is easy. Can be judged.

  As for the above-mentioned server age estimation means, similarly, a voice feature extraction means for extracting voice features from a voice signal of karaoke singing input from the voice signal input means, and a karaoke input from the voice signal input means. The voice extracted by the voice feature extraction means based on the analysis information storage means for storing the analysis information corresponding to the voice characteristics and the analysis information stored in the analysis information storage means for the voice signal of a specific word included in the song It is possible to estimate the age of the singer based on the analysis information output by the analysis information output means. If comprised in this way, the precision of the singer's age estimation by an age estimation means can be raised more.

By the way, it is conceivable to improve customer satisfaction as follows using the feature information calculated as described above.
(A) That is, it is conceivable to change the service provided to the user according to the above-described feature information. Specifically, as in claim 7, a provision service notification device for notifying a provision service for provision to a user, a karaoke store operator or a karaoke business operator is provided, and the server is provided for the user. Providing service storing means for storing one or more providing services, and the server-side transmission control means of the server sends feature information corresponding to a karaoke performance piece from the feature information storing means each time a predetermined period elapses. Reads the provided service that matches the read feature information from the provided information service storage means, controls the server-side transmitting / receiving means, and transmits it to the provided service notification apparatus via the network. When the service provided from the server corresponding to the inquiry information sent by the sending / receiving means is received, the received offer It is conceivable to notify the-bis. Specific examples of the provided service notification device include a POS cashier accounting device installed in the same store as any of the karaoke devices, a server used by a karaoke company, and the like. Moreover, as a specific example of the above-mentioned provision service, a menu of food and drink provided in a karaoke store can be cited. Further, the predetermined cycle may be weekly, monthly, quarterly, or the like. If comprised in this way, provision of a more suitable service to a user can be promoted, customer satisfaction can be improved, and it can contribute to management of a karaoke store, and improvement of profit.

  (B) It is also conceivable that the server side predicts the quantity of items such as premiums prepared in advance in each karaoke store according to the above-described feature information. Specifically, the server prepares one or more quantities for preparing one or more articles to be provided to the karaoke store where the karaoke apparatus is installed, based on the characteristic information for each karaoke performance song stored in the characteristic information storage means. It is conceivable to include a quantity calculation means for calculating the In addition, as a specific example of an article, a prize for handing over to a user can be given. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent goods such as prizes prepared in advance at each karaoke store from becoming missing items at each karaoke store as much as possible, and to provide more appropriate services to users. This can improve customer satisfaction and contribute to the operation and profit improvement of karaoke stores.

  (C) Further, it is conceivable that appropriate advice suitable for each karaoke store is selected and provided for each store in accordance with the above feature information. Specifically, the server has information service storage means for storing one or more information services for providing to the karaoke store where the karaoke apparatus is installed, and further, the karaoke performance music stored by the characteristic information storage means Based on the feature information for each karaoke store, an information service suitable for the karaoke store where the karaoke device is installed is selected for each karaoke store from the information service stored in the service storage means, and the selected information service is provided to the karaoke store. It is conceivable to provide an information service providing apparatus that performs the above. Specific examples of the information service described above include advice necessary for operating a karaoke store, and an interior design plan for each karaoke room. With this configuration, advice relating to the interior of a karaoke store can be appropriately provided according to the customer base of each karaoke store, which promotes the provision of more appropriate services to users and enables customers to Satisfaction can be improved, and it can contribute to the management and profit improvement of a karaoke store.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the karaoke system 100 of this embodiment and the configuration of peripheral devices during operation. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the karaoke apparatus 1 and the remote control terminal 50. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the age detection unit of the karaoke apparatus. 4A is an explanatory diagram showing a reservation queue stored in the HDD of the karaoke apparatus, and FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram showing records included in the reservation queue.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the server 80.

[Description of configuration of karaoke system 100 and configuration of peripheral devices]
As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of karaoke devices 1 installed in each karaoke room in a karaoke box (“store” in FIG. 1) and a local server 2 that manages the plurality of karaoke devices 1 , Connected to the LAN 3 in the karaoke box. The LAN 3 in the karaoke box is connected to the LAN hub device 4. The plurality of karaoke apparatuses 1 and the local server 2 are configured to be able to communicate with the server 8 via the LAN hub apparatus 4, the broadband router 5, the ADSL modem 6, and the high-speed communication line 7. The LAN hub device 4 is connected to a POS cashier accounting device 2a. The same applies to other karaoke boxes (stores). In this embodiment, a karaoke system 100 is configured by a plurality of karaoke apparatuses 1 and servers 8 installed in each karaoke room in each karaoke box. Yes.

Since the configuration of the POS cashier accounting apparatus 2a is in accordance with a known technique, a detailed description thereof is omitted here.
[Description of configuration of karaoke apparatus 1]
As shown in FIG. 2, the karaoke device 1 includes a control unit 12 that controls the operation of the karaoke device 1 as a whole, an interface unit 14 for connecting the karaoke device 1 to the LAN 3 in the karaoke box, and performance music (karaoke performance music). A hard disk (HDD) 16 that stores music data and video data indicating accompaniment content and lyrics, an operation unit 18 that accepts a reservation for a karaoke performance by a user, and an infrared signal from a remote control terminal 50 Infrared communication unit 20 for receiving a signal by infrared communication, an operation processing unit 22 for processing a signal from the operation unit 18, a microphone 26 for inputting a voice signal of karaoke singing, an external audio input for receiving an external audio input Unit 29, the performance music composition from the music data stored in the hard disk 16. Audio signal (signal related to sound and sound), the generated audio signal and the audio signal input from the microphone 26 are amplified and output to the speaker 28, and the audio signal input from the microphone 26 is output. Amplifying microphone amplifier 25a, an A / D conversion unit 25b for digitally converting a voice signal input from the microphone 26 and then amplified by the microphone amplifier 25a, and a D / A conversion for converting a signal subjected to digital voice processing by the voice control unit 24 into an analog signal 27, a MIDI sound source 30 that performs karaoke performance based on music data (performance data) acquired from the HDD 16 by the control unit 12, a video RAM 32 that temporarily stores video information, and a video that controls playback of video based on the video data Playback unit 34 and video RAM 32 A video control unit 38 that controls display on the display unit 36 of information and video reproduced by the video reproduction unit 34, a telephone circuit control unit 42 that controls communication with the outside via a telephone line, and an outside via a wired LAN A wired LAN control unit 44 for controlling communication is provided. The control unit 12 and the audio control unit 24 are connected by a USB 40. Further, the karaoke apparatus 1 can perform data communication with the remote control terminal 50 and the server 8 via the interface unit 14.

[Description of Configuration of HDD 16]
The HDD 16 stores a serial number and a reservation queue (reservation list, see FIG. 4A). The serial number is information for specifying the karaoke apparatus 1. The reservation queue is composed of a plurality of storage areas for storing various information necessary for reserving a karaoke performance as a reservation queue record. This reservation queue record is composed of data indicating the music number, serial number, distinction between internal data / recorded data, performance key, performance speed, and recording file name (see FIG. 4B).

  Further, the HDD 16 stores a standard pattern according to the age of the voice. The standard pattern is analysis information corresponding to the voice characteristics of the voice signal of a specific word included in the karaoke song input from the microphone 26.

[Description of Configuration of Microphone Amplifier 25a and AD Converter 25b]
The microphone amplifier 25 a amplifies the singing voice signal or sound signal input from the microphone 26. Further, the AD conversion unit 25 b converts the singing voice signal or sound signal amplified by the microphone amplifier 25 a into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the voice control unit 24 and the control unit 12.

[Description of Configuration of MIDI Sound Source 30]
The MIDI sound source 30 has a function of forming a (digital) musical tone signal based on musical tone track data of music data. Note that the song data is read from the HDD 16 by the voice control unit 24 via the control unit 12 during karaoke performance. The musical sound track is composed of a plurality of tracks. The MIDI tone generator 30 simultaneously forms a plurality of part tone signals based on the song data.

[Description of Configuration of Voice Control Unit 24]
The voice control unit 24 includes a voice effect 24a, and has a function of voice processing the “MIDI signal” acquired from the MIDI sound source 30 together with the “digital signal” generated by the AD conversion unit 25b. Specifically, the voice effect 24a gives an acoustic effect such as echo to the singing voice signal output from the AD conversion unit 25b and outputs it. Then, the voice control unit 24 mixes and outputs the singing voice signal output from the voice effect 24a and the voice signal formed by the MIDI sound source 30. The audio signal after mixing is converted into an analog signal by the DA conversion unit 27, and is output to the speaker 28 via a power amplifier (not shown) after passing through a preamplifier (not shown).

[Description of Configuration of Control Unit 12]
The control unit 12 has a function of detecting the singer's age value. That is, the control unit 12 performs frequency analysis (FFT) on the singing voice signal output from the AD conversion unit 25b. Subsequently, the control unit 12 extracts voice feature parameters based on the result of the frequency analysis. Further, the control unit 12 reads the “standard pattern based on the age of voice” stored in the HDD 16 and collates the read “standard pattern based on the age of voice” with the previously extracted “speech feature parameter”. And the control part 12 calculates a singer's age value based on a collation result.

Moreover, the control part 12 performs various processes, such as the song age calculation process mentioned later, an age detection process, a song age preparation process (1), and an inquiry process (1).
The control unit 12 corresponds to storage control means, age estimation means, voice feature extraction means, analysis information output means, and transmission / reception control means. The interface unit 14 corresponds to a device side transmission / reception means. The HDD 16 corresponds to a performance music storage unit, a performance order storage unit, a specific information storage unit, a temporary storage unit, and an analysis information storage unit. The operation unit 18 corresponds to a reservation receiving unit and an inquiry receiving unit. The microphone 26 corresponds to an audio signal input unit. The MIDI sound source 30 corresponds to karaoke performance means. The display unit 36 corresponds to a notification unit.

[Description of configuration of remote control terminal 50]
The remote control terminal 50 includes a control unit 52 that controls the overall operation of the remote control terminal 50, an infrared communication unit 54 that transmits infrared signals to the karaoke apparatus 1 by infrared communication, a memory 56 that stores various information, and a display area of the display unit 58. An operation unit 60 including a touch panel and a plurality of key switches installed along the line, an operation processing unit 62 for processing signals from the operation unit 60, a video RAM 64 for temporarily storing video information, and a video stored in the video RAM 64 According to the wireless LAN standard (for example, IEEE802.11a / b / g standard) between the video control unit 66 for controlling the display on the information display unit 58 and the wireless access point 9 connected to the LAN 3 in the karaoke box. A wireless LAN communication unit 68 for performing wireless communication is provided.

[Description of Configuration of Server 8]
As shown in FIG. 5, the server 8 includes a LAN interface 8b, a ROM 8c, a RAM 8d, a CPU 8e, a control interface 8f, and an HDD 8g. The LAN interface 8b, ROM 8c, RAM 8d, CPU 8e, control interface 8f, and HDD 8g are connected to each other by a bus 8a. The LAN interface 8b is connected to an external high-speed communication line 7 via a bus.

  Of these, the HDD 8g has a performance record log (see FIG. 11 (a)), a total result of totaling the performance log for each store (see FIG. 11 (b)), and a total result of totaling the performance record for each age (see FIG. 11 (b)). (See FIG. 11C).

The CPU 8e executes various processes such as a song age creation process (2), an inquiry process (2), and a store management data creation process (1) described later.
The control interface 8f corresponds to a server side transmission / reception means. The HDD 8g corresponds to estimation result information storage means and feature information storage means. The CPU 8e corresponds to feature information calculation means and server side transmission control means.

[Explanation of song age calculation process]
Below, the process sequence of the song age calculation process performed by the control part 12 of the karaoke apparatus 1 is demonstrated based on the flowchart of FIG. 6, and the flowchart of FIG. This song age calculation process is executed independently of other processes when the karaoke apparatus 1 is activated.

  First, referring to the reservation queue stored in the HDD 16, if there is a reservation for a karaoke performance song, it is determined that a song selection has been made (S110). If there is no reservation for a karaoke performance song, this S110 is repeatedly executed until a karaoke performance song is reserved.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the music selection is made from a personal page (S120). The “personal page” refers to a personal Web homepage (hereinafter referred to as a homepage) that can be used in a karaoke box for a karaoke user. The user registers a user ID in the server 8 in advance, and the server 8 has a home page for each user ID. (1) At the time of user ID registration, user information (for example, age, sex, address, etc.) is also registered in association with the user ID. (2) Or, when using karaoke with a user ID, user information is also input. In any case, when the user selects a karaoke piece by the karaoke device 1 using the user ID, in the case of (1) above, a song selection log corresponding to the user ID can be made from the karaoke device 1 to the server 8. The server 8 associates the user ID with the user information and the music selection log. On the other hand, in the case of (2) above, the karaoke device 1 sends the user ID to the server 8 in the music selection log corresponding to the user ID. And the user information corresponding to the user ID are attached to the music selection log, the server 8 associates the user ID, the user information, and the music selection log. In addition, as the usage of this homepage, for example, the quantity according to the number of karaoke songs used is given, the quantity display of the point system service (common name: number of points) used for future cashing or prize exchange, and for individuals And browsing e-mail magazines. In actual usage, a personal page can be used by inputting a personal identification number by remote control operation.

  Returning to S120, if it is determined that the song selection was not made from an individual page (S120: NO), the process proceeds to S130 described later. On the other hand, when it is determined that the music selection is made from a personal page (S120: YES), it is determined whether or not an age value has been input from the user via the operation unit 18 (S170). When it is determined that the age value has not been input (S170: NO), the process proceeds to S130 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that the age value has been input (S170: YES), the music data of the karaoke performance music reserved at the head of the reservation queue is read from the HDD 16 and karaoke performance is performed (S180). When the karaoke performance is completed, the reservation of the karaoke performance song is deleted from the reservation queue. And it transfers to S150 mentioned later.

  In S130, the “age estimation process” (see FIG. 7), which is a subroutine of this process, is executed (S130). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the music data of the karaoke performance music reserved at the head of the reservation queue is read from the HDD 16 and the karaoke performance is started (S210). When the karaoke performance is completed, the reservation of the karaoke performance song is deleted from the reservation queue. Subsequently, the audio feature parameters are extracted, and the extracted feature parameters are sequentially stored in the HDD 16 (220). Then, it is determined whether the progress status of the karaoke performance is currently within one chorus (S230). If it is determined that the progress of the karaoke performance is currently within one chorus (S230: YES), the process returns to S220. On the other hand, if it is determined that the progress status of the karaoke performance is not currently within one chorus (S230: NO), it is determined that the karaoke performance has finished one chorus and stored in the HDD 16 in the previous S220. The feature parameter and the standard pattern stored in the HDD 16 are read and compared (S240), and the singer's age value is estimated based on the comparison result (S250). Note that the estimated age value is stored in the HDD 16. And it waits until a karaoke performance is complete | finished, and when a karaoke performance is complete | finished (S260), this subroutine is complete | finished and it transfers to S140.

  Subsequently, the age is confirmed (S140). Specifically, the age value of the singer estimated in the above-described age estimation process (S130) is displayed on the display unit 36 to be presented to the user, and the operation unit 18 is used to input the availability of the user. If the age value is approved by the user, the process proceeds to S150. If there is no input even after a predetermined time has elapsed from the display, it is considered that the user has approved, and the process proceeds to S150. On the other hand, if the age value is not approved by the user, the display unit 36 displays that the user is prompted to input the age value, and accepts input from the user via the operation unit 18. The received age value is used as the singer's age value, and the process proceeds to S150.

  Then, in S150, when it transfers from S140, the singer's age value confirmed in S140 is added to the performance performance log which is a log of music performance. On the other hand, in the case of shifting from S170, the age value input in the previous S170 is added to the performance record log, which is the singer's age value, which is a log of music performance. Then, the performance record log is stored in the HDD 16 (S160). The performance record log corresponds to “estimation result information” in the claims.

Then, this process ends.
[Description of Song Age Creation Processing (1)]
Below, the process sequence of the song age preparation process (1) performed by the control part 12 of the karaoke apparatus 1 is demonstrated based on the flowchart of Fig.8 (a). This song age creation process (1) is executed independently of other processes when the karaoke apparatus 1 is activated.

First, the performance record log stored in the HDD 16 is read, and the read performance record log is transmitted to the server 8 (S310).
Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the performance record log to which the average value of the age values is added by the server 8 from the server 8 (S320). If it is determined that the performance record log has not been received, the system waits until the performance record log is received (S320: NO). On the other hand, when it is determined that the performance record log has been received (S320: YES), the received performance record log is stored in the HDD 16 (S330).

Then, this process ends.
[Description of Song Age Creation Process (2)]
Below, the process sequence of the song age preparation process (2) performed by CPU8e of the server 8 is demonstrated based on the flowchart of FIG.8 (b). This song age creation process (2) is executed independently of other processes when the server 8 is activated.

  First, it is determined whether or not a performance record log from the karaoke apparatus 1 has been received (S410). If it is determined that the performance record log has not been received, the process waits until the performance record log is received (S410: NO). On the other hand, when it is determined that the performance record log has been received (S410: YES), the received performance record log is temporarily stored in the HDD 8g, and the performance record logs stored in the HDD 8g are totaled (S420).

  Subsequently, the age values of the performance record log are totaled for each song, and the average value of the age values is calculated (S430). In this case, the age value having the largest value or the age value having the smallest value may be extracted. Further, the average value of the age values of the performance results log calculated previously is added to the accompanying data of each performance song in the performance results log stored in the HDD 8g (S440). Then, the performance record log to which the average value of the age values stored in the HDD 8g is added is transmitted to the karaoke apparatus 1 that is the transmission source of the performance record log (S450).

Then, this process ends.
[Description of inquiry processing (1)]
Below, the process sequence of the inquiry process (1) performed by the control part 12 of the karaoke apparatus 1 is demonstrated based on the flowchart of Fig.9 (a). This inquiry process (1) is executed independently of other processes when the karaoke apparatus 1 is activated.

  First, it is determined whether an inquiry has been received from the user via the operation unit 18 (S510). In addition, “inquiry” here means that if you want to know the age of a person who has selected a karaoke performance that the user is interested in, and the song number of that karaoke performance Is input by the user via the operation unit 18. When it is determined that the inquiry from the user is not accepted, the process waits until the inquiry from the user is accepted (S510: NO). On the other hand, when it is determined that the inquiry from the user has been accepted (S520: YES), the contents of the accepted inquiry are transmitted to the server 8 as inquiry information (S530).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not inquiry result information (described later) for the inquiry information has been received from the server 8 (S540). If it is determined that the inquiry result information for the inquiry information has not been received from the server 8, the process waits until the inquiry result information is received (S540: NO). On the other hand, when it is determined that the inquiry result information has been received (S540: YES), the received inquiry result information is displayed on the display unit 36 (S550).

Then, this process ends.
[Description of inquiry process (2)]
Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the inquiry processing (2) executed by the CPU 8e of the server 8 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 9B. This inquiry process (2) is executed independently of other processes when the server 8 is activated.

  First, it is determined whether inquiry information is received from the karaoke apparatus 1 (S610). If it is determined that the inquiry information has not been received from the karaoke apparatus 1, the process waits until the inquiry information is received (S610: NO). On the other hand, when it is determined that the inquiry information has been received from the karaoke apparatus 1 (S610: YES), information relating to the karaoke performance piece that the user is interested in is stored in the storage device as information corresponding to the received inquiry information. A search is made from the stored contents (S620). In addition, as a search result, the performance performance log containing the average value of the estimated age value of the user who sang the karaoke performance music in which the user was interested, the maximum value, the minimum value, etc. is mentioned. Then, the retrieved performance record log is read, and the read performance record log is transmitted as inquiry result information to the karaoke apparatus 1 that is the transmission source of the inquiry information (S630).

Then, this process ends.
[effect]
(1) As described above, according to the karaoke system 100 of the first embodiment, the karaoke apparatus 1 estimates the age of the user from the audio signal input from the microphone 26, and the server 8 is based on the estimated age. The singer's age value for each karaoke song is calculated for each karaoke song. And according to the inquiry by the user via the operation part 18 of the karaoke apparatus 1, the singer's age value of each karaoke performance music is acquired from the server 8, and it displays on the display part 36. FIG. By this, by knowing what age people are choosing karaoke performance songs that users are interested in or often selected by users, by accurately grasping the customer base of karaoke stores Therefore, it is possible to improve customer satisfaction by promptly selecting karaoke performance songs by users and providing more appropriate services to users, thereby contributing to the operation and profit improvement of karaoke stores.

  (2) Further, according to the karaoke system 100 of the first embodiment, the control unit 12 of the karaoke apparatus 1 performs frequency analysis (FFT) on the singing voice signal output from the AD conversion unit 25b, and the result of the frequency analysis. The voice feature parameters are extracted on the basis of the voice, and the extracted “voice feature parameters” and the “standard pattern according to the voice age” stored in the HDD 16 are collated. Based on the collation result, the singer's age value is obtained. calculate. This makes it possible to know the age of the person selecting the karaoke performance that the user is interested in, and to easily determine whether the karaoke performance is suitable for him or her. be able to. Moreover, the accuracy of the singer's age estimation can be further increased.

[Other Embodiments]
As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It is possible to implement in the following various aspects.

  (1) In the above embodiment, the control unit 12 of the karaoke apparatus 1 performs frequency analysis (FFT) on the singing voice signal output from the AD conversion unit 25b, and extracts the feature parameters of the voice based on the result of the frequency analysis. Then, the extracted “speech feature parameter” and the “standard pattern according to the age of speech” stored in the HDD 16 are collated, and the singer's age value is calculated based on the collation result, but the present invention is not limited to this. Information that characterizes a singer who sings each karaoke performance piece may be used instead of the above-mentioned age value. Even in this way, it is possible to know what age the person selects the karaoke performance that the user is interested in, and easily determine whether the karaoke performance is right for you. Judgment can be made.

  (2) In the above embodiment, in the song age calculation process, the karaoke device 1 is configured to estimate the singer's age value. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may comprise so that an age value may be estimated.

  (3) In the above embodiment, in the song age creation process (2), the server 8 is configured to calculate the average value, maximum value, minimum value, etc. of the singer's age value. For example, the karaoke device 1 may be configured to calculate the average value, maximum value, minimum value, etc. of the singer's age value.

  (4) In addition, using the POS cashier accounting apparatus 2a installed in the karaoke store, it is possible to improve customer satisfaction as follows using the singer's age value calculated as described above. It is done. In this embodiment, the karaoke system 100 is composed of a plurality of karaoke devices 1 and POS cashier accounting devices 2a and servers 8 installed in each karaoke room in each karaoke box.

  (4-1) That is, it is possible to change the service provided to a user according to the above-mentioned singer's age value. In addition, HDD8g of the server 8 memorize | stores the menu of the food / beverage provided in the karaoke shop illustrated to FIG.12 (b) and FIG.13 (a) as provision service for providing to a user. This food / drink menu is a table that lists three food / drinks preferred by each age group in descending order of popularity. The HDD 8g of the server 8 corresponds to provided service storage means.

[Description of store operation data creation process (1)]
Below, the process sequence of the store management data creation process (1) executed by the CPU 8e of the server 8 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. This store management data creation process (2) is executed independently of other processes when the server 8 is activated.

  First, referring to a built-in clock, it is determined whether it is time to transmit screen display data to each store (S710). Note that the time for transmitting the screen display data to each store may be weekly, monthly, or quarterly. If it is determined that it is not time to transmit the screen display data to each store, the system waits until it is determined that it is time to transmit the screen display data to each store (S710: NO). On the other hand, when it is determined that it is time to transmit the screen display data to each store (S710: YES), the performance record logs stored in the HDD 8g are tabulated for each store (S720, see FIG. 11B). . In this case, the average age value of the customer who uses the karaoke performance at each store is calculated as the total result.

Subsequently, the performance record logs stored in the HDD 16 are tabulated for each age (S730, see FIG. 11C).
Subsequently, referring to the food and drink menu, it matches the average age value of customers who use karaoke performance at each store, which is the counting result, of the screen display data to be displayed on the POS cashier accounting device 2a of each store. Screen display data is selected (S730, see FIGS. 12B and 13A), the selected screen display data is read from the HDD 8g, and the read screen display data is stored in a POS cash register accounting apparatus such as an HTML file format. The data is converted into a format that can be displayed in 2a and transmitted to the POS cashier accounting apparatus 2a installed in each store (S740).

Then, this process ends.
[Description of store operation data creation process (2)]
Below, the processing procedure of the store management data creation process (2) executed by the POS cashier accounting apparatus 2a will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. This store management data creation process (2) is executed independently of other processes when the POS cashier accounting apparatus 2a is activated.

  First, it is determined whether screen display data from the server 8 has been received (S810). If it is determined that the screen display data has not been received, it waits until the screen display data is received (S810: NO). On the other hand, when it is determined that the screen display data has been received (S810: YES), the received screen display data is displayed (S820).

Then, this process ends.
As a result, the provision of a more appropriate service to the user can be promoted to improve customer satisfaction, thereby contributing to the operation and profit improvement of the karaoke store.

  (4-2) It is also conceivable that the server predicts the quantity of items such as prizes prepared in advance in each karaoke store according to the above-mentioned singer's age value. Note that the HDD 8g of the server 8 stores a list of small articles (prize) provided in the karaoke store illustrated in FIG. 13B as a providing service to be provided to the user. This accessory list is a table in which three items preferred by each age group are listed in order of popularity. An accessory is an article such as a giveaway for delivery to a user. The CPU 8e of the server 8 corresponds to a quantity calculation unit.

  In the present embodiment, the server 8 executes the store operation data creation process (1) described above. At that time, in S740 of the store management data creation process (1), karaoke performances are performed at each store as a result of aggregation of screen display data to be displayed on the POS cashier accounting apparatus 2a of each store with reference to the accessory list. Screen display data that matches the average age value of the customer who uses is selected (see FIG. 13B). Then, the following processing is executed instead of S750. That is, the selected screen display data is read from the HDD 8g, and the read screen display data is converted into a format that can be displayed on a monitor (not shown) connected to the server 8 such as an HTML file format and displayed on the monitor. . Further, the CPU 8e calculates the number of small items prepared in advance in each store.

  In this way, the server 8 prepares in advance for each store, for example, by correcting the number of small items to be provided by the number of points according to age according to the following procedures (a) to (c), At each store, it is possible to prevent as much as possible that the accessories used by a specific age are often missing, and as a result, it is possible to prevent as much as possible the shortage of goods, and promote more appropriate services to users who differ by age. This can improve customer satisfaction and contribute to the operation and profit improvement of karaoke stores.

Next, the correction procedure will be described. In this procedure, the CPU 8e executes a program incorporated in the ROM 8c of the server 8.
(A) First, the server 8 counts the number of times of singing according to age for each store (for example, A store) according to the song age (see Table 3 in FIG. 14A).

(B) Next, the server 8 specifies the accessory list for the store A corresponding to Table 3 from the accessory list distributed in advance to each store stored in the HDD 8g (see Table 6 in FIG. 14B). ).
(C) The “number of times sung” by age in Table 3 is distributed, and the number of accessories by age in Table 6 is weighted by the “number of times sung” for each age (see FIG. 14C). The quantity of small items is corrected by adjusting the quantity of small items according to age (see Table 7, calculation)) (see Table 7 in FIG. 14C, calculated value).

  (4-3) It is also conceivable to select and provide appropriate advice suitable for each karaoke store according to the above-mentioned singer's age value. Note that the HDD 8g of the server 8 provides a list of advice necessary for operating the karaoke store and a design plan for the interior of each karaoke room as an information service to be provided to the karaoke store where the karaoke device 1 is installed. Remember. This information list is a table that lists advice according to each era and interiors preferred by each era. The CPU 8e of the server 8 corresponds to an information service providing unit. The HDD 8g of the server 8 corresponds to an information service storage unit.

  In the present embodiment, the server 8 executes the store operation data creation process (1) described above, and the POS cashier accounting device 2a executes the store operation data creation process (2) described above. In that case, the following points differ in S740 and S750 of store management data creation processing (1). That is, in S740, with reference to the information list, an information service that matches the average age value of the customer who uses the karaoke performance at each store that is the counting result is selected from the information list. In S750, the selected information service is read from the HDD 8g, the read information service is converted into a format that can be displayed on the POS cashier accounting device 2a such as an HTML file format, and the POS cashier accounting device installed in each store. Send to 2a.

  As the information service described above, the results (see FIG. 11 (c)) of performance performance logs totaled for each age may be selected and transmitted to the POS cashier accounting apparatus 2a. In this case, the POS cashier accounting apparatus 2a displays the result (see FIG. 12 (a)) of the performance performance log totaled for each age in S820 of the store management data creation process (2).

  Specifically, priorities of interior decorations of rooms preferred by age (for example, by age, favorite rooms 1st, 2nd, 3rd) are associated with each other and the correspondence with the number of sung ages. Is displayed on the POS cashier accounting apparatus 2a (screen display 1 in FIG. 12 (a) and screen display 5 in FIG. 15), and the store operator considers which interior design is used to configure the room. Interiors preferred by ages with many uses (for example, from the correspondence between the display screen 1 in FIG. 12A and the display screen 5 in FIG. 15, preferred are 19 to 24 years old, California style, China Wind and Swiss style are displayed on the POS cashier accounting apparatus 2a).

  This makes it possible to appropriately provide advice on the interior of a karaoke store according to the customer base of each karaoke store, thereby promoting the provision of more appropriate services to users and increasing customer satisfaction. And can contribute to the operation and profit improvement of karaoke stores.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a karaoke system, and the structure of the peripheral device at the time of operation. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of a karaoke apparatus and a remote control terminal. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the age detection part of a karaoke apparatus. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the reservation queue which HDD of a karaoke apparatus memorize | stores, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the record contained in a reservation queue. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of a server. It is a flowchart which shows the song age calculation process which the control part of a karaoke apparatus performs. It is a flowchart which shows the age detection process which the control part of a karaoke apparatus performs. (a) is a flowchart which shows the song age preparation process (1) which the control part of a karaoke apparatus performs, (b) is a flowchart which shows the song age preparation process (2) which CPU of a server performs. (a) is a flowchart which shows the inquiry process (1) which the control part of a karaoke apparatus performs, (b) is a flowchart which shows the inquiry process (2) which CPU of a server performs. (A) is a flowchart which shows the store management data creation process (1) which CPU of a server performs, (b) is a flowchart which shows the store management data creation process (2) which a POS cashier accounting apparatus performs. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows a performance performance log, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the total result which totaled the performance performance log for every store, (c) is the total which totaled performance performance log for every age It is explanatory drawing which shows a result. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the table | surface which listed the customer group according to month, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the table which listed the popular menu of the drink which the user of each age likes. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the table | surface which listed the popular menu of the meal which the user of each age likes, and (b) is description which shows the table which listed the popular accessory list which the user of each age likes. FIG. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the totaling result which totaled performance log for every age, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the totaling result which totaled the number of shipments of premium A, (c) is premium A It is explanatory drawing which shows the table | surface which listed the estimated number of shipments of the next month. It is explanatory drawing the table | surface which listed the interior decoration which the user of each age likes.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Karaoke apparatus, 2 ... Local server, 2a ... POS cash register apparatus, 3 ... LAN in karaoke box, 4 ... LAN hub apparatus, 5 ... Broadband router, 6 ... ADSL modem, 7 ... High-speed communication line, 8 ... Server, 8a ... bus, 8b ... LAN interface, 8c ... ROM, 8d ... RAM, 8e ... CPU, 8f ... control interface, 9 ... wireless access point, 12 ... control unit, 14 ... interface unit, 16 ... hard disk, 18 ... operation unit 20 ... Infrared communication unit, 22 ... Operation processing unit, 24 ... Audio control unit, 25a ... Microphone amplifier, 25b ... AD conversion unit, 26 ... Microphone, 27 ... DA conversion unit, 28 ... Speaker, 29 ... External audio input unit 30 ... MIDI sound source, 32 ... Video RAM, 34 ... Video playback unit, 36 ... Display unit, 38 ... Video control , 42 ... telephone circuit control unit, 44 ... wired LAN controller 44,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 ... Remote control terminal, 52 ... Control part, 54 ... Infrared communication part, 56 ... Memory, 58 ... Display part, 60 ... Operation part, 62 ... Operation processing part, 64 ... Video RAM, 66 ... Video control part, 68 ... Wireless LAN communication unit, 100 ... Karaoke system

Claims (7)

Reservation acceptance means for accepting reservations for karaoke performances by users;
Performance song storage means for storing one or more karaoke performance songs;
Performance order storage means capable of storing reservations of karaoke performance songs received by the reservation reception means as a reservation list in order of performance;
The reservation list stored in the performance order storage means is stored in the reservation list stored in the performance order storage means, and the reservation of the karaoke performance music that has been performed is stored in the reservation list stored in the performance order storage means. Storage control means for deleting from,
Karaoke performance means for reading out karaoke performance music from the performance music storage means based on the reservation list stored in the performance order storage means and performing karaoke performance;
An audio signal input means for inputting an audio signal of karaoke singing;
Age estimating means for estimating the singer's age from the voice signal of the karaoke song input from the voice signal input means when the karaoke performance is performed by the karaoke performance means;
Estimated age storage means for storing information indicating the estimated age of the singer estimated by the age estimation means and the karaoke performance song on which the karaoke performance was performed in association with each other;
Feature information calculating means for calculating, for each karaoke performance song, feature information indicating the characteristics of the singer who sings each karaoke performance song based on the stored contents stored in the estimated age storage means;
Feature information storage means for storing feature information for each karaoke performance song calculated by the feature information calculation means;
Inquiry accepting means for accepting inquiries about karaoke performance songs by users,
In response to the inquiry received by the inquiry receiving means, notification means for reading out the characteristic information corresponding to the karaoke performance song from the characteristic information storage means, and notifying,
A karaoke apparatus comprising: The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1,
The feature information calculation means comprises calculating an age value characterizing a singer who sings each karaoke performance song as the feature information based on the stored contents stored in the estimated age storage means. . In the karaoke apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The age estimating means includes
Voice feature extraction means for extracting voice features from a voice signal of a karaoke song input from the voice signal input means;
Analysis information storage means for storing analysis information corresponding to the characteristics of the sound for the sound signal of a specific word included in the karaoke song input from the sound signal input means;
Analysis information output means for outputting analysis information corresponding to the voice feature extracted by the voice feature extraction means based on the analysis information stored in the analysis information storage means;
The karaoke apparatus is characterized by estimating the age of the singer based on the analysis information output by the analysis information output means. A plurality of karaoke apparatuses that perform karaoke performance based on music data; a server; and a network that connects the plurality of karaoke apparatuses and the server; and the network between the plurality of karaoke apparatuses and the server. Karaoke system configured to be able to send and receive various data via,
The plurality of karaoke apparatuses are respectively
Reservation acceptance means for accepting reservations for karaoke performances by users;
Performance song storage means for storing one or more karaoke performance songs;
Performance order storage means capable of storing reservations of karaoke performance songs received by the reservation reception means as a reservation list in order of performance;
The reservation list stored in the performance order storage means is stored in the reservation list stored in the performance order storage means, and the reservation of the karaoke performance music that has been performed is stored in the reservation list stored in the performance order storage means. Storage control means for deleting from,
Karaoke performance means for reading out karaoke performance music from the performance music storage means based on the reservation list stored in the performance order storage means and performing karaoke performance;
An audio signal input means for inputting an audio signal of karaoke singing;
Age estimation means for estimating the singer's age from the voice signal of the karaoke song input from the voice signal input means when the karaoke performance is performed by the karaoke performance means;
Inquiry accepting means for accepting inquiries about karaoke performance songs by users,
A device side transmitting / receiving means capable of transmitting and receiving various data between the server and the other karaoke device;
Generate estimation result information associating information indicating the estimated age of the singer estimated by the age estimation means with a karaoke performance song on which a karaoke performance was performed, and the generated estimation result information is transmitted to the apparatus-side transmission / reception means. Is transmitted to the server via the network, and inquiry information indicating the inquiry content accepted by the inquiry acceptance means is transmitted to the server via the network by controlling the apparatus-side transmission / reception means. Device-side transmission control means;
A notification means for notifying the inquiry result information when the apparatus side transmission / reception means receives inquiry result information which is information transmitted from the server in response to the inquiry information transmitted by the apparatus side transmission / reception means; With
The server
Server-side transmission / reception means capable of transmitting / receiving various data to / from the karaoke device;
Estimation result information storage means for storing the estimation result information received by the server-side transmission / reception means;
Based on the stored contents stored in the estimation result information storage means, characteristic information calculating means for calculating characteristic information indicating the characteristics of a singer who sings each karaoke performance song for each karaoke performance song;
Feature information storage means for storing feature information for each karaoke performance song calculated by the feature information calculation means;
In response to the inquiry information from the karaoke apparatus received by the server side transmission / reception means, feature information corresponding to a karaoke performance piece is read from the feature information storage means, and the read feature information is used as inquiry result information on the server side. Server-side transmission control means for controlling the transmission / reception means to transmit to the karaoke apparatus which is the transmission source of the inquiry information via the network. The karaoke system according to claim 4,
The feature information calculation means comprises calculating an age value characterizing a singer who sings each karaoke performance song as the feature information based on the stored contents stored in the estimated age storage means. . In the karaoke system according to claim 4 or 5,
The age estimating means includes
Voice feature extraction means for extracting voice features from a voice signal of a karaoke song input from the voice signal input means;
Analysis information storage means for storing analysis information corresponding to the characteristics of the sound for the sound signal of a specific word included in the karaoke song input from the sound signal input means;
Analysis information output means for outputting analysis information corresponding to the voice feature extracted by the voice feature extraction means based on the analysis information stored in the analysis information storage means;
The karaoke system is characterized in that the singer's age is estimated based on the analysis information output by the analysis information output means. In the karaoke system in any one of Claims 4-6,
Provided with a providing service notification device for notifying a providing service for providing to a user, a karaoke store operator or a karaoke business operator,
The server has provision service storage means for storing one or more provision services for provision to a user,
The server-side transmission control means of the server reads feature information corresponding to a karaoke performance piece from the feature information storage means every time a predetermined period elapses, and provides a providing service that matches the read feature information. Read from the service storage means and control the server side transmission / reception means to transmit to the provided service notification device via the network,
The provided service notification device, when receiving the provided service transmitted from the server in response to the inquiry information transmitted by the device-side transmitting / receiving means, notifies the received provided service. Karaoke system to do.

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