JP3324892B2 - Information charge system and information providing terminal - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information providing terminal configured to provide a user with information distributed from an information center storing information. An information fee billing system for collecting fees,
The present invention relates to an information providing terminal suitable for configuring the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a communication karaoke system that has become widespread has a configuration in which a large number of music data is stored in advance in a communication karaoke terminal installed in a store or the like, and new music is distributed from a host computer through a telephone line. ing.

[0003] By the way, the fee for distribution of this new song is:
The data distribution company can go directly to the terminal installation company's store, etc., or have it transferred to a bank account,
Data distributors collect from each terminal installer, but managing individual terminal installers and collecting fees for music data distribution in this way places a heavy burden on the data distributor. I was

[0004]

Accordingly, the applicant has studied the construction of an automatic charging system using a charging network such as a videotex communication system or a dial queue two system which has been put into practical use in recent years. . As this Videotex communication system, a captain system is well known in Japan. This videotex communication system connects user terminals to an information center via a videotex communication network, and provides interactive graphic information communication that provides character / graphic information from the information center in response to a request from the user terminal. Has been put to practical use. In order to collect the fee for the information provided from the information center, the above-mentioned videotex communication network has a billing function, and the fee can be collected in units of information. In addition, the dial cue two system connects a user terminal to an information center via a public line, adds an information fee per unit time set for each information center to a public line usage fee, and calculates a fee based on a pay-as-you-go calculation. It collects. If such a charging communication network is used, it is expected that the charging can be automatically performed simultaneously with the distribution of the music data, and that the management burden on the data distributor in the communication karaoke system can be greatly reduced. You. This is not limited to the communication karaoke system alone. For example, in various pay information providing systems in the future multimedia society, such as a game terminal where a user can play a game with game software distributed via a communication line. Are also common.

In the conventional communication karaoke system and the like, the usage fee for one song is determined uniformly, so that the usage fee is determined only by the number of songs regardless of the content of the song. . Therefore, whether the distributed song data is a song with a high load value, such as a new song or a song in a special genre, or a song with a high track record of use and profitability, the number of songs is different. Without it, the fee was the same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an information fee billing system in which fee collection is not troublesome and a fee can be set for each piece of information. Further, the present invention is suitable for constructing the system. Another object of the present invention is to provide an information providing terminal.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an information center storing information and an information communication network from the information center. An information providing terminal capable of executing an information providing service to a user based on information distributed through the information providing terminal, and connecting the information providing terminal to the information providing terminal via a charging communication network, and corresponding to the value of the information A billing center for billing the terminal by transmitting information including billing information to the information providing terminal, wherein the information communication network is a communication network different from the billing communication network. Price storage means for storing price data indicating the price of the information set for each piece of information distributed via the information communication network; and a price storage means for storing price data based on the price data stored in the price storage means. Come, delivered by one of the delivery process
Bei a consideration calculating means for calculating information all of the consideration is
The billing center is calculated by the consideration calculating means.
The notified price is notified as a charging condition,
The information providing terminal is charged .

According to the information fee charging system of the present invention, when the information center distributes information to the information providing terminal, first, the information providing terminal is connected to the charging center. Here, in the current charging communication networks such as the captain system and the dial queue two, the calling side (the side that made the call) is charged, so the information providing terminal calls the charging center and connects. Will be. However, it is possible to change the configuration of the charging communication network so that the receiving side (the side receiving the call) is charged by the collect call method, as is already in practical use in public telephone lines. Therefore, the connection here may be a call originating from the terminal or a call originating from the charging center as long as the information providing terminal is charged.

[0009] When the information providing terminal is connected to the charging center in this way, the charging center transmits information including charging information corresponding to the value of the distributed information to the information providing terminal. As a result, billing to the information providing terminal via the billing communication network is executed.

The information requested by the information providing terminal is transmitted from the information center via the information communication network. This information may be actual information that the information providing terminal can provide to the user as it is, or may be a simple decryption key that makes the information held by the information providing terminal usable. In any case, as a result of the transmission of this information, the information providing terminal can provide information.

Incidentally, in the above configuration, the information communication network is a communication network different from the charging communication network. This is because it is assumed that the actual information transmitted to the information providing terminal has a considerably large amount of information, such as new song data for karaoke performance or game software. In addition, quickness is required. On the other hand, for billing information, the amount of information seems to be rare in many cases.
It is considered that a slightly lower communication speed does not cause a problem. As described above, the required conditions are different between the real information and the billing information. Therefore, by using a communication network suitable for distributing the respective information, it is faster than distributing the real information using the billing communication network. In this case, an optimum system configuration according to the type of information to be received by the information providing terminal is possible in that the reliability of data is high.

When the information communication network is different from the charging communication network, the information transmitted from the charging center to the information providing terminal is provided with charging information for operating the charging function of the charging communication network. If it does, the substantive contents may be anything, and mere dummy data that has no particular meaning is sufficient. Further, making the information communication network and the charging communication network different is not equivalent to separately setting the information center and the charging center. That is, in the information fee billing system of the present invention, the information center and the billing center are conceptually expressed as different things, but may exist as separate independent centers, or both functions may be provided in one center. It may be configured to have it. In any case, the advantages described above can be obtained by using different communication networks suitable for the actual information and the billing information.

[0013] In such information distribution and execution of billing, in particular, in the information fee billing system of the present invention, compensation data indicating compensation for individual information is stored in compensation storage means, and compensation is performed based on the compensation data. Calculation means once
Is calculated for all the information distributed by the distribution process . Then, the billing center is calculated by the price calculation means.
The notified price is notified as a billing condition,
Charge the providing terminal. The individual information referred to here is information that is a unit of distribution, and is not limited to a case where a single piece of information is used as a unit of distribution. It is assumed that one price is set. By calculating the price in this way, for example, different prices can be set according to the content of individual information, and the price of the latest information or special information can be set higher, or if the frequency of use is high, It is possible to set a lower price for profitable information, and it is possible to automatically charge a billing communication network using a price system set in such a manner.

[0014] By the way, the concrete structure of the price storage means and the price calculation means can be variously considered. For example, as described in claim 2, the price data is information distributed via the information communication network. It is preferable that the price calculation means is added to the actual data in the information and stored, and the price calculation means accumulates the price by referring to the price data in the distributed information.

Alternatively, as described in claim 3, the price data is stored in a table in correspondence with each piece of information, and the price calculation means accumulates the price by referring to the price data in the table. May be used.

In the case of the information charge accounting system according to the second aspect, since the consideration data is added to the actual data as information, the consideration calculation means provided on the information center side provides
Either integration is performed each time individual information is transmitted, or integration is performed each time individual information is received by a price calculation unit provided on the information providing terminal side, and at least one of the configurations is adopted. In any case, the charge accumulated by the information center or the information providing terminal is notified to the charging center, and the charging information is transmitted from the charging center to the information providing terminal, so that the charging is performed by the function of the charging communication network. Is done.

In such a configuration, if the price data is read in accordance with a specific format of the information to be distributed, the price can be accumulated without identifying each information by the information number or ID. In addition, simplification of the integration process can be expected. Also, when information that can be newly provided at the information center is added, the information and the value data are added collectively, so that data inconsistency such as an incorrect association between the two cannot occur.

On the other hand, in the case of the information fee billing system according to the third aspect, consideration data is stored in a table in association with each piece of information. This table may be in any of the information center, the billing center, and the information providing terminal. However, since the consideration data requires addition or updating, when storing the table in the information providing terminal, if the addition or updating of the data is required, the information center or the charging center connects to the information providing terminal. It is necessary to instruct the information providing terminal to add or update data. Further, when the consideration storage means and the consideration calculation means are separately arranged, it is necessary to transmit the consideration data table so that the consideration calculation means can refer to the consideration data table. When the information center or the information providing terminal is configured to accumulate the charges, the charges are notified to the charging center. Finally, charging information is transmitted from the charging center to the information providing terminal, and charging is performed by the function of the charging communication network.

With such a configuration, the price data of the distributable information can be managed collectively, so that the entire price data can be easily updated. In addition, in a case where a price is calculated prior to distribution of information or the like, since integration processing can be performed only by searching a table, the integration processing is expected to be quick.

In the information fee charging system, the information center or the charging center includes a list distribution unit that distributes a list of information that can be distributed to the information providing terminal to the information providing terminal. And convenient.

According to such an information charge accounting system, the list of information that can be distributed to the information providing terminal is distributed to the information providing terminal by the list distribution means. You can easily find the latest list. Here, it is more desirable that the list includes not only the data indicating the title and contents of the information that can be provided but also the respective price data, so that the list can be used as the above-mentioned price data table.
When the list including the price data is transmitted as described above, the price calculation means may be arranged in the information providing terminal.

Further, in such an information fee billing system, the information providing terminal may include a list request unit for requesting the list distribution unit to distribute the list. According to the information fee billing system configured as described above, a list of information that can be distributed to the information providing terminal can be distributed only when the information providing terminal needs it. You don't have to.

The information providing terminal suitable for constructing the information fee providing system of the present invention described above is, for example, an information communication network connected to an information center via an information communication network as described in claim 6. An information providing terminal comprising: a connection unit; an information storage unit that stores information received from the information center; and a charging communication network connection unit that connects to the charging center via a charging communication network. the information communication network is a different communication network and billing network, based on the consideration data indicating consideration of the information that has been set for each information of the information distributed from the information center, for a single delivery process Yo
Includes a consideration calculating means for calculating the information all of the consideration to be delivered I, consideration calculated by the compensation calculation means, before
The billing center is configured to be notified as a billing condition.
It is able to adopt the information providing terminal according to claim.

In the information providing terminal, the price calculation means may be added to the actual data in the information as a part of the information distributed through the information communication network. It is preferable that the price is integrated with reference to the price data.

Alternatively, as described in claim 8, the price calculation means may be configured to accumulate the prices by referring to the price data stored in the table in association with each piece of information. And furthermore, as described in claim 9, distribution of a list of information that can be distributed from the information center,
It is more desirable to have a list request means for requesting the information center or the charging center.

The operation and effect of each component of the information providing terminal are the same as those described for the information charge system described above, and are suitable for constructing the information charge system of the present invention. In particular, by arranging the charge calculating means on the information providing terminal side, even if a large number of information providing terminals are installed, the load on the information center and the charging center is not required for the calculation of the price, and each information The service for the providing terminal can be executed quickly.

[0027]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is an example in which the information fee billing system of the present invention is applied to a communication type karaoke system. As shown in FIG. 1, the present communication type karaoke system receives an information center 3 storing karaoke music data, a distribution of the karaoke music data from the information center 3 via an information communication network 7, and the karaoke music data. A karaoke terminal 10 configured to perform a karaoke performance based on the data,
By connecting to the karaoke terminal 10 via the charging communication network 5 and transmitting charging information to the karaoke terminal 10,
Billing center 1 for billing karaoke terminal 10
And A plurality of karaoke terminals 10 are connected to the charging center 1 via a charging communication network 5, and a plurality of karaoke terminals 10 are also connected to the information center 3 via an information communication network 7. It is connected. The connection between the charging center 1 and the information center 3 is also established.

First, the configuration of the karaoke terminal 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the karaoke terminal 10 includes a first communication control device 27 serving as an information communication network connecting means for connecting to the information center 3 via the information communication network 7.
And a hard disk 33 as information storage means for storing karaoke song data distributed from the information center 3.
And a second communication control unit 28 as a charging communication network connection means for connecting to the charging center 1 via the charging communication network 5, and these are constituted by a well-known CPU, ROM, RAM and the like. Is controlled by
Further, the central control device 31 functions as a list requesting unit in the present embodiment, and executes a process of requesting the charging center 1 to distribute a music list.

The karaoke terminal 10 also has a sound reproduction circuit 35 for reproducing accompaniment music based on karaoke music data.
And the accompaniment music from the audio reproduction circuit 35 and the audio input from the microphone 43 to mix
And a mixer amplifier 38 for outputting karaoke music.

Next, the function of the karaoke terminal 10 will be briefly described. The karaoke terminal 10 can store several thousand karaoke song data in the hard disk 33, and can usually perform karaoke performance processing based on the stored karaoke song data. When it becomes necessary to add a new song, karaoke song data can be received from the information center 3 and stored in the hard disk 33. Incidentally, the karaoke song data for one song is composed of song number information as identification information for identifying songs, and entity information. The entity information in this is MID which is information of accompaniment music.
It consists of performance information of I (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) standard, lyric information and background video information.
The background video information is obtained by encoding video information corresponding to each song.

When performing a karaoke performance at the karaoke terminal 10, the user operates the operation panel 45 or a remote controller as an input means to select a desired song. Then, the central controller 31 executes a karaoke performance process according to a predetermined karaoke performance program. In brief, the central control unit 31 reads performance information, lyrics information, and background video information corresponding to the selected song from the hard disk 33, and stores the performance information in the audio reproduction circuit 3.
5, the lyric information and the background video information are transferred to the screen display control device 26, respectively. The performance information output to the audio reproduction circuit 35 is converted into an analog performance signal, and then sent to a mixer amplifier 38 to be electrically amplified.
The singing voice of the user input through the microphone 43 is mixed at an appropriate ratio. The mixed audio signal is output to the outside as a performance sound by the speaker 41. On the other hand, the lyrics information output in synchronization with the performance information is
The screen display control device 26 combines (superimposes) with the background video signal and displays it on the television monitor 29. As a result, on the television monitor 29, the lyric telop is synthesized with the background video.

Next, the configuration and functions of the information center 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the information center 3 includes a communication control device 77 serving as an information communication network connecting means for connecting to the karaoke terminal 10 via the information communication network 7, and information for storing karaoke music data to be distributed to the karaoke terminal 10. A storage device 73 as storage means is provided, and these are controlled by the host computer 71. The host computer 71 has an input device 75, a printer 79, a C
Various devices such as RT81 are connected. The storage device 73 also stores various control programs for operating the host computer 71 in addition to the karaoke music data.

The information center 3 configured as described above transmits the karaoke music data specified by the charging center 1 to the karaoke terminal 10 specified by the charging center 1 via the information communication network 7. Operate. That is, in the present embodiment, the information center 3 is configured to distribute the karaoke music data to the specific karaoke terminal 10 based on only the instruction received from the charging center 1.

Next, the configuration and functions of the charging center 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the charging center 1 includes a communication control device 57 connected to the karaoke terminal 10 via the charging communication network 5, and is controlled by the host computer 51. The host computer 51 includes a storage device 53 for storing various control programs for operating the host computer 51, the billing information for each karaoke terminal 10 described above, an input device 55, a printer 59, a CRT 61, and the like. And other devices are connected. Further, the communication control device 57 is connected to the communication control device 77 of the information center 3 so that information can be communicated with each other.

The charging center 1 configured as described above receives a request from the karaoke terminal 10 and executes distribution of a music list, processing for charging the karaoke terminal 10, karaoke music data transmission instruction to the information center 3, and the like. I do. When distributing the song list, information is obtained from the information center 3 as necessary, and the charging center 1 obtains the information shown in Table 1 below.
The tune list data as shown in the example is created and transmitted to the karaoke terminal 10. The processing as the list distribution means is executed by the host computer 51. The music list data includes consideration data P (unit price P) set for each karaoke music data. That is, in the present embodiment, the consideration data P is
Are stored in a storage device 53 as a value storage means, and are tabulated and managed by the host computer 51.

[0036]

[Table 1]

In the karaoke terminal 10 to which the above-mentioned music list data has been distributed, the central control unit 31 refers to the music list data and determines the total amount T1 of the price for the music to be distributed according to the processing described later. calculate. That is, in the present embodiment, the central control device 31 provided in each karaoke terminal 10 corresponds to a price calculation unit. Table 1 above
Speaking of the specific example shown in FIG. 2, two of the songs A and B in Table 1 above
When the distribution of the music is requested, the central control unit 31 adds the consideration P of the music A and the music B, and calculates the total amount to be 2000 yen.

By notifying the calculated amount to the charging center 1 as a charging condition, the charging center 1 charges the karaoke terminal 10 with the above amount. In the process for charging the karaoke terminal 10, information for charging is transmitted to the karaoke terminal 10 via the charging communication network 5. The information for billing is pay information in which an amount corresponding to the fee of the karaoke song data transmitted thereafter via the information communication network 7 is set, and this pay information is transmitted via the billing communication network 5. Then, a predetermined amount is charged to the karaoke terminal 10 as the transmission destination by the charging function of the charging communication network 5. The amount set in the billing information transmitted by the billing center 1 is determined by the billing conditions calculated by the karaoke terminal 10 and notified to the billing center 1.

When a karaoke song data transmission instruction is issued to the information center 3, the song code transmitted from the karaoke terminal 10 to the charging center 1 and the karaoke terminal 10 are specified on the condition that the charging process is completed. The terminal code is transmitted to the information center 3.

As the charging communication network 5 having the charging function as described above, a videotex communication network called a captain system, a dial queue two communication network, and the like are known in Japan at present. In this embodiment, a Videotex communication network is assumed. The billing communication network 5 determines the type of data distributed from the billing center 1 by the karaoke terminal 10 when data is exchanged via the communication network from the standpoint of data exchange. The acquired amount is referred to a pre-registered charge list according to the type of data, and the amount to be charged for transmission of the data is calculated. The charge list is a table in which the relationship between the type of data and the charge is tabulated. The fee charged in the billing communication network 5 is added to the telephone fee for the karaoke terminal 10 by a telephone carrier on behalf of the telephone company, and is deducted from the fee to be passed to the data distributor.

Next, the processing related to the distribution and charging of the karaoke music data will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Although the flowchart is based on the operation of the karaoke terminal 10, the operations of the information center 3 and the charging center 1 will be described in parallel as necessary.

First, the present process is started by a predetermined operation on the karaoke terminal 10 side. The karaoke terminal 10 connects to the charging center 1 via the charging communication network 5 and stores its own terminal code CID and music list data. Data indicating the request is transmitted (S110). In response, the charging center 1 specifies the karaoke terminal 10 based on the received terminal code CID. Then, music list data is created based on the music data stored in the information center 3, and the music list data is transmitted to the karaoke terminal 10. It is more preferable that the music list data be created, for example, by arranging the music titles in the order of the Japanese syllabary, or by classifying the music according to the genre of the music or the fee.

Next, the karaoke terminal 10 displays the titles of the songs that can be distributed on the attached display based on the transmitted song list data (S12).
0). At this time, the unit price of the song is displayed on the display together with the song name. Then, the process waits until the music number is selected by the operator (terminal installation trader) (S130).
When the desired music number is selected by the operator, the total price T1 of the selected music is calculated with reference to the price data of the music included in the music list data and transmitted (S140), and the total price T1 is calculated. It is displayed on the display (S150).

Next, in order to confirm whether or not to receive the distribution, the operation waits until an instruction of "transmission required" or "transmission unnecessary" is inputted by the operator (S160). here,
If "transmission is unnecessary" is instructed, confirmation is made as to whether or not to end the processing. If the instruction is to end, this processing is ended (S1).
65: YES), if not ended, S130 again
Return to. On the other hand, if "transmission required" is instructed, the selected music code N is transmitted to the charging center 1 as request information, and the total amount T1 is transmitted to the charging center 1 as a charging condition (S170).

The charging center 1 receives the request information and the charging conditions, and first transmits charging information corresponding to the amount to be charged to the karaoke terminal 10 via the charging communication network 5. Here, the billing information may have any content as long as the necessary billing is made by transmission, and it is sufficient to use only dummy data having no meaning. That is, the billing information is not necessary information for the karaoke terminal 10, but is data for operating the billing function of the billing communication network 5. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the charging of the karaoke terminal 10 on the Videotex communication system is executed by transmitting the charging information, and the karaoke terminal 10 is deducted from the terminal installer's bank account together with the telephone charge at a later date. The result of the billing process is recorded in the billing center 1 and also on the telephone carrier managing the billing communication network 5. In addition, based on the recorded performance of the billing process, the telephone operator passes the remainder of the data fee collected from the terminal installer on a fee-reduced basis to the data distributor that is the installer of the accounting center 1. . Furthermore,
The charging center 1 transmits the terminal code CID and the music code N to the information center 3 on condition that the charging process is completed. At the information center 3 receiving this, the terminal code CI
A connection is requested to the karaoke terminal 10 specified by D.

The karaoke terminal 10 waits for a connection request from the information center 3, connects to the information center 3, and receives karaoke music data transmitted from the information center 3 (S180). Here, the music code N transmitted from the charging center 1 to the information center 3 is the music code N transmitted from the karaoke terminal 10 to the charging center 1 in the previous processing, and the karaoke music data of the music selected by the karaoke terminal 10 Will be delivered. And the karaoke terminal 1
0 indicates the distributed karaoke song data on the hard disk 3
No. 3 (S190).

The operations of the karaoke terminal 10, charging center 1, and information center 3 described above are shown in a communication sequence diagram as shown in FIG. First, karaoke terminal 1
0 sends a call to the charging center 1 via the charging communication network 5 and transmits a password after connection is established.

The charging center 1 receives the password, checks the password, and transmits a signal indicating the password OK to any terminal registered as one in the communication karaoke system. The karaoke terminal 10 receives the password OK signal and requests the music list data.

The billing center 1 receives the music list data request, searches for karaoke music data that can be distributed to the karaoke terminal, creates music list data, and transmits it to the karaoke terminal 10. The karaoke terminal 10 performs a process of selecting a tune based on the sent tune list data, and when receiving the distribution of the karaoke tune data, sends a signal indicating request information and a charging condition to the charging center 1. Send.

The charging center 1 transmits data for charging a fee corresponding to the purchase price to the karaoke terminal 10 in accordance with the transmitted charging condition. In response, the karaoke terminal 10 cuts off the connection with the charging center 1. When the above processing is completed, the charging center 1 calls and connects to the information center 3 and transmits request information from the karaoke terminal 10. The information center 3 receives this request information and returns a reception completion. In response, the charging center 1 cuts off the connection with the information center 3.

When the above processing is completed, the information center 3 calls and connects to the karaoke terminal 10 and the charging center 1
The karaoke song data specified by the request information transmitted via the karaoke device is transmitted. The karaoke terminal 10 receives the karaoke song data and returns a reception completion. In response to the completion of the reception, the information center 3 cuts off the connection with the karaoke terminal 10.

Thus, "karaoke terminal 10" → "charging center 1" → "information center 3" → "karaoke terminal 10"
In this order, and pay distribution of the karaoke song data is executed. As described above, according to the communication karaoke system to which the information fee charging system of the present invention is applied, in response to a karaoke song data distribution request from a terminal installation company, the reception process is automatically performed,
For the fee collection associated with the distribution, a substitute service provided by a telephone company can be used. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden of collecting the fee of the data distributor.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the price data indicating the price set for each piece of karaoke music data is stored in the charging center 1 as music list data tabulated in correspondence with the karaoke music data. Furthermore, the karaoke terminal 10 receiving the distribution of the music list data is configured to calculate the price of all the distributed karaoke music data based on the price data. Therefore, for example, you can set a higher price for new songs or songs of a special genre, or set a lower price for songs that are used frequently and are already profitable. The charge can be automatically made by the communication network 5.

Further, in this embodiment, the charging center 1
However, since the song list data, which is a list of songs that can be distributed to the karaoke terminal 10, is distributed to the karaoke terminal 10, the karaoke terminal 10 easily knows the latest list of karaoke song data that can be distributed. be able to. In particular, since the music list data is tabulated data including the price data, the karaoke terminal 10
The side can know the total value before receiving the transmission. Further, since the music list data is distributed only when the karaoke terminal 10 needs it, the karaoke terminal 10 can obtain the latest music list data just when it is needed.

Next, another embodiment in which the storage format of the consideration data is different will be described. The system configuration of this embodiment is
It has the same hardware configuration as the communication type karaoke system shown in FIGS. However, in the present embodiment, as will be described later, a music distribution request from the karaoke terminal 10 is received by the information center 3, and the charging center 1 executes only the processing relating to charging.

Further, in this embodiment, as a part of the karaoke music data distributed via the information communication network 7, it is added to the entity information in the karaoke music data. More specifically, in this embodiment, the karaoke music data for one music is
As illustrated in FIG. 6, it is composed of management information and entity information. As described above, the entity information is composed of MIDI standard performance information, which is accompaniment music information, lyrics information, and background video information, and is data of indefinite length that varies in size depending on the music. On the other hand, the management information is fixed-length data at the head of the data. In addition to the price data P indicating the price of the data, a song code N or the like, which is identification information for identifying songs, has a specific format. It is recorded in. Therefore, for example, in order to acquire management information, it is only necessary to mechanically read data of the first n1 bytes,
Further, for example, in order to obtain the consideration data P, it is only necessary to mechanically read a value recorded in an area corresponding to n3 bytes from the n2th byte in the management information according to a specific format. That is, as in the previous embodiment, each piece of karaoke song data is mechanically identified each time the karaoke song data is transmitted or received, without having to identify individual karaoke song data by song number or the like and refer to a table. By reading the value recorded in a specific area, the price of the karaoke song data can be obtained.

In this embodiment, every time the karaoke terminal 10 receives the karaoke song data, the central control device 31 provided in the karaoke terminal 10 transmits the price data P recorded at a specific position in the karaoke song data to the machine. , And accumulate the values in order. Therefore, the central controller 3
In 1, when the reception of all the karaoke music data is completed, the integration of the value of the received data is completed.

Next, the processing related to the reception and charging of the karaoke song data will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Although the flowchart is based on the operation of the karaoke terminal 10, the operations of the information center 3 and the charging center 1 will be described in parallel as necessary. The same points as those in the above-described embodiment will be described only briefly.

This process is started by a predetermined operation on the karaoke terminal 10 side. First, the karaoke terminal 10 connects to the information center 3 via the information communication network 7 and stores its own terminal code CID and music list data. Data indicating the request is transmitted (S310). That is, in the present embodiment, the configuration is such that a request from each karaoke terminal 10 is received at the information center 3 instead of the charging center 1.

In response, the information center 3 specifies the karaoke terminal 10 based on the received terminal code CID,
The music list data is created and transmitted to the karaoke terminal 10. The karaoke terminal 10 displays the titles of the tunes that can be distributed on the attached display based on the transmitted tune list data (S320), and waits until a tune number is selected by the operator (terminal installation trader). (S330). When the desired song number is selected by the operator, to confirm whether or not to receive the distribution,
The process waits until an instruction of "transmission required" or "transmission unnecessary" is input by the operator (S340). Here, if "transmission unnecessary" is instructed, confirmation is made as to whether or not to end the processing. If the instruction is to end, this processing is ended (S34).
5: YES), if not ended, the process returns to S330 again. On the other hand, if "transmission required" is instructed, the selected music code N (which is included in the music list data as in the previous embodiment) is transmitted to the information center 3 as request information. (S350). In response to this request, the information center 3 distributes the karaoke music data specified by the music code N. This karaoke song data is
The format is management information + entity information as illustrated in FIG. However, the entity information portion of the karaoke music data is scrambled and cannot be used as it is. This is to prohibit use of the acquired data until a predetermined charging process is performed by the charging communication network 5 described later. By the way, Karaoke terminal 1
At 0, the karaoke song data is received (S360), and the value data P in the management information recorded at the head of the karaoke song data is mechanically read out as described above and added to the total amount T1 (S370). The total amount T1 is cleared to zero before receiving the karaoke song data. The distributed karaoke song data is stored on the hard disk 3
No. 3 (S380). S360-S3
The process of 80 is repeatedly executed for the number of songs of the requested karaoke song data (S390: NO).

When the reception of the karaoke song data is completed (S
390: YES), the connection with the information center 3 is cut off, and then automatically connected to the charging center 1 via the charging communication network 5, and the total amount T1 is transmitted to the charging center 1 as a charging condition (S400). That is, in the present embodiment, unlike the previous embodiment, after receiving the distribution of the karaoke music data from the information center 3, the charging center 1 is requested to execute the charging.

The billing center 1 receives the billing conditions,
The data serving as the decryption key enabling the use of the karaoke music data described above is provided with charging information corresponding to the amount to be charged, and transmitted to the karaoke terminal 10 via the charging communication network 5. As a result, charging for the karaoke terminal 10 is executed.

When the karaoke terminal 10 receives the information from the charging center 1 (S410), the karaoke terminal 10 descrambles the karaoke music data stored in the hard disk 33 and distributes the karaoke music data. The state becomes available (S420).

As described above, also in the communication karaoke system of this embodiment, the burden on the data distributor of collecting fees can be reduced, and billing can be executed in a price system in which different fees are set for each song. Thus, the same effect as in the previous embodiment can be obtained. Particularly, in the present embodiment, the consideration data is stored in the information center 3 in a state included in the karaoke song data, and the karaoke terminal 10 stores
Each time the karaoke song data is received, the price of the karaoke song data is integrated, so there is no need for troublesome processing such as identifying the individual data to be delivered and searching a table of the price data. Becomes

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various embodiments can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the embodiment, the price is set individually for each song. However, when always distributing a specific plurality of songs collectively, the price is set using the specific plurality of songs as one unit. Is also good. More specifically, distribution units such as the latest 20 songs and 30 enka songs can be set, and an appropriate price can be individually set for each distribution unit.

In the embodiment, the example in which the present invention is applied to the communication type karaoke system is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to any system that provides information for a fee. For example, the same effect as that of the embodiment can be obtained even when the present invention is applied to a communication game system or the like configured to distribute paid game software from an information center and execute a game on a terminal side.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a communication type karaoke system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a karaoke terminal.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a charging center and an information center.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process related to distribution and charging of karaoke music data.

FIG. 5 is a communication sequence diagram among a karaoke terminal, a billing center, and an information center.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data format of karaoke song data according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process related to distribution and charging of karaoke music data in another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Billing center, 3 ... Information center, 5 ... Billing communication network, 7 ... Information communication network, 10 ... Karaoke terminal, 26 ... Screen display control device, 27 ... First communication control device, 28 second communication control device, 29 television monitor, 31 central control device, 33 hard disk, 35 audio reproduction circuit, 38 mixer amplifier , 41 ... speaker, 43 ... microphone, 51, 71 ... host computer, 53, 7
3 ... storage device, 55, 75 ... input device, 57,
77: communication control device, 59, 79: printer,
61, 81 ... CRT.

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-60-261272 (JP, A) JP-A-60-187192 (JP, A) JP-A-7-15564 (JP, A) JP-A-60-174547 (JP) JP-A-1-120952 (JP, A) JP-A-3-98366 (JP, A) JP-A-4-180451 (JP, A) JP-A-7-221822 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04M 15/00 H04M 11/08

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. An information center storing information, and an information providing terminal adapted to execute an information providing service to a user based on information distributed from the information center via an information communication network. A charging center that is connected to the information providing terminal via a charging communication network, and performs charging for the terminal by transmitting information including charging information corresponding to the value of the information to the information providing terminal. An information fee billing system comprising: the information communication network is a communication network different from the billing communication network; and indicates a value of the information set for each piece of information distributed via the information communication network. Price storage means for storing price data, and once based on the price data stored in the price storage means
And a price calculation means for calculating a price for all information distributed by the distribution processing of the above. The charging center is calculated by the price calculation means.
The information is notified as a charging condition,
An information fee billing system, which bills a providing terminal . 2. The information fee billing system according to claim 1, wherein the consideration data is added to actual data in the information as a part of information distributed via the information communication network, and stored. The information fee billing system, wherein the price calculation means refers to the price data in the distributed information and integrates the price. 3. The information fee billing system according to claim 1, wherein the consideration data is stored in a table in association with each piece of information, and the consideration calculation means refers to the consideration data in the table. , An information fee billing system characterized by accumulating consideration. 4. The information charge system according to claim 1, wherein the information center or the charge center distributes a list of information distributable to the information providing terminal to the information providing terminal. An information fee billing system comprising a list distribution means. 5. The information fee charging system according to claim 4, wherein the information providing terminal includes a list requesting unit that requests the list distribution unit to distribute the list. Billing system. 6. An information communication network connection means for connecting to an information center via an information communication network, an information storage means for storing information received from the information center, and a charging center via a charging communication network. An information providing terminal comprising: a charging communication network connecting means for connecting to the information communication terminal; wherein the information communication network is a communication network different from the charging communication network, and is set for each piece of information distributed from the information center. based on consideration data indicating consideration for such information, once
Includes a consideration calculating means for calculating the compensation for all information delivered by the delivery process, the consideration which has been calculated by the compensation calculation means, said charging cell
An information providing terminal configured to notify the server as a billing condition . 7. The information providing terminal according to claim 6, wherein said consideration calculating means includes, as a part of information distributed via said information communication network, consideration data added to actual data in said information. An information providing terminal characterized by referring to and accumulating consideration. 8. The information providing terminal according to claim 6, wherein said consideration calculating means accumulates consideration by referring to consideration data stored in a table in correspondence with each piece of information. Information providing terminal. 9. The information providing terminal according to claim 6, wherein a list request unit that requests the information center or the charging center to distribute a list of information that can be distributed from the information center is provided. An information providing terminal comprising: