JP4811425B2 - Karaoke network system, karaoke apparatus, and content acquisition method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method in which a karaoke device connected to each in-store network acquires content from a content distribution host server.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a karaoke network system that distributes content played back by a karaoke device from a host server for content distribution to a karaoke device installed in each karaoke store (for example, a karaoke box) via a network has been widely used (for example, patents). Reference 1).

  In recent years, many karaoke apparatuses installed in karaoke stores are individually provided with a large-capacity storage means such as a hard disk drive and can store contents to be reproduced by the own karaoke apparatus. In a karaoke network system configured with such a karaoke device, a representative karaoke device having authority to acquire content from a host server among a plurality of karaoke devices installed in a karaoke store and a host server for content distribution The content is distributed from the host server to the master device (primary distribution) through direct communication with (hereinafter referred to as the master device). Then, the content acquired by the master device is transmitted from the master device to the karaoke device under the management of the master device in the karaoke store (hereinafter referred to as “the karaoke device”) via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) arranged in the karaoke store. It is distributed to each karaoke device in the karaoke store by being copied to the slave machine (secondary distribution). By doing in this way, the number of karaoke apparatuses which receive content distribution directly from the host server can be reduced, and the communication load during primary distribution by the host server and the master device can be reduced.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for automatically changing the data arrangement of each database that constructs a distributed database to prevent the reference delay time from deteriorating due to a change in usage status. In the data arrangement method described in Patent Document 2, databases are constructed in geographically distributed nodes, and the respective databases are organically coupled. Then, the data arrangement in each database constituting the distributed database can be dynamically changed according to the actual usage situation of the distributed database.

Patent Document 3 discloses an in-vehicle terminal communication system and the like that can request data distribution from a user's communication terminal to a database center and receive data distribution at the in-vehicle information terminal. In the in-vehicle terminal communication system described in Patent Document 3, the data of the karaoke music requested for distribution is transmitted by transmitting the specific information of the karaoke music and the ID of the in-vehicle information terminal of the data distribution destination from the portable terminal to the database center. Can be distributed from the database center to the in-vehicle information terminal of the data distribution destination.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-187176 JP-A-5-12338 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-13885

  By the way, the content distributed to the karaoke device is diverse, such as high-quality live music music, promotional video (PV) video, CM video, etc. sampled from the performance data in MIDI format, The number is increasing year by year. Furthermore, the data capacity of content is also increasing as each content has higher sound quality and higher image quality. For example, the data capacity per content is expected to increase to several hundred to several thousand times in the future. Furthermore, as the number of contents increases, the capacity of the entire contents is also expected to increase at a further magnification. These contents are distributed from the content distribution host server to the karaoke apparatus of each karaoke store and stored in a storage device such as a hard disk drive provided in the karaoke apparatus.

  However, the storage device such as a hard disk drive provided in the karaoke apparatus has a storage capacity of about several hundred gigabytes at present, and it cannot be said that there is a sufficient storage capacity in anticipation of a future increase in the data capacity of content. Therefore, as the data capacity of content will increase in the future, it will be difficult in the future to store a sufficient amount of content with a single karaoke device to provide satisfactory services to customers. It is expected to become.

  Therefore, as described in Patent Document 2, it is conceivable to apply a technique in which content data is distributed and stored in a distributed database. However, in the karaoke service, a real-time property is required such that the content selected by the locally arranged karaoke apparatus is immediately reproduced on the spot. Therefore, if each karaoke device acquires the data of the content from the distributed database after the user reserves the content, it takes time until the content reserved by the user can be played on the karaoke device. Pass.

  On the other hand, as described in Patent Document 3, it is conceivable that a content requested by a user is distributed to a specific karaoke device in advance by a request from the user's communication terminal to a content distribution host server. Thus, if the user wants the karaoke device to acquire the content to be used in advance before the user uses the karaoke device, the content acquisition delay time can be eliminated. However, in a karaoke store where many karaoke devices are installed, which user will use which karaoke device varies depending on the usage status of the karaoke device at that time and is used by the user. It is difficult to specify in advance the karaoke device to be performed.

  On the other hand, the following configuration is conceivable. First, any of a plurality of karaoke devices installed in a karaoke store acquires in advance the content reserved by the user from the host server via the WAN. And when the said user starts use of a karaoke apparatus, the said karaoke apparatus is comprised so that a content may be acquired via LAN in a karaoke store from the karaoke apparatus which has the content which the said user reserved. In this way, unlike the case where content is acquired from the host server via the WAN, the content can be acquired via a LAN capable of higher-speed communication than the WAN. Delay time can be eliminated.

  The problem here is which karaoke device in the karaoke store acquires content from the host server. In the case of a karaoke network system as described in Patent Document 1, content can be acquired from the host server due to factors such as communication load, and is limited to only one master device. Therefore, if a single master device acquires all of a large amount of content distributed from the host server, there is a concern that the storage capacity (hard disk drive, etc.) of the master device is insufficient. In addition, since all the contents must be acquired from the host server by one master device, the load related to communication and internal processing increases, which hinders the execution of the processing related to the karaoke service that the karaoke device should originally provide. There is a risk of it coming.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. In a karaoke network system, when content is quickly distributed in response to an on-demand request from a user, and the karaoke apparatus acquires content from a host server. The purpose of this is to realize the distribution of the load.

  The karaoke network system according to claim 1 made to achieve the above object has the following characteristics. Among the in-store karaoke system in which a plurality of karaoke devices that reproduce content including at least karaoke music are communicably connected via the first network in the karaoke store, and the karaoke device belonging to the in-store karaoke system, the content A karaoke network system in which a host server that distributes content to a master machine that only has content acquisition authority to acquire content from a distribution host server is connected to be communicable via a second network.

  Moreover, this karaoke network system is comprised so that the user who uses each said karaoke apparatus can be matched with each said karaoke apparatus, and it can log in to the said karaoke network system.

  In this karaoke network system, the host server includes reservation accepting means and user information transmitting means. The reservation accepting means communicates with the information communication terminal owned by the user, so that the reservation information for reserving the use of the karaoke store is reserved information for specifying the store used by the user, The content reservation information for reserving the content used at the karaoke store is received in association with the identification information of the user. Then, the user information transmitting means corresponds to the reservation information, based on the reservation information received by the reservation receiving means, the user information in which the corresponding user identification information is associated with the content indicated by the content reservation information. To the master machine in the karaoke store corresponding to the store reservation information.

  On the other hand, in the karaoke network system, each karaoke device belonging to the in-store karaoke system is configured to be able to function as both a master machine that has the content acquisition authority and a slave machine that does not have the content acquisition authority. . And as a means regarding processing executed when the own karaoke apparatus functions as a master machine, user information acquisition means, reservation content information distribution means, karaoke apparatus information acquisition means, selection means, content primary acquisition means, Content acquisition right transfer means.

  The user information acquisition means acquires user information from the host server, and the reserved content in which the own karaoke apparatus includes reserved content information including at least information relating to the correspondence between the user identification information and the content reservation information based on the acquired user information Record in the information storage means. The reserved content information distribution means distributes the reserved content information stored in the reserved content information storage means to each slave device in the in-store karaoke system. The karaoke apparatus information acquisition means transmits information indicating the identification information of each slave machine and the free storage capacity for content storage of the slave machine, which is transmitted from each slave machine after delivery of the reserved content information by the reserved content information delivery means. And karaoke device information including at least. The selection means is based on the free storage capacity for content storage of each slave machine indicated by the karaoke apparatus information acquired by the karaoke apparatus information acquisition means and the free storage capacity for content storage of its own master machine. One karaoke device having the largest free storage capacity for content storage is selected from the master device.

  The content primary acquisition means is the first reservation content information storage means when the own master machine is selected by the selection means, or when the own karaoke apparatus acquires the content acquisition authority from the previous master machine and moves to the master machine. The unacquired content indicated by the reserved content information stored in is acquired from the host server. The content acquisition right transfer means transfers the content acquisition authority to the slave machine when one of the slave machines is selected by the selection means, and shifts the own karaoke apparatus from the master machine to the slave machine.

  Furthermore, each karaoke apparatus has a reserved content information acquisition means, a karaoke apparatus information transmission means, a karaoke apparatus information transmission means, and a content acquisition right transfer as means relating to processing executed when the karaoke apparatus functions as a slave machine. Means. The reserved content information acquisition unit acquires the reserved content information from the master machine, and records it in the reserved content information storage unit included in the own karaoke apparatus. The karaoke apparatus information transmission means includes at least the identification information of the own slave machine and information indicating the free storage capacity for content storage of the own slave machine after the reserved content information is obtained from the master machine by the reserved content information obtaining means. Device information is transmitted to the master machine. When the content acquisition authority is transferred from the master machine, the content acquisition right transfer means moves the own karaoke device from the slave machine to the master machine, and the content indicated by the reserved content information stored in the reserved content information storage means. Obtain from the host server.

  Furthermore, each karaoke apparatus includes a login acceptance unit, a search unit, and a content secondary acquisition unit as a unit relating to processing common to the master unit and the slave unit. The log-in accepting unit accepts a log-in procedure for the user's own karaoke apparatus from the user who uses the user's own karaoke apparatus, with input of the identification information of the user. When the reservation content information corresponding to the identification information of the logged-in user who has received the login procedure by the login reception means is stored in the reservation content information storage means, the search means, from among each karaoke device belonging to the in-store karaoke system, A karaoke apparatus holding content corresponding to the reserved content information of the login user is searched. The content secondary acquisition unit acquires content corresponding to the reserved content information of the login user from the karaoke apparatus searched by the search unit.

  According to the karaoke network system configured as described above, the user uses the information communication terminal to reserve the karaoke store that the user wants to use and the content that the user wants to use from the host server, so that the master device of the karaoke store can be used. On the other hand, the content for which the reservation has been accepted can be preliminarily distributed in advance. In other words, it is possible to execute at least the first delivery of the content to the karaoke store that accepts the reservation by utilizing the time from when the user makes a reservation to the karaoke store until the user actually visits the store. Respond quickly to on-demand requests.

  At this time, among the karaoke devices belonging to the network in the karaoke store where the reservation is accepted, the karaoke device having the largest free space for storing the content acquires the authority as the master and acquires the content from the host server. By doing so, the storage capacity when acquiring content from the host server and the burden on communication processing can be evenly distributed to each karaoke device in the network without concentrating only on the specific karaoke device. Therefore, stabilization of the process which concerns on provision of karaoke service can be aimed at with respect to each karaoke apparatus.

  Thereafter, when the user logs in to the karaoke device, the karaoke device that has accepted the login acquires the content from the karaoke device that holds the content reserved by the user. That is, when the karaoke device used by the user is determined, the content reserved by the user is secondarily distributed to the corresponding karaoke device via the LAN in the store. Since this secondary distribution is performed via the in-store LAN, the secondary distribution is much quicker than when the user acquires content from the host server via the WAN when the user starts using the karaoke device. And can quickly respond to on-demand requests from users.

  By the way, in the karaoke network system, personal information such as the user's karaoke usage history and the content that the user is good at (so-called eighteenth) is stored in the personal database of the host server, and the personal information is used by the user personally. Have been devised to provide services that are specialized for (see, for example, JP-A-2007-256824). Therefore, if information related to the content recorded in the user's usage history or the user's eighteenth content is stored in the user's personal database, the karaoke device acquires these contents in advance in accordance with the user's login. By doing so, it is considered that the content according to the user's preference can be quickly provided.

  Therefore, it is preferable to configure as described in claim 2. In the host server, for each individual user, user content information including at least one of history information of content used by the user in the karaoke apparatus or content information that the user is good at is associated with identification information of the user. Personal information storage means is further provided. In addition to the user identification information corresponding to the reservation information and the content indicated by the content reservation information, the user information transmission means further includes the content indicated by the user content information of the user stored in the personal information storage means. Is transmitted to the master device in the karaoke store corresponding to the store reservation information corresponding to the reservation information.

  In this way, not only the content that the user has reserved at the time of reserving the karaoke store, but also the content that the user has used in the past and so-called eighteenth content are targeted for distribution to the karaoke device in the karaoke store. Therefore, it becomes possible to quickly provide content that meets the user's preferences, and the user's satisfaction with the karaoke service can be improved.

  Next, the karaoke device according to claim 3 functions as a karaoke device constituting the karaoke network system according to claim 1. By applying the karaoke apparatus configured as described above to the karaoke network system, the above-described effects can be obtained.

  Next, a content acquisition method according to claim 4 is a content acquisition method by a karaoke apparatus in the karaoke network system according to claim 1. By applying such a content acquisition method to a karaoke network system, the above-described effects can be obtained.

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 illustrating a schematic configuration of a karaoke network system 1 according to the embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the karaoke network system 1 includes a karaoke device 4 installed in each karaoke room (rooms A, B, C, and D in this case) in a karaoke store that provides karaoke services to users. A network in the store to which the remote control terminal 5 is connected via the LAN 100 is formed by being connected to the host server 2 via the WAN 200 which is a wide area network. 1 shows a configuration in which four karaoke apparatuses 4 are connected to the karaoke network system 1, one for each of the rooms A to D in one karaoke store, for convenience of explanation. More karaoke apparatuses 4 may be connected in the store. A plurality of in-store networks may be connected to the host server 2.

  The host server 2 has various contents such as karaoke music data, PV video, CM video, etc., for each master device that has the content acquisition authority to acquire content from the host server 2 among the karaoke devices 4 in the karaoke store. Is a server device for karaoke service for distributing the information, and is configured by an information processing device having an appropriate processing capability. The host server 2 is connected to the LAN 100 on the karaoke store side via the WAN 200 (for example, the Internet) and the router 120 on the karaoke store side. That is, communication between the host server 2 and the master device of the karaoke apparatus 4 and the remote control terminal 5 is performed via the WAN 200 and the LAN 100 on the karaoke store side. The host server 2 is configured to be capable of data communication with the user terminal 6 such as a mobile phone or a personal computer owned by the user via the WAN 200.

  Furthermore, the host server 2 relates to a user registration database for accumulating registration information relating to a user having authority to use the system, a karaoke song of a registered user, in addition to a database storing content data distributed to each karaoke store. It includes a personal web page database that stores personal web page data for publishing information, information provided by the user, etc. through the WAN 200 in association with user IDs that are identification information of individual users. . This personal Web page data is a collection of data for displaying a personal Web page in a predetermined format by a Web browser included in the remote control terminal 5 or the user terminal 6, and includes text data, layout information by HTML, image / audio / Consists of video data and the like. In the present embodiment, the personal Web page is “karaoke information” that is information related to the singing history of the user who uses the karaoke device 4, the eighteenth music, the scoring result for the singing, and public information provided by the user. It is assumed that information such as “profile” and “message” is included as contents.

  The host server 2 responds to a request from the remote control terminal 5 on the karaoke store side or the user terminal 6 such as a personal computer or a mobile phone owned by the user based on the data stored in the user registration database or the personal web page database. Correspondingly, authentication for a user who wants to log in to use the karaoke network system 1 and distribution / update service of a personal Web page for the logged-in user are performed.

  Furthermore, the host server 2 is configured to be able to accept a reservation for use of a karaoke store from the user terminal 6 via the WAN 200. Specifically, a store reservation Web page is prepared for the user terminal 6 on the host server 2 side. This store reservation Web page has a form for a user to input reservation information such as a store to make a reservation, time, contents to be used, and the like on the user terminal 6 side that has accessed the store Web page. By filling the reservation information in the form, reservation information such as a store to make a reservation, time, contents to be used, etc. is transmitted to the host server 2. When the host server 2 accepts the reservation for the use of the store from the user, the host server 2 notifies the master machine of the store corresponding to the reservation information (details will be described later).

  The karaoke device 4 is a karaoke song designated by a user who uses a karaoke service, video content such as a movie, variety program, drama, CM, user-participated content such as an audition or quiz, purchase content such as ordering food and drink, etc. This is a device for reproducing various contents. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the karaoke apparatuses 4 having IDs 001 to 004 that are unique identification information are installed in the rooms A to D, respectively. For example, a unique serial number may be used for each karaoke apparatus 4 as an ID that is unique identification information.

  Of each karaoke apparatus 4 installed in the karaoke store, only the master machine having the content acquisition authority only directly communicates with the host server 2 to receive distribution of content from the host server 2 (primary Delivery). In the initial state (when each karaoke device 4 is activated for the first time), one of the karaoke devices 4 in the store having the largest free storage capacity of the content storage HDD 44 is set in advance as a master device.

  Then, in response to a request from another karaoke device 4 connected to the LAN 100 in the store, the content acquired by the master machine is transmitted from the karaoke device 4 that holds the content by unicast communication to the request source karaoke. Distributed individually to the device 4 (secondary distribution). In the present embodiment, the content acquisition authority owned by the master machine can be transferred to another karaoke apparatus 4 connected to the LAN 100. And the master machine which transferred the content acquisition authority to another karaoke apparatus 4 (slave machine) functions as a slave machine thereafter. On the other hand, the karaoke apparatus 4 (slave machine) to which the content acquisition authority has been transferred from the previous master machine functions as the master machine thereafter.

  The karaoke apparatus 4 includes a CPU 41, a RAM 42, a ROM 43, a hard disk drive 44 (hereinafter referred to as HDD 44), an operation unit 45, a reproduction unit 46, an infrared communication unit 47, a LAN communication unit 48, and the like as hardware configurations.

  The CPU 41 is a device that executes control and various operations for each part of the karaoke device 4 according to programs and data stored in the RAM 42 and the ROM 43, and is used for various processes as a master machine and a slave machine, which will be described later, or a master machine / slave machine. Common processing is executed by the CPU 41. The RAM 42 is a storage device used as a main memory or the like that is directly accessed from the CPU 41. Various programs are read from the HDD 44 in the RAM 42, and results of various calculations by the CPU 41 and data read from the HDD 44 are also stored in the RAM 42. When executing various processes to be described later, a program for causing the CPU 41 to execute each process is read from the HDD 44 into the RAM 42. And according to the program memorize | stored in RAM42, CPU41 will perform each process.

  The ROM 43 is a storage device that retains the stored contents even when the power switch of the karaoke apparatus 4 is turned off, and stores BIOS, read-only data that is not normally updated, and the like. The HDD 44 stores various data such as content data and programs such as karaoke music data and video data, or information (content acquisition authority flag) for specifying whether or not the device is a master device. It is a device for. The operation unit 45 is an input device for inputting various instructions from the user, and includes a plurality of key switches and the like.

  The playback unit 46 is a microphone, a MIDI sound source that performs performance playback based on performance data, an audio control unit that outputs an audio signal generated from the MIDI sound source and an audio signal input from the microphone to a speaker, and playback of video based on image data A video playback unit for controlling the video, a monitor for displaying video, and the like. The infrared communication unit 47 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving an infrared signal conforming to a predetermined infrared communication standard with the remote control terminal 5.

  The LAN communication unit 48 is a communication interface for connecting the karaoke apparatus 4 to the LAN 100 to communicate with the outside. Each karaoke device 4 connected to the LAN 100 in the same store stores in advance the mutual IP address (for example, the local IP address) and the IP address of the host server 2 (for example, the global IP address), When communicating with the outside by the LAN communication unit 48, the communication partner can be specified by this IP address.

  The remote control terminal 5 is for remotely operating the karaoke device 4 in the karaoke room, and accepts various operations such as an operation for making a reservation for the reproduction of the content that the user desires to reproduce, from the operation signal. Is transmitted to the karaoke apparatus 4 to be operated by wireless communication according to the wireless LAN standard. Also, it has a function for accessing the host server 2 via the LAN 100 and the WAN 200 via the wireless access point 110 by wireless LAN communication, and browsing and updating the personal Web page based on the data received from the host server 2. .

  Specifically, the remote control terminal 5 includes a CPU 51, a RAM 52, a ROM 53, an operation unit 54, a display unit 55, an infrared communication unit 56, a wireless LAN communication unit 57, and the like. The CPU 51 is a device that executes control and various calculations for each part of the remote control terminal 5 in accordance with programs and data stored in the RAM 52 and the ROM 53. The RAM 52 is a storage device used as a main memory or the like that is directly accessed from the CPU 51. In the RAM 52, various programs are read from the ROM 53, and results of various calculations by the CPU 51 and data read from the ROM 53 are also stored in the RAM 52.

  The ROM 53 is a storage device that retains stored contents even when the power switch of the remote control terminal 5 is turned off, and stores BIOS, read-only data, programs that are not normally updated, and the like. The operation unit 54 is an input device for inputting various instructions from the user, and includes a touch panel installed along the display area of the display unit 55, a plurality of key switches, and the like. The display unit 55 is a display device for displaying an image, and includes, for example, a liquid crystal display. The infrared communication unit 56 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving an infrared signal conforming to a predetermined infrared communication standard with the karaoke apparatus 4. The wireless LAN communication unit 57 is a communication interface for performing wireless communication according to a predetermined wireless LAN standard with the wireless access point 110 connected to the LAN 100.

  A wireless access point 110 is connected to the LAN 100. The wireless access point 110 is a radio wave relay for connecting terminals by wireless communication according to a predetermined wireless LAN standard, and has a function of performing communication simultaneously with a plurality of terminals. The remote control terminal 5 and the karaoke apparatus 4 can perform data communication with each other via the LAN 100 by relaying the wireless access point 110. Further, the remote control terminal 5 and the host server 2 can perform data communication with each other via the LAN 100 and the WAN 200 by relaying the wireless access point 110.

  The router 120 is a communication device that interconnects different networks. The router 120 is placed at a connection point between the WAN 200 that is the external network and the LAN 100 that is the internal network. The router 120 transmits communication from the LAN 100 to the WAN 200 side, and transmits communication from the WAN 200 side to the LAN 100. Each router 120 installed in each karaoke store is assigned a global IP address. Data transmitted from the host server 2 to the master device of each karaoke store is transmitted to the global IP address assigned to each router 120. The router 120 that has received the data addressed to its own global IP address from the host server 2 converts the destination of the received data into the private IP address of the master machine connected in the LAN 100 by port forwarding and sends it to the LAN 100. . By such a procedure, access from the host server 2 outside the LAN 100 to the master machine in the LAN 100 is realized.

[Description of contents distribution procedure performed in Karaoke network system 1]
Next, a series of processing flow from when the host server 2 accepts a reservation for a karaoke store and contents used therein from the user until the reserved contents are distributed to the karaoke apparatus 4 used by the user is shown in FIG. This will be described based on the ladder chart.

  In FIG. 2A, after the host server 2 accepts the reservation from the user, the master machine from which the reserved content is to be acquired is selected in the reserved store, and the selected master machine selects the reserved content. It is a ladder chart which shows the procedure of a series of processes until it acquires from the host server 2 (primary delivery).

  In order for a user outside the karaoke store to reserve a karaoke store for the host server 2, first, the user terminal 6 logs into the karaoke network system 1. Specifically, the user inputs a user ID and password for authentication assigned to the user terminal 6. When the input of the user ID and password by the user is completed, the user terminal 6 transmits a login request notification including the input user ID and password to the host server 2 via the WAN 200.

  When the host server 2 receives the login request notification from the user terminal 6, the host server 2 compares the user ID and password included in the received login request notification with the user ID and password registered in advance in the user registration database. If it is determined that the transmitted user ID and password match the user ID and password registered in the user registration database, an authentication result notification for permitting login of the user is issued. Send to. Thereby, the login of the user to the karaoke network system 1 is established.

  When the login is completed, the user terminal 6 accesses a store reservation Web page prepared on the host server 2 side in response to an instruction from the user, and displays the contents of this page. In accordance with the form for inputting the reservation information of the displayed store reservation Web page, the user gives reservation information indicating the store to be reserved, the time, the content to be used (hereinafter referred to as “reserved content”) to the user terminal 6. input. The user terminal 6 transmits the input reservation information to the host server 2.

  Upon receiving the reservation information from the user terminal 6, the host server 2 creates a user information table (details will be described later) regarding the user who made the reservation (hereinafter referred to as a reserved user) based on the received reservation information. Reservation notification is made to the master device of the karaoke store corresponding to the reservation information.

  Each karaoke device 4 refers to the content acquisition authority flag stored in the HDD 44 immediately after the power is turned on and identifies whether the device is a master device or a slave device. When the own device is a master device, the host server 2 is notified of information (authority delegation flag, information related to the IP address, karaoke device ID, etc.) for specifying the master device via the router 120. Thereby, the host server 2 can specify the master machine which should transmit the reservation notification (first reservation notification) at the time of receiving the reservation of the said store from a user first. Further, since the IP address and port number of the master machine that has communicated with the host server 2 are stored in the router 120 that performs port forwarding, the router 120 transfers the first reservation notification from the host server 2 to the master machine. be able to.

  When a master machine in the karaoke store (karaoke apparatus A: current master machine) receives a reservation notification from the host server 2, the master machine inquires of the host server 2 about user information regarding the reserved user. When the host server 2 receives an inquiry about user information from the master machine in the karaoke store, the host server 2 transmits a user information table relating to the reserved user to the inquiring master machine. This user information table includes information indicating the user ID and reserved content of the reserved user.

  When receiving the user information table from the host server 2, the master machine adds a record of the reserved content table corresponding to the reserved user to the user table (details will be described later) based on the contents of the received user information table. And a user table is transmitted with respect to all the slave machines connected to LAN100 in a karaoke store. In the ladder chart of FIG. 2, only the karaoke apparatus B is illustrated as the current slave machine for convenience of explanation.

  When the slave device receives the user table from the karaoke apparatus A that is the master device, the holding information indicating the list of reserved users corresponding to the reserved content held by the slave device and the free storage capacity for content storage in the HDD 44 A table (details will be described later) is transmitted to the master machine.

  The master machine selects the karaoke apparatus 4 having the largest free storage capacity for content storage as the next master machine based on the possession information table of the master machine and the possession information table transmitted from each slave machine. Here, the description will be continued assuming that karaoke apparatus B which is the current slave machine is selected as the next master machine.

  Next, the karaoke apparatus A which is the current master machine transfers the content acquisition authority to the karaoke apparatus B selected as the next master machine, and shifts itself to a slave machine. On the other hand, the karaoke device B that has transferred the content acquisition authority from the karaoke device A that is the current master device shifts itself to the master device and changes the master device in the karaoke store to the karaoke device B with respect to the host server 2. The master machine change notification is sent. The information content included in the master device change notification includes a content acquisition authority flag stored in the master device, information for specifying a communication destination to the master device (IP address, port number, etc.), karaoke device ID, and the like. It is. Receiving the master machine change notification, the host server 2 registers this karaoke apparatus B as a master machine in the karaoke store. Thereafter, when the host server 2 communicates with the karaoke device 4 in the karaoke store, the host server 2 exclusively communicates with the karaoke device B which is the next master device.

  Next, the karaoke apparatus B that has transferred the content acquisition authority from the predecessor master machine transmits, as the current master machine, a reservation content distribution request corresponding to the reserved user recorded in the user table to the host server 2. . Upon receiving a content distribution request from the master machine, the host server 2 distributes the content to the requesting master machine (primary distribution).

  Next, FIG. 2B shows that when a reserved user logs in to the karaoke device 4, the karaoke device 4 that has accepted the login acquires the reserved content from another karaoke device 4 that holds the reserved content of the logged-in user. It is a ladder chart which shows the procedure of a series of processes until it performs (secondary delivery).

  First, a reservation user who has visited a karaoke store performs a login procedure for the karaoke device 4 when starting to use the karaoke device 4. The login procedure to the karaoke apparatus 4 is performed using the remote control terminal 5 associated as an operation terminal dedicated to the karaoke apparatus 4.

  In this login procedure, first, the remote control terminal 5 displays a predetermined login screen. Then, the user inputs an authentication user ID and password assigned to the user by operating the operation unit 54 of the remote control terminal 5 according to the login screen. When the input of the user ID and password by the user is completed, the remote control terminal 5 transmits a predetermined login request notification from the wireless LAN communication unit 57 via the LAN 100 and WAN 200 to the host server 2.

  When the host server 2 receives the login request notification from the remote control terminal 5, the host server 2 collates the user ID and password included in the received login request notification with the user ID and password registered in advance in the user registration database. Here, when it is determined that the transmitted user ID and password match the user ID and password registered in the user registration database, an authentication result notification for permitting login of the user is issued as the remote control terminal 5 that is the request source. Send to.

  When the remote control terminal 5 receives the authentication result notification from the host server 2, the remote control terminal 5 wirelessly sends a login notification for notifying the karaoke device 4 that is the operation target of the remote control terminal 5 that the user has started login. Transmission is performed by wireless LAN communication via the access point 110 and the LAN 100. This login notification includes, for example, the user ID of the login user.

  When the karaoke apparatus 4 receives the login notification from the remote control terminal 5, the karaoke apparatus 4 associates with the login user indicated by the received login notification. Specifically, the user ID of the login user included in the login notification is stored in the RAM 42 or the like as the login user who is using the own karaoke apparatus 4.

  In the ladder chart of FIG. 2B, it is assumed that the reserved user logs in to the karaoke apparatus A that does not have the reserved content of the reserved user. When the reserved user logs in to the karaoke apparatus A, the karaoke apparatus A searches for the karaoke apparatus 4 that has the reserved content corresponding to the logged-in reserved user (hereinafter also referred to as a login user). Here, the description will be continued on the assumption that the karaoke apparatus B has reserved contents of the login user.

  The karaoke apparatus A transmits a content distribution request to the karaoke apparatus B that holds the reserved content of the login user. In response to the content distribution request from karaoke device A, karaoke device B distributes the logged-in user's reserved content to requesting karaoke device A (secondary distribution).

[Description of processing executed by host server 2]
Next, detailed contents of processing executed by the host server 2 in the series of processing shown in the ladder chart of FIG. 2A will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the host server 2. This process is a process that is repeatedly executed in the host server 2 at all times.
First, the host server 2 determines whether or not reservation information for using the karaoke store has been received from the user terminal 6 (S100). Since the host server 2 has already explained the procedure for accepting the reservation of the karaoke store from the user terminal 6, the explanation here is omitted. When it is determined in S100 that the reservation information has been received from the user terminal 6 (S100: YES), a record of the user information table related to the reservation user is generated based on the content indicated by the received reservation information. (S110) Then, the generated record of the user information table is added to the reservation information in the store information table managed by the host server 2 as a record corresponding to the corresponding karaoke store (S120).

Here, the detailed contents of the store information table and the user information table managed by the host server 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
The store information table is a karaoke store connected to the host server 2 via the WAN 200 in the karaoke network system 1 (that is, karaoke that is subject to various management such as content distribution by the host server 2 and reservation reception from the user). Stores) and stored in a RAM (not shown) of the host server 2 or the like. As shown in FIG. 4, the store information table is composed of a set of store name records, and each user name table is associated with a user information table related to a reserved user who reserved the karaoke store. Yes. This user information table is configured by a set of records in which identification information (user ID) of a reserved user based on reservation information received from the user terminal 6 is associated with identification information (content number) of the reserved content of the user. And stored in a RAM (not shown) of the host server 2 or the like. FIG. 4 is an example of a user information table corresponding to the store name “nagoya”, and shows a reserved user who has reserved the store “nagoya” and the reserved content of the reserved user.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. After adding the record of the user information table to the record of the store information table in S120, a reservation notification for notifying the master machine in the karaoke store corresponding to the reservation information that the reservation from the user has been accepted. Transmit (S130), and the process returns to S100.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S100 that reservation information has not been received from the user terminal 6 (S100: NO), it is determined whether an inquiry for user information has been received from the master machine in the karaoke store (S140). This inquiry is transmitted from the master device that is the notification destination as a response to the reservation notification transmitted in S130.

  If it is determined in S140 that a user information inquiry has been received from the master device (S140: YES), the user information table corresponding to the karaoke store to which the master device belongs is read from the store information table, and this is read as the master of the inquiry source. (S150). Then, the data of the user information table transmitted to the master machine in S150 is deleted from the memory (160), and the process returns to S100.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S140 that a user information inquiry has not been received from the master device in the karaoke store (S140: NO), whether a master device notification or a master device change notification has been received from the master device in the karaoke store. Is determined (S170). The master device notification is transmitted to the host server 2 when the karaoke device 4 has content acquisition authority when the karaoke device 4 is activated. Further, the master machine change notification is transmitted from the next master machine that has transferred the content acquisition authority from the previous master machine when the master machine is changed in the karaoke store.

  When it is determined that the master machine notification or the master machine change notice has been received (S170: YES), the master machine IP address and port number included in the received notice are registered as communication destinations to the master machine of the store ( S180).

After executing the process of S180, or when it is determined in S170 that the master machine notification and the master machine change notification have not been received (170: NO), the process returns to S100.
[Description of processing executed by master device of karaoke device 4]
Next, detailed contents of processing executed by the master device of the karaoke apparatus 4 in the above-described series of processing shown in the ladder chart of FIG. 2A will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating an example of a user table and a reservation content table managed by the karaoke apparatus 4. The user table is a list of users who have reserved a karaoke store where the karaoke device 4 is installed, and is stored in the RAM or the like of each karaoke device 4. As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the user table is composed of a set of user ID records corresponding to the reserved user, and the reservation content table related to the reserved user is associated with each record of the user ID. It has been. This reserved content table is based on the user information table received from the host server 2 by the master device, the content number of the reserved content of the user, and an acquisition flag indicating whether or not each content has been acquired from the host server 2. Are stored in the RAM 42 of the karaoke apparatus 4 or the like. The reserved content table shown in FIG. 5A is an example of a reserved content table corresponding to each reserved user with the user IDs “tanaka” and “yamada”. The reserved content of the reserved user “tanaka” and its acquisition The status (ON: acquired), the reserved content of the reservation user “yamada”, and the acquisition status (OFF: not acquired) are shown.

  The user table and the reservation content table are generated based on the reservation information received from the host server 2 in the master machine, and each generated table is stored in all slave machines in the same karaoke store. Therefore, the same table is stored among all the karaoke apparatuses 4 in the karaoke store.

  In addition, for content whose acquisition flag of the reservation content table is ON (acquired), it indicates that any karaoke device 4 in the karaoke store has acquired this content. That is, even when the acquisition flag of the reserved content table stored in the own karaoke device 4 is ON, the karaoke device 4 does not necessarily acquire the content, and other karaoke devices 4 It also includes the case where it is acquired. In addition, regarding the content whose acquisition flag of the reservation content table is OFF (not acquired), it indicates that all the karaoke apparatuses 4 in the karaoke store have not acquired this content.

  FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an example of a karaoke device table and a holding information table managed by the karaoke device 4. The karaoke device table is a list of karaoke devices 4 connected to the LAN 100 in the karaoke store, and is stored in the RAM or the like of each karaoke device 4. As shown in FIG. 5 (b), the karaoke device table is composed of a set of records of karaoke device IDs (for example, serial numbers) which are identification information of each karaoke device 4, and each karaoke device ID is recorded. A holding information table related to the karaoke device 4 is associated with each record. This possession information table includes a list of user IDs (retained user IDs) of reserved users corresponding to reserved contents that the karaoke apparatus 4 currently holds, and free storage capacity for content storage in the HDD 44 of the karaoke apparatus 4. Is stored in the RAM 42 of the karaoke apparatus 4 or the like. The possession information table shown in FIG. 5B is an example of the possession information table corresponding to the karaoke apparatus 4 with the karaoke apparatus ID “002”.

  The karaoke device table and the holding information table associated with the karaoke device table are generated in the master device, but each generated table is distributed to all slave devices in the same karaoke store. The table of the same content is memorize | stored among all the karaoke apparatuses 4 in a karaoke store.

  Next, FIGS. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the procedure of processing executed by the master machine. FIG. 6 is the first half of the flowchart and FIG. 7 is the second half of the flowchart. These processes are performed when the karaoke device 4 is activated and the karaoke device 4 that has been the slave device is identified as a master device based on the content acquisition authority flag, It is started by transferring the acquisition authority and shifting from the slave machine to the master machine, and then repeatedly executed until the content acquisition authority is transferred to another slave machine.

  When the master machine starts processing, there is a record in the reserved content table in which the acquisition flag is OFF (not acquired) in the user table (see FIG. 5A) currently stored in the master machine. It is determined whether or not (S200). Here, when it is determined that there is no record in the reserved content table whose acquisition flag is OFF (not acquired) (S200), all the slave devices connected to the LAN 100 in the karaoke store are self-master devices. Transmits the karaoke device table currently stored and the holding information table (see FIG. 5B) associated therewith (S210).

  Next, it is determined whether or not a reservation notification is received from the host server 2 (S220). This reservation notification is transmitted in S130 in the above-described processing (see FIG. 3) executed by the host server 2. If it is determined that the reservation notification has not been received from the host server 2 (S220: NO), the process returns to S200.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S220 that a reservation notification has been received from the host server 2 (S220: YES), the process proceeds to S230 (see FIG. 7), and user information is inquired of the host server 2. Then, the user information table transmitted from the host server 2 in response to this inquiry is received (S240). This user information table is transmitted in S160 in the above-described processing (see FIG. 3) executed by the host server 2. When the user information table is received from the host server 2, the record of the user ID exists in the user table (see FIG. 5A) stored in the master device based on the user ID and the content number included in the user information table. If not, a record of this user ID is added, and a record of a content number and an acquisition flag is added as a reservation content table of the reservation user in association with the record of this user ID (S250). If a record of the user ID exists in the user table, a record of a content number and an acquisition flag is added as a reservation content table of the reserved user in association with the record of the user ID (S250). At this time, all the acquisition flags corresponding to the respective content numbers in the reserved content table to be added are set to OFF (not acquired).

  Next, the karaoke device table stored in the master device is initialized (S260), the record of the karaoke device ID of the master device is added to the initialized karaoke device table, and the record is associated with the record of the karaoke device ID. Then, a record of the current holding information table relating to the own master machine is added (S270). Then, the user table (including the reservation content table associated therewith) stored in the master device is transmitted to all slave devices connected to the LAN 100 in the karaoke store (S280).

  After transmitting the user table to all the slave devices, it is determined whether or not the possession information table transmitted from each slave device has been received (S290). If it is determined that the possession information table has been received from the slave machine (S290: YES), the master apparatus stores a record of the karaoke apparatus ID of the slave machine that is the transmission source of the possession information table. The received holding information table is added in association with the record of the karaoke device ID in the karaoke device table (S300). On the other hand, if it is determined that the possession information table has not been received from the slave device (S290: NO), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time-out period has elapsed since the user table was transmitted to the slave device in S280 (S310). ).

  If it is determined that the timeout period has not elapsed (S310: NO), the process returns to S290. Thereafter, the processing of S290 to S310 is sequentially repeated, so that each karaoke device ID transmitted from each slave device and its holding information table are associated with each other and sequentially added to the karaoke device table stored in the own master device. If it is determined in S310 that the timeout period has elapsed (S310: YES), the process proceeds to S320.

  In S320, based on the possession information table corresponding to each karaoke device ID in the karaoke device table stored in the master device, the karaoke device having the largest free storage capacity is compared by comparing the free storage capacities for content storage of each karaoke device 4. It is determined whether 4 is the master device. Here, when it is determined that the karaoke device having the largest free storage capacity is the master device (S320: YES), the processing returns to S200 (see FIG. 6).

  In S200, when it is determined that there is a record in the reserved content table whose acquisition flag is OFF (not acquired) in the user table (see FIG. 5A) currently stored in the master device (S200). : YES), the process proceeds to S330.

  Note that there are the following two cases as conditions for affirmative determination in S200. One case is when the above-described processing of S320 is executed immediately before S200, and it is determined that the karaoke apparatus having the largest free storage capacity is the own master machine (S320: YES). In this case, a reserved content table whose acquisition flag is OFF is added to the user table in the processing of S250 that has already been executed, and as a result, an affirmative determination is made in S200.

  The other case is a case in which this processing is started immediately after the master device has transferred the content acquisition authority from the predecessor master device. In this case, when the own master machine starts this process, the previous master machine has already stored the user table transmitted in the process of S280, and this user table includes the reserved content table whose acquisition flag is OFF. Therefore, an affirmative determination is made in S200 immediately after the start of this process.

  Next, in S330, it is determined whether or not all the acquisition flags of the reservation content table for which the acquisition flag is determined to be OFF (not acquired) in S200 are ON. If it is determined that any acquisition flag in the reserved content table is OFF (S330: NO), one content corresponding to the content number for which the acquisition flag is OFF is acquired from the host server ( S340). Then, in the reserved content table, the acquisition flag corresponding to the content acquired in S340 is changed from OFF to ON (S350), and the process returns to S330. Thereafter, the processing of S330 to S340 is sequentially repeated, so that the non-acquired reserved content shown in the reserved content table is sequentially acquired from the host server 2. And when it determines with all the acquisition flags of the said reservation content table being ON by S330 (S330: YES), it respond | corresponds to the karaoke apparatus ID of the own master machine in the karaoke apparatus table which the own master machine has memorize | stored. The user ID corresponding to the reserved content table is added to the retained user table (S360), and the process returns to S200.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S320 (see FIG. 7) that the karaoke apparatus 4 having the largest free storage capacity for content storage is not its own master machine (S320: NO), the slave machine having the largest free storage capacity is identified. Then, the content acquisition authority is transferred to the slave machine, and the karaoke apparatus table stored in the own apparatus is transmitted to the slave machine (the karaoke apparatus 4 which is the master machine next) (S370). Then, by changing the content acquisition authority flag from “master (with acquisition authority)” to “slave (without acquisition authority)”, the own apparatus is set as a slave machine (S380), and the process as the master machine is terminated. .

[Description of processing executed by slave device of karaoke device 4]
Next, detailed contents of processing executed by the slave machine of the karaoke apparatus 4 in the series of processing shown in the ladder chart of FIG. 2A will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the slave machine. This process is repeatedly executed until the slave machine that does not have the content acquisition authority receives the content acquisition authority from the current master machine and moves to the master machine itself.

  When the slave machine starts processing, it determines whether or not it has received the karaoke device table and the associated information table (see FIG. 5B) from the master machine connected to the LAN 100 in the karaoke store (S400). ). Each of these tables is transmitted in S210 of the process executed by the master machine (see FIG. 6). Here, when it is determined that the karaoke device table and the associated holding information table are received from the master device (S400: YES), the existing karaoke device table and the holding information table stored in the own slave device are newly updated. The received information is updated (S410), and the process returns to S400.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S400 that the karaoke device table and the associated holding information table are not received from the master machine (S400: NO), the user table and the reserved content table associated therewith (FIG. 5A). It is determined whether or not (see) is received (S420). Each of these tables is transmitted in S280 of the process executed by the master machine (see FIG. 7). Here, when it is determined that the user table and the reservation content table associated therewith have been received from the master device (S420: YES), the existing user table and reservation content table stored in the own slave device are newly received. The one is updated (S430). Then, the karaoke apparatus ID of the own slave machine and the current holding information table regarding the own slave machine are transmitted to the master machine (S440), and the process returns to S400.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S420 that the user table and the reservation content table associated therewith have not been received (S420: NO), it is determined whether or not the content acquisition authority has been transferred from the master machine (S450). The transfer of the content acquisition authority is performed in S370 of the process (see FIG. 7) executed by the master machine. If it is determined that the content acquisition authority has not been transferred from the master machine (S450: NO), the process returns to S400. On the other hand, if it is determined in S450 that the content acquisition authority has been transferred from the master machine (S450: YES), the content acquisition authority flag is changed from “Slave (no acquisition authority)” to “Master (with acquisition authority)”. The own device is set as the master device, and the karaoke device table stored in the own device is updated to the one transmitted from the previous master device (S460). Then, the host server 2 is notified that the master machine in the karaoke store has been changed (master machine change notice is sent) (S470), and the slave machine process is terminated.

  In addition, the host server 2 can identify the master machine to which the reservation notice when the reservation of the store is received from the user is received by receiving the master machine change notice from the next master machine. In addition, since the router 120 that performs port forwarding stores the IP address and port number of the current master machine that has communicated with the host server 2, the router 120 sends the first reservation notification from the host server 2 to the master machine. Can be transferred.

[Description of processing executed by karaoke device 4 (common to master and slave machines)]
Next, detailed contents of processing executed by the karaoke apparatus 4 in the above-described series of processing shown in the ladder chart of FIG. 2B will be described based on FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the karaoke apparatus 4. This process is a process that is commonly performed in both the karaoke apparatus 4 of the master machine and the slave machine, and is repeatedly executed while the karaoke apparatus 4 is in operation.

  When the karaoke device 4 starts processing, the karaoke device 4 stands by until a login to the karaoke device 4 is received from the user (S500: NO). In addition, since the procedure of the login procedure with respect to the karaoke apparatus 4 was already demonstrated, description here is abbreviate | omitted. And when it determines with having received the login from a user (S500: YES), there exists a record applicable to the user ID of the said login user in the user table (refer Fig.5 (a)) which the own karaoke apparatus has memorize | stored. It is determined whether or not (S510).

  When it is determined that there is a record corresponding to the user ID of the login user in the user table stored in the own karaoke device (S510: YES), the karaoke device table and the possession information table stored in the own device (FIG. 5 (b)), the karaoke apparatus 4 holding the reserved content corresponding to the user ID of the login user is searched (S520). And the distribution of the said reservation content is requested | required with respect to the karaoke apparatus 4 which holds the reservation content of a login user (S530). After making a content distribution request, the reserved content of the login user distributed from the requested karaoke apparatus 4 is acquired (S540).

  Thereafter, when the logged-in user logs out from the own karaoke apparatus 4, the acquired reserved content corresponding to the user is deleted (S550), and this process is terminated. Moreover, when it determines with there being no record applicable to the said user ID of the said login user in the user table which the own karaoke apparatus has memorize | stored in S510 (S510: NO), this process is complete | finished.

[effect]
According to the karaoke network system 1 of the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  The user uses the user terminal 6 such as a mobile phone or a personal computer to make a reservation for the karaoke store to be used and the content to be used for the host server 2, thereby accepting the reservation from the master device of the karaoke store. The content can be distributed in advance. In other words, the time from when the user makes a reservation to the karaoke store until the actual visit can be used to execute the primary distribution of the reservation content to the karaoke store where the reservation is accepted. Respond quickly to demand requests.

  At this time, among the karaoke devices 4 belonging to the LAN 100 in the karaoke store where the reservation is accepted, the karaoke device 4 having the largest free storage capacity of the HDD 44 for storing the content acquires the content acquisition authority, and from the host server 2 Get reserved content. By doing in this way, the storage capacity when acquiring the reservation content from the host server 2 and the burden related to the communication processing are not concentrated on only the specific karaoke device 4, and each karaoke device 4 in the karaoke store is equalized. Can be distributed. Therefore, it is possible to stabilize the processing related to the provision of the karaoke service for each karaoke device 4.

  Thereafter, when the user logs in to the karaoke device 4, the karaoke device 4 that has accepted this login acquires the reserved content from the karaoke device 4 that holds the reserved content of the login user. That is, when the karaoke device 4 used by the user is confirmed, the reserved content of the login user is secondarily distributed to the karaoke device 4 via the LAN 100 or the like. Since this secondary distribution is performed via the LAN 100, the secondary distribution is much faster than when the reserved content is acquired from the host server 2 via the WAN 200 when the user starts using the karaoke device 4. And can quickly respond to on-demand requests from users.

[Modification]
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to said embodiment at all, It is possible to implement in various aspects.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the reserved content recorded in the user information table (see FIG. 4) created by the host server 2 is the content reserved when the user makes a reservation at the karaoke store from the user terminal 6. is there. On the other hand, the host server 2 may be configured to further record content related to data stored as personal information of the reserved user in the user information table. Specifically, when the host server 2 receives the reservation information from the user terminal 6, the reserved user's eighteenth karaoke song or the content of the reservation user included in the data of the personal Web page corresponding to the user ID of the reservation user is stored. The contents shown in the usage history are recorded in the user information table of the reserved user.

  In this way, not only the content that the user has reserved at the time of reserving the karaoke store, but also the content that the user has used in the past and so-called eighteenth content are targeted for distribution to the karaoke device 4 in the karaoke store. . Therefore, it becomes possible to quickly provide content that meets the user's preferences, and the user's satisfaction with the karaoke service can be improved.

It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the karaoke network system 1 of embodiment. (A) is a ladder chart which shows the procedure of a series of processes which concern the primary delivery of the content from the host server 2 to the master machine of the karaoke apparatus 4, (b) is a karaoke which has the content which the user reserved. It is a ladder chart which shows a series of procedures concerning the secondary delivery of the reservation content from the apparatus 4 to another karaoke apparatus 4 used by the user. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the host server 2 performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically an example of the shop information table and user information table which the host server 2 manages. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows typically an example of the user table and reservation content table which karaoke apparatus 4 manages, (b) is an example of the karaoke apparatus table and holding information table which karaoke apparatus 4 manages. It is explanatory drawing shown typically. It is the first half part of the flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which a master machine performs. It is the latter half part of the flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which a master machine performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which a slave machine performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the karaoke apparatus 4 (common with a master machine and a slave machine) performs.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Karaoke network system, 2 ... Host server, 4 ... Karaoke apparatus, 5 ... Remote control terminal, 41, 51 ... CPU, 42, 52 ... RAM, 43.53 ... ROM, 44 ... HDD, 45, 54 ... Operation part, 46 ... Playback unit, 55 ... Display unit, 47, 56 ... Infrared communication unit, 48 ... LAN communication unit, 57 ... Wireless LAN communication unit, 100 ... LAN, 110 ... Wireless access point, 120 ... Router, 200 ... WAN

Claims (4)

Among the in-store karaoke system in which a plurality of karaoke devices that reproduce content including at least karaoke music are communicably connected via the first network in the karaoke store, and the karaoke device belonging to the in-store karaoke system, the content In the karaoke network system in which the host server that distributes content to a master machine that has only the content acquisition authority to acquire content from the distribution host server is connected to be communicable via the second network,
The karaoke network system is configured to be able to log in to the karaoke network system by associating each karaoke device with each karaoke device.
The host server is
As reservation information for reserving the use of the karaoke store by communicating with an information communication terminal owned by the user, store reservation information for specifying a store used by the user, and the user at the karaoke store Reservation accepting means for accepting content reservation information for reserving content to be used in association with the identification information of the user;
Based on the reservation information received by the reservation receiving means, user information in which the corresponding user identification information and the content indicated by the content reservation information are associated with the store reservation information corresponding to the reservation information. User information transmission means for transmitting to the master machine in the karaoke store
Each karaoke device belonging to the in-store karaoke system is configured to be able to function as either a master device that uniquely owns the content acquisition authority or a slave device that does not have the content acquisition authority. As a means for processing executed when functioning as a machine,
Reservation content information storage in which the own karaoke device includes the reservation content information including at least information relating to the association between the user identification information and the content reservation information based on the acquired user information. User information acquisition means for recording in the means;
Reservation content information distribution means for distributing reservation content information stored in the reservation content information storage means to each slave machine in the in-store karaoke system;
At least the identification information of each slave device and the information indicating the free storage capacity for content storage of the slave device transmitted from each slave device after the reserved content information is distributed by the reserved content information distribution means Karaoke device information acquisition means for acquiring karaoke device information including,
Based on the free storage capacity for content storage of each slave machine indicated by the karaoke apparatus information acquired by the karaoke apparatus information acquisition means and the free storage capacity for content storage of its own master machine, A selecting means for selecting one karaoke device having the largest free storage capacity for content storage from the master device;
When the own master device is selected by the selecting means, or when the own karaoke device acquires the content acquisition authority from the predecessor master device and shifts to the master device, it is first stored in the reserved content information storage means Content primary acquisition means for acquiring unacquired content indicated by the reserved content information being present from the host server;
When one of the slave devices is selected by the selection means, the content acquisition right for transferring the content acquisition authority to the slave device and transferring the own karaoke device from the master device to the slave device. With transfer means,
Furthermore, each karaoke device belonging to the in-store karaoke system is a means for processing executed when the own karaoke device functions as the slave device,
Reservation content information acquisition means for acquiring the reservation content information from the master machine and recording it in the reservation content information storage means included in the own karaoke device;
After the reserved content information is acquired from the master device by the reserved content information acquisition means, karaoke device information including at least identification information of the own slave device and information indicating a free storage capacity for content storage of the own slave device is stored in the master. Karaoke device information transmitting means for transmitting to the machine,
When the content acquisition authority is transferred from the master machine, the content acquisition right transfer means for transferring the own karaoke device from the slave machine to the master machine,
Furthermore, each karaoke apparatus belonging to the in-store karaoke system is a means for processing common to the master machine and the slave machine,
Login acceptance means for accepting a login procedure to the own karaoke device with input of identification information of the user from the user using the own karaoke device;
When the reserved content information corresponding to the identification information of the logged-in user who has received the login procedure by the login receiving means is stored in the reserved content information storage means, from among each karaoke device belonging to the in-store karaoke system, Search means for searching for a karaoke device having content corresponding to the reserved content information of the login user;
A karaoke network system comprising: a secondary content acquisition unit that acquires content corresponding to the reserved content information of the login user from the karaoke device searched by the search unit. The karaoke network system according to claim 1,
In the host server,
An individual that stores, for each individual user, user content information including at least one of history information of content used by the user in the karaoke apparatus or content information that the user is good at in association with identification information of the user. Further comprising information storage means,
The user information transmitting means is indicated by the user content information of the user stored in the personal information storage means in addition to the user identification information corresponding to the reservation information and the content indicated by the content reservation information. Transmitting the user information associated with the content to be transmitted to the master machine in the karaoke store corresponding to the store reservation information corresponding to the reservation information,
Karaoke network system characterized by. Among the in-store karaoke system in which a plurality of karaoke devices that reproduce content including at least karaoke music are communicably connected via the first network in the karaoke store, and the karaoke device belonging to the in-store karaoke system, the content A karaoke network system is configured such that the host server that distributes content to a master machine that has the content acquisition authority only for acquiring content from a distribution host server is connected to be communicable via a second network. Said karaoke device,
As a means related to processing executed when the master karaoke apparatus functions as the master machine, and is configured to function as both a master machine that has the content acquisition authority and a slave machine that does not have the content acquisition authority. ,
User information in which the identification information of the user who reserved the use of the karaoke store is associated with the content reserved by the user is acquired from the host server, and the user identification information and the content based on the acquired user information User information acquisition means for recording reservation content information including at least information related to association with reservation information in a reservation content information storage means provided in the own karaoke device;
Reservation content information distribution means for distributing reservation content information stored in the reservation content information storage means to each slave machine in the in-store karaoke system;
At least the identification information of each slave device and the information indicating the free storage capacity for content storage of the slave device transmitted from each slave device after the reserved content information is distributed by the reserved content information distribution means Karaoke device information acquisition means for acquiring karaoke device information including,
Based on the free storage capacity for content storage of each slave machine indicated by the karaoke apparatus information acquired by the karaoke apparatus information acquisition means and the free storage capacity for content storage of its own master machine, A selecting means for selecting one karaoke device having the largest free storage capacity for content storage from the master device;
When the own master device is selected by the selecting means, or when the own karaoke device acquires the content acquisition authority from the predecessor master device and shifts to the master device, it is first stored in the reserved content information storage means Content primary acquisition means for acquiring unacquired content indicated by the reserved content information being present from the host server;
When one of the slave devices is selected by the selection means, the content acquisition right for transferring the content acquisition authority to the slave device and transferring the own karaoke device from the master device to the slave device. With transfer means,
Furthermore, as a means regarding the process performed when the own karaoke apparatus functions as the slave machine,
Reservation content information acquisition means for acquiring the reservation content information from the master machine and recording it in the reservation content information storage means included in the own karaoke device;
After the reserved content information is acquired from the master device by the reserved content information acquisition means, karaoke device information including at least identification information of the own slave device and information indicating a free storage capacity for content storage of the own slave device is stored in the master. Karaoke device information transmitting means for transmitting to the machine,
When the content acquisition authority is transferred from the master machine, the content acquisition right transfer means for transferring the own karaoke device from the slave machine to the master machine,
Furthermore, as means relating to processing common to the master machine and the slave machine,
Login acceptance means for accepting a login procedure to the own karaoke device with input of identification information of the user from the user using the own karaoke device;
When the reserved content information corresponding to the identification information of the logged-in user who has received the login procedure by the login receiving means is stored in the reserved content information storage means, from among each karaoke device belonging to the in-store karaoke system, Search means for searching for a karaoke device having content corresponding to the reserved content information of the login user;
A karaoke apparatus comprising: a secondary content acquisition means for acquiring content corresponding to the reserved content information of the login user from the karaoke apparatus searched by the search means. Among the in-store karaoke system in which a plurality of karaoke devices that reproduce content including at least karaoke music are communicably connected via the first network in the karaoke store, and the karaoke device belonging to the in-store karaoke system, the content In the karaoke network system in which the host server that distributes content to a master machine that has only the content acquisition authority to acquire content from a distribution host server is connected to be communicable via a second network A content acquisition method using a karaoke device,
As a procedure related to processing executed when the karaoke device functions as the master device,
User information in which the identification information of the user who reserved the use of the karaoke store is associated with the content reserved by the user is acquired from the host server, and the user identification information and the content based on the acquired user information A user information acquisition procedure for recording reservation content information including at least information relating to the association with reservation information in a reservation content information storage unit included in the own karaoke device;
Reservation content information distribution procedure for distributing reservation content information stored in the reservation content information storage means to each slave device that is the karaoke device in the in-store karaoke system and does not have the content acquisition authority;
At least the identification information of each slave device and the information indicating the free storage capacity for content storage of the slave device, which are transmitted from each slave device after distribution of the reserved content information in the reserved content information distribution procedure, respectively Karaoke device information acquisition procedure for acquiring karaoke device information including,
Based on the free storage capacity for content storage of each slave device indicated by the karaoke device information acquired in the karaoke device information acquisition procedure and the free storage capacity for content storage of its own master device, A selection procedure for selecting one karaoke device having the largest free storage capacity for content storage from the master machine;
When the own master device is selected in the selection procedure, or when the own karaoke device acquires the content acquisition authority from the predecessor master device and shifts to the master device, it is stored in the reserved content information storage means first. A content primary acquisition procedure for acquiring unacquired content indicated by the reserved content information from the host server;
If one of the slave devices is selected in the selection procedure, the content acquisition right to transfer the content acquisition authority to the slave device and transfer the own karaoke device from the master device to the slave device. A transfer procedure,
Furthermore, as a procedure related to processing executed when the own karaoke device functions as the slave machine,
A reservation content information acquisition procedure for acquiring the reservation content information from the master machine and recording the reservation content information in the reservation content information storage means included in the own karaoke device;
After acquiring the reserved content information from the master device in the reserved content information acquisition procedure, karaoke device information including at least the identification information of the own slave device and information indicating the free storage capacity for content storage of the own slave device is stored in the master. Karaoke device information transmission procedure to be transmitted to the machine,
When the content acquisition authority is transferred from the master machine, it has a content acquisition right transfer procedure for transferring the own karaoke device from the slave machine to the master machine,
Furthermore, as a procedure related to processing common to the master machine and the slave machine,
A login acceptance procedure for accepting a login procedure to the user's own karaoke device with input of identification information of the user from a user who uses the user's own karaoke device
When the reserved content information corresponding to the identification information of the login user who has accepted the login procedure in the login acceptance procedure is stored in the reserved content information storage procedure, from among each karaoke device belonging to the in-store karaoke system, A search procedure for searching for a karaoke device having content corresponding to the reserved content information of the login user;
A content secondary acquisition procedure for acquiring content corresponding to the reserved content information of the login user from the karaoke device searched in the search procedure.

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