JP4762676B2 - Computer system characterized by login process when using group - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user interface which can easily use a membership-exclusive service. <P>SOLUTION: A computer system is provided with; a server device which manages a membership information database which stores membership IDs in association with membership information including the combinations of related-person identification information and related-person membership IDs; and many applied devices which are connected to the server device through communication lines. The applied devices provided with membership card reading devices and user interfaces; transmit membership IDs read from membership cards to the server device to acquire membership information conforming to the membership IDs; make users identify personal login processing, which permits the use of applied functions for the members, and membership IDs to which the login processing has been made; display related-person identification information included in the membership information of the identified membership IDs to receive user input identifying the related persons; transmit related-person membership IDs which are combined with the identified related-person information to the server device to acquire the membership information conforming to the related-person membership IDs; and conduct related-person login processing which permits the use of the applied functions for the members. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a computer system such as a communication karaoke system that handles personal information including a usage history for each user, and more particularly to a user interface technology that allows a user to log in easily.

  In a communication type computer system such as a communication karaoke system, various services for members using infrastructure are provided. The karaoke provider prepares a storage area for each member in the host device, and the communication karaoke terminal sends the karaoke usage history of each member to the host device and stores it in the corresponding member's area. When a member uses a communication karaoke terminal, the stored information is downloaded from the host device, and various services are provided to the member using the downloaded information.

  As an example of karaoke member service, in the communication karaoke system described in Japanese Patent No. 3143456 and Japanese Patent No. 3400921 by the present applicant, a remote control identifier and a music number are assigned from a remote control device for music selection reservation possessed by each member. Is sent to the communication karaoke terminal. The communication karaoke terminal uses the identifier of the remote controller as a member identification code (member ID), and records the use history of the communication karaoke terminal in association with the identification code. The usage history may be a music selection history, or a scoring result if a well-known singing scoring function is used during performance. Then, the usage history is uploaded to the host device at regular communication opportunities with the host device. Based on the usage history received from the online karaoke terminal, the host device creates a scoring ranking by periodically summarizing the scoring results collected from the online karaoke terminals in various locations, or sets the number of music reservations for each member. Or give points according to your needs. Then, the karaoke company provides various benefits to the members according to the rankings and points created and aggregated by the host device.

  In addition, the present applicant has disclosed various techniques related to personalized services. Japanese Patent No. 3429210 discloses a technique for presenting an individual song list on a user's mobile phone based on performance history information collected and aggregated by a host device. Japanese Patent No. 3406879 discloses a technique for estimating the amount of exercise when using karaoke for each individual. Japanese Patent No. 3422688 discloses a technique for taking out and updating music selection history based on user's voice print data.

In Japanese Patent Nos. 3453248 and 2003-140666, when a user registers his / her personal information in the host device and uses the communication karaoke terminal, the personal information is communicated from the host device. A configuration that is downloaded to a karaoke terminal and used as appropriate is also disclosed.
Japanese Patent No. 3143456 Japanese Patent No. 3400921 Japanese Patent No. 3429210 Japanese Patent No. 3406879 Japanese Patent No. 3422688 Japanese Patent No. 3453248 JP 2003-140666 A

  As described above, as an example of a communication computer system, various member services based on individual usage histories are provided in karaoke. On the other hand, in order to record such individual usage history in the system and use the membership service, each person registers personal information in the system prior to use and identifies himself / herself to the system. The login process to recognize is indispensable. In consideration of the convenience of specifying an individual at the time of such login, a number of simple user interfaces have been developed, such as a technique for displaying an animal character or a photograph in addition to the name and instructing selection. For example, the present applicant has developed a simple user interface technique using a personal identification mark registered by a user using a video camera or a digital camera, including the technique described in Japanese Patent No. 3432132.

  However, when many people play in a group, if members have to log in to each other, it takes time to finish the login process of everyone, and it becomes troublesome and people who begin to use without logging in after all May come out. Then, the user misses the opportunity to receive the member-only service even though he / she has already registered as a member, and the karaoke company also misses the opportunity to collect personal data. This will lead to a decrease in service users.

  Therefore, once applicants log in, once the other members can log in, the convenience of the user interface is dramatically improved and many members enjoy the members-only service. I thought I could get it.

In view of the above circumstances, the present inventors have created the present invention. This invention is specified by the following matters (1) to (6).
(1) A computer system including a server device that manages a member information database and a number of application devices connected to the server device via a communication network. (2) The member information database includes a member ID and member information. (3) Member information includes a set of related party identification information and related party member ID (4) The application device includes a membership card reader and a user interface, and a user who logs in Perform the login process when the input is accepted, and perform the related party login process when the user input for the related party login is received. (5) In the login process, the member ID read from the membership card is sent to the server device. (6) Related party login process identifies the logged-in member ID to the user. Display the related party identification information included in the member information of the specified member ID, accept the user input for specifying the related party, and set the related party member ID paired with the specified related party identification information. Acquire the member information by sending it to the server device and permit the use of application functions for members

In the present invention, it is desirable to appropriately select and apply one or more of the following (a) to (k).
(A) The party identification information includes a face photograph, and the party login process displays a list of face photographs and accepts user input specific to the party (b) In the case of (a), the application device (C) Related party identification information includes avatar images with nicknames, and related party login processing displays a list of avatar images with nicknames to identify related parties. In the case of (d) and (c), the application device displays the avatar image with the nickname of the member permitted to use the application function.

(E) Member information includes the usage history of the application function. When the member uses the application function, the application device updates the use history in the member information of the member, and the update information is appropriately stored in the server device. (F) Member information includes customization information, and the application device executes an application function reflecting the customization information in the member information of the member when the member uses the application function (g) The member information includes service point information, and the application device updates the service point information in the member information of the member when the member uses the application function. (H) The member information is an e-mail addressed to the member. When the application device permits the member to use the application function, the application device displays the content of the e-mail in the member information of the member. (I) The member information managed by the server device includes the payment method information. When the member uses the application function, the application device transmits the usage fee information and the member ID to the server device. When the server device receives the usage fee information and the member ID, the application device includes the member ID in the member information of the member ID. Perform payment processing of usage charges based on payment method information

(J) The member information includes a song list, and the application device displays the song list of the member information of the member when a request for the song list display is input together with the designation input of the member ID permitted to use the karaoke function. (K) Member information includes karaoke scoring information for each song, and when the member uses the karaoke function with scoring, the application device displays the karaoke scoring information in the member information of the member. Update, and appropriately transmit the update information to the server device. The server device creates a scoring ranking report document based on the karaoke scoring information collected in the member information database, and makes the scoring ranking report document publicly available via the Internet. thing

  According to the present invention, when a communication system such as karaoke is used in a large number of groups, a log-in process to the system can be simplified. Even if someone in the group has forgotten their membership card, if other members log in, they can log in together and receive member-only services. For the user, the login process and the convenience of the member-only service are improved. For business operators, the chances of missing members 'usage history information by collecting members' usage history information will be reduced, and customers can be surrounded easily.

=== Network configuration and basic functions of application devices ===
Below, the Example which applied this invention to the communication karaoke system is described. The application device in this case is a communication karaoke terminal.
FIG. 1 shows a network configuration in this embodiment. A wide area intranet is constructed by connecting a VPN 110 (Virtual Private Network) 40 using the Internet to a LAN 110 and a karaoke server 20 installed in karaoke stores 100 in various locations of karaoke businesses. A communication karaoke terminal (hereinafter referred to as “karaoke device”) 10 and a device attached thereto are installed in each guest room of the karaoke store 100 in each place, and the karaoke device 10 communicates with the karaoke server 20 and the member information server 30 via the VPN 40.

FIG. 2 shows an outline of an electrical system configuration of the karaoke apparatus 10.
The main computer 1 controls the entire karaoke apparatus 10. The hard disk device 2 stores various information such as a program of the main computer 1, a karaoke database, and a video database. The operation / display panel unit 3 can input various types of information by the user, and can display various types of information for the user. The communication processing unit 7 communicates with the external karaoke server 20 and the member information server 30 via a communication line. Further, it can communicate with the sub computer 14 through the wireless port 13.

  The sub computer 14 can exchange various information interactively with users participating in the karaoke gathering, and communicates with the main computer 1 via the wireless port 13. The sub computer 14 is an integrated tablet computer such as a palm top type or a laptop type, and a liquid crystal display with a transparent touch panel is laid out on the front as a user interface. It is programmed to exchange various information in the form.

  For the requested music specified by the user using the operation / display panel 3 or the sub computer 14, karaoke data of the corresponding music is extracted from the karaoke database and transferred to the performance processing unit 8. The karaoke data of each song is an organization of song numbers, MIDI performance data, recording data, and lyrics subtitle data. The performance processing unit 8 performs stereo accompaniment music based on the karaoke data under the control of the main computer 1, amplifies the music signal with the mixing amplifier 9, and emits the sound through the speaker.

=== Member information ===
The karaoke apparatus 10 has a function of collecting a use history for each member ID of a member who has logged in by a process described later. For example, a known singing scoring function is provided, and the singing scoring result is stored in association with the member ID. Further, the music number of the song requested by the member using the sub computer 14 is stored in association with the member ID as the music selection history, or the key control value set at the time of singing is stored in association with the member ID. To do. Also, the member has a function of designating frequently sung songs such as eighteenth using the sub computer 14, and stores the song number collection in association with the member ID as a personal music book. In addition, the sub computer 14 is equipped with a digital camera to take a photograph of a member's face, or the member's selection instruction input is received from a character image imitating many animals prepared in advance using the sub computer 14. Then, an avatar image composed of a face photograph, a selected animal character, or the like is stored in association with the member ID as the member's personal identification mark. Information associated with these member IDs is uploaded to the member information server 30 at an appropriate opportunity.

  The member information server 30 is a general-purpose server computer managed by a karaoke company, and stores karaoke member registration information and karaoke use history in a hard disk device and manages it as a member information database. The member information server 30 may be hardware integrated with the karaoke server 20 for distributing karaoke data to the karaoke apparatuses 10 scattered in various places and collecting the usage status of each karaoke apparatus 10.

  The member information database identifies and manages users registered as members by member ID. Various personal information such as registration information such as the member's name and contact information, personal identification marks such as face photos, music selection history, singing grading history, personal history, etc. using each member ID as key information (Member information) is stored and managed in association with the member ID. That is, by specifying the member ID, various member information corresponding to the member ID can be extracted. The member information includes a set of related party identification information described later and a member ID of the related party.

  The member ID is an identification code given to a user newly registered as a member by a karaoke company. At the time of new member registration, it is associated with the member ID to which registration information such as the member's name and contact information is assigned, and from the management computer of the karaoke company via the network or via the user interface of the member information server 30 Stored in the member information database.

  The personal identification mark is designated and input by the member through the user interface of the sub computer 14 when a new member who has registered uses the karaoke for the first time in the store, and is stored in the member information database. In addition to the text such as full name and nickname, the personal identification mark identifies each member himself / herself on the user interface, such as images such as face photos and avatar images, and those images combined with full names and nicknames. And those who can be identified at a glance.

=== Member-only service ===
Using the use history and registration information collected for each member ID, the karaoke apparatus 10 provides various well-known members-only services (applied functions for members). For example, the member's music selection history and personal music book are managed in the member information server 30 in association with the member ID, and when the member uses karaoke, the member's music selection history and personal music book are stored in the karaoke device 10. The music number of the music designated by this member can be taken out from it, and the performance can be reserved.

  Further, customization information such as a key control value of a certain musical piece is stored in the member information server 30, and when the member sings the same song next time, it is obtained and reflected by the karaoke apparatus 10.

  When a member uses karaoke, the personal identification mark registered in the member information server 30 is requested to the karaoke device 10 and requested when the requested song to be played next is introduced on the display device 6 of the karaoke device 10 or the like. The member's personal identification mark is displayed, and the number of songs awaiting performance is displayed for each personal identification mark.

  Further, the karaoke apparatus 10 transmits the member singing score result to the member information server 30 in association with the member ID and the music number. The member information server 30 collects them and sums up the national rankings of the scoring results by music number at an appropriate timing such as when a new singing scoring result is added. Then, an HTML document listing the score and the member name of the singer is created in order of ranking for the music and posted on the Internet. Members and other users can browse their national rankings by connecting to the Internet with browser software installed in a guest room PC, a home PC, or a mobile phone.

  Also, the member's song is recorded by the karaoke device 10, and the recorded data is associated with the member ID and uploaded to the member information server 30. The recorded data is appropriately downloaded from the member information server 30 to a professional singer or instructor's PC and the like, and the inputted evaluation / guidance information is uploaded to the member information server 30 again. After that, by obtaining evaluation / guidance information from the member information server 30 via the member karaoke apparatus 10, it is possible to receive evaluation / guidance from professional singers and leaders.

  In addition, the member information server 30 collects the usage history of various member-dedicated services by member and counts the service points according to the number of times of use. A service is also provided.

=== Login ===
A user who is registered as a member in the member information server 30 can enjoy various member-dedicated services (applied functions for members) using each member information stored in the member information database. Each member logs in and uses the system in order to be able to use their member information. In this embodiment, the member possesses a non-contact type IC card issued by a karaoke company as a membership card, and uses a unique identification number stored in the IC card as a member ID.

  The sub computer 14 has a data reading function for the IC card. When a member logs in to the system and wants to use a member-dedicated service, when the IC card is held over the antenna unit for reading IC card data provided in the sub computer 14 together with the user login (301) instruction, the sub computer 14 Is obtained as a member ID and notified to the karaoke apparatus 10.

  The karaoke apparatus 10 transmits the notified member ID to the member information server 30 via the network 40. The member information server 30 refers to the member information database 30 based on the member ID, and returns the member information associated with the member ID to the karaoke apparatus 10. The subcomputer 14 stores the acquired member information in an appropriate storage area for each member ID. Further, based on the acquired member information, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the personal identification mark of the member is additionally displayed in the logged-in member list 302 in the menu list screen, and the login process is completed.

  When the logged-in member selects and designates the personal identification mark indicating himself / herself from the logged-in member list 302 on the menu list screen (FIG. 3) of the sub-computer 14 by an appropriate operation, the sub-computer 14 selects the selected identification mark. The member ID associated with the chapter is taken out. And based on the member information matched with this member ID, a member exclusive service is made available.

  The karaoke apparatus 10 and the sub computer 14 do not need to obtain all the member information managed by the member information server 30 based on the member ID. It is only necessary to obtain member information necessary for providing the member-only service with the karaoke apparatus 10 such as a usage history.

=== Log-in for related parties ===
A member who has logged in by the above-described personal login process can log in a person registered in advance as his / her related person such as a family member or friend from the member-dedicated service (related person login). According to the related party login, the related members of the members who have logged in can log in and use the members-only service even if they do not have their own membership card (IC card).

  Members who have logged in can use the members-only menu. Conversely, even if a person who is not logged in selects these menus, an error is displayed and the use of the service cannot be started. From the member list 302 displayed on the menu list screen (FIG. 3), the personal identification mark indicating the user is selected and instructed by an appropriate operation such as forward or backward in the logged-in member list 302. When the “related party login” menu 303 is selected and instructed, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the “register related party” menu and the “log in together” menu can be selected and specified.

  If a logged-in member selects and designates “Register related person”, a friend or family member who can log in as a related person when he / she logs in can be registered. Hold the membership card of a friend or family over the antenna and enter the member ID into the sub computer 14. You may make it input the numerical value of member ID directly. The sub-computer 14 obtains the personal identification mark of the related person by accessing the member information database via the karaoke device 10 based on the member ID of the input related person. Then, a set of the member IDs of the related parties and the individual identification marks is added as related party information to the member information of the logged-in member. A plurality of sets of related party information can be additionally registered as member information.

  When the logged-in member selects and designates “log in together”, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the sub computer 14 is a friend who is registered as a related person of this member based on the related person information in the member information. Etc. are displayed in a list on the liquid crystal display. The member selects and designates an identification mark indicating the family or friend in the place from among them. When the sub computer 14 finishes designating the person who wants to log in with him, the sub computer 14 accesses the member information database via the karaoke apparatus 10 based on the member ID of the related person corresponding to the identification mark inputted. The member information associated with the member IDs of these related parties is obtained and stored for each member ID. Then, in the same way as in the case of the personal login, based on the member information of each related party obtained, the personal identification mark of the related party is additionally displayed in the logged-in member list 302 of the menu list screen (FIG. 3). The user login process.

  Of course, a friend or family member who has logged in in this manner can select a personal identification mark indicating himself / herself on the menu list screen of the sub computer 14 (FIG. 3) in the same manner as the member who logged in. A dedicated menu will be available.

  In the case of the related person login, as in the case of the personal login, the karaoke apparatus 10 and the sub computer 14 need to obtain only the member information necessary for the member-only service from the member information database 30 among the related member information. .

=== Other Embodiments ===
In addition to the above, various member-dedicated services can be provided by the information included in the member information managed by the member information database according to the present invention. For example, an e-mail address such as a mobile phone held by the member is registered in the member information. When a member logs in, an e-mail is posted to the e-mail address with information from the store and deals. Alternatively, the logged-in member creates a message for other members and uploads it to the member information server 30 in association with the member ID of the destination member. When the member who is the destination logs in, this message is transmitted from the member information server 30 and displayed on the screen of the sub computer 14. In this way, users at geographically distant stores can exchange e-mails using the network of the communication system.

  In a system that provides a member-only service for a fee, the member information server 30 includes information related to a settlement method such as a member's bank account number and credit card number. When a member uses a paid member-only service, the member ID server 30 is notified of the member ID, and a payment process such as charging a financial institution or credit card company for the amount of service usage fee is executed according to the payment information. Let In this way, members can use paid services without exchanging cash at the store.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, a configuration in which the member information server 30 is connected to the same in-store LAN as the karaoke apparatus 10 is also included.

  In the above-described embodiment, the sub computer 14 is configured as a peripheral device attached to the karaoke device 10 so as to communicate with the member information server 30 only through the karaoke device 10, but the sub computer 14 communicates with the member information server 30. At this time, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which data communication is performed directly with the member information server 30 via the network 40 instead of the karaoke device 10. For example, the charging stand for the sub computer 14 is connected to the LAN of the communication karaoke system. In this case, the sub computer 14 can exchange performance reservation signals with the karaoke apparatus 10 through an infrared interface or the like, and can directly communicate data with an external apparatus such as the member information server 30 via the network 40. is there.

  The present invention is not limited to a communication karaoke system, but can be applied to a communication type computer system. For example, the present invention can be applied to a case where parents and children participate in an online conversation learning system for English conversation. Log in to an English conversation school system computer from an application device installed in each home via the network and participate in the learning program. If the person concerned login of this invention is performed, the login of a family member can be performed easily.

  It can also be applied to games for game center members. For example, the present invention can be applied to a case where a game machine server computer is used by logging in from a game machine (application device) in a game center in various places. The score is recorded for each member, collected by the server computer, compiled and competed with other members for scoring rankings, or the game is interrupted and the match history is stored on the server computer for each member. It is convenient to apply to a communication type game system that records the game usage status for each member ID, such as allowing a member to log in, obtain a battle history, and resume from where it was interrupted. When a game center is visited by a large number of groups for the purpose of a game for members, according to the related party login of the present invention, everyone can log in easily and start a game quickly.

It is a network block diagram including the karaoke apparatus in the Example of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the said karaoke apparatus. It is the schematic of the menu list screen displayed on the subcomputer attached to the said karaoke apparatus. It is an example of a screen of a participant login menu displayed on the sub computer. It is an example of a screen which designates the related person of the related person login menu displayed on the said subcomputer.

Explanation of symbols

10 Karaoke device 20 Karaoke server 30 Member information server 40 Communication network

Claims (12)

A computer system comprising a server device for managing a member information database and a number of application devices connected to the server device via a communication network,
The member information database stores the member ID and member information in association with each other,
Member information includes a set of related party identification information and related party member ID,
The application device is provided with a membership card reader and a user interface, and when the user input of the user login is accepted, the user login process is performed, and when the user input of the party login is received, the party login process is performed.
In the login process, the member ID read from the membership card is transmitted to the server device to acquire the corresponding member information, and the use of the application function for members is permitted.
In the related party login process, the user ID that has been logged in is specified by the user, the user identification for specifying the related party is received by displaying the related party identification information included in the member information of the specified member ID, and the specified ID is specified. A computer system that transmits a related party member ID paired with related party identification information to a server device to acquire corresponding member information, and permits the use of application functions for members. The party identification information includes a face photo,
The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the related party login process displays a list of face photographs and receives user inputs specific to the related party. The computer system according to claim 2, wherein the application device displays a facial photograph of a member who is permitted to use the application function. The party identification information includes an avatar image with a nickname,
The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the related person login processing displays a list of avatar images with nicknames and receives user inputs specific to the related persons. The computer system according to claim 4, wherein the application device displays an avatar image with a nickname of a member permitted to use the application function. Member information includes usage history of applied functions,
The computer system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the member uses the application function, the application device updates the use history in the member information of the member and appropriately transmits the update information to the server device. . Member information includes customization information,
The computer system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when the member uses the application function, the application device executes the application function reflecting the customization information in the member information of the member. Member information includes service point information,
The computer system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the application device updates service point information in the member information of the member when the member uses the application function. Member information includes email addressed to members,
The computer system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the application device displays the content of an e-mail in the member information of the member when the member is permitted to use the application function. Member information managed by the server device includes settlement method information,
When the member uses the application function, the application device sends usage fee information and member ID to the server device.
The computer system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein when receiving the usage fee information and the member ID, the server device performs a usage fee settlement process based on the settlement method information in the member information of the member ID. . Membership information includes a song list,
The application device displays a music list of member information of the member and accepts a music selection reservation input when there is a request input of a music list display together with a designation input of a member ID permitted to use the karaoke function. A computer system according to any one of the above. Member information includes karaoke scoring information for each song,
The application device updates the karaoke scoring information in the member information of the member when the member uses the karaoke function with scoring, and transmits the update information to the server device as appropriate,
12. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the server device creates a scoring ranking report document based on the karaoke scoring information collected in the member information database, and makes the scoring ranking report document publicly available via the Internet.