JPH08185191A - Karaoke device and charging system for usage of karaoke music information - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide the KARAOKE device capable of collecting the charge for KARAOKE music information without troubling any human being, and charging for a music that a user desires according to a desired range of usage. CONSTITUTION: This KARAOKE device is equipped with a central controller 31 which performs a specific KARAOKE playing process by using KARAOKE music information stored on a hard disk 33. The KARAOKE music information is selected with a multipurpose input key 32 and when a period wherein the KARAOKE music information is usable or a frequency of playing is set is specific units, the central controller 31 gives a KARAOKE performance within the set range of usage.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a karaoke music information charging system which can charge and collect the usage charge of karaoke music information used for karaoke performance through a charging communication network, and a karaoke device effective for use in the system. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional karaoke system uses an analog signal for karaoke piece information and stores information on karaoke pieces in a karaoke device such as a so-called laser disk karaoke or CD karaoke which does not use communication. There was a stand-alone type that set a medium and uses the song information to perform karaoke performance. In this case, for example, the owner of the karaoke device goes out to buy the medium (laser disk, CD, etc.) storing the karaoke piece information, or the seller of the karaoke device delivers the medium to the owner. Was.

Further, the charge in that case is a medium unit, and is a pack charge in which a plurality of pieces of music information such as new music of this month are collected. After that, an online type karaoke system called "communications karaoke" was born, which uses communication by using digital signals of karaoke song information. In this case, the karaoke piece information is transmitted from the center apparatus to each karaoke apparatus by using the information communication network, and the karaoke apparatus owner stores the medium storing the karaoke piece information as described above. It is possible to save the trouble of going out to buy oneself or having the seller of the karaoke device deliver the medium to the owner. However, as for the collection of charges, basically, like the above-mentioned stand-alone type karaoke device, the user goes to the place where the karaoke device is installed and collects it from the user of the karaoke device.

Regarding the charge system in that case, for example, when the music information of a new music is collected and communicated online on a monthly basis, the charge is a pack charge including a plurality of music information. For example, for new songs, a fixed monthly fee is charged by contracting to replenish each month.

[0005]

As described above, in the conventional karaoke apparatus, even if it is desired to add song information, it is possible to send the information online so that it does not bother humans. As for the recovery, as mentioned above,
There was a need for human intervention, such as going to the place where the device was installed.

[0006] In addition, for example, when the music information of a new music is collected online and communicated online, the pack charge is a collection of a plurality of music information, and some users may not need the music. In addition, since it is basically a purchase fee, it is sufficient for a song that is used many times, but if the song is used only once, the user feels that "the money cannot be recovered." In other words, for the user,
It is desired that a desired music piece be collected at a fee according to a desired usage range (for example, the number of times of use and a usage period).

Therefore, the present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, the fee for karaoke song information can be collected without the need for human intervention, and the desired song can be used by the user. An object of the present invention is to provide a karaoke device which can be collected at a fee according to a range and a karaoke piece information fee charging system to which the karaoke device is applied.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems, Actions and Effects of the Invention]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a karaoke piece information storage means capable of storing karaoke piece information for use in karaoke performance, and a karaoke piece stored in the karaoke piece information storage means. Karaoke playing means capable of executing a predetermined karaoke playing process using information, selecting means for selecting the karaoke piece information, and use for setting a use range of the karaoke piece information selected by the selecting means. Range setting means, karaoke piece information use control means for permitting or prohibiting use of the selected karaoke piece information based on the range set by the use range setting means, and charging having a charging function Communication means accessible to the communication network, and usage fee of karaoke piece information based on the range set by the use range setting means A karaoke device, characterized in that it comprises a charging control means for charging using the charging function by the charging network.

As a use range that can be set by the use range setting means, as described in claim 2, a period in which the karaoke piece information can be used or the number of performances can be set in a predetermined unit. For example, it is conceivable to set a period of one day or January, or set the number of performances to be once or ten times. Then, in the case where the period and the number of times are unlimited, that is, when it is desired to freely use the data without any restriction, such a setting may be made. This is the case of conventional so-called purchase.

According to this karaoke apparatus, the karaoke piece information storage means can store the karaoke piece information, and the karaoke performance means can execute a predetermined karaoke performance process using the karaoke piece information. Then, the communication means can access a charging communication network having a charging function,
The charging control means can charge the usage fee of the karaoke piece information by using the charging function of the charging communication network. Therefore, the usage fee of the karaoke piece information played by the karaoke playing means is via this charging communication network,
It is possible to collect automatically without the need for human intervention.

Further, the karaoke piece information can be selected by the selecting means, and the use range of the selected karaoke piece information can be set by the use range setting means. Then, the karaoke piece information use control means permits or prohibits the use of the selected karaoke piece information by the karaoke performance means based on the range set by the use range setting means.

For example, if the period during which the karaoke piece information can be used is set to, for example, one day or January, or the number of performances is set to only once or ten times, the set period or number of times is set. Permit playing, if any. Then, when the set draft or the number of times is exceeded, the performance is prohibited. If the period and the number of times are unlimited, that is, if it is set so that it can be used freely without restrictions, the performance is always permitted.

Then, the charging control means charges the usage fee of the karaoke piece information by using the charging function of the charging communication network as described above, and the karaoke is based on the range set by the usage range setting means. The fee for using the song information is charged. In this way, the music desired by the user can be collected at a fee according to the desired usage range. In the past, even if, for example, the song information of a new song is collected online every month and communicated online, a plurality of song information is a pack fee that collects multiple song information. is there. In addition, since it is basically a purchase fee, it is sufficient for a song that is used many times, but if the song is used only once, the user feels that "the money cannot be recovered." According to the present invention, such an inconvenience can be solved, and a desired music piece can be used in a desired usage range (for example, the number of times of use and a usage period).
It is possible to meet the user's desire to be collected at a fee according to.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a karaoke apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, and a charging information transmission means for transmitting the charging information to the karaoke apparatus via the charging communication network. A karaoke piece information usage fee billing system, characterized in that the billing center is billed by the billing function of the billing communication network by transmitting the billing information via the billing communication network. .

The specific charging in the present system is performed by the charging control means of the karaoke apparatus by transmitting the charging information such that the usage fee of the karaoke piece information based on the range set by the usage range setting means is charged. To request.
In response to this request, the billing center is billed by transmitting the billing information for billing the predetermined fee through the billing communication network. Then, for example, a charge list is created for each information processing device according to the charge record, and the charge list is collected together with the telephone charge, for example.

In this case, it is conceivable that the karaoke piece information use control means permits the use of the karaoke piece information based on the billing information from the billing center. That is, the charging control means charges the usage fee of the karaoke piece information based on the range set by the usage range setting means, but since the charging information corresponding to this is transmitted from the charging center, this charging is performed. Based on the information, it is possible to realize the use permission according to the desired use range for the karaoke piece information for which the charging has been performed.
This is also preferable in terms of fraud prevention.

As described in claim 5, the karaoke piece information storage means capable of storing karaoke piece information and the karaoke piece information stored in the karaoke piece information storage means are provided separately from the charging communication network. An information center having karaoke piece information transmitting means capable of transmitting to the karaoke apparatus via an information communication network having a communication function, and transmitting karaoke piece information to the karaoke apparatus via the information communication network. Can also be considered.

In this case, for example, in the karaoke apparatus, it is sufficient to store only the karaoke piece information necessary for the user, so that the storage capacity of the karaoke piece information storage means can be reduced. Further, for example, even when a new song is released, the information of the new song can be transmitted through this information communication network, which is preferable.

When the karaoke apparatus obtains the karaoke piece information from the information center, it may be possible to receive it through the billing communication network. However, since there are many restrictions on the communication protocol in the charging communication network as represented by, for example, the Videotex network, as described above, the karaoke piece information is transmitted from the information center by the information communication network different from the charging communication network. By transmitting the data, there is no restriction on the communication protocol such as the billing communication network. Therefore, if a high-speed digital communication network or the like is used, the karaoke piece information can be transmitted in a short time. There is.

As described above, it is possible to automatically collect the usage fee of the karaoke piece information through the billing communication network without the need for human intervention. If the billing process is carried out in accordance with a request for billing process from the karaoke apparatus after that, there is a possibility that fraudulence may occur in which only the karaoke piece information is acquired and the billing process is not performed.

[0021] The sixth aspect is an example of the countermeasure. The structure is the karaoke piece information usage fee charging system according to claim 5, wherein the information center, via the information communication network, sends the karaoke apparatus to the karaoke device for which charging by the charging function of the charging communication network is completed. It is a karaoke song information usage fee charging system characterized by transmitting song information.

In this case, for example, the billing center instructs the information center to transmit the karaoke piece information to the karaoke device for which the billing process using the billing function of the billing communication network has been completed, and the karaoke piece at the information center. The information transmitting means may transmit the karaoke piece information to the corresponding karaoke device in accordance with the transmission instruction. In this way, since the karaoke piece information can be transmitted only after the charging process is completed, as described above,
It is possible to reliably prevent fraud in which only real information is used even though it is not charged.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a karaoke piece information usage fee charging system according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke device which is a component of the system.

As shown in FIG. 1, the karaoke piece information charging system is constructed by connecting a karaoke charging center 1 and a plurality of karaoke devices 10 via a charging communication network 5. The charging communication network 5 has a function of charging an information fee, such as a videotex communication network or a dial queue to communication network. Currently in Japan,
Videotex network and dial queue to network are known as typical ones. The dial queue-to network is basically a time-based pay-as-you-go calculation, and the videotex network is capable of setting an arbitrary fee for each information content, and is used for so-called captain systems.

A videotex communication network will be described as an example of the charging function. Specifically, the videotex communication network is, for example, a public telephone line connected to each information processing device 10 and a videotex communication processing device (VCP).
It consists of and. This VCP connects / exchanges the public telephone line (currently, the public telephone line dialing the special number 166 and the 5-digit billing center number) trying to access the videotex communication network to the karaoke billing center 1 and the user terminal. Management of the information processing device and management of subscribers to the karaoke charging center 1, charging of communication charges and information usage fees collected by the telephone company, conversation control between the information processing device and the karaoke charging center 1, protocol conversion It provides communication processing functions such as conversion processing such as or code / pattern conversion.

The structure of the karaoke apparatus 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the central control device 31 executes a predetermined charging control process according to the charging control program 31a. The central control device 31 corresponds to a selecting means and a use range setting means, and various instructions are given. A multipurpose input key 32 for inputting, a hard disk 33 as a karaoke piece information storage means, a voice reproduction circuit 35 as a karaoke performance means, a screen display control device 26, and a communication control device 27 as a communication means are connected. A mixer amplifier 38 is connected to the sound reproduction circuit 35, and a television monitor 29 is connected to the screen display control device 26. Also,
The mixer amplifier 38 has a speaker 41 and a microphone 4
3 is connected.

The execution of the predetermined charging control processing according to the charging control program by the central control unit 11 corresponds to the execution of the processing as the charging control means in the present invention. This charging control process will be described in detail later.
It should be noted that the hard disk 33 stores in advance information about several thousand karaoke pieces, and new piece data can be received from the karaoke charging center 1 and stored in the hard disk 33. The karaoke piece information for one piece of music is composed of piece number information, which is identification information for identifying pieces of music, and substance information. The substantive information in this is MIDI (Musica
l Instrument Digital Interface) standard performance information,
It consists of lyrics information and background video information. The background video information is encoded video information corresponding to each song.

The karaoke piece information cannot be used as it is. In order to use
By connecting to the billing communication network 5 through the communication control device 27 and executing the billing control program 31a by the central control unit 31, a predetermined billing process using the billing function by the billing communication network 5 is performed, and the karaoke piece information is displayed. Is ready to use.

When the karaoke piece information becomes available, the user operates the operation panel (not shown) or the remote controller to select the piece to be sung. Then, the central control unit 31 executes a karaoke performance process according to a predetermined karaoke performance program. In brief,
The central control unit 31 stores performance information, lyrics information and background image information corresponding to the selected song on the hard disk 33.
The performance information is transferred to the audio reproduction circuit 35, and the lyrics information and the background image information are transferred to the screen display control device 26.

The performance information output to the voice reproduction circuit 35 is converted into an analog performance signal, which is then sent to the mixer amplifier 38 to be electrically amplified and input via the microphone 43. And is mixed in a proper ratio. The mixed audio signal is output to the outside as a performance sound by the speaker 41.

On the other hand, the lyrics information output in synchronization with the performance information is displayed on the television monitor 29 after being combined (superimposed) with a background image signal, which will be described later, in the screen display control device 26. As a result, the TV monitor 29
Is displayed in a state where the lyrics telop is combined with the background image.

Next, the structure of the karaoke charging center 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The billing center 1 includes a host computer 51, a storage device 53, an input device 55, a communication control device 57, a printer 59, and a CRT 61. The storage device 53 is for storing various control programs for operating the host computer 51, billing information for each of the information processing devices 10, and the like. The host computer 51 corresponds to the billing information transmitting means on the billing center side in the claims. The process of transmitting the billing information will be described later in detail.

Various commands can be input from the input device 55. For example, a billing record or the like can be created based on billing information for each information processing device 10 stored in the storage device 53. Can be printed by the printer 59 or displayed on the CRT 61.

Next, a description will be given of a billing process in the karaoke piece information use fee billing system of the present embodiment having the above configuration. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the karaoke piece selection / playing and charging processing in the karaoke apparatus 10, and FIG. 8 is a communication sequence diagram between the karaoke apparatus 10 and the karaoke charging center 1.

First, a list of karaoke songs is displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. 6 on the television monitor 29 of the karaoke apparatus 10 (step 100; hereinafter, the step is simply referred to as S). The karaoke user sees this screen display and selects a desired song (S110). This is indicated by the multipurpose input key 32. For example, multipurpose input key 32
By inputting "4 #", the song "Don't give up" is selected as shown in FIG.

Then, it is determined whether or not the usable period of the selected music piece has timed out (S120).
Regarding the judgment as to whether or not the usable period has timed out, whether it is the song selected for the first time or, in the case of a song once selected in the past, how was the used period of that song selected? , And whether it is still within its usage period. For the usage range, see S20 below.
No. 0 will be described, and the determination of the timeout will be explained after the explanation of this flowchart.

When the negative determination is made in S120, that is, when the usable period has not timed out, the performance process of the selected music piece is performed (S130 in FIG. 5), and the process ends. On the other hand, if an affirmative decision is made in S120, that is, if the usable period has timed out, the operation proceeds to S140 and the karaoke charging center 1 is connected. Explaining with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 8, the karaoke device 10 transmits to the karaoke charging center 1 and after connecting, transmits the password to the karaoke charging center 1. The karaoke charging center 1 receives this via the communication control device 57, and the host computer 51 performs terminal verification using a telephone number, password, etc. If the information processing terminal is registered in the karaoke charging center 1, verification is normal ( Password OK) will be returned.

Returning to FIG. 4, after the karaoke apparatus 10 receives this collation normality and the karaoke charging center 1 becomes ready for reception, the karaoke performance flag is set to OFF (S
150), the identification information of the selected song is transmitted to the karaoke charging center 1 (S160). Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the karaoke charging center 1 reads the usage range / price list from the storage device 53 and returns it to the karaoke device 10 via the charging communication network 5. Returning to FIG. 4, the karaoke device 10
Receives the usage range / price list (S170) and displays the price list as shown in FIG. 7 on the TV monitor 29 (S180).

Here, the use range / charge list of FIG. 7 will be described. In the case of the present embodiment, it is possible to select from three types of use ranges of 1 # to 3 #, and "1 #" is a case of performing only once, and the charge is 100 yen, "2 #". Is a case where you can play as much as you want within a day, the price is 500 yen, and "3 #" is a case where you can play unlimited number of songs.
The price is set at 1000 yen.

Therefore, the user selects a desired use range according to the purpose of use and the like (S200 in FIG. 5). For example, when practicing the selected song "Don't give up", it is not possible to master by singing only once, so it is suitable to select "2 #", which gives you unlimited singing for one day. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, “2
If "#" is selected, the charge (500 yen in this case) for the selected usage range is displayed for confirmation, and the final confirmation as to whether or not this is acceptable is prompted.

When the final confirmation is made, a billing information request is transmitted to the karaoke billing center 1 (S210). This billing information request includes the selected usage range information, and the karaoke billing center 1 bills information for charging the corresponding fee based on the usage range information included in the billing information request. Is transmitted to the karaoke apparatus 10 via the charging communication network 5 (see FIG. 8). In this way, the karaoke billing center 1 transmits billing information via the billing communication network 5, whereby billing is performed by the billing function of the billing communication network 5. For example, in the case of the above-mentioned example, the billing information for billing 500 yen will be transmitted, and this billing record is accumulated in the billing file corresponding to each information processing terminal 10, for example, a normal billing file. It will be collected together with the telephone charges.

Returning to FIG. 5, when the karaoke apparatus 10 receives this billing information (S220), the usage period timer is set (S230), and the song playable flag is turned ON (S240). Then, the connection with the karaoke charging center 1 is disconnected (S250), and the music performance is performed (S13).
0).

If it is desired to cancel when the use range / charge list screen is displayed in S180,
When the cancellation is instructed by the multipurpose input key 32 (S190: YES), the connection with the karaoke charging center 1 is disconnected (S260), and the present process is terminated.

As described above, by selecting the desired range of use in S200, the charge according to the range of use is charged. However, depending on the selected range of use, the determination in S120 (usable) Since the judgment of whether the period is time-out) will be different, it will be supplemented here.

First, the usable period of all songs selected for the first time is timed out. Therefore, in that case, S1
Move to 40. Also, in the case of a song once selected in the past, how you selected the usage period of that song,
Although it has been described that the judgment is made based on whether or not it is still within the usage period, there are three kinds of usage ranges in this embodiment, and the usage range varies depending on the kind. Since "1 #" is a case of playing only once, even if it is selected, if it is played once, all usable periods are in the time-out state.

Further, since "2 #" is a case where any number of performances can be performed during one day, so long as it is selected on the same day, there is no time-out after the second time only on that day. Is judged. And if it is the next day, that is, if it was selected more than one day ago,
It is determined that it has timed out.

Since "3 #" is a case in which the song can be played indefinitely, it is 1 in the past.
If it is selected once, it is unconditionally determined that the timeout has not occurred. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the karaoke apparatus 10 can select a desired song and execute the karaoke performance process, and the fee for using the karaoke song information is charged by the billing communication network 5. You can charge by using. Therefore, it becomes possible to automatically collect the usage fee of the karaoke piece information through this charging communication network without the need for human intervention.

Further, the usage range of the selected karaoke piece can be set. In the above embodiment, 1
It can be used only once, can be used only once a day, and can be used freely without restrictions. Then, the performance is permitted within the set period or number of times. When the set period or number of times is exceeded, karaoke performance is prohibited. In addition, "3
When the so-called “#” purchase is selected, there is no restriction on the period of use and the performance is always permitted.

Then, the karaoke device 10 requests the karaoke charging center 1 to charge a karaoke piece usage charge corresponding to the selected usage range, and the charging information corresponding to the request is transmitted from the karaoke charging center 1. Thus, the billing using the billing function of the billing communication network 5 is made.

As described above, it is possible to collect the music desired by the karaoke user at a charge according to the desired usage range. In the past, even if, for example, the song information of a new song is collected online every month and communicated online, a plurality of song information is a pack fee that collects multiple song information. is there. In addition, since it is basically a purchase fee, it is sufficient for a song that is used many times, but if the song is used only once, the user feels that "the money cannot be recovered." According to the present invention, such an inconvenience can be solved, and it is possible to meet a user's desire to collect a desired song at a fee according to a desired usage range (for example, the number of times of use and a period of use). You can do it.

That is, as described above, 1 for practice
If you want to sing many times during the day, you can select "2 #" (see Fig. 7), which is a free performance for one day, and if you want to sing only once, try only once. “1 #” should be selected. And the song that will be sung constantly is "3
You can choose to buy "#". And again, these depend on the price. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7, one time is 100 yen, and if you pay 1000 yen, you can sing as many times as you want, so if you sing more than 10 times, you will get "the original". . It is very convenient because you can select the optimal usage range while considering such a fee system.

Next, another embodiment will be described. In the above embodiment, the karaoke piece information is stored in the hard disk 33 by the karaoke apparatus 10 itself, but the karaoke billing center 1 is provided with a storage means for storing the karaoke piece information, and the karaoke piece information is stored in the karaoke apparatus 10. It is also possible to send it. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing a karaoke piece selection / playing and charging process in the karaoke apparatus 10 in another embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a communication between the karaoke apparatus 10 and the karaoke charging center 1 in another embodiment. It is a figure showing a communication sequence diagram. In this case, it is assumed that the karaoke piece information is transmitted from the karaoke billing center 1 to the karaoke device 10 by the billing communication network 5.

First, the karaoke charging center 1 is connected (S300). This connection itself is the same as in the above embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the karaoke charging center 1 performs terminal verification, and if the information processing terminal is registered in the karaoke charging center 1, the verification is normal (password O
K) is returned, but following this, the music list is transmitted.

The karaoke apparatus 10 receives this song list (S310) and displays it on the TV monitor 29 (S).
320). The karaoke user sees this screen display and selects a desired song (S330). Then, S in FIG.
Similar to the processing of 120, it is determined whether or not the usable period of the selected music piece has timed out (S34).
0). When a negative determination is made in S340, that is, when the usable period has not timed out, the connection with the karaoke charging center 1 is disconnected (S350 in FIG. 10), and the music performance is performed (S360).

On the other hand, if an affirmative decision is made in S340, that is, if the usable period has timed out, the flow shifts to S370 to set the song playable flag to OFF and the identification information of the selected song is sent to the karaoke charging center 1. It is transmitted (S380). Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the karaoke charging center 1 returns the usage range / price list to the karaoke device 10. Returning to FIG. 9, the karaoke device 10 receives the usage range / price list (S390), and displays the price list (see FIG. 7) on the TV monitor 29 (S400).

When the user selects a desired usage range according to the purpose of use (S420), a charging information request is transmitted to the karaoke charging center 1 (S430). This billing information request includes the selected usage range information, and the karaoke billing center 1 bills information for charging the corresponding fee based on the usage range information included in the billing information request. Is transmitted to the karaoke device 10 via the charging communication network 5 (see FIG. 11). In this way, the karaoke billing center 1 transmits billing information via the billing communication network 5, whereby billing is performed by the billing function of the billing communication network 5.

Returning to FIG. 10, when the karaoke apparatus 10 receives this billing information (S440), it sets a usage period timer (S450) and turns on a song playable flag (S460). Then, it is determined whether there is corresponding karaoke piece information (S470). This is because if the relevant karaoke piece information has been transmitted and stored in the karaoke device 10 in the past, it is not necessary to have the information transmitted again, so that it is determined.

When the corresponding karaoke piece information is stored (S470: YES), the process directly proceeds to S350. If the karaoke piece information is not stored (S470: NO), the karaoke charging center 1
A music piece information request is transmitted to (S480). The karaoke charging center 1 transmits the corresponding karaoke piece information in response to the request. Returning to FIG. 10, the karaoke device 1
0 receives the karaoke piece information (S490), and S3
The processing shifts to 50.

In the case of this another embodiment, the karaoke apparatus 1
At 0, it is sufficient to store only the karaoke piece information that the user needs, that is, only the karaoke piece information that the user has requested and transmitted. Therefore, a storage means for storing the karaoke piece information is provided. The storage capacity can be reduced. I mean, not a hard disk,
Ordinary RAM may be used. Further, in combination with the above embodiment, a predetermined number of karaoke pieces of karaoke piece information are stored in advance in the hard disk 33. For example, when a new piece of music is released, the charging communication network 5 allows the karaoke piece information of the new piece of music. May be transmitted.

Further, in the above-mentioned another embodiment, the karaoke charging center 1 also stores the karaoke piece information, and the karaoke piece information is transmitted to the karaoke apparatus 10 via the charging communication network 5 and also the charging information. Although the description has been made on the premise that the charging process is also executed, the karaoke piece information may be transmitted by an information communication network different from the charging communication network. In that case, since there is no restriction on the communication protocol such as the billing communication network, it is possible to transmit the karaoke piece information in a short time by using, for example, a high-speed digital communication network.

An example of transmitting such karaoke piece information by an information communication network different from the charging communication network 5 will be briefly described. The outline of the system is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, a charging center 2 in charge of charging-related processing and a plurality of karaoke apparatuses 10 are connected via a charging communication network 5, and an information center 3 in charge of transmission-related processing of karaoke piece information is provided. A plurality of karaoke devices 10,
It is configured to be connected via the information communication network 7. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, the karaoke device 10 includes a first communication control device 27a connectable to the information communication network 7 and a second communication network 27b connectable to the billing communication network 5. The rest of the configuration is the same as that shown in FIG.

The billing center 2 and the information center 3 are also connected to each other. Since the charging center 2 in this case only performs processing related to charging, it has the same function as the karaoke charging center 1 shown in FIG. The information center 3 is basically the karaoke charging center 1 shown in FIG.
The karaoke piece information is stored in the storage device and the function of transmitting the karaoke piece information to the karaoke apparatus 10 via the information communication network 7 is provided. In addition, FIG.
The karaoke charging center 1 in the case of another embodiment described with reference to FIG. 11 has both the functions of the charging center 2 and the information center 3 in FIG.

Further, as described above, the information communication network 7 does not have the restriction on the communication protocol like the charging communication network 5, so that it is possible to use, for example, a high-speed digital communication network. Accordingly, it is conceivable that the karaoke device 10 side communication control device 27 includes two types, that is, the communication control device for the billing communication network 5 and the communication control device for the information communication network 7.

The processing relating to the reception and billing of the karaoke piece information in this case will be described. The processing contents similar to those in the above-mentioned another embodiment will be omitted or simply explained. When the karaoke device 10 is connected to the billing center 2, the billing center 2 transmits a music list and the karaoke device 1
At 0, the music list is received and displayed on the TV monitor 29. When a karaoke user selects a desired song, if the usable period is a timeout,
The identification information of the selected song is transmitted to the billing center 2. The billing center 2 returns the usage range / price list to the karaoke device 10, and the karaoke device 10 receives the usage range / price list and displays it on the TV monitor 29.

When the user selects a desired range of use according to the purpose of use, etc., a billing information request is sent to the billing center 2. The charging center 2 transmits charging information for charging a corresponding fee to the karaoke device 10 via the charging communication network 5 based on the usage range information included in the charging information request. In this way, the karaoke charging center 1 transmits the charging information via the charging communication network 5,
Charging is performed by the charging function of the charging communication network 5.

On the other hand, the billing center 2 sends this billing information to the karaoke apparatus 10 and then sends the selected karaoke piece information to the information processing terminal 10 for which the billing process has been completed (by sending the billing information). The information center 3 is instructed to do so. The information center 3 transmits the karaoke piece information according to the instruction.

As described above, the charging center 2 and the information center 3
By transmitting the information between and, it is possible to transmit the karaoke piece information only after the charging process is completed, and thus it is possible to reliably prevent the fraud in which only the karaoke piece information is used even though it is not charged. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments as described above, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example,
When selecting a karaoke piece and its use range, there is an advantage in that the use range is selected for each piece of music as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, but each operation may be troublesome for the user. For example, when it is desired to purchase all the songs or to perform only one performance of all the songs, it may be possible to set them by one operation. It is also preferable from the user's point of view to provide a simple setting such that only new songs can be used free for one day, or only enkas can be purchased by specifying a genre.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a karaoke piece information usage fee charging system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke device which is a component of a karaoke piece information usage fee charging system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke billing center which is a component of the information usage fee billing system of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the first half of a karaoke piece selection / playing and charging process in the karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the latter half of karaoke piece selection / playing and charging processing in the karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a list of karaoke songs is displayed on the screen of the television monitor.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a usage range / price list is displayed on the TV monitor.

FIG. 8 is a communication sequence diagram between a karaoke device and a karaoke charging center.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the first half of karaoke piece selection / playing and billing processing in the case of another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the latter half of the karaoke piece selection / playing and billing processing in the case of another embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a communication sequence diagram between a karaoke device and a karaoke charging center in the case of another embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of a system in a case of another embodiment for transmitting karaoke piece information through an information communication network.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke device which is a component of a system in the case of another embodiment for transmitting karaoke piece information through an information communication network.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Karaoke billing center 5 ... Billing communication network 10 ... Karaoke device 26 ... Screen display control device 27 ... Communication control device 27a ... First communication control device 27b ... Second communication control device 29 ... Television monitor 31 ... Central control device 32 ... Multipurpose input key 33 ... Hard disk 35 ... Audio reproduction circuit 38 ... Mixer amplifier 41 ... Speaker 43 ... Microphone 51 ... Host computer 53 ... Storage device 55 ... Input device 57 ... Communication control device 59 ... Printer 61 ... CRT

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A karaoke piece information storage means capable of storing karaoke piece information for use in a karaoke performance, and a predetermined karaoke performance processing can be executed using the karaoke piece information stored in the karaoke piece information storage means. Karaoke playing means, selecting means for selecting the karaoke piece information, use range setting means for setting the use range of the karaoke piece information selected by the selecting means, and setting by the use range setting means Based on the range
The karaoke piece information use control means for permitting or prohibiting the use of the selected karaoke piece information by the karaoke playing means, the communication means accessible to the charging communication network having the charging function, and the use range setting means. A karaoke device, comprising: a charging control means for charging the usage fee of the karaoke piece information based on the above range using the charging function of the charging communication network. 2. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the use range setting means is capable of setting, as a use range, a period in which the karaoke piece information can be used or the number of performances in a predetermined unit. Karaoke device to play. 3. The karaoke device according to claim 1 or 2, and a billing center having a billing information transmitting means for transmitting billing information to the karaoke device via the billing communication network. The karaoke piece information usage fee charging system, wherein the fee is charged by the charging function of the charging communication network by transmitting the charging information via the charging communication network. 4. The karaoke piece information use fee charging system according to claim 3, wherein the karaoke piece information use control means permits use of the karaoke piece information based on the charge information from the charge center. A karaoke song information usage fee charging system. 5. The karaoke piece information usage fee charging system according to claim 3, wherein the karaoke piece information storage means capable of storing the karaoke piece information and the karaoke piece information stored in the karaoke piece information storage means are stored in the karaoke piece information storage means. A karaoke piece information usage fee charging system, comprising an information center having a karaoke piece information transmitting means capable of transmitting to the karaoke apparatus via an information communication network having a communication function in a system different from the charge communication network. 6. The karaoke piece information usage fee charging system according to claim 5, wherein the information center uses the information communication network to the karaoke device for which charging by the charging function of the charging communication network has been completed. A karaoke song information usage fee charging system, characterized in that the karaoke song information is transmitted.