Karaoke system

Abstract

To make it easier to contract and manage Karaoke content, as one purpose.SOLUTION: A Karaoke system of this invention is a Karaoke system that includes a Karaoke device and a server device, and is configured with multiple packages corresponding to contract identification information, and each package is configured with a combination of multiple units, and Karaoke content belongs to one of the units, and the Karaoke device or server device executes a confirmation process to confirm the contract identification information of the Karaoke device, and the Karaoke device enables use of Karaoke content belonging to the package corresponding to the contract identification information confirmed by the confirmation process.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a karaoke system that allows the use of various karaoke contents. [Background technology]

[0002] The most common karaoke devices are communication-type karaoke devices that receive and play music information via communication. Communication-type karaoke devices have many advantages, such as the ability to store a large number of songs and the ability to use the latest songs from the day of their release.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a communication type karaoke system that can improve the service for karaoke terminal installation companies and reduce the support work for song information distribution companies. Specifically, in the karaoke terminal, the desired song distribution conditions and the ID code for identifying the terminal are registered in the automatic distribution terminal table in the information center. The information center refers to the automatic distribution terminal table and transmits karaoke song information that meets the distribution song conditions to the karaoke terminal specified by the ID code. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-234770 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The communication karaoke system described in Patent Document 1 has the advantage of being able to automatically receive karaoke song information that meets the distribution song conditions. While it has such advantages, it has problems for the subscriber, such as being troublesome and having to pay a fee for each use, resulting in high usage fees. In addition, it is considered that it may be difficult for the distributor who distributes the karaoke song information to manage the songs. The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and has as an object to provide a karaoke system that makes it easy to manage karaoke content such as songs, and also allows the subscriber to easily select the usage form. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] For this reason, the karaoke system according to the present invention employs the following configuration. A karaoke system including a karaoke device and a server device, Multiple packages corresponding to contract identification information are configured, Each package consists of a combination of multiple units. Karaoke content belongs to one of the units. Karaoke equipment or server equipment, Execute a verification process to verify the contract identification information of the karaoke device; Karaoke equipment is The karaoke content belonging to the package corresponding to the contract identification information confirmed in the confirmation process is made available for use. Karaoke system.

[0007] Furthermore, the karaoke system according to the present invention comprises: An inter-unit transfer process is executed to transfer karaoke contents between units.

[0008] Furthermore, the karaoke system according to the present invention comprises: In the inter-unit transfer process, the unit to which the karaoke content is to be transferred is a unit included in the package before the transfer, and is a unit included in a package to which the karaoke content did not belong before the transfer.

[0009] Furthermore, in the karaoke system according to the present invention, The retention conditions for karaoke content are specified, The karaoke device or the server device manages the storage state of the karaoke content in the storage unit of the karaoke device according to the storage conditions.

[0010] Furthermore, in the karaoke system according to the present invention, The karaoke device deletes karaoke content whose usage count is less than a threshold based on the retention condition.

[0011] Furthermore, in the karaoke system according to the present invention, The server device distributes the karaoke content on a regular basis or on request based on the holding conditions.

[0012] Furthermore, the karaoke system according to the present invention comprises: execute an inter-unit transfer process for transferring karaoke content between units; The inter-unit transfer process changes the holding conditions of the karaoke content to the holding conditions stipulated in the unit to which the content is to be moved.

[0013] Furthermore, in the karaoke system according to the present invention, The karaoke content is at least one of a karaoke piece, a karaoke background image, a karaoke function program, and a video content. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the karaoke system of the present invention, a package is composed of multiple units, and karaoke contents belong to one of the units, which makes it possible to easily manage karaoke contents. Furthermore, by making a contract for each package, a subscriber can easily grasp the usage fee and the karaoke contents that can be used. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a table showing a package configuration according to the present embodiment; [Diagram 3] Map showing package configuration and transfer between units according to this embodiment [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing a music playback process executed by the karaoke device according to the embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a song deletion process executed in the karaoke device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing an additional process executed by the server device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing a unit transfer process executed by the server device according to the embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a karaoke system according to this embodiment. The karaoke system according to this embodiment includes a karaoke device 2 (sometimes called a "commander"), a remote control device 1, and a server device 5. The karaoke device 2 and the remote control device 1 are communicatively connected to each other to form a network using a LAN 100 and an access point 101.

[0017] The karaoke device 2 installed in a karaoke booth or the like includes an audio control unit 25 as a performance unit for playing music. The karaoke device 2 also includes an operation unit 21 that accepts various inputs from the user. The karaoke device 2 also includes an operation processing unit 22 that interprets the inputs from the operation unit 21 and transmits them to the CPU 30. The karaoke device 2 also includes a hard disk 32 as a storage unit for storing various information. The karaoke device 2 also includes a LAN communication unit 24a as a communication means for connecting to the LAN 100 and joining the network. The karaoke device 2 of this embodiment also includes a wireless LAN communication unit 24b. This wireless LAN communication unit 24b can also be used to perform network communication.

[0018] The karaoke device 2 also includes a video playback means for displaying a lyric video and a background video on the monitor 41. The video playback means includes a video playback section 29 for playing back video based on video information, a video RAM 28 for temporarily storing the video to be played back, and a video control section 31 for overlaying lyric captions on the played back video, applying video effects, and the like.

[0019] Furthermore, the karaoke device 2 is capable of displaying various information on the touch panel monitor 33 in addition to the externally connected monitor 41. The touch panel monitor 33 is configured by superimposing a display section 35 for displaying video information input from the video control section 31 and a touch panel 34 for outputting a touch input position to the operation processing section 22.

[0020] The touch panel monitor 33 is disposed on the front surface of the housing of the karaoke device 2 and functions as an input unit similar to the operation unit 21 of the karaoke device 2 or the touch panel monitor 11 of the remote control device 1. By selecting a song on the touch panel monitor 33, the user can perform various operations on the karaoke device 2, such as directly reserving the song on the karaoke device 2.

[0021] Furthermore, the karaoke device 2 is provided with a control section including a CPU 30 for controlling each component in an integrated manner, and a memory 27 for temporarily storing information required for executing various programs.

[0022] With this configuration, the karaoke device 2 executes various processes. The main processes executed by the karaoke device 2 are song reservation process, song playback process, etc. The song reservation process is a process for designating and reserving a song based on an operational instruction from a user, and is executed in cooperation with the remote control device 1. The reservation information including the music identification information formed by the music instruction process on the remote control device 1 is transmitted to the karaoke device 2. The karaoke device 2 registers the received reservation information in a reservation table in the memory 27. The music playback process is a process for playing back a music piece based on the reservation information registered in the reservation table, and is a process in which the music performance process and the lyric display process are executed synchronously.

[0023] The music performance process is a process of reading music information based on music identification information included in the reservation information registered in the reservation table, and having the sound control unit 25 perform a performance based on the performance information included in the music information. The music performed by the sound control unit 25 is output from the speaker 42 together with the singing voice input from the microphones 43a and 43b. The lyrics display process is a process of providing singing assistance by displaying the lyrics information included in the music information on the monitor 41. A background image display process may be executed in which the lyrics displayed in the lyrics display process are superimposed on a background image.

[0024] The remote control device 1 is capable of searching for songs based on operation instructions from the user, and of executing reservation instruction processing, etc., for a song that has been specified and instructed to be reserved, by transmitting the reservation information to the karaoke device 2. The remote control device 1 is also capable of receiving various information from the karaoke device 2 or a server device 5 connected to the Internet, and executing various processes. In this embodiment, the remote control device 1 is provided with an operation unit 17 and a touch panel monitor 11 as a user interface for receiving various operation instructions from the user. The touch panel monitor 11 is configured with a display unit 11a and a touch panel 11b, and is capable of displaying various interfaces on the display unit 11a and receiving touch input from the user.

[0025] The remote control device 1 further comprises a memory 14 as a storage unit for storing databases required for music selection processing, various programs, and various information generated with program execution, and a remote control control unit for controlling these components in an integrated manner. The remote control control unit includes a CPU 15, an image control unit 13 for forming images to be displayed on the touch panel monitor 11, a video RAM 12 for temporarily storing image information to be displayed, and an operation processing unit 18 for interpreting inputs from the touch panel monitor 11 or the operation unit 17 and transmitting them to the CPU 15.

[0026] The remote control device 1 is connected to a network formed by a LAN 100 by being wirelessly connected to an access point 101 via a wireless LAN communication unit 16. In communication using the wireless LAN communication unit 16, the remote control device 1 and the karaoke device 2 can perform two-way communication. Each remote control device 1 is associated with a specific karaoke device 2 at any timing. Various commands output from the remote control device 1 are received by the associated karaoke device 2, making it possible to remotely control the karaoke device 2.

[0027] Additionally, the remote control device 1 is also capable of performing communication using an infrared communication unit 19. In the communication using the infrared communication unit 19, the remote control device 1 and the karaoke device communicate in one direction (from the remote control device 1 to the karaoke device 2). In this embodiment, the communication using the infrared communication unit 19 is performed when communication using the wireless LAN communication unit 16 is not possible.

[0028] With such a configuration of the remote control device 1, various inputs from the user are accepted from the touch panel monitor 11 or the operation unit 17, and various information is provided to the user by the display on the touch panel monitor 11, making it possible to perform various processes, such as song instruction processing for transmitting reservation information to be output to the karaoke device 2.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a table showing the package configuration according to this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a map showing the package configuration and movement between units according to this embodiment. A contractor of the karaoke device 2 in the karaoke system of this embodiment can use karaoke content belonging to a package by selecting and subscribing to a package in the table shown in FIG. 2. A package corresponds to contract identification information that identifies the package. Possible karaoke content includes karaoke songs, karaoke background images, karaoke function programs, and video content.

[0030] The karaoke songs are contents for singing, as explained in the configuration of the karaoke system in Fig. 1, and are contents made up of song information. The karaoke background images are images displayed on the monitor 41 while singing, and are contents made up of images that correspond one-to-one to the songs, or images that match the atmosphere of the songs. The karaoke function programs are contents made up of a remote control program, a song index database, a program for scoring and directing when singing, a program for assisting in playing musical instruments, or a program for playing various games.

[0031] The video content is content for playing commercials between songs, movies, dramas, concerts, etc. The video content also includes content for live broadcast (live distribution) from a concert venue. In this embodiment, karaoke songs will be mainly described, but other karaoke content can also be handled in the same way.

[0032] In this embodiment, six packages are available: "BOX+", "BOX", "Day", "Night", "Night2", and "Elder". A contractor of a karaoke device 2 makes a contract for each package for each karaoke device 2. A usage fee is set forth in each package, and the contractor makes a contract for each package for each karaoke device 2 and pays the usage fee set forth in the package. When the contract is completed, the contractor is able to use karaoke content, such as songs belonging to units included in the contracted package, on the karaoke device 2.

[0033] The form of use of the karaoke content can be various, so long as a confirmation process is executed in the karaoke device 2 or the server device 5 to confirm the contract identification information of the karaoke device 2, and the karaoke content belonging to the package corresponding to the contract identification information confirmed in the confirmation process is made available to the karaoke device 2.

[0034] For example, the following three configurations may be adopted. Note that the present invention is not limited to these three configurations, and various configurations may be adopted, such as combining some of the three configurations.

[0035] In the first form, the server device 5 confirms the contract identification information of the karaoke device 2, distributes karaoke content belonging to a unit included in a package corresponding to the contract identification information to the target karaoke device 2, and makes the distributed karaoke content available for use.

[0036] In the second form, the server device 5 distributes all karaoke contents to the karaoke device 2 once, and the karaoke device 2 is then able to use only the karaoke contents that belong to the units included in the package that corresponds to the contract identification information.

[0037] In the third mode, the karaoke device 2 displays a menu from which only the karaoke content belonging to the unit included in the package corresponding to the contract identification information can be selected, and the karaoke content selected in the menu can be used.

[0038] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, each package is composed of a combination of multiple units. In the map in Fig. 3, solid circle frames represent units, and dashed circle frames surrounding multiple units represent packages. As shown in the table in Fig. 2, in this embodiment, 12 units are prepared. Karaoke content such as music information belongs to one of these units. In this embodiment, by forming a package from multiple units and having the karaoke content belong to one of the units, it is possible to easily manage the karaoke content.

[0039] "BOX+" and "BOX" are packages for karaoke booths. The package "BOX" of this embodiment is composed of nine units: "High1", "High2", "Middle1", "Middle2", "Base", "Low1", "Low2", "Low3", ​​and "Low4". "BOX+" is a form in which the unit "Option" is added to "BOX", and corresponds to a higher-level package than "BOX".

[0040] "Day" is a package for daytime use in karaoke booths. In this embodiment, the package "Day" is composed of seven units: "Middle 1", "Middle 2", "Base", "Low 1", "Low 2", "Low 3", and "Low 4".

[0041] "Night" and "Night2" are packages targeted at snack bars and other eating and drinking establishments. The difference between "Night" and "Night2" takes into consideration the different customer demographics that visit the stores. The "Night" package of this embodiment is composed of four units: "Base", "Low1", "Low2", and "Noche". The "Night2" package of this embodiment is composed of four units: "Base", "Low2", "Low4", and "Noche".

[0042] "Elder" is a package targeted at nursing homes, care facilities, etc. The "Elder" package in this embodiment is composed of four units: "Base", "Low3", ​​"Low4", and "Aged".

[0043] As shown in the table of Fig. 2, each unit has predefined holding conditions that the karaoke content belonging to it can take. The storage state of the karaoke content on the hard disk 32 of the karaoke device 2 is managed according to these holding conditions. Holding conditions are set for each karaoke content, and the karaoke content will take according to the holding conditions that the unit can take (defined for each unit). Therefore, when karaoke content is moved between units, it will take according to the holding conditions that the unit after the move can take.

[0044] In this embodiment, three retention conditions are provided. Retention condition "0" is karaoke content that is subject to regular distribution and is not deleted when stored on the hard disk 32. Retention condition "1" is karaoke content that is subject to regular distribution and is deleted from the hard disk 32 when the number of uses (number of plays in the case of music information) is less than a threshold value when stored on the hard disk 32. Retention condition "2" is karaoke content that is subject to request distribution and is deleted from the hard disk 32 when the number of uses (number of plays in the case of music information) is less than a threshold value when stored on the hard disk 32.

[0045] Here, regular distribution refers to a distribution form in which karaoke contents are distributed from the server device 5 to the karaoke device 2 at appropriate timing, whether on a regular or irregular basis. In addition, request distribution refers to a distribution form in which content is distributed from the server device 5 based on a song instruction process by a user on the karaoke device 2.

[0046] In addition, the units of this embodiment can have multiple holding conditions. For example, the unit "Low1" can have holding conditions "1" and "2". This means that the karaoke content belonging to the unit "Low1" is set to either holding condition "1" or holding condition "2".

[0047] In this manner, in the unit of this embodiment, rules regarding possible storage conditions for karaoke contents are set, so that the storage capacity of the hard disk 32 of the karaoke device 2 can be appropriately managed.

[0048] Next, the movement of karaoke contents between units will be described. It is considered that the frequency of use of karaoke contents such as song information changes with the passage of time after release. This is because while some songs remain popular even after a long time has passed since their release, other songs lose popularity soon after their release. In consideration of such a situation, the contract using the package of this embodiment allows the karaoke contents to be moved between units as they are used.

[0049] In the map shown in FIG. 3, the arrows connecting the units indicate the possible movements of the karaoke content. For example, the karaoke content belonging to the unit "High1" can only be moved to the unit "Middle1". The karaoke content belonging to the unit "Middle1" can be moved to the unit "Low3" ​​or can be deleted. The karaoke content belonging to the unit "High2" can only be moved to the unit "Middle2". The karaoke content belonging to the unit "Middle2" can be moved to any of the units "Low1", "Base", or "Low4". The karaoke content belonging to "Low1" and "Low2" can also be moved to the units indicated by the arrows.

[0050] Moreover, the karaoke contents belonging to the units "Option", "Noche", and "Aged" are not moved. In this embodiment, a rule is set for moving karaoke contents between units. Specifically, the rule is that the destination unit must be a unit that is included in the package before the karaoke contents are moved, and that the destination unit must be a unit that is included in a package to which the karaoke contents did not belong before the move.

[0051] In the map shown in Fig. 3, for example, when moving from the unit "Middle2", the destination units "Low1", "Low4", and "Base" are units included in the packages "Day", "BOX", and "BOX+" that include the unit "Middle2" to which the karaoke content belongs before the move. Also, the destination units "Low1", "Low4", and "Base" are units included in packages to which the karaoke content did not belong before the move.

[0052] Specifically, the destination unit "Low1" is a unit included in the package "Night" to which karaoke content did not belong before the move. The destination unit "Base" is a unit included in the packages "Night," "Night2," and "Elder" to which karaoke content did not belong before the move. The destination unit "Base" is a unit included in the packages "Night2," "Elder" to which karaoke content did not belong before the move.

[0053] In this way, by providing rules for transfer between units, package subscribers will not be unable to use karaoke content that they have been able to use up until now, even if the karaoke content is transferred between units. Note that in this embodiment, when karaoke content is transferred from the unit "Middle1" to "disabled", it becomes subject to the suspension of use and becomes unusable, but the suspension of use does not correspond to the transfer between units in this embodiment.

[0054] Next, various processes according to this embodiment will be described. First, a song playback process and a song deletion process executed by the karaoke device 2 will be described. Fig. 4 is a flow diagram showing the song playback process executed by the karaoke device 2 according to this embodiment. In the karaoke device 2 of this embodiment, reservation information including song identification information formed in the song instruction process is registered in a reservation table. In the song playback process, song information is read based on the song identification information included in the reservation information registered in the reservation table, and song playback is performed.

[0055] In the music playback process, first, it is confirmed whether or not there is a music to be played next based on the reservation table (S101). If there is a music to be played next (S102: Yes), it is confirmed whether or not the music information of the music is stored on the hard disk 32 (S103). If it is stored on the hard disk 32 (S103: Yes), the music information is read from the hard disk 32 and playback is started (S104). On the other hand, if it is not stored on the hard disk 32 (S103: No), the music information is requested from the server device 5, and playback is started by receiving the music information (S105). When the playback of the music ends (S106: Yes), it is confirmed whether or not there is a music to be played next (S101).

[0056] In this embodiment, a song with a storage condition of "2" is not a song that is constantly distributed, and the song information may not be stored on the hard disk 32. Also, even if the song information of a song with a storage condition of "1" has been distributed once, if the number of times it has been played is less than a threshold, it may have been deleted from the hard disk 32. In this way, if the song information is not stored on the hard disk 32, it is received from the server device 5 and played.

[0057] 5 is a flow diagram showing a song deletion process executed by the karaoke device 2 according to this embodiment. The song deletion process is executed by the karaoke device 2, and corresponds to a process of organizing song information, which is karaoke content. By executing the song deletion process, the free space of the hard disk 32 can be increased, and frequently used karaoke content can be stored.

[0058] The song deletion process is performed periodically, for example, at a fixed time every day, or at a fixed time every Sunday, or during a period when the karaoke device 2 is not in use. When the song deletion process is started, first, one song stored in the hard disk 32 is picked up (S121). It is confirmed whether the retention condition of the picked song is "0" (S122). If the retention condition of the picked song is "0" (S122: Yes), the song is not deleted and the next song is picked up (S121) repeatedly until all songs have been picked up (S126: Yes).

[0059] On the other hand, if the retention condition for the picked song is "1" or "2" (S122: No), the number of plays is obtained (S123). If the number of plays is less than the threshold (S124: Yes), the song information for that song is deleted from the hard disk 32 (S123). On the other hand, if the number of plays is not less than the threshold (S124: No), no deletion is performed and the next song is picked up (S121). The processes from S121 to S125 are repeated until all songs have been picked up (S126: Yes).

[0060] In this way, in the song deletion process of this embodiment, by referring to the storage conditions set for the song information and the number of times it has been played, it is possible to delete song information that is unlikely to be used and maintain the hard disk 32 at an appropriate capacity. Note that not only song information but also other karaoke content is deleted. In this case, the other karaoke content is deleted based on the storage conditions and the number of times it has been played (used), just like the song information.

[0061] Next, a description will be given of the processing executed by the server device 5 of this embodiment. The server device 5 of this embodiment is adapted to carry out addition processing and inter-unit transition processing.

[0062] Fig. 6 is a flow diagram showing the addition process executed by the server device 5 according to this embodiment. The addition process is a process for setting a unit and a holding condition for newly added music information. By setting the unit to which the music information belongs, the package to which the music information belongs is determined. By determining the package, it becomes possible to determine whether the music information can be used in the package subscribed to by the subscriber.

[0063] The addition process is a process executed at an appropriate timing in the server device 5. The appropriate timing may be periodically executed, or when the number of newly added pieces of music information exceeds a threshold value. When the addition process is started, one piece of newly added music information is picked up (S201). Then, a unit is set for the picked up music information (S202).

[0064] The units are as explained in Figures 2 and 3, and the picked up song information will belong to one of the units. The units may be set manually by an administrator, or automatically using various information related to the song information (song genre, numerically-quantified information, various rankings, number of plays on video playback sites, popularity of the artist, etc.).

[0065] Next, a retention condition is set for the picked up music information (S203). The retention condition is set to a value that the set unit can take. For example, in the case of unit "High1", referring to the table in FIG. 2, the retention condition is "1", so when unit "High1" is set, the retention condition is automatically set to "1". On the other hand, in the case of unit "Low1", the retention condition is either "1" or "2", so the retention condition must be selected and set. In this case, as with unit setting, it is possible that the administrator sets it manually, or it can be set automatically using various information.

[0066] Next, if the set retention condition is "0" or "1", the song information is made the target of regular distribution (S205). Regular distribution is targeted at karaoke devices 2 that have contracted a package that includes the unit to which the song information belongs. Regular distribution can be either regular or irregular, and is performed at an appropriate timing. The processes of S201 to S206 are performed for all added song information. When picking up all added song information is completed (S206: Yes), the addition process ends.

[0067] In this way, in the addition process of this embodiment, a unit and a holding condition are set for the newly added music information. Furthermore, by setting a unit, a package to which the music information belongs is specified, and it becomes possible to determine whether the music information is available in the package to which the subscriber has contracted.

[0068] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing the inter-unit transfer process executed by the server device 5 according to this embodiment. As explained using the map in FIG. 3, music information as karaoke content can be transferred between units over time. By transferring music information between units, it is possible to easily create a package that suits the situation at the time. The inter-unit transfer process is a process for transferring music information as karaoke content, and is a process executed by the server device 5. The inter-unit transfer process can be performed either periodically or irregularly, at an appropriate timing.

[0069] When the inter-unit transfer process is started, the music to be transferred between units is picked up (S221). The music may be picked up manually or automatically using various information such as the number of times it has been played. Next, a destination unit is set for the picked music (S222). The music is transferred according to the rules indicated by the arrows, as explained in FIG. 2. By transferring music according to the rules, music information that was playable in a package that includes the unit before the transfer can continue to be playable after the transfer.

[0070] After the destination unit is set, it is checked whether the retention conditions of the unit before the move and the unit to which the move is made are different (S223). If the retention conditions of the units are the same (S223: No), the retention conditions of the song are not changed and the next song is picked up (S221). For example, when moving from the unit "High1" to "Middle1", the retention condition of both is "1", so this corresponds to this case.

[0071] On the other hand, if the holding conditions are different (S223: Yes), it is determined whether there are multiple candidates for the holding condition for the unit (S224). If there are not multiple candidates for the holding condition (S224: No), the holding condition is set to the holding condition set for the destination unit (S225). For example, when moving from the unit "Middle2" to "Base", the holding condition is changed from "2" to "1".

[0072] If there are multiple candidates for the holding condition (S224: Yes), the holding condition set in the destination unit is selected and set (S226). For example, when moving from the unit "Middle2" to "Low1", the holding condition of the destination unit is "1" or "2", so one of them is selected and set. If there are not multiple candidates for the holding condition (S224: No), the holding condition set in the destination unit is set (S225). For example, when moving from the unit "Middle2" to "Base", the holding condition is changed from "2" to "1". The selection and setting of the holding condition may be performed manually, or may be performed automatically using various information such as the number of times of playback.

[0073] For songs for which the holding conditions have been set (S225) or selected / set (S226), and for which the holding conditions have been changed before and after the unit move (S227: Yes), it is confirmed whether the holding condition is "0" or "1" (S228). If the holding condition after the change is "0" or "1" (S228: Yes), the song is made a target for regular distribution (S229).

[0074] On the other hand, if there is no change in the holding condition after the change (S227: No), or if the holding condition is "2" (S228: No), the song is not subject to regular distribution, and the next song is picked up (S221). The processes of S221 to S229 are performed for all songs that are moving between units. When picking up all songs that are moving between units is completed (S230: Yes), the inter-unit movement process ends.

[0075] In this way, the inter-unit transfer process of this embodiment makes it possible to easily assemble a package according to the situation at the time by transferring between units that make up the package. Also, the inter-unit transfer process of this embodiment makes it possible to make songs that have been available in the package contracted by the contractor available even after the unit transfer by transferring between units according to rules. Then, after the unit transfer, the songs can be appropriately managed by following the retention conditions stipulated for the unit. Note that not only song information but also other karaoke content can be transferred between units.

[0076] Although the karaoke system of this embodiment has been described above, the karaoke system according to the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and various modified examples can be adopted.

[0077] Although the karaoke system of this embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the karaoke system, but also encompasses a karaoke content management method performed in the karaoke device 2 or the server device 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1: Remote control device 24a: LAN communication unit 2: Karaoke device 24b: Wireless LAN communication unit 3: Karaoke system 25: Sound control unit 5: Server equipment 27: Memory 11: Touch panel monitor 28: Video RAM 11a: Display unit 29: Video playback unit 11b: Touch panel 30: CPU 12: Video RAM 31: Video control section 13: Video control unit 32: Hard disk 14: Memory 33: Touch panel monitor 15: CPU 34: Touch panel 16:Wireless LAN communication section 35:Display section 17: Operation unit 41: Monitor 18: Operation processing unit 42: Speaker 19: Infrared communication unit 43a, 43b: Microphone 21: Operation unit 101: Access point 22: Operation processing section

Claims

1. A karaoke system including a karaoke device and a server device, Multiple packages corresponding to contract identification information are configured, Each package consists of a combination of multiple units. Karaoke content belongs to one of the units. Karaoke equipment or server equipment, Execute a verification process to verify the contract identification information of the karaoke device; Karaoke equipment is The karaoke content belonging to the package corresponding to the contract identification information confirmed in the confirmation process is made available for use. Karaoke system.

2. Execute a unit-to-unit transfer process for transferring karaoke content between units 2. The karaoke system according to claim 1.

3. In the inter-unit transfer process, the karaoke content is a unit included in a package before the transfer, and is a unit included in a package to which the karaoke content did not belong before the transfer.

3. The karaoke system according to claim 2.

4. The retention conditions for karaoke content are specified, The karaoke device or the server device manages the storage state of the karaoke content in the storage unit of the karaoke device according to the storage conditions.

2. The karaoke system according to claim 1.

5. The karaoke device deletes karaoke content whose number of uses is less than a threshold based on the retention condition.

5. The karaoke system according to claim 4.

6. The server device determines whether the karaoke content is to be distributed on a regular basis or on request based on the storage conditions.

5. The karaoke system according to claim 4.

7. execute an inter-unit transfer process for transferring karaoke content between units; The inter-unit transfer process changes the holding conditions of the karaoke content to the holding conditions stipulated in the unit to which the content is to be moved.

5. The karaoke system according to claim 4.

8. The karaoke content is at least one of a karaoke song, a karaoke background image, a karaoke function program, and a video content.

2. The karaoke system according to claim 1.

Images