JP4844610B2 - Karaoke network system and karaoke device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology for replicating content between karaoke apparatuses connected to a network in a karaoke store.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a karaoke network system that distributes content to be played on a karaoke device from a host server for content distribution to a karaoke device installed in each karaoke store (for example, a karaoke box) nationwide via a wide area network (hereinafter referred to as WAN). Widely used.

In recent years, many karaoke apparatuses installed in karaoke stores are individually provided with a large-capacity storage means so that contents to be reproduced by the own karaoke apparatus can be accumulated. In a karaoke network system composed of such karaoke devices, a representative karaoke device having authority to communicate with a host server for content distribution and a host server among a plurality of karaoke devices installed in a store ( (Hereinafter referred to as a master machine) is set in advance, and the master machine and the host machine communicate with each other via the WAN, so that the content is delivered from the host server to the master machine (primary delivery). Then, the content distributed to the master device is transmitted from the master device to the karaoke device under the management of the master device in the karaoke store via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) distributed in the karaoke store (hereinafter referred to as “master device”). Are distributed to each karaoke device in the karaoke store (secondary distribution). By doing so, the number of karaoke apparatuses that receive content distribution directly from the host server can be reduced, and the communication load in the primary distribution between the host server and the master device can be reduced (for example, Patent Documents). 1).
JP 2004-170529 A

  By the way, the content played back by the karaoke device is not only normal performance data (MIDI data, etc.), but also a variety of high-quality live music songs, promotional video (PV) video, CM video, etc. sampled from the actual performance sound. The number of contents and the amount of data for each content are increasing year by year.

Under such circumstances, there are the following problems. A karaoke device that holds the latest content may be brought into the LAN in the store where the latest content has not yet been acquired by the master device as a substitute for the failed karaoke device. When an existing master device is connected to the LAN, the karaoke device brought in as an alternative device operates as a slave device. At this time, the other slave units in the store have a karaoke device that has the latest content on the LAN, but the master unit does not have the latest content. The latest content is distributed primarily.
Further, since the slave machine receives the content distribution only from the master machine, the slave machine does not have the latest content until the master machine receives the primary delivery of the latest content from the host server and performs the secondary delivery. Therefore, there is a mixture of karaoke devices that can use the latest content in the same store and karaoke devices that are not so until the content held by all slave devices including the alternative device is equivalent to the content held by the master device. The period during which an unfairness occurs in the service provided to the customer.

  In addition, if the master machine performs secondary distribution from the master machine to the substitute machine that holds the latest content before the master machine acquires the latest content from the host server, the content held by the substitute machine will be retained by the master machine. There is also a disadvantage that so-called reverse equivalence occurs, in which old content is overwritten on the latest content originally held.

  In this way, if the karaoke device (alternative machine) that originally holds the latest content is on the LAN, the master device does not need to receive the primary distribution from the host server, and has the latest content via the LAN. There should be no need to distribute content to karaoke devices. Nevertheless, the latest contents are distributed from the WAN, and the contents are also distributed to an alternative machine that holds the latest contents, so that various data related to the distribution of contents that are not originally required are WAN. Or transferred over the LAN. This unnecessarily occupies the communication band, resulting in poor use efficiency of the WAN or LAN, and it takes a long time until the content held by all slave devices including the alternative device is equivalent to the content held by the master device. As a result, the unfair period of services provided to customers also becomes longer. In addition, there is a disadvantage such as reverse equivalence.

  Note that such unfairness or reverse equivalence of the service is not limited to when the karaoke device itself is replaced, but when the hard disk drive (HDD) provided in the karaoke device is replaced, the latest content is previously stored in the new HDD. It can also happen if it is installed.

  In addition, when multiple karaoke devices are exchanged at the same time, or when a plurality of karaoke devices with different production times and usage histories are installed when a karaoke store is newly opened, karaoke devices with different acquisition status of old and new contents Since many are mixed, the above problem becomes more remarkable.

  In addition, it is conceivable that the master machine acquires the latest content from each slave machine in the store and then performs the equivalence to each slave machine after it is in the latest state. When a karaoke device having a smaller amount of latest content is functioning as a master device, the amount of transmission / reception for the master device to acquire the latest content from another karaoke device becomes enormous and the time required for the transmission / reception Also gets longer.

  This invention is made in order to solve such a problem, and it aims at providing the technique for enabling the latest content to be efficiently distributed between several karaoke apparatuses from which the acquisition condition of content differs. To do.

  The karaoke network system according to claim 1, which has been made to solve the above problem, includes a plurality of karaoke apparatuses that play back content including at least karaoke music, and are communicably connected via the network. Only the master unit that has the content acquisition authority to acquire the content from the host server for distribution acquires the content from the host server, and the acquired content is sequentially applied to the slave machines that are karaoke devices that do not have the content acquisition authority. Configured to deliver.

  Each karaoke device is configured to be able to function as both a master device and a slave device, and as a means related to processing executed when the own karaoke device functions as a master device having the content acquisition authority, the first holding list Creation means, creation request means, possession list acquisition means, latest list creation means, content acquisition right transfer means, acquisition destination list creation means, first content acquisition means, second content acquisition means, It is equipped with.

  The first possession list creating means includes a possession list that is a list in which the identification information of the karaoke device, the identification information of all the content possessed by the karaoke device, and the revision of each content are recorded for the own karaoke device. create.

The creation request means requests each of the other karaoke devices connected to the network to create the holding list related to the karaoke device.
The possession list acquisition unit acquires the possession list created by each other karaoke device in response to the creation request by the creation request unit.

  The latest list creation means is based on the possession list of the own karaoke apparatus created by the first possession list creation means and the possession list of each other karaoke apparatus obtained by the possession list acquisition means, and each of the possession lists included in these possession lists For each content, a latest list is created, which is a list in which the content identification information, the latest revision of the content, and the identification information of all karaoke devices holding the content of the latest revision are associated and recorded.

The selecting means refers to the latest list created by the latest list creating means, and selects a karaoke apparatus suitable as a master machine having content acquisition authority among all karaoke apparatuses.
The content acquisition right transfer means transfers the content acquisition authority to the selected slave machine and updates the latest list when one of the slave machines is selected as a master karaoke apparatus by the selection means. The latest list created by the creating means is transmitted to the selected slave machine, and the own karaoke device is transferred from the master machine to the slave machine.

  The acquisition destination list creation means is the latest created by the latest list creation means of the own karaoke apparatus or the latest list creation means of another karaoke apparatus, when the selection means selects the karaoke apparatus as a suitable karaoke apparatus as the master machine. In the list, out of the identification information of the karaoke device associated with each content of the latest revision, the identification information of the karaoke device from which the content is acquired is selected for each content, and this is identified. An acquisition source list that is a list recorded in association with information and the latest revision is created.

  When the first content acquisition unit is associated with identification information of a karaoke device other than the own karaoke device as the acquisition source of the latest revision of the content in the acquisition source list created by the acquisition source list creation unit, Get the latest revision of content from the corresponding karaoke device.

  The second content acquisition unit acquires the content from the host server after the first content acquisition unit acquires the content from another karaoke device other than the own karaoke device.

  Furthermore, each karaoke device has a second possession list creation means, a possession list transmission means, and a content acquisition right transfer as means relating to processing executed when the own karaoke apparatus functions as a slave machine that does not have content acquisition authority. Means.

  The second possession list creation means is a list in which identification information of the own karaoke device, identification information of all contents held by the own karaoke device, and revisions of the respective contents are recorded in response to the possession list creation request. Create a holding list.

The possession list transmitting means transmits the possession list of the own karaoke apparatus created by the second possession list creating means to the karaoke apparatus as the creation request source.
When the content acquisition authority is transferred from the master device, the content acquisition right transfer means transfers the own karaoke device from the slave device to the master device and acquires the content from the host server.

  According to the karaoke network system configured as described above, each karaoke device connected to the network has the latest content that the karaoke device does not own, and other karaoke devices that have the latest content. Can be obtained from. As a result, in a situation where a plurality of karaoke devices with different production times and usage histories are connected to the network and the distribution status of the latest content is uneven, each karaoke device has its latest content from other karaoke devices on the network. By acquiring, you can quickly resolve the unfairness of services. In addition, since only the latest content that the own karaoke device does not have is acquired, so-called reverse equivalence such as being equivalent to a karaoke device that does not have the latest content does not occur. Therefore, according to the karaoke network system of the present invention, the latest content can be efficiently distributed between a plurality of karaoke apparatuses having different content acquisition situations.

  Furthermore, according to the karaoke network system configured as described above, after selecting a karaoke device suitable as a master device that owns content acquisition authority among all karaoke devices, the selected master device is stored in the store. After obtaining the latest content from each slave machine, it becomes the latest state and executes equivalence to each slave machine. As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of transmission / reception for the master machine to acquire the latest content from another karaoke apparatus and also reduce the time required for the transmission / reception.

  In other words, in the karaoke network system, the master unit is replaced mainly to reduce the WAN content transfer, thereby eliminating the unnecessary transfer related to the WAN-LAN transfer, thereby improving the distribution efficiency and completing the equivalent. Can shorten the time of service and shorten the unfair period of service.

Therefore, according to the karaoke network system of the present invention, the latest content can be efficiently distributed between a plurality of karaoke apparatuses having different content acquisition situations.
As a method for selecting a karaoke device suitable as a master device, for example, a karaoke device having the largest amount of latest content can be selected as the master device. Specifically, as in claim 2, the selecting means is associated with each content of the latest revision in the latest list created by the latest list creating means of the own karaoke apparatus or the latest list creating means of another karaoke apparatus. The number of the karaoke device identification information is compared, and, as a result of the comparison, the karaoke device having the largest number of karaoke device identification information associated with the latest revision of each content is assigned to the master having the content acquisition authority. It is conceivable to select a karaoke device suitable as a machine (claim 2).

  If comprised in this way, while the master machine can further reduce the transmission / reception amount for acquiring the newest content from another karaoke apparatus, the time which the said transmission / reception requires can further be reduced.

  Next, the karaoke apparatus according to claim 3 functions as a karaoke apparatus constituting the karaoke network 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.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the following embodiment at all, and can be implemented in various aspects.
[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 is a store in which karaoke devices 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d installed in karaoke rooms in a karaoke store that provides karaoke services to users are connected via a LAN 100. The internal network is connected to the host server 2 via the WAN 200 which is a wide area network. 1 shows a configuration in which four karaoke devices are connected to the karaoke network system 1 in one karaoke store for convenience of explanation, but more karaoke devices are connected to the same store. May be. A plurality of in-store networks may be connected to the host server 2. In the following description, the karaoke devices 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d are simply referred to as the karaoke device 4 unless otherwise distinguished.

[Description of the configuration of 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 a karaoke service for delivering a message. As shown in FIG. 2B, the host server 2 includes a CPU 21, RAM 22, ROM 23 as an information processing apparatus having appropriate processing capability, a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD) 24 as an external storage device, and a LAN communication unit. 25, etc., and the HDD 24 always holds all contents of the latest revision.

  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 is performed via the WAN 200 and the LAN 100 on the karaoke store side.

[Description of configuration of karaoke device 4]
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. These are devices that hold various contents in their own HDDs 44 and play back the held contents. In the present embodiment, each karaoke device 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d has a serial number (for example, a production number) X001, X002, X003, X004, which 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). On the other hand, each karaoke device connected to the LAN 100 acquires the latest revision of content that is not owned by its own karaoke device 4 (hereinafter referred to as “own device”) from another karaoke device 4 that owns the content. (Secondary delivery). In this way, through the primary distribution from the host server to the master machine and the secondary distribution between the karaoke apparatuses 4, the contents held in all the karaoke apparatuses 4 connected to the LAN 100 are equivalent to the latest ones. It has come to be.

  However, when an alternative machine for the failed karaoke device 4 is newly connected, or when the HDD 44 of the karaoke device 4 is replaced, the old and new contents until the above-described primary distribution and secondary distribution are completed. The karaoke apparatuses 4 having different acquisition statuses may be mixed. In particular, when a plurality of karaoke devices 4 are exchanged at the same time, or when a plurality of karaoke devices 4 having different production times and usage histories are installed at the time of opening a new karaoke store, the acquisition status of old and new content differs. Many karaoke apparatuses 4 are mixed.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, in consideration of such a situation, it is assumed that the acquisition status of new and old content is different between the four karaoke apparatuses 4. Taking the karaoke apparatus 4a with the serial number X001 as an example, the karaoke apparatus 4a does not have the contents F (revision 1) and H (revision 1) that the host server 2 has. Of the contents held by the karaoke apparatus 4a with the serial number X001, B (revision 2), D (revision 1), and I (revision 1) are older than the same contents held by the host server, and the latest revision Is not. As described above, in the example shown in FIG. 1, each karaoke device 4 does not necessarily have all the contents provided from the host server 2, and the held contents are the latest revision. It is not necessarily a thing.

Next, FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the karaoke apparatus 4.
The karaoke apparatus 4 includes a CPU 41, a RAM 42, a ROM 43, an HDD 44, an operation unit 45, a playback unit 46, an input 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 will be described later, equivalent processing, latest list creation processing, acquisition destination list creation processing, content acquisition processing, etc. These various processes are 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 is a device for storing various data such as content data such as karaoke music data and video data, and programs. 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 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 input unit 47 to a speaker, and video playback based on image data A video playback unit for controlling the video, a monitor for displaying video, and the like. The input unit 47 is for converting a singer's singing voice into an audio signal by a microphone and inputting the voice signal to the reproduction unit 46.

  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.

  It should be noted that the primary delivery between the host server 2 and the master machine and the secondary delivery between the karaoke apparatuses 4 are more reliable than multicast communication (UDP / IP) in order to reliably deliver content without errors. Highly unicast communication (TCP / IP) is adopted. In unicast communication using TCP / IP, one-to-one communication is realized by establishing a session with a communication partner.

  Returning to the description of the block diagram of FIG. The router 120 is a communication device that interconnects different networks. The router 120 is installed at a connection point between the WAN 200 that is an external network and the LAN 100 that is an internal network. The router 120 transmits communication from the LAN 100 to the WAN 200 and transmits communication from the WAN 200 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 communication / equivalent processing executed by the master unit]
Next, detailed contents of the communication / equivalent processing executed by the karaoke apparatus 4 (hereinafter referred to as the master machine) functioning as a master machine among the karaoke apparatuses 4 belonging to the karaoke network 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. .

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the main process of the communication / equivalent process executed by the CPU 41 of the master machine. This process is a process that is always executed in the master machine.
First, the CPU 41 of the master machine determines whether or not one day has passed since the previous acquisition of content (that is, when content equivalence is performed) (S110). When it is determined that one day has not elapsed since the previous content acquisition (S110: NO), the process returns to S110.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that one day has passed since the previous content acquisition (S110: YES), the latest list creation process is executed (S120). In this process, the other karaoke device 4 connected to the LAN 100 is requested to create a possession list, and the latest revision content and the latest content are obtained from the possession list relating to the own device and the possession list relating to the other karaoke device 4. The latest list which is a list of all the karaoke apparatuses 4 that hold is created. The detailed contents of this latest list creation process will be described later.

  Here, the specific content of the possession list created by the karaoke apparatus 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 (a), 4 (b), 4 (c), and 4 (d) are explanatory diagrams schematically showing examples of possession lists relating to the own devices created by the karaoke apparatuses 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d, respectively. 4A to 4D, the possession list includes a serial number that is identification information of the karaoke device 4 that is the creation source, a file name of the content that the karaoke device 4 currently possesses, and its It consists of a set of records consisting of revisions.

  Each content stored in the HDD 44 of the karaoke apparatus 4 has a distribution priority set according to the importance of the content. That is, it indicates that the higher the distribution priority, the higher priority should be distributed over other contents. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that A> B> C> D> E> F> G> H> I in order of distribution priority. And each karaoke apparatus 4 sorts the record of each content in a possession list in order with a high delivery priority, when producing the possession list regarding an own machine. That is, in the created possession list, the records of each content are arranged in descending order of distribution priority.

  Here, specific contents of the latest list created by the karaoke apparatus 4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A schematically illustrates an example of the latest list created by the latest list creation process described above. In the case shown in FIG. 6A, the latest list created by the karaoke apparatus 4b with the identification number X002 is assumed based on the respective holding lists shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 6A, the latest list includes the file name of the content, the latest revision of the content in the all holding list, for all types of contents included in all the holding lists, And it is comprised by the collection of the record which consists of the serial number of all the karaoke apparatuses 4 which hold | maintain the content of the latest revision.

  Returning to the description of the flowchart of FIG. 3, after the latest list is created in S120, a owned total number list that is a list of the total number of contents of the latest revision owned by all the karaoke apparatuses 4 is created (S130, FIG. 6B). )reference). Next, it is determined whether or not the total number of owned items is the largest in the owned number list created in S130 (S140). Here, when it is determined that the number of possessions is not the largest in the possession total list (S140: NO), the latest list is transmitted to the karaoke apparatus 4 having the largest possession total and the master authority is transferred to the karaoke apparatus 4. Then (S180), the device itself shifts from the master machine to the slave machine (S190). Then, this process ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the total number of owned items is the largest in the owned total number list (S140: YES), it is assumed that the device itself continues to function as a master machine, and the acquisition destination list creation process is executed (S150). In this process, one karaoke device 4 that is the acquisition destination of the content of each latest revision described in the latest list is selected for each content, and an acquisition source list that is a list in which this is associated with the file name of the content is created. To do. The details of the acquisition destination list creation process will be described later.

  After creating the acquisition destination list in S150, content acquisition processing is executed (S160). In this process, the latest revision content is acquired from the corresponding acquisition karaoke apparatus 4 based on the acquisition destination list. Details of the content acquisition process will be described later. Then, communication with the host server 2 is started in order to acquire the latest content held by the host server 2 (S170). Then, this process ends.

[Description of communication / equivalent processing executed by slave]
Next, detailed contents of communication / equivalent processing executed by the karaoke apparatus 4 (hereinafter referred to as a slave machine) functioning as a slave machine among the karaoke apparatuses 4 belonging to the karaoke network 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of main processing of communication / equivalent processing executed by the CPU 41 of the slave machine. This process is a process that is always executed in all slave machines belonging to the karaoke network 1.

  First, the CPU 41 of the slave machine determines whether or not a holding list creation request has been received from another karaoke apparatus 4 connected to the LAN 100 (S610). If it is determined that the holding list creation request has not been received (S610: NO), it is next determined whether or not the master authority has been transferred from the master machine (S640). If it is determined that the master authority has not been transferred from the master machine (S640: NO), the process returns to S610.

  In the process of sequentially repeating the processing of S610 and S640 as described above, when it is determined that a request to create a holding list has been received from another karaoke apparatus 4 (S610: YES), the content held by the own device in the HDD 44 and its revision A possession list that is a list of the above is created (S620).

After creating a possession list for the own device in S620, the created possession list is transmitted to the requesting karaoke apparatus 4 (S630), and the process returns to S610.
On the other hand, if it is determined in S640 that the master authority has been transferred from the master machine (S640: YES), the latest list is acquired from the previous master machine (S650).

  After acquiring the latest list from the previous master device in S650, the device itself shifts from the slave device to the master device (S660), and executes an acquisition destination list creation process (S670). In this process, one karaoke device 4 that is the acquisition destination of the content of each latest revision described in the latest list is selected for each content, and an acquisition source list that is a list in which this is associated with the file name of the content is created. To do. The details of the acquisition destination list creation process will be described later.

  After creating the acquisition destination list in S670, content acquisition processing is executed (S680). In this process, the latest revision content is acquired from the corresponding acquisition karaoke apparatus 4 based on the acquisition destination list. Details of the content acquisition process will be described later. Then, communication with the host server 2 is started to acquire the latest content held by the host server 2 (S690). Then, this process ends.

[Description of the latest list creation process executed by the master unit]
Next, detailed contents of the latest list creation process executed by the master machine will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the latest list creation process executed by the CPU 41 of the master machine. This process is a process executed in S120 of the communication / equivalent process (see FIG. 3) by the master machine described above.

  First, the CPU 41 of the master machine creates a holding list related to the own machine and stores it in the RAM 42 or the like (S210). This process is the same as S620 in the communication / equivalent process (see FIG. 10) by the slave machine described above, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Next, the other karaoke devices 4 connected to the LAN 100 are requested to create their own possession lists (S220). The holding list creation request is made by broadcast without specifying the receiving party.

  After transmitting the possession list creation request, it is determined whether or not the possession list has been received from another karaoke apparatus 4 as a response to the creation request (S230). If it is determined that the possession list has not been received (S230: NO), the process proceeds to S250. On the other hand, when it is determined in S230 that the possession list has been received (S230: YES), the obtained possession list is stored in the RAM 42 or the like (S240), and the process proceeds to S250.

  In S250, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time-out period has elapsed since the transmission of the holding list creation request. If it is determined that the timeout time has not elapsed (S250: NO), the process returns to S230. Thereafter, until the timeout time elapses, the processes of S230 to S250 are sequentially repeated, and the possession list transmitted from each karaoke apparatus 4 is sequentially stored.

  If it is determined that the time-out period has elapsed since the transmission of the holding list creation request (S250: YES), all of these are based on the owning list stored in the RAM 42 and the other karaoke devices 4. This is a list in which all types of content included in at least one of the possession list, the latest revision of each content, and all the karaoke devices 4 possessing the content of the latest revision are extracted and associated with each other. The latest list is created (S260).

  Note that when the karaoke device 4 creates the latest list, the order of contents in the latest list is created in accordance with the order of records of the contents in the possession list (order of distribution priority). That is, the content records in this latest list are arranged in order from the highest distribution priority.

  For example, when the holding lists shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D are compared for the content with the file name “A”, the latest revision of the content A is 3. Then, it can be seen from the possession list of FIG. 4 (a) that only the karaoke apparatus with the serial number X001 possesses the content A of revision 3. Therefore, a record composed of the file name “A”, the latest revision “3”, and the serial number “X001” is described in the latest list. Similarly, when the respective possession lists are compared for the content with the file name “I”, for example, the latest revision of the content I is 2. Only the karaoke apparatus with serial numbers X002 and X003 possesses the content I of revision 2. Accordingly, the latest list includes a record including the file name “I”, the latest revision “2”, and the serial numbers “X002” and “X003”.

[Description of acquisition list creation processing executed by master machine]
Next, detailed contents of the acquisition destination list creation process executed by the master machine will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is the first half of a flowchart showing the procedure of the acquisition destination list creation process executed by the CPU 41 of the master machine, and FIG. 8 is the second half thereof. This process is a process executed in S150 of the communication / equivalent process (see FIG. 3) executed by the master machine and in S670 of the communication / equivalent process (see FIG. 10) executed by the slave machine.

  First, the CPU 41 of the master machine deletes and initializes all records in the acquisition destination list stored in the RAM 42 (FIG. 7: S310). Next, the serial number of “previous connection destination” which is a parameter stored in the RAM 42 is erased and initialized (S320).

  Then, the records in the latest list (see FIG. 6A) are referred to in order from the top to determine whether there are any unprocessed records (S330). If it is determined that there is an unprocessed record in the latest list (S330: YES), the highest record among the unprocessed records is acquired as a processing target from the latest list (S340). Then, it is determined whether or not the serial number of the own device is included in the serial number described in the acquired record to be processed (S350). If it is determined that the serial number of the own device is included in the processing target record (S350: YES), the file name, revision, and the corresponding serial number described in the processing target record (here, , The serial number of the own device) is added to the tail of the acquisition source list as one record (S390), and the process returns to S330.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S350 that the processing target record does not include the serial number of the own device (S350: NO), it is determined whether or not a plurality of serial numbers are described in the processing target record (S360). ). If it is determined that only one serial number is described in the record to be processed (S360: NO), the serial number described in the record to be processed is overwritten as the previous connection destination parameter. Store (S370). Then, the file name, revision, and corresponding serial number (in this case, the only serial number described in the record to be processed) described in the record to be processed are acquired as one record. (S390), and the process returns to S330.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S360 that a plurality of serial numbers are described in the record to be processed (S360: YES), the parameter of the previous connection destination is included in the plurality of serial numbers described in the record to be processed. It is determined whether or not there is the same serial number stored as (S380). If it is determined that there is a serial number that is the same as the serial number of the previous connection destination (S380: YES), the file name, revision, and corresponding serial number described in the processing target record (here, the previous serial number) The same serial number as the connection destination) is added to the end of the acquisition source list as one record (S390), and the process returns to S330.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S380 that the serial number described in the record to be processed is not the same as the serial number stored as the previous connection destination parameter (S380: NO), S400 The process proceeds to (see FIG. 8).

  In S400, all serial numbers of the “connection destination candidate array” that are parameters stored in the RAM 42 are erased and initialized. Next, all serial numbers described in the record to be processed are recorded in the initialized connection destination candidate array (S410). Then, it is determined whether or not there is a next lower unreferenced record from the record to be processed in the latest list (S420).

  If it is determined in S420 that there is a next unreferenced record (S420: YES), the serial number described in this next record is referred to (S430). Then, it is determined whether or not the serial number described in the next record includes the serial number of the own device (S440). If it is determined that the serial number of the own device is included (S440: YES), the process returns to S420. In S420, it is determined whether or not there is an unreferenced record that is further next to the previous next record. Determine.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S440 that the serial number described in the next record does not include the serial number of the own device (S440: NO), the serial number stored as the parameter of the connection destination candidate array and Then, it is determined whether or not the same serial number exists with the serial number described in the next record (S450). If it is determined that the same serial number exists between the serial number of the connection destination candidate array and the serial number of the next record (S450: YES), the mismatched serial number is deleted from the connection destination candidate array. (S460). Then, it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of serial numbers in the connection destination candidate array after deletion (S470). If it is determined that there are a plurality of serial numbers in the connection destination candidate array after deletion (S470: YES), the process returns to S420, and there is an unreferenced record that is further next to the previous next record in S420. It is determined whether or not to do.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S470 that only one serial number is recorded in the connection destination candidate array (S470: NO), the serial number is overwritten and stored as the parameter of the previous connection destination (S490), and S390 ( The process proceeds to the process of FIG. In S390, the file name, revision, and corresponding serial number (here, the only serial number recorded in the connection destination candidate array) described in the processing target record are acquired as one record. And return to the processing of S330.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. If it is determined in S420 that the next lower unreferenced record does not exist (S420: NO), or the serial number stored as a parameter of the connection destination candidate array in S450 and the serial number described in the next record If it is determined that the same serial number does not exist between the numbers (S450: NO), the serial number recorded in the connection destination candidate sequence is the smallest (the number is the smallest). The serial number is set (S480). Then, the set serial number is overwritten and stored as the previous connection destination parameter (S490), and the process proceeds to S390 (see FIG. 7). In S390, the file name, revision, and corresponding serial number (here, set in S480) described in the record to be processed are added to the end of the acquisition list as one record, and S330 Return to the process.

  Thereafter, the processing of S330 to S490 is sequentially repeated, so that the contents and the records of the acquisition destination are sequentially added to the acquisition destination list in the same order as the arrangement order of the records in the latest list. If it is determined in S330 that there is no unprocessed record in the latest list (S330: NO), that is, if the process of selecting acquisition sources for all the records in the latest list is completed, the acquisition list creation process Exit.

  FIG. 6C schematically illustrates an example of the acquisition destination list created by the above-described acquisition destination list creation processing. In the case shown in FIG. 6C, an acquisition source list created by the karaoke apparatus 4c with the identification number X003 is assumed based on the latest list shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, the acquisition source list is the content file name, the latest revision of the content, and the acquisition destination of the content for each content described in all the records included in the latest list. It is composed of a set of records composed of serial numbers of two karaoke apparatuses 4. Note that when the karaoke device 4 creates the acquisition destination list, the arrangement order of the records in the acquisition destination list is made the same as the arrangement order of the records in the latest list (that is, the distribution priority order of the contents). To do. In other words, the content records in this acquisition destination list are arranged in order from the highest distribution priority.

  For example, for the content with the file name “A”, only X001 is described as the serial number in the latest list in FIG. Therefore, in the above acquisition destination list creation process (FIGS. 7 and 8), X001 is selected as the serial number of the acquisition destination of content A, and is described in the record of content A in the acquisition destination list of FIG. Similarly, for the content with the file name “B”, since only X004 is described as the serial number in the latest list, this X004 is described in the record of content B in the acquisition destination list.

  Next, for the content with the file name “C”, X001, X003, and X004 are described as serial numbers in the latest list. At this time, since the record has its own serial number, its own serial number X003 is selected as the acquisition destination of the content C, and is described in the record of the content C in the acquisition destination list. As described above, when the serial number of the own device is selected as the acquisition destination, it is not necessary to acquire the content again from another karaoke apparatus 4, so that the communication load required for establishing the communication session and transferring the content can be reduced. .

  Next, for the content with the file name “D”, X002, X003, and X004 are described as serial numbers in the latest list. In this case, since the serial number X003 of the own device is included, the serial number X003 of the own device is selected as the acquisition destination of the content D, and is described in the record of the content D in the acquisition destination list.

  Next, for the content with the file name “E”, X001 and X003 are described as serial numbers in the latest list. In this case, since the serial number X003 of the own device is included, the serial number X003 of the own device is selected as the acquisition destination of the content E, and is described in the record of the content E in the acquisition destination list.

  Next, for the content with the file name “F”, X003 and X004 are described as serial numbers in the latest list. In this case, since the own serial number X003 is included, X003 is selected as the acquisition destination of the content F, and is described in the record of the content F in the acquisition destination list.

  Next, for the content with the file name “G”, X001 and X004 are described as serial numbers in the latest list sent from X002 by the own device (X003). The own serial number X003 is not included (S360: NO). The record has a plurality of serial numbers (S360: YES). Furthermore, since the value of the previous connection destination currently stored is X004 (the value stored at the creation timing of the content acquisition list of the file name “B” (S370)), the same serial number as the previous connection destination Since there is (X004) (S380: YES), the previous connection destination in this case is X004. Therefore, X004 is selected as the acquisition destination of the content G, and is described in the record of the content G in the acquisition destination list (S390). Next, for the content with the file name “H”, only the serial number X003 of its own device is described in the latest list. Therefore, the serial number X003 of the own device is selected as the acquisition destination of the content H, and is described in the record of the content H in the acquisition destination list.

  Finally, X002 and X003 are described as serial numbers in the latest list for the content with the file name “I”. In this case, since the serial number X003 of the own device is included, the serial number X003 of the own device is selected as the acquisition destination of the content I and is described in the record of the content I in the acquisition destination list.

  Also, at the initial stage of processing the record, when one unprocessed record is first obtained from the latest list (S340), there is no value stored as the previous connection destination, and the record has a plurality of serial numbers, In addition, when there is no serial number of the own device (S350: NO, S360: NO, S380: NO), the value stored as the previous connection destination is specified by the processing of S400 to S490.

  Therefore, on the premise that the content is acquired in order from the top content in the acquisition destination list, the karaoke device 4 of the same acquisition destination is selected by selecting the same serial number as the previous connection destination as the acquisition destination as described above. It becomes possible to acquire a plurality of contents continuously. In other words, a plurality of contents can be acquired continuously in an established communication session once established, and compared to the case where a communication session is established with a different acquisition destination each time one content is acquired. The communication load required for this can be reduced.

[Description of content acquisition processing executed by the master unit]
Next, detailed contents of the content acquisition process executed by the master machine will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a content acquisition process executed by the CPU 41 of the master machine. This process is a process executed in S160 of the communication / equivalent process (see FIG. 3) executed by the master machine and S680 of the communication / equivalent process (see FIG. 10) executed by the slave machine.

  First, the CPU 41 of the master machine refers to the records in the acquisition destination list (see FIG. 6C) in order from the top, and determines whether there is a record of unacquired content (S510). When it is determined that there is an unacquired content record in the acquisition destination list (S510: YES), the highest record among the unacquired content records is acquired as a processing target from the acquisition destination list (S520). ).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the serial number described in the record to be processed is the same as the serial number of the own device (S530). If it is determined that the serial number described in the record to be processed is the same as the serial number of the own device (S530: YES), the process returns to S510 to determine whether there is a next record to be processed. Determine whether.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S530 that the serial number described in the record to be processed is different from the serial number of the own device (S530: NO), the karaoke device corresponding to the serial number described in the record to be processed 4, the content corresponding to this record is acquired (S540). At this time, when content is acquired from the same karaoke apparatus 4 as the communication partner that has already established a communication session as the previous connection destination, the content is continuously acquired while maintaining the communication session. On the other hand, when acquiring content from the karaoke apparatus 4 different from the previous connection destination, a communication session is newly established with the karaoke apparatus 4 of the acquisition destination, and the content is acquired.

  Thereafter, the processing of S510 to S540 is sequentially repeated to sequentially acquire contents from the higher order records in the acquisition destination list according to the distribution priority order, and when it is determined in S510 that there are no unacquired content records (S510). : NO), the content acquisition process is terminated.

[effect]
According to the karaoke network system of the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Each karaoke device 4 connected to the LAN 100 collects a possession list from the other karaoke devices 4 and creates a latest list and an acquisition destination list based on the collected possession list. Then, according to the acquired acquisition destination list, the latest content that each own device does not have can be acquired from another karaoke apparatus 4 that has the latest content. As a result, in a situation where a plurality of karaoke devices 4 having different production times and usage histories are connected on the LAN 100 and the distribution status of the latest content is uneven, each karaoke device 4 is connected to each other karaoke device 4 on the LAN 100. By acquiring the latest content, the unfairness of services can be quickly resolved. In addition, since only the latest content that the device itself does not have is acquired, so-called reverse equivalence such as being equivalent to a karaoke device that does not have the latest content 4 does not occur. Therefore, according to the karaoke network system 1 of the embodiment, the latest content can be efficiently distributed between a plurality of karaoke apparatuses 4 having different content acquisition situations.

  (2) The karaoke apparatus 4 having the largest amount of latest content is selected as a master machine (FIG. 3: S140). Thus, after selecting the karaoke device 4 suitable as the master device having the content acquisition authority among all the karaoke devices 4 as the master device, the selected master device executes communication with the host (FIG. 3: S170). Since the latest content is acquired from each slave device before communication with the host before the communication, the number of content acquired from the host can be reduced, and the amount of content transferred by the WAN is reduced, so the time required for the transfer is also reduced. Can be reduced.

  Furthermore, the process in which the selected master machine acquires the latest content from each slave machine in the store also reduces the amount of LAN transmission / reception for acquiring the latest content from the other karaoke devices 4 and the time required for the transmission / reception. Since the acquisition process (FIG. 3: S150, S160) that can be reduced is performed, the time until the selected master machine starts communication with the host is also shortened. In other words, in the karaoke network system 1, distribution efficiency is improved by eliminating unnecessary transfer related to WAN-LAN transfer by changing the master unit so that transfer time mainly related to WAN content transfer is reduced. It is possible to shorten the time until completion of equivalence and shorten the unfair period of the service. Therefore, according to the karaoke network system 1 of the present embodiment, the latest content can be efficiently distributed between a plurality of karaoke apparatuses 4 having different content acquisition situations.

  (3) If the own device is included in the karaoke apparatus 4 that holds the target content in order from the top of the latest list, the own device is first selected as the acquisition destination as the acquisition destination list creation procedure. In this case, since it is not necessary to acquire the content again from another karaoke apparatus 4, the communication load for acquiring the content can be omitted.

  (4) Next, when the own device does not have the target content, if the karaoke device 4 to which the previous connection is made is included in the karaoke device 4 that holds the target content, the target karaoke device 4 is targeted. Select as the source for the content. By doing in this way, since it becomes possible to acquire a content continuously from the same karaoke apparatus 4, the load for establishing a communication session can be reduced.

  (5) On the other hand, if the own device does not have the target content and the previous connected karaoke device 4 also does not have the target content, its immediate lower rank (excluding the content held by the own karaoke device) If any of the karaoke devices 4 that own the content is the same as the karaoke device 4 that owns the target content, the same karaoke device 4 is selected as the acquisition source of the target content. In this case, when acquiring the content, a new communication session needs to be established, but the next content can be continuously acquired from the same karaoke apparatus 4, so the load for establishing the communication session can be reduced. .

  (6) When the same karaoke device 4 as the acquisition device is selected as the karaoke device 4 associated with the content immediately below the target content, if there are a plurality of karaoke devices 4 corresponding thereto, Among the plurality of karaoke apparatuses 4, the karaoke apparatus 4 whose owner is the same as the most subordinate content continuously from the latest subordinate content is selected as the acquisition source of the target content. By configuring in this way, it is possible to select the acquisition destination of the target content so as to be continuous with the acquisition destinations of as many subordinate contents as possible. Therefore, as much content as possible can be continuously acquired from the same karaoke device 4, communication load and communication time can be reduced, and content can be efficiently acquired between karaoke devices.

  By performing (3) to (6), as much content as possible can be continuously made from the same karaoke device 4 without changing the order of content acquisition, that is, while maintaining the content distribution priority order. An acquisition list is created so that it can be acquired. Therefore, communication load and communication time can be reduced, and contents can be efficiently acquired between karaoke apparatuses.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a karaoke network system 1. FIG. (A) is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the karaoke apparatus 4, and (b) is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the host server 2. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the communication and equivalent process which a master machine performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a holding list typically. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the newest list creation process. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the newest list typically, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows an example of an aggregation result typically, (c) shows an example of an acquisition destination list typically. It is explanatory drawing. It is the first half part of the flowchart which shows the procedure of an acquisition destination list creation process. It is the latter half part of the flowchart which shows the procedure of an acquisition destination list creation process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a content acquisition process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the communication and equivalent process which a slave machine performs.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Karaoke network system, 2 ... Host server, 4 ... Karaoke apparatus, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... RAM, 23 ... ROM, 24 ... HDD, 25 ... LAN communication part, 41 ... CPU, 42 ... RAM, 43 ... ROM, 44 ... HDD, 45 ... operation unit, 46 ... playback unit, 47 ... input unit, 48 ... LAN communication unit, 100 ... LAN, 120 ... router, 200 ... WAN

Claims (3)

A plurality of karaoke apparatuses that play back content including at least karaoke music are communicably connected via a network, and the master having only the content acquisition authority to acquire contents from the host server for content distribution among the karaoke apparatuses In a karaoke network system configured so that only a machine acquires content from the host server and sequentially distributes the acquired content to a slave machine that is a karaoke device that does not have the content acquisition authority,
Each karaoke device is configured to be able to function as either the master device or the slave device, and as a means related to processing executed when the own karaoke device functions as a master device having the content acquisition authority,
About the own karaoke device, first possession list creation means for creating a possession list that is a list in which the identification information of the karaoke device, the identification information of all the content possessed by the karaoke device, and the revision of each content is recorded When,
For each other karaoke device connected to the network, creation request means for requesting creation of the possession list related to the karaoke device,
Possession list acquisition means for acquiring the possession list created by each of the other karaoke devices in response to a creation request by the creation request means;
Based on the possession list of the own karaoke device created by the first possession list creation means and the possession list of each of the other karaoke devices obtained by the possession list acquisition means, a content for each content included in these possession lists Latest list creation means for creating a latest list that is a list in which the identification information, the latest revision of the content, and the identification information of all karaoke devices that hold the content of the latest revision are associated and recorded,
Selection means for selecting a karaoke apparatus suitable as a master machine having the content acquisition authority among all karaoke apparatuses with reference to the latest list created by the latest list creating means;
When one of the slave machines is selected as a suitable karaoke apparatus as a master machine by the selecting means, the content acquisition authority is transferred to the selected slave machine and the latest list creating means Content acquisition right transfer means for transmitting the created latest list to the selected slave machine and transferring the own karaoke device from the master machine to the slave machine;
In the latest list created by the latest list creating means of the own karaoke apparatus or the latest list creating means of another karaoke apparatus when the own karaoke apparatus is continuously selected as a suitable karaoke apparatus as the master machine by the selection means, the latest revision Among the identification information of the karaoke device associated with each content, one piece of identification information of the karaoke device from which the content is acquired is selected for one content, and this is selected as the identification information of the content and the latest revision. Acquisition source list creation means for creating an acquisition destination list that is a list recorded in association with
In the acquisition destination list created by the acquisition destination list creation means, when the identification information of the other karaoke apparatus other than the own karaoke apparatus is associated as the acquisition destination of the latest revision content, the content of the latest revision corresponds. First content acquisition means for acquiring from a karaoke device;
Second content acquisition means for acquiring content from the host server after acquisition of content from other karaoke devices other than the own karaoke device by the first content acquisition means,
Furthermore, each said karaoke apparatus is as a means regarding the process performed when the own karaoke apparatus functions as a slave machine which does not have the said content acquisition authority,
In response to a request to create a possession list, a second possession that creates a possession list that is a list in which the identification information of the own karaoke device, the identification information of all the content possessed by the own karaoke device, and the revision of each content is recorded List creation means;
Possession list transmission means for transmitting the possession list of the own karaoke apparatus created by the second possession list creation means to the karaoke apparatus of the creation request source;
Content acquisition right transfer means for transferring the own karaoke apparatus from the slave machine to the master machine and acquiring the content from the host server when the content acquisition authority is transferred from the master machine. Karaoke network system. The karaoke network system according to claim 1,
In the latest list created by the latest list creation means of the own karaoke device or the latest list creation means of another karaoke device, the selection means compares the quantity of identification information of the karaoke device associated with each content of the latest revision. As a result of the comparison, the karaoke device having the largest amount of identification information of the karaoke device associated with each content of the latest revision is selected as a karaoke device suitable as a master device having the content acquisition authority. A karaoke network system. A plurality of karaoke apparatuses that play back content including at least karaoke music are communicably connected via a network, and the master having only the content acquisition authority to acquire contents from the host server for content distribution among the karaoke apparatuses The karaoke apparatus constituting the karaoke network system configured such that only a machine acquires content from the host server and sequentially distributes the acquired content to a slave machine that does not have the content acquisition authority In
As a means related to processing executed when the master device and the slave device can function as both, and the own karaoke device functions as a master device having the content acquisition authority,
About the own karaoke device, first possession list creation means for creating a possession list that is a list in which the identification information of the karaoke device, the identification information of all the content possessed by the karaoke device, and the revision of each content is recorded When,
For each other karaoke device connected to the network, creation request means for requesting creation of the possession list related to the karaoke device,
Possession list acquisition means for acquiring the possession list created by each of the other karaoke devices in response to a creation request by the creation request means;
Based on the possession list of the own karaoke device created by the first possession list creation means and the possession list of each of the other karaoke devices obtained by the possession list acquisition means, a content for each content included in these possession lists Latest list creation means for creating a latest list that is a list in which the identification information, the latest revision of the content, and the identification information of all karaoke devices that hold the content of the latest revision are associated and recorded,
Selection means for selecting a karaoke apparatus suitable as a master machine having the content acquisition authority among all karaoke apparatuses with reference to the latest list created by the latest list creating means;
When one of the slave machines is selected as a suitable karaoke apparatus as a master machine by the selecting means, the content acquisition authority is transferred to the selected slave machine and the latest list creating means Content acquisition right transfer means for transmitting the created latest list to the selected slave machine and transferring the own karaoke device from the master machine to the slave machine;
When the karaoke device is selected as a karaoke device suitable as a master device by the selection means, the latest revision created by the latest list creation means of the own karaoke device or the latest list creation means of another karaoke device is the latest revision. Among the identification information of the karaoke device associated with each content, one piece of identification information of the karaoke device from which the content is acquired is selected for one content, and this is selected as the identification information of the content and the latest revision. Acquisition list creation means for creating an acquisition list that is a list recorded in association with each other;
In the acquisition destination list created by the acquisition destination list creation means, when the identification information of the other karaoke apparatus other than the own karaoke apparatus is associated as the acquisition destination of the latest revision content, the content of the latest revision corresponds. First content acquisition means for acquiring from a karaoke device;
Second content acquisition means for acquiring content from the host server after acquisition of content from other karaoke devices other than the own karaoke device by the first content acquisition means,
Furthermore, as a means for processing executed when the own karaoke apparatus functions as a slave machine that does not have the content acquisition authority,
In response to a request to create a possession list, a second possession that creates a possession list that is a list in which the identification information of the own karaoke device, the identification information of all the content possessed by the own karaoke device, and the revision of each content is recorded List creation means;
Possession list transmission means for transmitting the possession list of the own karaoke apparatus created by the second possession list creation means to the karaoke apparatus of the creation request source;
Content acquisition right transfer means for transferring the own karaoke apparatus from the slave machine to the master machine and acquiring the content from the host server when the content acquisition authority is transferred from the master machine. And karaoke equipment.

Images