JPH08297523A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an information processor which accurately specifies the guarantee periods accompanying the selling and repair of the information processor. CONSTITUTION: The CPU 21 in a KARAOKE device 10 displays, for example, a year, month, and day setting, a time setting, an ID number input, and the telephone number inputs of a terminal side and a host side, on a monitor 41, they are set in an electronic timer 35 when inputted, and data to be stored are stored on a hard disk 31. Then, the CPU 21 reads the current year, month, and day out of the electronic timer 35 and judges whether or not the counted time is already stored in an EPROM 29. When not, the year, month, and day read out of the electronic timer 35 are transferred to and stored in the EPROM 29. This year, month, and day are regarded as the counted days of the guarantee period.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an information storage means for storing information,
There is an information processing device having an information processing execution means capable of executing a predetermined process using this information, and examples thereof include a video game machine installed in a karaoke machine, a game center, or the like.

Usually, in such an information processing apparatus, if a failure or the like occurs within the warranty period of, for example, one year, three years, etc., the manufacturer is responsible for repairing or exchanging the warranty. The period starts from the date when it is delivered to the user from the store.

[0004]

However, under the present circumstances, at the time of delivery from the dealer to the user, the dealer does not often write the delivery date (date of warranty period) in the warranty, so to speak to the user. It was For this reason,
There was a problem that the warranty period could not be accurately specified. Further, there was a similar problem regarding the warranty period associated with the repair.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus which enables accurate identification of a warranty period associated with sales and repair of the information processing apparatus.

[0006]

As a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, an information processing apparatus according to claim 1 is capable of executing a predetermined process by using information storage means for storing information and the information. An information processing apparatus having an information processing execution means, an input means for inputting various instructions or data, and a calendar means for calculating a date is detected when an initial setting operation of the information processing apparatus is performed. Detection means,
Date storage means for storing the date calculated by the calendar means when the detection means detects that the initial setting operation has been performed; and the date when instructed via the input means. A date output means for externally outputting the date stored in the storage means is provided.

The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 1.
In the information processing device described above, the communication means connectable to the host device via a communication line, the connection number of the communication line connected to the host device input by the input means, and the information processing device are connected. And a connection number storage means for storing the connection number of the communication line
The detection means detects that the initial setting operation is performed by inputting one of a connection number of a communication line to which the host device is connected and a connection number of a communication line to which the information processing device is connected. It is characterized by being configured.

The information processing apparatus according to claim 3 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 1.
Alternatively, in the information processing device according to 2, the erasing unit that erases the date stored in the date storing unit is provided, and the date storing unit detects the detection in a state where the date is not stored. It is characterized in that the date and time calculated by the calendar means is stored when the means detects that the initial setting operation has been performed.

[0009]

In the information processing apparatus having the above structure, the detecting means detects that the initial setting operation of the information processing apparatus is performed. As the initial setting operation, for example, in the case of a device such as a personal computer (personal computer) or a video tape recorder (VTR) having a built-in electronic timer, the date and time setting operation is performed prior to the start of use, and information is communicated with the host device. For example, an operation of transmitting and receiving a message, for example, in a communication type karaoke apparatus or the like, storing the connection number of the host device or the connection number of the host device in the storage means.

When the detection means detects that such an initial setting operation has been performed, the date storage means stores the date calculated by the calendar means. Date output means
The date stored in the date storage means is externally output when instructed via the input means. Here, examples of the external output include screen display by a display and printing by a printer.

As described above, the date of the initial setting operation is stored in the date storage means and externally output by the date output means, so that the date of the initial setting operation of the information processing apparatus can be accurately known. When the seller or the manufacturer goes to the user side to perform the delivery of the information processing device and the initial setting operation, the date of the initial setting operation and the delivery date always match, so that the warranty period can be accurately specified.

Further, for example, when the user performs an initial setting operation such as a date and time setting operation, the sales date and the initial setting operation date may not always match, but at least the use start date can be specified. By setting this as the starting date of the guarantee period, it is possible to prevent the guarantee period from becoming ambiguous.

In the information processing apparatus according to the second aspect, it is possible to connect to the host apparatus via the communication line by the communication means. The connection number storage means stores the connection number of the communication line connected to the host device and the connection number of the communication line connected to the information processing device, which are input by the input means. The detection means detects that the initial setting operation is performed when either one of the connection number of the communication line to which the host device is connected and the connection number of the communication line to which the information processing device is connected is input.

For example, in an information processing device that exhibits its original function by using information provided from the host device through communication with the host device, for example, a karaoke device of a communication system, it is extremely effective in specifying the warranty period. Is. In the information processing apparatus according to claim 3, the date storage means calculates the year by the calendar means when the detection means detects that the initial setting operation is performed in a state where the date is not stored. Remember the date. Therefore, for example, even if the installation location of the information processing device that communicates with the host device is changed and a new connection number is input, the date at that time is not stored as the initial setting operation date.
In other words, even if the same operation as the initial setting operation is repeated,
Since the date storage means stores the true initial setting operation date, the guarantee period is not ambiguous.

Further, the erasing means erases the date stored in the date storing means. For example, if a repair or the like is performed, the calculated date of the warranty period will be the delivery date after the repair, and at that time, the initial setting operation will be performed after the date stored in the date storage means is erased by the erasing means. , The date is stored in the date storage means. Therefore, it is possible to accurately specify the warranty period associated with repair or the like.

[0016]

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 an information distribution system of an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a charging center which is a management center of the system, and FIG. 3 is a component of the system and an information processing apparatus of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke device corresponding to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information distribution system is composed of a billing center 1 and a plurality of karaoke devices 10 connected via a billing communication network 5. The karaoke device 10 is connected to the billing communication network 5 as a terminal of the public telephone line 6. Next, the configuration of the billing center 1 corresponding to the host device in the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The billing center 1 includes a host computer 51 as a host device and a storage device 5 as a central device.
3, input device 55, communication control device 57, printer 59,
And a CRT 61. The storage device 53 stores various control programs for operating the host computer 51, the charging record for each karaoke device 10, and the karaoke device 1.
It is for storing the telephone number etc. sent from 0.

Various instructions can be input from the input device 55. For example, a billing result table for each karaoke device 10 stored in the storage device 53 can be used as a list, or a billing result table can be created. It can be printed by the printer 59 or displayed on the CRT 61.

The charging communication network 5 has a function of charging for information charges, such as a videotex communication network or a dial queue to communication network. In Japan today, Videotex network and dial queue two network are known as the representative ones. The dial queue-to network is basically a time-based pay-as-you-go calculation, and the videotex network can set an arbitrary fee for each information content,
It is used in 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 6 connected to each karaoke device 10 and a videotex communication processing device (VC).
P) and. This VCP is trying to access the Videotex communication network through a public telephone line 6
Connection to the billing center 1 (currently the special number 166 and the public telephone line 6 dialing the 5-digit billing center number)
Exchange, management of the karaoke device 10 which is a user terminal, management of subscribers to the charging center 1, charging of communication charges and information usage charges collected by the telephone company by proxy, conversation control between the karaoke device 10 and the charging center 1. Provides communication processing functions such as conversion processing such as protocol conversion and code / pattern conversion.

Next, the structure of the karaoke apparatus 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the karaoke device 10 is provided with a CPU 21 as a control means. This CP
U21 functions as the information processing execution means of the present invention, the detection means, and the deletion means described in claim 3.

The CPU 21 is connected with a communication control device 23 as a communication means of the present invention. The communication control device 23 can access the billing communication network 5 through a public telephone line 6 as a communication line, and the CPU 21 can communicate with the billing center 1 through a route from the communication control device 23 to the public telephone line 6 to the billing communication network 5. .

The CPU 21 stores a ROM 25 storing an operation program of the CPU 21, a RAM 27 serving as a work area of the CPU 21, an EPROM 29 as a date storing means of the present invention, karaoke piece information and various data to store the information of the present invention. A hard disk (HD) corresponding to the storage means and corresponding to the connection number storage means according to claim 2.
D) 31, a multipurpose input key 33 corresponding to the input means of the present invention, for inputting various instructions and data to the CPU 21, and an electronic timer 35 capable of calculating the real-time date and time and corresponding to the calendar means of the present invention. Is connected, and C
The PU 21 can read the date and time calculated by the electronic timer 35.

Further, the CPU 21 reproduces the lyrics information included in the karaoke piece information read from the hard disk 31 and transferred by the CPU 21, outputs it as a lyrics display signal, and displays it on the monitor 41 as a display means. The video processing device 37 is also connected to a sound source 39 which synthesizes analog performance signals based on the performance information included in the karaoke piece information and outputs the synthesized signals to the amplifier 43. The video processing device 37 and the sound source 39 work together with the CPU 21 to function as the information processing execution means of the present invention. The video processing device 37 also functions as the date output means of the present invention.

A speaker 45 and a microphone 47 are connected to the amplifier 43. The amplifier 43 mixes and amplifies the performance signal input from the sound source 39 and the singing sound signal input from the microphone 47. It can be output to the speaker 45. The hard disk 31 previously stores information about several thousand karaoke songs, but the CPU
Reference numeral 21 can store in the hard disk 31 the karaoke piece information of the new piece received through communication with the billing center 1.

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 (Musical Instrument Digital Inter
face) It consists of standard performance information and lyrics information that encodes lyrics.

However, the karaoke piece information of the new piece is, for example, scrambled so that it cannot be used as it is. The scramble release key for enabling this can be obtained from the billing center 1 by a predetermined procedure. Acquisition of the scramble cancellation key will be described with reference to FIG.

After receiving the karaoke piece information of the new song transmitted from the billing center 1 and storing it in the hard disk 31, the CPU 21 calls the billing center 1 via the communication control device 23. Subsequently, the CPU 21 waits for an incoming call to the charging center 1 and then identifies itself with a password (for example, a number (ID number) set for each karaoke device 10 and the public telephone line 6 to which the karaoke device 10 is connected. Phone number).

In the billing center 1, when the password is received from the karaoke device 10, the host computer 51 performs terminal verification, and if the karaoke device 10 is registered in the billing center 1, the verification is successful and the password confirmation signal is returned. To do. When the password confirmation signal is received, CP
U21 transmits to the billing center 1 a request for transmission of a scramble release key (billing information) for the karaoke song information of the new song.
That is, the CPU 21 requests the transmission of the charging information, which serves as the scramble release key of the karaoke piece information of the new piece, and at the same time, requests the charging processing.

In the billing center 1, when the transmission request (billing processing request) for the scramble release key is received, the host computer 51 sends the preset scramble release key (billing information) through the communication control unit 57 to the karaoke apparatus. Send to 10 side. When the descrambling key is transmitted from the billing center 1, the charge set in advance for the transmission of the descrambling key is charged by the billing communication network 5 to the public telephone line 6 to which the karaoke apparatus 10 is connected. Will be charged to the subscribers of. This fee is collected by proxy together with the telephone line usage fee.

Upon receiving the scramble release key, the karaoke device 10 sends a communication disconnection request to the billing center 1. When the charging center 1 receives this request, the charging center 1 ends the communication with the karaoke device 10. Also, the karaoke device 10
After the communication disconnection request is sent, the scramble cancel key received is used to descramble the karaoke piece information of the new song, and the karaoke performance is enabled.

When the karaoke piece information of the new song becomes available by performing such processing (other than the new song is already available), the user operates the multipurpose input key 33 or a remote controller (not shown) to sing the song. Select. Then, the CPU 21 executes karaoke performance processing according to a predetermined karaoke performance program. To briefly explain this, the CPU 21 reads the performance information and lyrics information corresponding to the selected song from the hard disk 31, the performance information in the sound source 39, and the lyrics information in the video processing device 3.
7 respectively.

The tone generator 39 synthesizes an analog performance signal based on the performance information and outputs it to the amplifier 43. The amplifier 43 mixes the performance signal input from the sound source 39 and the singing sound signal input from the microphone 47,
The amplified signal is output to the speaker 45. The speaker 45 outputs this by voice.

On the other hand, the video processing device 3 is synchronized with the performance information.
The lyrics information output to 7 is monitored by the video processing device 37 as a video display signal that is combined (superimposed) with background video information sent from a video video source (not shown) (for example, a laser disc player). 41 is output. On the monitor 41, the background telop is displayed in a state where the lyrics telop is combined.

The karaoke performance is executed in this manner. To enable the karaoke performance,
It is necessary for the karaoke device 10 to acquire the karaoke piece information by communicating with the billing center 1 and to acquire the scramble cancellation key for canceling the scramble. Then, in order to execute communication with the charging center 1, the work of registering the karaoke device 10 in the charging center 1 and the charging center 1 in the hard disk 31 of the karaoke device 10, for example.
It is necessary to memorize the telephone number and password of. That is, this operation corresponds to the initial setting operation of the present invention.

Next, the initial setting operation of the karaoke apparatus 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of the initial setting routine shown in FIG. 5, and the guarantee period will be calculated with reference to the flow chart of the date operating routine shown in FIG. The display of the day will be described. First, prior to the initial setting operation, the communication control device 23 of the karaoke device 10 and the public telephone line 6 are connected (see FIG. 3). After that, when the power of the karaoke device 10 is turned on and, for example, a service person dispatched from the manufacturer side of the karaoke device 10 operates the multipurpose input key 33 to instruct the initial setting mode, the CP of the karaoke device 10 is displayed.
U21 starts the initialization routine shown in FIG.

The CPU 21 requires the monitor 41 to sequentially display, for example, date setting, time setting, ID number input, telephone number input as a terminal side connection number, telephone number input as a host side connection number, etc. Wait until any data is input, and if input is made, the electronic timer 35 is set and the data to be stored is stored in the hard disk 31 (S10).

Next, the CPU 21 reads the current date from the electronic timer 35 (S11). Then, the CPU 21
Determines whether the start date has already been stored in the EPROM 29 (S12). If the calculated date is stored in the EPROM 29 (YES in S12), the CPU 21 ends this routine. On the other hand, if the calculated date is not stored in the EPROM 29 (NO in S12), the CPU 21 transfers the date read in S11 to the EPROM 29 for storage (S13), and this routine is ended. The date stored in the EPROM 29 in this way is the date on which the initial setting operation is performed, and is the starting date of the warranty period.

When the karaoke apparatus 10 needs to be repaired due to, for example, a failure, it is necessary to know whether it is within the warranty period or out of the warranty period. Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the display of the calculated date of the warranty period and the like will be described. For example, a service person dispatched from the manufacturer of the karaoke machine 10 may select the multipurpose input key 33.
Is operated to instruct the date operation mode, the CPU 21 of the karaoke apparatus 10 starts the date operation routine shown in FIG.

The CPU 21 waits for key input (S20), and if there is key input (YES in S20).
S), it is determined whether it is a date display key (S2
1). If it is the date display key here (YES in S21)
S), the CPU 21 reads the start date stored in the EPROM 29 (S22), and reads it from the video processing device 37.
Display the calculated date on the monitor 41 (S2
3), this routine is completed. For example, the service person can determine whether it is within the warranty period or out of the warranty period by comparing the calculated date displayed here with the date when the repair request is made.

As described above, since the date (starting date) when the initial setting operation is performed is stored in the EPROM 29 and can be displayed on the monitor 41, it can be accurately determined whether or not it is within the warranty period. If the key operated in S20 is not the date display key (NO in S21), the CPU 21
In S24, it is determined whether the date clear key. If it is the date clear key here (YES in S24), the CPU 2
1 instructs the EPROM 29 to erase the stored contents (S25) and terminates this routine. On the other hand, if the input key is not the date clear key (S24: N
O), the CPU 21 ends this routine as it is.

The reason why the process of S25 is performed is as follows. For example, even during or after the warranty period, the repair itself may be guaranteed only for a certain period from the date of completion of the repair depending on the repair content. In such a case, if the process of S25 is executed at the time of completion of repair, a new start date can be stored in the EPROM 29 in the initial setting operation for using the karaoke apparatus 10 next time. Therefore, this new start date can be set as the start date of the warranty period associated with the repair. Therefore, it is possible to accurately specify the warranty period associated with the repair or the like.

Although the present invention has been described above according to the embodiments, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to such embodiments and can be variously implemented without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the embodiment, the contents stored in the EPROM are erased and updated, but the stored date may be added one after another without being erased. In this manner, if information such as the first time, repair, transfer, etc. is added to each year and month, it becomes the history information of the karaoke device 10.

The initial setting operation is not limited to the operation for executing communication as in the embodiment, and may be only the date setting such as an electronic timer. The information processing device is also not limited to the karaoke device of the embodiment. Further, in the embodiment, the karaoke device which communicates only with the billing center is illustrated, but an information center for transmitting substantive information such as karaoke piece information is provided separately from the billing center, and the billing center is, for example, a descrambling key. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which only the billing information such as is transmitted, or to transmit the substantial information such as karaoke piece information through an information communication network other than the billing communication network.

[0046]

As described above, according to the information processing apparatus of the first aspect, the initial setting operation date of the information processing apparatus can be accurately known and the warranty period can be accurately specified.

An information processing apparatus according to a second aspect is an information processing apparatus that exhibits its original function by using information provided from the host apparatus through communication with the host apparatus, such as a karaoke apparatus using a communication system. It is extremely effective in identifying the warranty period. According to the information processing apparatus of claim 3, if the date stored in the date storage means is not deleted, the date storage means stores the date even if the same operation as the initial setting operation is repeated. The initial setting operation date will not be rewritten, and the warranty period will not be ambiguous.

Further, for example, when repairing or the like is carried out, if the date stored in the date storage means is erased by the erasing means and then the initial setting operation is performed, the date is stored in the date storage means. As a result, the warranty period associated with repairs can be specified accurately.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an information distribution system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a billing center which is a management center of the information distribution system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke device which is a component of the information distribution system of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of communication performed between a charging center and a karaoke device in the information distribution system of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an initial setting routine executed by the karaoke apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a date operation routine executed by the karaoke apparatus of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Billing center (host device), 5 ... Billing communication network, 6 ... Public telephone line, 10 ... Karaoke device (information processing device), 21 ... CPU (information processing execution means, detection) Means, erasing means), 23 ... communication control device (communication means), 29 ... EPROM (date storage means), 31 ... hard disk (information storage means, connection number storage means), 33 ... multipurpose Input key (input means), 35 ... Electronic timer (calendar means), 37 ... Video processing device (information processing execution means, date output means), 39 ... Sound source (information processing execution means), 51. ..Host computer (host device)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An information storage unit for storing information, an information processing execution unit capable of executing a predetermined process using the information, an input unit for inputting various instructions or data, and a date In an information processing apparatus having a calendar means for calculating, a detecting means for detecting that an initial setting operation of the information processing apparatus is performed, and the detecting means for detecting that the initial setting operation is performed, Date storage means for storing the date calculated by the calendar means; and date output means for externally outputting the date stored in the date storage means when instructed via the input means. An information processing apparatus comprising: 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication means connectable to the host device via a communication line, and the connection number of the communication line to which the host device input by the input means is connected And a connection number storage unit that stores a connection number of a communication line to which the information processing device is connected, and the detection unit is configured to detect the connection number of the communication line to which the host device is connected and the information processing device. An information processing apparatus having a configuration for detecting that the initial setting operation has been performed by inputting one of the connection numbers of the communication lines to be connected. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an erasing unit for erasing the date stored in the date storing unit, wherein the date storing unit stores the date. An information processing apparatus, characterized in that the date calculated by the calendar means is stored when the detection means detects that the initial setting operation has been performed in a state of not storing the date.