Remote control device and remote control program

Abstract

To easily designate a content and to expand a standpoint of selection.SOLUTION: A remote controller can perform content designation processing for transmitting an instruction to designate a content reproduced in a Karaoke device to a Karaoke device on the basis of an operation instruction of a user and history display processing for displaying the content whose valid usage period is not exceeded and history on a content whose valid usage period is exceeded in different forms regarding the history of the content which has the valid usage period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a remote control device for remote control and a remote control program executable on various information processing devices. [Background technology]

[0002] In karaoke, where people enjoy singing along with music, it is common to use a remote control device to select the song to sing. The remote control device uses a database of songs that can be played on the karaoke device, and allows users to select songs by displaying the song title and artist name on the screen. Some remote control devices also have a history function that stores and displays the song selection history, allowing users to reselect songs that they have previously selected.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a karaoke system that identifies singers with similar song selection tendencies to the singer himself from the singing history of a karaoke device, and notifies the singer of songs that the identified singer has sung but that the singer has not sung himself, saying, "Here are the songs that have been sung by people with similar song selection tendencies to you, but that you have not sung!" [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-11080 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In karaoke booths, the karaoke singing history may be used when you or a group of people sing the same song again, but it may also be used to track real-time trends, such as what songs previous customers have sung.

[0006] In recent years, karaoke machines have become capable of not only providing a karaoke function for singing, but also playing various content such as movies, dramas, and concerts. Such content is generally treated differently from traditional karaoke songs. Therefore, the singing history described in Patent Document 1 can only be used for karaoke.

[0007] The present invention has been developed in consideration of such circumstances, and one of its objectives is to make it easier to specify content and to expand the range of options for selection in a karaoke device that can use not only karaoke but also various other content. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] Therefore, the remote control device according to the present invention employs the following configuration. A remote control device capable of instructing a karaoke device, The karaoke machine plays the content that can be played within the valid usage period, the remote control device is capable of executing a content instruction process and a history display process; The content instruction process transmits an instruction regarding the content to be played by the karaoke device to the karaoke device based on an operation instruction from the user; The history display process is A display process for instructing to play content that has been instructed to be played back, or content that has started to be played back or has been played back, In the history of content with a valid usage period, if the valid usage period has not yet expired, a button for instructing playback of the content is displayed. and the related content ID is set in the case of 、 Related Content Related content for ID A button for instructing playback is displayed.

[0009] Furthermore, in the remote control device according to the present invention, The history display process does not display the history of content whose valid usage period has expired.

[0010] Furthermore, in the remote control device according to the present invention, In the history display process, when the content specified by the user in the history of the displayed content is one whose valid usage period has expired, content related to that content can be displayed.

[0011] Furthermore, in the remote control device according to the present invention, In the history display process, if the content instructed by the user in the history of the displayed content is one whose valid usage period has expired, a button for indicating content related to that content is displayed.

[0012] Furthermore, in the remote control device according to the present invention, The history display process displays the history of content based on the valid use period stored in advance in the storage unit of the remote control device.

[0013] The remote control program according to the present invention also includes: A remote control program that is executed by an information processing device and can instruct a karaoke device, The karaoke machine plays the content that can be played within the valid usage period, the remote control device is capable of executing a content instruction process and a history display process; The content instruction process transmits an instruction regarding the content to be played by the karaoke device to the karaoke device based on an operation instruction from the user; The history display process is A display process for instructing to play content that has been instructed to be played back, or content that has started to be played back or has been played back, In the history of content with a valid usage period, if the valid usage period has not yet expired, a button for instructing playback of the content is displayed. and the related content ID is set in the case of 、 Related Content Related content for ID A button for instructing playback is displayed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the remote control device and the remote control program of the present invention, it is possible to select desired content from the content history, thereby facilitating content specification and expanding the range of options for selection. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a karaoke system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a top screen of the remote control device according to the embodiment; [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a reservation confirmation screen of the remote control device according to the embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a reservation confirmation screen of the remote control device according to the embodiment; [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a reservation confirmation screen of the remote control device according to the embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a reservation confirmation screen of the remote control device according to the embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a history writing process according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a history display process and a history designation process according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a history management table according to the embodiment; [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a history management table according to the embodiment; [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a history selection screen according to the present embodiment; [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a history selection screen according to the present embodiment; [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a history selection screen according to another embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[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) and a remote control device 1. The karaoke device 2 and the remote control device 1 are communicatively connected to form a network using a LAN 100 and an access point 140.

[0017] The karaoke machine 2 installed in a store such as a karaoke booth includes an audio control unit 25 as a performance unit for playing music. The karaoke machine 2 also includes an operation unit 21 that accepts various inputs from the user. The karaoke machine 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 machine 2 also includes a hard disk 32 as a storage unit for storing various information. The karaoke machine 2 also includes a LAN communication unit 24a as communication means for connecting to the LAN 100 and joining the network. The karaoke machine 2 of this embodiment also includes a wireless LAN communication unit 24b, and instead of a wired network connection using the LAN communication unit 24a, it is possible to establish a wireless network connection using the wireless LAN communication unit 24b.

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

[0019] Furthermore, in this karaoke device 2, various information can be displayed 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 unit 35 that displays video information input from the video control unit 31 and a touch panel 34 that outputs a touch input position to the operation processing unit 22. This touch panel monitor 33 is disposed on the front 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 specifying a song on the touch panel monitor 33, the user can issue various operational instructions to the karaoke device 2, such as directly reserving a song on the karaoke device 2.

[0020] Furthermore, the karaoke device 2 is configured to include 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.

[0021] With this configuration, the karaoke device 2 executes various processes, but its main functions are karaoke functions such as song reservation processing and song playback processing. The song reservation processing is a process for specifying and reserving a song based on an operation instruction from the user, and is executed in cooperation with the remote control device 1. Reservation information including a song ID formed by the content instruction processing of the remote control device 1 is sent to the karaoke device 2. The karaoke device 2 registers the received reservation information in a reservation table in the memory 27. The song playback processing is a process for playing a song based on the reservation information registered in the reservation table, and is a process in which the song performance processing and the lyric display processing are executed synchronously.

[0022] The music performance process is a process that reads music information based on the reservation information registered in the reservation table and causes the audio control unit 25 to perform a performance based on the performance information included in the music information. The music played by the audio 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 that provides singing assistance by displaying the lyrics information included in the music information on the monitor 41. A background video display process may be executed to superimpose a background video on the lyrics displayed in this lyrics display process.

[0023] In addition to the karaoke function described above, the karaoke device 2 of this embodiment can also execute application functions using various applications (application software). Examples of applications include live streaming applications for live streaming of concerts and the like, and live-streamed content that is later archived and distributed, and video viewing applications for downloading, streaming, and progressively downloading movies and dramas. In addition to these video applications, various applications can be used with the karaoke device 2, such as game applications for playing various games and karaoke support applications for supporting the karaoke function.

[0024] Meanwhile, the remote control device 1 is capable of executing a content instruction process for searching for songs based on an operation instruction from the user and transmitting reservation information for the song designated or reserved to the karaoke device 2, as well as an application instruction process for issuing an operation instruction to launch an application desired by the user. The remote control device 1 is also capable of receiving various information from the karaoke device 2 or a server device 6 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 displays various interfaces on the display unit 11a and is capable of receiving touch inputs from the user.

[0025] Furthermore, remote control device 1 is configured with memory 14 as a storage unit for storing databases required for content instruction 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 CPU 15, video control unit 13 for forming images to be displayed on touch panel monitor 11, video RAM 12 for temporarily storing the image information to be displayed, and operation processing unit 18 for interpreting input from touch panel monitor 11 or operation unit 17 and transmitting the input to CPU 15.

[0026] The remote control device 1 is connected to the network formed by the LAN 100 by wirelessly connecting to the access point 140 via the wireless LAN communication unit 16. Each remote control device 1 is associated with a specific karaoke device 2 at any time. Various commands output from the remote control device 1 are received by the associated karaoke device 2.

[0027] With this 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 by displaying video information on the touch panel monitor 11, making it possible to perform various processes such as content instruction processing for transmitting reservation information to be output to the karaoke device 2.

[0028] As mentioned above, the karaoke device 2 of this embodiment is capable of executing not only normal karaoke functions but also application functions using various applications (application software), and is equipped with expanded functions such as viewing various videos, games, and karaoke assistance, making it possible to provide users visiting a karaoke store with expanded functions other than karaoke.

[0029] 2 is a diagram showing the top screen of the remote control device 1 according to this embodiment. The karaoke device 2 according to this embodiment is a device equipped with a karaoke function and an application function using an application, and the remote control device 1 can issue various instructions to the karaoke device 2 regarding the karaoke function and the application function.

[0030] The top screen of the remote control device 1 is divided into a first display field 111 and a second display field 112. The first display field 111 displays a home button, a reservation confirmation button, and various operation buttons related to the karaoke function (key change, speed change, pause, stop performance, original key, sing again). The first display field 111 also displays a first history button 111a.

[0031] Various operations relating to the karaoke function and various operations relating to the application function can be performed in the second display field 112. First, various operations relating to the karaoke function will be described.

[0032] The second display field 112 has a karaoke song selection field 113 for operations related to the karaoke function. The karaoke song selection field 113 displays various buttons for specifying songs in the karaoke function. The button labeled "Singer Name" is a button for searching for songs using the singer's name as a search key, and when this button is operated, the second display field 112 transitions to a song search screen for searching using the singer's name. The button labeled "Song Title" is a button for searching for songs using the song title as a search key, and when this button is operated, the second display field 112 transitions to a song search screen for searching using the song title.

[0033] The karaoke song selection section 113 also has buttons for various searches such as "Ranking," "Genre," "Video of the Artist," "That Time," and "History." Among these, the button labeled "History" is the second history button 113a, which is used to select a song again from songs that have been selected so far.

[0034] The user operates various buttons provided in the karaoke song selection field 113 to specify a desired song in accordance with each search method. When a song is specified, the screen transitions to a reservation confirmation screen for confirmation.

[0035] In this embodiment, the songs that can be designated include songs with no valid usage period and songs with a valid usage period. The karaoke system of this embodiment allows users to post songs that they have composed themselves as karaoke songs. Such posted songs have a valid usage period. The user can play the posted songs on the karaoke device 2 within this valid usage period.

[0036] The reservation confirmation screen for these two types of songs will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the reservation confirmation screen (without a valid use period) of the remote control device 1 according to this embodiment. In the second display field 112, a song details display field 116 for the specified song is displayed. In the song details display field, various information about the specified song, such as the artist name, song title, genre, etc., is displayed. The user confirms the song to be reserved based on the song details display field 116.

[0037] The second display field 112 also has a key setting field 117, and the user can change the key (pitch) of the song to be sung by operating a change button provided in the key setting field 117. The user can instruct the karaoke device 2 to play the song displayed in the song details display field 116 by operating a reservation button 119. When the reservation button 119 is operated, reservation information including the song ID of the song displayed in the song details display field 116 is transmitted to the karaoke device 2. The karaoke device 2 adds the received reservation information to a reservation table.

[0038] The second display field 112 is provided with a back button 118, and when the user operates the back button 118, the screen returns to the top screen shown in FIG. 2 or the screen that was displayed before the reservation confirmation screen.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a reservation confirmation screen (with valid use period) of the remote control device 1 according to this embodiment. In the song details display field 116 of the reservation confirmation screen for a song with a valid use period, an expiration date based on the valid use period is displayed. The user can check the usage period based on the displayed expiration date. In this embodiment, a time limit is set for songs posted by users, so the field that displayed "singer name" in the song details display field 116 in FIG. 3 is changed to "poster."

[0040] Next, we will explain various operations related to application functions on the top screen shown in Fig. 2. In the second display field 112, an application selection screen transition button 114, application selection buttons 114a to 114e, video selection buttons 115a to 115d, etc. are displayed to perform operations related to application functions.

[0041] When the application selection screen transition button 114 is operated, the second display field 112 transitions to an application selection screen (not shown). On the application selection screen, application selection buttons for applications that can be executed by the karaoke device 2 are displayed in the second display field 112. The user can activate a desired application by operating the application selection button.

[0042] In addition, the application selection buttons 114a to 114e shown on the top screen of FIG. 2 are applications that are recommended for use, and by operating these application selection buttons 114a to 114e, it is possible to transmit reservation information including the application ID, video content ID, game content ID, etc. related to the application to the karaoke device 2, just as in the case of operating an application selection button displayed on the application selection screen.

[0043] 2 are buttons for specifying recommended video content in the video viewing application, and display the title of the video content, etc. When a video selection button 115a to 115d is operated, a reservation confirmation screen for the video content is displayed for the video viewing application corresponding to the video selection button 115a to 115d.

[0044] 5 is a diagram showing a reservation confirmation screen of the remote control device 1 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, in addition to a video app that allows viewing of video content such as movies and dramas, it is also possible to use a live streaming app that allows live streaming of concerts and the like, and that subsequently distributes live-streamed content as an archive.

[0045] The reservation confirmation screen shown in Fig. 5 is a reservation confirmation screen when live streaming content is specified in a live streaming app. The second display field 112 displays a content details display field 123 for the specified live streaming content. The content details display field 123 displays the content title, artist name, and distribution deadline based on the valid usage period. In the case of live streaming content, the valid usage period may be the period during which the live streaming is taking place, or may be a period from the period during which the live streaming is taking place until a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

[0046] In addition, it is also possible to set a distribution deadline for game apps, or for archived content that is edited and re-broadcast after live streaming, and to set a distribution deadline for movies, dramas, etc. based on contracts with copyright holders, etc.

[0047] Live streaming content may be converted to archived content after the valid usage period has expired. Even if the valid usage period for live streaming content has expired, users can still view the live streaming content as archived content. Archived content may be the live streaming content used as is, or may be edited and then distributed. In such cases, the archived content ID will be set differently from the live streaming content ID.

[0048] Fig. 6 shows a reservation confirmation screen of the remote control device 1 according to this embodiment, which shows archived content of the live streaming content described in Fig. 5. After the valid usage period of the live streaming content has elapsed, the user can use the archived content. The archived content can also be specified using the application selection buttons 114a to 114e, video selection buttons 115a to 115d, etc., described on the top screen in Fig. 2.

[0049] 7 is a flow diagram showing the history writing process according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, when the karaoke device 2 receives reservation information for various content such as karaoke songs, it creates history information. The created history information is used in the history designation process, which will be described later, and the user can give operation instructions based on the history information.

[0050] When a reservation is made for various content such as a song, a video, or a game on the various reservation confirmation screens described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6 (S101: Yes), the karaoke device 2 references a content ID, such as a song ID, a game content ID, an archived content ID of video content, or a live streaming content ID, included in the reservation information, to determine whether the content is to be recorded in the history (S102). Some content may not need to be recorded in the history, or the user may not want the history to be viewed. In view of such circumstances, in this embodiment, if the content is not to be recorded in the history (S102: No), the content is not written to the history management table.

[0051] On the other hand, if the content is to be included in the history (S102: Yes), it is checked whether a valid usage period is set for the content (S103). Content with a valid usage period corresponds to the songs described in the reservation confirmation screen of Fig. 4 or the live streaming content described in the reservation confirmation screen of Fig. 5. The valid usage period is checked by referring to a database managed by the karaoke device 2 or the like based on each content ID.

[0052] If the valid usage period is not set (S103: No), the content ID specified by the content specification process is written as history information in the history management table (S104). On the other hand, if the valid usage period is set (S103: Yes), it is determined whether or not there is related content (S105). For example, the archived content described on the reservation confirmation screen in FIG. 6 corresponds to the related content for the live streaming content described on the reservation confirmation screen in FIG. 5. The related content is confirmed by referring to a database managed by the karaoke device 2 or the like based on the content ID.

[0053] If related content has not been set (S105: No), the content ID and valid usage period specified by the content specification process are written as history information into the history management table (S106).On the other hand, if related content has been set (S105: Yes), the content ID, valid usage period, and related content ID (content ID of the related content) specified by the content specification process are written as history information into the history management table (S107).

[0054] 9 is a diagram showing a history management table configured with history information according to this embodiment. Each piece of history information according to this embodiment is configured with a content ID, a valid usage period, and a related content ID, and is managed in chronological order in the history management table. In each piece of history information, a "-" indicates that no information has been written for that item.

[0055] For example, for "song a," the valid usage period and related content ID are not written. For "song b," the valid usage period is written, but the related content ID is not written. For "live streaming content f," the valid usage period and related content ID are written. For "live streaming content g," the valid usage period is written, but the related content ID is not written.

[0056] Next, we will explain the history display process and history instruction process, which are forms of using the history information created in the history writing process. The history display process and history instruction process are processes performed based on the history information, and in particular, in this embodiment, it is possible to re-reserve various content, such as songs, that have been reserved in the past. For example, a user who uses a karaoke store can make a reservation by referring not only to reservations made by the user himself / herself, but also to reservations made by other users who have visited the karaoke store in the past.

[0057] In addition, as in the karaoke system of this embodiment, not only the history information of the karaoke function but also various contents using the application function can be reserved using past history, so that the user can grasp not only trends in karaoke songs but also trends in applications and content that can be designated by the applications.

[0058] In this embodiment, the top screen of the remote control device 1 shown in Fig. 2 has a first history button 111a displayed in a first display field 111 and a second history button 113a displayed in a karaoke song selection field 113 in a second display field 112. By operating the first history button 111a or the second history button 113a, the user can display a history selection screen and check and select content that has been selected in the past.

[0059] 8 is a flow diagram showing the history display process and the history instruction process according to this embodiment. The history display process and the history instruction process are configured to include a history display process and a history instruction process.

[0060] The history display process displays, in different formats, history related to content whose valid usage period has not yet expired and history related to content whose valid usage period has expired, at least for history related to the playback of content whose valid usage period has been set. Note that in this embodiment, content whose valid usage period has not yet expired can also be used, and in the history display process, such content whose valid usage period has not yet expired is displayed in the same display format as history related to content whose valid usage period has not yet expired.

[0061] The history instruction process is a process that enables the user to specify a content for which the user has performed an operation instruction from the history related to the playback of the content displayed by the history display process.

[0062] The history display process and the history instruction process are started by operating the first history button 111a or the second history button 113a (the first history button 111a and the second history button 113a are collectively referred to as "history buttons") on the remote control device 1. The history display process and the history instruction process may be performed not only by the remote control device 1, but also by an operation using the touch panel monitor 33 of the karaoke device 2, or by a remote control program executed on a mobile terminal carried by the user.

[0063] When the history button is operated (S201: Yes), the remote control device 1 acquires one piece of history information written in the history management table from the karaoke device 2 (S202). In this embodiment, the remote control device 1 receives the history information from the karaoke device 2 using the wireless LAN communication unit 16, and displays the history information.

[0064] Then, it is determined whether the acquired history information has expired based on the valid usage period (S203). In this determination, it is determined whether the history information has expired based on the valid usage period and the current date and time measured by the remote control device 1. Note that history information that does not have a valid usage period is determined not to have expired.

[0065] If the result of the determination is that the information has not expired (S203: Yes), the acquired history information is set to be displayed (S206). On the other hand, if the information has expired (S203: Yes), it is determined whether or not there is a related content ID in the history information (S204). If there is a related content ID (S204: Yes), the related content corresponding to the related content ID is set to be displayed (S206). On the other hand, if there is no related content ID (S204: No), the history information is set to be hidden (S205).

[0066] The processes of S202 to S207 are repeatedly executed until the amount of history information to be displayed is one page's worth (eight in this embodiment). When the amount of history information to be displayed is one page's worth (S208: Yes), the remote control device 1 displays one page's worth of history information on the history selection screen (S209). Note that, although one piece of history information is acquired in this embodiment (S202), multiple pieces of history information may be acquired, and the processes of S203 to S207 may be performed for each piece of history information to display the history information.

[0067] FIG. 11 shows a history selection screen according to this embodiment. On the history confirmation screen, multiple history selection buttons 130 are displayed based on the history information. The history selection screen shown in FIG. 11 is a screen formed based on the history information written in the history management table of FIG. 9, and is the screen as of (A) 2022 / 03 / 29 20:00. In FIG. 10(A), the content IDs and related content IDs to be displayed for the history information written in the history management table of FIG. 9 are shaded. Note that history information without a shaded area is not to be displayed.

[0068] As can be seen from Figure 10(A), for history information for which no valid usage period is set, the content corresponding to the content ID will be displayed. For history information for which a valid usage period is set, if the valid usage period has not expired (live distribution content f), the content corresponding to the content ID will be displayed. On the other hand, if the valid usage period has expired and a related content ID has been set (live distribution content i), the related content (archive content i) corresponding to the related content ID will be displayed. And if a related content ID has not been set (live distribution content g), the content will not be displayed.

[0069] In this way, based on the history display process, history selection buttons 130 are displayed for the content to be displayed or related content, as shown in Fig. 11. Type 130a, such as "Karaoke," "Live," or "Video," content name 130b, and artist name 130c are displayed on history selection buttons 130. The various information displayed on these history selection buttons 130 is displayed by referring to a database stored in remote control device 1 or karaoke device 2, based on the song ID (content ID) included in the history information.

[0070] The history selection screen shown in Fig. 12 is a screen formed based on the history information written in the history management table of Fig. 9, and is the screen as of (B) 2022 / 03 / 31 20:00. Fig. 10(B) shows the content IDs and related content IDs to be displayed for the history information written in the history management table of Fig. 9, with diagonal lines drawn through them.

[0071] As can be seen by comparing with Figure 10(A), two days later, at 20:00 on March 31, 2022, the valid usage period for "live streaming content f" has expired, so the "archive content f" corresponding to the related content ID has been changed to the display target. Also, "song b" and "video content l" have expired, so they are no longer displayed.

[0072] Page change buttons 129a and 129b are displayed on the history selection screen shown in Fig. 11 or 12. When the user operates and instructs the page change buttons 129a and 129b (S211: Yes), the processes of S202 to S209 are executed, whereby the history selection button 130 can be switched to the previous page or the next page.

[0073] On the other hand, if any of the history selection buttons 130 is operated on the history selection screen (S210: Yes), a reservation confirmation screen (FIGS. 4 to 6) corresponding to the selected history selection button 130 is displayed (S212). The user can use the reservation confirmation screen to specify content.

[0074] The history selection screen of this embodiment is provided with a check box 125, which allows the history selection button 130 to be displayed only for karaoke content (music pieces).

[0075] The karaoke system according to this embodiment has been described above, but various modifications will be described below.

[0076] [First Modification] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a history selection screen according to another embodiment. In the history selection screens of Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, content that has exceeded its valid usage period is hidden or related content is displayed. In the history selection screen shown in Fig. 13, a form is adopted in which history selection buttons 130 are displayed based on the content ID in the history information, and the history selection buttons 130 that displayed the hidden history information or related content on the history selection screens of Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 are displayed in a different form.

[0077] The history selection screen in Fig. 13 is an example that uses the same history information as the history selection screen in Fig. 12. For example, in Fig. 12, the history selection button 130 that previously displayed "archived content f" as related content now displays "live distribution content f." At this time, the presence of related content is indicated by displaying vertical lines in the background of the history selection button 130. When an operation instruction is given to the history selection button 130 with this vertical line background, a reservation confirmation screen for the related content "archived content f" is displayed.

[0078] When a history selection button 130 with a vertical line background is operated, a new button for specifying related content may be displayed instead of displaying a reservation confirmation screen. The user can confirm that the valid usage period of the content of the specified history selection button 130 has expired and that related content is recommended to replace the content. When the new button for specifying related content is selected, a reservation confirmation screen for the related content is displayed.

[0079] 12, the history selection screen displays the history selection button 130 for "video content I," which was not displayed because its valid usage period had expired. At this time, the background of the history selection button 130 is displayed with diagonal lines to indicate that the content cannot be selected. When an operation instruction is given to the history selection button 130 with a diagonal line background, the button does not respond to the operation instruction, or a message is displayed indicating that the valid usage period of the content has expired.

[0080] In this way, instead of the display mode of not displaying or displaying related content as in the above-described embodiment, various display modes can be adopted on the history selection screen.

[0081] [Third Modification] In the history selection process in the above-described embodiment, the remote control device 1 acquires history information from the karaoke device 2. Alternatively, the remote control device 1 may store history information in a history management table in the memory 14 serving as a storage unit. In this case, by including the valid use period in the history information, it becomes possible to quickly make a determination based on the valid use period.

[0082] [Fourth Variation] In the above-described embodiment, the history writing process for creating history information in the history management table is performed when the karaoke device 2 receives reservation information, i.e., when an instruction regarding content is issued. However, the history information can be created not only in this manner but also in various other manners as described below.

[0083] History information is formed when the reserved content, such as a karaoke song, is played on the karaoke device 2, or at any suitable time from the start to the end of playback. In this way, the condition may be that an instruction regarding the content has been executed on the karaoke device 2.

[0084] According to this configuration, the condition for forming history information is that content such as karaoke music has actually been played, so it is possible to exclude from the history information any content that has been reserved but not played due to cancellation or the like.

[0085] [Fifth Variation] In the above-described embodiment, the history information is stored and managed in the hard disk 32 serving as a storage unit of the karaoke device 2. When the remote control device 1 displays the history selection screen, it is necessary to read out the history information written in the history management table from the karaoke device 2. Alternatively, the history information in the history management table may be managed by the remote control device 1. In this case, the history information in the history management table is stored and managed in the memory 14 serving as a storage unit of the remote control device 1.

[0086] In such a case, when multiple remote control devices 1 are used in association with the karaoke device 2, it is conceivable that the history information will differ between the remote control devices 1. For this reason, the multiple remote control devices 1 may execute an integration process to integrate the history information that has been created. By executing the integration process, the history of content related to songs and apps that have been instructed to be operated by the other remote control devices 1 is integrated, and it becomes possible to display the same history selection screen on each remote control device 1.

[0087] The integration process may not only be performed between multiple remote control devices 1, but may also integrate history information formed based on the operation of the touch panel monitor 33 of the karaoke device 2, or history information formed based on the operation of a mobile terminal carried by the user.

[0088] [Sixth Modification] In the history selection screen of the above-described embodiment, regardless of the type of content, the history selection button 130 is displayed, and by selecting the check box 125, the display is narrowed down to karaoke content.

[0089] The top screen illustrated in FIG. 2 has a second history button 113a located in the karaoke song selection field 113. Operations within the karaoke song selection field 113 are likely to be operations related to karaoke song selection. Therefore, when the second history button 113a is operated, the check box 125 on the history selection screen may be selected, i.e., the history selection button 130 limited to karaoke content may be displayed. On the other hand, when the first history button 111a is operated, the check box 125 is not selected, i.e., the history selection button 130 for the history information of all content, not just karaoke, may be displayed.

[0090] In this way, when the second history button 113a is operated, only karaoke content is displayed, thereby improving operability for users who are likely to be operating karaoke. Note that in addition to the form in which the history selection button 130 is displayed only for karaoke content like the second history button 113a, a history button that displays the history selection button 130 limited to content such as live performances and videos may be provided in an appropriate location.

[0091] [Seventh Variation] In the above-described embodiment, as explained in Fig. 9, the history information includes a content ID, a valid usage period, and a related content ID. The history information may not only be in this form, but may also include at least a content ID. For example, when displaying the history information in the history display process, it is possible to refer to a database stored in the karaoke device 2 or the like based on the content ID, obtain the valid usage period and related content ID, and perform a display similar to that of the above-described embodiment.

[0092] The above describes the karaoke system and remote control device 1 of this embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this form, and a program executed on the remote control device 1, or a program executed on a mobile terminal carried by a user and realizing functions similar to those of the remote control device 1, also falls within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1: Remote control device 35: Display unit 2: Karaoke equipment 41: Monitor 6: Server device 42: Speaker 11: Touch panel monitor 43a: Microphone 11a: Display unit 43b: Microphone 11b: Touch panel 111: First display column 12: Video RAM 111a: 1st history button 13: Video control section 112: Second display section 14: Memory 113: Karaoke song selection field 15: CPU 113a: Second history button 16: Wireless LAN communication unit 114: App selection screen transition button 17: Operation unit 114a to 114e: Application selection buttons 18: Operation processing unit 115a to 115d: Video selection buttons 21: Operation section 116: Song details display section 22: Operation processing section 117: Key setting section 24a: LAN communication unit 118: Button 24b: Wireless LAN communication unit 119: Reservation button 25: Sound control section 123: Content details display section 27: Memory 125: Checkbox 28: Video RAM 129a, 120b: Page change buttons 29: Video playback section 130: History selection button 30:CPU 130a:Type 31: Video control unit 130b: Content name 32: Hard disk 130c: Artist name 33: Touch panel monitor 140: Access point 34: Touch panel

Claims

1. A remote control device capable of instructing a karaoke device, The karaoke machine plays the content that can be played within the valid usage period, the remote control device is capable of executing a content instruction process and a history display process; The content instruction process transmits an instruction regarding the content to be played by the karaoke device to the karaoke device based on an operation instruction from the user; The history display process is a display process for instructing to play again content that has been instructed to be played, or content that has started to be played or has completed playing. In the history of content that has a valid usage period, if the valid usage period has not expired, a button for instructing to play the content is displayed. If the valid usage period has expired and a related content ID has been set, a button for instructing to play the related content corresponding to the related content ID is displayed. Remote control device.

2. A remote control program that is executed by an information processing device and can instruct a karaoke device, The karaoke machine plays the content that can be played within the valid usage period, the remote control device is capable of executing a content instruction process and a history display process; The content instruction process transmits an instruction regarding the content to be played by the karaoke device to the karaoke device based on an operation instruction from the user; The history display process is a display process for instructing to play again content that has been instructed to be played, or content that has started to be played or has completed playing. In the history of content that has a valid usage period, if the valid usage period has not expired, a button for instructing to play the content is displayed. If the valid usage period has expired and a related content ID has been set, a button for instructing to play the related content corresponding to the related content ID is displayed. Remote control program.

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