Karaoke systems, servers, karaoke equipment, and programs

Abstract

To improve the convenience of karaoke systems that use terminal devices such as smartphones as remote controls for the karaoke machine. [Solution] The karaoke system comprises a server, a terminal device, and a karaoke device. The server includes an issuing means for issuing identification information to the karaoke device, and a transmitting means for transmitting room information, which includes at least the identification information issued by the issuing means, to the karaoke device. The karaoke device includes an output means for outputting the room information received from the server. When the server receives a connection request from a terminal device that has acquired the room information output by the output means, it includes an establishing means for establishing a first communication between the server and the terminal device using the identification information. The first communication is used by the terminal device to operate the karaoke device identified by the identification information via the server.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a karaoke system, a server, a karaoke device, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, it has been practiced to use a mobile terminal owned by an individual such as a smartphone as a remote control of a karaoke device (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There is room for improvement in a karaoke system that uses a terminal device such as a smartphone as a remote control of a karaoke device.

[0005] The present invention provides a technique for improving the convenience of a karaoke system that uses a terminal device such as a smartphone as a remote control of a karaoke device more than before.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention may include the following aspects. [Aspect 1] A karaoke system including a server, a terminal device communicable with the server, and a karaoke device communicable with the server, where the server issuing means for issuing temporary identification information capable of identifying the karaoke device that is the request source in response to a request from the karaoke device, transmitting means for transmitting the identification information issued by the issuing means to the karaoke device, Includes, The karaoke device includes output means for outputting the identification information received from the server, The server further includes establishment means for establishing a first communication between the server and the terminal device using the identification information when it receives a connection request from the terminal device that has obtained the identification information output by the output means. The first communication is used by the terminal device to operate the karaoke device identified by the identification information via the server. Karaoke system. [Aspect 2] The karaoke system described in Embodiment 1, The first communication described above is bidirectional communication. Karaoke system. [Aspect 3] A karaoke system according to embodiment 1 or 2, The karaoke device described above is A receiving means for receiving instructions to issue the aforementioned identification information, A request means that, when the receiving means receives an instruction to issue the identification information, requests the server to issue the identification information, including, Karaoke system. [Aspect 4] The karaoke system described in Embodiment 3, The karaoke device includes a reset means that resets the settings information related to the performance of the karaoke device when the receiving means receives an instruction to issue the identification information. Karaoke system. [Aspect 5] A karaoke system according to any one of the descriptions in 1 to 4, The issuing means, in response to a request from the karaoke machine, discards the previously issued identification information associated with the karaoke machine that requested the issuance of the identification information and issues new identification information. Karaoke system. [Aspect 6] The karaoke system described in aspect 5, The server will not accept any operation of the karaoke machine from the terminal device with which the first communication was established using the discarded identification information if the issued identification information is discarded. Karaoke system. [Aspect 7] A karaoke system according to any one of the descriptions in 1 to 6, Multiple terminal devices can each establish the first communication with the server using one of the aforementioned identification pieces of information. Karaoke system. [Aspect 8] The karaoke system described in aspect 7, The aforementioned plurality of terminal devices include a first terminal device and a second terminal device, When the server receives operation information regarding the operation of the karaoke machine from the first terminal device using the first communication, it transmits information corresponding to the operation information to the karaoke machine and the second terminal device, respectively. The karaoke device executes its operations based on information corresponding to the operation information received from the server. The second terminal device updates the screen of the application for operating the karaoke device based on the information corresponding to the operation information received from the server. Karaoke system. [Aspect 9] The karaoke system described in aspect 8, The aforementioned operation information includes reservation information for songs to be played by the karaoke device. Karaoke system. [Aspect 10] The karaoke system described in aspect 8, The aforementioned operation information includes setting information related to performance by the karaoke device. Karaoke system. [Aspect 11] A karaoke system according to any one of the descriptions in 1 to 10, When the server receives an instruction from the terminal device to display an object, it transmits an instruction to the karaoke device to display the object. When the karaoke device receives an instruction to display an object, it displays the object on the display unit of the karaoke device or on a display device connected to the karaoke device. Karaoke system. [Aspect 12] The karaoke system according to any one of Aspects 1 to 11, The server includes an awarding means for awarding a reward to a user. When a song is reserved by operating the terminal device, the awarding means awards a reward to the user corresponding to the terminal device that reserved the song. Karaoke system. [Aspect 13] The karaoke system according to Aspect 12, The awarding means awards a reward to the user corresponding to the terminal device that reserved the song according to at least one of the performance time of the reserved song or the scoring result. Karaoke system. [Aspect 14] The karaoke system according to Aspect 1, The server and the terminal device can also communicate by a second communication different from the first communication for operating the karaoke device. Karaoke system. [Aspect 15] The karaoke system according to Aspect 14, The first communication is two-way communication. The second communication is request / response type communication. Karaoke system. [Aspect 16] The karaoke system according to Aspect 15, The terminal device can acquire information regarding the user of the terminal device by the second communication. Karaoke system. [Aspect 17] A communication method for a karaoke system comprising a server, a terminal device capable of communicating with the server, and a karaoke device capable of communicating with the server, The server, in response to a request from the karaoke device, issues identification information that can identify the requesting karaoke device. The server transmits the identification information issued by the server to the karaoke device. The karaoke device outputs the identification information received from the server, When the server receives a connection request from the terminal device from which it has obtained the identification information output, it establishes a first communication between the server and the terminal device using the identification information. Includes, The first communication is a communication method used by the terminal device to operate the karaoke device identified by the identification information via the server. [Aspect 18] An issuing means for issuing temporary identification information that can identify the karaoke device making the request, in response to a request from the karaoke device, A transmitting means for transmitting the identification information issued by the issuing means to the karaoke device, When a connection request is received from the terminal device that has acquired the identification information output by the output means, the establishment means establishes a first communication between the server and the terminal device using the identification information, Equipped with, The first communication is used by the terminal device to operate the karaoke device identified by the identification information via the server. server. [Aspect 19] The computer of the terminal device, Acquisition means for acquiring temporary identification information output by a karaoke device that can identify the karaoke device, A request means that uses the identification information obtained by the acquisition means to request the establishment of a first communication with the server. Operating means for operating the karaoke device identified by the identification information via the server using the established first communication, A program that functions as each of the means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the convenience of a karaoke system that uses a terminal device such as a smartphone as a remote control for the karaoke machine can be improved compared to conventional systems. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] System configuration diagram of a karaoke system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] (a) is a hardware diagram of the server, (b) is a hardware diagram of the terminal device, and (c) is a hardware diagram of the karaoke machine. [Figure 3] (a) and (b) are sequence diagrams showing an example of the karaoke system's processing. [Figure 4] (a) to (c) are diagrams showing examples of terminal device screens. [Figure 5] (a) and (b) are sequence diagrams showing an example of the karaoke system's processing. [Figure 6] (a) to (e) are diagrams showing examples of terminal device screens. [Figure 7] Sequence diagram showing an example of a karaoke system's processing. [Figure 8] Diagram showing an example of a terminal device screen. [Figure 9] Sequence diagram showing an example of a karaoke system's processing. [Figure 10] (a) and (b) are diagrams showing examples of terminal device screens. [Figure 11] (a) and (b) are sequence diagrams showing an example of the karaoke system's processing. [Figure 12] (a) and (b) are diagrams showing examples of terminal device screens. [Figure 13] Flowchart showing an example of server processing [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [System Configuration] <Overview> Figure 1 is a system configuration diagram of a karaoke system SY according to one embodiment. The karaoke system SY comprises a server 10, a terminal device 20, and a karaoke device 30. The terminal device 20 may be a smartphone or tablet owned by an individual. The karaoke device 30 is a commander installed, for example, in a karaoke room.

[0010] As will be explained in more detail later, in this embodiment, the server 10 can communicate with the terminal device 20 and the karaoke device 30 over a network NT such as the Internet, while the terminal device 20 and the karaoke device 30 can communicate with each other over the network NT via the server 10. In other words, the terminal device 20 and the karaoke device 30 communicate indirectly via the server 10.

[0011] In this embodiment, a virtual room R is formed by associating one or more terminal devices 20 with one karaoke machine 30. Here, a virtual room RA is formed by associating terminal devices 20A1 and 20A2 with karaoke machine 30A. Furthermore, a virtual room RB is formed by associating terminal devices 20B1 and 20B2 with karaoke machine 30B.

[0012] In the following, when describing multiple terminal devices separately, they will be referred to as terminal device 20A1, etc., and when describing matters common to multiple terminal devices, they will be referred to as terminal device 20. Similarly, when describing multiple karaoke machines separately, they will be referred to as karaoke machine 30A, etc., and when describing matters common to multiple karaoke machines, they will be referred to as karaoke machine 30.

[0013] <Server 10> Figure 2(a) is a hardware configuration diagram of server 10. Server 10 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13, and these components are electrically connected within server 10 via a communication bus. Server 10 may be composed of a single information processing device, or it may be composed of multiple information processing devices that can communicate with each other.

[0014] The communication unit 11 performs communication with other devices. The server 10 communicates various information with terminal devices 20 and 30 over the network NT via the communication unit 11. Any known communication method can be used as appropriate. As will be described in detail later, for example, the server 10 can communicate bidirectionally with terminal device 20 using WebSocket or the like. Also, for example, the server 10 can communicate with terminal device 20 using HTTP. Also, for example, the server 10 can communicate bidirectionally with karaoke device 30 using WebSocket or the like.

[0015] The memory unit 12 stores various types of information. This can be implemented, for example, as a storage device such as a solid-state drive (SSD) that stores various programs related to the server 10 executed by the control unit 13, or as memory such as random access memory (RAM) that stores temporarily necessary information (arguments, arrays, etc.) related to program calculations. A combination of these may also be used.

[0016] In this embodiment, the storage unit 12 stores various information for managing the karaoke system SY. As will be described in detail later, the storage unit 12 stores the ID of the karaoke device 30 (a unique identifier for identifying the karaoke device 30, such as a device ID like UDID or a MAC address) and the ID of a virtual room R (room ID) in a table format (table 12a). The room ID is an example of temporary identification information that can identify the karaoke device 30. The temporary identification information may be an identification number that is updated in response to an issuance request, as in the room ID of this embodiment, or it may take other forms. For example, the temporary identification information may be constructed by combining the ID of the karaoke device 30 to which it is associated (such as a MAC address) with the number of issuances, issuance date and time, etc. For example, if the temporary identification information associated with the karaoke device 30 with ID "kd1" at a certain point in time is "kd1-1", and the reset button of the reception unit 34, which will be described later, is pressed, the server 10 may issue a new temporary identification information "kd1-2". The same applies to the combination of the ID of the karaoke device 30 and the issuance date and time.

[0017] Furthermore, the storage unit 12 stores the ID of Room R and the user ID in a table format (table 12b). This allows the terminal device 20 (the user ID of the user using it) and the karaoke device 30 (its ID) to be substantially associated with each other via the Room ID on the server 10. For example, the control unit 13 can understand that the karaoke device 30 identified by ID (kd1) via the Room ID (rm1) and the karaoke device 30 identified by user IDs (usr1, usr2) constitute a virtual room. In addition, the storage unit 12 may store singing history for each virtual Room R (or karaoke device 30), singing history and scoring history for each user (user ID), and karaoke setting information for each virtual Room R (room ID). The storage unit 12 also stores various information necessary for providing karaoke services, such as sound source data and lyric data for songs.

[0018] The control unit 13 performs processing and control of the overall operation related to the server 10. The control unit 13 is, for example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU). The control unit 13 realizes various functions related to the server 10 by reading predetermined programs stored in the memory unit 12. That is, information processing by software stored in the memory unit 12 is concretely realized by the control unit 13, which is an example of hardware, and can be executed as each functional unit included in the control unit 13. Note that the control unit 13 is not limited to being a single unit, and may be implemented with multiple control units 13 for each function, or a combination thereof.

[0019] <Terminal device 20> Figure 2(b) is a hardware configuration diagram of the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, a control unit 23, a display unit 24, and an operation unit 25, and these components are electrically connected within the terminal device 20 via a communication bus.

[0020] The communication unit 21 performs communication with other devices. Any known communication method can be used as appropriate. The terminal device 20 communicates various information with the server 10 over the network NT via the communication unit 21.

[0021] The memory unit 22 stores various types of information. This can be implemented, for example, as a storage device such as a solid-state drive (SSD) that stores various programs related to the terminal device 20 executed by the control unit 23, or as memory such as random access memory (RAM) that stores temporarily necessary information (arguments, arrays, etc.) related to program calculations. A combination of these may also be used.

[0022] The control unit 23 performs processing and control of the overall operation related to the terminal device 20. The control unit 23 is, for example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU). The control unit 23 realizes various functions related to the terminal device 20 by reading predetermined programs stored in the memory unit 22. That is, information processing by software stored in the memory unit 22 is concretely realized by the control unit 23, which is an example of hardware, and can be executed as each functional unit included in the control unit 23. Note that the control unit 23 is not limited to being a single unit, and may be implemented with multiple control units 23 for each function, or a combination thereof.

[0023] The display unit 24 may be a display that shows various information. The operation unit 25 may be a touch panel or physical buttons that accept user input.

[0024] <Karaoke machine 30> Figure 2(c) is a hardware configuration diagram of the karaoke machine 30. The karaoke machine 30 has a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, a control unit 33, a reception unit 34, and an input / output interface 35, and these components are electrically connected within the karaoke machine 30 via a communication bus.

[0025] The communication unit 31 performs communication with other devices. Any known communication method can be used as appropriate. The karaoke device 30 communicates various information with the server 10 over the network NT via the communication unit 31.

[0026] The memory unit 32 stores various types of information. This can be implemented, for example, as a storage device such as a solid-state drive (SSD) that stores various programs related to the karaoke machine 30 executed by the control unit 33, or as memory such as random access memory (RAM) that stores temporarily necessary information (arguments, arrays, etc.) related to program calculations. A combination of these may also be used.

[0027] The control unit 33 performs processing and control of the overall operation related to the karaoke machine 30. The control unit 33 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). The control unit 33 realizes various functions related to the karaoke machine 30 by reading predetermined programs stored in the memory unit 32. That is, information processing by software stored in the memory unit 32 is concretely realized by the control unit 33, which is an example of hardware, and can be executed as each functional unit included in the control unit 33. Note that the control unit 33 is not limited to being a single unit, and may be implemented with multiple control units 33 for each function, or a combination thereof.

[0028] The reception unit 34 receives user input. In this embodiment, the reception unit 34 includes a physical reset button. For example, if the karaoke machine 30 is installed in a karaoke bar, when the reset button on the reception unit 34 is pressed by an employee of the bar, the karaoke machine 30 resets the karaoke settings and requests a new room ID from the server 10. In other words, the reception unit 34 is an example of a reception means that receives instructions for issuing a room ID. The input / output interface 35 connects the karaoke machine 30 to a monitor 41, speakers 42, and a singing microphone 43. Note that receiving requests for karaoke settings and new room IDs is not limited to physical buttons. For example, a predetermined information processing device (such as a PC installed in the karaoke bar) may issue an instruction to reset the karaoke settings to the karaoke machine 30. Alternatively, an information processing device (such as a PC in the karaoke bar) may issue an instruction to reset the karaoke settings to the karaoke machine 30. A predetermined information processing device may also issue a request for room ID issuance to the karaoke machine 30 or the server 10.

[0029] [Example of system-wide processing] <Establishing communication between server 10 and terminal device 20> This section describes the process for establishing communication between the server 10 and the terminal device 20, which the terminal device 20 uses to operate the karaoke machine 30.

[0030] In the following process, bidirectional communication based on WebSocket or the like is established between the server 10 and the terminal device 20. However, the communication between the server 10 and the terminal device 20 used by the terminal device 20 to operate the karaoke machine 30 may be a pseudo-bidirectional communication using request / response type communication such as HTTP. Furthermore, it is assumed that HTTP communication is possible between the server 10 and the terminal device 20 when the process described below begins. HTTP communication between the server 10 and the terminal device 20 is made possible, for example, by the terminal device 20 installing the application AP described later. In other words, the program of the application AP described later may contain information for accessing the server 10.

[0031] Furthermore, in this embodiment, bidirectional communication based on WebSocket or the like is possible between the server 10 and the karaoke device 30 when the process described below is initiated. For example, when the karaoke device 30 is installed in the karaoke room, bidirectional communication is configured between the server 10 and the karaoke device 30, and the connection between the two can be maintained thereafter. When information is sent from the karaoke device 30 to the server 10, the information used to identify the source may include a unique identifier for the karaoke device 30 (such as a device ID like UDID or a MAC address, hereinafter referred to as "device ID, etc.").

[0032] Figure 3(a) is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing in the karaoke system SY, illustrating an example of processing performed between the server 10 and the karaoke device 30.

[0033] In step S101, the control unit 33 of the karaoke machine 30 detects that the reset button included in the reception unit 34 has been pressed. The reset button included in the reception unit 34 is pressed, for example, by a karaoke bar employee. For example, the karaoke bar employee presses the reset button included in the reception unit 34 between the time a customer finishes using the karaoke room and the time the next customer uses that karaoke room.

[0034] In step S102, the control unit 33 of the karaoke device 30 resets the settings information related to the performance of the karaoke device 30. The settings information reset here may include settings related to performance, such as key, microphone volume, accompaniment volume, guide volume, guide presence / absence, and microphone effects. The settings information reset here may also include display settings for the monitor 41, such as whether scoring is enabled or disabled, and the size of the text displayed on the monitor 41. The settings information reset here may also include settings related to settings that can be adjusted by remote control operation of the terminal device 20, which will be described later.

[0035] In step S103, the control unit 33 sends a request for issuance of a room ID to the server 10 via the communication unit 31. This request may include the device ID and the current room ID. The request for issuance of a room ID also serves as a request to close the virtual room identified by the current room ID. As will be described in more detail later, this room ID is used by the terminal device 20 to operate the karaoke machine 30 identified by the room ID via the server 10.

[0036] When the control unit 13 of the server 10 receives a request from the karaoke machine 30 to issue a room ID via the communication unit 11, it issues a room ID in step S104. If an already issued room ID exists, the control unit 13 discards it and issues a new room ID.

[0037] In step S105, the control unit 13 stores the issued room ID in association with the room. As shown in Figure 2(a), the control unit 13 stores the ID of the karaoke machine 30 that sent the room ID issuance request and the newly issued room ID in association with each other in the table 12a of the storage unit 12. At the same time, the control unit 13 deletes the information of the discarded room ID from table 12a.

[0038] In step S106, the control unit 13 transmits the room ID generated in step S104 to the karaoke machine 30. Then, in step S107, the control unit 33 of the karaoke machine 30 generates a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) that includes the received room ID as information. The two-dimensional code includes at least the room ID information issued in S104. That is, the two-dimensional code includes at least the room ID information as readable information. Here, the control unit 33 generates a two-dimensional code, but a barcode or the like that which can include room ID information may also be generated. Alternatively, the control unit 13 of the server 10 may generate a two-dimensional code that includes the room ID as information and transmit its image data to the karaoke machine 30. In other words, the server 10 may send image data such as a two-dimensional code that includes the room ID as information to the karaoke machine 30, or it may send string data indicating the room ID before it is coded to the karaoke machine 30.

[0039] Furthermore, the information sent from server 10 to karaoke device 30 may include information other than the room ID. For example, the information sent from server 10 to karaoke device 30 may include deep links to transition to a predetermined screen of application AP (described later) and links to web pages for downloading application AP (described later). These links may be used, for example, when terminal device 20 reads a 2D code displayed on karaoke device 30 with an application other than application AP (described later). Information about these links may also be included in the 2D code generated in S107.

[0040] Furthermore, the two-dimensional code generated in S107 may include information that allows the server 10, upon receiving instructions from the terminal device 20, to identify the karaoke machine 30 to which the instructions will be sent during processes such as song selection, remote control operation, and item support, as described later. This may be, for example, the karaoke machine 30 device ID mentioned above. Alternatively, if bidirectional communication such as WebSocket is established between the server 10 and the karaoke machine 30, the two-dimensional code may include information that identifies the connection established between the server 10 and the destination karaoke machine 30. By including this information in the two-dimensional code, the server 10 can send instructions to the appropriate karaoke machine 30 when it receives instructions from the terminal device 20.

[0041] In step S108, the control unit 33 of the karaoke machine 30 outputs the generated two-dimensional code. That is, the control unit 33 outputs the information (room ID) received from the server 10. Specifically, the control unit 33 outputs and displays the two-dimensional code on the monitor 41 via the input / output interface 35. The two-dimensional code may continue to be displayed on the monitor 41 until the reset button of the reception unit 34 is pressed. In this case, the two-dimensional code displayed on the monitor 41 is updated each time the reset button of the reception unit 34 is pressed. If the karaoke machine 30 itself has a display unit, the two-dimensional code may be displayed on that display unit.

[0042] Figure 3(b) is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing in the karaoke system SY, illustrating an example of processing performed between the server 10 and the terminal device 20. Figures 4(a) to 4(c) are examples of the screens of the terminal device 20.

[0043] In step S201, the control unit 23 of the terminal device 20 starts the application AP. The application AP is an application that allows the terminal device 20 to operate the karaoke machine 30 and to check user information. For example, the application AP is started and executed when the control unit 23 reads and executes the application AP program stored in the storage unit 22. Once the application AP is started and the user has logged in, the screen 401 shown in Figure 4(a) may be displayed on the display unit 24. The screen 401 is provided with a connection button 401a to enable communication with the karaoke machine 30 via the server 10.

[0044] When the connection button 401a is selected, the control unit 23 reads the 2D code in step S202. The control unit 23 displays the screen 402 shown in Figure 4(b) on the display unit 24. The control unit 23 reads the 2D code displayed on the monitor 41 using an imaging unit (not shown) and obtains the room ID issued in S104. In addition, if the 2D code contains information other than the aforementioned room ID, the control unit 23 also obtains that information.

[0045] In step S203, the control unit 23 sends a connection request to the server 10 via the communication unit 21. This connection request requests a connection for communication between the server 10 and the terminal device 20, which is used to operate the karaoke machine 30 via the server 10. The communication between the terminal device 20 and the server 10 at this time may be performed by HTTP communication. The information sent from the terminal device 20 to the server 10 may include the room ID obtained by the control unit 23 in S202 and information to identify the sending terminal device 20 (for example, the user ID of the user logged into the application AP). The information sent from the terminal device 20 to the server 10 may also include the device ID of the karaoke machine 30, which can be obtained by scanning a 2D code.

[0046] In this embodiment, as described above, the application AP has information for accessing the server 10. Therefore, the control unit 23 of the terminal device 20 can make a connection request to the server 10 even if the information obtained from the 2D code does not contain information for accessing the server 10. In other words, the 2D code output by the karaoke device 30 does not need to include information for accessing the server 10.

[0047] In step S204, the control unit 13 of the server 10 verifies the room ID. The control unit 13 checks whether the room ID transmitted from the terminal device 20 is associated with the ID of the karaoke machine 30 in the table 12a of the storage unit 12. Here, if the room ID is associated with the ID of the karaoke machine 30, the room ID is considered valid. If the room ID is not associated with the ID of the karaoke machine 30, the room ID is considered invalid. For example, if a room ID that was associated with the ID of a certain karaoke machine 30 is discarded due to the issuance of a new room ID, the discarded room ID is considered invalid.

[0048] If the room ID transmitted from the terminal device 20 is valid, the control unit 13 stores the room ID and the user ID associated with the application AP of the terminal device 20 that transmitted the room ID in the table 12b of the storage unit 12 (see Figure 2(a)). As a result, the server 10 associates the terminal device 20 with the karaoke device 30 via the room ID.

[0049] In step S205, the control unit 13 responds to the terminal device 20, granting permission to connect to the karaoke machine 30. If the room ID was invalid in S204, the control unit 13 responds to the terminal device 20, stating that the connection to the karaoke machine 30 failed, and disconnects the connection between the terminal device 20 and the server 10 (the communication connection used to operate the karaoke machine 30). The disconnection may be initiated by either the terminal device 20 or the server 10. The terminal device 20 may disconnect the connection with the server 10 after receiving a response from the server 10 indicating that the connection failed. Alternatively, the server 10 may respond to the terminal device 20, stating that the connection to the karaoke machine 30 failed, and also disconnect the connection.

[0050] In step S206, the control unit 23 of the terminal device 20 displays a predetermined screen on the display unit 24. For example, as shown in Figure 4(c), the control unit 23 displays a screen 403 on the display unit 24 indicating that the connection with the karaoke device 30 has been successful.

[0051] As described above, communication between the server 10 and the terminal device 20 is established. In subsequent communications, the terminal device 20 sends to the server 10 operation information for operating the karaoke machine 30 and information to identify the sending terminal device 20 (user ID). Upon receiving this information, the control unit 13 of the server 10 identifies the room ID corresponding to the user ID corresponding to the sending terminal device 20 from table 12b, identifies the ID of the karaoke machine 30 associated with the identified room ID from table 12a, and sends the operation information received from the terminal device 20 to the identified karaoke machine 30. This enables the terminal device 20 to operate the karaoke machine 30.

[0052] In the case of bidirectional communication based on WebSocket, once a connection is established between the server 10 and the terminal device 20, the connection between the two is maintained as long as the room ID is valid. In other words, a highly real-time connection is maintained between the server 10 and the terminal device 20 as long as the room ID is valid. Furthermore, the server 10 maintains unique connection information (such as a session ID) for each client (terminal device 20) with which bidirectional communication based on WebSocket has been established.

[0053] Furthermore, if the reset button on the reception unit 34 of the karaoke machine 30 is pressed while bidirectional communication based on WebSocket is established between the server 10 and the terminal device 20, the room ID is discarded and a new room ID is issued. As a result, the room ID used when the connection between the server 10 and the terminal device 20 was established becomes invalid, so a release command is sent from the server 10 to the terminal device 20, and the bidirectional communication between the two is terminated. Alternatively, the server 10 does not need to actively send a release command to the terminal device 20. In this case, after the room ID has become invalid, when information for operating the karaoke machine 30 is sent from the terminal device 20 to the server 10, the server 10 may notify the terminal device 20 of an error indicating that the karaoke machine 30 cannot be operated.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, multiple terminal devices 20 can read a two-dimensional code displayed on the monitor 41, allowing each of the multiple terminal devices 20 to communicate with the karaoke machine 30 via the server 10. Therefore, when a group uses a karaoke room equipped with a karaoke machine 30, each user can operate the karaoke machine 30 using their own terminal device 20. At this time, the information transmitted from each terminal device 20 to the server 10 is associated with a user ID corresponding to each terminal device 20. Since the storage unit 12 associates the user ID with the ID of the karaoke machine 30 via the room ID, the server 10 can determine that the received information was transmitted from a terminal device 20 and that it is information for operating a specific karaoke machine 30.

[0055] <Song Selection> Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing in the karaoke system SY. Figures 6(a) to 6(d) show examples of the screen of the terminal device 20. Below, the processing of the karaoke system SY when a user reserves a song to be played on the karaoke machine 30 by operating the terminal device 20 will be described. In this embodiment, when any of the multiple terminal devices 20 reserve a song, the reservation result is shared with the other terminal devices 20.

[0056] Figure 5(a) shows an example of the process when terminal device 20A1 makes a song reservation and the reservation result is shared with karaoke machine 30A and other terminal devices 20A2. Here, server 10 and each terminal device 20A1 and 20A2 communicate via bidirectional communication established by the process example shown in Figure 3. In the following explanation, the user IDs corresponding to terminal devices 20A1 and 20A2 are assumed to be usr1 and usr2, respectively, and the ID corresponding to karaoke machine 30A is assumed to be kd1 (see tables 12a and 12b in Figure 2).

[0057] In step S301, the control unit 23 of the terminal device 20A1 transmits reservation information to the server 10 via the communication unit 21. The reservation information may include, for example, the ID of the song to be reserved. In addition, the reservation information may include information such as whether the guide vocal is on or off, whether the scoring function is on or off, and the key height. Along with the reservation information, information to identify the source terminal device 20A1 (in this case, the user ID), information to identify the virtual room R to which the terminal device 20A1 belongs (room ID), and information to identify the destination karaoke machine 30 may also be transmitted from the terminal device 20A1 to the server 10.

[0058] The screen 601 in Figure 6(a) shows the state where the "Search for Songs" button 601a is selected on the application AP. For example, a user of terminal device 20A1 can search for songs by artist name, song title, or lyrics, or select songs based on categories such as genre, era, or new releases.

[0059] As an example, let's explain the process of selecting a song by searching for its title. When the song title search button 601b is selected on screen 601, the control unit 23 displays the song title search screen 602 (Figure 6(b)) on the display unit 24. On screen 602, when text is entered into the search box 602a, the search results are displayed. If a song displayed as a search result is selected, the control unit 23 displays the song details screen 603 (Figure 6(c)) on the display unit 24. On screen 603, when the reservation button 603a is selected, reservation information is sent from the karaoke machine 30A to the server 10.

[0060] In step S302, the control unit 13 of the server 10 updates the reservation list. The control unit 13 manages, for example, a reservation list for each room ID. The reservation list is a list of song IDs of reserved songs. The reservation list may include a list of song IDs of songs waiting to be played, a list of song IDs of songs that have finished playing, a list of song IDs of songs currently playing, and a list of song IDs of songs that have been canceled. The reservation list may also include the song title, singer name and singer ID corresponding to the song ID, as well as the ID, nickname and user icon of the user who made the reservation. Based on the received reservation information, the control unit 13 updates the reservation list associated with the target room ID. In this embodiment, the information sent from the terminal device 20 to the server 10 includes the user ID and the room ID. The control unit 13 refers to table 12a and, if the room ID (rm1) included in the information from the terminal device 20A1 is associated with any of the karaoke machines 30 (i.e., the room ID is valid), updates the reservation list for that room ID based on the information sent in step S301. If the information sent from terminal device 20 to server 10 includes a user ID but does not include a room ID, the following can be done. The control unit 13 refers to table 12b to identify the room ID (rm1) corresponding to the user ID (usr1) corresponding to terminal device 20A1 that sent the reservation information in step S301. Then, the control unit 13 refers to table 12a to update the reservation list for the room ID (rm1) based on the information sent in step S301, if the room ID (rm1) is associated with any of the karaoke machines 30 (i.e., the room ID is valid). The reservation list may include the song ID, the user ID corresponding to the terminal device 20 that sent the reservation information, and other information included in the reservation information (guide vocal on / off, scoring function on / off, key height, etc.).

[0061] It is also possible that after terminal device 20A1 obtains the room ID (rm1), the room ID corresponding to the ID (kd1) of karaoke device 30A may be updated from rm1 (for example, to rm3). In this case, since the control unit 13 cannot find the room ID (rm1) by referring to table 12a, it may determine that the room ID (rm1) has become invalid and send a release command to terminal device 20. At this time, the control unit 13 may also update the history information of the individual user of terminal device 20 that sent the reservation information and store it in the storage unit 12 (see <History Information per User> below).

[0062] In step S303, the control unit 13 transmits the updated reservation list to the karaoke machine 30A, terminal device 20A1, and terminal device 20A2. For example, the control unit 13 uses the information to identify the destination karaoke machine 30 included in the information received in step S301 to transmit the reservation list to the destination karaoke machine 30A. Alternatively, the control unit 13 may refer to table 12b to transmit the reservation list to 20a2, which corresponds to the user ID (usr2) associated with the same room ID (rm1) as the source terminal device 20A1. In other words, the server 10 identifies the destination device based on the information received from terminal device 20A1 in step S301 and / or information managed by the server 10.

[0063] In step S304, the karaoke machine 30A, terminal device 20A1, and terminal device 20A2 each update the reservation list they hold based on the received information. Thus, the reservation list is managed by the server 10, and when there is an update to the list, it is shared through bidirectional communication between the server 10, terminal devices 20A1 and 20A2, and the karaoke machine 30A.

[0064] Furthermore, the reservation list can be viewed using the application AP on the terminal device 20. Figure 6(d) shows screen 604 for viewing the reservation list. For example, when the reservation list button 601c is selected on screen 601, screen 604 is displayed.

[0065] In this embodiment, the reservation list is transmitted via bidirectional communication from the server 10 to terminals other than the terminal that made the song reservation (terminal device 20A1) (terminal device 20A2). Therefore, each terminal can check the status of the reserved song with high real-time accuracy.

[0066] Figure 5(b) shows an example of the process when the karaoke machine 30 starts playing a song, the reservation list managed by the server 10 is updated and shared with terminal devices 20A1 and 20A2.

[0067] In step S305, the control unit 33 of the karaoke machine 30A starts playing the reserved song. The control unit 33 deletes the song that has started playing from the reservation list stored in the memory unit 32. The control unit 33 stores the song that has started playing as the song currently being played.

[0068] In step S306, the control unit 33 of the karaoke machine 30A notifies the server 10 via the communication unit 31 that it has started playing. This notification may include the device ID, room ID, and song ID of the song that has started playing (or a list including song IDs). In step S307, the control unit 13 of the server 10 updates the reservation list. The control unit 13 identifies the room ID corresponding to the karaoke machine 30A that notified it to start playing, and updates the reservation list for the identified room ID. The information sent from the karaoke machine 30A in S306 may include the room ID, or if not, the control unit 13 may refer to table 12a to identify the room ID corresponding to the sending karaoke machine 30A. Specifically, regarding the update of the reservation list, the control unit 13 removes the song that has started playing, i.e., the song that was at the top of the reservation list, from the list. The control unit 13 also stores the song that has started playing as the song currently being played.

[0069] In step S308, the control unit 13 of the server 10 transmits the updated reservation list to the terminal devices 20A1, 20A2 and the karaoke machine 30A via the communication unit 11. The control unit 13 refers to tables 12a and 12b to identify the terminal devices 20A1, 20A2 and the karaoke machine 30A associated with the room ID identified in S307, and transmits the reservation list. The control unit 13 may also transmit information about the song currently being played to the terminal devices 20A1, 20A2 and the karaoke machine 30A. In step S309, the control units 23 of the terminal devices 20A1 and 20A2 and the control unit 33 of the karaoke machine 30A update the reservation list.

[0070] In step S310, when the performance ends, the control unit 33 of the karaoke machine 30A notifies the server 10 via the communication unit 31 in step S311 that the performance has ended. This notification may include the device ID of the karaoke machine 30, the room ID, the song ID of the song that has finished playing (or a list including song IDs), and the performance time. In step S312, the control unit 13 of the server 10 updates the performance history. The control unit 13 manages the performance history for each room ID, for example, and stores it in the storage unit 12. Then, in step S313, the control unit 13 of the server 10 transmits the performance history to terminal devices 20A1 and 20A2 via the communication unit 11.

[0071] In step S314, terminal devices 20A1 and 20A2 update the playback history. Figure 6(e) shows screen 605 for checking the playback history. Information about the songs played in room R is displayed.

[0072] In this way, even when a performance on the karaoke machine 30 progresses and the performance history is updated, the performance history can be checked with high real-time accuracy on each terminal device 20 that constitutes the same virtual room R.

[0073] <Remote control operation> Figure 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing for the karaoke system SY. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the screen of the terminal device 20. In this embodiment, the terminal device 20 can remotely operate the karaoke machine 30. For example, the terminal device 20 can set settings related to performance, such as key, microphone volume, accompaniment volume, guide volume, guide on / off, and microphone effects, as well as settings such as scoring on / off and the size of the text displayed on the monitor 41. In the following description, the user IDs corresponding to terminal devices 20A1 and 20A2 are assumed to be usr1 and usr2, respectively, and the ID corresponding to the karaoke machine 30A is assumed to be kd1 (see tables 12a and 12b in Figure 2).

[0074] In step S401, the control unit 23 of the terminal device 20A1 instructs the server 10 to update the settings via the communication unit 21. For example, when button 801a for increasing the microphone volume is selected on screen 801 in Figure 8, the control unit 13 instructs the server 10 to update the settings to increase the microphone volume. The information instructing the setting update includes an opcode and its command value, and can include commands related to performance such as key, microphone volume, accompaniment volume, guide volume, guide on / off, and microphone effects, as well as commands such as scoring on / off and the size of the text displayed on the monitor 41. For example, the information instructing the setting update includes an opcode indicating a command to change the microphone volume and a numerical value for the changed microphone volume. In addition, along with the information instructing the setting update, information to identify the source terminal device 20A1 (in this case, user ID), information to identify the virtual room R to which the terminal device 20A1 belongs (room ID), and information to identify the destination karaoke machine 30 (device ID, etc.) may be sent from the terminal device 20A1 to the server 10.

[0075] In step S402, the control unit 13 of the server 10 updates the configuration information. The control unit 13 of the server 10 manages various configuration information for each room ID and stores it in the storage unit 12. In this embodiment, the information sent from the terminal device 20 to the server 10 includes the user ID and the room ID. The control unit 13 refers to table 12a and, if the room ID (rm1) included in the information from terminal device 20A1 is associated with any of the karaoke devices 30 (i.e., the room ID is valid), updates the configuration information of the karaoke device 30 corresponding to the room ID (rm1). If the information sent from the terminal device 20 to the server 10 includes the user ID but not the room ID, the following can be done. In step S401, the control unit 13 identifies the room ID (rm1) corresponding to the user ID (usr1) corresponding to the terminal device 20A1 that sent the instruction, and if that room ID (rm1) is associated with any of the karaoke devices 30 (i.e., the room ID is valid), updates the configuration information of the karaoke device 30 corresponding to the room ID (rm1). Here, if the control unit 13 receives an instruction to increase the microphone volume, for example, it updates the microphone volume of the karaoke machine 30 in the corresponding room. As explained in step S302, if the control unit 13 determines that the room ID (rm1) corresponding to the user ID (usr1) corresponding to the terminal device 20A1 that sent the instruction in step S401 is invalid, it may send a release command to the terminal device 20.

[0076] In step S403, the control unit 13 of the server 10 transmits the updated configuration information from the communication unit 11 to the karaoke machine 30A and terminal devices 20A1 and 20A2. The information indicating the updated configuration information includes the opcode and its command value as described in step S401. For example, the control unit 13 uses the information to identify the destination karaoke machine 30 included in the information received in step S301 to transmit the updated configuration information to the destination karaoke machine 30A. For example, the control unit 13 refers to table 12b and transmits the updated configuration information to 20a2, which corresponds to the user ID (usr2) associated with the same room ID (rm1) as the source terminal device 20A1. In other words, the server 10 identifies the destination device based on the information received from terminal device 20A1 in step S301 and / or information managed by the server 10.

[0077] In step S404, the control unit 13 of the karaoke device 30A changes the settings of the karaoke device 30A based on the received setting information. For example, if the microphone volume is updated in S402, the karaoke device 30A changes its settings to increase the microphone volume.

[0078] In step S405, the control units 23 of terminal devices 20A1 and 20A2 update the remote control operation screen (screen 801) based on the received setting information. For example, if an instruction to increase the microphone volume was given in S401, the microphone volume will be increased by +1 on screen 801 of terminal devices 20A1 and 20A2.

[0079] Thus, in this embodiment, by establishing bidirectional communication between multiple terminal devices 20 and the server 10, each terminal device 20 can check the settings of the karaoke machine 30 with high real-time accuracy when any of the terminal devices 20 perform remote control operations.

[0080] <Support function> Figure 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing by the karaoke system SY. Figures 10(a) and 10(b) show examples of the screen of the terminal device 20. In this embodiment, the terminal device 20 can provide support using items such as stamps (item support) and support using text (comment support).

[0081] Figure 10(a) shows screen 1001 for sending item support, and Figure 10(b) shows screen 1002 for sending comment support. As shown in screen 1001, when sending item support, one of several items can be selected and sent. The storage unit 12 of the server 10 can store the storage address of the image data of each item and its identification information in association with each other.

[0082] In step S501, the control unit 23 of the terminal device 20 sends a support command via the communication unit 21. In the case of item support, the support command may include information to identify the selected item. For example, if item 1 is selected on screen 1001 and the button 1001a to send the item is selected, the support command will include information to identify item 1 (e.g., ID or item name). On the other hand, in the case of comment support, the support command may include information about the selected or entered text. For example, if the text "Awesome!" is selected on screen 1002 and the button 1002a to send the comment is selected, the support command will include text data corresponding to "Awesome!". The support command may also include the username or user's nickname.

[0083] In step S502, the control unit 13 of the server 10 transmits the support information to the karaoke device 30 via the communication unit 11. The method for identifying the destination karaoke device 30 and determining whether the room ID is valid can be the same as the method described in steps S302 and S402 above. In the case of item support, the support information may include information for identifying the item, image data of the item, and the storage address of the image data of the item on the server 10. In the case of comment support, the support information may include text data of the text to be displayed on the monitor 41.

[0084] In step S503, the control unit 33 of the karaoke device 30 outputs an object (item and / or text) to the monitor 41 based on the cheering information. For example, while a song is playing, the karaoke device 30 displays the object in an area of ​​the monitor 41's display screen other than the area where the lyrics are displayed. If the cheering command includes the user's nickname, the nickname may also be displayed along with (or adjacent to) the object.

[0085] <Reward Granting> The karaoke system SY may include a function to reward users. Figures 11(a) and 11(b) are sequence diagrams showing an example of processing by the karaoke system SY. Figures 12(a) and 12(b) show an example of the screen of the terminal device 20. Examples of rewards include points and coupons, but the process of awarding points will be described below.

[0086] Figure 11(a) shows the process by which the server 10 awards points to a user who has reserved a song and finished singing it. In S601, when the song performance ends, the control unit 33 of the karaoke machine 30 transmits the singing data to the server 10 via the communication unit 31 in S602. For example, the singing data may include song identification information (ID), performance time, and audio data acquired by the microphone 43 during performance. If the karaoke machine 30 can ascertain the user ID of the user who reserved the song, the singing data may also include the user ID. For example, if the reservation list received in S303 of Figure 5 includes the user ID of the user who reserved the song, the karaoke machine 30 can identify the user ID of the user who reserved the song in the singing data. The karaoke machine 30 may also transmit singing data for the portion of the song that has been completed to the server 10 while the song is still playing. Alternatively, the karaoke machine 30 may perform scoring and transmit the scoring results to the server 10.

[0087] In S603, the control unit 13 of the server 10 performs a determination process regarding point allocation. For example, the control unit 13 determines to award points if the performance time is longer than a predetermined time or if the scoring result is longer than a predetermined score.

[0088] In S604, the control unit 13 awards points. For example, the storage unit 12 stores a table in which user IDs and points are associated. The control unit 13 updates the points stored in the storage unit 12. At that time, the control unit 13 determines which user ID corresponds to the singing data transmitted in step S602 based on the information attached to the singing data from the karaoke machine 30 and / or the managed reservation list, etc., and identifies which user ID to award points to.

[0089] Figure 11(b) shows the process when a user checks their points. In S701, the control unit 23 of the terminal device 20 requests point information from the server 10 via the communication unit 21. For example, when the "My Page" button is selected on the song search screen (see Figure 6), the remote control screen (see Figure 8), or the play screen (see Figure 10), the control unit 23 requests point information from the server 10.

[0090] In S702, the control unit 13 of the server 10 transmits point information to the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 11. The control unit 13 refers to a table stored in the storage unit 12 that associates user IDs with points, retrieves the current points assigned to the user ID corresponding to the terminal device 20 that requested the point information, and returns that value to the terminal device 20.

[0091] In S703, the control unit 23 of the terminal device 20 updates the display screen. For example, if the control unit 23 requests point information from the server 10 because the "My Page" button was selected in S701, it displays the current points when displaying screen 1201 as shown in Figure 12(a).

[0092] In this embodiment, communication for the terminal device 20 to obtain point information can be performed via HTTP communication. In this case, the terminal device 20 can obtain point information from the server 10 even if it has not configured a virtual room R with the karaoke machine 30, that is, if it has not obtained a valid room ID.

[0093] On the other hand, communication related to the operation of the karaoke machine 30, such as song reservations, remote control operation, and item support, is performed via bidirectional communication established using a room ID associated with a virtual room R. Therefore, operation of the karaoke machine 30 by the terminal device 20 is limited to the time while the terminal device 20 and the karaoke machine 30 constitute a virtual room R (while the room ID acquired by the terminal device 20 is valid). In other words, if a request for a new room ID is made in the karaoke machine 30 and the previously issued room ID is discarded in the server 10, the terminal device 20 that established bidirectional communication using the previously issued room ID will no longer be able to operate the karaoke machine 30. In this way, terminal devices 20 that can operate the karaoke machine 30 are appropriately managed.

[0094] In addition to awarding points based on singing as described above, it is also possible to award points when logging into the application AP or in response to various events. For example, selecting button 1201a on screen example 1201 shown in Figure 12(a) will transition to screen 1202 shown in Figure 12(b). Screen example 1202 is a screen that displays various events. Selecting event selection buttons 1202a and 1202b will transition to the details page for each event. For example, if participation in an event is selected on the details page and the event's completion conditions are met, points may be awarded to the user. Also, if button 1201b on screen example 1201 is selected, points will be awarded randomly.

[0095] Access to each page within "My Page" can be performed via HTTP communication between server 10 and terminal device 20. In this case, the user can access each page within "My Page" even if communication using a room ID (e.g., bidirectional communication based on WebSocket, etc.) has not been established between terminal device 20 and server 10.

[0096] [Example of processing on Server 10] Figure 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of server processing, showing an example of processing when the server receives information from the terminal device 20 to operate the karaoke machine 30, and then operates the karaoke machine 30 based on the received information. For example, it shows the processing on the server side in steps S301 to S303 in Figure 5(a), steps S401 to S403 in Figure 7, and steps S501 to S502 in Figure 9.

[0097] In step S801, the control unit 13 receives instruction information from the terminal device 20 for operating the karaoke machine 30. The instruction information includes, for example, song reservation information (S301), setting update information (S401), and cheering commands (S501). As described above, along with this information for operating the karaoke machine 30, the control unit 13 also includes the user ID corresponding to the sending terminal device 20, the room ID obtained by the terminal device 20 from the karaoke machine 30, and information to identify the destination karaoke machine 30 (such as the device ID).

[0098] In step S802, the control unit 13 checks whether the room ID received in step S801 is valid. Specifically, the control unit 13 determines that the identified room ID is valid if the room ID received in step S801 is associated with one of the karaoke machine IDs managed in table 12a. On the other hand, the control unit 13 determines that the identified room ID is invalid if the room ID received in step S801 is not associated with any of the karaoke machine IDs managed in table 12a.

[0099] Step S803 is a conditional branch. If the control unit 13 determines in step S802 that the room ID is valid, it proceeds to step S804 (step S804: Yes). If it determines in step S802 that the room ID is invalid, it proceeds to step S808 (step S804: No).

[0100] In step S804, the control unit 13 confirms the correspondence between the user ID and room ID received in step S801.

[0101] In step S805, the control unit 13 updates the information associated with the room ID. Specifically, the control unit 13 updates the reservation list (S302) associated with the room ID, the karaoke machine 30 setting information (S402) associated with the room ID, etc., stored in the memory unit 12. Note that if the instruction information received in step S801 is a support command (S501), this step may be omitted.

[0102] In step S806, the control unit 13 identifies the karaoke machine 30 to which the instruction will be sent. The control unit 13 can identify the karaoke machine 30 to which the instruction will be sent using the information for identifying the destination karaoke machine 30 included in the information received in S801. Alternatively, instead of identifying the destination karaoke machine 30 itself, the connection established between the server 10 and the destination karaoke machine 30 may be identified.

[0103] In step S807, the control unit 13 transmits instruction information to the karaoke machine 30. This instruction information includes the song reservation list, settings information for the karaoke machine 30, and cheering commands.

[0104] In step S808, the control unit 13 sends a disconnection command to the terminal device 20. This disconnects the terminal device 20 and the server 10 that correspond to the user ID associated with the invalid room ID.

[0105] [View history information for each user] In this embodiment, the application AP allows users to view their individual singing history and scoring history on their "My Page". For example, when button 1201c is selected, the terminal device 20 requests the user's individual singing history information from the server 10. When the server 10 returns the user's individual singing history information to the terminal device 20 in response to the request, the application AP displays the user's individual singing history information on the display unit 24. Each user's individual singing history information can be stored in the storage unit 12 of the server 10. The application AP can also display the user's individual scoring history information in a similar manner.

[0106] The history shown in the aforementioned screen example 605 is a history of songs played in the virtual room R, and a history of songs reserved by all terminal devices 20 that make up the virtual room R. In other words, the application AP can display two types of history: the history of the virtual room R (i.e., the history of the karaoke machine 30) and the singing history of the individual user.

[0107] Furthermore, the history shown in screen example 605 is limited to the time while the terminal device 20 and the karaoke device 30 are configuring a virtual room R (while communication between the server 10 and the terminal device 20 using the room ID is active). On the other hand, as described above, access to each page within "My Page" is performed via HTTP communication between the server 10 and the terminal device 20. Therefore, the user's individual singing history information can be viewed even when the terminal device 20 and the karaoke device 30 are not configuring a virtual room R.

[0108] As described above, according to this embodiment, in response to a request from the karaoke machine 30, the server 10 issues temporary identification information (e.g., room ID) that can identify the requesting karaoke machine 30, and transmits the issued identification information to the requesting karaoke machine 30. The karaoke machine 30 outputs the identification information received from the server 10. Furthermore, when the server 10 receives a connection request from a terminal device 20 that has acquired the identification information output by the karaoke machine 30, it establishes communication between the server 10 and the terminal device 20 using that identification information (Figures 3(b) and 14). This established communication is used by the terminal device 20 to operate the karaoke machine 30 identified by the identification information via the server 10.

[0109] As a result, the terminal device 20 can operate the karaoke machine 30 via the server 10 by acquiring temporary identification information output from the karaoke machine 30. For the user of the terminal device 20, simply acquiring identification information via the terminal device 20 (for example, by reading a 2D code) allows operation of the karaoke machine 30 using the terminal device 20, thus improving the convenience of karaoke systems that use terminal devices such as smartphones as remote controls for the karaoke machine.

[0110] The present invention has been described above based on each embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the technologies described in each embodiment may be combined as appropriate, or known technologies may be combined with the technologies of the above embodiments as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0111] SY Karaoke System, 10 Servers, 20 Terminal Devices, 30 Karaoke Units

Claims

1. A karaoke system comprising a server, a terminal device capable of communicating with the server, and a karaoke device capable of communicating with the server, The aforementioned server is An issuing means for issuing temporary identification information that can identify the karaoke device making the request, in response to a request from the karaoke device, A transmitting means for transmitting the identification information issued by the issuing means to the karaoke device, Includes, The karaoke device includes output means for outputting the identification information received from the server, The server further includes establishment means for establishing a first communication between the server and the terminal device using the identification information when it receives a connection request from the terminal device that has obtained the identification information output by the output means. The first communication is used by the terminal device to operate the karaoke device identified by the identification information via the server. Karaoke system.

2. A karaoke system according to claim 1, The first communication described above is bidirectional communication. Karaoke system.

3. A karaoke system according to claim 1, The karaoke device described above is A receiving means for receiving instructions to issue the aforementioned identification information, A request means that, when the receiving means receives an instruction to issue the identification information, requests the server to issue the identification information, including, Karaoke system.

4. A karaoke system according to claim 3, The karaoke device includes a reset means that resets the settings information related to the performance of the karaoke device when the receiving means receives an instruction to issue the identification information. Karaoke system.

5. A karaoke system according to claim 1, The issuing means, in response to a request from the karaoke machine, discards the previously issued identification information associated with the karaoke machine that requested the issuance of the identification information and issues new identification information. Karaoke system.

6. A karaoke system according to claim 5, The server, when the issued identification information is discarded, will not accept any operation of the karaoke machine from the terminal device with which the first communication was established using the discarded identification information. Karaoke system.

7. A karaoke system according to claim 1, Multiple terminal devices can each establish the first communication with the server using one of the aforementioned identification pieces of information. Karaoke system.

8. A karaoke system according to claim 7, The aforementioned plurality of terminal devices include a first terminal device and a second terminal device, When the server receives operation information regarding the operation of the karaoke machine from the first terminal device using the first communication, it transmits information corresponding to the operation information to the karaoke machine and the second terminal device, respectively. The karaoke device executes its operations based on information corresponding to the operation information received from the server. The second terminal device updates the screen of the application for operating the karaoke device based on the information corresponding to the operation information received from the server. Karaoke system.

9. A karaoke system according to claim 8, The aforementioned operation information includes reservation information for songs to be played by the karaoke device. Karaoke system.

10. A karaoke system according to claim 8, The aforementioned operation information includes setting information related to performance by the karaoke device. Karaoke system.

11. A karaoke system according to claim 1, When the server receives an instruction from the terminal device to display an object, it sends an instruction to the karaoke machine to display an object. When the karaoke device receives an instruction to display an object, it displays the object on the display unit of the karaoke device or on a display device connected to the karaoke device. Karaoke system.

12. A karaoke system according to claim 1, The server includes means for granting rewards to users, The rewarding means, when a song is reserved by the operation of the terminal device, grants a reward to the user corresponding to the terminal device that reserved the song. Karaoke system.

13. A karaoke system according to claim 12, The rewarding means grants a reward to the user corresponding to the terminal device that reserved the song, according to at least one of the performance time of the reserved song or the scoring result. Karaoke system.

14. A karaoke system according to claim 1, The server and the terminal device can also communicate using a second communication method, which is different from the first communication method used to operate the karaoke device. Karaoke system.

15. A karaoke system according to claim 14, The first communication described above is bidirectional communication, The second communication described above is a request / response type communication. Karaoke system.

16. A karaoke system according to claim 15, The terminal device can obtain information about the user of the terminal device through the second communication. Karaoke system.

17. A communication method for a karaoke system comprising a server, a terminal device capable of communicating with the server, and a karaoke device capable of communicating with the server, The server issues identification information that can identify the karaoke device that made the request, in response to a request from the karaoke device. The server transmits the identification information issued by the server to the karaoke device. The karaoke device outputs the identification information received from the server, When the server receives a connection request from the terminal device from which it has obtained the identification information output, it establishes a first communication between the server and the terminal device using the identification information. Includes, The first communication is a communication method used by the terminal device to operate the karaoke device identified by the identification information via the server.

18. An issuing means for issuing temporary identification information that can identify the karaoke device making the request, in response to a request from the karaoke device, A transmitting means for transmitting the identification information issued by the issuing means to the karaoke device, When a connection request is received from the terminal device that has acquired the identification information output by the output means, the establishment means establishes a first communication between the server and the terminal device using the identification information, Equipped with, The first communication is used by the terminal device to operate the karaoke device identified by the identification information via the server. server.

19. The computer of the terminal device, Acquisition means for acquiring temporary identification information output by a karaoke device that can identify the karaoke device. A request means that uses the identification information obtained by the acquisition means to request the establishment of a first communication with the server. Operating means for operating the karaoke device identified by the identification information via the server using the established first communication, A program that functions as each of the means.

Images