JP3569344B2 - Karaoke device and karaoke communication system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present inventionkaraokeEquipment andkaraokeThe present invention relates to a communication system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, host communication means for receiving information transmitted from a host device, information storage means for storing information received by the host communication means, and information capable of executing predetermined processing using this information There is an information processing apparatus having processing execution means, for example, a karaoke apparatus using karaoke music information transmitted from a host apparatus via a communication line, a video game machine using a similarly transmitted game program, and the like. Is mentioned.
[0003]
For example, in a communication type karaoke device in which karaoke song information is distributed from a host device, it is normal to pay for the distribution of the karaoke song information, and this money is collected, for example, in a special agent or the like arranged in a certain area. It was often done by. In addition to collecting money, this distributor is entrusted by the host device installer to distribute karaoke device use manuals, song books, new music information, etc. to stores etc. where karaoke devices are installed, equipment maintenance, etc. ing.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, such akaraokeThe installation location of the device may be moved in accordance with the transfer of ownership or the like, and sometimes the device may be moved from one place to another.
in this waykaraokeIf the installation location of the device is changed,karaokeUnless the owner or administrator of the device notifies the host device or the administrator of the host device of the change of the installation location, the administrator of the host devicekaraokeI could not know the change of the installation location of the device.
[0005]
On the host device administrator sidekaraokeUnless the installation location of the device can be accurately grasped, services such as collection of karaoke song information by distributors and the like, distribution of karaoke device usage manuals, song books, new music information, and maintenance are also difficult.
Become such a communication terminalkaraokeThe same applies to the information processing apparatus other than the karaoke apparatus in which the manager of the host apparatus needs to know the installation location of the apparatus accurately.
[0006]
The present invention has been made to solve the problems described above,karaokeIt is possible to accurately grasp the installation location of the equipment at a contracted agent that is outsourced to maintenance and other services.karaokeApparatus and itskaraokeIncluding equipmentkaraokeIt is intended to provide a communication system.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is provided.karaokeThe equipment isHas a billing function and can notify the connection numberSent from a host device connected via a communication lineInclude song informationA host communication unit for receiving information, an information storage unit for storing the information received by the host communication unit,Song information included in the informationUsing the givenPlaybackBy executing the process,SongInformation processing execution means for making information available to the userKaraoke equipmentIn thekaraokeDepending on the installation location of the deviceA connection number corresponding to the location data via the communication lineThe location data acquisition unit to be acquired is communicably connected to an external terminal management device different from the host device, and the terminal management device iskaraokeTo be able to recognize changes in the installation location of the deviceWhen the information processing execution unit determines that the connection number stored in the storage unit and the connection number obtained by the location data obtaining unit are different, the obtained connection number isAnd a management device communication means for transmitting to the terminal management device.
[0008]
Claim 2karaokeThe device according to claim 1karaokeIn the device, when there are a plurality of the terminal management devices, the information transmitted from the host device includes the terminal management device of any of the plurality of management devices.Connection numberIs transmitted, and the pair management device communication unit transmits the location data based on the identification information received by the host communication unit.Connection number equivalent toIs transmitted to the terminal management device.
[0009]
Claim 3karaokeThe device according to claim 1 or 2karaokeIn the device,The location data acquisition meansButThe connection number notified from the communication line to the host communication means.TakeIt is characterized by obtaining.
[0010]
Claim 4karaokeThe device according to claim 1 or 2karaokeIn the apparatus, the host deviceButConnected to the host communication means via a communication line capable of notifying a connection number, acquiring the notified connection number and transmitting the connection number to the host communication means, the location data acquisition meansButAcquiring the connection number transmitted from the host device as the location data.
[0011]
Claim 5karaokeThe communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3karaokeEquipment and provide to usersSongHost-side storage means for storing information;SongInformationkaraokeCommunication means for sending to the device,karaokeA host device connected to the device via a communication line, unlike the host device,karaokeThe device sent from the devicekaraokeLocation data corresponding to the installation location of the deviceConnection number equivalent toAnd a terminal management device including management information storage means for storing terminal management information including the following.
[0012]
Claim 6karaokeThe communication system according to claim 2 or 4,karaokeAn apparatus, a plurality of the terminal management apparatuses,karaokeConnected to the device via a communication line capable of notifying the connection number, the connection number notified from therekaraokeDevice location dataAs a connection number equivalent toTo the terminal management device based on the acquired location data.karaokeThe identification information indicating whether to transmit the location data possessed by the device,karaokeA host device provided with an instruction unit for instructing the device.
[0013]
Claim 7karaokeCommunication system to provide usersInclude song informationA host device including: a host-side storage unit that stores information; and a communication unit that sends the information.Billing function Have and can notify the connection numberA host communication unit for receiving the information transmitted from the host device via a communication line; an information storage unit for storing the information received by the host communication unit; BeSong informationUsing the givenPlaybackBy executing the process,SongInformation processing execution means for making information available to the userkaraokeDevice, unlike the host device,karaokeLocation data corresponding to the installation location of the deviceConnection number equivalent toAnd a terminal management device provided with management information storage means for storing terminal management information includingkaraokeIn the communication system, the host device includes:karaokeBy communication with the deviceVia the communication lineObtainedThe connection number, when it is determined that the connection number stored in advance in the management information storage means and the connection number acquired by the acquisition acquisition means is different, the connection number corresponding to the acquired location dataA notifying means for notifying the terminal management device selected based on the location data is provided.
[0014]
Claim 8karaokeThe communication system according to claim 7,karaokeIn a communication system,karaokeThe devicekaraokeLocation data corresponding to the installation location of the deviceConnection number equivalent toTogetLocation data acquisition means;Location data obtainedAnd a location data transmitting means for transmitting the data to the host device.
[0015]
[Action]
2. The method according to claim 1, which has the above configuration.karaokeIn the device, the location data obtaining means iskaraokeLocation data corresponding to the installation location of the deviceVia the communication lineThe communication means for communication with the management device is communicably connected to an external terminal management device different from the host device, and the terminal management devicekaraokeIn order to know the change of the installation location of the device,When the information processing execution means determines that the connection number stored in the storage means in advance and the connection number obtained by the location data obtaining means are different.The acquired location data is transmitted to the terminal management device.
[0016]
karaokeLocation data corresponding to the installation location of the device itselfConnection number equivalent toIs sent to the terminal management device.karaokeIt is possible to accurately determine the installation location of the device. In addition, since a change in the installation location accompanies a change in the owner, the manager, or the like with a high probability, it can be estimated that the owner or the manager has changed.
[0017]
In addition, as place data, for example,karaokeIt is sufficient to be able to specify the building or the like where the device is installed, and there is no particular limitation on the configuration of the location data acquisition means, but a GPS (global positioning system)ContactA method using a serial number is exemplified. The connection number is exemplified by a telephone number of a public telephone line.
[0018]
Claim 2karaokeIn a device, when there are a plurality of terminal management devices, information transmitted from the host device includes which terminal management device of the plurality of management devices.Connection numberIs transmitted, and the management device communication means transmits location data based on the identification information received by the host communication means.Connection number equivalent toIs transmitted to the terminal management device.karaokeSince the device does not need to store data for determining the terminal management device to which the location data should be transmitted,karaokeThe storage capacity of the device can be saved.
[0019]
Claim 3karaokeIn the device,The location data acquisition means is a connection number notified from the communication line to the host communication means.Issueget.
karaokeThe connection number of the communication line to which the device is connected can specify the installation location with extremely high probability.
[0020]
Also,karaokeThe connection number to which the device is connectedkaraokeSince it is provided to the device, there is no special obstacle for the location data obtaining means to obtain the connection number, and no special structure is required for it.
As described above, if the connection number is used as the location data corresponding to the installation location, the installation location can be specified very accurately without complicating the structure.
[0021]
Claim 4karaokeIn the apparatus, the host device is connected to the host communication means via a communication line capable of notifying the connection number, and can acquire the notified connection number and transmit the connection number to the host communication means. Since the means acquires the connection number transmitted from the host device as location data,karaokeSince it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for detecting the connection number on the device side, the device configuration can be simplified. Also,karaokeSince the connection number to which the device is connected is given to the host device from the communication line side, there is no special obstacle for the host device to obtain the connection number, and therefore no special structure is required.
[0022]
Claim 5karaokeIn a communication system, the host storage means provided in the host device stores information to be provided to the user, and the communication means stores the information.karaokeSend to device.karaokeThe device works as described above. The management information storage means provided in the terminal management device different from the host device,karaokeSent from devicekaraokeLocation data corresponding to the installation location of the deviceConnection number equivalent toIs stored.
[0023]
karaokeSince the device itself transmits location data corresponding to the installation location to the terminal management device, if the terminal management device is installed at a contract agent or the like where maintenance and other services are entrusted, for example,karaokeIt is possible to accurately determine the installation location of the device. In addition, since a change in the installation location accompanies a change in the owner, the manager, or the like with a high probability, it can be estimated that the owner or the manager has changed.
[0024]
Claim 6karaokeIn the communication system, the instruction means provided in the host device includes:karaokeIt is connected to the device via a communication line that can notify the connection number, and the connection number notifiedkaraokeDevice location dataConnection number equivalent toTo which terminal management device based on the acquired location data.karaokeIdentification information indicating whether the location data of the device should be transmittedkaraokeInstruct the device.karaokeIn the device, the management device communication means transmits location data based on the identification information received by the host communication means.Connection number equivalent toIs transmitted to the terminal management device.
[0025]
karaokeTo the device,Connection numberIt is not necessary to store data for determining the terminal management device to which thekaraokeThe storage capacity of the device can be saved.
Claim 7karaokeIn the communication system, the notification unit provided in the host device includes:karaokeObtained by communication with the deviceThe connection number corresponding to the location data, the connection number corresponding to the location data acquired when it is determined that the connection number stored in advance in the management information storage means and the connection number acquired by the acquisition acquisition means are different.The terminal management device selected based on the location data is notified. In addition,karaokeAcquired by communication with the devicekaraokeIn the case of being transmitted from the device or as described in the operation of claim 4, the communication line is provided to the host device during communication.karaokeThe connection number to which the device is connected may be acquired as location data.
[0026]
The management information storage means provided in the terminal management device different from the host device stores location data.Connection number equivalent toIs stored.
If you install a terminal management device at a special agent where maintenance and other services are outsourced,karaokeIt is possible to accurately determine the installation location of the device. In addition, since a change in the installation location accompanies a change in the owner, the manager, or the like with a high probability, it can be estimated that the owner or the manager has changed.
[0027]
karaokeSince there is no need to provide the device with means for executing communication with the terminal management device or means for controlling the communication,karaokeThe configuration of the device can be simplified.
Claim 8karaokeIn communication systems,karaokeThe place data obtaining means provided in the device,karaokeLocation data corresponding to the installation location of the deviceConnection number equivalent toCan be acquired, and the location data transmitting meansConnection number equivalent toIs transmitted to the host device. The host device isConnection numberNeed not be obtained by itself, and a mechanism for that is not required.
[0028]
【Example】
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an information communication system of an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke apparatus which is a component of the system, and FIG. 3 shows a configuration of an information center serving as a management center of the system. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a terminal management device installed in a special agent or the like located in each region for providing services such as maintenance to the owner and manager of the karaoke apparatus. is there.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 1, the information communication system includes an information center 1 corresponding to a host device according to the present invention, a plurality of karaoke devices 10 and a plurality of terminal management devices 20 corresponding to an information processing device according to the present invention. It is configured to be connected via a communication network 5. Note that the karaoke apparatus 10 and the terminal management apparatus 20 are connected to the billing communication network 5 as terminals of a public telephone line 6 as a communication line.
[0030]
Next, the configuration of the information center 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The information center 1 is a control means, a host computer 51 as an instruction means according to claim 6 and a notification means according to claim 7, a storage device 53 corresponding to the host-side storage means according to claims 5 and 7, and an input device. An input device 55 as a means, a communication control device 57 as a communication means according to the fifth and seventh aspects, a printer 59, and a CRT 61 are provided. The storage device 53 includes various control programs for operating the host computer 51, karaoke music information to be transmitted in response to a request from each karaoke device 10, and a public as a communication line to which each terminal management device 20 is connected. A telephone number as a connection number of the telephone line 6, an area table linking each terminal management apparatus 20 and its assigned area, and an ID number of each terminal management apparatus 20 and the karaoke apparatus 10 assigned to the management. This is for storing a linked management table, charging information for each karaoke device 10, various management information for each karaoke device 10 and each terminal management device 20, and the like. In the present embodiment, the shared area is divided by using the station number of the public telephone line 6. For example, the area area code 03 and the local area code 2XXX are the area allocated to the terminal management device 20A, and the area area number 03 and the city area number 03. An internal number of 3XXX is described as a shared area of the terminal management apparatus 20B.
[0031]
Various commands can be input from the input device 55 to the host computer 51. For example, it is possible to create a list of various service statuses for each sharing area of each terminal management device 20 stored in the storage device 53, It can be output to a printer 59 as an output unit and printed, or output to a CRT 61 as a display unit and displayed on a screen.
[0032]
The billing communication network 5, for example, a videotex communication network or a dial Q2 communication network of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp., sets the information fee for the information to be transmitted to a receiver of the information (accurately, a receiving device is connected to the receiver). It has a function of charging a subscriber of the line. The dial Q2 communication network is basically a pay-as-you-go calculation in units of time, and the videotex network can set an arbitrary charge for each content of information, and is used for a so-called captain system or the like.
[0033]
A videotex communication network will be described as an example of the charging function. The videotex communication network is specifically composed of, for example, a public telephone line 6 connected to each karaoke device 10 and a videotex communication processing device (VCP). Have been. This VCP connects / exchanges the public telephone line 6 (currently a public telephone line 6 dialed with a special number 166 and a 5-digit information center number) trying to access the Videotex communication network to the information center 1 and the user. Management of the karaoke apparatus 10 which is a terminal and management of subscribers to the information center 1, billing of communication fees and information usage fees collected by the telephone company, conversation control between the karaoke apparatus 10 and the information center 1, protocol conversion, etc. Provides communication processing functions such as conversion processing such as code / pattern conversion. The charging communication network 5 can also notify the karaoke apparatus 10 itself and the information center 1 and the terminal management apparatus 20 with which the karaoke apparatus 10 communicates with the telephone number of the public telephone line 6 to which the karaoke apparatus 10 is connected.
[0034]
Next, the configuration of the terminal management device 20 will be described with reference to FIG.
The terminal management device 20 is a central control device 21 as a control means, a storage device 13 which is a storage device and corresponds to the management information storage device according to claims 5 and 7, an input device 12 as an input device, and a communication device. A communication control device 17, a printer 14, and a CRT 15 are provided.
[0035]
The storage device 13 is for storing various control programs for operating the central control device 21, management information for each karaoke device 10, service results, and the like. In this embodiment, the management information includes the serial number of each karaoke apparatus 10, the telephone number of the connected public telephone line 6, the name of the owner, the installation location, the address of the owner, and the like.
[0036]
Various commands to the central control device 21 can be input from the input device 12. For example, the usage status and various service status of each karaoke device 10 managed by the terminal management device 20 are read from the storage device 13. Such tables can be created, the tables can be output to the printer 14 as output means for printing, and the tables can be output to the CRT 15 as display means for screen display.
[0037]
Next, the configuration of the karaoke apparatus 10 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the central controller 31 stores a billing communication program 31a to be executed in communication for receiving a descrambling key, which will be described later, from the information center 1. It can communicate with the information center 1 according to the program 31a. Further, the central control device 31 is connected to a hard disk 33 corresponding to information storage means of the present invention which stores various data including karaoke song information and an operation program of the central control device 31.
[0038]
The central controller 31 can execute a process for karaoke performance and various processes associated therewith in accordance with an operation program stored in the hard disk 33. That is, the central control device 31 corresponds to the information processing execution unit of the present invention. Further, the central control unit 31 obtains location data of the present invention.As a meansIt works, but the details will be described later.
[0039]
The central control unit 31 includes a multi-purpose input key 32 as an input unit for inputting various instructions, a host communication unit and a management device communication unit of the present invention, and a location data transmission unit according to claim 8. A sound reproduction circuit 35 and a screen display control device 26 which function as information processing execution means of the present invention in cooperation with the communication control device 27 and the central control device 31 are connected.
[0040]
The audio reproduction circuit 35 can synthesize an analog performance signal based on the performance information included in the karaoke music information read and transferred from the hard disk 33 by the central control device 31 and output the synthesized performance signal to the mixer amplifier 38. A speaker 41 and a microphone 43 are connected to a mixer amplifier 38 connected to the audio reproduction circuit 35. The mixer amplifier 38 mixes a performance signal from the audio reproduction circuit 35 and a singing signal input from the microphone 43, The signal can be amplified and output to the speaker 41. The speaker 41 can output the electric signal from the mixer amplifier 38 as sound.
[0041]
The screen display control device 26 reproduces the lyrics display signal based on the lyrics information included in the karaoke song information, and converts the background video signal and the lyrics display signal transmitted from a video source (not shown) (for example, a laser disk player or the like). The images can be synthesized (superimposed) and output to the television monitor 29 as display means, and can be displayed in a state where the lyrics subtitles are superimposed on the background video.
[0042]
It should be noted that the hard disk 33 stores karaoke song information of about several thousand songs in advance, and further receives karaoke song information of a new song (hereinafter, also referred to as new song data) from the information center 1 and stores it in the hard disk 33. Can be memorized. Also, the karaoke song information for one song identifies the songs.Information forIs composed of music number information and entity information. The substantive information is composed of MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) standard performance information, which is accompaniment music information, and lyrics information obtained by encoding lyrics. Although not configured in this embodiment, the entity information of the karaoke song information may include background image information for displaying a moving image.
[0043]
However, the new music data has been subjected to, for example, a scramble process, and cannot be used as it is. In order to use it, it is necessary to connect to the information center 1 via the communication control device 27 and the accounting communication network 5 and receive the descrambling key from the information center 1. At this time, when the central control unit 31 executes the charging communication program 31a and the information center 1 transmits the descrambling key via the charging communication network 5, a predetermined charging process using the charging function of the charging communication network 5 is performed. . In the karaoke apparatus 10, the scramble processing of the new music data is canceled by using the descrambling key received by the central control device 31, and the karaoke music information can be used.
[0044]
The process of converting the new song data into usable karaoke song information will be described with reference to FIG. 5, taking as an example a case where the new song data has been scrambled.
The central controller 31 receives the new music data transmitted from the information center 1 and stores it in the hard disk 33, and then makes a call to the information center 1 via the communication controller 27. Subsequently, the central control device 31 waits for an incoming call to the information center 1 and transmits an ID number for identifying itself.
[0045]
In the information center 1, upon receiving the ID number from the karaoke apparatus 10, the host computer 51 performs terminal collation, and if the karaoke apparatus 10 is registered in the information center 1, the ID confirmation signal is returned as normal collation.
Upon receiving the ID confirmation signal, the central control device 31 transmits a request for transmission of a new music data descramble key (charging information) to the information center 1 in accordance with the charging communication program 31a. That is, the central control device 31 requests transmission of charging information serving as a descrambling key for new music data, and also requests charging processing at the same time.
[0046]
In the information center 1, upon receiving the request for transmission of the descrambling key (charging process request), the host computer 51 sends the predetermined descrambling key (charging information) to the karaoke device 10 via the communication control device 57. Send. When the descrambling key is transmitted from the information center 1, the fee set in advance for the transmission of the descrambling key is changed by the charging communication network 5 to the public telephone line 6 to which the karaoke apparatus 10 is connected. Are charged to subscribers. This fee is collected by proxy together with the telephone line usage fee, deducted from commissions and the like, and then delivered to the information center 1 installer.
[0047]
When the central control device 31 of the karaoke device 10 receives the descrambling key, it transmits a communication disconnection request to the information center 1. Upon receiving this request, the information center 1 ends the communication with the karaoke device 10. Further, after transmitting the communication disconnection request, the central control device 31 of the karaoke apparatus 10 descrambles the above-mentioned new music data using the received descrambling key to obtain usable karaoke music information.
[0048]
By performing such processing, the karaoke song information of the new song can be used (other than the new song data is already available), and the user operates the multi-purpose input key 32 or a remote controller (not shown) to select the song to be sung. Then, the central controller 31 executes a karaoke performance process according to a predetermined karaoke performance program. In brief, the central controller 31 reads out the performance information and lyrics information corresponding to the selected song from the hard disk 33, and sends the performance information to the audio reproduction circuit 35 and the lyrics information to the screen display controller 26, respectively. Forward.
[0049]
The audio reproduction circuit 35 synthesizes an analog performance signal based on the performance information and outputs the synthesized performance signal to the mixer amplifier 38. The mixer amplifier 38 mixes the performance signal and the singing signal of the user input via the microphone 43 at an appropriate ratio and outputs the result to the speaker 41. The speaker 41 externally outputs the mixed audio signal as a performance sound.
[0050]
On the other hand, the screen display control device 26 reproduces a lyric display signal based on the lyric information, and combines a background video signal and a lyric display signal sent from an unillustrated video source (for example, a laser disk player or the like) (super-in). (Pause) and output to the television monitor 29 so that the lyrics can be displayed in a state in which the lyrics are overlaid on the background video.
[0051]
Next, a description will be given, with reference to FIG. 6, of a telephone number collation process executed by the karaoke apparatus 10 each time communication with the information center 1 is performed.
As shown in FIG. 6, in the telephone number collation processing, the central control device 31 connects to the accounting communication network 5 via the communication control device 27 (S1). Subsequently, the central control device 31 receives the telephone number of the connected public telephone line 6 transmitted from the charging communication network 5 to the karaoke device 10 (that is, to which the karaoke device 10 is connected) (S2). Subsequently, the central controller 31 checks the telephone number stored in the hard disk 33 against the telephone number received in S2 (S3). If the two match by this collation (YES in S4), central controller 31 ends the processing of this routine.
[0052]
On the other hand, if the two telephone numbers do not match as a result of the collation (NO in S4), the central controller 31 instructs the hard disk 33 to issue a new telephone number (the telephone of the public telephone line 6 used in the current communication). Is stored (S5). Subsequently, the central control device 31 transmits the new telephone number to the information center 1 (S6).
[0053]
When the telephone number is transmitted from the karaoke apparatus 10, the host computer 51 of the information center 1 starts a notification routine shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the host computer 51 searches the area table stored in the storage device 53 and specifies the terminal management device 20 that uses the station number of the telephone number received from the karaoke device 10 as the assigned area (see FIG. 7). S11). Subsequently, the host computer 51 reads the telephone number of the public telephone line 6 to which the terminal management device 20 specified in S11 is connected from the storage device 53, and transmits the telephone number to the karaoke device 10 through the communication control device 57. (S12). Further, the host computer 51 deletes the ID number of the corresponding karaoke device 10 from the assignment of the terminal management device 20 to which the management of the karaoke device 10 that transmitted the telephone number has been assigned, and identifies the terminal management device specified in S11. An instruction to add the ID number of the corresponding karaoke device 10 as the allocation of 20 is issued to the storage device 53 to update the management table (S13).
[0054]
Here, the description returns to FIG.
In S7, the central control device 31 of the karaoke device 10 receives the telephone number of the terminal management device 20 transmitted from the information center 1 in S12 (see FIG. 7), and ends this routine. Although illustration is omitted, after the processing of this routine, the central control device 31 of the karaoke device 10 transmits, for example, transmission of the operation results of the karaoke device 10 and requests and receives transmission of the new music data described above. After transmitting and receiving information according to the purpose of the current communication, the communication with the information center 1 is terminated.
[0055]
Next, as shown in FIG. 8A, the central control device 31 of the karaoke device 10 accesses the new terminal management device 20 through the communication control device 27 and transmits the ID number and the telephone number of the karaoke device 10. (S8).
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, in the terminal management device 20 accessed from the karaoke device 10, the central control device 21 transmits the ID number and the telephone number transmitted from the karaoke device 10 through the communication control device 17. Are stored in the storage device 13 as management information (S9).
[0056]
In this way, various processes associated with the change of the telephone number of the karaoke device 10 are completed.
Here, the reason for executing the processing of S5 to S7 when a negative determination is made in S4 of FIG. 6 will be described.
[0057]
The negative judgment in S4 is that the karaoke apparatus 10 is connected to the telephone number of the public telephone line 6 (the telephone number stored in the hard disk 33) which was connected before and the public telephone line 6 which is connected in the current communication. This is different from the telephone number (the telephone number transmitted from the accounting communication network 5), which can be regarded as a change in the installation location of the karaoke apparatus 10. In addition, the change of the installation location is linked with the change of the owner, the manager and the like with a high probability. Therefore, a change in the telephone number to which the karaoke device 10 is connected may be regarded as a change in the owner, the manager, or the like.
[0058]
Conventionally, when the installation location of the karaoke apparatus 10 is changed, the owner or manager of the karaoke apparatus 10 must notify the information center 1 or the manager of the information center 1 of the change of the installation location if the information center 1 is not used. The administrator of the karaoke apparatus 1 could not know the change of the installation location of the karaoke apparatus 10, but if the telephone number to which the karaoke apparatus 10 was connected was changed as described above, Since the new telephone number is transmitted, it can be inferred that the information center 1 has changed the owner or manager. Further, the location of the karaoke apparatus 10 can be estimated from the telephone number, so that the manager of the information center 1 can accurately grasp the location of the karaoke apparatus 10.
[0059]
Also, the karaoke apparatus 10 transmits the ID number and the telephone number to the terminal management apparatus 20 to which the management of the karaoke apparatus 10 is newly assigned. You can easily know that the number of customers has increased. Therefore, in this special agent, it is possible to look up the address of the installation location from the telephone number of the karaoke apparatus 10, distribute manuals, song books, new music information, etc., and regularly go to the installation location. In addition, various services can be appropriately provided to new customers.
[0060]
Since the karaoke apparatus 10 is notified of the telephone number serving as the data for specifying the installation location from the charging communication network 5, it is not necessary to provide the karaoke apparatus 10 with a special mechanism for acquiring the telephone number.
As is clear from the above description, in this embodiment, the telephone number corresponds to the location data of the present invention.
(Modification 1)
In the above example, the karaoke apparatus 10 acquires the telephone number from the accounting communication network 5, but the telephone number may be acquired on the information center 1 side and notified to the karaoke apparatus 10.
[0061]
As an example, an ID / telephone number table in which the ID number and the telephone number of each karaoke device 10 are linked is stored in the storage device 53 of the host computer 51.
The host computer 51 receives the ID number transmitted from the karaoke apparatus 10 via the charging communication network 5 as described above, and also acquires the telephone number of the karaoke apparatus 10 from the charging communication network 5. Next, the host computer 51 compares the received ID number and telephone number with the ID number and telephone number in the ID / telephone number table, and if they do not match, the karaoke apparatus 10 adds a new telephone number together with a mismatch. And updates the telephone number in the ID / telephone number table to a new telephone number (the telephone number of the public telephone line used for the current communication).
[0062]
Further, the host computer 51 searches the area table to specify the terminal management device 20 that manages the karaoke device 10 in the same manner as in the above example, and specifies the terminal management device 20 of the public telephone line 6 to which the terminal management device 20 is connected. The telephone number is read, the telephone number is transmitted to the karaoke apparatus 10, and the management table is updated to reflect the management change of the karaoke apparatus 10.
[0063]
Upon receiving the new telephone number, the karaoke apparatus 10 stores the new telephone number in the hard disk 33 in the same manner as described above, and then transmits the ID number and the telephone number of the karaoke apparatus 10 to the new terminal management apparatus 20. The new terminal management device 20 receives the ID number and the telephone number transmitted from the karaoke device 10, and stores these as management information.
[0064]
With such a configuration, the karaoke apparatus 10 does not need to include a mechanism for detecting a telephone number, so that the apparatus configuration can be simplified. In this modification, the information center 1, especially the host computer 51 thereof, corresponds to the host device described in claim 4.
(Modification 2)
In the embodiment and the first modification, the karaoke apparatus 10 notifies the new terminal management apparatus 20 of the telephone number (location data). However, when a new telephone number is transmitted from the karaoke apparatus 10 as in the embodiment, Alternatively, a configuration in which the host computer 51 directly notifies the terminal management device 20 of the telephone number of the karaoke apparatus 10 when the host computer 51 recognizes the change of the telephone number as in Modification Example 1 is also possible. With this configuration, the karaoke apparatus 10 does not need a configuration for executing communication with the terminal management apparatus 20.
[0065]
In the configuration of the second modification, the host computer 51 of the information center 1 functions as the notification unit according to claim 7 in cooperation with the communication control device 57. In a configuration in which a new telephone number is transmitted from the karaoke device 10 to the information center 1, the communication control device 27 functions as a location data transmission unit.
[0066]
In the case of a configuration using the charging communication network 5 as in the embodiment and the first and second modifications, the charging information is transmitted from the terminal management device 20 to the karaoke device 10 via the charging communication network 5. In addition, a service fee such as maintenance can be charged to the owner of the karaoke apparatus 10. Further, the communication between the terminal management device 20 and the karaoke device 10 or the information center 1 may be performed by the public telephone line 6 or another communication line without passing through the charging communication network 5, for example.
[0067]
As described above, the present invention has been described according to the embodiment and the modified examples 1 and 2. However, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment and the like, and can be variously implemented without departing from the gist of the present invention. No.
For example, in the embodiments and the modifications, the telephone number is used as the location data. However, the location data that can specify the installation location of the information processing apparatus is not limited to this. For example, a GPS (global positioning system) is used. It is also possible to use the coordinates obtained as the location data.
[0068]
Further, the information processing device is not limited to the karaoke device of the embodiment and the modified example.
Further, the communication line is not limited to the public telephone line shown in the embodiment, and a digital line such as ISDN may be used.
[0069]
【The invention's effect】
Claim 1karaokeAccording to the devicekaraokeLocation data corresponding to the installation location of the device itselfConnection number equivalent toIs sent to the terminal management device.karaokeIt is possible to accurately determine the installation location of the device. In addition, since a change in the installation location accompanies a change in the owner, the manager, or the like with a high probability, it can be estimated that the owner or the manager has changed.
[0070]
Claim 2karaokeAccording to the devicekaraokeDevice, location dataConnection number equivalent toIt is not necessary to store data for determining the terminal management device to which thekaraokeThe storage capacity of the device can be saved.
Claim 3karaokeAccording to the devicekaraokeThe telephone number to which the device is connectedkaraokeSince it is provided to the device, there is no special obstacle for the location data obtaining means to obtain the connection number, and no special structure is required for it. Also, the connection number can specify the installation location with extremely high probability. Therefore, if the connection number is used as the location data corresponding to the installation location, the installation location can be specified very accurately without complicating the structure.
[0071]
Claim 4karaokeAccording to the devicekaraokeSince it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for detecting the connection number on the device side, the device configuration can be simplified. Also,karaokeSince the connection number to which the device is connected is given to the host device from the communication line side, there is no special obstacle for the host device to obtain the connection number, and therefore no special structure is required.
[0072]
Claim 5karaokeAccording to the communication system,karaokeSince the device itself transmits location data corresponding to the installation location to the terminal management device, if the terminal management device is installed at a contract agent or the like where maintenance and other services are entrusted, for example,karaokeIt is possible to accurately determine the installation location of the device. In addition, since a change in the installation location accompanies a change in the owner, the manager, or the like with a high probability, it can be estimated that the owner or the manager has changed.
[0073]
Claim 6karaokeAccording to the communication system,karaokeSince the device does not need to store data for determining the terminal management device to which the location data should be transmitted,karaokeThe storage capacity of the device can be saved.
Claim 7karaokeAccording to the communication system, if the terminal management device is installed in a special agent where service such as maintenance is entrusted, for example,karaokeIt is possible to accurately determine the installation location of the device. In addition, since a change in the installation location accompanies a change in the owner, the manager, or the like with a high probability, it can be estimated that the owner or the manager has changed.
[0074]
karaokeSince there is no need to provide the device with means for executing communication with the terminal management device or means for controlling the communication,karaokeThe configuration of the device can be simplified.
Claim 8karaokeAccording to the communication system, the host device does not need to obtain the location data by itself, and does not need a mechanism therefor.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an information communication system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke apparatus which is a component of the information communication system of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information center serving as a management center of the information communication system according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a terminal management device that is a component of the information communication system according to the embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of communication performed between the information center and the karaoke device in the information communication system according to the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a telephone number collation process executed by the karaoke apparatus of the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a notification routine executed in the information center of the embodiment.
8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams of transmission and reception of information between the karaoke apparatus and the terminal management apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 8A is a flowchart of a number transmission routine executed by the karaoke apparatus, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a number receiving routine executed by the device.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information center (host apparatus), 5 ... Billing communication network, 6 ... Public telephone line, 10 ... Karaoke apparatus (information processing apparatus), 20 ... Terminal management apparatus, 21 ... Central control device, 26: screen display control device (information processing execution means), 27: communication control device (to host communication means, to management device communication means, location data acquisition means, location data transmission means), 31 central control device (information processing execution means, location data acquisition means), 31a billing communication program, 32 multi-purpose input keys, 33 hard disk (information storage means), 35 Audio reproduction circuit (information processing execution means), 51 ... host computer (host device, instruction means, notification means), 53 ... storage device (host side storage means).

Claims (8)

A host communication unit having a charging function and receiving information including music information transmitted from a host device connected via a communication line capable of notifying a connection number ;
Information storage means for storing the information received by the host communication means,
A karaoke apparatus having information processing execution means for making song information available to a user by executing a predetermined reproduction process using song information included in the stored information ,
Location data acquisition means for acquiring a connection number corresponding to location data corresponding to the installation location of the karaoke apparatus via the communication line ;
The connection number and the location stored in the storage means in advance so as to be communicably connected to an external terminal management device different from the host device so that the terminal management device can recognize a change in the installation location of the karaoke device. When the information processing execution unit determines that the connection number acquired by the data acquisition unit is different, the management unit communication unit that transmits the acquired connection number to the terminal management device is provided. Karaoke equipment to do. When there are a plurality of the terminal management devices, the information transmitted from the host device includes identification information to which terminal management device of the plurality of management devices the connection number should be transmitted. Yes,
2. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pair management device communication unit transmits a connection number corresponding to the location data to the terminal management device based on the identification information received by the host communication unit. . The location data acquisition means, karaoke apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the retrieve the connection number notified to the to-host communication means from the communication line. The host device is connected via a communication line capable of notifying the connection number with the host communication unit, can acquire the notified connection number and transmit it to the host communication unit,
The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the location data acquisition unit acquires the connection number transmitted from the host device as the location data. A karaoke device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Host-side storage means for storing music information to be provided to the user, and a communication means for transmitting the music information to the karaoke device, a host device connected via a communication line with the karaoke device,
A terminal management device including management information storage means for storing terminal management information including a connection number corresponding to location data corresponding to the installation location of the karaoke device transmitted from the karaoke device, which is different from the host device; A karaoke communication system, characterized in that: A karaoke device according to claim 2 or 4,
A plurality of the terminal management devices;
The karaoke apparatus is connected via a communication line capable of notifying a connection number, and the connection number notified from the karaoke apparatus is acquired as a connection number corresponding to the location data of the karaoke apparatus, based on the acquired location data. A karaoke communication system, comprising: a host device including instruction means for instructing the karaoke device with identification information that indicates to which terminal management device the location data of the karaoke device should be transmitted. . A host device including : a host-side storage unit that stores information including song information to be provided to a user; and a communication unit that transmits the information.
A host communication means for receiving the information transmitted from the host device via a communication line capable of notifying a connection number, having a charging function, and storing the information received by the host communication means A karaoke apparatus comprising: an information storage unit; and an information processing execution unit that makes the song information available to a user by executing a predetermined reproduction process using the song information included in the stored information.
A karaoke communication system including a terminal management device including management information storage means for storing terminal management information including a connection number corresponding to location data corresponding to the installation location of the karaoke device unlike the host device,
In the host device, a connection number acquired through the communication line by communication with the karaoke device, a connection number previously stored in the management information storage unit and a connection number acquired by the acquisition acquisition unit. A karaoke communication system comprising: a notifying unit for notifying the terminal management device selected based on the location data of a connection number corresponding to the acquired location data when it is determined that the location data is different . In the karaoke device,
Location data acquisition means for acquiring a connection number corresponding to location data corresponding to the installation location of the karaoke device;
8. The karaoke communication system according to claim 7, further comprising a location data transmitting means for transmitting the acquired location data to the host device.

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