JP4788633B2 - Karaoke network system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a karaoke information providing system using a network, and more particularly to a technique for providing information about a karaoke apparatus that can use content desired by a karaoke user.

  In recent years, not only karaoke performances, but also karaoke devices that can play various contents such as video contents such as movies, variety programs, dramas, commercials, user-participated contents such as auditions and quizzes, and purchase contents such as orders for food and drinks. The content that can be provided by karaoke devices is becoming increasingly diverse. In addition, a so-called communication karaoke system that distributes these various contents from a distribution host server to a karaoke apparatus installed in each karaoke store (for example, a karaoke box) via a network is also widely used.

  Moreover, as this kind of communication karaoke system, as described in Patent Document 1, host information such as new music introduction article data including titles of music titles, music IDs, etc., and performance history information related to music actually sung by the member user are hosted. A device that provides a service to be distributed from a server to a portable information terminal of a member user is known. Such a service is a motivation for the user to actively use karaoke.

By the way, the thing of patent document 2 is known as a prior art of the system which provides information with respect to the portable information terminal which a user owns. The technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 is as follows. The connection information management server creates a connection information list by adding priority information to the connection information in consideration of the position information acquired from the portable information terminal that is the request source of the connection information reference, Send to the information terminal. The portable information terminal displays the received connection information list in the order based on the priority information.
JP 2002-328687 A JP 2002-24223 A

  Usually, in a communication karaoke system, a distribution host server and a representative karaoke device (hereinafter referred to as a master device) under the control of the host server among a plurality of karaoke devices arranged in a karaoke store are directly connected. By communicating, content is distributed from the host server to the master machine (primary distribution). Then, the content distributed to the master device is transferred from the master device to a karaoke device under management of the master device in the karaoke store (hereinafter referred to as a slave device) via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). By being copied, it is distributed to each karaoke apparatus in the karaoke store (secondary distribution).

  On the other hand, as the content that can be provided from the karaoke device to the user is diversified, the data amount of the content distributed from the host server to each karaoke store is increasing. For this reason, due to circumstances such as an increase in communication load when copying content from the master device of the karaoke device to the slave device, there is a time difference between the karaoke devices in order to acquire the newly distributed content. That is, in the same karaoke store, if the copying of content to all karaoke devices is not completed, for example, the content that can be used with the karaoke device installed in the room a cannot be used with the karaoke device installed in the room b. Such a situation may occur.

  In addition, the type and content of the content distributed from the host server to the karaoke store is different for each karaoke store for each package that is a collection of a plurality of contents classified by categories such as genres and regions such as pop, enka, and western music. And determined by a contract with the content provider. That is, since the package contracted by the karaoke store is different, the content that can be used is different, and the content that can be used at the karaoke store A may not be available at the karaoke store B. Furthermore, in the karaoke store C where the number of installed karaoke devices is m, for example, if the number of karaoke devices that have contracted to use the content d is less than m, the content d can be used in the karaoke store C. Karaoke devices and unavailable karaoke devices are mixed. In this case, even in the same karaoke store C, the content d cannot always be used.

  As described above, the following problems may occur due to the situation in which the content that can be used differs depending on the karaoke store, or the content that can be used varies depending on the room even in the same karaoke store. For example, if there is a specific favorite content for the user, the favorite content is used in a store different from the karaoke store that used the favorite content last time, or in the same karaoke store as the previous but different room. When trying to do so, a situation may occur in which the favorite content cannot be used with the karaoke apparatus installed there. In addition, if a user visits a karaoke store where a particular favorite content can be used again, and another user is already using a room where the favorite content can be used, the user Guided to the room. At this time, if the content use contract in the karaoke device installed in the other room that has been guided is different from that of the karaoke device that was used last time, the favorite content may not be available in the other room that has been guided. is there.

  In such a case, it is usually inconvenient for the user because it becomes clear that a specific favorite content cannot be used after the user enters the room and starts using the karaoke apparatus installed in the room. .

  Therefore, a system that distributes information related to the availability of specified content from a host server to a portable information terminal owned by the user, etc. is built, and a karaoke shop or karaoke room (karaoke equipment is available) that can use the specified content. It is conceivable to solve the above problem by providing a service for displaying a list of information on the installed rooms) on the portable information terminal. According to such a system, the user can know in advance with a mobile phone or the like which karaoke apparatus the target content can be used before visiting the karaoke shop.

  In such a service, when there are a large number of lists that transmit a list of availability information from the host server to the portable information terminal, a list that cannot be displayed on one screen can be manually operated, especially in a portable information terminal with a small display screen. There is a problem that much time is required for the user to obtain necessary information, such as browsing while scrolling and displaying. For example, for a content specified by the user, if a list of availability information at a karaoke store across the country is sent to a portable information terminal, a list of a huge number of items for the user to obtain necessary information Must be browsed manually by scrolling. It is also possible to automatically scroll and display a list that does not fit on one screen on the mobile information terminal side, but if the user misses the list that scrolls off the screen, the information that was missed In order to display again, the user has to perform a scroll instruction operation, which is very complicated for the user anyway.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, priority information corresponding to a distance based on position information is added to a list transmitted from a connection information management server to a portable information terminal, so that the list on the portable information terminal side is based on this priority information. A technique for rearranging and displaying information useful to the user at the top of the list is disclosed. By using such a technique, information that seems to be useful to the user can be preferentially displayed based on some position information such as the user's current position and destination, so that the user can obtain the necessary information. It is thought that the labor for this is reduced to some extent. However, simply rearranging the list according to the priority based on the position information cannot solve the problem that a list of a huge number of items that cannot be displayed on one screen has to be manually scrolled and browsed.

  Therefore, when transmitting a list of availability information from the host server to the portable information terminal, the list is transmitted not only considering the position information but also considering the display range on the screen of the portable information terminal to which the information is transmitted. It is important to consider so that the user can comfortably browse the list of availability information by narrowing down the number of cases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and provides a technique for providing information about a karaoke apparatus that can use content desired by a karaoke user in a manner in which the user can comfortably browse. With the goal.

The karaoke network system according to claim 1 made to achieve the above object has the following characteristics.
The karaoke network system of the present invention is a karaoke apparatus that reproduces content including at least karaoke music, one or more master devices that receive content distribution from a host server, and a host server that distributes content to each of the master devices. Are communicably connected via the first network. Further, a portable information terminal having a function for displaying information on a display device and an input function for a user to perform an input operation and a host server are communicably connected via a second network. Further, one or more slave machines that are karaoke apparatuses and receive content distribution from the master machine, and the master machine are communicably connected via a third network.

Among these, the portable information terminal includes position information acquisition means for acquiring position information, first information transmission means, second information acquisition means, and display means.
The first information transmission means is information for requesting delivery of availability information regarding availability of the specific content specified by the user in the karaoke apparatus, and is acquired by the identification information of the specific content and the position information acquisition means First information including at least position information and display scale specifying information for specifying the display scale of the display device is transmitted to the host server. The second information acquisition means acquires second information distributed from the host server in accordance with the transmitted first information. The display means displays information based on the availability information included in the acquired second information on the display device.

  The host server includes a storage unit that stores position information regarding a location where a group including the master unit and each slave unit connected to the master unit is located, a third information transmission unit, a fourth information acquisition unit, a specifying unit, And a list creation means and a second information distribution means.

  The third information transmitting means, when acquiring the first information from the portable information terminal, requests to distribute the content acquisition status information regarding the acquisition status of the specific content to the host server based on the first information. 3 information is transmitted to each master machine. The fourth information acquisition unit acquires the fourth information distributed from each master device according to the transmitted third information. The specifying unit specifies the display scale of the display device included in the portable information terminal based on the display scale specifying information included in the first information. The list creation means creates use availability information indicating information on the availability of specific content of each karaoke device for each group based on the content acquisition status information included in the acquired fourth information, For the availability information, a availability information list is created in which a predetermined priority order is set according to the relationship between the location information included in the first information and the location information stored in the storage means. The second information distribution means obtains the second information including the availability information up to a predetermined number corresponding to the display scale specified by the specifying means from the top in the priority order in the availability information list. To mobile information terminals.

The master machine includes fifth information transmission means, sixth information acquisition means, and fourth information distribution means.
The fifth information transmitting means transmits fifth information for requesting that the acquisition information related to the content acquisition status in the slave machine is distributed to the master machine to each slave machine connected to the master machine. The sixth information acquisition means acquires the sixth information distributed from each slave device according to the transmitted fifth information. When the fourth information distribution unit acquires the third information from the host server, the content acquisition status in each slave device based on the acquisition information included in the sixth information acquired by the sixth information acquisition unit, Based on the content acquisition status, fourth information including content acquisition status information related to the content acquisition status corresponding to the third information in each karaoke device is distributed to the host server.

  When the slave device acquires the fifth information from the master device, the slave device includes sixth information distribution means for distributing the sixth information including the acquisition information regarding the content acquisition status in the slave device to the master device.

  According to the karaoke network system configured as described above, the content acquisition situation acquired by the host server from the managed karaoke apparatus (master machine) in response to a request (first information) from the portable information terminal operated by the user. The availability information (second information) is distributed from the host server to the portable information terminal. When the host server collects information (fourth information) about the content acquisition status from the managed master device, the master device not only manages the acquisition status of the master device but also the master device is under the control of the master device. The acquisition status (sixth information) in each slave machine collected from the slave machines is also distributed to the host server as fourth information. The host server creates availability information (second information) based on the fourth information and distributes it to the portable information terminal.

  Specifically, when the user requests the host server to distribute the availability information about the content A via the portable information terminal, for example, the content A can be used (that is, the content A has already been distributed). ) It may be configured to display the store name and address where the karaoke device is installed, the contact information, the room number of the karaoke room (the room where the karaoke device is installed), and the like. By confirming the contents, the user can know beforehand in which karaoke apparatus of which store the target content can be used with a portable information terminal or the like before visiting the karaoke shop.

  The first information transmitted from the portable information terminal side to the host server includes position information (for example, the current position and destination of the user) and a display for specifying the display scale of the display device included in the own portable information terminal. And size identification information. On the host server side, priority is given to the availability information for each group based on this position information and the position information of the master machine and the group of slave machines connected to the master machine (for example, in units of stores). Can be used to create the availability information list. Specifically, the distance between the location indicated by the location information acquired from the portable information terminal and the location of each store is calculated, and the availability information corresponding to the store is listed in order from the shortest distance. Operation such as setting to a higher level can be considered.

  Further, on the host server side, the display scale of the display device provided in the requesting portable information terminal is specified, and the number of pieces of availability information to be distributed to the portable information terminal from the availability information list is set as the display scale of the display device. The number can be narrowed down to a predetermined number. At this time, the availability information up to the number of cases from the top of the availability information list is distributed to the portable information terminal. In addition, as the number of the availability information distributed to the portable information terminal, if importance is placed on the ease of browsing by the user, for example, the number of all the availability information distributed may be the number that can be displayed on one screen in the display device. (Claim 2). Alternatively, it is conceivable to narrow down to the number of cases that can be displayed in several screens of at most a few screens. By doing so, when the user browses the distributed availability information, it is possible to reduce the operation of the user manually scrolling the screen in order to view all the information.

  As described above, when transmitting the list of availability information to the portable information terminal, the priority of the availability information is considered based on the location information of the portable information terminal, and the display range on the display device included in the portable information terminal is considered. Thus, by narrowing down the number of lists to be transmitted, it is possible to provide a mode in which the user can comfortably browse the availability information with higher priority for the user.

  By the way, for various reasons such as content copying (secondary distribution) from the master device to the managed slave device at any time in the same karaoke store, the content acquisition status in each karaoke device changes every moment. Therefore, even after the availability information regarding the specific content is once distributed from the host server to the user's portable information terminal, the acquisition status for the content may change immediately in each karaoke device. Therefore, even after the availability information is once transmitted to the portable information terminal, when the acquisition status in the karaoke apparatus changes for the content specified by the user, it is desirable to update the availability information once distributed with the content. . Specifically, the karaoke network system according to claim 3 may be configured.

  In other words, in the master machine, the fifth information sending means changes the content acquisition status in the slave machine after the fourth information sending means first sends the fourth information in response to the third information sent from the host server. In this case, the fifth information is transmitted to the slave machine at any time. When the fourth information distribution unit first transmits the fourth information according to the third information from the host server and then acquires the sixth information by the sixth information acquisition unit, the fourth information based on the sixth information Is delivered to the host server as needed.

  On the other hand, the host server further includes list update means for updating the availability information and the priority order in the availability information list already created based on the fourth information distributed from time to time from the master machine. The second information distribution unit first transmits the second information according to the first information transmitted from the portable information terminal, and then responds to the display scale from the top of the availability information list in the update by the list update unit. If there is a change in the content up to the predetermined number of cases, the information on availability up to the predetermined number according to the display scale specified by the specifying means is included from the top of the updated availability information list The second information is distributed again to the portable information terminal that is the first information transmission source.

  According to the karaoke network system configured as described above, after the availability information (second information) is once distributed from the host server to the portable information terminal, the host server obtains the content that is distributed as needed from the master device. The availability information list already created based on the situation information (fourth information) is updated as needed. In the availability information list, the availability information (up to the number of cases) is changed only when the content is changed from the top to the predetermined number of cases according to the display scale on the display device of the portable information terminal. 2nd information) is again delivered to the said portable information terminal. In this way, the availability information is distributed again only when there is an update to the higher availability information that has a higher priority for the user, so that only the information useful for the user can be provided at an appropriate timing. This is very convenient for the user.

  By the way, in recent years, portable information terminals capable of specifying their current position, such as a mobile phone equipped with a navigation function using GPS (Global Positioning System) or the like, have become widespread. In view of this, it is conceivable to use the current location specified using GPS or the like as the above-described location information, and to provide availability information limited to a karaoke store near the current location of the user. However, when a user having a portable information terminal is moving at high speed, there is a possibility that the position at the time when the distribution request for the availability information is issued and the position after the movement are far apart. In this case, the availability information distributed only to the karaoke store near the requested position is far from the current position after the movement, and may not be useful to the user.

  Therefore, it may be configured as in the karaoke network system according to claim 4. That is, in the portable information terminal, the position information acquisition unit has a function of acquiring the current position information of the own portable information terminal as the position information. Then, the first information transmitting means transmits the first information including the current position information at the time of transmitting the first information to the host server to the host server, and after the transmission, the current position of the own portable information terminal is transmitted last time. When moving a predetermined amount from the position at the time, the first information including the current position information at that time is retransmitted to the host server.

  According to the karaoke network system configured as described above, every time the current location of the portable information terminal moves by a predetermined amount, the first information including the current position information at that time is retransmitted from the portable information terminal to the host server. can do. Then, by acquiring the availability information (second information) distributed from the host server according to the transmitted first information, the usage always matches the current position of the user even when the user is moving. The availability information can be provided to the user, which is preferable.

  By the way, it is conceivable that the karaoke network system is configured such that the availability information distributed by the host server to the portable information terminal includes various items of information in consideration of user convenience. The items of information included in the availability information include, for example, the name of the store where the karaoke apparatus that can use the specified content is available, its address, contact information, distance information, the room number of the karaoke room, and the like.

  Furthermore, for these items, a priority order is set in advance according to the importance of the information indicated by each item, and each of the priority information is displayed on the screen in the portable information terminal to which the availability information is distributed. It is conceivable to configure the items to be displayed. For example, what is most important for a user who wants to know whether or not the content can be used is whether or not the content can be used. Next, what is important is information for specifying a facility or place where the content can be used. In consideration of such needs, in the example of the above item, the most important item included in the availability information is “the name of the store where the specified content can be used”, followed by the importance. For example, it is possible to set the priority order in the order of “address”, “contact”, “distance information”, and “room number of karaoke room” in descending order. Therefore, it is preferable to set priority for each item according to this order because information necessary for the user is displayed in a state that is easy to see on the screen.

  However, when the distributed availability information is displayed horizontally on the portable information terminal, if the number of information items included in the availability information for each store is too large for the displayable range in the horizontal direction of the display device. One piece of availability information is displayed over a plurality of lines instead of one line on the screen. If the availability information for each store is displayed over too many lines, the amount of information provided is large, but it is difficult for the user to browse, which is inconvenient.

  Then, it is good to comprise like the karaoke network system of Claim 5. Specifically, the list creation means provided in the host server creates the availability information as a set of a plurality of predetermined items, and creates according to the display scale in the horizontal direction on the display scale specified by the specification means. Change the number of items included in the availability information.

  According to the karaoke network system configured as described above, the availability information such that one availability information fits in one line on the screen according to the horizontal display scale on the display device of the portable information terminal, for example. Can be created and distributed as many as the number of cases considering the display size of the entire screen. In consideration of the form that the user can most easily browse, it is considered optimal to store one piece of availability information on one line on the screen. Alternatively, if priority is given to the amount of information per availability information, the availability information may be created with the number of items that can fit in a few lines at most. Good. In this way, by changing the information amount (that is, the number of items) of the availability information per item in consideration of the display range in the horizontal direction of the screen, the availability information is provided in a form that is easier for the user to browse. It is possible and convenient.

  Furthermore, it is good to comprise like the karaoke network of Claim 6. Specifically, in the host server, a priority order corresponding to the importance is set in advance for each item used in the availability information. The list creation means includes items of order from the top of the priority order up to a predetermined number corresponding to the display scale in the horizontal direction of the screen in the display scale specified by the specifying means, and each of these items is Use availability information configured to be displayed in order of priority from the display side in the horizontal direction of the screen is created.

  According to the karaoke network system configured as described above, even when the number of items included in the availability information is changed according to the display size in the horizontal direction of the screen, the availability information that always includes the higher priority items. Can be distributed to portable information terminals. Thereby, since the user can preferentially acquire information on whether or not the content can be used from information with high importance, it is very convenient for the user. Further, in the distributed availability information, each item is configured to be displayed in order of priority from the starting side of the horizontal display of the portable information terminal (for example, the left side of the screen). It is preferable that information with high importance is displayed on the screen in a state that is easy for the user to browse.

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

  As shown in FIG. 1, a karaoke network system 1 is a karaoke apparatus installed in each karaoke room such as a karaoke shop that provides a karaoke service to a karaoke host server 2 and an Internet host server 3. A master machine 4a that can directly communicate with the karaoke host server 2, a slave machine 4b that does not communicate directly with the karaoke host server 2, and a network in the store to which the remote control terminal 5 is connected via the LAN 100, and a mobile phone 6 Are formed by being connected via the Internet 200.

  The karaoke host server 2 is a karaoke service host server for delivering karaoke song data, various content data, and the like to the master device 4a of a karaoke apparatus that is normally installed at one karaoke store. The karaoke host server 2 is connected to a LAN 100 on the karaoke store side via a VPN (virtual private network) formed on the Internet 200 between the router 140 on the host server side and the router 120 on the karaoke store side. Yes. That is, communication between the karaoke host server 2, the master device 4a, and the remote control terminal 5 is performed via the VPN on the Internet 200 and the LAN 100 on the karaoke store side.

  Further, in the karaoke network system 1, the karaoke host server 2 includes a user registration database 2 c (details will be described later) that stores registration information related to users who have authority to use the system, and karaoke of registered users. A database 2b having a personal web page database 2d (details will be described later) for storing personal web page data for publishing information related to singing and information provided by the user on the Internet 200 is provided. Yes. In addition, this database 2b has contents data distributed to each karaoke store, contact information such as the location (address, coordinates on the map, etc.) and telephone number of each karaoke store, business hours, and each karaoke store. A management database including various kinds of information such as identification information of the master machine 4a being stored is also stored.

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

  The Internet host server 3 is a host server for transmitting information via the Internet 200 to a portable information terminal such as the mobile phone 6 by the Web server 3a. The Internet host server 3 is configured to be able to communicate with the karaoke host server 2 via an appropriate communication line (for example, a LAN or an ADSL line).

  In addition, the database 3b included in the Internet host server 3 is mirrored with the database 2b included in the karaoke host server 2, so that some data such as the above-described user registration database 2c and personal Web page database 2d are stored. Are shared with each other (that is, each has the same data).

  The Web server 3a included in the Internet host server 3 is linked to the database 3b (similar to the Web server 2a described above), and the Web included in the karaoke host server 2 in response to a request from the mobile phone 6. Similar to the server 2a, authentication is performed for a user who wants to log in to use the karaoke network system 1, and distribution / update service for a personal Web page is performed for the logged-in user.

  Further, in response to an inquiry regarding the availability of specific content from the mobile phone 6, the Web server 3 a collects information regarding the acquisition status of the content of each karaoke store via the karaoke host server 2, and includes the collected information in the collected information. Based on this, a service for distributing information regarding the availability of the content to the mobile phone 6 is performed.

  The cellular phone 6 is a so-called third generation or later cellular phone that can be connected to the Internet 200 via an access point or a communication line provided by a cellular phone operator. It has a so-called web browser function for browsing web pages received via the web, allowing users to input information and operation instructions on the screen, and running applications for displaying animations, etc. It has a so-called GPS function for specifying the current position of its own terminal using an application or GPS.

  The mobile phone 6 accesses the Web server 3a in the Internet host server 3 via the Internet 200, browses / updates the personal Web page based on the data received from the Web server 3a, and stores the content specified by the user. Various processes for acquiring and displaying information regarding availability are executed.

  The master device 4a and the slave device 4b (hereinafter referred to simply as the karaoke device 4), which are karaoke devices, are all karaoke songs, movies, variety programs designated by users who use karaoke, This is a device for reproducing various contents such as video contents such as dramas and commercials, user-participation-type contents such as auditions and quizzes, and purchase contents such as food and beverage orders.

  The karaoke apparatus 4 includes a control unit that controls the overall operation, a communication interface for connecting to the LAN 100 to communicate with the outside, and a hard disk that stores various data such as content data and programs such as karaoke music data and video data. (HDD), an operation unit including a plurality of key switches, an infrared communication unit for communicating with the remote control terminal 5, a microphone, a MIDI sound source for performing performance reproduction based on performance data, an audio signal generated from the MIDI sound source, and a microphone An audio control unit that outputs an input audio signal to a speaker, a video reproduction unit that controls reproduction of video based on image data, a monitor for displaying video, and the like are provided.

  The remote control terminal 5 is for use in a karaoke room, accepts various operations such as an operation for making a reservation for the reproduction of content that the user desires to reproduce, and receives the operation signal by infrared communication. It has a function to transmit to the karaoke apparatus 4. The remote control terminal 5 accesses the karaoke host server 2 via the access point 110 via the LAN 100 and the VPN on the Internet 200 by wireless communication in accordance with the wireless LAN standard, and receives the data received from the karaoke host server 2. It also has a function for browsing / updating a personal Web page based on it.

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

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

[Description of Procedure for Content Distribution from Karaoke Host Server 2 to Karaoke Device 4]
Here, in the karaoke network system 1 of the present embodiment, a procedure for distributing contents from the karaoke host server 2 to the karaoke apparatuses 4 installed in each karaoke store will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an outline of the network connection between the karaoke host server 2 and the master device 4a and the slave device 4b of the karaoke apparatus installed in each karaoke store.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the karaoke host server 2 and the master device 4a of each karaoke store are connected via the Internet 200, which is a WAN, and can communicate directly with each other. The master device 4a and the slave device 4b installed in each karaoke store are connected via a LAN 100, which is a local communication network installed in each karaoke store, and can communicate with each other. Here, the master device 4a of each karaoke store can communicate with both the karaoke host server 2 and the slave device 4b in the same karaoke store via the Internet 200 and the LAN 100. In contrast, the slave machine 4b can communicate with the master machine 4a in the same karaoke store or another slave machine 4b, but cannot communicate with the karaoke host server 2.

  In the network configured as described above, the distribution of the content from the karaoke host server 2 to the karaoke apparatus 4 installed in each karaoke store is performed according to the procedure shown in the ladder chart of FIG.

  First, the karaoke host server 2 distributes new content to the master device 4a via the VPN of the Internet 200 (S10). The master machine 4a stores the content acquired from the karaoke host server 2 in the hard disk and registers it as usable content (S11). Then, the karaoke host server 2 is notified that the content distribution has been completed (S12).

  Thereafter, the master device 4a obtains newly acquired content for each slave device 4b connected to the LAN 100 in the karaoke store (here, it is assumed that there are two slave devices 4b, slave devices a and b). Are sequentially copied (S13, S14). The slave devices a and b that have acquired the content from the master device 4a add records relating to the newly acquired content to the acquired content list (see * 1 in FIG. 4), which is a list of the content acquired by the own device. (S15, S16).

  * 1 in FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the description format of the acquired content list stored in the slave machine 4b. This acquired content list is a list of file names of content acquired by the slave device 4b and content acquisition flags indicating whether or not the content can be used, and is stored in the hard disk or the like of the slave device 4b. The content acquisition flag indicates “acquisition” or “use invalid” for each content file name. In this list, when the content acquisition flag indicates “acquisition”, this indicates that the content is available in the slave device 4b. In addition, when “use invalid” is indicated, the file of the content is stored in the hard disk of the slave device 4b (that is, acquired), but according to the contract between the content provider and the karaoke store, This indicates that the slave device 4b cannot be used (use is not permitted). For content that is not stored in the hard disk of the slave device 4b (that is, not acquired), there is no record related to the content in the acquired content list.

  In the acquired content list, when new content is distributed from the master device 4a or when the stored content is deleted, the contract regarding the use of the content is changed and the availability of the stored content is changed. When the content acquisition status in the slave machine 4b changes, the slave machine 4b updates the information each time.

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

  In the following, for convenience of explanation, the karaoke host server 2 and the Internet host server 3 or the Web server, such as “connect from the remote control terminal 5 and the mobile phone 6 to the Web server in the host server”, for example, When noting 2a and 3a in particular and simply indicating a host server, a Web server, etc., the remote control terminal 5 is connected to the Web server 2a in the karaoke host server 2, and the mobile phone 6 is connected to the Web in the Internet host server 3. It means connecting to the server 3a.

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

  A network menu screen 71 shown in FIG. 5A is a screen for displaying an operation menu for using a personal Web page browsing / updating service, and a login screen for an already registered user to log in to the system. A “login” button 82 for transitioning to the screen, a “new user registration” button 83 for a new user to acquire an account, and the like are displayed. Here, when the “new user registration” button 83 is pressed via a touch panel, a key switch, a pointing device, or the like, a user registration screen 72 as shown in FIG. 5B is displayed.

  The user registration screen 72 shown in FIG. 5B is for requesting the user to input a nickname as a user name on the system and a password for user authentication in order for a new user to acquire an account. It is a screen. Here, when the “OK” button 84a is pressed after the nickname and password are input in the input box in the user registration screen 72 by an operation from the user, the user is registered together with registration request information for requesting user registration. The data indicating the nickname and password input by the above is transmitted via the Internet 200 to the Web server in the host server corresponding to the terminal.

  The Web server in the host server that has received the registration request information transmitted from the remote control terminal 5 or the cellular phone 6 and the user's nickname and password first generates a user ID that is unique identification information for each user. Based on the received contents, predetermined information such as the user's nickname, user ID, and password is newly registered in the user registration database 2c (details will be described later) provided in the databases 2b and 3b in each host server. To do.

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

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

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

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

  FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram schematically showing specific contents of the user registration database 2c. This user registration database 2c is a user registration including various information such as a nickname, a user ID, a password of each user registered through the “user registration”, and a path indicating a storage location of the personal web page data of the user. It is a table of data.

  In the karaoke network system 1 of this embodiment, the Web server in each host server refers to this user registration database 2c, thereby authenticating the user who has requested login, associating the user with the nickname, and the user and the user. Is associated with the personal web page.

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

  Such personal web page data automatically generates personal web page template data for a newly registered user when the above-mentioned "user registration" is performed. It is conceivable that the data is stored in the personal Web page database 2d, and the path for storing the personal Web page template data is registered in the user registration data of the user in the user registration database 2c. In this way, this user can easily edit his / her own personal web page based on the personal web page template later.

  The personal web page is “karaoke information” that is information related to the singing history of the user using the karaoke device 4, the eighteenth music, the scoring result for the singing, etc., and “profile”, “ Information such as “message” is included as content.

  Among these, "karaoke information" is a karaoke singing using the karaoke device 4 by a user who logs in to the system, so that the name of the song sung by the user, the pitch key when singing, the singing time, etc. Data indicating the singing history, the eighteenth music, the scoring results, and the like are uploaded to the karaoke host server 2 via the master device 4a of the karaoke store. In addition to displaying the singing history and the eighteenth music included in the “karaoke information” as a personal Web page, the remote control terminal can be used as a music selection list when reserving performance music for the karaoke device 4. 5 or the mobile phone 6, the performance music can be selected from the downloaded singing history and the list of eighteenth music.

  In the karaoke network system 1 of the present embodiment, if the user has already been registered in the above-mentioned “user registration”, the content used by the user can be associated with the user's account by logging in to the system from the remote control terminal 5. it can. For example, when a user performs singing by specifying performance of karaoke music as content to be used, karaoke host information such as singing history corresponding to the user is provided via the master device 4a of the karaoke store. 2, information related to the user's karaoke song can be stored in the database 2 b of the karaoke host server 2.

  Next, an outline of a procedure for a user registered by the above-mentioned “user registration” to log in to the system will be described. When the user registered by the above-mentioned “user registration” uses various services such as browsing / updating personal web pages and distributing information on availability of content using the remote control terminal 5 or the mobile phone 6, First, login to the system by entering a registered user ID and password on a predetermined login screen displayed by pressing the “login” button 82 on the network menu screen 71 shown in FIG. To do.

  At this time, the Web server in the host server registers the user ID and password transmitted from the remote control terminal 5 or the mobile phone 6 and the user registration database 2c (see FIG. 6A) stored in the database 2b. By verifying the user ID and password that have been set, the user who has requested login is authenticated.

  In the karaoke network system 1 of the present embodiment, as a characteristic service in the present invention, the user who logs in to the system from the mobile phone 6 specifies a specific content, so that information regarding the availability of the specified content is available. The “content availability information distribution service” in which (host availability information) is distributed from the Internet host server 3 to the mobile phone 6 can be used. The availability information distributed from the Internet host server 3 to the mobile phone 6 includes information such as the karaoke shop where the content specified by the user can be used, the room number of the karaoke room, the location of the karaoke shop, and contact information. It is. The user can know in advance which karaoke apparatus can use the target content before visiting the karaoke store by confirming the content of the content availability information using the mobile phone 6.

[Description of content availability information distribution service]
Hereinafter, procedures of various processes relating to the above-described “content availability information distribution service” will be described.

  FIG. 7 shows a flow of communication performed between the mobile phone 6, the Internet host server 3, the karaoke host server 2, the master device 4a of the karaoke device, and the slave device 4b of the karaoke device in the “content availability information distribution service”. It is a ladder chart which shows typically. The step (S) number in this ladder chart corresponds to the step number of each flowchart described later.

  First, the mobile phone 6 inputs content identification information such as a content name and a content number, a search condition for narrowing down the contents of the availability information distributed from the Internet host server 3 and the like (S101). ). Next, based on the content identification information input by the user, the search condition, the current position information acquired by the GPS function, etc., the Internet host server 3 is requested to distribute the availability information (S104).

  When receiving the request from the mobile phone 6, the Internet host server 3 instructs the karaoke host server 2 to collect information on the content acquisition status in each karaoke device 4 (S203). Upon receiving an instruction from the Internet host server 3, the karaoke host server 2 requests the master machine 4a of each karaoke store to distribute the content acquisition status (S303).

  When the master machine 4a receives a request from the karaoke host server 2, the content acquisition status of the master machine 4a and each slave machine 4b acquired from the managed slave machine 4b connected to the LAN 100 in the same store. Is distributed to the karaoke host server 2 (content acquisition status is distributed (1): S503).

Here, the procedure in which the master device 4a acquires the content acquisition status of the managed slave device 4b will be described. The master device 4a requests distribution of the content acquisition status to the slave device 4b each time the content acquisition status changes in the slave device 4b (S402). Then, in response to this request, the content acquisition status distributed from the slave machine 4b is acquired. The following cases (1) to (3) are given as situations in which the content acquisition status changes in the slave machine 4b.
(1) When new content is distributed from the master device 4a to the slave device 4b.
(2) When the type or quantity of content that can be used in the slave machine 4b is changed due to a contract change between the content provider and the karaoke shop.
(3) When the hard disk that is the storage medium for the content file is replaced in the slave device 4b.

  The master device 4a acquires the content acquisition status from the slave device 4b each time the content acquisition status changes in the slave device 4b due to the cases (1) to (3). Thereafter, when there is a content acquisition status distribution request (S303) from the karaoke host server 2 to the master device 4a, the content acquisition status of the slave device 4b acquired in advance is displayed together with the content acquisition status of the master device 4a. Distribution to the karaoke host server 2 (S503).

When receiving the request from the master device 4a, the slave device 4b distributes the content acquisition status of the slave device 4b to the master device 4a (S610).
When the karaoke host server 2 acquires the content acquisition status of the master device 4a and the slave device 4b from the master device 4a, the content acquisition status based on the content is distributed to the Internet host server 3 (S307).

  When the Internet host server 3 acquires the content acquisition status from the karaoke host server 2, the Internet host server 3 creates a use availability information list according to the search condition and current position information specified by the user based on the content (S207). Then, the number of availability information that can be displayed on one screen on the display device (monitor) included in the requesting mobile phone 6 is extracted from the created availability information list (S208). Is distributed to the requesting mobile phone 6 (S210). The mobile phone 6 displays the availability information on a display device such as a monitor based on the distribution list acquired from the Internet host server 3 (S107).

  In addition, in the master machine 4a, when the content acquisition status is changed in the slave machine 4b after the content acquisition situation is first delivered (S503) in response to the request from the karaoke host server 2 (S303), the master machine 4a Requests the slave device 4b to distribute the content acquisition status (S402), and acquires the content acquisition status from the slave device 4b again. Then, based on the acquired content acquisition status of the slave machine, the content acquisition status is again distributed to the karaoke host server 2 (content acquisition status is distributed (2): S503).

  When the karaoke host server 2 acquires the content acquisition status from the master device 4a again, the karaoke host server 2 again distributes the content acquisition status based on the content to the Internet host server 3 (S307).

  When the Internet host server 3 acquires the content acquisition status from the karaoke host server 2 again, the Internet host server 3 updates the availability information list that has already been created based on the content (S215). If there is a difference from the contents of the distribution list distributed last time due to this update, it can be displayed on one screen from the updated availability information list on the display device (monitor) of the requesting mobile phone 6. The availability information corresponding to the number of cases is extracted (S208), and is distributed again to the requesting mobile phone 6 as a distribution list (S210). The mobile phone 6 updates the availability information already displayed based on the distribution list acquired again from the Internet host server 3 (S107).

  In the master device 4a, in response to a request from the karaoke host server 2 (S303), after the content acquisition status is first distributed (S503), after that, when the content acquisition status changes in the slave device 4b, Each time, the content acquisition status is sequentially distributed from the slave machine 4b to the master machine 4a to the karaoke host server 2 to the Internet host server 3 as described above. Then, the Internet host server 3 updates the availability information list that has already been created according to the content acquisition status that has been distributed. If there is a difference from the previous distribution list as a result of the update, a new extraction is performed. The distribution list is distributed again to the mobile phone 6. The above operation is repeated until an instruction to end the distribution of the availability information is given or until the user enters the karaoke store and logs into the system from there.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the mobile phone 6 in the above-described “content availability information distribution service”. This process is started by launching an application for content distribution request and browsing according to an instruction input from the user.

  First, search conditions and the like for narrowing down the contents of the content identification information and the availability information to be acquired are input by an operation from the user (S101). Here, the content identification information input by the user may be configured so that various information can be input as long as the information can identify the content, such as a content name and a content number used for content playback reservation. The search condition input by the user includes an area where the user wants to use the karaoke service, a specific store name, a store opening time, and the like.

  Next, individual identification information (UID) of the own terminal is read (S102). This individual instruction-specific information is information for identifying individual terminals. The mobile phone carrier (company that provides mobile phone communication service) name, the terminal model name, and a terminal unique to each terminal Serial number etc. are included. In the present embodiment, using this individual identification information, the model name of the mobile phone 6 is specified on the Internet host server 3 side, and the screen size of the monitor of the mobile phone 6 is specified from the model name (patent) Equivalent to display scale specifying information in the scope of claims).

  Subsequently, the current position information of the mobile phone 6 is acquired using GPS (S103). Based on the content identification information and search conditions input by the user in S101, the individual identification information read in S102, and the current position information acquired in S103, the availability information distribution request data (first information in the claims) 9 (see * 2 in FIG. 9) is created and transmitted to the Internet host server 3 via the Internet 200 (S104).

  Here, the specific contents of the availability information distribution request data transmitted from the mobile phone 6 to the Internet host server 3 in S104 will be described. * 2 in FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a description format of the availability information distribution request data transmitted from the mobile phone 6 to the Internet host server 3. As shown in * 2 of FIG. 9, the availability information distribution request data includes “user ID”, “individual identification information (UID)”, “content identification information”, “current position information”, “search condition information”. Etc. ”are included.

  “User ID” is data indicating a user ID corresponding to a user who is currently logged in using the mobile phone 6. “Individual identification information (UID)” is data indicating information for identifying the mobile phone 6 that transmits the availability information distribution request data. “Content identification information” is data indicating content identification information input by the user. “Current position information” is data indicating the current position acquired using GPS. “Search condition information” is data indicating search conditions input by the user. If there are a plurality of pieces of search condition information, the data corresponding to that number is included in the availability information distribution request data.

  Returning to the description of FIG. After transmitting the availability information distribution request data to the Internet host server 3 in S104, it is determined whether or not a distribution list is received from the Internet host server 3 (S105). Here, while it is determined that the availability information has not been received (S105: NO), this process is repeated.

  If it is determined in S105 that the distribution list (corresponding to the second information in the claims, refer to * 3 in FIG. 9) is received from the Internet host server 3 (S105: YES), the process proceeds to S106. To do.

  Here, the specific contents of the distribution list transmitted from the Internet host server 3 to the mobile phone 6 will be described. 9 in FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a description format of a distribution list transmitted from the Internet host server 3 to the mobile phone 6. As shown in * 3 of FIG. 9, this distribution list includes “store name”, “store location information”, “phone number”, “distance information”, “number of available rooms”, and “room number”. A plurality of items (= M) of availability information for each store, which is made up of data for each item, is included.

  In addition, the order set on the Internet host server side of the distribution source is given to each piece of availability information for each store. This order is given in the order of the shortest distance between the position indicated by the current position information (that is, the current position) included in the transmitted availability information distribution request data and the location of the store corresponding to the availability information. In addition, the number of useability information included in the distribution list (= M) varies depending on the screen size of the distribution-destination mobile phone 6, and all the useability information is 1 on each monitor of the mobile phone 6. The number of items that can be displayed on the screen.

  In each availability information, the item “store name” is data indicating the name of a karaoke store where the content can be used. The item of “store location information” is data indicating coordinates and addresses on the map of the karaoke store, a surrounding map, directions to the store, and the like. The item “telephone number” is data indicating the telephone number of the karaoke shop. The item “distance information” is data indicating the distance from the position indicated by the current position information (that is, the current position) to the karaoke store. The item “number of available rooms” is data indicating the number of karaoke rooms in which the content can be used in the karaoke store. The item “room number” is data indicating the room number of a karaoke room where the content can be used in the karaoke store, and when there are a plurality of rooms where the content can be used (that is, “number of available rooms”> 1). ), The number of data is included.

  Returning to the description of FIG. In S106, screen display data is created based on the distribution list acquired from the Internet host server 3. At this time, based on the order attached to each availability information in the distribution list, the top availability information is arranged in order from the top on the screen, and each item of the availability information is displayed on the screen. Create screen display data in order of “rank”, “store name”, “store location information”, “phone number”, “distance information”, “number of available rooms”, “room number” from the left To do. Then, the contents of the availability information are displayed on the monitor using the created screen display data (S107).

  Next, it is determined whether or not to end this process (S108). The determination as to whether or not to end the process may be made based on, for example, whether or not an instruction to end browsing of the availability information has been input by the user. If it is determined that this process is not to be ended (S108: NO), the current position information of the mobile phone 6 is acquired using the GPS (S109). Then, the position indicated by the acquired current position information (that is, the current position) is a predetermined distance (for example, from the position indicated by the current position information included in the availability information distribution request data (see * 2 in FIG. 9) transmitted last time. It is determined whether or not it is moving several hundred m to several km (S110).

  Here, if it is determined that the current position has not moved more than a predetermined distance from the position corresponding to the availability information distribution request data transmitted last time (S110: NO), then, the distribution list (from the Internet host server 3) It is determined whether or not (refer to * 3 in FIG. 9) has been received again (S111). If it is determined that a distribution list has been received from the Internet host server 3 (S111: YES), the process returns to S106, and screen display data is created based on the received distribution list. Then, the currently displayed screen is updated based on the created screen display data (S107). On the other hand, if it is determined in S111 that the distribution list has not been received from the Internet host server 3 (S111: NO), the process returns to S108.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S110 that the current position has moved a predetermined distance or more from the position corresponding to the availability information distribution request data transmitted last time (S110: YES), the previous transmission is performed to the Internet host server 3. An instruction to stop distribution of the distribution list based on the availability information distribution request data is transmitted (S112). Thereafter, the process returns to S103, and the current position information of the mobile phone 6 is acquired again using GPS. Based on the content identification information, the search conditions, the individual identification information, and the latest current position information acquired in S103, the availability information distribution request data is created again and retransmitted to the Internet host server 3 ( S104), the process proceeds to S105 and subsequent steps.

  As described above, the processes of S101 to S112 are sequentially executed, and finally when it is determined in S108 that the process is to be ended (S108: YES), that is, an instruction to end the viewing of the availability information is given by the user. If entered, the processing of the mobile phone 6 is terminated.

  Next, FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the Web server 3a of the Internet host server 3 in the above-described “content availability information distribution service”.

  First, it is determined whether or not the availability information distribution request data (see * 2 in FIG. 9) is received from the mobile phone 6 (S201). This availability information distribution request data is transmitted from the mobile phone 6 to the Internet host server 3 in the process of S104 in the flowchart of FIG.

  While it is determined in S201 that the availability information distribution request data has not been received (S201: NO), this process is repeated. If it is determined that the availability information distribution request data has been received (S201: YES), the model name of the requesting mobile phone 6 is read from the individual identification information (UID) included in the acquired availability information distribution request data. . Then, the screen size of the monitor provided in the terminal of the read model name is specified, and the display upper limit number, which is the number of availability information that can be displayed within one screen in this screen size, is set (S202). In order to specify the screen size from the model name of the mobile phone 6, a table showing the screen size and the number of rows that can be displayed on the screen for each model name as shown in FIG. This table may be referred to based on the model name stored in the database 3b and read from the individual identification information (UID).

  Next, based on the availability information distribution request data acquired from the mobile phone 6, content acquisition status collection instruction data (see * 4 in FIG. 11) is created and transmitted to the karaoke host server 2 (S203).

  Here, specific contents of the content acquisition status collection instruction data transmitted from the Internet host server 3 to the karaoke host server 2 in S203 will be described. 11 in FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing a description format of content acquisition status collection instruction data transmitted from the Internet host server 3 to the karaoke host server 2. As indicated by * 4 in FIG. 11, the content acquisition status collection instruction data includes data of “user ID” and “content identification information”. These data are obtained by extracting data to be transmitted to the karaoke host server 2 from the availability information distribution request data obtained from the mobile phone 6 (see * 2 in FIG. 9).

  Returning to the description of FIG. After the content acquisition status collection instruction data is transmitted to the karaoke host server 2 in S203, it is determined whether or not the content acquisition status data is received from the karaoke host server 2 (S204). Here, while it is determined that the content acquisition status data is not received (S204: NO), this process is repeated. And when it determines with having received content acquisition condition data (refer * 5 of FIG. 11) from the karaoke host server 2 (S204: YES), it transfers to the process of S205.

Here, specific contents of the content acquisition status data transmitted from the karaoke host server 2 to the Internet host server 3 will be described. In FIG. 11, * 5 is a diagram schematically showing a description format of content acquisition situation data transmitted from the karaoke host server 2 to the Internet host server 3. As shown in * 5 of FIG. 11, this content acquisition status data is accompanied by a record consisting of “content name (content number)”, and “store name”, “store location information”, “phone number”, It contains a plurality of records indicating the content acquisition status for each store, consisting of data for each item of “Number of Available Rooms” and “Room Number”. “Content Name (Content Number)”, “Store Name”, The contents of each item of “store location information”, “telephone number”, “number of available rooms”, and “room number” are the same as the contents of the distribution list (see * 3 in FIG. 9). Explanation here is omitted.

  Returning to the description of FIG. In S205, the content acquisition status data acquired from the karaoke host server 2 conforms to various conditions indicated by the search condition information included in the availability information distribution request data acquired from the mobile phone 6 (see * 2 in FIG. 9). It is determined whether or not there is store data. For example, if the search condition information includes information indicating a region where the user desires to use karaoke, the karaoke store in the region is regarded as a suitable store. Moreover, if the information which shows a store name is contained, what corresponds to the said name will be considered as a suitable store. Further, if the information indicating the business date and time is included, the store operating on the date and time is regarded as a suitable store.

  If it is determined that there is store data that matches the search condition information (S205: YES), the current location information included in the availability information distribution request data and the map of each store that matches the search condition information Based on the coordinates, the distance from the current position of the mobile phone 6 to each store is calculated (S206). As for the distance from the current position of the mobile phone 6 to each store, a linear distance between the two may be calculated, or the process from the current position to the karaoke store along the road based on map data or the like. May be calculated.

  Subsequently, based on the content acquisition status data acquired from the karaoke host server 2 and the distance calculated in S206, an availability information list (see * 6 in FIG. 11) is created (S207). Specifically, from the content acquisition status data acquired from the karaoke host server 2, data relating to the store that matches the search condition information included in the availability information distribution request data acquired from the mobile phone 6 is extracted. In addition, by adding an item “distance information” indicating the distance from the current position of the mobile phone 6 to each store calculated in S206 to the corresponding store data, the availability information for each store is created. Moreover, priority is set with respect to the availability information for every store in order with the short distance from the present position of the mobile phone 6 to each store, and the availability information list which is a list of availability information is created.

  Here, specific contents of the availability information list created by the Internet host server 3 in S206 will be described. * 6 in FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing a description format of the availability information list. As shown by * 6 in FIG. 11, the availability information list includes “store name”, “store location information”, “phone number”, “distance information”, “number of available rooms”, and “room number”. A plurality of items (= N) of availability information for each store, including the data of each item.

  Each availability information for each store is ranked in the order of short distance between the current position of the mobile phone 6 and the location of the store corresponding to the availability information (the leftmost item of each availability information). ). In addition, the number of availability information included in the availability information list (= N) is the availability information distribution among the total number of stores in the content acquisition status data (* 5) distributed from the karaoke host server 2. This is the number of stores that match the search conditions included in the request data (see * 2 in FIG. 9).

  The contents of each item of “Store Name”, “Store Location Information”, “Telephone Number”, “Distance Information”, “Number of Available Rooms”, and “Room Number” are described in the above distribution list (FIG. 9 (see * 3)), and the description is omitted here.

  Returning to the description of FIG. In S208, the availability information of ranks from the top of the list up to the display upper limit number (= M) set in S202 is extracted from the availability information list created in S207 (S208). Then, a distribution list (see * 3 in FIG. 9) is created from the extracted availability information (S209). Here, when the number N of availability information in the availability information list and the display upper limit number M are N ≧ M, the number of availability information included in the distribution list to be created is M. On the other hand, when N <M, the number of pieces of use availability information included in the distribution list is N.

Then, the distribution list created in S209 is distributed to the requesting mobile phone 6, that is, the mobile phone 6 that has transmitted the availability information distribution request data (S210).
On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no store data that matches the search condition information included in the availability information distribution request data acquired from the mobile phone 6 in the content acquisition status data acquired from the karaoke host server 2 in S205 (S205: NO), in S209, a distribution list is created to notify the user that there is no store data that matches the content or search conditions specified by the user, and this is sent to the requesting mobile phone 6 (S210).

  Next, it is determined whether or not to end this process (S211). For determining whether or not to end the process, for example, whether or not an instruction to stop the distribution list distribution has been received from the requesting mobile phone 6 or the user has logged into the system from the karaoke store. It may be determined based on whether or not it has been detected. If it is determined that this process is not to be ended (S211: NO), it is determined whether or not the content acquisition status data (see * 5 in FIG. 11) has been received from the karaoke host server 2 again (S212). If it is determined that the content acquisition status data has been received (S212: YES), various conditions indicated by the search condition information included in the availability information distribution request data acquired from the mobile phone 6 are included in the received content acquisition status data. It is determined whether or not there is matching store data (S213).

  If it is determined that there is store data that matches the search condition information (S213: YES), the current location information included in the availability information distribution request data and the map of each store that matches the search condition information Based on the coordinates, the distance from the current position of the mobile phone 6 to each store is calculated (S214).

  Next, based on the content acquisition status data newly acquired this time and the distance calculated in S214, the contents of the already created availability information list (see * 6 in FIG. 11) are updated (S215). Specifically, if the newly acquired content acquisition status data includes information about a store that is not in the existing availability information list, the availability information of the store is newly created and this information is added to the list. to add. At this time, the order of each piece of availability information including the new availability information is updated in the list. Further, if the newly acquired content acquisition status data includes information about a store existing in the existing availability information list, the contents of the existing availability information are updated.

  Then, with respect to the updated availability information list, it is determined whether or not there has been a change from the previous content within the rank range from the top of the list to the above display upper limit number (in this case, M) by this update. (S216). If it is determined that there has been a change from the previous content within the rank range from the top of the updated availability information list to the upper limit number of displays (= M) (S216: YES), the process of S208 Return to the list, extract the availability information of the rank from the top of the list up to the display upper limit number (= M), and re-create the distribution list (see * 3 in FIG. 9) from the extracted availability information (S209). The created distribution list is distributed again to the requesting mobile phone 6 (S210).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S212 that content acquisition status data has not been received from the karaoke host server 2 (S212: NO), or if it is determined in S213 that there is no store data that meets the search condition, ( (S213: NO), or when it is determined that there has been no change from the previous contents within the rank range from the top of the availability information list updated in S216 to the number of display upper limit (S216: NO) Return to processing.

  When the processes of S201 to S216 are sequentially executed as described above, and finally it is determined in S211 that the process is to be ended (S211: YES), that is, an instruction to stop the distribution list distribution is requested. When it is received from the original mobile phone 6 or when it is detected that the user has logged into the system from the karaoke store, the processing of the Internet host server 3 is terminated.

  Next, FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the Web server 2a of the karaoke host server 2 in the above-described “content availability information distribution service”.

  First, it is determined whether or not content acquisition status collection instruction data (see * 4 in FIG. 11) has been received from the Internet host server 3 (S301). The content acquisition status collection instruction data is transmitted from the Internet host server 3 to the karaoke host server 2 in the process of S203 in the flowchart of FIG.

  While it is determined in S301 that the content acquisition status collection instruction data has not been received (S301: NO), this process is repeated. If it is determined that the content acquisition situation collection instruction data has been received (S301: YES), the content acquisition situation collection instruction data is referred to by referring to the content database stored in the database 2b of the karaoke host server 2. The described content identification information is converted into a content file name corresponding to the content identification information (S302). That is, when the content identification information is information indicating the content name or content number, the content identification information is converted into the content file name that is the content entity (ie, data file) corresponding to this information.

  Next, based on the name of the content file converted in S302, the request data for the master machine (corresponding to the third information in the claims, refer to * 7 in FIG. 14) is transmitted to each karaoke via the VPN of the Internet 200. The data is transmitted to the store master machine 4a (S303).

  Here, specific contents of the request data for the master machine transmitted from the karaoke host server 2 to the master machine 4a will be described. 14 in FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically showing a description format of request data for the master machine transmitted from the karaoke host server 2 to the master machine 4a. As indicated by * 7 in FIG. 14, the request data for the master machine is composed of data indicating the content file name. This content file name data is obtained by converting “content identification information” included in the content acquisition status collection instruction data (see * 4 in FIG. 11) into the content file name in S302.

  Returning to the description of FIG. After transmitting the request data for the master machine to each master machine 4a in S303, it is determined whether or not the master machine report data has been received from all the master machines 4a of the transmission destination (S304). Here, while it is determined that reception from all the master machines 4a has not been completed (S304: NO), this process is repeated. If it is determined that master machine report data (corresponding to the fourth information in the claims, refer to * 8 in FIG. 14) has been received from all the master machines 4a (S304: YES), the acquired master machine report data Are stored in the database 2b in association with each master machine 4a (S305).

  Here, the specific contents of the master unit report data transmitted from the master unit 4a to the karaoke host server 2 will be described. * 8 in FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically showing a description format of master machine report data transmitted from the master machine 4a to the karaoke host server 2. As shown in * 8 of FIG. 14, the master machine report data includes “content file name”, “number of available rooms”, “master machine serial number”, and “room number (master machine)” associated therewith. Subsequent to the record consisting of the item, there are a plurality of records consisting of the item “slave machine serial number” and the “room number (slave machine)” associated therewith. The record consisting of the item “master machine serial number” + “room number (master machine)” and the record consisting of the item “slave machine serial number” + “room number (slave machine)” are “content file name”. The information for one karaoke room where the content indicated by the item can be used is shown (records relating to karaoke rooms where the content cannot be used are not included).

  The “number of available rooms” item is a karaoke room that can use the content corresponding to the “content file name” item in the store where the master device 4a that is the transmission source of the master device report data is installed. This is data indicating the number (= the total number of master machines 4a and slave machines 4b that can use the content).

  The item “master machine serial number” is data indicating a unique identification number (for example, a manufacturing number) assigned to the master machine 4a that is the transmission source of the master machine report data. The item “slave machine serial number” is data indicating a unique identification number assigned to each slave machine 4b installed in the same store as the master machine 4a that is the transmission source of the master machine report data.

  In addition, the item “room number” accompanying each “master machine serial number” and “slave machine serial number” is a number assigned to the karaoke room in which the karaoke apparatus 4 having the serial number is installed. (Or name) data.

  Returning to the description of FIG. In S306, content acquisition status data (see * 5 in FIG. 11) is created based on the master device report data acquired from each master device 4a. Specifically, based on the serial number of each master machine 4a, the name, location information, telephone number, etc. of the store where the master machine 4a is installed are extracted from the management database stored in the database 2b. Based on this, a record of each store is created, and the data on the number of rooms available and the room number in the corresponding store are collected in this record. Then, the content acquisition status data is created by associating these data with the content name (content number).

  Then, the created content acquisition status data is distributed to the Internet host server 3 (S307), and it is determined whether or not the processing in the karaoke host server 2 is to be terminated (S308). For determining whether or not to end the process, for example, whether or not an instruction to stop the distribution of the content acquisition status data is received from the Internet host server 3, or the user logs into the system from the karaoke store It may be determined based on whether or not it has been detected. If it is determined that the process is not to be ended (S308: NO), it is determined whether or not master machine report data has been received from at least one master machine 4a (S309). If it is determined that the master machine report data has not been received from the master machine 4a (S309: NO), the process returns to S308.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the master machine report data has been received from the master machine 4a (S309: YES), the process returns to S305, and the contents of the acquired master machine report data are associated with each master machine 4a in the database 2b. Based on the acquired master device report data, the content acquisition status data (see * 5 in FIG. 11) is created again (S306). Then, the created content acquisition status data is distributed again to the Internet host server 3 (S307).

  When the processes of S301 to S309 are sequentially executed as described above, and finally it is determined in S308 that the process is to be ended (S308: YES), that is, an instruction to stop the distribution of the content acquisition status data is given. When it is received from the Internet host server 3 or when it is detected that the user has logged into the system from the karaoke store, the processing of the karaoke host server 2 is terminated.

  Next, FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing (content acquisition status collection processing) executed by the control unit of the master device 4a in the above-described “content availability information distribution service”.

First, it is determined whether or not the content acquisition status in the slave device 4b has been changed (S401). In the present embodiment, the cases shown in the following (1) to (3) are regarded as a change in the content acquisition status in the slave device 4b.
(1) When the master device 4a distributes new content to the slave device 4b (copy).
(2) When the master machine 4a changes the type and quantity of content available to the slave machine 4b (contract change).
(3) When the hard disk as the storage medium for the content file is replaced in the slave device 4b (HDD replacement). At this time, it is assumed that the slave machine 4b notifies the master machine 4a that the hard disk has been replaced.

  While it is determined in S401 that the content acquisition status in the slave device 4b has not been changed (S401: NO), this process is repeated. When it is determined that the content acquisition status in the slave device 4b has been changed (S401: YES), that is, when it is determined that any of the above cases (1) to (3) is satisfied, the content acquisition status is changed. The slave device request data (corresponding to the fifth information in the claims, refer to * 9 in FIG. 16) is transmitted to the slave device 4b (S402).

  Here, specific contents of the request data for the slave device transmitted from the master device 4a to the slave device 4b will be described. * 9 in FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically showing a description format of request data for the slave machine transmitted from the master machine 4a to the slave machine 4b. As indicated by * 9 in FIG. 16, the slave request data is composed of a plurality of items of “content file name”. Note that the type of content described in the request data for the slave machine differs depending on the cases (1) to (3) described above. Specifically, in the above cases (1) and (2), only newly added content, content that has been changed in availability, etc., that is, only content that is directly related to a change in content acquisition status are slaved. This can be described in the machine request data. In the case of the above (3), all the contents acquired by the master device 4a may be described in the request data for the slave device.

  Returning to the description of FIG. In S403, the content acquisition status in the master device 4a is stored in a database in the master device 4a. Here, the content acquisition status may be saved in the same format as the acquired content list (see * 1 in FIG. 4) stored in the slave device 4b.

  Next, it is determined whether or not slave device report data has been received from the slave device 4b that is the transmission destination of the request data for the slave device (S404). Here, while it is determined that the slave unit report data has not been received (S404: NO), this process is repeated. And when it determines with having received slave machine report data (equivalent to the 6th information in a claim. * 10 of Drawing 16) from any slave machine 4b (S404: YES), acquired slave machine report The contents of the data are stored in the database in the master device 4a in association with the slave device 4b as the transmission source (S405).

  Here, specific contents of the slave unit report data transmitted from the slave unit 4b to the master unit 4a will be described. * 10 in FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically illustrating a description format of slave machine report data transmitted from the slave machine 4b to the master machine 4a. As shown in * 10 in FIG. 16, this slave machine report data includes a record consisting of a “slave machine serial number” corresponding to the slave machine 4b of the transmission source and a “room number” associated therewith. , A plurality of records including items of “content file name” and “acquisition status flag” associated therewith are included. Here, the type and number of items of “content file name” included in the slave device report data are described in the slave device request data (* 9 in FIG. 16) transmitted from the master device 4a to the slave device 4b. This corresponds to the “Content file name” item.

  The item “acquisition status flag” is data indicating the acquisition status in the slave device 4b of the content indicated by the item “content file name” accompanied by the item. In the item “acquisition status flag”, there are the flags “acquisition”, “not acquired”, and “use invalid” as data indicating the acquisition status of content. The “acquisition” flag indicates a state in which the content has been acquired in the slave device 4b and can be used. The “unacquired” flag is a state in which the content does not exist in the slave device 4b (not yet acquired) and cannot be used. The “usage invalid” flag indicates a state in which the content has been acquired in the slave device 4b but use is prohibited by a contract or the like.

  Returning to the description of FIG. In S406, it is determined whether or not the slave device report data has been received from all the slave devices 4b that are the transmission destinations of the request data for the slave device. Here, when it is determined that the reception from all the slave machines is not completed (S406: NO), the process returns to S404. And when it determines with having received slave machine report data from all the slave machines 4b (S406: YES), the process (content acquisition condition collection process) of the master machine 4a is complete | finished.

  Next, FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing (content acquisition status distribution processing) executed by the control unit of the master device 4a in the above-described “content availability information distribution service”.

  First, it is determined whether or not the master machine request data (see * 7 in FIG. 14) has been received from the karaoke host server 2 (S501). The request data for the master machine is transmitted from the karaoke host server 2 to the master machine 4a in the process of S303 in the flowchart of FIG.

  While it is determined in S501 that the master machine request data has not been received (S501: NO), this process is repeated. If it is determined that the request data for the master machine has been received (S501: YES), the master machine is based on the slave machine report data stored in the database of the master machine 4a and the data regarding the content acquisition status of the master machine. Report data (see * 8 in FIG. 14) is created (S502). Specifically, referring to each of the information stored in the database, the serial number of the slave device 4b that can use the content for each content file name described in the request data for the master device and the corresponding number. The room number data is extracted and collected in association with the content file name. If the master device 4a can use the content, the serial number and room number data of the master device 4a are also collected in association with the content file name. Then, the number of rooms in which the content can be used is counted for each content.

  Then, the created master device report data is distributed to the karaoke host server 2 (S503), and it is determined whether or not the processing (content acquisition status distribution processing) in the master device 4a is to be ended (S504). The determination as to whether or not to end the process may be made based on whether or not an instruction to stop the delivery of the master unit report data has been received from the karaoke host server 2, for example.

  If it is determined that this process is not to be ended (S504: NO), it is determined whether or not the content acquisition status in the slave device 4b has been changed (S505). Here, as in the process of S401 in FIG. 15, the cases shown in the above (1) to (3) are considered that the content acquisition status in the slave device 4b has been changed.

  If it is determined in S505 that the content acquisition status in the slave machine 4b has not been changed (S505: NO), the process returns to S504. And when it determines with the content acquisition condition in the slave machine 4b having changed (S505: YES), the request data for slave machines (refer * 9 of FIG. 16) are transmitted to the slave machine 4b in which the content acquisition condition was changed. As a response, slave device report data (see * 10 in FIG. 16) distributed from the slave device 4b is acquired and stored in the database (S506). Note that the processing procedure of S506 is the same as the processing procedure of S402 to S406 in the content acquisition status collection processing shown in FIG. 15, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  Next, in the contents of the slave device report data acquired in S506, it is determined whether or not the acquisition status for the content file described in the master device request data (see * 7 in FIG. 14) has changed (S507). ). If it is determined that there has been a change in the acquisition status of the content file described in the request data for the master machine (S507: YES), the process returns to S502, and is stored in the database of the master machine 4a. Based on the slave machine report data and the data related to the content acquisition status of the master machine, the master machine report data is created again (S502), and is again distributed to the karaoke host server 2 (S503). On the other hand, if it is determined that there has been no change in the acquisition status of the content described in the request data for the master machine (S507: NO), the process returns to S504.

  When the processes of S501 to S507 are sequentially executed as described above, and finally it is determined in S504 that the process is to be ended (S504: YES), that is, an instruction to stop the delivery of the master unit report data is given. When receiving from the karaoke host server 2, the processing (content acquisition status distribution) of the master device 4a is terminated.

Next, FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the control unit of the slave device 4b in the above-described “content availability information distribution service”.
First, it is determined whether or not the slave device request data (see * 9 in FIG. 16) has been received from the master device 4a (S601). The request data for the slave unit is transmitted from the master unit 4a to the slave unit 4b in the process of S402 in the flowchart of FIG.

  While it is determined in S601 that the slave device request data has not been received (S601: NO), this process is repeated. And when it determines with having received the request data for slave machines (S601: YES), the name of the content file described in the acquired request data for slave machines is read one by one (S602). Then, referring to the acquired content list (see * 1 in FIG. 4) stored in the slave device 4b, it is determined whether or not a record corresponding to the read content file name exists in the acquired content list. (S603).

  Here, when it is determined that the corresponding record exists in the acquired content list (S603: YES), the content acquisition flag in this record is referred to and it is determined whether or not the content is available (S604). . In this determination, when it is determined that the content is available (S604: YES), that is, when the content acquisition flag in the record is data indicating “acquisition”, the acquisition status of the content in the own slave device 4b Is determined as “acquired” (S606). On the other hand, in this determination, when it is determined that the content cannot be used (S604: NO), that is, when the content acquisition flag in the record is data indicating “use invalid”, acquisition of the content in the own slave device 4b. The situation is determined as “use invalid” (S607).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S603 that the record corresponding to the name of the content file read from the request data for the slave device does not exist in the acquired content list (S603: NO), the acquisition status of the content in the own slave device 4b is “ It is determined as “not acquired” (S605).

  Next, in S608, it is determined whether or not the acquisition status has been determined for all the content file names described in the slave device request data (see * 9 in FIG. 16). If it is determined that the determination for all the content file names has not been completed (S608: NO), the process returns to S602. Then, each process of S602-S607 is repeated sequentially.

  When the acquisition status is determined for all the content file names described in the request data for the slave device (S608: YES), the determination result in each process of S605, S606, and S607 is the serial number of the own slave device 4b. The slave machine report data (see * 10 in FIG. 16) is collected in association with the room number (S609).

Then, the created slave device report data is distributed to the master device 4a (S610), and the processing in the slave device 4b is terminated.
[Transition status of availability information over time]
Next, in the above-mentioned “content availability information distribution service”, the availability information list (see * 6 in FIG. 11), the distribution list (see * 3 in FIG. 9), and the time of the display screen on the mobile phone 6 are displayed. An example of the transition with progress will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 19 shows the transition of the display screen of the availability information list and distribution list created by the Internet host server 3 and the availability information on the monitor of the mobile phone 6 at each timing T1, T2 and T3. It is explanatory drawing which shows a specific example typically.

  In FIG. 19, at time T <b> 1, a distribution request for availability information (see S <b> 104 in FIG. 8) is sent from the mobile phone 6 (assumed to be mobile phone A) owned by a user to the Internet host server 3. The timing immediately after the execution is shown. At this time, the Internet host server 3 acquires the content acquisition status in each store based on the availability information distribution request data received from the mobile phone A, and creates the availability information list (* 6a) (FIG. 10). (See S207). In FIG. 19, in order to simplify the notation, the availability information for each store included in the availability information list (* 6a to c) and the distribution list (* 3a to c) is “rank + store name”. However, it should be noted that it is created in the same manner as described in * 3 in FIG. 9 and * 6 in FIG.

  At time T1, the availability information list (* 6a) includes store A (first place), store C (second place), and store E (third place) in order of priority according to the distance between the user's current position and each store. ), Store G (4th place)... To store n (nth place), n pieces of availability information are included. Here, it is assumed that the availability information for four cases can be displayed in one screen in the screen size of the monitor provided in the mobile phone A that is the distribution request source. That is, the upper limit number of displays set in the Internet host server 3 is four.

  The Internet host server 3 extracts 4 items (= display limit number) of availability information from the 1st to the 4th in the availability information list from the availability information list (* 6a), and the distribution list (* 3a) Is created (see S208 and S209 in FIG. 10). The distribution list (* 3a) includes availability information for four stores A, C, E, and G.

  Then, when this distribution list (* 3a) is distributed to the mobile phone A that is the distribution request source (see S210 in FIG. 10), the mobile phone A's monitor has four items of stores A, C, E, and G. Minute availability information is displayed in one screen.

  Next, at time T2, after the distribution list (* 3a) is transmitted at time T1, the Internet host server 3 acquires content from the karaoke host server 2 as the content acquisition status in each karaoke device 4 changes. The timing immediately after receiving status data again is shown.

  At this time, the Internet host server 3 updates the existing availability status list based on the acquired content acquisition status data (* 6a → * 6b, see S215 in FIG. 10). Here, in the updated availability information list (* 6b), availability information regarding the store J is newly added at the sixth position. That is, after the Internet host server 3 first transmits the distribution list (* 3a), the content designated by the user can be newly used in any of the karaoke apparatuses 4 installed in the store J. It shows that. In addition, the store J is in the sixth closest place from the current position of the user.

  At this time, although the ranking of the availability information list (* 6b) has been updated as a whole, there is no change in the content of the availability information within the 4th place, which is the upper limit number of displays on the mobile phone A. Therefore, in this case, the distribution list is not created in the Internet host server 3 and is not distributed to the mobile phone A. Therefore, at time T2, there is no change in the display screen of the mobile phone A, and the availability information for four cases of stores A, C, E, and G remains displayed.

  Next, the time T3 is a timing immediately after the time when the Internet host server 3 receives the content acquisition status data from the karaoke host server 2 again after the time T2, as the content acquisition status in each karaoke device 4 changes. Show.

  At this time, the Internet host server 3 updates the existing availability status list again based on the acquired content acquisition status data (update from * 6b to * 6c). Here, in the updated availability information list (* 6c), availability information regarding the store D is newly added at the third position. That is, after the Internet host server 3 transmits the distribution list (* 3a) for the first time, the content designated by the user can be newly used in any of the karaoke apparatuses 4 installed in the store D. It shows that. Further, the store D is in the third closest place from the current position of the user.

  At this time, in the availability information list (* 6c), there is a change in the content of the availability information within the fourth place, which is the upper limit number of displays on the mobile phone A. In this case, the Internet host server 3 extracts four pieces of availability information (= display limit number) from the first place to the fourth place in the availability information list from the availability information list (* 6c), and distributes the distribution list (* 6c). * 3c) is newly created. This distribution list (* 3c) includes availability information for four stores A, C, D, and E.

  When the distribution list (* 3c) is distributed to the mobile phone A that is the distribution request source, the display content of the previous availability information is updated on the mobile phone A, and the stores A, C, D, and Information on availability of E for 4 cases is displayed in one screen.

  Assuming that the upper limit number of displays on the mobile phone 6 is, for example, six for the conditions assumed in the specific example shown in FIG. 19, there are six cases in the distribution list distributed from the Internet host server 3. Minute availability information is included. At time T2, the distribution list was not distributed to the mobile phone A when the display upper limit number was four. However, when the display upper limit number is 6, the content is changed within the range of the display upper limit number in the availability information list (* 6b) at time T2. Therefore, in this case, a distribution list is newly created and distributed to the mobile phone A. As described above, the number of the availability information distributed from the Internet host server 3 and the timing of the distribution differ depending on the screen size of the mobile phone A that is the request source of the availability information.

[Other ideas]
Hereinafter, other devices applicable to the karaoke network system 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

  As already described, in the availability information list for each store in the availability information list (see * 6 in FIG. 11) created in the Internet host server 3, in addition to the items indicating the rank, “store name”, “ Information of each item of “store location information”, “telephone number”, “distance information”, “number of available rooms”, and “room number” is included. When the availability information distributed from the Internet host server 3 is displayed horizontally on the mobile phone 6, if all these items are displayed, one availability information may be displayed depending on the screen size in the horizontal direction of the monitor. The above may not fit on one line. However, when displaying availability information in horizontal writing, it is considered preferable to fit one availability information in one line on the screen, considering the form that is most easily viewed by the user. .

  Therefore, the following configuration is preferable. First, in the Internet host server 3, as shown in FIG. 20A, priorities are set in advance for each item constituting the availability information in consideration of the importance as information provided to the user. deep. The most important information for the user is whether or not the content can be used. Next, the most important information is information for identifying a facility or place where the content can be used, and the next is information indicating a contact address. Conceivable. Considering such needs, here, from the one with the highest priority, “Store name (content can be used)”, “Store location information”, “Phone number”, “Distance information”, “Number of available rooms” The priority is set in the order of “room number”.

  When the internet host server 3 creates the availability information list (see S207 in FIG. 10), the cellular phone 3 is configured so that one availability information has a size that can be displayed on one line on the screen of the cellular phone 6. The number of items included in the availability information is determined according to the screen size (horizontal direction) 6. Then, the availability information list including the items of the ranks up to the determined number of items from the highest priority set for each item is created, and the availability information list is created. Note that the arrangement order of the items included in the availability information is the order in which the items are displayed in descending order of priority when the availability information is displayed on the monitor of the mobile phone 6.

(B-1) and (b-2) of FIG. 20 show specific examples of the availability information created with the number of items corresponding to the screen size of the mobile phone 6 in the horizontal direction.
(B-1) is a figure which shows typically the specific example of the availability information produced when the request origin of availability information is "cellular phone A (horizontal screen size 320 dots)." The Internet host server 3 specifies the screen size of the mobile phone A, and creates availability information for each store in a size that can be displayed within 320 dots that is the horizontal screen size of the mobile phone A. Here, as the availability information of the size that can be displayed in the range of 320 dots in the horizontal direction, in addition to the item of rank, each item from high priority to “store name”, “store location information”, “phone number” Create availability information including items.

  (B-2) is a figure which shows typically the specific example of the availability information produced when the request origin of availability information is "cellular phone B (horizontal screen size 640 dots)." The Internet host server 3 specifies the screen size of the mobile phone B, and creates the availability information for each store in a size that can be displayed within 640 dots, which is the horizontal screen size of the mobile phone B. Here, as the availability information of the size that can be displayed in the range of 640 dots in the horizontal direction, in addition to the item of rank, “store name”, “store location information”, “phone number”, “distance” Use availability information including items up to “information” and “number of available rooms” is created.

[effect]
According to the karaoke network system 1 of the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When creating the availability information list (see * 6 in FIG. 11), the Internet host server 3 calculates the distance between the current location of the mobile phone 6 and the location of each store. The availability information corresponding to the store is set at the top of the list in order from the shortest distance. Then, the number of availability information to be distributed to the mobile phone 6 is narrowed down to the number that can be displayed on one screen on the monitor of the mobile phone 6 from the availability information list. Thereby, when the user browses the distributed availability information, it is possible to reduce an operation in which the user manually scrolls the screen to see all the information. Thus, when transmitting the availability information to the mobile phone 6, the priority of the availability information is considered based on the current position information of the mobile phone 6 and the display range on the monitor provided in the mobile phone 6 is taken into consideration. By narrowing down the number of lists to be transmitted, it is possible to provide a mode in which the user can comfortably browse the availability information with higher priority for the user.

  (2) Even after the distribution list (see * 3 in FIG. 11) is once distributed from the Internet host server 3 to the mobile phone 6, the Internet host server 3 obtains the content distributed as needed from the master device 4a. The availability information list already created based on the situation information is updated as needed. Then, in the availability information list, the distribution list including the availability information up to the display upper limit number is returned to the mobile phone 6 only when the content is changed in the range from the top to the display upper limit number. be delivered. In this way, the availability information is distributed again only when there is an update to the higher availability information that has a higher priority for the user, so that only the information useful for the user can be provided at an appropriate timing. This is very convenient for the user.

  (3) Every time the current location of the mobile phone 6 moves by a predetermined amount, the availability information distribution request data (see * 2 in FIG. 9) including the current location information at that time is sent from the mobile phone 6 to the Internet host server. 3 can be retransmitted. Then, by acquiring the availability information distributed from the Internet host server 3 in accordance with the transmitted availability information distribution request data, even if the user is moving, the user's current position is always adapted. The availability information can be provided to the user, which is preferable.

  (4) In accordance with the horizontal screen size on the monitor of the mobile phone 6, the availability information is created so that one availability information fits in one line on the screen, and the display scale on the entire screen is increased. It is also possible to distribute as many as the number considered. At this time, it is possible to always create availability information that preferentially includes items with higher priority and distribute it to the mobile phone 6. Thereby, since the user can preferentially acquire information on whether or not the content can be used from information with high importance, it is very convenient for the user. Further, the distributed availability information is configured to be displayed from the left end side of the screen of the mobile phone 6 in order from the item with the highest priority. Therefore, information with high importance is presented in a state that is easier for the user to browse, which is preferable.

The correspondence between the karaoke network system 1 of the present embodiment and the configuration described in the claims is as follows.
The cellular phone 6 of the embodiment corresponds to a portable information terminal in the scope of claims. Specifically, the Web browser function provided in the mobile phone 6 realizes functions corresponding to the first information transmission unit, the second information acquisition unit, and the display unit, and the GPS function corresponds to the position information acquisition unit.

  In addition, the Internet host server 3 and the karaoke host server 2 of the embodiment cooperate to realize a function corresponding to the host server in the claims. Specifically, the Web server 3a included in the Internet host server 3 realizes functions corresponding to specifying means, list creating means, list updating means, and second information distribution means, and the database 3b corresponds to storage means. Further, the Web server 2a included in the karaoke host server 2 realizes functions corresponding to the third information transmission unit and the fourth information acquisition unit.

  In addition, the control unit of the master machine 4a according to the embodiment realizes functions corresponding to the fourth information distribution unit, the fifth information transmission unit, and the sixth information acquisition unit. Further, the control unit of the slave machine 4b according to the embodiment realizes a function corresponding to the sixth information distribution unit.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the function of the host server in the scope of the claims is realized by two server devices, the karaoke host server 2 and the Internet host server 3. The host server function may be realized by a single server device.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the mobile telephone 6 was used as a portable information terminal, not only this but PDA which has a communication function, a portable game machine, etc. may be used. In the above embodiment, the mobile phone 6 is configured to acquire current position information using GPS. However, in addition to using GPS, communication equipment (wireless base stations, radio waves, optical beacons, etc.) installed on the ground can be used. ) May be configured such that the current position information is acquired from the user, or the user may input the current position information by himself / herself. Further, when the user inputs the position information by himself / herself, the present invention may be configured such that the user can input a distant destination or the like that the user wants to use the karaoke service from now on.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the karaoke network system 1 of embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically the outline | summary of the network connection of the host server 2 for karaoke, and the master machine 4a of the karaoke apparatus installed in each store, and the slave machine 4b. It is a ladder chart which shows the procedure of delivering the content from the karaoke host server 2 to the karaoke apparatus 4 installed in each store. It is a figure which shows typically an example of the acquisition content list which the slave machine 4b has memorize | stored. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a screen display at the time of performing user registration with the remote control terminal 5 and the mobile telephone 6. FIG. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the specific content of the user registration database 2c, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the specific content of the personal web page database 2d. It is a ladder chart which shows typically the flow of communication performed among the mobile telephone 6, the internet host server 3, the karaoke host server 2, the master machine 4a of a karaoke apparatus, and the slave machine 4b of a karaoke apparatus. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the mobile phone 6; * 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the description format of the availability information distribution request data, and * 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating the description format of the distribution list. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which Web server 3a of the host server 3 for Internet performs. * 4 is a diagram that schematically shows the description format of content acquisition status collection instruction data, * 5 is a diagram that schematically shows the description format of content acquisition status data, and * 6 is a list of availability information It is a figure which shows typically a description style. It is a figure which shows typically the table which shows the screen size for every model of a mobile telephone, and the number of lines which can be displayed on a screen. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which Web server 2a of the karaoke host server 2 performs. * 7 is a diagram schematically showing the description format of the request data for the master unit, and * 8 is a diagram schematically showing the description format of the master unit report data. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process (content acquisition condition collection process) which the control part of the master machine 4a performs. * 9 is a diagram schematically showing the description format of the request data for slave devices, and * 10 is a diagram schematically showing the description format of the slave device report data. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process (content acquisition condition delivery process) which the control part of the master machine 4a performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the control part of the slave machine 4b performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the specific example of a transition of the display screen of the availability information list, the list for delivery, and the availability information in the monitor of the mobile telephone 6. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the example of the availability information which changed the number of items according to the screen size of a horizontal direction.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Karaoke network system, 2 ... Karaoke host server, 2a ... Web server, 2b ... database, 3 ... Internet host server, 3a ... Web server, 3b ... database, 4a ... Karaoke apparatus (master machine), 4b ... Karaoke Device (slave machine), 5 ... remote control terminal, 6 ... mobile phone, 100 ... LAN, 110 ... access point, 120, 140 ... router, 200 ... internet.

Claims (6)

One or more master devices that are karaoke devices that reproduce content including at least karaoke music and receive content distribution from a host server, and a host server that distributes content to each of the master devices via a first network Connected to communicate,
A portable information terminal having a function for displaying information on a display device and an input function for a user to perform input, and the host server are connected to be communicable via a second network,
Furthermore, in the karaoke network system in which the karaoke apparatus and one or more slave machines that receive distribution of content from the master machine and the master machine are communicably connected via a third network,
The portable information terminal
Position information acquisition means for acquiring position information;
It is information for requesting delivery of availability information regarding availability of the specific content specified by the user in the karaoke device, identification information of the specific content, location information acquired by the location information acquisition means, First information transmitting means for transmitting first information including at least display scale specifying information for specifying a display scale of the display device to the host server;
Second information acquisition means for acquiring second information distributed from the host server according to the transmitted first information;
Display means for displaying information based on the availability information included in the acquired second information on the display device;
The host server is
Storage means for storing position information related to a position where a group including the master machine and the slave machines connected to the master machine is located;
When the first information is acquired from the portable information terminal, third information for requesting distribution of content acquisition status information regarding the acquisition status of the specific content to the host server based on the first information. , Third information transmitting means for transmitting to each of the master machines,
Fourth information acquisition means for acquiring fourth information distributed from each of the master machines according to the transmitted third information;
Specifying means for specifying a display scale of a display device included in the portable information terminal based on display scale specifying information included in the first information;
Based on the content acquisition status information included in the acquired fourth information, the availability information indicating information on the availability of the specific content of each karaoke device is created for each group unit, and the availability information A list creating unit that creates a use availability information list in which a predetermined priority order is set in accordance with the relationship between the position information included in the first information and the position information stored in the storage unit;
The second information including the availability information up to a predetermined number corresponding to the display scale specified by the specifying means from the top of the priority order in the availability information list is the first information transmission source. A second information distribution means for distributing to the portable information terminal,
The master machine is
Fifth information transmitting means for transmitting, to each of the slave machines connected to the master machine, fifth information for requesting distribution of the acquisition information relating to the content acquisition status in the slave machine to the master machine; ,
Sixth information acquisition means for acquiring sixth information distributed from each of the slave devices according to the transmitted fifth information;
When the third information is acquired from the host server, the content acquisition status in each slave device based on the acquisition information included in the sixth information acquired by the sixth information acquisition means, and the content acquisition in the master device And fourth information distribution means for distributing, to the host server, fourth information including content acquisition status information related to the acquisition status of the content corresponding to the third information in each karaoke device based on the status,
The slave machine
A karaoke system comprising: sixth information distribution means for distributing, to the master device, sixth information including acquisition information related to the content acquisition status in the slave device when the fifth information is acquired from the master device. Network system. The karaoke network system according to claim 1,
The second information distribution means included in the host server is configured to transmit second information including the availability information up to the number of items that can be displayed in one screen on a display device included in the portable information terminal, to the first information transmission source. A karaoke network system characterized in that the karaoke network system is distributed to the portable information terminal. In the karaoke network system according to claim 1 or 2,
In the master machine,
The fifth information transmitting unit has changed the content acquisition status in the slave machine after the fourth information transmitting unit first transmits the fourth information according to the third information transmitted from the host server. If necessary, send the fifth information to the slave machine at any time,
When the fourth information distribution unit first transmits the fourth information according to the third information from the host server and then acquires the sixth information by the sixth information acquisition unit, Delivering the fourth information based on information to the host server as needed;
In the host server,
Based on the fourth information distributed from time to time from the master machine, further comprising a list updating means for updating the availability information and the priority order in the availability information list that has already been created,
The second information distribution unit first transmits the second information in accordance with the first information transmitted from the portable information terminal, and then updates the list update unit from the top of the availability information list. When there is a change in content up to a predetermined number according to the display scale specified by the specifying means, from the top of the updated availability information list to a predetermined number according to the display scale The second information including the availability information is again distributed to the portable information terminal that is the first information transmission source. The karaoke network system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
In the portable information terminal,
The location information acquisition means has a function of acquiring current location information of the portable information terminal as the location information,
The first information transmission means transmits the first information including the current position information at the time of transmitting the first information to the host server, and after transmission, the current position of the portable information terminal is determined. A karaoke network system characterized by retransmitting the first information including the current position information at that time to the host server when moving a predetermined amount from the position at the time of the previous transmission. The karaoke network system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The list creation means provided in the host server creates the availability information as a set of a plurality of predetermined items, and creates according to the display scale in the horizontal direction of the screen in the display scale specified by the specification means A karaoke network system characterized by changing the number of items included in availability information. The karaoke network system according to claim 5,
In the host server,
In each of the items used in the availability information, a priority order according to importance is set in advance,
The list creation means includes items of order from the top of the priority order up to a predetermined number corresponding to the display scale in the horizontal direction of the screen in the display scale specified by the specifying means, and each of these items is The karaoke network system characterized by creating the availability information configured to be displayed in the priority order from the starting side of the horizontal display.