JPH08287040A - Communication karaoke system having charging system utilizing package medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide KARAOKE information at a reasonable price by sending a release code for a protect program to a terminal equipment to permit the user of KARAOKE information and collecting the using data of the information. CONSTITUTION: In a host computer 1, a charging system 10 checks the charge payment state of a specified terminal equipment 3 based on its ID code, records using data sent from the equipment 3, totalizes the charge of the use, and demands the payment of the charge to a user. When there is no problem, the computer 1 sends a protect program release code for a CD-ROM to the equipment 3. Thereby the protect of the set CD-ROM is released and a table of programs recorded in the CD-ROM is displayed on a CRT video display 40. Thus the demand of the protect program release code from the equipment 3, the input of the release code from the computer 1 and the transfer of using data are executed at the time of starting the equipment 3 and replacing the CD-ROM.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication type game system which operates a terminal to call a host computer through a communication line to provide desired karaoke information for a fee.
That is, it relates to a communication karaoke system having a charging system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A communication karaoke system has an advantage that a usage fee can be charged according to the number of times the karaoke information is used. However, the conventional communication karaoke system must call the database from the terminal device via the communication line each time the desired karaoke information is requested, and receive the data of the desired karaoke information transmitted through the communication line, There is a problem that the fee for using this communication line is high.

Further, there is a problem that a large amount of image data cannot be sent due to the restriction on the line usage fee. For this reason, the provision of karaoke information is mainly via package media.

However, in the provision of karaoke information by this package medium, it is difficult to capture the detailed usage status of the karaoke information recorded in the package medium. There was a problem that you could not impose.

Also, since this packaged medium is expensive, it imposes a heavy financial burden on the user, and new music is provided in a timely fashion and new versions are purchased one after another. Has the problem of being difficult.

Further, it is desirable that the karaoke information is issued after being classified by genre, age, etc. However, if this is done, it becomes difficult to predict the sales, and unexpectedly a large amount of inventory is generated. However, in such a case, there is a problem that the inventory management is very expensive.

In addition, package media are often discounted in the market, and in such a case, there is a problem that the image of the manufacturer of the package media is impaired.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide karaoke information including a large amount of image data with a small line usage fee. It is to provide a communication karaoke system that uses package media that can be provided at a price.

[0009]

The above-mentioned object consists of a host computer having a billing system and a large number of terminals connected to the host computer via communication lines, and the user can respond to requests from the terminals. In a communication karaoke system that provides karaoke information to a user, a package in which a user records information about a plurality of karaoke songs and a protect program that does not allow reading of karaoke information unless a predetermined release code is input from the host computer in a timely manner. When the media is delivered in advance and the user uses the karaoke information recorded on the package media, the package media is set in the terminal and the host computer is called, and the called host computer of the terminal is called. While identifying Check the usage fee payment status of the terminal device, and if there is no fact that should interfere with the use of karaoke information, send the protection program release code to the terminal device to release the protection of the package media and give the user karaoke. While permitting the use of information,
This is accomplished by a telecommunications karaoke system having a billing system utilizing packaged media configured to collect usage data of already provided karaoke information.

[0010]

With the above structure, a wide variety of large-capacity karaoke information can be provided to all users, and the user can select and use desired karaoke information at a reasonable price. .

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a network structure of a communication karaoke system having a charging system using a package medium according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, FIG. 1 will be described. 1 in FIG.
Is a host computer, 2 is a public telephone network, and 3 is a terminal connected to the host computer 1 via the public telephone network 2. Although only one terminal 3 is shown in the figure, many other terminals 3 similar to the terminal 3 are connected to the host computer 1.

The host computer 1 has a charging system 10. This charging system 10 charges and charges a usage fee to each user based on the usage data of the karaoke information, and also stocks the usage fee payment status data of the user for each terminal, and based on that data. It is to check whether there is a reason for suspension of use of the terminal such as delinquency.

The terminal 3 has a CPU 30 and a CD-ROM.
The drive 31, the extension interface 32, the communication modem 33, the usage data RAM 34, and the sound reproducing unit 35.
The audio RAM 36, the speaker 37, the video reproducing unit 38, the video RAM 39, the CRT video display 40, the I / O control unit 41, and the controller 42.

The CPU 30 has a CD-ROM drive 31.
, Extension interface 32, and use data RAM 3
4, the audio reproduction section 35, the video reproduction section 38, and the I / O control section 41, and controls their operations based on various information. CD-ROM drive 31
Is for setting a CD-ROM (not shown).

This CD-ROM is delivered in advance to the user of the terminal 3 free of charge.
In this area, a protect program that does not allow reading of karaoke information unless a plurality of pieces of karaoke information and a predetermined release code are input is recorded.

The expansion interface 32 converts the data to be sent to the host computer 1 into a communication signal and outputs it to the communication modem 33, and also converts the communication signal sent from the host computer 1 into a signal of an appropriate level. It is output to the CPU 30.

The communication modem 33 calls the host computer via the public telephone line network 2 and sends the signal converted by the extension interface 32 to the host computer 1 and also the host computer 1
It receives the data sent from the device and outputs it to the extension interface 32.

The usage data RAM 34 records usage data of karaoke information such as the number of songs used and the number of times it has been used since the protection of the CD-ROM set in the CD-ROM drive 31 was released. When the data is transferred to the host computer 1, the recorded contents are reset.

The sound reproducing section 35 has a built-in sound chip, and the sound reproducing section 35 is connected to a sound RAM 36 and a speaker 37.
The audio data output from the CD-ROM drive 31 is recorded.

The sound reproducing section 35 is output from the CD-ROM drive 31 based on the instruction of the CPU 30.
Alternatively, the audio data called from the audio RAM 36 is converted into a reproduction signal and output to the speaker 37.

A video RAM 39 and a CRT video display 40 are connected to the video reproduction section 38, and the video data output from the CD-ROM drive 31 is recorded in the video RAM 39.

The video reproducing section 38 is output from the CD-ROM drive 31 based on the instruction of the CPU 30.
Alternatively, the image data called from the video RAM 39 is converted into a reproduction signal and output to the CRT video display 40. A controller 42 is connected to the I / O control unit 41, which converts operation data of the controller 42 into a signal and outputs the signal to the CPU 30.

In this communication karaoke system,
Set the CD-ROM delivered free of charge to the terminal 3,
When the operation for using the CD-ROM is performed, the terminal 3
Automatically calls the host computer 1.

When the terminal 3 is connected to the host computer 1, the ID code previously assigned to each terminal is automatically transmitted, and when the usage data is recorded in the usage data RAM 34, the usage data is stored. Is transferred to the host computer 1, and its used data RAM3
The record of 4 is reset.

In the host computer, the terminal 3 is specified based on the ID code, the billing system 10 checks the usage fee payment status of the terminal 3, and when the usage data is sent, the usage data is sent. The fee is recorded in the charging system 10, the usage fee is totaled, and the user is billed according to a predetermined program.

If there is no problem in checking the charging system 10, the host computer 1 directs C to the terminal 3.
The release code of the D-ROM protect program is sent.

In this way, when the release code is accepted by the terminal device 3, the protection of the set CD-ROM is released, and it becomes possible to read a plurality of pieces of karaoke information recorded therein. The CD-ROM
The list of the songs recorded in is displayed on the CRT video display 40. When a desired karaoke song is selected from this list, the song name and the number of times of use 1 of the song are newly recorded in the usage data RAM 34.

When the use of the karaoke information selected in this way is finished, the list of the above-mentioned songs is displayed again on the CRT video display 40, so that a desired karaoke song can be selected and used from the list. With the selection, the current use data is added to the use data RAM 34.

The recording in the usage data RAM 34 is continued until the set CD-ROM is taken out or the terminal 3 is turned off, and the next CD-RO is recorded.
When performing an operation for using M, it is transferred to the host computer 1 as described above.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the request for the release code of the protect program from the terminal 3 and the input of the release code from the host computer 1 and the transfer of the usage data are both performed when the terminal is started and when the terminal is started. CD-
This is done when the ROM is replaced.

In this communication karaoke system, when the communication between the host computer and the terminal is not made for a predetermined period, for example, one month or more, or the system operator calls the terminal from the host computer when necessary. , It is recommended to be able to send out its usage data.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the usage data may be transferred every time the terminal is started, or the predetermined cycle may be set. Or periodically, for example, when the power is turned on for the first time every month, and when the recording amount of the usage data in the usage data RAM reaches or exceeds a predetermined value. It may be performed at the time of the first communication, or any one of them may be selected at any time.

Further, the release of the protection recorded on each CD-ROM is valid for a certain period, for example, until 24:00 on the last day of the month, during which the release code is also released when the terminal is turned off and then turned on again. The game may be continued without input of.

Further, the karaoke information is divided into a plurality of groups on the CD-ROM, the different recognition codes and the protection programs are recorded for each group, and the release code for releasing the plurality of protection programs in the host computer. So that when the user requests a cancellation code from the terminal, the cancellation code of the program corresponding to the recognition code is input from the host computer only when the user inputs the predetermined recognition code. You can leave it.

In this way, a person who does not know the recognition code cannot use the karaoke information to which the recognition code is added, so that a user who includes image data for adults who cannot be provided to the minors can be used. It becomes possible to deliver limited karaoke information together with normal karaoke information that anyone can use.

In addition, the host computer can access an arbitrary terminal at any time to send a CD-ROM protect signal to the terminal, and if there is a reason for suspension of use during the use of karaoke information, the terminal can be used. The use of the karaoke information in may be stopped at any time.

Further, a prepaid card type charge collection device is provided adjacent to the terminal device, and when the valid prepaid card is not inserted, the reading of karaoke information is stopped with the CD-ROM protected. Alternatively, the reading may be started for a period corresponding to the remaining amount of the card when the card is inserted.

The line connecting the host computer and the terminal is a public line of any kind, such as IS.
A DN, a mobile communication network, a satellite communication / broadcasting network, an FM data communication network, an optical communication network or the like can be appropriately selected and used.

Further, it is recommended that the billing system be capable of directly transmitting information such as usage charges and billing deadlines to each terminal through a communication line.
The ROM can be replaced with any package medium such as a ROM cartridge and an optical disk, and the present invention covers all modified embodiments that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art from the above description.

[0041]

Since the communication karaoke system having the charging system using the package media according to the present invention is constructed as described above, according to the present invention, the usage fee according to the usage is continuously collected. , It is possible to provide a large amount of karaoke information at a low line usage fee.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a network structure of a communication karaoke system having a charging system using a package medium according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1-Host computer 10-Billing system 2--Public telephone network 3--Terminal 30 CPU 31- CD-ROM drive 32..extension interface 33..communication modem 34..use data RAM 35..voice reproduction unit 36..voice RAM 37 .. ..Speaker 38 .. video reproduction unit 39 .. video RAM 40 .. CRT video display 41 .. I / O control unit 42 .. controller

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A host computer (1) having a charging system (10) and a number of terminals (3) connected to the host computer (1) through a communication line. In a communication karaoke system that provides karaoke information to the user in response to the request, the user can read the karaoke information if there is no input of a predetermined release code from the host computer (1) and information regarding a plurality of karaoke songs in a timely manner. When the package media on which a protection program that is not allowed is recorded is delivered in advance and the user uses the karaoke information recorded on the package media, the package media is set in the terminal (3) and the host computer is called. And the called host computer (1) is a terminal 3) is identified, the usage fee payment status of the terminal (3) is checked, and if there is no fact that should interfere with the use of karaoke information, the protection program release code is sent to the terminal (3). Then, the communication karaoke system having a billing system using the package media configured to remove the protection of the package media to allow the user to use the karaoke information and collect the usage data of the already provided karaoke information. . 2. Claiming a cancellation code from the terminal (3),
The communication game system according to claim 1, wherein the input from the host computer (1) is performed each time the terminal is started. 3. Requesting a release code from the terminal (3),
The communication game system according to claim 1, wherein the input from the host computer (1) is periodically performed in a predetermined cycle. 4. Requesting a release code from the terminal (3),
The communication game system according to claim 1, wherein the input from the host computer (1) is performed every time the package media is exchanged. 5. The package medium has karaoke information divided into a plurality of groups and recorded with different identification codes and protect programs for each group, and the host computer (1) stores the plurality of groups. 5. The communication game system according to claim 1, wherein a release code for releasing each of the protect programs is recorded. 6. The host computer (1) is configured to access any terminal at any time, and can send a protect signal to stop the use of the karaoke information of the terminal (3). 5. The communication game system according to any one of 5. 7. The usage data reset when the terminal (3) starts recording usage data of karaoke information when the protection of the package media is released and the usage data is transferred to the host computer. RA
Since the user has M (34), the user can repeatedly use the karaoke information recorded in the package medium one after another until the use data RAM (34) is reset after the protection program is released. The communication type game system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein usage data for a period is recorded in a usage data RAM. 8. The communication game system according to claim 7, wherein the usage data is transferred each time the package medium is unprotected. 9. The communication game system according to claim 7, wherein the use data is transferred when instructed by the host computer (1). 10. The communication game system according to claim 7, wherein the usage data is transferred each time the terminal (3) is started. 11. The communication game system according to claim 7, wherein the usage data is transferred at a predetermined cycle. 12. A use data RAM for use data transfer.
The communication game system according to claim 7, which is performed when the recording amount of (34) reaches a predetermined value or more. 13. The communication game system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal (3) is provided with a prepaid card type charge collection device.