JP4299947B2 - Online karaoke system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an online karaoke system. In It is related.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The communication karaoke system is generally well-known as a system for downloading music data from a host device to a plurality of karaoke performance terminals via a communication network, and playing / reproducing the music data in each of the terminals. Here, “performance / playback” of the music data includes audio output of the singing voice mixed with the accompaniment music and video output such as a lyrics image on the display in accordance with the progress of the audio output.
[0003]
By the way, such a communication karaoke system is generally known to have a major feature of being able to quickly respond to a “new song” that has just been announced. This is because in order to be able to play a new song in the previous karaoke device, music tapes and CD-ROMs with song data recorded had to be procured separately. This is because, by simply connecting the karaoke performance terminal to the communication network, music data relating to a new song is distributed at any time, so that the performance can be executed without difficulty.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the number of new songs to be announced day by day is extremely large, and if they were distributed one by one, it is apparent that the capacity of the storage means in the karaoke performance terminal will eventually reach its limit. That doesn't mean it's easy to delete songs. This is because there are various preferences of the terminal user, and it is difficult to easily determine which piece is unnecessary and which piece is necessary in order to cope with this.
[0005]
Therefore, in order to deal with such a problem, it may be possible to increase the capacity by installing new storage means such as a DVD-ROM in the karaoke performance terminal. However, such measures are merely symptomatic treatments, and eventually it is unavoidable to overflow someday, so it is clear that they have the same problems as described above.
[0006]
Further, as another means for solving, the one described in Japanese Patent No. 2953115 has been proposed. According to this publication, the music data to be distributed is recorded on a storage means having a relatively small capacity, for example, a hard disk as needed, and when the capacity limit of the storage means is reached, a large capacity different from that of the storage means An operation method is disclosed in which all of the music data stored in the storage unit up to now is reprinted and distributed to a storage unit, for example, a CD-ROM. And it is said that this can avoid the problem of overflowing while being able to deal with a new song.
[0007]
However, the “overflow” as viewed from the karaoke apparatus terminal “whole” is not avoided by the means described in the above publication. This is because the space for storing the mass storage means is limited. Further, as described above, it is inefficient at first glance to perform uniform transfer from the storage means to the mass storage means.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a communication karaoke system that can cope with new songs that are announced at any time, but does not cause overflow in the terminal, and That It is to provide an operation method.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention takes the following means in order to solve the above problems.
[0010]
That is, the communication karaoke system according to claim 1 is a communication karaoke system in which a host device and a plurality of karaoke performance terminals are connected via communication means, and each of the karaoke performance terminals is distributed from the host device. A readable / writable storage means for storing the recorded music data, and the music data corresponding to the requested music is read from the storage means, and the performance of the music based on the music data is executed and stored in the storage means And a control means for generating performance history information relating to all the music pieces being transmitted and transmitting the performance history information to the host device, wherein the host device performs performances relating to the music pieces based on the performance history information. In addition to performing a frequency survey, the music whose performance frequency does not meet the prescribed standard is recognized as an unnecessary music, and the music is not required. An erasing command for eyes is distributed to the karaoke performance terminal, and the control means executes a process of erasing music data corresponding to the unnecessary music from the storage means based on the erasing command, and the erasure command is further deleted. Create request history information related to the song, and send the request history information to the host device, the host device performs a request frequency frequency survey for the erased song based on the request history information, A song whose request frequency has reached a predetermined standard As a restoration song Certification In addition, by distributing the restored music piece, the storage means is stored again through the control means. It is characterized by this.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a communication karaoke system in the present embodiment. In this figure, the communication karaoke system is composed of a host device 1, a number of karaoke performance terminals 2 (hereinafter abbreviated as “terminal”), and a communication network 3 that enables communication between the host device 1 and the terminal 2. ing.
[0020]
The host device 1 is a high-speed and large-capacity computer and includes a large-capacity storage device 11 as shown in FIG. The large-capacity storage device 11 stores a large number of music data to be downloaded to the terminal 2. In this embodiment, the music data is composed of at least music ID data, music generation data, and lyrics rendering data of the music.
[0021]
Note that the music generation data may be in accordance with the MIDI standard. In some cases, the music data may be stored together as a release file for each creation time.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal 2 includes a hard disk device (storage means) 21, a CD-ROM changer device (storage medium storage means) 22, a display 23, a speaker 24, a microphone 25, an operation control unit 26, and a communication control unit. 27 and a central control unit (control means) 2C are provided as main components. These elements are connected via an appropriate data bus 2B or the like as conceptually shown in the figure, and function in cooperation with each other.
[0023]
The hard disk device 21 records music data and the like transmitted from the host device 1 via the communication control unit 27. The CD-ROM changer device 22 houses a plurality of CD-ROMs (storage media) each storing a large number of music data and / or video data. The plurality of CD-ROMs can be arbitrarily inserted into and removed from the CD-ROM changer device 22. In addition, a configuration is provided in which a target to be read out from the plurality of CD-ROMs can be appropriately selected according to a command from the central control unit 2C. Incidentally, the music data stored in the CD-ROM is normally stored exclusively for reproduction, and new data cannot be written.
[0024]
The display 23 develops the video data derived from the CD-ROM and sent via the video control unit 231 or the lyric rendering data in the music data in the video RAM 232, and this is processed via the video control unit 231. These videos are displayed based on the lyrics video data and the like sent out. Note that the video control unit 231 performs superimpose processing so that the video based on the video data becomes the background video of the video based on the lyrics video data, and displays this on the display 23.
[0025]
The speaker 24 outputs, through the mixing amplifier 242, the music generation data constituting the music data, which has been processed by the synthesizer 241 to become an audio signal of accompaniment music. At this time, the mixing amplifier 242 simultaneously outputs a singing voice signal input from the connected microphone 25. Therefore, from the speaker 24, an audio signal of accompaniment music and a singing audio signal are reproduced simultaneously.
[0026]
Incidentally, the video output from the display 23 described above and the sound output from the speaker 24 described above are synchronized by the central control unit 2C.
[0027]
On the other hand, the operation control unit 26 includes an operation panel 261 and a remote control reception unit 262. The user of the terminal 2 can issue a performance command related to the requested music piece by operating the operation panel 261 or by operating the remote control transmitter 262a to send a signal to the remote control receiving unit 262. ing. The operation control unit 26 that has received this performance command transmits a message to that effect to the central control unit 2C. In response to this, the central control unit 2C reads the music data or / and video data corresponding to the requested music from the hard disk device 21 or CD-ROM, and displays the elements such as the display 23 and the speaker 24 as described above. Operate as you did and start playing.
[0028]
The communication control unit 27 includes a connector 271 that receives distribution of music data and the like from the host device 1. As a specific configuration of the connector 271, for example, a modem or a DSU / terminal adapter may be employed. If the received data is, for example, music data, it is sent to the hard disk device 21 and stored as described above under the supervision of the central control unit 2C. The communication control unit 27 can also transmit signals from the terminal 2 to the host device 1, and the connector 271 also serves as a transmission port at that time.
[0029]
Finally, as is clear from the above description, the central control unit 2C comprehensively controls each element constituting the terminal 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the central processing unit (CPU) 2C is configured as shown in FIG. ₁ Read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as “ROM”) 2C ₂ , Read / Write memory (RAM) 2C _Three The central control unit 2C appropriately performs the control as described above while using them. The central control unit 2C also oversees the functions relating to the operation or operation characteristic of the present invention, which will be described in detail below.
[0030]
In the present embodiment, the ROM 2C is particularly used. ₂ In FIG. 2, terminal ID data unique to each of a large number of terminals 2 is recorded. As the “terminal ID data”, for example, a serial number assigned when each terminal 2 is manufactured may be used.
[0031]
The host device 1 and the terminal 2 are connected via the communication network 3 as described above. As the communication network 3, specifically, for example, an ISDN line, a general public line, a dedicated line such as WAN or VAN, a satellite communication line, or other communication between the host device 1 and the terminal 2 (for example, from the host device 1 to the terminal 2). Any means may be adopted as long as it enables the distribution of the music data).
[0032]
The specific installation status of the host device 1 and the terminal 2 via the communication network 3 is such that, for example, the host device 1 is installed in an appropriate center, and a large number of terminals 2 are distributed in various stores. Become. Here, “various stores” means, for example, club-type stores (so-called “night-type” stores) mainly targeting seniors, and so-called karaoke box-type stores mainly targeting young people. This applies to stores. In addition to these, it is naturally possible to arrange the terminal 2 in a hotel or the like equipped with a bar, a banquet hall or the like. The communication network 3 connects a large number of terminals 2 and the host apparatus 1 that are distributed in this way so that they can communicate with each other.
[0033]
Below, the effect of the communication karaoke system which becomes the said structure, especially the operation method and its effect are demonstrated.
[0034]
First, as a premise, a description will be given of registration processing of the terminal 2 with respect to the host device 1 when a certain terminal 2 is installed in one of the “various stores” as described above.
[0035]
This is done as follows. First, as shown in step S <b> 1 of FIG. 3, the certain terminal 2 is installed in a certain store, and the terminal 2 is connected to the communication network 3. Next, as shown in step S <b> 2 of FIG. 3, a call signal is transmitted from the terminal 2 to the host device 1. At this time, the terminal 2 reads the ROM 2C in the central control unit 2C. ₂ The “terminal ID data” unique to itself and the “phone number” of the store are simultaneously transmitted. In addition to these pieces of information, if necessary, information that is convenient for operation of the terminal 2 such as the name and address of the store may be transmitted simultaneously.
[0036]
As shown in step S3 in FIG. 3, the host device 1 recognizes the transmitted “terminal ID data” and “telephone number” in accordance with the call signal, and associates them with each other to create a mass storage device. 11 at a predetermined address. Thus, the registration process in the host device 1 of the newly arranged terminal 2 is completed. After this registration process, the host device 1 regards the terminal 2 as a target of an operation service such as new song distribution described below.
[0037]
Note that such registration processing is performed every time the terminal 2 is installed, and the “communication karaoke system” that is the specific installation status described above is constructed.
[0038]
Now, in such a communication karaoke system, specifically, the following operation is performed.
[0039]
First, the host device 1 stores music data relating to new songs that are sequentially announced in the mass storage device 11. This storage operation is based on an input operation by the host device administrator. Incidentally, the music data includes music ID data corresponding to each music piece as described above. Then, the host device 1 periodically distributes (downloads) music data related to the new music to the terminal 2 via the communication network 3 so that these new music can be played on each terminal 2. In the terminal 2, the downloaded music data is received by the communication control unit 27 and stored in the hard disk device 21.
[0040]
On the other hand, in the terminal 2, the music data stored in the hard disk device 21 or the CD-ROM stored in the CD-ROM changer device 22 is appropriately read according to the request of the terminal user. Various musical performances are performed based on the music data. By the way, when the terminal user selects a favorite song, as is well known, when downloading the above new song, a list of songs issued by adding the new song list to the existing song list is newly issued. (Hereinafter referred to as “table of contents”).
[0041]
At this time, in this embodiment, the performance history is created for all the songs stored in the hard disk device 21 or the CD-ROM. That is, every time a certain piece of music is played, the central control unit 2C updates / creates a performance history composed of music ID data, performance date / time data and storage date / time data of the song on the hard disk device 21. Go. Here, “stored date and time data” is the date and time when the music data related to the music piece was downloaded onto the terminal 2.
[0042]
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when a performance related to the music piece A is performed at the terminal 2, the music piece ID data “A00001” representing the music piece A and the storage date / time data (“1999.4.23 in FIG. 4). )) And performance date / time data (performance date / time “2000.1.19” and “200.3.3” in FIG. 4) is recorded every time the performance is performed. Hereinafter, the performance histories as described above are recorded for all the music pieces of the terminal 2. Incidentally, in FIG. 4, it can be seen that the performances related to the music piece A and the music piece B are performed twice and four times respectively, and the music piece C is not played once.
[0043]
Note that the creation / recording of information related to the performance history (hereinafter referred to as “performance history information”) is performed by reading music data relating to the music piece from the hard disk device 21 or from a CD-ROM. Whether it is read out or not is created. In the following, unless otherwise specified, what is simply “performance history information” is used as a term indicating performance history information related to the former (hard disk device 21) for convenience.
[0044]
Also, the terminal 2 periodically distributes (uploads) such performance history information to the host device 1 via the communication control unit 27, and the host device 1 greatly increases the uploaded performance history information. The data is stored in a predetermined address of the capacity storage device 11.
[0045]
Note that “periodically” described here means, for example, “periodically” at the time of distributing music data of the above-mentioned new song, and may be considered as the same period. In other words, the music data download timing and the performance history information upload timing may be the same opportunity after the same period, for example, every two weeks or every four weeks. In the following description, it is assumed that such bidirectional distribution is performed on the premise. However, in the present invention, it is not always necessary to match the timing of the download and the upload.
[0046]
Further, as data constituting the performance history information, in addition to the music ID data, for example, data relating to a singer who has selected the music may be added. Further, the specific form of the “music ID data” shown in FIG. 4 is merely an example, and it goes without saying that any other form may be used.
[0047]
As described above, the performance history information is periodically collected from each terminal 2 in the host device 1, and the host device 1 performs predetermined processing based on the performance history information regarding all the terminals 2. The performance song ranking is created in accordance with the above criteria (performance frequency survey is performed). For example, according to the performance history information as shown in FIG. 4, the song B with the number of performances of 4 is ranked first, the song A with the same number of times 2 is ranked 2nd, and the song C with the number of times “0” is It will be the third place.
[0048]
By the way, in the present embodiment, the performance tune ranking can be created based on various “predetermined criteria”. In the following, first, an embodiment relating to a typical performance tune ranking creation process and a subsequent erasure process of the lower ranking tunes will be described, and then a modified embodiment related thereto will be described.
[0049]
(Typical example)
In this exemplary embodiment, the host device 1 targets all terminals 2 connected via the communication network 3 and creates a performance song ranking related to the most recently downloaded song.
[0050]
Specifically: First, if the music data / downloading of the new music is performed every two weeks, for example, as shown in step T1 in FIG. 5, the host device 1 has passed two weeks since the previous download, A new download is performed on each terminal 2, and new performance history information is uploaded from each terminal 2 to the host device 1. This is a bidirectional distribution operation normally assumed in the present embodiment.
[0051]
Next, as shown in step T2 of FIG. 5, the host device 1 refers to the “stored date / time data” in the newly uploaded performance history information, and picks up the data after the previous download. That is, if the current time is, for example, “March 2, 2000”, the music having the storage date data after “February 17, the same year” is picked up. In this case, it is assumed that downloading and uploading are performed at the same time. Therefore, the storage date / time data of the picked-up music is usually “February 17, 2000”. It is. However, there is a possibility that the new song will be picked up if there are circumstances such as the temporary distribution of a new song, which is exceptional, during the period of two weeks.
[0052]
Next, as shown in step T3 in FIG. 5, the host device 1 integrates the performance history information regarding all the terminals 2 and performs the performance based on the number of performances performed on all the terminals 2 regarding the picked-up music piece. Create a song ranking.
[0053]
Subsequently, as shown in step T4 in FIG. 5, the host device 1 selects a song whose performance performance number is “0” in this performance song ranking. That is, according to the performance history information as shown in FIG. At this time, if there is no song whose performance number is “0”, as shown in step T5 in FIG. 5, the song located in the lower rank in the performance song ranking, for example, the song existing in the lower tenth place is extracted. To do.
[0054]
The piece selected or extracted in this way, that is, the performance performance frequency is extremely low in all the terminals 2 since the latest download. In other words, it is a song that is “not popular” in general terms, and it is generally considered that the possibility of a performance request (request) at each terminal 2 is generally low. Then, the host device 1 recognizes such an unpopular song as an “unnecessary song” (see step T6 in FIG. 5).
[0055]
Next, as shown in step T7 of FIG. 5, the host device 1 deletes the music data related to the music recognized as the unnecessary music from the hard disk devices 21 in all terminals 2 (hereinafter referred to as “erase command”). Is transmitted to all the terminals 2. The specific status of the “erase command” may be file information describing a music ID data list that is recognized as an unnecessary music, for example.
[0056]
As shown in step T8 of FIG. 5, all the terminals 2 that have received this deletion command open the file in each terminal 2 and read the music ID data list described therein. Thus, the music data corresponding to the music ID data is deleted from the hard disk device 21. At this time, the erasure date is recorded.
[0057]
As described above, the music data relating to the music piece which is “unpopular” in the whole country is erased from the hard disk devices 21 of all the terminals 2 all at once. Therefore, the hard disk device 21 does not overflow, which makes it impossible to write music data any more. In addition, the music pieces to be deleted are limited to those that are appropriately recognized as “unnecessary music pieces” based on the performance music piece ranking, so that there is no particular inconvenience.
[0058]
In the above description, the performance song ranking has been created for the songs picked up after the previous download, but the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, without limiting such a pickup, it is natural that a wider range of “performance song rankings” is created for all the songs included in the performance history information transmitted by the terminal 2. It is within the scope of the present invention.
[0059]
In the above description, the performance history information distinguishes between the hard disk device 21 and the CD-ROM on the terminal 2 side, but the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, an embodiment in which the discrimination is performed on the host device 1 side is within the scope of the present invention. In such a case, for example, the music data downloaded most recently is stored in the host device 1, and based on this, the performance history information uploaded without distinction is derived from the hard disk device 21. What is necessary is to distinguish between performance history information and performance history information derived from a CD-ROM.
[0060]
Now, as described above, erasing unnecessary songs based on the performance song ranking is effective in reducing the burden on the hard disk device 21. However, as described above, at the time of downloading a new song, a “table of contents” containing a list of the new songs has been reprinted and issued, and even after the “unnecessary songs” are erased from the hard disk device 21, In the table of contents book, the “unnecessary music” is left in a selectable format. Therefore, in such a case, it cannot be denied that a situation in which the request or request from the terminal user cannot be satisfied can occur.
[0061]
Even if the song is once deleted as an “unnecessary song”, for some reason, the “popularity” of the song may be restored at a later date, increasing the demand of the terminal user. Even in this case, in the state described above, it is no longer possible to perform the performance of the song on all the terminals 2.
[0062]
In order to solve such problems, the following measures are taken in the present embodiment.
[0063]
That is, when a song that has been erased in step T8 in FIG. 5 (hereinafter referred to as “erase song”) is requested in a particular terminal 2, as shown in step U1 in FIG. On the operation panel 261 or the display 23, a performance impossible message such as “This song cannot be played due to circumstances” is displayed.
[0064]
Then, as shown in step U2 of FIG. 6, the fact that there is a request for the erased music is “request history information” composed of the music ID data of the music, the date and time of the request, and the erased date and time. It is created and recorded on the hard disk device 21 in the specific terminal 2. By the way, “request history information” regarding “erased music” that is not requested at all is defined by adding “request count 0” as an attribute until there is a request for the music. That is, “request history information” relating to all erased songs exists on the hard disk device 21.
[0065]
Next, the host device 1 appropriately uses other communication opportunities such as the simultaneous distribution (see step T1 in FIG. 5) periodically performed as described above, as shown in step U3 in FIG. “Request history information” as described above is collected from all terminals 2 including a specific terminal 2, and further, the “request history information” related to all collected terminals 2 is integrated to rank the number of requests for erased songs. (Hereinafter referred to as “erase song ranking”) is created (execution of frequency of requests for erased songs is performed).
[0066]
Subsequently, as shown in Step U4 of FIG. 6, the host apparatus 1 extracts the music located at the top in the erased music ranking, for example, the music existing within the top 10 music. Further, instead of such an extraction method, for example, a “specified number” regarding the number of requests may be determined in advance, and an erased song having request history information exceeding the specified number may be extracted.
[0067]
In any case, the songs extracted as described above have more opportunities to be requested in all the terminals 2 than the remaining erased songs due to, for example, the recovery of “popularity” as described above. You can think of it as an erased song.
[0068]
In the following, the operations in the host device 1 and the terminal 2 are left, and as shown in step U5 in FIG. 6, the host device administrator confirms the extracted erased music and stores the music data related to the erased music in the CD-ROM. The CD-ROM is distributed to the owners of all terminals 2 together with the list of erased music corresponding to the music data recorded therein.
[0069]
On the terminal 2 side, the distributed CD-ROM is stored in the CD-ROM changer device 22, as shown in step U6 of FIG. However, in order for this storage to be possible without any problem, there is a case where extra storage space remains in the CD-ROM changer device 22.
[0070]
Further, even when an unrecorded space remains in one currently stored CD-ROM, it can be stored without any problem. In this case, a CD-ROM having contents in which the erased music is additionally recorded in the information recorded on the CD-ROM is created, and the CD-ROM to be replaced (added) is designated and distributed.
[0071]
At this time, if there is no storage space as described above, the owner performs replacement (insertion / removal) work between the currently stored CD-ROM and the distributed CD-ROM. .
[0072]
However, whether or not to perform this replacement work may be left to the judgment of the owner of each of all the terminals 2. For this determination, the owner can refer to, for example, the above-described erasure song list. In other words, if each owner thinks that the distributed CD-ROM contains erased songs that he / she thinks need to be played, he / she should perform the above replacement work and do not think so. It is not always necessary to execute it.
[0073]
It is clear that the above-described problems can be almost eliminated by implementing such a treatment. This is because “erased music” having “popularity” can be played based on the music data stored in the CD-ROM distributed again as described above.
[0074]
Further, such an operation method is different from the operation method described in the section of the prior art, that is, an operation method in which all music data stored in the hard disk device 21 is transferred to a CD-ROM and distributed. It has a unique effect as described below.
[0075]
That is, in the present embodiment, the selection of “unnecessary songs” based on the performance song ranking and the revival of the “erasure songs” based on the ranking of the erased songs, thorough extraction of the songs that are considered to be substantially unnecessary by the two-stage extraction. Will be eliminated. On the other hand, with respect to the music handled by the host device 1 for distribution and the music stored by the terminal 2, normally, in view of the fact that accompanying costs such as copyright fees are generated, the CD- Since the ROM stores all music data, it is very uneconomical that the copyright fee etc. is collected even for music that has no possibility of being played at all. According to the operation method, there is no need to pay useless copyright fees.
[0076]
If there are special circumstances such as a sudden increase in requests for erased songs, the above-mentioned means of distributing the CD-ROM are not used, and the erased songs are communicated in the same way as downloading new songs. By performing distribution via the network 3, a measure may be taken such that the data is stored in the hard disk device 21 again. It goes without saying that such a measure enables a quicker response.
[0077]
(Variation of the above exemplary embodiment)
Although the embodiment related to the main technical idea of the present invention has been described above, a more effective operation method based on the above-described exemplary embodiment will be described below.
[0078]
In this operation method, each of the operations of creating the performance song ranking in the above exemplary embodiment, extracting and deleting unnecessary songs based on the ranking, or creating erased song rankings, and restoring the erased songs based on this is performed on all terminals 2. Is performed on the basis of “terminal location classification information” that each terminal 2 has uniquely.
[0079]
Here, “terminal location classification information” refers to the location where a specific terminal 2 is installed (regional information) such as Tokyo, Osaka, Hokkaido, or “various stores” as described above. All terminals 2 can be classified according to a predetermined standard such as in which store the specific terminal 2 is specifically installed in the seed (store information), and each of these terminals 2 is unique. Information that can be included in
[0080]
Here, with respect to the former area information, since the “terminal ID data” and the “phone number” of the store are associated with each other and registered in the host device 1 during the registration process at each terminal 2 installation stage, It is possible to easily determine in which area 2 is installed by checking the area code in this telephone number. Then, the determined “region” may be recognized as “terminal location classification information” of the terminal 2 and stored in a database. In addition to this, the terminal 2 may transmit the “address (or zip code)” more directly at the time of the registration process to perform the above recognition.
[0081]
For the latter store information, in addition to the terminal 2 transmitting “terminal ID data” and “phone number” during the registration process, a predetermined “store type code” may be transmitted simultaneously. That's fine. For example, as described above as an example of “various stores”, these can be distinguished from (1) night-type stores, (2) karaoke boxes, (3) hotels, (4) and others. However, a unique “store type code” may be determined according to these. Thereafter, in the same manner as described above, the “store” recognized from the transmitted “store type code” is recognized as the “terminal location classification information” of the terminal 2 and stored in a database.
[0082]
Then, if the same operation as that of the above-described exemplary embodiment is performed based on such terminal location classification information, the following specific effects can be enjoyed. In the following description, the above “region information” is taken as an example.
[0083]
First, in the above-described exemplary embodiment, when creating the performance song ranking, the performance history information uploaded from each terminal 2 is “integrated” with respect to “all terminals 2”, and the nationwide performance song ranking is “one”. However, in this operation method, the host device 1 creates a performance tune ranking according to the region information (corresponding to step T3 in FIG. 5).
[0084]
More specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, in this figure, performance tune rankings are created for each of Tokyo, Osaka and Hokkaido. Also, according to this figure, “Song A” is the first in the ranking of performance songs in Tokyo and Osaka areas, but “Song C” is the first in the ranking of performance songs in the Hokkaido area. . Further, the lowest rank (n-th place) corresponds to “song number δ” in the Tokyo and Osaka regions, and “song number β” in the Hokkaido region. In particular, in the performance song ranking in the Osaka region, it can be seen that “Song B”, which is ranked higher in the Tokyo and Hokkaido regions, is located at the n-3rd (fourth from the lowest).
[0085]
Then, the host device 1 identifies the “unnecessary music” in this operation method (corresponding to steps T4 to T6 in FIG. 5) based on the performance music rankings according to these regional information. Furthermore, the creation of the above-described erasure ranking and the revival of the erasure music based on this are also carried out according to the regional information (see FIG. 6).
[0086]
As can be easily estimated from the above description, according to this operation method, it is possible to take a more detailed response according to the characteristics of each region. For example, with respect to FIG. 7, if the process shown in step T5 of FIG. 5 is performed, the program B will be certified as “unnecessary music” in the Osaka area excluding Tokyo and the Hokkaido area, and terminals installed in the Osaka area. In 2, the music piece B is erased. Incidentally, in such a case, the configuration of the CD-ROM stored in the terminal 2 in each region inevitably differs.
[0087]
The creation of the performance song ranking, the recognition of unnecessary songs based on this, and the work related to the deletion thereof are carried out in the whole country as in the above-mentioned typical embodiment, while the deletion song ranking and the erasure of the deletion songs based on this are performed. A form in which a response based on the regional information just described is performed is also within the scope of the present invention. In such a case, although it is “unpopular” nationwide, an appropriate process can be performed for a song that is frequently requested in a certain area.
[0088]
For example, in the performance song ranking in the national ward, “Koi no Town Sapporo” (= song) is recognized as an “unpopular” song and has been erased nationwide, but in the Hokkaido region, The “Koi no Town Sapporo” will be distributed only in the Hokkaido region.
[0089]
This kind of so-called “local song” is relatively important in this operation method. For example, songs that are rich in local colors and songs that are indispensable in a certain region can be found in almost any region. Exists. It is extremely inconvenient if such a song is deleted simply because it is "unpopular" nationwide. In view of the above, it will be recognized that the above operation method is very effective.
[0090]
In addition, even in the first example in which both performance song ranking creation and erasure song ranking creation are performed according to regional information, there may be a problem with the above-mentioned “local song”. Can be dealt with effectively by classifying them as finely as possible. For example, by subdividing the “Hokkaido region” from the above into the “Sapporo region”, etc., “Koi no Town Sapporo” is not recognized as an unnecessary song in the “Sapporo region” in the first place. Because it will be.
[0091]
In addition, when performing performance rankings etc. according to store information, there is no longer a detailed explanation from the explanation using the above regional information as an example, and its effectiveness can be clearly recognized. Like. For example, assuming that (1) nighttime stores prefer enka songs, and (2) karaoke boxes prefer pop songs, the same effects as above can be enjoyed. Obviously you can do that.
[0092]
In addition, the form which recognizes "the terminal location division information" regarding each terminal 2 by double selection by the said area information and store information is also in the scope of the present invention. In such a case, for example, “terminal location classification information” “Osaka area / karaoke box” for a specific terminal 2 is recognized as a unique attribute.
[0093]
It should be noted that it is basically arbitrary in the present invention how each terminal 2 is specifically subdivided and recognized by the terminal location classification information. In extreme terms, it is also possible in principle to deal with each of all terminals 2 completely individually. However, the restoration of the erased music is dealt with by distributing the CD-ROM as described above. Therefore, for example, if the area information is too fragmented, it is very difficult to take the correspondence.
[0094]
Therefore, the setting of the terminal location classification information comprehensively takes into account the circumstances described above, the problems related to the above-mentioned “local song”, or the number of agents set up nationwide for the purpose of maintenance of each terminal 2, etc. In addition, it can be said that it is preferable to determine more practically.
[0095]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the communication karaoke system, the karaoke performance terminal, and the operation method of the system according to the present invention, it is possible to deal with new songs that are released at any time, but there is no overflow in the terminal.
[0096]
In particular, the survey of the frequency of performance related to the recognition of unnecessary music and the frequency of requests for the deleted music, regional information based on the area where the terminal is installed, store information based on the store type where the terminal is installed, etc. If it is carried out according to the terminal location classification information consisting of, it is possible to carry out a finer response.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a communication karaoke system according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a karaoke performance terminal constituting the communication karaoke system shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a work flow of registration processing of an installation terminal to a host device.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing performance history information in a certain terminal.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a work flow of creating a performance song ranking and identifying unnecessary songs based on the ranking and deleting them.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a work flow for creating an erased song ranking and restoring an erased song based on the created erased song ranking.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a performance song ranking created for each area information.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Host device
2 Karaoke performance terminal
21 Hard disk device (storage means)
22 CD-ROM changer device (storage medium storage means)
23 display
24 Speaker
25 Microphone
26 Operation control unit
27 Communication control unit
2C Central control unit (control means)
3 communication network

Claims (1)

A communication karaoke system in which a host device and a plurality of karaoke performance terminals are connected via communication means,
Each of the karaoke performance terminals is
A readable / writable storage means for storing music data distributed from the host device;
The music data corresponding to the requested music is read from the storage means, the performance of the music based on the music data is executed, and performance history information relating to all the music stored in the storage means is created, Control means for transmitting performance history information to the host device,
The host device is
Based on the performance history information, a performance frequency survey for the music piece is performed, a music piece whose performance frequency does not reach a predetermined standard is recognized as an unnecessary music piece, and an erasure command for the unnecessary music piece is given to the karaoke performance terminal. Deliver,
The control means executes a process of erasing music data corresponding to the unnecessary music from the storage means based on the erasure command, further creates request history information relating to the erased music, and the request history information To the host device,
The host device is
Based on the request history information, the request frequency for the erased music is checked, a music whose request frequency reaches a predetermined standard is identified as a restored music, and the restored music is distributed. Thus , the communication karaoke system is stored again in the storage means via the control means .

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