JP2009134184A - Karaoke network system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for causing further more users who log in a Karaoke network system to view contents of higher quality without increasing a transmission rate in the whole delivery of contents. <P>SOLUTION: A host server 2 registers information for association of a user who logs in the Karaoke network system 1 through a remote control terminal 5 or a cellular phone 6 with a Karaoke device 4 used by the user, and tabulates the number of log-in users associated with each Karaoke device 4. The number of log-in users associated with each Karaoke device 4 is compared, and the degree of bit rate of contents to be delivered to each Karaoke device 4 is set to be relatively high for the Karaoke device 4 with a relatively large number of log-in users, and relatively low for the Karaoke device 4 with a relatively small number of log-in users. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a karaoke network system that distributes contents such as advertisements from a host server to a karaoke apparatus via a network.

  In Patent Document 1, in a program distribution system having a server device that simultaneously distributes program data via a network and a receiving device that receives the simultaneously distributed program data, the program data is distributed at a transmission rate corresponding to the audience rating. Thus, a technique for improving the satisfaction of the entire viewer for program data without increasing the total available transmission rate is disclosed.

  On the other hand, in the field of karaoke, not only karaoke performance but also a karaoke apparatus capable of reproducing various video / audio contents such as movies, dramas, and commercials (CM) has been realized. A karaoke network system that distributes these contents from a server device for distribution to a karaoke device installed in each store that provides a karaoke service via a network is also widely used. In this kind of karaoke network system, the server device for distribution and the plurality of karaoke devices connected to the server device via the network so as to communicate with each other individually communicate with each other from the server device. Content is distributed to the karaoke device (so-called unicast distribution).

  In addition, in the karaoke network system as described above, when a pre-registered user starts using the karaoke device in order to identify individual users who use the karaoke service, a login procedure for the system is performed, and the karaoke device There has been proposed one that employs a usage form in which a logout procedure is performed at the end of use (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

According to such a karaoke network system, karaoke music playback reservations, personal karaoke usage history and other information creation and distribution of personal web pages, charging for users using the karaoke service, and granting of privileges, etc. Various services can be provided in association with individual users. In addition, when a user logs in to the karaoke network system, in order to identify which karaoke device the user is using, it is possible to log in by associating the user with the karaoke device used by the user. It is. Furthermore, assuming that a group uses a karaoke service in one karaoke room, it is important to configure so that a plurality of users can log in to one karaoke device in parallel.
JP 2004-23178 A JP 2007-256824 A

  By the way, in the karaoke network system, as the content that can be reproduced by the karaoke device is diversified, the information amount (data amount) of the content distributed from the server device to each karaoke device is increasing. Moreover, it is considered that traffic flowing through the network will increase more and more as the karaoke service has a function of using the network such as the above-described login service.

  However, the information transmission capability that can deliver content, that is, the communication information capacity is limited depending on factors such as the network line status, the communication capability of the data transmission device and the reception device, and the load status of the router. For this reason, when the information capacity of communication allowed by the network is finite, the data amount per unit time of the content to be transmitted (hereinafter referred to as the transmission rate) as the data amount of the content to be distributed and the traffic on the network increase. Need to be changed according to the situation.

  In the invention described in Patent Document 1, the level of the transmission rate of program data is determined based on the audience rating of programs distributed by multicast or broadcast. Accordingly, the transmission rate of a program having a high audience rating, that is, a relatively large number of devices receiving a program is set to be relatively high, and the number of devices having a low audience, that is, a program receiving device. The transmission rate of programs with a relatively small number is set relatively low. In this way, it is possible to improve the satisfaction of the entire viewer without increasing the transmission rate of all programs.

  On the other hand, even in the karaoke network system, especially when distributing CM content, providing more viewers with higher quality video and audio will improve the advertising effect. Conceivable. Therefore, when distributing CM content from the server device to the karaoke device, the transmission rate is set to be relatively high when it is expected that more users can view the content, and otherwise the transmission rate is set. It is considered that a higher advertising effect can be obtained within the range of the information transmission capability capable of delivering content by setting the value low.

  However, in karaoke network systems that deliver content individually by unicast, unlike multicast and broadcast, content is delivered separately for each karaoke device, so how many devices can view the same program at the same time. The index of audience rating shown cannot be calculated. Therefore, the technique for changing the transmission rate according to the audience rating of the program as described in Patent Document 1 cannot be applied to the karaoke network system as it is.

  Furthermore, the index of audience rating itself indicates only the number of devices receiving the program, and does not consider how many viewers are watching the program on one device. Therefore, the audience rating does not represent the actual number of viewers, and the program with the highest audience rating is not necessarily the program with the largest number of viewers.

  The installation location of the karaoke device, which is a terminal that constitutes the karaoke network system, is located in each karaoke room in the karaoke box if it is a day market such as a karaoke box, and if it is a bar market, it is a bar, snack, etc. Is installed. A monitor is connected to the karaoke apparatus.

  Usually, it is considered that the user logs in to the karaoke network system after entering a place where karaoke devices such as a karaoke room, a bar, and a snack are installed. That is, the fact that the user has logged in to the karaoke network system means that the karaoke device is in front of the user and the user can view the content (program) played by the karaoke device on a monitor connected to the karaoke device. Will be.

  For example, assume that there is a karaoke box having three karaoke rooms. It is assumed that one karaoke device is installed in each karaoke room. In such an environment, one user enters each of the first and second rooms, and five users enter the third room, where all users log in to the karaoke network system. It is assumed that the first program is viewed in the first and second rooms and the second program is viewed in the third room. At this time, the number of karaoke apparatuses in which the first program is viewed is two, and the number of karaoke apparatuses in which the second program is viewed is one. Here, if a method of determining a transmission rate using an audience rating indicating the number of devices that have received a program as in the prior art as an index is applied, the first program having a larger number of karaoke devices that have watched the program is better. Distribution is preferentially performed at a high transmission rate.

  However, the actual number of viewers is two for the first program and five for the second program, and the magnitude relationship is reversed from the number of karaoke devices that watched the program. In other words, in a karaoke network system, just because a program with a large number of karaoke devices being viewed is delivered at a high transmission rate, it does not necessarily mean that a program with the largest number of viewers is delivered with high quality. As in the prior art, determining the level of the transmission rate based on the level of the audience rating of the program remains a question as to its effect.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and in a karaoke network system that distributes content from a server device to a karaoke device by unicast, the karaoke network system does not increase the transmission rate in the entire content distribution. It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique for allowing more users who are logged in to view higher-quality (that is, higher transmission rate) content.

  The karaoke network system according to claim 1, which is made to achieve the above object, includes a server device that individually distributes content to a plurality of karaoke devices, and a plurality of karaokes that reproduce the content received from the server device. The apparatus is communicably connected via a network and has the following characteristics.

  The karaoke device includes a user correspondence means for associating a user who uses the karaoke device with the karaoke device. The karaoke network system is configured such that a plurality of users who use individual karaoke devices can be logged into the karaoke network system at the same time by associating the users with each karaoke device by means of user correspondence. Then, the server device associates with each karaoke device and measures the number of logged-in users, and the content transmitted to each karaoke device according to the number of logged-in users measured by the measuring device Determining means for determining the level of the amount of information for each karaoke device, and transmitting means for transmitting content of the amount of information corresponding to the level determined by the determining means to the corresponding karaoke device .

  According to the karaoke network system configured as described above, the level of the amount of information of content to be distributed to each karaoke device is determined according to the number of users logged in in association with each karaoke device. Therefore, the amount of content information can be changed in a manner that matches the actual number of viewers. Therefore, a particularly high effect can be expected in a content such as a CM content in which the largest determinant of the advertising effect is to have more users view it.

  More specifically, as described in claim 2, as the level of the content information amount, the level of the transmission rate that is the amount of information transmitted per unit time is determined, and the logged-in user For karaoke devices with a relatively large number of people, the transmission rate level is set relatively high, and for karaoke devices with a relatively small number of logged-in users, the transmission rate level is high. Should be set relatively low. By doing in this way, a higher quality content can be delivered with respect to the karaoke apparatus which many users are utilizing. Therefore, in the entire karaoke network system, more users can view high-quality content within a limited transmission rate, which is preferable. In particular, with regard to CM content, many viewers can view high-quality content. As a result, not only the satisfaction of many viewers is improved, but also high advertising effects are obtained. It is also beneficial for advertising providers.

  Next, the karaoke network system according to claim 3 has the following characteristics. The server device further includes history storage means for storing usage history information of the karaoke service corresponding to each user who has logged into the karaoke network system. And the determination means with which the server apparatus is provided is referred to the use history information stored in the history storage means when the number of logged-in users associated with each other among the plurality of karaoke apparatuses is the same, In accordance with the use frequency of the karaoke service for each logged-in user associated with these karaoke devices, the degree of content information transmitted to these karaoke devices is determined.

  With this configuration, when the number of logged-in users associated with each other among a plurality of karaoke apparatuses is the same, the amount of content information (by the index other than the number of logged-in users) ( It becomes possible to determine the level of (transmission rate). For example, an operation of distributing content at a higher transmission rate to a karaoke device used by a user who has more past logins and singing karaoke (that is, the karaoke service is frequently used). It is possible to do it. In other words, a large number of past logins and karaoke singing is considered a good customer who frequently uses the karaoke service. Therefore, by delivering high-quality content to the karaoke device used by such a customer's user, taking measures to favor the user promotes the user's willingness to use the karaoke service. It is thought that it can be performed, and is suitable.

  On the other hand, the karaoke network system according to claim 4 has the following characteristics. The server device further includes login start time storage means for storing login start times of individual users who have logged into the karaoke network system, and the determination means provided in the server device is associated with each of the plurality of karaoke devices. If the number of logged-in users is the same, the log-in start time stored in the log-in start time storage means is referred to, and the log-in start time of each log-in user associated with these karaoke devices is stored. The degree of content information transmitted to these karaoke devices is determined according to the degree of advancement.

  With this configuration, when the number of logged-in users associated with each other among the plurality of karaoke apparatuses is the same, the content of the content can also be determined by an index other than the number of logged-in users and the number of logged-in users. It becomes possible to determine the level of the amount of information (transmission rate). For example, it can be considered that content is distributed at a higher transmission rate to a karaoke device used by a user whose login start time is earlier. The fact that the login start time is early means that the karaoke device has been used by the karaoke apparatus for a longer time than other users, and such users are also considered to be good customers. By delivering high-quality content to a karaoke device used by such a user of a customer, taking measures to give the user a preferential treatment can promote the user's willingness to use the karaoke service. It is considered that it is preferable.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[1. Description of the configuration of the karaoke network system 1]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a karaoke network system 1 using the Internet 200.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the karaoke network system 1 includes a karaoke device 4 and a remote controller installed in each karaoke room (rooms A and B in this case) of a karaoke store that provides a karaoke service to the host server 2. A network in the store to which the terminal 5 is connected via the LAN 100 is formed by being connected via the Internet 200. 1 shows a configuration in which two karaoke apparatuses 4 are connected to the karaoke network system 1, one for each of the rooms A and B in one karaoke store, for convenience of explanation. More karaoke apparatuses 4 may be connected in the same store. A plurality of in-store networks may be connected to the host server 2.

  The host server 2 distributes karaoke music data stored in the host server 2 and various content data such as CMs, movies, dramas, etc. to the karaoke apparatus 4 installed in each karaoke room. This is a server device for karaoke service. The host server 2 is connected to the LAN 100 on the karaoke store side via a VPN (virtual private network) formed on the Internet 200 between the router 140 on the host server side and the router 120 on the karaoke store side. That is, communication between the host server 2 and each karaoke device 4 and the remote control terminal 5 is performed via the VPN on the Internet 200 and the LAN 100 on the karaoke store side. Distribution of content from the host server 2 to the karaoke device 4 is performed by unicast in which the host server 2 individually transmits data to each karaoke device 4. The host server 2 also has a function of transmitting information to the portable information terminal such as the cellular phone 6 owned by the user via the Internet 200.

  Further, in the karaoke network system 1, a user registration database 2c (details will be described later) for storing registration information relating to a user who has the authority to log in to the system and use it, and karaoke songs of registered users. A database 2b having a personal web page database 2d (details will be described later) and the like for storing data of personal web pages for publishing information and information provided by the user on the Internet 200 is provided.

  The Web server 2a included in the host server 2 is linked to the database 2b and uses the karaoke network system 1 in response to a request from the karaoke device 4 on the karaoke store side, the remote control terminal 5, the mobile phone 6, or the like. In order to do so, authentication is performed for a user who intends to log in, and personal Web page distribution / update service is performed for the logged-in user. That is, the term “cooperation” here refers to the user registration database 2c and the personal web page database 2d stored in the database 2b in order for the web server 2a to perform user authentication and personal web page distribution. Reflecting the personal web page update data received by the web server 2a in the personal web page database 2d stored in the database 2b, whereby data for use in the service performed by the web server 2a; This indicates that the data stored in the database 2b corresponds to the data.

  In addition, as a characteristic process of the present invention, the Web server 2a included in the host server 2 distributes content other than karaoke music (for example, CM) to each karaoke device 4 as follows: "Distribution control process" is executed. The Web server 2a compares the number of people who are logged in in association with each karaoke apparatus 4 (hereinafter, this state is also referred to as “grouping”. The details will be described later), and this “grouping” is performed. Content with a high transmission rate is transmitted preferentially to the karaoke apparatus 4 having a larger number of users (that is, more users using the karaoke apparatus 4). Details of the “distribution control process” will be described later.

  The cellular phone 6 is a so-called third generation or later cellular phone that can be connected to the Internet 200 via an access point or a communication line provided by a cellular phone operator. It has a so-called web browser function for browsing web pages received via the web, allowing users to input information and operation instructions on the screen, and running applications for displaying animations, etc. An infrared communication function for performing infrared communication such as an application and IrDA (registered trademark) standard is provided. Furthermore, an application for performing “binding” at the time of login to the karaoke apparatus 4 used by the user using this infrared communication function is also provided. The mobile phone 6 accesses the Web server 2a in the host server 2 via the Internet 200, and performs user registration processing for registering in the host server 2 a user who starts a new use of the system, or the Web server 2a. Various processes such as processing for browsing / updating a personal Web page are executed based on the data received from.

The karaoke device 4 is a device for playing back karaoke music distributed from the host server 2, content such as movies, variety programs, dramas, and commercials.
The karaoke device 4 includes a control unit that controls the overall operation, a communication interface for connecting to the LAN 100 and communicating with the outside, content data such as karaoke music data and video data distributed from the host server 2, and programs, etc. A hard disk (HDD) for storing various data, an operation unit composed of a plurality of key switches, an infrared communication unit for communicating with the remote control terminal 5 and the mobile phone 6, a microphone, a MIDI sound source for performing performance reproduction based on performance data, An audio control unit that outputs an audio signal generated from a MIDI sound source and an audio signal input from a microphone to a speaker, a video playback unit that controls playback of video based on image data, and a monitor for displaying video are provided.

  The remote control terminal 5 is for use in a karaoke room, accepts various operations such as an operation for reserving content that the user wants to play from the user, and receives the operation signal by infrared communication. 4 and an application for performing “binding” at the time of login to the karaoke apparatus 4 used by the user, using the function of transmitting to the infrared communication function. In addition, the remote control terminal 5 accesses the host server 2 via the access point 110 via the access point 110 via the LAN 100 and the VPN on the Internet 200 by wireless communication in accordance with the wireless LAN standard, and designates a user who newly starts using the system as the host server 2 for executing user registration processing for registering in the web page 2 and processing for browsing / updating the personal web page based on data received from the host server 2. The remote control terminal 5 is configured to be able to log in to the system in parallel for each of a plurality of user accounts.

  An access point 110 is connected to the LAN 100. The access point 110 is a radio wave repeater for connecting terminals by wireless communication in accordance with a wireless LAN standard (for example, IEEE802.11a / b / g standard, HomeRF standard, Bluetooth standard, etc.). At the same time, it has a function of communicating. The remote control terminal 5 and the host server 2 can perform data communication with each other via the LAN 100 and the VPN on the Internet 200 by relaying the access point 110.

  The routers 120 and 140 are so-called VPN gateways for using VPN technology that creates a state in which a communication path on an external network such as the Internet 200 is virtually connected by a dedicated line. The routers 120 and 140 are placed at connection points between the Internet 200 as an external network and the LAN 100 as an internal network and the network on the host server 2 side, respectively, and encrypt communication from the internal network and send it to the Internet 200 side. . Also, the communication from the Internet 200 side is decrypted and sent to the internal network.

[2. Explanation of “User Registration” Performed from Remote Control Terminal 5 and Mobile Phone 6]
In the karaoke network system 1 according to the present embodiment, a user logs in to the system using a user account registered in advance, thereby making reservations for reproducing content associated with individual users, distributing / editing personal Web pages, and the like. It is possible to use various services such as Here, a procedure of “user registration” in which the user uses the remote control terminal 5 or the mobile phone 6 to acquire an account for using each service as described above will be described.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display example when performing “user registration” with the remote control terminal 5 and the mobile phone 6.
First, based on an instruction input from the user, a network menu screen 71 as shown in FIG. 2A is displayed on a display device such as a monitor provided in the remote control terminal 5 and the mobile phone 6. The network menu screen 71 and various screens described later may be configured to be displayed based on data stored in advance as application software for user registration provided in the remote control terminal 5 or the mobile phone 6. It is done. Alternatively, the remote control terminal 5 or the mobile phone 6 is connected to the Web server 2a in the host server 2 via the Internet 200 and displayed based on the Web page distributed from the Web server 2a. Also good.

  A network menu screen 71 shown in FIG. 2A is a screen for displaying an operation menu for using a personal web page browsing / updating service, and a login screen for an already registered user to log in to the system. A “login” button 82 for transitioning to the screen, a “new user registration” button 83 for a new user to acquire an account, and the like are displayed. Here, when the “new user registration” button 83 is pressed via a touch panel, a key switch, a pointing device, or the like, a user registration screen 72 as shown in FIG. 2B is displayed.

  The user registration screen 72 shown in FIG. 2B is for requesting the user to input a nickname as a user name on the system and a password for user authentication in order for a new user to acquire an account. It is a screen. Here, when the “OK” button 84a is pressed after the nickname and password are input in the input box in the user registration screen 72 by an operation from the user, the user is registered together with registration request information for requesting user registration. The data indicating the nickname and password input by the above is transmitted via the Internet 200 to the Web server 2a in the host server 2 corresponding to the terminal.

  The Web server 2a in the host server 2 that has received the registration request information transmitted from the remote control terminal 5 or the cellular phone 6 and the user's nickname and password first generates a user ID that is unique identification information for each user. . Based on the received contents, predetermined information such as the user's nickname, user ID, and password is newly registered in a user registration database 2c (details will be described later) provided in the database 2b in each host server 2. .

  Next, registration completion information for notifying the user of information indicating that the user registration has been completed and the user ID is generated, and this registration completion information is transmitted from the remote control terminal 5 or the mobile phone that is the transmission source of the registration request information. Reply to 6 When a telephone number or an e-mail address is transmitted together with the registration request information transmitted from the mobile phone 6, the registration completion information may be transmitted to the mobile phone 6 by e-mail or the like.

  When the remote control terminal 5 or the mobile phone 6 receives the registration completion information from the host server 2, a user registration completion screen 73 as shown in FIG. 2C is displayed based on the received registration completion information. Here, a message for notifying that the user registration of the user “Mike06” is completed, a user ID of “Mike06”, and the like are displayed on the user registration completion screen 73.

  The user ID issued by the host server side is identification information for authentication that is required to be input together with a password when the user logs in to the system from the remote control terminal 5 or the mobile phone 6. Accordingly, the user confirms the user ID assigned to himself / herself on the user registration completion screen 73.

When the user presses the “OK” button 84b on the user registration completion screen 73, “user registration” is completed.
[3. Explanation of User Registration Database 2c and Personal Web Page Database 2d]
Here, specific contents of the user registration database 2c and the personal Web page database 2d stored in the database 2b in the host server 2 will be described.

  FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram schematically showing specific contents of the user registration database 2c. This user registration database 2c is a user registration including various information such as a nickname, a user ID, a password of each user registered through the “user registration”, and a path indicating a storage location of the personal web page data of the user. It is a table of data.

  In the karaoke network system 1 of the present embodiment, the Web server 2a in the host server 2 refers to the user registration database 2c, thereby authenticating the user who has requested login, associating the user with a nickname, Corresponding with the personal Web page of the user.

  The personal web page database 2d shown in FIG. 3B stores the data of the personal web page of each user registered in the user registration database. The personal web page data is a collection of data for displaying the personal web page in a predetermined format by the web browser included in the remote control terminal 5 or the mobile phone 6, and includes text data, layout information by HTML, image / audio / Consists of video data and the like.

  Such personal web page data automatically generates personal web page template data for a newly registered user when the above-mentioned "user registration" is performed. It is conceivable that the data is stored in the personal Web page database 2d, and the path for storing the personal Web page template data is registered in the user registration data of the user in the user registration database 2c. In this way, this user can easily edit his / her own personal web page based on the personal web page template later. The personal web page is “karaoke information” that is information about the login history and singing history of the user who uses the karaoke device 4, the eighteenth music, the scoring result for the singing, etc., and “profile” that is public information provided by the user And “message” as contents.

  Among them, “karaoke information” means that the user who logs in to the system performs karaoke singing using the karaoke device 4, and the song name of the song sung by the user, the pitch key when singing, the number of times of singing and the time The singing history including the singing history, the eighteenth music, the scoring result, and the like are uploaded from the karaoke apparatus 4 to the host server 2. In addition to displaying the singing history and the eighteenth music included in the “karaoke information” as a personal Web page, the remote control terminal can be used as a music selection list when reserving performance music for the karaoke device 4. 5 or the mobile phone 6, the performance music can be selected from the downloaded singing history and the list of eighteenth music.

  In the karaoke network system 1 according to the present embodiment, if the user has already been registered in the above-mentioned “user registration”, the service used by the user is accounted by logging in to the system from the remote control terminal 5 or the mobile phone 6. Can be associated. For example, when a user performs singing by specifying performance of karaoke music as content to be used, by transmitting karaoke singing information such as singing history corresponding to the user from the karaoke device 4 to the host server 2, Information relating to the user's karaoke song can be stored in the database 2b of the host server 2. When the user logs in to the system from the remote control terminal 5 or the mobile phone 6, infrared communication is performed between these terminals and the karaoke device 4 in front of the user, that is, the karaoke device 4 used by the logged-in user. By performing the above, “bundling” is performed in which the karaoke device 4 used by the user is specified, and these are associated with each other and registered in the host server 2.

[4. Explanation of login to karaoke network system 1]
Next, an outline of a procedure for a user registered by the above-mentioned “user registration” to log in to the system will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing screen display examples and the like on each terminal when the user performs a login procedure using the remote control terminal 5 or the mobile phone 6.

  First, when the “login” button 82 is pressed on the network menu screen 71 in FIG. 4A, the login screen 74 in FIG. 6B is displayed. On the login screen 74, input boxes for inputting a user ID and a password are displayed.

  On the login screen 74, after the user inputs the user ID and password in the respective input boxes, the user clicks the “OK” button 84c to log in the input user ID, password, system, and karaoke. Information for requesting binding with the apparatus 4 is transmitted to the karaoke apparatus 4 installed in the karaoke room where the user has entered by infrared communication.

  The karaoke apparatus 4 transmits information received from the remote control terminal 5 or the mobile phone 6 to the host server 2 via the LAN 100 and the Internet 200 together with information requesting user authentication and binding.

  The Web server 2a in the host server 2 compares the transmitted user ID and password with the user ID and password registered in the user registration database 2c (see FIG. 3A) stored in the database 2b. By doing so, the user who has requested login is authenticated. Here, when it is determined that the transmitted user ID and password are compatible with the user ID and password registered in the user registration database 2c, information indicating that the login of the user is permitted is the karaoke of the user authentication request source. Transmit to device 4. In addition, information related to the association between the authenticated user and the karaoke apparatus 4 that is the user authentication request source is registered in the database 2b.

  When the karaoke apparatus 4 receives information from the Web server 2a indicating that the user is permitted to log in, the karaoke apparatus 4 transmits a notification that the login is completed to the login request source terminal based on the received information by infrared communication.

  When the mobile phone 6 receives a notification of login completion from the karaoke apparatus 4, a user TOP menu screen 75 as shown in FIG. 4C is displayed on the display device of the mobile phone 6. The user TOP menu screen 75 is a screen for selecting a service that the logged-in user wants to use. Here, the nickname “Mike06” of the logged-in user, the “Web page browsing” button 86 for selecting the browsing of each user's personal Web page, and the “Web” for selecting the update of the personal Web page of the user. A “page update” button 87, a “logout” button 88 for selecting logout from the system, and the like are displayed.

  On the other hand, when the remote control terminal 5 receives a notification of the completion of login from the karaoke apparatus 4, a user TOP menu screen 76 as shown in FIG. 4D is displayed on the display unit of the remote control terminal 5. The user TOP menu screen 76 is a screen for selecting a service that the logged-in user wants to use. The user TOP menu screen 76 corresponds to each of a plurality of logged-in users such as “Mike06”, “Alex”, and “Joe”. The menu screen 76 can be selectively displayed. Here, the user who performs the operation can be selected by pressing the user selection tab 90 on which each user's nickname is displayed, and a user TOP menu screen 76 corresponding to the currently selected user is displayed in a pop-up. The

  Unlike the user TOP menu screen 75 on the mobile phone 6, the user TOP menu screen 76 on the remote control terminal 5 is configured to selectively display the user TOP menu screen 76 corresponding to each of a plurality of logged-in users. The reason is as follows. That is, the remote control terminal 5 is assumed to be shared by a plurality of users in the karaoke room. Therefore, unlike the mobile phone 6, the remote control terminal 5 has a plurality of users in order to make it possible to use the personal web page browsing / update service for all users who share one remote control terminal 5. It is configured to allow login in parallel.

  The user TOP menu screen 76 includes a nickname “Mike06” of the currently selected user, a “Web page browsing” button 86 for selecting browsing of the personal web page of the user or another user, and the user's personal In addition to the “Web page update” button 87 for selecting the update of the Web page for the user, the “Logout” button 88 for the user to select the logout from the system, etc., even if the user is already logged in, A “to network TOP menu” button 89 for returning to the network menu screen 71 in FIG. 6A is displayed so that a new user can log in and perform the above-mentioned “user registration” for the new user.

[5. Description of the flow of login user counting and content distribution]
Next, from a procedure in which a plurality of users log in to the karaoke network system 1 and the host server 2 registers information relating to the linking of the logged-in user and the karaoke device 4, the karaoke device having a large number of users who are linked. A series of steps up to a procedure for transmitting content with a high transmission rate (hereinafter also referred to as a bit rate) preferentially to 4 will be described based on the ladder chart of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, first, for a karaoke device A that is one of the karaoke devices 4 connected to the karaoke network system 1, a system is started from a remote control terminal 5 provided in the same karaoke room as the karaoke device A. It is assumed that information for requesting login and binding with the karaoke apparatus A is transmitted via infrared communication (S10). At this time, the information transmitted from the remote control terminal 5 to the karaoke apparatus A includes a user ID and password necessary for user authentication, and identification information for identifying the remote control terminal 5 as the transmission source (for example, for each terminal ID, serial number, etc.).

  Based on the information received from the remote control terminal 5, the karaoke apparatus A transmits information for requesting user authentication and linking of the karaoke apparatus A and the user to the host server 2 via the LAN 100 and the Internet 200 (S11). At this time, the information transmitted from the karaoke apparatus A to the host server 2 includes a user ID, a password, identification information of the remote control terminal 5, a karaoke apparatus ID that is identification information of the karaoke apparatus A, and the like.

  The host server 2 authenticates the user based on the user ID and password received from the karaoke apparatus A, and transmits an authentication result to the authentication request source karaoke apparatus A (S12). Subsequently, based on the user ID, the karaoke device ID, and the identification information of the remote control terminal 5, information relating to the association between the user and the karaoke device A is associated with the association information management table 2e stored in the database 2b of the host server 2. (See FIG. 6) (S13). This completes login of the user from the remote control terminal 5.

  Based on the authentication result received from the host server 2, the karaoke apparatus A transmits the login and binding success / fail of the user to the remote control terminal 5 that is the login request source by infrared communication (S14).

  Here, the detailed contents of the binding information management table 2e will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an example of a description format of the binding information management table 2e. The linking information management table 2e is a table for counting the number of users who are linking to each karaoke device 4 and logging in to the system for each karaoke device 4.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the linking information management table, for each karaoke device ID, the name of the terminal (remote control terminal 5 or mobile phone 6) that has made a linking request to this karaoke device 4, these terminals The user ID tied to the karaoke device 4 via the URL, the login start time of each user, the number of logins for each terminal, and the total number of logins for each karaoke device 4 are recorded.

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the karaoke device A (karaoke device ID: A) currently has 10 people from the remote control terminal A-1, 8 people from the remote control terminal A-2, and mobile phones A-1, A-. A total of 20 users, one each from 2, are logged in. In addition, the karaoke device B (karaoke device ID: B) is currently logged in with a total of 10 users, from the remote control terminal B-1 to 9 and the mobile phone B-1 to 1. .

  In such a bundling information management table 2e, each time a user logs in newly, information on the bundling of the user is added to the table, and when the user logs out, the information on the bundling of the user is retrieved from the table. Deleted.

  Returning to the description of FIG. Next, information requesting login to the system and binding with the karaoke device A is transmitted via infrared communication to the karaoke device A from the mobile phone 6 owned by the user in the same karaoke room as the karaoke device A. Suppose that it was made (S15). At this time, information transmitted from the mobile phone 6 to the karaoke apparatus A includes a user ID and password required for user authentication, and identification information for identifying the mobile phone 6 as a transmission source (for example, a telephone number). And solid identification information).

  Based on the information received from the mobile phone 6, the karaoke apparatus A transmits information requesting user authentication and linking of the karaoke apparatus A and the user to the host server 2 via the LAN 100 and the Internet 200 (S16). At this time, the information transmitted from the karaoke apparatus A to the host server 2 includes a user ID, a password, identification information of the mobile phone 6, a karaoke apparatus ID of the karaoke apparatus A, and the like.

  The host server 2 authenticates the user based on the user ID and password received from the karaoke apparatus A, and transmits the authentication result to the authentication request source karaoke apparatus A (S17). Subsequently, based on the user ID, the karaoke device ID, and the identification information of the mobile phone 6, information relating to the association between the user and the karaoke device A is associated with the association information management table 2e stored in the database 2b of the host server 2. (See FIG. 6) (S18). This completes login of the user from the mobile phone 6.

  Based on the authentication result received from the host server 2, the karaoke apparatus A transmits the user's login and binding success / failure to the login request source mobile phone 6 by infrared communication (S19).

  On the other hand, the remote control terminal 5 is configured such that a plurality of users can log in in parallel. Therefore, when the information which requests | requires the log-in to another user's system and binding with the karaoke apparatus A is transmitted again from the same remote control terminal 5 (S20), the karaoke apparatus A is the user authentication and the karaoke apparatus A. Information requesting grouping with the user is transmitted to the host server 2 (S21).

  The host server 2 authenticates the user based on the user ID and password received from the karaoke apparatus A, and transmits the authentication result to the authentication request source karaoke apparatus A (S22). Subsequently, information related to the binding between the user and the karaoke apparatus A is registered in the binding information management table 2e (see FIG. 6) (S23). This completes login of the user from the remote control terminal 5. Based on the authentication result received from the host server 2, the karaoke apparatus A transmits the login and binding success / failure of the user to the remote control terminal 5 that is the login request source (S24).

  As described above, the number of users who use individual karaoke devices 4 on the host server 2 side by sequentially registering information related to the binding of users who have logged into the karaoke network system 1 in the binding information management table 2e. Will be able to grasp. When distributing contents such as CMs from the host server 2 to each karaoke device 4 individually by streaming at a predetermined timing, the host server 2 first compares the number of users tied to each karaoke device 4. Then, the priority of the transmission rate is determined according to the number of users (S32). And the content of the bit rate according to the determined priority is delivered with respect to the corresponding karaoke apparatus 4 (S33).

Hereinafter, the detailed content of the “content distribution control process” corresponding to the actions of S31 to S33 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 7 and the explanatory diagrams of FIGS.
[6. Description of content distribution control processing]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the above-mentioned “content distribution control process” executed by the Web server 2 a of the host server 2.

  First, the Web server 2a refers to the binding information management table 2e (see FIG. 6) stored in the database 2b of the host server 2, and obtains the number of logged-in users bound to each karaoke device 4 (see FIG. 6). S310). Then, the number of logged-in users of each karaoke device 4 is compared to determine the priority order in descending order of the number of logged-in users, and the number of logged-in users (hereinafter, the number of logged-in users) is the same among the plurality of karaoke devices 4. It is determined whether or not there is something (S320).

  Here, when it is determined that the number of logged-in users is different among all the karaoke devices 4 (S320: ranking is different), the bit rate at which content is distributed to each karaoke device 4 based on the priority ranking based on the number of logged-in users. Is determined and the content is distributed to the corresponding karaoke apparatus 4 according to the determined bit rate (S330). Here, the higher the priority order for the karaoke device 4, the higher the bit rate of the content distributed to the karaoke device 4.

  Here, a specific method for determining the bit rate of the content to be distributed to each karaoke device 4 based on the priority order by the number of logged-in users will be described with reference to FIG. 8 (part 1) and FIG. 9 (part 2).

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory view schematically showing a procedure of a method (part 1) for determining the bit rate of the content to be distributed based on the priority order by the number of login users. Here, as shown in FIG. 8A, data of a plurality of bit rates are prepared in advance for the same content. For example, as shown in Example 1 of FIG. 8A, high-quality moving image data with a bit rate of 10 Mbps, normal moving image data with a bit rate of 5 Mbps, and a bit rate of 1 Mbps are included as content of the same content. It is conceivable to prepare a low quality version of the video data. Alternatively, as shown in Example 2, the same content includes high-quality moving image data with a bit rate of 8 Mbps, normal moving image data with a bit rate of 4 Mbps, and still images in which images are switched every 10 seconds. It is also conceivable to use a moving image and a still image together, such as preparing a low-quality version of still image data. Here, it is possible to use what extracted the frame image from the moving image data of a high quality version or a normal version for the low quality version still image.

  As a result of counting the number of logins of each karaoke device 4 and determining the priority order in descending order of the number of logins, as shown in FIG. 8B, the karaoke devices 4 of A to D have a high priority (ie, the number of logins). It is assumed that A, B, C, and D are arranged in this order. Here, the karaoke apparatus A belongs to a range in which the number of logins is larger than b (this is referred to as a multiple group). Further, the karaoke apparatuses B and C belong to a range where the number of logged-in persons is a or more and less than b (this is referred to as a normal group). Moreover, the karaoke apparatus D belongs to the group whose number of login is less than a (this is called a minority group). When distributing contents to each karaoke device 4, a high-quality version of content is selected for karaoke devices A belonging to many groups, and a normal version is selected for karaoke devices B and C belonging to ordinary groups. For the karaoke apparatus D belonging to the minority group, the low-quality version of the content is selected.

  As described above, a plurality of pieces of content data having different qualities (bit rates) are prepared in advance, and by selecting the content to be transmitted according to the number of logged-in users of each karaoke device 4, the number of logged-in users can be selected. The bit rate of the content to be distributed can be changed accordingly.

  Next, FIG. 9 is an explanatory view schematically showing the procedure of the method (part 2) for determining the bit rate of the content to be distributed based on the priority order by the number of logged-in persons. Here, as shown in FIG. 9A, only one piece of content data is prepared for one content. This content data is data before compression by encoding, and its bit rate is 5 Mbps. Here, it is assumed that the upper limit of the data transfer capability when the host server 2 distributes content to each karaoke device 4 is 10 Mbps.

  As a result of totalizing the number of logins of each karaoke device 4 and determining the priority order in the descending order of the number of logins, the number of logins in the two karaoke devices 4 of A and B is as shown in Example 1 of FIG. When there are two and one respectively, karaoke device A has the first priority and karaoke device B has the second priority. However, in this case, even if the content data is distributed to the karaoke apparatuses A and B at 5 Mbps without being compressed by encoding, the total bit rate at the time of distribution does not exceed 10 Mbps of the data transfer capability of the host server 2. . Therefore, in this case, the content data is distributed to the karaoke devices A and B at the maximum bit rate that is not compressed by encoding, regardless of the number of login users of the karaoke devices A and B.

  On the other hand, as shown in Example 2 of FIG. 9B, when the number of logged-in persons is 2, 1, and 7 in each of the three karaoke apparatuses A, B, and C, the karaoke apparatus A has priority. The ranking is 2nd, the karaoke device B is the 3rd priority, and the karaoke device C is the 1st priority. In this case, if the content data is distributed to each karaoke apparatus A, B, and C at 5 Mbps without being compressed by encoding, the total bit rate at the time of distribution exceeds 10 Mbps of the data transfer capability of the host server 2. End up. Therefore, in this case, the content data is encoded at a compression rate corresponding to the number of login users of each karaoke apparatus A, B, C, so that the total bit rate at the time of distribution does not exceed the data transfer capability of the host server 2. Then, the content data compressed by encoding is distributed to the karaoke apparatuses A, B, and C, respectively. At this time, the bit rate of the content data for each of the karaoke apparatuses A, B, and C is determined as follows in descending order of priority.

<1>... {(Data transfer capability of the host server 2) − (total bit rate of contents delivered to the karaoke device 4 having a higher priority than the target karaoke device 4)} × (target karaoke Number of logged-in devices 4) / (total number of logged-in users of the target karaoke device 4 and all karaoke devices 4 having a lower priority than the target karaoke device 4)
<2>... Bit rate before content encoding The smaller one of the values <1> and <2> is set as the bit rate value of the content to be distributed to the target karaoke apparatus 4.

  Specifically, the bit rate of the content to be transmitted to the karaoke apparatus C is (10 Mbps-0) × 7 / (7 + 2 + 1) = 7 Mbps from the above formula <1>, but the content encoding of <2> Since the previous bit rate is 5 Mbps, it is 5 Mbps without compression by encoding.

  Next, the bit rate of the content to be transmitted to the karaoke apparatus A is (10 Mbps-5 Mbps) × 2 / (2 + 1) ≈3.3 Mbps from the above formula <1>. Here, since the bit rate before encoding of the content <2> is 5 Mbps, the content is distributed to the karaoke apparatus A by compressing the bit rate from 5 Mbps to 3.3 Mbps by compression by encoding.

  Next, the bit rate of the content transmitted to the karaoke apparatus B is {10 Mbps− (5 Mbps + 3.3 Mbps)} × 1 / 1≈1.7 Mbps from the above formula <1>. Here, since the bit rate before encoding of the content <2> is 5 Mbps, the content is distributed to the karaoke apparatus B by compressing the bit rate from 5 Mbps to 1.7 Mbps by compression by encoding.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. When it is determined in S320 that there are those with the same number of logins among a plurality of karaoke apparatuses 4 (S320: ranking is the same), that is, when the priority order by the number of logins is the same among the plurality of karaoke apparatuses 4 Referring to the binding information management table 2e (see FIG. 6), the number of users logged in from the mobile phone 6 is compared between the karaoke apparatuses 4 of the same rank. Then, the priority order is determined in descending order of the number of people logged in from the mobile phone 6 among the karaoke devices 4 of the same rank, and there are those karaoke devices 4 having the same number of people logged in from the mobile phone 6. It is determined whether or not (S340). Here, if it is determined that the number of users logged in from the mobile phone 6 is different among the karaoke devices 4 of the same rank (S340: different ranks), the overall priority at the time of content distribution in all the karaoke devices 4 Is determined (S350).

  As a specific example of S340 to S350, as shown in FIG. 10A, in the four karaoke apparatuses 4 of A to D, the number of logged-in users is 5, 3, 3, and 2, respectively. Suppose. In this case, the number of login users of the karaoke apparatuses B and C is the same, and the priority order based on the number of login users is the second highest. Here, with respect to the karaoke devices B and C, as a result of referring to the number of people logged in from the mobile phone 6, when the karaoke device B is two and the karaoke device C is one, the priority of the karaoke device B is the karaoke device C. Is set higher. As a result, the priority of content distribution in the four karaoke devices 4 of A to D is 1st: Karaoke device A, 2nd: Karaoke device B, 3rd: Karaoke device C, 4th: Karaoke device D Become.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. When it is determined in S340 that there is the same number of logged-in users from the mobile phone 6 among the karaoke devices 4 of the same rank (S340: the ranking is the same), that is, by comparing the number of logged-in users from the mobile phone 6. If the priority order is the same among the plurality of karaoke apparatuses 4, the karaoke singing histories of all the users tied to the karaoke apparatus 4 of the same order are stored in the personal web page database 2d. Obtained from the personal web page data of the user (S360).

  Next, between the karaoke apparatuses 4 of the same rank, the total number of performances of past karaoke songs (that is, the number of singing karaokes) by the logged-in user tied to each karaoke apparatus 4 is calculated and compared. . And a priority is determined in order with many past singing times by the login user among the said karaoke apparatuses 4 of the same rank, and the sum total of the past singing times by the login user among these karaoke apparatuses 4 is the same number. It is determined whether or not there exists (S370). Here, if it is determined that the total number of past singings by the logged-in user is different between the karaoke devices 4 of the same rank (S370: rank is different), the overall priority at the time of content distribution in all the karaoke devices 4 Is determined (S380).

  As a specific example of S370 to S380, as shown in FIG. 10B, in the four karaoke apparatuses 4 of A to D, the number of logins is 5, 3, 3, and 2, respectively, It is assumed that the priority order of the karaoke apparatuses B and C is second in the same ratio even if the number of logins from the mobile phone 6 is compared (S340). Here, as for the karaoke devices B and C, as a result of calculating the total number of performances (singing times) of past karaoke songs of the logged-in user who has been logged in, the karaoke device B is 40 times and the karaoke device C is When it is 60 times, the priority order of the karaoke apparatus C is set higher than the karaoke apparatus B. As a result, the priority of content distribution in the four karaoke devices 4 from A to D is 1st: Karaoke device A, 2nd: Karaoke device C, 3rd: Karaoke device B, 4th: Karaoke device D Become.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. If it is determined in S370 that there is the same total number of past singings by the logged-in user among the karaoke devices 4 of the same rank (S370: ranking is the same), that is, the past singing times by the logged-in user are compared. Therefore, when the priority order is the same among the plurality of karaoke apparatuses 4, the linking apparatus management table 2e (see FIG. 6) is referred to, and each karaoke apparatus 4 is connected between the karaoke apparatuses 4 of the same order. Among the login start times of the logged-in users bound to 4, the karaoke devices 4 having the earliest time are compared. And a priority is determined in order with an early login start time among the said karaoke apparatuses 4 of the same rank, and it is determined whether there exists what has the same login start time among these karaoke apparatuses 4 ( S390). Here, when it is determined that the login start times are all different between the karaoke devices 4 of the same rank (S390: the ranks are different), the overall priority at the time of content distribution in all the karaoke devices 4 is determined (S400). .

  As a specific example of S390 to S400, as shown in FIG. 10 (c), in the four karaoke apparatuses 4 of A to D, the number of logins is 5, 3, 3, and 2, respectively, Even if the comparison of the number of logins from the mobile phone 6 (S340) and the comparison of the past number of singing by the login user (S370), the priority order of the karaoke apparatuses B and C is the second place of the same rate. Suppose. Here, as for the karaoke apparatuses B and C, as a result of comparing the login start times of the login users bundled in these with the earliest time, the login user login start time in the karaoke apparatus B was earlier. In this case, the priority order of the karaoke apparatus B is set higher than the karaoke apparatus C. As a result, the priority of content distribution in the four karaoke devices 4 of A to D is 1st: Karaoke device A, 2nd: Karaoke device B, 3rd: Karaoke device C, 4th: Karaoke device D Become.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. If it is determined in S390 that there is the same login start time among the karaoke devices 4 of the same rank (S390: the rank is the same), that is, a plurality of karaoke apparatuses even if the login start times are compared. When the priorities are the same among the karaoke devices 4 of the same rank, the priorities unique to the karaoke devices 4 are compared. Here, as the priority order specific to the karaoke device 4, for example, the karaoke room in which the karaoke device 4 is installed is set in descending order of use fee, or the manufacturing number or serial number of the karaoke device 4 is set in order. And various things such as those arbitrarily set by the operator of the karaoke network system 1. It is assumed that the priority order unique to each karaoke device 4 is registered in advance in the database 2b of the host server 2. Then, among the karaoke devices 4 of the same rank, the priority at the time of content distribution is determined in descending order of the priority specific to the karaoke device 4, and the overall priority at the time of content distribution in all the karaoke devices 4 is determined. (S410).

  As a specific example of S410, as shown in FIG. 10 (d), in the four karaoke apparatuses 4 of A to D, the number of logins is 5, 3, 3, and 2, respectively, and the mobile phone The priority order of the karaoke apparatuses B and C is the same even with the comparison of the number of logins from 6 (S340), the comparison of the past singing times by the login user (S370), and the comparison of the login start times (S390). Suppose that it was the second place. Here, as a result of comparing the priorities specific to the karaoke apparatuses B and C, if the priority specific to the karaoke apparatus C is higher than the priority specific to the karaoke apparatus B, the priority at the time of content distribution is Karaoke device C is set higher than karaoke device B. As a result, the priority of content distribution in the four karaoke devices 4 from A to D is 1st: Karaoke device A, 2nd: Karaoke device C, 3rd: Karaoke device B, 4th: Karaoke device D Become.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. Based on the priority at the time of content distribution determined in each step of S350, S380, S400, and S410, the level of bit rate for distributing content to each karaoke device 4 is determined, and the determined bit rate is determined according to the determined bit rate. Each content is distributed to the corresponding karaoke apparatus 4 (S420). Here, the higher the priority order of the karaoke apparatus 4 is, the higher the bit rate of the content distributed to the karaoke apparatus 4 is.

  Here, a specific method for determining the bit rate of the content to be distributed to each karaoke apparatus based on the priority at the time of content distribution determined in each step of S350, S380, S400, and S410 will be described with reference to FIG. .

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a procedure of a method for determining a bit rate of content to be distributed based on a priority order at the time of content distribution. Here, as shown in FIG. 11A, only one file is prepared for one content. This content data is data before compression by encoding, and its bit rate is 5 Mbps. Here, it is assumed that the upper limit of the data transfer capability when the host server 2 distributes content to each karaoke device 4 is 10 Mbps.

  For example, as a result of determining the priority at the time of content distribution, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), for the four karaoke apparatuses 4 of A to D, first place: karaoke apparatus A, second place: karaoke apparatus B, 3 Rank: karaoke device CB, 4th: karaoke device D. Here, as an index for defining the degree of bit rate according to the priority order of each karaoke device A, B, C, D, for example, 4 points in the 1st place, 3 points in the 2nd place, 2 points in the 3rd place 1 point is assigned to 4th place. And the bit rate of the content data for each karaoke apparatus A, B, C, D is determined as follows in order from a thing with a high priority.

<3>... {(Data transfer capability of the host server 2) − (total bit rate of contents delivered to the karaoke device 4 having higher priority than the target karaoke device 4)} × (target karaoke The number of points of the device 4) / (the total number of points of the target karaoke device 4 and all the karaoke devices 4 having a lower priority than the target karaoke device 4)
<4>... Bit rate before content encoding The smaller one of the above <3> and <4> values is the bit rate value of the content to be distributed to the target karaoke apparatus 4.

  Specifically, the bit rate of the content transmitted to the karaoke apparatus A is (10 Mbps-0) × 4 / (4 + 3 + 2 + 1) = 4 Mbps from the above formula <3>. Here, since the bit rate before encoding of the content <4> is 5 Mbps, the content is distributed to the karaoke apparatus A by compressing the bit rate from 5 Mbps to 4 Mbps by compression by encoding.

  Next, the bit rate of the content transmitted to the karaoke apparatus B is (10 Mbps−4 Mbps) × 3 / (3 + 2 + 1) = 3 Mbps from the above formula <3>. Here, since the bit rate before the content of <4> is 5 Mbps, the content is distributed to the karaoke apparatus B by compressing the bit rate from 5 Mbps to 3 Mbps by compression by encoding.

  Next, the bit rate of the content transmitted to the karaoke apparatus C is {10 Mbps− (4 Mbps + 3 Mbps)} × 2 / (2 + 1) = 2 Mbps from the above formula <3>. Here, since the bit rate before encoding of the content <4> is 5 Mbps, the content is distributed to the karaoke apparatus C by compressing the bit rate from 5 Mbps to 2 Mbps by compression by encoding.

  Next, the bit rate of the content transmitted to the karaoke apparatus D is {10 Mbps− (4 Mbps + 3 Mbps + 2 Mbps)} × 1/1 = 1 Mbps from the above formula <3>. Here, since the bit rate before encoding of the content <4> is 5 Mbps, the content is distributed to the karaoke apparatus D by compressing the bit rate from 5 Mbps to 1 Mbps by compression by encoding.

[7. effect]
According to the karaoke network system 1 of the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) Depending on the number of logged-in users tied to each karaoke device 4, content with a relatively high bit rate is distributed to the karaoke device 4 with a relatively large number of logged-in users, and the number of logged-in users Content with a relatively low bit rate can be distributed to relatively few karaoke apparatuses 4. By doing in this way, a higher quality content can be delivered with respect to the karaoke apparatus 4 which many users are utilizing. Therefore, in the karaoke network system 1 as a whole, more users can view high-quality content within a limited range of data transfer capability, which is preferable. In particular, with regard to CM content, many viewers can view high-quality content. As a result, not only the satisfaction of many viewers is improved, but also high advertising effects are obtained. It is also beneficial for advertising providers.

  (2) When the number of logged-in users is the same among a plurality of karaoke apparatuses 4, various criteria such as comparison of the number of logged-in from the mobile phone 6, comparison of the number of singing past by the logged-in user, comparison of login start time, etc. This makes it possible to determine the priority order during content distribution.

  (3) A user who logs in to the karaoke network system 1 through the mobile phone 6 owned by the individual, not the remote control terminal 5 provided in the karaoke room, frequently uses the service by the mobile phone 6 owned by the individual. You can imagine it as a heavy user. Therefore, taking high-quality content by giving priority to the karaoke device 4 that the user who has logged in from the mobile phone 6 uses more preferentially, and taking measures to favor the user, It is thought that it will lead to further promoting the user's desire to use, which is preferable.

  (4) A large number of past singings by the logged-in user is considered to be a good customer who has used the karaoke service many times. Therefore, by preferentially delivering high-quality content by giving priority to the karaoke device 4 used by users who have a large number of karaoke singings, it is possible to further increase the customer's willingness to use the karaoke service. It is thought that it leads to promotion, and is suitable.

  (5) The fact that the user's login start time is early means that the karaoke device 4 has been used by the karaoke device 4 for a longer time than other users, and such users are also good customers. Conceivable. Therefore, preferentially distributing high-quality content by giving priority to the karaoke device used by the user whose login start time is early, thereby further promoting the customer's willingness to use the karaoke service. It is thought that it leads to a thing, and is suitable.

[8. Modified example]
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to said embodiment at all, It is possible to implement in various aspects.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, in S370 of the “content distribution control process” (see FIG. 7), the priorities at the time of content distribution are determined by comparing the past karaoke singing times of the logged-in user. Instead of this, a configuration may be used in which the priorities at the time of content distribution are determined by comparing the number of past logins of the user. A user with a large number of past logins is also considered to be a good customer who frequently uses the karaoke service in the same manner as a user with a large number of singing, and is considered to be suitable for giving priority to content distribution.

It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the karaoke network system. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display example when performing “user registration” with the remote control terminal 5 and the mobile phone 6. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows typically the specific content of the user registration database 2c, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows typically the specific content of the personal web page database 2d. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a screen display in each terminal when a user performs the procedure of login with the remote control terminal 5 or the mobile telephone 6. FIG. It is a ladder chart which shows the flow of a series of operation | movement from a user's login to the content delivery with respect to the karaoke apparatus 4. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically an example of the description format of the binding information management table 2e. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of "content delivery control processing." It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the procedure of the method (the 1) which determines the bit rate of the content delivered based on the priority order by the number of login persons. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the procedure of the method (the 2) which determines the bit rate of the content delivered based on the priority order by the number of login persons. It is a figure which shows typically the specific example of the procedure which determines the priority at the time of the content delivery in each karaoke apparatus 4 in consideration of criteria other than the number of login persons. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the procedure of the method of determining the bit rate of the content delivered based on the priority order at the time of content delivery.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Karaoke network system, 2 ... Host server, 2a ... Web server, 2b ... Database, 4 ... Karaoke apparatus, 5 ... Remote control terminal, 6 ... Mobile phone, 100 ... LAN, 110 ... Access point, 120, 140 ... Router, 200 ... Internet (WAN)

Claims (4)

A karaoke network system in which a server device that individually distributes content to a plurality of karaoke devices and a plurality of karaoke devices that reproduce content received from the server device are connected to be able to communicate via a network,
The karaoke device comprises a user correspondence means for associating a user who uses the karaoke device with the karaoke device,
The karaoke network system is configured such that a plurality of users who use the individual karaoke devices can be simultaneously logged in to the karaoke network system by associating the karaoke devices with the user correspondence means,
The server device
Measuring means for measuring the number of logged-in users associated with each karaoke device;
A determination unit that determines the level of information amount of content to be transmitted to each karaoke device according to the number of logged-in users measured by the measurement unit, for each karaoke device;
A karaoke network system comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit content having an amount of information corresponding to the degree of elevation determined by the determination unit to a corresponding karaoke apparatus. The karaoke network system according to claim 1,
The information amount is a transmission rate that is an amount of information transmitted per unit time,
The determination means provided in the server device sets a relatively high transmission rate for the karaoke device in which the number of logged-in users is relatively large, and the number of logged-in users is relatively high The karaoke network system is characterized in that the degree of transmission rate is set relatively low for a few karaoke apparatuses. In the karaoke network system according to claim 1 or 2,
The server device further includes history storage means for storing usage history information of a karaoke service corresponding to each user who has logged into the karaoke network system.
The determination unit provided in the server device refers to the use history information stored in the history storage unit when the number of logged-in users associated with each other among the plurality of karaoke devices is the same. And determining the level of the amount of content information to be transmitted to these karaoke devices according to the frequency of use of the karaoke service for each user who is logged in in association with these karaoke devices. Network system. In the karaoke network system according to claim 1 or 2,
The server device further includes login start time storage means for storing the login start time of each user who has logged into the karaoke network system,
The determination unit provided in the server device is configured to calculate a login start time stored in the login start time storage unit when the number of logged-in users associated with each other among the plurality of karaoke devices is the same. The level of content information to be transmitted to these karaoke devices is determined according to the login start time of each user who is logged in in association with these karaoke devices. Karaoke network system.