JPH06150146A - Music information vending device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain new music data in all parts of the whole country at an early stage by transmitting new music information which is necessary for the sales from a host computer, writing it in the semiconductor storage element of a cartridge and selling it. CONSTITUTION:When a music is purchased, a user feeds necessary amount of money in a cash receiver 10 at first. The list of music that the user selects is displayed on an indicator 9, and when the user purchases it, a writing to a cartridge 5 is started. In this case, whether that music data exists in the storage device T of a music information sales device 3 or not, is retrieved by a MPU 15, and when the data does not exist, an access to a host computer 1 is automatically performed via a transmission interface 4 and a transmission line 2 and necessary music data is made to be transmitted from a host computer 1. When the sold music is written in the semiconductor storage element within the cartridge 5, it is automatically recorded in the storage device 7 or a RAM 17 and the record is automatically transmitted to the host computer 1 by utilizing the time such as midnight, etc., when the sales is not performed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is premised on a reproducing apparatus which uses a cartridge using a semiconductor memory device such as an IC memory card and plays with music information (music data) stored in the semiconductor memory device of the cartridge. The present invention relates to a music information selling device for selling by directly writing a new song or the like in the semiconductor memory element of the cartridge in order to provide the new song or the like promptly.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, music used for karaoke is generally provided on a compact disc or a video disc, and even if a new song is released, it is inevitable that it will be delayed for several months before karaoke is released. It was not. On the other hand, recently, it has become possible to record note information as a digital signal and play it using a synthesizer sound source. Since this method can efficiently compress music information, it has become possible to secure a sufficient capacity even in an IC card or the like using a semiconductor memory element.

Therefore, a karaoke device using a ROM cartridge has been proposed as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-95594. However, even with this method, since a ROM (Read Only Memory), which is inexpensive and does not require management after sales, is used for the cartridge, it still takes several months before the release of the new song.

On the other hand, as another method for dealing with such a new song, there is proposed an apparatus for transmitting music data using a public line and playing through a D / A converter, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-183660. However, this method always requires this device in a place where you can karaoke.
It is difficult to introduce it individually, and it is only used for some business purposes.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a music information selling device for enabling a new music piece, which has been difficult in the above prior art, to be used by an individual quickly (and at low cost). It is in.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a writable semiconductor memory element is used as a cartridge, and music such as notes, songs, lyrics, digital image data for visually displaying lyrics is displayed. It is premised on a means for writing information (data) to the cartridge and a synthesizer sound source reproducing means for playing music based on the data written on the cartridge and displaying lyrics and images.

Then, a note computer, a music piece, lyrics, digital image data for visually displaying the lyrics, and the like are stored as music information, and a host computer stores new song information necessary for sale from the host computer. , The music information selling device is configured by selling by writing in the semiconductor memory element of the cartridge, and by including the writing means and the charging means for collecting the price when writing (sale) did.

[0008]

With the cartridge using the writable semiconductor memory element, even if the user purchases it, it is possible to write a new song as long as the storage capacity allows, as long as there is a device for writing it. Further, for example, if the method of storing the note data of the synthesizer sound source is adopted, the music data can be efficiently compressed, and a sufficiently practical playing time can be secured even if a semiconductor memory element is used.

Considering the sale of a new song on such a premise, after the new song is announced, it takes several days to convert the data of the new song into the data of such a synthesizer sound source (writing in the semiconductor memory element of the cartridge). Yes, if you can, you can transfer the new song data to all over the country using the public line and write by writing it in the semiconductor memory device of the cartridge, and sell it to the user while collecting the price as a consideration by the charging means. To do. By doing this, it will be possible to sell the new song data as karaoke data all over the country at the same time and within a few days after the new song is announced.

Moreover, since it is easy to collect the sales situation on the same day, it is possible to make an efficient sales plan.

[0011]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a host computer for storing music information, 2 is a transmission line for transmitting music data, 3 is a music information sales device for selling music information, and 4 is from the host computer 1. A transmission interface for receiving data, 5 is a cartridge having a built-in semiconductor memory element for writing music data, 6 is a writing circuit for writing the transmitted music data to the cartridge 5, and 7 is transmitted music data. Is a storage device for storing the.

Reference numeral 8 is a music selection device for selecting music data to be written in the cartridge 5, 9 is a display device for displaying the selected music title, various warnings, lyrics, images, etc. 10 is an appropriate charge for the music to be sold. A money collecting device for collecting and collecting the money, 11 is a synthesizer sound source for viewing and listening for trial listening to see if the content of the selected music is appropriate, and 12 is an analog output of the synthesizer sound source 11 which is digitally synthesized. A digital-analog converter, 13 is an amplifier, and 14 is a speaker for converting into a signal.

Reference numeral 15 is a microprocessor MPU which controls the above-mentioned respective parts and performs a series of operations, 16 is a memory element for storing programs of the MPU 15 which describes these operations, and 17 is a memory element when the MPU 15 executes various operations. It is a readable and writable storage element for work required for.

FIG. 2 is a part of a flowchart showing the operation of the music information selling device, and FIG. 3 is a part of the rest. Hereinafter, the selling operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the user wants to purchase a certain song (specifically, when he / she wants to write a new song to the semiconductor memory element of the cartridge 5), first, the money of the amount necessary for the money receiving apparatus 10 is paid. Throw in. As can be easily guessed, this may be billing with a prepaid card or the like. Next, the user selects the song selection device 8 to search for a desired song.
Enter the data in.

The input method may be a keyboard method or a touch input method using a tablet.
Prepare a number of possible means for selecting songs. For example, the most general method is a method of inputting a song name or a singer name, displaying a number of relevant candidate songs, and allowing the user to select one. Alternatively, there is also a method of displaying the song name, singer name, and the like in order from the latest release date of the song and allowing the user to select the song name.

Further, for the convenience of the user, a method of displaying and selecting the items in the order of highest sales amount at that time, a method of searching for words included in lyrics as keywords,
A method of selecting by classification according to the season name suitable for playing the song, a method of selecting according to the genre of music such as enka, rock, jazz, a method of specifying by the song number written in the song selection list,
Furthermore, by adopting a method such as a search based on a combination of a plurality of the above-mentioned methods, a method is adopted in which a song can be selected quickly and easily from the songs of thousands or more.

Finally, the list thus selected is displayed on the display unit 9 and the user is inquired as to whether or not to purchase, and when purchasing, a cartridge (specifically, a built-in semiconductor memory element). Writing to 5 starts. The above music selection may be one or a plurality of musics. In the case of a plurality of charges, the MPU 15 calculates each charge and displays the total amount on the display 9.

At the time of writing, whether the cartridge 5 is inserted, what kind of semiconductor memory element is used in the cartridge 5, for example, whether it can be written only once, or which cannot be written It is determined whether or not it is a type that can be written and erased many times, and a necessary warning message is displayed on the display 9 according to each.

For example, in the case of a cartridge using a ROM of a type that cannot be written, "Writing is not possible."
Display a message like. Further, even for a writable type cartridge, the MPU 15 calculates the data amount of the selected song and the remaining capacity of the memory remaining in the cartridge, and if the remaining capacity is insufficient to store the data amount of the song, " The remaining capacity is insufficient. Please select another song. "Is displayed.

Further, the input amount of money is compared with the total charge amount, and if there is a shortage, a request for the shortage is displayed on the display unit 9. Furthermore, if the selected song is not the one that the user expected, the user will not be satisfied, so it may be free or charged to some extent, but the beginning part of the selected song Part of the sound is made available for audition through the built-in synthesizer sound source 11. As described above, the user should sell the product with due consideration so as not to lose the loss or the expectation due to an erroneous operation.

On the other hand, when the selected song is decided, the MPU 15 searches whether or not the music information data is in the storage device 7 of the music information selling device 3, and if not, the transmission interface 4 and the transmission are automatically performed. The host computer 1 is accessed through the path 2 and the required song data is transmitted from the host computer 1.

The transmission line 2 is a public telephone line as the most common one, and recently, there is also a wired transmission line such as a digital public telephone line, so that it may be used, or the music information selling device 3 may be used. Depending on the installation location, a wireless transmission method may be used.

For easy inference, the user may access the host computer 1 every time the music information selected by the user is sought, but it takes a long time for transmission.
For reasons such as high transmission cost, it is better to use a system that can access the host computer 1 as few times as possible. Therefore, songs that are frequently selected are stored in the music information selling device 3 as a storage device. The method of storing in 7 is good.

When a general public line is used as a transmission line, data may be stolen or modified in the middle of the transmission line. Therefore, error processing of the data and encryption that prevents the data from being stolen It is good to process.

As a result of selling the song as described above (specifically, writing the song in the semiconductor memory element in the cartridge 5), the memory device 7 or the readable / writable work memory element is automatically used. It is recorded in the RAM 17 and the recording is automatically transmitted to the host computer 1 through the transmission interface 4 and the transmission path 2 by utilizing the time when the sale is not performed such as midnight.

On the host computer 1 side, the sales data gathered from all the sales devices 3 are totaled on the same day, and the hit status of the song, the sales status, the popularity / unpopular status, the size of the sales,
Since data useful for future sales, such as sales by the installation location and music selection information, can be obtained, it can be effectively used for the next sales.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 18 is a reproducing device for reproducing music information using the cartridge 5, and 3 is a music information selling device. By pulling out the cartridge 5 from the reproducing device 18 and inserting (setting) it in the music information selling device 3, a new song is written (that is, sold) in the cartridge 5, and then the cartridge 5 is reproduced again.
By inserting (set) in 8, you can immediately enjoy the new song you just purchased.

[0030]

According to the music information selling device of the present invention, the following effects can be expected. (1) New song data for karaoke will be available anywhere in the country a few days after its release.

(2) The user can collect only the data of his or her desired music, and does not have to pay for the music that he does not want by tying it up, unlike the case of a video disc or a compact disc. (3) By looking at the sales volume data, it becomes possible for general users to know what song is currently hit in karaoke, which is helpful.

(4) If it is possible to view a part of the music and confirm the content in advance of the sale, it is possible to avoid paying a useless price. (5) Since the music data supply side can obtain the sales situation on the same day, an effective sales strategy can be accurately established.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a part of a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is the remaining part of the flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Host computer 2 ... Transmission path 3 ... Music information selling device 4 ... Transmission interface 5 ... Cartridge 6 ... Semiconductor memory element writing circuit 7 ... Storage device 8 ... Music selection device 9 ... Display device 10 ... Money collection device 11 ... Synthesizer sound source 12 ... Digital-analog converter 13 ... Amplifier 14 ... Speaker 15 ... Microprocessor 16 ... Program ROM 17 ... Read / write semiconductor memory element 18 ... Reproducing device

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A cartridge including a semiconductor memory element is detachably attached, and the cartridge is taken out from a reproducing device for playing music by reading music information stored in the semiconductor memory element of the cartridge in a worn state, What is claimed is: 1. A music information selling device, which sells music information by writing music information from a music information source to the semiconductor memory element included therein, comprising: the music information source; Music selection means for selecting and designating music information to be written, means for reading the designated music information from the music information source and writing it in the semiconductor memory element, and money collection for collecting the price of the written music information. And a means for selling music information. 2. The music information selling device according to claim 1, wherein the music information source comprises a storage means connected to a host computer via a transmission means, and the music information is a musical note represented by a musical score. , A music, a lyrics, and an arbitrary one or a plurality of image information for visually displaying the lyrics, a music information selling device. 3. The music information selling device according to claim 2, wherein the transmitting means is a public telephone line. 4. The music information selling device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said transmitting means comprises means for encrypting and transmitting the information to be transmitted, and for decrypting the information after transmission. Music information sales device that does. 5. The music information selling device according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein recording means for recording sales result information including at least a song and a price of the music information sold, and the transmitting means for transmitting the sales result information. And a means for transferring to the host computer via the transmission means when the music information selling apparatus is free. 6. The music information selling device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, and means for detecting a remaining storage capacity of the semiconductor memory element at which music information should be written for the purpose of selling. , A means for comparing the data amount of the music information music piece selected and designated by the music selection means with the remaining storage capacity, and a means for displaying that the sale is impossible when the former exceeds the latter as a result of the comparison. A music information sales device characterized in that 7. The music information selling device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein the type of the semiconductor memory element to which the music information is to be written for the purpose of sale belongs to a writable type. Whether or not the writable type belongs to any of the plurality of types, and if it is determined that the writable type does not belong to the writable type, a means to display that effect is provided. The music information selling device, wherein the writing means comprises writing means capable of automatically adjusting a writing condition adapted to the determined writable type and writing the semiconductor memory device. 8. The music information selling apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, wherein the music information to be written is written to the semiconductor memory device before the music information is written for the purpose of selling. An apparatus for selling music information, comprising means for enabling trial listening of part or all of the above. 9. The music information selling device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, further comprising: a means for displaying a list of songs of music information that can be sold.
The music information selling device, wherein the music selection means is also provided with a function of searching for a desired music piece from among the music pieces of music information that can be sold. 10. The music information selling device according to claim 9, wherein the music selection means includes a music title, a singer's name, a song release date,
Music information sales characterized by means having a search function capable of searching for a song by using one or more of a season name, a part of lyrics, a classification, a song number, etc. suitable for playing a song as an index apparatus. 11. Claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
In the music information selling device described in 8, 9, or 10, when there are a plurality of songs selected and designated by the music selection means, the music information sales device is provided with a means for displaying them as a list, and the writing means selects, An apparatus for selling music information, comprising means for writing a plurality of designated songs at once. 12. The music information selling device according to claim 6, wherein when there are a plurality of songs selected and designated by the music selecting means, the comparing means stores in a semiconductor memory the total data amount of the plurality of songs. A music information selling device characterized by being compared with the remaining storage capacity of the element. 13. The music information selling device according to claim 8, wherein, when the music information to be written in the semiconductor memory element is composed of a plurality of music pieces, the viewing means selects one of the plurality of music pieces. A music information selling device comprising means for enabling continuous viewing of all or all parts. 14. The music information selling device according to claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the music information selected and designated by the music selection means is not stored in the storage means as a music information source. If the music information is the above-mentioned music information, the host computer is accessed through the transmission means and the music information is fetched from the host computer to the storage means, or immediately without being fetched to the semiconductor storage element for the purpose of sale. An apparatus for selling music information, comprising means for enabling writing. 15. The music information selling device according to claim 5, wherein means for counting the types of music information having a relatively small sales quantity from recorded sales result information, and relative to the collected sales quantity And a means for deleting a small amount of music information from the storage means. 16. The music information selling device according to claim 15, further comprising means for rearranging and displaying the music information in descending order of sales quantity by using the totaled result, as a reference at the time of selecting a song. Music information sales device characterized by. 17. The music information selling device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the writing means causes the semiconductor storage element to store the music information selected and designated by the music selecting means. A music information selling device characterized by comprising a means capable of selectively writing a part of a song that is too long when writing.