JPH0659691A - Karaoke system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a KARAOKE system which is free from trouble in the use of a terminal when a database specified local breaks down. CONSTITUTION:For a KARAOKE system which consists of a central database, plural local databases connected to the central database and a number of KARAOKE reproducing terminals each connected to at least one local database, plural local database telephone numbers and memories 21 possible to register these in orders are provided at the respective terminals and a switching means 22 possible to switch the high-order local database, if troubled in disabled communication, to the low-order local database is also provided. In this way. if a specified local area database breaks down, the continuous use of the terminal is allowed by switching and connecting it to another local database in accordance with the telephone number previously registered in the terminal.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a karaoke system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art So-called karaoke, in which only accompaniments such as songs and songs are played and songs are sung in accordance with this, has become widespread, and its devices are installed in many restaurants, snacks, taverns, inns, hotels, etc. . As a conventional karaoke device, only music can be reproduced by using an eight-track music tape, and simple still images and lyrics telops and high-quality music by CD, CDG, etc. can be reproduced. , LD,
Various forms are provided, such as those for displaying a moving image in VHD or the like and simultaneously displaying a lyrics telop that changes with a song to reproduce high-quality music.

However, in these conventional karaoke apparatuses, (1) the installation area increases as the music software increases, and (2) one medium (C
Since many songs are recorded in (D etc.), the work of adding new songs to this is complicated and the response to new songs is delayed, (3)
With the increase of music software, the software preparation cost is high, (4) The usage situation of the device at the karaoke installation shop cannot be accurately grasped, and there may be problems in charging the rental lease, etc. there were.

In order to solve such a problem, data of a large number of songs used for karaoke, telop data, image data, etc. are recorded in a large storage device of a central database installed at the head office. Data is sent to a karaoke reproducing device (terminal) installed in a plurality of karaoke installation stores through a digital communication line for use by the customer, and the usage status is recorded in a central database (Japanese Patent Application No. 2-138332)),
A system has been developed in which a plurality of local databases are provided between the central database and the terminals, and data transmission / reception to / from a large number of terminals is managed via the local databases.

With such a karaoke system, one piece of software recorded in the central database can be used to access many terminals, new songs can be easily handled, and the usage status of karaoke can be accurately grasped. Small footprint,
There are many advantages such as low initial cost and unlimited number of songs to prepare, but requests from many terminals are concentrated at one time, or a central database or a local database is down. Then, there was a problem that all terminals connected to it became unusable.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to utilize a terminal even when a certain local database is down. It is to provide a karaoke system that does not hinder the operation.

[0007]

The above object consists of a central database, a plurality of local databases connected to the central database, and a large number of terminals for reproducing karaoke connected to at least one local database. In the karaoke system, each terminal has a memory that can store the telephone numbers of multiple local databases and their ranks, and when communication to the higher local database becomes impossible, the lower local databases are sequentially connected. This can be achieved by the above-mentioned karaoke system, which is characterized in that it is provided with a switching means capable of controlling.

[0008]

With the above configuration, even if a specific local database goes down, by switching to another local database based on the telephone number registered in advance in the terminal, connection can be made. It is possible to continue using the terminal.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The structure of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an overall installation state of a karaoke system according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a terminal device (karaoke reproducing apparatus) in the karaoke system according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the karaoke system according to the present invention has one central database A installed at a head office in Tokyo and a plurality of local databases B ₁ to B ₁ installed in major local cities. B ₆ is ISDN respectively
Connect the digital communication line etc., the B ₁ for further prevent complication of the local database B ₁ to a number of terminal C ₁ to C ₈ are installed in the karaoke shop (drawing in Figure 1, each of B ₆ Are shown only) are connected by a digital communication line such as ISDN.

On the other hand, each of the plurality of terminals C ₁ to C ₈ normally connected to the local database B ₁ is, for example, in the case of the terminal C _1, when the local database B ₁ is down by a switching device described later. In addition, some other local databases B ₂ and B ₃ can be selectively switched and connected.

In the present specification, the term "digital communication line" refers to an integrated network that comprehensively carries out various services such as communication between computers, facsimile and videotex by transmitting digital signals.
SDN (Integrated Service Digital Network), I
NS (Information Network System), DDX (Dig
ital Data Exchange) and so on.

The central database A is a large hard disk storage device, a host computer, a buffer R.
AM, digital circuit interface, printer, etc., and each of the local databases B ₁ to B ₆ etc. has a digital circuit interface, buffer R
It is composed of an AM, a host computer, a CPU, a printer, etc., and each of the terminals C ₁ to C ₈ etc. has a digital circuit interface, buffer RAM, CP
U, image reproducing device, music reproducing device, telop control circuit,
It is composed of a music selection device, a display device, a speaker, a telephone number registration memory, a digital communication line switching device, and the like.

The large-sized hard disk storage device of the central database A stores data of many songs used for karaoke, telop data, and image data, and supplies these to the storage devices of the local databases B ₁ to B _6. Data such as the usage status of terminals recorded in each local database is recorded and managed.

On the other hand, each of the local databases B ₁ to B ₆ detects the number of the requested song in accordance with the calling signal sent from the terminals C ₁ to C ₈ or the like through the digital communication line, and based on this, The required data is called from the storage device and transferred to the terminals C ₁ to C ₈ .

When the terminal C ₁ to C ₈ operates the music selection device to select the request number of the desired music,
It has a function of automatically calling a predetermined local database, transmitting a request number to the local database through a digital communication line, receiving karaoke data extracted based on the request number, and playing back a song or an image.

When the customer selects the request number of the desired song, the terminal C ₁ first calls the local database B ₁ and receives the karaoke data of the desired song from B _1. Then, when the local database B ₁ is down or when the local database B ₁ is busy or is not connected, the other local database B ₂ is automatically called. Furthermore, another local database B ₃ is called to retrieve desired karaoke data.

Hereinafter, the terminal C₁See Figure 2 for details
I will explain while illuminating. In addition, terminal C ₁To C₈Etc.
Since each has the same configuration,
End machine C₁Only will be described. Terminal C₁Is the CPU
10, interface 11, buffer RAM 12, music selection device
13, I / O circuit 14, image reproduction circuit 15, music reproduction circuit 16,
Telop control circuit 17, synthesis circuit 18, display device 1
9, speaker 20, telephone number registration memory 21, switching device 22, etc.
The CPU 10 includes a CPU body 101 and a program R.
OM102, program RAM103, work RAM104
It is composed of

The CPU 10 plays a role of controlling the operation of the entire karaoke reproducing apparatus, and the main functions thereof are communication-related control, music reproduction control, telop display and control, image reproduction control, and request reception. Display control.

The interface 11 controls transmission / reception to / from a digital communication line connected via the telephone 23, and transmits a telephone number for calling the required local databases B ₁ to B ₆ and a karaoke data transmitting device. Receives the data sent from. Buffer R
The AM12 temporarily stores the input data from the digital communication line, and when the data reaches a certain amount, it stores it in the CPU.
Transfer to 10.

The music selection device 13 is a device for the user to input a desired karaoke request number.
The request number input to the CPU 10 through the O circuit 14 is sent to the local database B ₁ (or B ₂ or B ₃ ) through the interface 11 and the digital communication line. The music selection device 13 and the CPU 10 may be connected by a cable, but the music selection device 13 may be used as a remote control device to send a music selection signal in a wireless format.

The image reproduction circuit 15 decodes the image data contained in the input data from the karaoke data transmission device which is temporarily stored in the buffer RAM 12 and then transferred via the CPU 10, and displays it on the display device 19. Convert to a signal to obtain. The music reproduction circuit 16 is also a CP
The music data included in the input data transferred via U10 is decoded and converted into an audio signal which can be reproduced by the speaker 20.

The telop control circuit 17 similarly decodes the telop information of the lyrics included in the input data transferred via the CPU 10 and converts it into a signal which can be displayed by the display device 19, and according to the progress of the tune. The change of the color is controlled so that the position of the lyrics to be sung is displayed by the change of the color of the telop. The synthesizing circuit 18 synthesizes the video signal from the image reproducing circuit 15 and the video signal from the telop control circuit 17 and sends it to the display device 19.

In the memory 21, the local database B is stored.
_1, B ₂ and the telephone number of the B ₃ has a B ₁ is registered in the following order B _2, B ₃ the highest priority, it is read out by switching in accordance with the priority order by the switching device 22.

When the user inputs the desired karaoke request number using the music selection device 13 of the terminal C ₁ , the signal is input to the CPU 10 via the I / O circuit 14. When accordingly the switching device 22 based on a command from the CPU 10, first local database B ₁ telephone number (0987-
11-1111) is read from the memory 21 and sent to the interface 11. The interface 11 sends the telephone number and sends the request number to the local database B ₁ through the digital communication line when the receiving side is ready to receive the call.

The request number from the terminal device C ₁ is supplied to the CPU via an interface provided in the local database B ₁ , and the required data, that is, the requested music piece, is stored in a predetermined storage device according to the request number. Image data, music data, telop data, etc. are taken out, stored in the buffer RAM, and then sent from the local database B ₁ to the terminal C ₁ through the digital communication line.

As described above, when the data of the desired request song is brought to the terminal C ₁ side through the digital communication line, the input data is temporarily stored in the buffer RAM 12, and when the data reaches a certain amount. , These data pass through the CPU 10, and the image reproduction circuit 15, music reproduction circuit
16 and the telop control circuit 17. In that case, the image reproduction circuit 15 decodes the image data included in the input data and converts it into a signal that can be displayed by the display device 19, and the music reproduction circuit 16 similarly decodes the music data and outputs the speaker 20. Converted into a sound signal that can be played by
Further, the telop control circuit 17 similarly decodes the telop information of the lyrics, converts it into a signal that can be displayed by the display device 19, and displays the position of the lyrics to be sung according to the progress of the song by changing the color of the telop. The change in the color is controlled so that

The video signals from the image reproducing circuit 15 and the telop control circuit 17 are combined in the combining circuit 18 and sent to the display device 19, and the output of the music reproducing circuit 16 is input to the speaker 20 to reproduce the desired request song. An image suitable for the accompaniment and the song is reproduced, and at the same time, the lyrics to be sung on the screen of the display device are displayed as a telop while changing colors according to the progress of the song.

Then, the user inputs a desired request number, the selection device 22 reads the telephone number of the local database B ₁ from the memory 21, and the interface 11 transmits the telephone number based on this. If the local database B ₁ is down and cannot be connected to this, the selecting device 22 reads the electric field number (0986-22-2222) of the next local database B ₂ from the memory 21 and uses it for the interface 11. Send and call the local database B ₂ . When the led local database B _2, the data of the a song request number from a local database B ₂ in the same manner is read out and brought to the terminal C _1. If it is not connected to the local database B ₂ , the selection device 22 further reads the electric field number (0985-33-3333) of the next local database B ₃ from the memory 21 and sends it to the interface 11 to call the local database B ₃ . Do.

As described above, when the terminal C ₁ first calls the local database B ₁ and is not connected to it, B ₂ is called, and when it is not connected to it, B is called.
_Since operations such as calling ₃ are automatically performed, the terminal can be used efficiently without causing dissatisfaction to the user.

In the illustrated embodiment, the memory
I registered three telephone numbers in 21. Of course, the number can be increased or decreased as appropriate.

Local databases B ₁ to B
₆ indicates that the data to be sent is (1) song data, (2) song data and telop data,
(3) The design can be appropriately changed to the data of the song, the telop data, and the telop color change data, (4) the color change data, the telop and image data, and the like.

Also, the terminals C ₁ to C ₈ can (1) combine the data sent from the local database with the data of the song and the data of the telop, and send the data to reproduce the telop and the song at the same time. (2) Song data, telop data, and telop color change data are combined and sent to the data sent from the regional database, and the telop and song and telop color change are played at the same time. (3) Image data is sent at the same time, and songs, telops, color changes of telops, and background images can be played at the same time, (4) Image data external input terminal The design can be changed as appropriate, such as that obtained from the above, (5) image data that is recorded in advance in the storage device in the terminal device, and the like.

[0034]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, according to the present invention, even if a certain local database is down, it is based on the telephone number registered in advance in the terminal. By switching to and connecting to another local database, the terminal can be continuously used. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and includes all modified embodiments that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art from the above description within the scope of the object.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall installation state of a karaoke system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a terminal in the karaoke system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of Codes] A Central Database B _{1 to} B ₆ Local Database C _{1 to} C ₈ Terminal 10 CPU 101 CPU Main Body 102 Program ROM 103 Program RAM 104 Work RAM 11 Interface 12 Buffer RAM 13 Music Selection Device 14 I / O Circuit 15 Image reproduction circuit 16 Music reproduction circuit 17 Telop control circuit 18 Compositing circuit 19 Display device 20 Speaker 21 Memory 22 Switching device 23 Telephone

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A karaoke system comprising a central database, a plurality of local databases connected to the central database, and a plurality of terminals for reproducing karaoke connected to at least one local database, wherein a plurality of terminals are provided for each terminal. The local database telephone number and the memory (21) capable of registering the order thereof are provided, and when the communication to the higher local database becomes impossible, the switching means (22) which can be sequentially connected to the lower local database. ) Is provided, the karaoke system described above.