JPH09237093A - Karaoke (recorded accompaniment) device and karaoke system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a karaoke device perform a work encouraging the executing of a charging processing by fixing either a key or a tempo in a state separated from a standard state and executing such a restricted playing that a normal utilization is difficult. SOLUTION: In a karaoke device 10, a key, a tempo and a sound volume are changed and set in states separated from standard states and a playing is executed by fixing them in the states. In order to make the normal utilization of the device possible, a prescribed charging processing has to be done by connecting the device to a charging communication network 5 through a communication control equipment 27 and by making a central controller 31 execute a charging control program and then the device becomes a state capable of using karaoke musical information. Thus, karaoke musical information whose charging processing is not performed by a reason that, for example, the estasblishment enterprise owner of the karaoke device 10 forgets the paying of a fee, etc., are judged and the estasblishment enterprise owner of the device is made to think to make the device a state in which the normal use of the device is possible by performing the charging.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention enables normal karaoke performance processing to be executed only for the karaoke piece information stored, and for the karaoke piece information which has not been charged, the presence of the karaoke performance information. The present invention relates to a karaoke device for performing a predetermined limited performance, and a karaoke system including the karaoke device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, although karaoke piece information is stored in the storage means, not all of it can be used, but only the piece of karaoke piece information that has been charged for a predetermined fee, which is the price of the karaoke piece information, has been processed. Have been proposed for use. For example, by adding scramble information, a storage medium (laser disk or C
D) is set in a karaoke device and a predetermined charging process using a videotex communication network or the like is executed, a cancel key for canceling the scramble information is transmitted according to the charged amount, and the karaoke piece information is transmitted. Are available.

Further, the karaoke piece information to which the scramble information has been added is transmitted online from the information center and stored in the storage device of the karaoke apparatus, as in the above example.
The applicant has also proposed a release key that can be used with the karaoke piece information, which is received with a predetermined charging process using a videotex communication network or the like.

[0004]

However, in the case of adopting such a method that can be used only after billing is completed, the karaoke piece information itself is stored but cannot be used for the actual karaoke performance. The situation may occur. In other words, the charging process may not be performed because the operator who installs the karaoke device (for example, a so-called karaoke box manager) does not intentionally pay the fee or forgets to pay the fee. Because.

In this case, since the actual user of the karaoke apparatus cannot know which song cannot be used for karaoke performance, unless he / she knows that the requested song cannot be used, he / she will be asked to the installer. There is also no order to make it available. For this reason, although the karaoke piece information itself is stored, the actual usage tends not to be promoted, which is not preferable for the piece data provider.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems. In the case where there is karaoke piece information which is not actually charged because it is not charged, although the information itself exists. To provide a karaoke device and a karaoke system equipped with the karaoke device, which can cause the installation business operator to charge the fee and make the karaoke song information available, thereby promoting the use of the karaoke song information. With the goal.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention The invention according to claim 1 made in order to achieve the above object, is an information storing means for storing karaoke piece information and a storing in the information storing means. In a karaoke device provided with a karaoke playing means for performing a predetermined karaoke playing process using the karaoke piece information, the karaoke playing means changes at least one of the key and the tempo to perform the karaoke performance. A charge state storage means having a changeable function capable of storing charged or not charged for each piece of karaoke piece information stored in the information storage means; and the charge state storage means. When the karaoke performance means executes the karaoke performance processing by using the karaoke music information stored as uncharged, the at least key or tempo Re or the other was fixed to the far state and normal state, usually use karaoke device, wherein a and a constraint performance control means for executing a constraint playing like becomes difficult.

The above-mentioned karaoke apparatus of the present invention can execute a predetermined karaoke performance process by using the karaoke piece information stored in the information storage means. However, if the karaoke piece information is stored in the information storage means, normal karaoke performance processing is not necessarily executed. The charging status storage means stores whether or not each karaoke piece information stored in the information storage means is charged or not. However, when it is stored as charged, The normal karaoke performance processing is executed. However, normal use cannot be permitted for a karaoke piece for which a charging process is not performed due to, for example, the karaoke device installation business operator forgetting to pay the fee. However, as it is, the karaoke piece information itself is stored, but the actual use is not promoted.

Therefore, in the karaoke apparatus of the present invention, when the karaoke performance means executes the karaoke performance processing using the karaoke piece information stored in the charge state storage means as being uncharged, the restricted performance control is performed. The means fixes at least one of the key and the tempo to a state apart from the standard state, and executes a restricted performance that makes normal use difficult. Since it is inconvenient for unpaid songs to enjoy karaoke as usual, fixing at least one of the key and tempo to a state far from the standard state makes it difficult to use normally. The restricted performance is made so that it cannot be used as a karaoke accompaniment. But,
Instead of simply making it unusable as a karaoke accompaniment, either the key or the tempo is set apart from the standard state, but the performance itself is left as it is so that the atmosphere of the song can be understood.

As a key far from the standard state,
If the key in the standard state is a relatively high song, the key is raised by about 3 or 4 notes, if the key in the standard state is a relatively low key, the key is lowered by about 3 or 4 notes, etc. Can be considered. If you raise or lower it by one octave, you will be able to sing with the same keys as in the standard state, so a key in the middle is preferable. In the case of a song with relatively high keys in the standard state, on the contrary to the above example, the pitch is lowered by about 3 or 4 notes. On the contrary, it is conceivable to raise the sound by about 3 or 4, but it is preferable to raise it further when it is relatively high and further lower it when it is relatively low. There are individual differences in the singers, and people who originally have a high voice tend to sing songs with a relatively high key, and people who originally have a low voice tend to sing songs with a relatively low key. To do. Therefore, it is preferable to make the keys higher or lower than the above keys in order to make the restricted performance that is difficult to use normally. In that sense, it is preferable to use a key that is raised or lowered by 1 octave + 3, 4 notes because it is more difficult to sing and it is difficult to use normally.

On the other hand, as the tempo which is far from the standard state, there are cases where the tempo is set to be faster or slower than the standard state. Like the above-mentioned keys, the tempo in the standard state is relatively fast. In the case of, it is preferable to further speed up, and in the case of a song whose tempo in the standard state is relatively slow, it is preferable to further slow down.

And, of course, if both the key and the tempo are changed to a state far from the standard state, the performance is
It's even better in terms of "constrained performance." By doing so, it is found that there is karaoke piece information that is not charged due to, for example, the operator of the karaoke apparatus forgetting to pay the fee. This makes it possible for the installation business operator to think that the device can be used normally, and as a result, it can contribute to promoting the use of karaoke piece information.

Further, in the karaoke apparatus according to the second aspect, the karaoke playing means further has a volume changing function capable of changing the volume to perform the karaoke performance, and the restricted performance control means includes at least the key or the tempo. In addition to putting either one of the above into a state far from the standard state, a restricted performance fixed to a low volume far from the standard state is executed.

The low volume that is far from the standard state is, for example, a low volume that makes the karaoke performance inaudible when the singer sings through a microphone as normal karaoke. By doing so, it becomes practically impossible to sing along with the karaoke performance, and the user can only listen to the restricted performance, but since the music being played can be recognized, the present invention can be realized. The purpose is achieved.

By the way, when the above-mentioned restricted performance is executed, it is practically difficult to enjoy karaoke as a karaoke accompaniment. Therefore, as a practical matter, the user needs to listen to the end. There is no.
Rather, if the user inputs a performance stop instruction through the input means, it is possible to forcibly end the performance even during the karaoke performance processing by the karaoke performance means. Is preferred.

When the karaoke performance means is arranged to collect a predetermined usage charge each time the karaoke performance processing is executed, the charge collection execution prohibition means restricts the usage charge. In the case of the karaoke performance processing in which the control by the performance control means has been executed, it is preferable that the fee collection means does not collect the fee.
In other words, the party requesting the karaoke piece may not know whether the karaoke piece is uncharged or already charged, so it is difficult to enjoy karaoke as a karaoke accompaniment because it is not charged. However, it is not convinced to the user that the usual fee is collected despite the fact that it is done. Therefore, in such a case, it is preferable that the fee is not collected and only the function of prompting the execution of the charging process is performed.

In the karaoke apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, there is no particular limitation on charging or actual charge collection, and whether the charging status storage means has been charged or not charged for each piece of karaoke piece information. I made clear what I remember.
Therefore, for example, a service person or the like on the karaoke piece information provider side goes directly to the place where the karaoke device is installed, sets it as already charged according to the request of the installation company, and collects the charge. Good, but this method is very tedious.

Therefore, in the karaoke system according to the fifth aspect, the charging center transmits the charging information through the charging communication network to perform charging by the charging function of the charging communication network, and the charging state storage means: The karaoke piece information corresponding to the transmitted billing information is stored as billed. In this way, for example, when the karaoke apparatus installation company wants to execute the charging and make the karaoke piece information available, only by issuing the instruction, the charging using the charging function by the charging communication network is performed. , It is very convenient because the price for making the karaoke song information available can be automatically collected without the need for human intervention.

When executing this charging process, it is necessary to first connect the charging center and the karaoke device via the charging communication network. Here, in the current billing communication networks such as the captain system and dial queue two, the calling side (calling side) is charged, so the karaoke device side calls the charging center to connect. become. However, it is possible to change the configuration of the charging communication network so that the receiving side (the side receiving the call) is charged by the collect call method, as is already in practical use in public telephone lines. Therefore, the connection here may be made either by the karaoke device side or by the charging center side as long as the karaoke device side is charged.

Further, the source of the karaoke piece information stored in the information storage means is not particularly limited in the description of the karaoke apparatus. Therefore, for example, a storage medium (laser disk, CD, hard disk, or the like) storing karaoke piece information may be set in the karaoke device to function as information storage means, or a host for distributing the karaoke piece information. You may make it receive on-line from the device side.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a karaoke system as one embodiment and a configuration of a karaoke device 10 which is a component of the system.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this karaoke system, a charging center 1 and a karaoke device 10 are connected to a charging communication network 5.
It is configured to be connected through. The karaoke system shown in FIG. 1 is a minimum configuration example including one karaoke device 10 and one charging center 1. In reality, there may be a plurality of each of the above devices, and it is general that one karaoke device 10 exists for one billing center 1.

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 at present, videotex network and dial queue two network are known as typical ones, and these are the facilities of the telephone company. The dial queue network is basically a pay-as-you-go calculation in units of time, and the videotex network can set an arbitrary fee for each content of information, and is used for a so-called captain system or the like.

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 karaoke device 10 and a videotex communication processing device (VCP).
It is composed of This VCP connects / exchanges the public telephone line attempting to access the videotex communication network to / from the billing center 1, manages the karaoke device 10 as a user device, manages subscribers to the billing center 1, communication charges and telephone. It provides a communication processing function such as charging of information providing charges collected by the company, conversation control between the karaoke apparatus 10 and the charging center 1, conversion processing such as protocol conversion and code / pattern conversion.

Next, the structure of the karaoke machine 10 will be described. The central control unit 31, which corresponds to the karaoke playing means and the restricted playing control means, has a multipurpose input key 32 as an input means for inputting various instructions, a hard disk 33 as an information storage means and a charging status storage means, and a voice reproduction circuit. 35, a screen display control device 26, and a communication control device 27 are connected, a mixer amplifier 38 is connected to the audio reproduction circuit 35, and a television monitor 29 as a display unit is connected to the screen display control device 26. Further, a speaker 41 and a microphone 43 are connected to the mixer amplifier 38. The communication control device 27
When the charging center 1 also functions as an information center,
It is also used to receive predetermined information distributed from the charging center 1.

Then, the central control unit 31 executes a predetermined charging control process. This charging control process will be described later in detail, but is different from the conventional method of using the charging communication network 5, so that the point will be described. Conventionally, a user terminal receives information via the accounting communication network 5 and executes a predetermined process using the information. Then, the accounting communication network 5 charges a predetermined fee (a predetermined fee set for each information content) as a price for the information.

On the other hand, the hard disk 33 stores information used by the karaoke apparatus 10 for karaoke performance processing. On the hard disk 33, karaoke song information of about several thousand songs is stored in advance. The karaoke device 10 is managed by a karaoke device installation company, and can receive song data from a song data distribution company every time new song data is created. The new song data and the like can be stored in the hard disk 33 later.

The karaoke piece information stored in the hard disk 33 is composed of piece number information, which is identification information for identifying pieces of music, and substance information.
The substantive information is MIDI information of accompaniment music.
(Musical Instrument Digital Interface) standard performance information, lyrics information and background video information. The background video information is obtained by encoding video information corresponding to each song.

The karaoke piece information cannot be used normally as it is. In order to enable normal use, the communication control device 2 is connected to the charging communication network 5.
7, the central control unit 31 executes the charging control program, whereby a predetermined charging process using the charging function by the charging communication network 5 is performed, and the karaoke piece information can be used. .

For example, in the non-charged state, the normal use prohibition flag may be set, and the normal karaoke performance processing may not be performed even if the karaoke piece information is requested. Then, when the billing has been completed, it can be realized by performing control such as changing the normal use prohibition flag to the normal use possible flag.

In the case of the present embodiment, either the normal use flag or the normal use prohibition flag is set for each music in the billing record table shown in FIG. 7, and the normal use is set according to the flag. They are allowed or prohibited. This billing record table is stored in the hard disk 33, and for each piece of karaoke song information, from the item of song number, song name, singer name, fee, type, billing date, billing state, and normal use prohibition flag for that karaoke song information. There exists a table.

There are two types, "A" and "B", and in the present embodiment, "A" is for a song whose key in the standard state is relatively high, and for the standard state. "B" is set when the key has a relatively low tune. Also,
The billing state is either “billed” for which a predetermined billing process has been completed or “unbilled” for which the billing process has not been completed. As the normal use permission / prohibition flag, the permission / prohibition flag is set as described above. First, when the charging state is "uncharged", the prohibition flag is set and It is in a locked state that cannot be used normally. Then, when it becomes "charged" by a predetermined charging process, the permission flag is set, the locked state is released, and the music information can be freely used normally.

When the permission flag is set and normal use of the karaoke piece information becomes possible, the user operates the multipurpose input key 32 to select the piece to be sung.
Then, the central controller 31 executes a karaoke performance process according to a predetermined karaoke performance program. Briefly, the central control unit 31 reads out the performance information, lyrics information and background image information corresponding to the selected song from the hard disk 33, and the performance information is reproduced by the voice reproduction circuit 35.
The lyrics information and the background video information are transmitted to the screen display control device 2.
6 respectively.

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 through the microphone 43 by the singing voice of the user. And is mixed in a proper ratio. The mixed audio signal is output to the outside as a performance sound by the speaker 41. Note that the multipurpose input key 32 includes a so-called key control key, and for example, the key can be changed in four steps of high and low in semitone units. And this allows you to freely change the key height even while playing, and when the song ends, the key control is automatically released and the next song will return to the standard key. ing.

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

Next, the structure of the charging center 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The billing center 1 is a host computer 5
1, a storage device 53, an input device 55, a communication control device 57, a printer 59, and a CRT 61.
The storage device 53 stores various control programs for operating the host computer 51 and the karaoke devices 1
It is for storing the billing record and the like for each 0. That is, the same billing result table as shown in FIG. 7 is stored corresponding to each karaoke device 10.
More specifically, since it is not necessary to store the normal use permission prohibition flag among the data items shown in FIG. 7, the items except the item of the normal use permission prohibition flag, that is, for each karaoke piece information, There is a table that includes items of song number, song name, singer name, karaoke song information fee, type, billing date, and billing state. Therefore, it is possible to know which song has been charged for each karaoke device 10.

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 karaoke device 10 stored in the storage device 53, or can be created. It can be printed by the printer 59 or displayed on the CRT 61.

Next, the operation of the karaoke system having the above structure will be described. The operation of the karaoke device 10 will be mainly described based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 to 6. When the power is turned on, this main routine is started.

First, in the first step S1, the entire device is initialized, such as resetting the communication control device 27. Next, in S2, it is checked whether or not the music information request mode is designated as the operation designation of the karaoke device 10. If the karaoke device installation business operator specifies the song information request mode, the process proceeds to S3, and if not, the process proceeds to S4.

At S3, a subroutine is called to perform music piece information request processing. This song information request processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The main song information request process is a process for executing a predetermined billing process to enable normal use of song information for which the prohibition flag is set because it has not been charged and is normally unavailable. In S30, the TV monitor 29 is caused to display a list of pieces of music information in which the prohibition flag is set and which cannot normally be used. At this time, it is advisable to display a message prompting selection such as "Please specify the song for which you want to charge." The operator who installs the karaoke device 10 selects a desired song from the song information list and gives an instruction to end the selection. When the selection is completed (S
31: YES), the billing center 1 is connected through the billing communication network 5 (S32). After the connection process with the charging center 1 is completed, the process proceeds to S33.

In S33, the charging center 1 is requested to charge for the selected music piece. And S34 continues
Then, as a response to the billing request, the billing information transmitted from the billing center 1 is received. When the process of receiving the billing information is completed, the process proceeds to S35, and the process of releasing the connection with the billing center 1 is performed.

The communication processing corresponding to S32 to S35 will be described with reference to the communication sequence diagram of FIG. The karaoke device 10 makes a call to the billing center 1, and after the connection is established, the password is transmitted to the billing center 1. The billing center 1 receives this via the communication control device 57, the host computer 51 performs terminal verification using a telephone number, a password, etc., and if the karaoke device 10 registered in the billing center 1 returns normal verification. To do.
After the karaoke apparatus 10 receives the verification result and the charging center 1 becomes ready for reception, the karaoke apparatus 10 transmits the charging information request for the selected song.

This charging information request is made in order to charge a predetermined information providing fee. In this case, the information providing fee is determined by the karaoke device 10 side, and the charging information based on the fee is transmitted. May be requested to the charging center 1, or the selected music information may be transmitted to the charging center 1, and the charge based on the music information may be determined by the charging center 1.
It may be left to the side to request that the billing information at the determined fee be transmitted.

In the charge collection agency system which constitutes the charge communication network 5, which karaoke device 10 is the charge center 1
Is acquired as accounting result from the accounting information transmitted via the accounting communication network 5. Based on this billing record, the telephone service provider collects the information provision fee calculated by referring to a pre-registered fee list in addition to this when charging the telephone fee to the operator who installs the corresponding karaoke device 10. However, the service is provided to the music information distributor who is the information provider. This is itself well known as Videotex performed by NTT.

Then, when the charge is actually collected on the telephone carrier side, the collection record is stored in the storage device 53 of the charging center 1. That is, a table similar to that shown in FIG. 7 is stored in the storage device 53 of the charging center 1 for each karaoke device 10.
If there is a charging request from the karaoke apparatus 10, the charging information is transmitted and the charging status of the corresponding music information is set to charged.

Returning to FIG. 4, when the connection release processing in S35 is completed, in S36, "charged" is set in the charge status item of the charge record table (see FIG. 7) for the selected song information. , In S37, the permission flag is set to the item of the normal use permission prohibition flag for the song information set as "charged", that is, the selected song information,
The song information can be used.

After this, the main music piece information request processing is temporarily terminated, and the flow shifts to the step S4 in the flowchart of FIG. In S4, as the operation designation of the karaoke device 10,
It is checked whether or not the karaoke performance mode has been designated by the karaoke device installation company. If the karaoke performance mode is designated, the process proceeds to S5, and if not, the process proceeds to S2.

At S5, a subroutine is called to perform karaoke performance processing. This karaoke performance process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the first step S51 of the karaoke performance process, the input of the request number from the multipurpose input key 32 is waited, and if the request number is input (S51: YES), the process proceeds to S52 to determine whether the song is normally prohibited. Determine whether This is determined by whether or not the prohibition flag is set in the item of the normal use permission prohibition flag in the above-mentioned billing record table (see FIG. 7).

When the permission flag is set (S5
2: NO), the process proceeds to S53, and the normal karaoke performance of the song of the requested number is executed, but when the prohibition flag is set (S52: YES),
Then, the process shifts to S55, and restricted performance control is executed.

This restricted performance control processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the first step S61 of the restricted performance control process, the type of the piece of music is first determined. This type is stored as an item in the billing result table shown in FIG. 7, and as described above, in the present embodiment, in the case of a song whose key is relatively high in the standard state, “A” is displayed. However, "B" is set in the case of a song whose key is relatively low in the standard state.

If the type is A (S61: YES),
Then, the process proceeds to S62, and a key whose pitch is higher than the standard of the music is set as a performance key. For example, it is a key that is raised by 3 or 4 notes above the standard key. On the other hand, when the type is B (S61: NO), the process proceeds to S63, and a key which is lower than the standard key of the music by a predetermined sound is set as a performance key.
For example, a key that is 3 or 4 lower than the standard key.

When the performance key is set in S62 or S63, the tempo is changed and set in S64. This is also to change the tempo to be far from the standard state, but when changing the tempo, it is possible to speed up or slow down from the standard state. In this case, the speed may be uniformly increased or decreased, but as in the case of the above-mentioned key, the "type" information is set for each song by distinguishing between songs with a relatively fast tempo in the standard state and songs with a slow tempo. Depending on the type, it may be possible to further increase the speed in the case of originally fast tempo music and to further slow it in the case of originally slow tempo music. In this case, instead of the two types A and B, for example, a song with a high key and a fast tempo is A, a song with a high key and a slow tempo is B, a song with a low key and a fast tempo is C, It is also possible to set four types of songs, such as D for a song with a low key and a slow tempo. It should be noted that in the case of changing the tempo, it is conceivable that the standard tempo is set to, for example, 1.5 times or 0.5 times. In this embodiment, MID
Since I data is used, these change settings can be easily made.

When the tempo change setting is completed in S64, the volume change setting is performed in S65. This changes to a low volume far from the standard state.
The low volume that is far from the standard state is, for example, a low volume that makes the karaoke performance inaudible when the singing voice sung by the user through the microphone 43 is output from the speaker 41.

In this way, when the key, tempo, and volume are changed and set, the performance is started in subsequent S66.
In the karaoke apparatus 10, in the case of normal performance, by operating the key control keys of the multipurpose input key 32, for example, the pitch can be increased or decreased by 4 in semitone units.
Although the keys can be changed in steps, the restricted performance characters cannot be changed even if the key control key of the multipurpose input key 32 is operated. That is, the keys, tempo, and volume set in S62 to S65 are fixed and cannot be manually changed by the user.

When the performance is started in S66, the process proceeds to S67. In S67, it is determined whether or not the performance stop is instructed through the multipurpose input key 32. If the performance stop is instructed (S67: YES), the process proceeds to S68 to stop the performance. If there is no instruction to stop the performance (S
67: NO), and proceeds to S69 to determine whether the performance is over. If the performance has not ended (S69: N
O), and returns to S67 to repeat the process. On the other hand, when the performance is finished (S69: YES), the restricted performance control process is finished and the process proceeds to S54 in FIG.

In S54, it is judged whether or not there is an instruction to end the karaoke mode. If there is no instruction to end, S51
If there is an end instruction, the present karaoke performance process is ended, and the process proceeds to S2 in the flowchart of FIG. As described above, in the karaoke device 10, of the predetermined karaoke song information stored in the hard disk 33, only the song information for which the billing information is received from the billing communication network 5 and the normal use permission flag is set. Normal karaoke performance is permitted. However, it is not possible to permit normal use of karaoke songs that are not charged due to reasons such as the operator of the karaoke device forgetting to pay the fee. Will be remembered but not actually used.

Therefore, in the karaoke apparatus 10, when the karaoke performance is executed using the karaoke piece information stored in the charge record table as being uncharged, the key / tempo / volume is far from the standard state. The state is changed and set, and the state is fixed and the performance is executed. This is because it is inconvenient to enjoy karaoke as usual for unpaid songs, so by setting the key, tempo and volume to a state far from the standard state, it can be practically not used as a karaoke accompaniment, In this state, you will not be able to enjoy karaoke. Then, rather than simply making it unusable as a karaoke accompaniment, the key itself, tempo, and volume are only changed, and the performance itself is left as it is so that the atmosphere of the song can be understood.

By doing so, it is found that there is karaoke piece information that has not been charged due to, for example, the operator who installed the karaoke apparatus 10 forgets to pay the fee, and the fee is charged. It is possible to make the installation company think that the karaoke piece information can be normally used, and as a result, to contribute to promoting the use of the karaoke piece information.

Further, as a process of changing the key to a key far from the standard state, in the case of a song with a relatively high key in the standard state (type A), the key is raised by about 3 or 4 notes, the standard state. In the case of a song whose type is relatively low (type B), the key is lowered by about 3 or 4 to change the setting. This is because, for example, if it is raised or lowered by one octave, it is possible to sing with the same key as in the standard state, so that the key in the middle is preferable. Further, according to the types A and B, the songs whose original keys are originally high are changed to be higher, and the songs whose original keys are originally lower are changed to lower for the following reason. That is, there are individual differences in singers, and people who originally tend to make a high voice tend to sing songs with a relatively high key, and people who originally tend to make a low voice tend to sing songs with a relatively low key. I tend to sing. Therefore, it is preferable to make the keys higher or lower than the above keys in order to make the restricted performance that is difficult to use normally. In that sense, it is preferable to use a key that is raised or lowered by 1 octave + 3, 4 notes because it is more difficult to sing and is difficult to use normally.

By the way, when it is difficult to actually enjoy karaoke as a karaoke accompaniment, it is not necessary to listen to the end. Therefore, if the user inputs a performance stop instruction with the multipurpose input key 32, the performance can be forcibly ended even during the karaoke performance, which is preferable.

Regarding the charge or the actual charge collection, for example, a service person on the karaoke piece information provider side directly goes to the place where the karaoke device 10 is installed, and the charge is already paid according to the request of the installing company. You may set the fee and collect the fee, but such a method is very troublesome. On the other hand, in the case of the system described above, the charging is performed by transmitting the charging information through the charging communication network 5, and in the charging record table of the karaoke device 10, the karaoke corresponding to the received charging information. The song information is now stored as charged. In this way, for example, when the operator who installs the karaoke device 10 wants to execute the charging to make the karaoke piece information available, the charging function by the charging communication network 5 is used only by giving an instruction. This is very convenient because a fee is charged and the price for making the karaoke song information available can be automatically collected without the need for human intervention.

On the other hand, the source of the karaoke piece information stored in the hard disk 33 is not particularly limited in the above system. Therefore, for example, the hard disk 33 itself storing the karaoke piece information is used as the karaoke device 10
, Or may be received online from a host device for distributing karaoke piece information.

Although the charging communication network 5 may be used to transmit the karaoke piece information online, if the information communication network is a communication network different from the charging communication network 5, the following points are particularly noted. Has excellent action and effect. That is, it is assumed that the karaoke song information has a considerably large amount of information, but when such large information itself is distributed, it is preferable to use a communication network suitable for the distribution. This is faster than delivering the karaoke piece information itself using the billing communication network 5, and the reliability of the data is high. Therefore, it is optimal according to the type of information that the karaoke device 10 should receive. This is because various system configurations are possible.

As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, all three elements of key, tempo, and volume are changed and set to a state different from the standard state. However, for example, only the key or the tempo may be changed and set. This is because it becomes difficult to sing karaoke as an accompaniment even if it is changed. Further, the volume is an accessory change element, and whether the key and volume are changed, the tempo and volume are changed, or all three elements of key, tempo and volume are changed as shown in FIG. is there. In addition, for example, when the karaoke device 10 is installed in a so-called karaoke box or a restaurant, the purchaser of the karaoke piece information and the karaoke user are different, and the karaoke performance processing is performed by the user every time the karaoke performance process is performed. When it is configured to collect a predetermined usage fee, it may be considered not to collect the fee in the case of the karaoke performance in which the above-mentioned restricted performance control is executed. In other words, the party requesting the karaoke piece may not know whether the karaoke piece is uncharged or already charged, so it is difficult to enjoy karaoke as a karaoke accompaniment because it is not charged. However, it is not convinced to the user that the usual fee is collected despite the fact that it is done. Therefore, in such a case, it is preferable that the fee is not collected and only the function of prompting the execution of the charging process is performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a karaoke system according to an embodiment of the present invention and a configuration of a karaoke device which is a component of the system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a charging center that is a component of a karaoke system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing main processing in the karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing song information request processing in the karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a karaoke performance process in the karaoke device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a restricted performance control process in the karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a billing record table stored in the hard disk of the karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a communication sequence diagram in music piece information request processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Billing center 5 ... Billing communication network 10 ... Karaoke device 26 ... Screen display control device 27 ... Communication control device 29 ... TV monitor 31 ... Central control device 32 ... Multipurpose input key 33 ... Hard disk 35 ... Sound 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 (5)

[Claims] 1. A karaoke apparatus comprising: an information storage means for storing karaoke piece information; and a karaoke performance means for executing a predetermined karaoke performance process using the karaoke piece information stored in the information storage means. The karaoke playing means has a changing function capable of changing at least one of a key and a tempo to perform a karaoke performance, and is charged for each piece of karaoke piece information stored in the information storage means. Whether or not it is uncharged, and the karaoke performance means executes the karaoke performance processing by using the charge state storage means for storing whether or not the karaoke piece information is stored in the charge state storage means as being uncharged. In this case, fix at least one of the key and tempo to a state that is far from the standard state, and perform a restricted performance that makes normal use difficult. Karaoke apparatus being characterized in that a constraint performance control means for the line. 2. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the karaoke playing means further has a volume changing function capable of changing the volume to perform karaoke performance, and the restricted performance control means comprises: In addition to fixing at least one of the key and tempo to a state far from the standard state, it is also fixed to a low volume far from the standard state to execute restricted performance that makes normal use difficult Karaoke device characterized by being performed. 3. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the input means for inputting a performance stop instruction, and the karaoke performance means karaoke when the performance stop instruction is input by the input means. A karaoke apparatus comprising a performance end control means for forcibly ending the performance even during performance processing. 4. The karaoke apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising fee collecting means for collecting a predetermined usage fee each time the karaoke performance processing is performed by the karaoke performance means.
A karaoke apparatus comprising: a fee collection execution prohibiting unit that prevents the fee collection unit from collecting in the case of the karaoke performance processing in which the control by the restricted performance control unit has been executed. 5. The karaoke device according to claim 1, and a billing center having a billing information transmission means for transmitting billing information to the karaoke device via a billing communication network. The billing center transmits billing information through the billing communication network, whereby the billing function of the billing communication network charges the billing information. A karaoke system characterized in that corresponding karaoke piece information is stored as being charged.