JPH08289973A - Game network system and karaoke network system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a new game by utilizing a network circuit of karaoke boxes. CONSTITUTION: Karaoke terminals KT, KT, ... installed in boxes BX1, BX2,... are connected to sub/host stations SH via a network circuit N in this karaoke network system. Television game machines 5a-5c are installed at the sub/host stations SH, and games can be played between the terminals KT, KT,... via the network circuit N.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game network system and a karaoke network system suitable for use in, for example, a karaoke box.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, in a karaoke box, a karaoke network system in which a center station in a store and a karaoke terminal installed in each box are connected via a LAN (local area network) has become widespread. In this type of system, the center station supplies karaoke song data and background image data in response to a request from each box, and the karaoke terminal and the karaoke terminal in each box perform karaoke performance and image reproduction. .

[0003]

However, in a karaoke box using such a network system,
Even though the boxes were connected to each other via a network, it was good to say that there was no communication between the boxes. In other words, the customer merely enjoys karaoke in a closed world in each box, and it cannot be said that he / she does not necessarily enjoy playing games that take advantage of the network.

The present invention has been made under such a background, and provides a game network system and a karaoke network system capable of providing a new form of play using a network line such as a karaoke box. It is an object.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a game network system in which a plurality of game terminals and a center station are connected via a network line. The game terminal includes command input means for generating command signals corresponding to various command input operations by an operator, upstream signal transmission means for transmitting the command signals to the center station via the network line, and the network. The center station is provided with a down signal receiving means for receiving a video signal corresponding to the progress of the game transmitted from the center station via a line, and a display means for displaying a video according to the video signal. An upstream signal receiving means for receiving a command signal transmitted from the game terminal via a network line; A game machine for executing a ram and generating a video signal corresponding to the progress of the game in response to the command signal; and a down signal transmission means for transmitting the video signal to the game terminal via the network line. Is characterized by.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game network system in which a plurality of game terminals and a center station are connected via a network line, wherein the game terminal inputs various commands by an operator. Command input means for generating a command signal corresponding to an operation, upstream signal transmitting means for transmitting the command signal to the center station via the network line, and progress of the game transmitted from the center station via the network line Down signal receiving means for receiving a video signal and an audio signal corresponding to, and a display means for displaying a video corresponding to the video signal,
A sound generating unit for generating a sound according to the sound signal, wherein the center station receives an upstream signal receiving unit for receiving a command signal transmitted from the game terminal via the network line; and a predetermined game program. And a game machine that generates a video signal and an audio signal corresponding to the progress of the game in response to the command signal, and a downlink signal transmission means for transmitting the video signal and the audio signal to the game terminal via the network line. It is characterized by having and.

The invention described in claim 3 is the same as claim 1
Alternatively, the game network system according to the second aspect is characterized in that the game machine executes a competitive game program and performs game play between arbitrary game terminals.

The invention according to claim 4 is the same as claim 3
In the game network system according to the above item 1, the center station includes queue storage means for storing terminal identification information included in a game start request signal transmitted from each game terminal as a queue in the order of arrival of the signal, and A game terminal of the two persons whose terminal identification information has arrived first is shown to the game machine, and means for supplying a command signal supplied from the game terminal of the two person to the game machine; When the game end signal indicating the result of the above is supplied, the terminal identification information that arrived first from the queue is advanced, and the game terminal corresponding to this terminal identification information is replaced with the game terminal of the previous loser, and the game machine is replaced. It is characterized by being newly shown in.

[0009] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of karaoke terminals and a center station are connected via a network line, and the center station responds to a request from each karaoke terminal. In a karaoke network system that transmits information, each karaoke terminal receives the music information transmitted from the center station, synthesizes a musical sound, and outputs a mixture of the synthetic sound and a voice input from a microphone. The karaoke terminal includes a command input unit that generates a command signal corresponding to various command input operations by an operator, an upstream signal transmission unit that transmits the command signal to the center station via the network line, and the network line. Down signal receiving means for receiving a video signal corresponding to the progress of the game transmitted from the center station via Display means for displaying an image corresponding to the number, and the center station executes the predetermined game program and the upstream signal receiving means for receiving the command signal transmitted from the karaoke terminal via the network line. A game machine for generating a video signal corresponding to the progress of the game in response to the command signal, and a downlink signal transmitting means for transmitting the video signal to the karaoke terminal via the network line. .

[0010]

According to the invention described in claim 1, in the game terminal, the command input means generates a command signal corresponding to various command input operations by the operator, and the upstream signal transmission means sends the command signal to the center. The downlink signal receiving means receives the video signal corresponding to the progress of the game transmitted from the center station, and the display means displays the video corresponding to the video signal. On the other hand, in the center station, the upstream signal receiving means receives the command signal transmitted from the game terminal, the game machine executes a predetermined game program, and the video signal corresponding to the progress of the game in response to the command signal. And the downlink signal transmitting means transmits the video signal to the game terminal. As a result, the operator can enjoy the game at the place where each game terminal is installed, such as in a private room, using the game machine of the center station via the network line.

According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the operation according to the invention described in claim 1, not only the image corresponding to the progress of the game but also the sound can be enjoyed.

According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the operation according to the invention described in claim 1 or 2, the operators operating the respective game terminals enjoy the mutually opposing games in different places. be able to.

According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the operation according to the invention described in claim 3, even if the game machine of the center station is used between other game terminals, The waiting order of the games is managed in the order of arrival of the game start request, and it is possible to play the winning game between the game terminals.

Further, according to the invention of claim 5, in a private room or the like in which a karaoke terminal such as a karaoke box is installed, the customer can enjoy karaoke and play the game of the center station via the network line. You can also enjoy the game using the machine.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. A: Configuration of Embodiment (1) Overall Configuration of System FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, for example, a function of a video game is incorporated in a karaoke network system applied in a karaoke box store.

In FIG. 1, SH is a sub-host station installed in a store such as a karaoke box, and is connected to a host station outside the store via a communication line such as a public network. Further, each room in the store (hereinafter referred to as a box) BX1, BX2, ... To this sub-host station SH via a network line N of a LAN (local area network).
The karaoke terminals KT, KT, ...

That is, the sub-host station SH stores the music data of karaoke supplied from the host station outside the store via the communication line, and each karaoke terminal KT, K in the store.
In response to a request from T, ..., Music data is supplied via the network line N.

Further, the network line N is an upstream signal channel for transmitting the song number of the requested song from each karaoke terminal KT, KT, ... To the sub-host station SH,
From the sub-host station SH to each karaoke terminal KT, KT, ...
To the karaoke terminals KT, KT, ... From the sub-host station SH to the karaoke terminals KT, KT ,.
A game information channel for transmitting video signals and audio signals corresponding to the progress of various games to T, KT, ... Is set.

(2) Configuration of Sub-Host Station Here, the sub-host station SH is transmitted from the host computer 1 that controls and manages each unit in the station, the hard disk 2 that stores music data, and each karaoke terminal KT, KT, .... Upstream data processing unit 3 for receiving and processing incoming upstream data, background image supply units 4a to 4d for storing and reproducing background images of karaoke corresponding to various music genres, seasons, etc., and various games. It is composed of video game machines 5a to 5c for executing a program and supplying video and sound to each karaoke terminal KT, KT, ....

Music data supplied from a center station outside the store is stored in the hard disk 2 as a database, and one piece of music data contains data necessary for synthesizing musical tones at the karaoke terminal KT. In addition, the lyrics data for displaying the lyrics on the monitor, the channel designation information for designating the channel where the background image corresponding to the music is output, and the like are included.

The upstream data processing unit 3 identifies the upstream data transmitted from each karaoke terminal KT, KT, ... And outputs the karaoke song number to the host computer 1 while processing the game start request. At the same time, various commands during the game play are output to the designated game machine among the video game machines 5a to 5c.

The background image supply units 4a to 4d each include a laser disk in which karaoke background images of different genres are stored, and the reproduced image signals are constantly output to the corresponding background image channels. There is. That is, each karaoke terminal KT, KT, ... Corresponds to the music at any time by adjusting the reception frequency to any background video channel based on the channel designation information included in the music data supplied from the sub-host station SH. The background image can be captured.

The video game machines 5a to 5c execute different game programs, and generate video signals and audio signals corresponding to the progress of the game in response to various command signals supplied from the karaoke terminal KT. These generated signals are output to the game information channel corresponding to each game machine.

(3) Structure of Karaoke Terminal Next, the karaoke terminal KT is the commander 11 and the CPU 1.
2, program ROM (read only memory) 13, R
AM (read / write memory) 14, RF (high frequency) modem 15, RF modulator 16, channel selector 1
7, a TG (tone generator) 18, a sound system 19 and monitors 20, 21.

The commander 11 accepts an input operation by the operator and outputs a signal corresponding to various input operations such as a song number of a requested song, a number indicating a game mode (namely, a game start request), and a command input during game play. To occur. Here, in switching between the karaoke mode and the game mode, the karaoke mode is designated when the tune number of karaoke is input, and the game mode is designated when the tune number indicating the game mode is input.

The CPU 12 controls each part of the terminal by executing the control program stored in the program ROM 13. The RAM 14 is used as a work area for the CPU 12, and temporarily stores the above-mentioned music data and various parameters.

The RF modem 15 modulates the song number of the requested song supplied from the commander 11, the instruction number of the game mode, the command input information during the game play, etc. with the carrier of the frequency for upstream signal, and the sub host station SH. Send to. Further, the RF modem 15 is a sub host station SH.
Receives the music data for its own station, which is modulated by the carrier of the frequency for the downlink signal and transmitted, and demodulates it.

Further, in the karaoke mode, the RF modulator 16 controls the reception frequency based on the channel designation information included in the music data, and outputs the background video signal of karaoke transmitted from the sub-host station SH to the designated channel. Receive and demodulate this. On the other hand, in the game mode, the RF modulator 16 adjusts the reception frequency to the channel corresponding to the video game machine selected by the commander 11, and sends the video during game play sent from the sub-host station SH to the specified channel. It receives signals and acoustic signals and demodulates them.

The channel selector 17 is a sub-host station S.
The channel for video output is switched according to the channel selection information from H or the mode selection signal (signal indicating the karaoke mode or the game mode) supplied from the commander 11. That is, in the karaoke mode, the background image of the channel designated by the channel select information or the commander 11 is received and the background image signal is supplied to the monitor 20, and in the game mode, the game of the similarly designated game information channel is received. A video signal corresponding to the progress is supplied to the monitor 21. Further, the channel selector 17 has an image synthesizing unit (not shown), and in the karaoke mode, superimposes the lyrics image signal corresponding to the lyrics data included in the music data on the background image signal and monitors it. Supply to. Thereby, in the karaoke mode, the monitor 20 displays the background image and lyrics of the karaoke, and in the game mode, the monitor 21 displays the image according to the progress of the game.

A TG (tone generator) 18 synthesizes a musical sound based on the received music data. In the karaoke mode, the sound system 19 mixes the karaoke sound synthesized by the TG 18 with the voice of the singer input from a microphone (not shown), and outputs the mixed sound to a speaker (not shown).
Make them pronounce more. On the other hand, in the game mode, the sound system 19 causes the speaker to generate a sound corresponding to the progress of the game, which is received via the RF modulator 16.

B: Operation of Embodiment Hereinafter, the operation of the embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described separately for the karaoke mode and the game mode. (1) Operation in karaoke mode First, in the karaoke terminal KT in any box, when the operator inputs the karaoke song number from the commander 11, the song number is input from the RF modem 15 to the sub-host station SH via the upstream signal channel. Sent to. Further, the channel selector 17 sets the output destination of the video signal to the monitor 20 for the background video of karaoke by being supplied with the mode selection signal instructing the selection of the karaoke mode.

On the other hand, in the sub host station SH, the music piece number is received by the upstream data processing unit 3 and is identified, and then supplied to the host computer 1. Thereby, in the host computer 1, the music data corresponding to the music number is read from the hard disk 2, and the read music data is added with the terminal identification information of the karaoke terminal KT that transmitted the music number as a destination address. Then, it is sent to the network line N.

Then, the karaoke terminal K that transmitted the song number
At T, the music data having its own terminal identification information is taken in via the RF modem 15 and once stored in the RAM 14 under the control of the CPU 12, the music data of the music data is required to be synthesized according to the sequence program. The data is supplied to the TG 18, and the lyrics data is supplied to the image synthesizing unit in the channel selector 17 according to the progress of the music.

Further, the RF modulator 16 receives the background video signal of karaoke flowing through the designated channel, the reception frequency of which is controlled based on the channel designation information included in the music data, and demodulates it. This background image is displayed on the monitor 20 after the lyrics image corresponding to the lyrics data is superimposed on the channel selector 17.
Displayed by. On the other hand, in the TG 18, a musical tone corresponding to the given musical composition data is synthesized, the musical tone is supplied to the sound system 19, mixed with the voice input from the microphone, and then produced by the speaker.

(2) Operation in Game Mode Next, the operation in the game mode will be described with reference to the screen transition diagram shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, when the operator inputs a number designating the game mode from the commander 11, the operation mode of the terminal KT is switched to the game mode. For example, when the designated number “7655-73” of the game mode is input in the same format as the song number of karaoke, a mode selection signal for instructing the selection of the game mode is supplied to the channel selector 17, which causes the output destination of the video signal. Is set on the monitor 21 for game video. Then, the initial screen G1 of the game mode prepared in advance on the terminal side is displayed on the monitor 21.

On this screen G1, each video game machine 5a
A game menu corresponding to 5c is displayed. Here, for example, when the operator inputs the value "1" from the commander 11 in order to select the game menu of "polygon fight", the game start request signal is transmitted to the sub-host station SH and the input signal of the commander 11 is transmitted. It becomes effective.

Here, when the video game machine 5a for executing the "polygon fight" game program is not used by another karaoke terminal, a video signal for displaying the initial screen of "polygon fight" from the sub-host station SH. Is transmitted to the karaoke terminal KT, and the initial screen G2 is displayed on the monitor 21. Also, "Polygon Fight" is a two-player opposing game, but in this case, since there is no opponent, "1P (that is,
Please operate the game play by one person ”message is displayed.

At this time, when the operator presses the start button of the commander 11 to indicate the start of the game, the game play with the virtual opponent prepared by the game machine 5a is started. Then, during the game play, a video signal corresponding to the progress of the game is supplied from the video game machine 5a at any time in response to various commands (for example, button pressing operation) input by the operator from the commander 11, and this is monitored. 21 is displayed.

On the other hand, when the video game machine 5a corresponding to the "polygon fight" is already used by the karaoke terminals of the other two parties, the video signal for displaying the screen during the game play is the karaoke terminal KT. And the screen G3 is displayed on the monitor 21. In this case, when the operator presses the start button of the commander 11, information indicating how many people are waiting is returned from the sub host station SH because the game is being played, and this is sent to the monitor 2
1 is displayed as a message (screen G4). Then, when the turn of the game comes to the karaoke terminal KT, 2P (that is, 2P) with the karaoke terminal which is the previous winner.
Person) is played.

Now, with reference to the conceptual diagram shown in FIG. 3, details of the random entry / order acceptance processing by the upstream data processing unit 3 of the sub-host station SH will be described. As shown in the figure, for example, game start request signals M1 to M4 designating the same video game machine 5a from a plurality of karaoke terminals KT, KT, ... Are terminal identification numbers “3”, “2”, “6”. ,
In the case of arriving in the order of "1", the terminal identification numbers "3" and "2" of the two persons who arrive first are the filter buffers Ba and Bb.
Are set respectively. Regarding the game start request signals M3 and M4 arriving after the two parties, the terminal identification numbers "6" and "1" are stored in the queue buffer Bw in the order of arrival.

As a result, the filter buffers Ba, Bb
The command signals MC transmitted from the terminals having the terminal identification numbers “3” and “2” set to are supplied to the video game machine 5a, and the terminal identification number “6”, while game play is performed between these terminals, The "1" karaoke terminal is in a waiting state.

Then, the terminal identification numbers "3" and "2".
When the game play is ended between the terminals and the win or loss is decided, the end message ME is supplied from the game machine 5a, whereby the terminal identification number "6" stored in the top of the queue buffer Bw is carried up and the loser side Is newly set in the filter buffer of. As a result, game play is performed between the karaoke terminal which is the previous winner and the karaoke terminal having the terminal identification number "6" newly set in the filter buffer. In addition, an end message M indicating that the game is abandoned from any one of the karaoke terminals during game play.
When E'is supplied (for example, when the song number of karaoke is input), the game ends and the queue is moved up.

Thus, the two filter buffers B
When the terminal identification numbers are set in a and Bb, 2P
The game is played by, and when the win or loss is decided, the queue advances, and the game is played between the previous winner and the new opponent. Further, in a state where the terminal identification number is set in only one of the two filter buffers Ba and Bb, the game play with the computer algorithm by 1P is performed. When a game start request is issued from another karaoke terminal during the 1P game play, the terminal identification number of the karaoke terminal is set in the empty filter buffer. By this, the game play by 1P until then is interrupted,
2P game play starts with new karaoke terminals rushing in.

C: Summary As described above, according to the present embodiment, the game function is incorporated in the karaoke network system in the store installed in the karaoke box or the like, and the sub-host station SH and the karaoke terminals KT, KT in each box. , By exchanging video signals and audio signals corresponding to the progress of the game with the game machines 5a to 5c of the sub-host station SH in each box, it is possible to compete between boxes. Can also be done. In addition, since waiting control can be performed in the box simply by pressing the start button, it is possible to easily enjoy the intrusion / game without the trouble of waiting behind the player and the feeling of distraction as in the conventional case.

D: Modifications The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments.
For example, the following changes are possible. (1) The present invention is not limited to a karaoke box, but can be applied to, for example, a hotel guest room or a general home as a box. (2) Further, the present invention is not necessarily premised on a karaoke network system, and an embodiment as a game network system in which only a game is separated from the karaoke system is also conceivable. (3) Further, in the above embodiment, the monitor 2 for displaying an image is provided.
Although 0 and 21 are separately prepared for the background image of karaoke and for the game image and these are switched and used, one monitor is commonly used for karaoke and game, and is used by mode switching. You may

(4) Further, the number of video game machines and the number of background image supply units are not limited to those in the above embodiment, but may be arbitrary. (5) In the above embodiment, the music data is supplied from the center station outside the store. However, the network connection with the outside host station is arbitrary, and the sub-host station SH is the top host station. Good. (6) In the above embodiment, the two-person counter type, that is, 2P
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is also applicable to the case where the game is played by another number of terminals such as 1P, 3P and the like.

(7) In the above embodiment, the video signal and the audio signal are sent as the information corresponding to the progress of the game. However, for the game where the sound is not so important, only the video signal is sent. May be. (8) In the above embodiment, the instruction to switch between the karaoke mode and the game mode is made by inputting the song number or the instruction number of the game mode. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Other modes such as operation and switching may be adopted. (9) Further, in the above embodiment, the input for karaoke and the input for game are received from one commander 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and separate commanders for karaoke and game are used. You may do it.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention, an unprecedented new form of game in which a game is enjoyed by using a network line in a store such as a karaoke box is provided to further entertain the user. The effect that can be obtained is obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a screen transition diagram for explaining an operation in a game mode of the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining details of upstream data processing in a game mode of the same embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Host computer, 2 ... Hard disk, 3 ... Upstream data processing part, 4a-4d ... Background image supply part, 5a-
5c ... video game machine, 11 ... commander, 12 ... CP
U, 13 ... Program ROM, 14 ... RAM, 15 ... R
F modem, 16 ... RF modulator, 17 ... Channel selector, 18 ... TG, 19 ... Sound system, 20,
21 ... Monitor, CT ... Karaoke terminal, N ... Network line, SH ... Sub host station.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A game network system in which a plurality of game terminals are connected to a center station via a network line, wherein the game terminals generate command signals corresponding to various command input operations by an operator. Command input means, upstream signal transmission means for transmitting the command signal to the center station via the network line, and downlink signal for receiving a video signal corresponding to the progress of the game transmitted from the center station via the network line A signal receiving unit, and a display unit for displaying an image according to the image signal, wherein the center station receives an upstream signal receiving unit for receiving a command signal transmitted from the game terminal via the network line, Executes a predetermined game program and displays images corresponding to the progress of the game in response to the command signal. Gaming network system, characterized by comprising: a game machine which generates a signal, and a downlink signal transmitting means for transmitting the video signal to the game terminal via the network line. 2. A game network system in which a plurality of game terminals and a center station are connected via a network line, wherein the game terminals generate command signals corresponding to various command input operations by an operator. Command input means, upstream signal transmission means for transmitting the command signal to the center station via the network line, and video signals and audio signals corresponding to the progress of the game transmitted from the center station via the network line. Downstream signal receiving means for receiving, display means for displaying an image corresponding to the video signal, and sound generating means for generating sound according to the audio signal, the center station via the network line Upstream signal receiving means for receiving a command signal transmitted from the game terminal, and a predetermined game program And a game machine that executes a video signal and an audio signal corresponding to the progress of the game according to the command signal, and a downlink signal transmission that transmits the video signal and the audio signal to the game terminal through the network line. A game network system comprising means. 3. The game network system according to claim 1, wherein the game machine executes a counter-type game program and performs game play between arbitrary game terminals. Network system. 4. The game network system according to claim 3, wherein the center station stores terminal identification information included in a game start request signal transmitted from each game terminal as a queue in the order of arrival of the signal. And a means for supplying the command signal supplied from the game terminal of the two persons to the game machine, and showing the game terminal of the two persons whose terminal identification information has arrived first to the game machine. If a game end signal indicating the result of winning or losing is supplied from the game machine, the terminal identification information that arrives first from the queue is advanced, and the game terminal corresponding to this terminal identification information is set to the last loser. A game network system, which is newly shown in the game machine instead of the game terminal. 5. A plurality of karaoke terminals are connected to a center station via a network line, and the center station is
The music information of karaoke is transmitted in response to a request from each karaoke terminal, and each karaoke terminal receives the music information transmitted from the center station to synthesize a musical sound, and the synthesized sound and a voice input from a microphone. In the karaoke network system for mixing and outputting the above, the karaoke terminal includes command input means for generating command signals corresponding to various command input operations by an operator, and the command signal to the center station via the network line. An upstream signal transmitting means for transmitting, a downstream signal receiving means for receiving a video signal corresponding to the progress of the game transmitted from the center station via the network line, and a display means for displaying an image according to the video signal. The center station is provided with a command transmitted from the karaoke terminal via the network line. An upstream signal receiving means for receiving a video signal, a game machine for executing a predetermined game program and generating a video signal corresponding to the progress of the game in response to the command signal, the video signal via the network line, A karaoke network system comprising: a downlink signal transmitting means for transmitting to a karaoke terminal.