Server device

Abstract

To provide a server device capable of executing content in which a karaoke performance function and a car navigation function are combined.SOLUTION: A server device includes: a first acquisition unit that acquires song identification information, singing voice data, a movement route, and terminal identification information; a setting unit that sets the acquired terminal identification information as terminal identification information of one in-vehicle terminal; a second acquisition unit that acquires location information and the terminal identification information from the one in-vehicle terminal, and acquires a movement route, location information, and terminal identification information from another in-vehicle terminal; an update unit that updates terminal identification information of another in-vehicle terminal which is located within a predetermined range with respect to the current location of the one in-vehicle terminal, and for which a first route overlaps with at least part of a second route, as the terminal identification information of the one in-vehicle terminal; and a distribution unit that distributes karaoke performance data and the singing voice data corresponding to the acquired song identification information to the one in-vehicle terminal when it is determined that a vehicle equipped with the one in-vehicle terminal has arrived at a destination included in the acquired movement route.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a server device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, it has become possible to use a variety of services by installing dedicated application software on mobile devices such as smartphones.

[0003] For example, there are karaoke applications that allow users to use services similar to those of karaoke machines, such as playing back karaoke performance sounds on a mobile terminal, recording the singing voice associated with karaoke singing, and recording the singer (see Non-Patent Document 1). There are also car navigation applications that allow users to use services similar to those of car navigation devices, such as setting vehicle routes and providing road guidance (see Non-Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] Karaoke@DAM fоr smartphone, [searched July 24, 2022], Internet<URL:https: / / www.clubdam.com / spkdam / > [Non-patent document 2] Yahoo! Car Navigation, [Searched on July 24, 2022], Internet<URL:https: / / carnavi.yahoo.co.jp / promo / > Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a novel server device that can execute content that combines a karaoke performance function and a car navigation function. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One invention for achieving the above object is a server device communicably connected to an in-vehicle terminal mounted on a vehicle, the server device comprising: a first acquisition unit that acquires, from an in-vehicle terminal operated by a user, song identification information of a song for which karaoke performance has been performed using a karaoke performance function, singing voice data corresponding to the singing voice of the user singing karaoke, a vehicle travel route including a destination set using a car navigation function, and terminal identification information of the in-vehicle terminal; a setting unit that sets the acquired terminal identification information of the in-vehicle terminal as the terminal identification information of another in-vehicle terminal; and a setting unit that acquires, from the in-vehicle terminal, location information indicating a current location of the in-vehicle terminal and the terminal identification information of the in-vehicle terminal, and acquires, from another in-vehicle terminal, the vehicle travel route including a destination set using the car navigation function and location information indicating the current location of the other in-vehicle terminal. a second acquisition unit that acquires information on the first in-vehicle terminal and terminal identification information of the other in-vehicle terminal; an update unit that updates the terminal identification information of the first in-vehicle terminal with the terminal identification information of the other in-vehicle terminal that is located within a predetermined range of the current location of the first in-vehicle terminal, and that overlaps at least a part of a first route from the current location of the first in-vehicle terminal to a destination included in the travel route acquired from the one in-vehicle terminal and a second route from the current location of the other in-vehicle terminal to a destination included in the travel route acquired from the other in-vehicle terminal; and a distribution unit that distributes karaoke performance data and singing voice data corresponding to the song identification information acquired from the one in-vehicle terminal to the one in-vehicle terminal when it is determined that a vehicle equipped with the first in-vehicle terminal has arrived at the destination included in the travel route acquired from the one in-vehicle terminal. Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to execute content that combines karaoke performance functions and car navigation functions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1]1 is a diagram showing a karaoke system according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a server device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a server device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a travel route according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a travel route according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a travel route according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a travel route according to Modification 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] <Embodiment> A karaoke system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0010] ==Karaoke System== The karaoke system includes an in-vehicle terminal and a server device.

[0011] An in-vehicle terminal is a terminal installed in a vehicle. The in-vehicle terminal may be a smartphone or tablet terminal owned by the user, or a dedicated computer pre-installed in the vehicle. The user may be a vehicle driver, passenger, or other person who uses hitchhiking content (described below). The in-vehicle terminal is assigned terminal identification information. The terminal identification information is information unique to each in-vehicle terminal, such as a terminal ID for identifying the in-vehicle terminal. The in-vehicle terminal has functions that are available in general smartphones, such as a GPS function and a music player function. The in-vehicle terminal also has means that are available in general smartphones, such as a display means such as a display, a sound collection means such as a microphone, a sound emission means such as a speaker, and a photographing means such as a camera.

[0012] In this embodiment, the in-vehicle terminal is installed with dedicated application software (hereinafter referred to as "content application") for using hitchhiking content that combines a karaoke performance function and a car navigation function. The karaoke performance function is a function that executes karaoke performance on the in-vehicle terminal. The car navigation function is a function that sets a travel route from the current location to a destination on the in-vehicle terminal and assists driving along the travel route. The hitchhiking content is content that causes singing voice data to perform a pseudo-hitchhiking (details will be described later). The content application can be obtained by downloading it from a specified website.

[0013] The server device is a computer that manages and processes various types of information. The server device is communicably connected to the in-vehicle terminal via a network such as a public telephone network or the Internet. By starting a content application on the in-vehicle terminal, the in-vehicle terminal and the server device are communicably connected to each other.

[0014] The server device S according to this embodiment executes hitchhiking content (details will be described later).

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the karaoke system 1 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of vehicle-mounted terminals (only vehicle-mounted terminals M1, M2, and M3 are shown in FIG. 1) and a server device S. The vehicle-mounted terminal M1 is operated by a driver D1, the vehicle-mounted terminal M2 is operated by a driver D2, and the vehicle-mounted terminal M3 is operated by a driver D3. The vehicle-mounted terminal M1 is mounted in a vehicle C1, the vehicle-mounted terminal M2 is mounted in a vehicle C2, and the vehicle-mounted terminal M3 is mounted in a vehicle C3. A content application is installed in each vehicle-mounted terminal.

[0016] ==Server Device== 2, the server device S includes a storage means 10, a communication means 20, and a control means 30. Each component is connected to a bus B via an interface (not shown).

[0017] [Storage means] The storage means 10 is a storage device that stores various types of data.

[0018] The storage means 10 stores karaoke performance data for each song. The karaoke performance data is data for performing karaoke (i.e., data that is the source of karaoke performance sounds). The karaoke performance data is in a format that can be played using the music player function or content application of the in-car terminal. The karaoke performance data is assigned song identification information. The song identification information is information unique to each song, such as a song ID for identifying the song.

[0019] [Means of communication] The communication means 20 provides an interface for communicating with each vehicle-mounted terminal.

[0020] [Control means] The control means 30 performs various controls in the server device S. The control means 30 includes a CPU and a memory (neither of which are shown). The CPU executes programs stored in the memory to realize various functions.

[0021] In this embodiment, the CPU executes the hitchhiking content program, and the control means 30 functions as a first acquisition unit 100, a setting unit 200, a second acquisition unit 300, an update unit 400, and a distribution unit 500.

[0022] (First Acquisition Section) The first acquisition unit 100 acquires, from an in-vehicle terminal operated by a user, song identification information of a song that has been performed as karaoke using the karaoke performance function, singing voice data corresponding to the singing voice accompanying the karaoke singing of the user, a travel route including a destination set using the car navigation function, and terminal identification information of the in-vehicle terminal.

[0023] A user who wishes to use hitchhiking content gets into a vehicle and then operates an in-vehicle terminal to start up a content application.

[0024] A user selects a destination to travel to in a vehicle using a navigation function provided by a content application. An in-vehicle terminal sets an optimal travel route from the current location (starting point) obtained using a GPS function to the selected destination. The in-vehicle terminal stores the set travel route in a storage means (not shown) provided in the in-vehicle terminal. The travel route includes location information indicating the location of the destination. As the vehicle moves, the in-vehicle terminal performs navigation to the destination based on the set travel route. Setting and navigation of the optimal travel route can utilize technology implemented in known navigation systems.

[0025] While traveling to a destination, a user operates an in-vehicle terminal to select a song to sing. The in-vehicle terminal then associates the song identification information of the selected song with its own terminal identification information and transmits it to server device S.

[0026] The server device S reads out karaoke performance data corresponding to the received song identification information from the storage means 10 and transmits it to a certain in-vehicle terminal. The certain in-vehicle terminal performs karaoke based on the received karaoke performance data using the karaoke performance function provided by the content application. The karaoke performance sound is emitted from the sound emission means of the certain in-vehicle terminal (or sound emission means such as speakers provided in the vehicle). A certain user sings karaoke using the sound collection means of the certain in-vehicle terminal (or sound collection means such as a headset attached to the in-vehicle terminal). The certain in-vehicle terminal associates singing voice data corresponding to the singing voice accompanying the certain user's karaoke singing with the song identification information and stores it in storage means (not shown) provided in the certain in-vehicle terminal.

[0027] Thereafter, a user operates a certain in-vehicle terminal and selects "Hitchhiking mode" on the display means. The hitchhiking mode is a mode for distributing singing voice data to a certain in-vehicle terminal (described later). When the hitchhiking mode is selected, the certain in-vehicle terminal transmits to the server device S, the song identification information, singing voice data, and travel route stored in the storage means (not shown) linked with the terminal identification information.

[0028] The first acquiring section 100 stores the song identification information, singing voice data, travel route, and terminal identification information received from a certain in-vehicle terminal in a singing voice table of the storage means 10.

[0029] (Settings section) The setting unit 200 sets the acquired terminal identification information of a certain in-vehicle terminal as the terminal identification information of the in-vehicle terminal.

[0030] One vehicle-mounted terminal is a terminal that receives the karaoke performance data and singing voice data corresponding to the music piece identification information received from another vehicle-mounted terminal.

[0031] When the first acquisition unit 100 acquires song identification information, singing voice data, travel route, and terminal identification information from a certain in-vehicle terminal, the setting unit 200 sets the terminal identification information as the terminal identification information of the certain in-vehicle terminal by storing the terminal identification information in the terminal ID table of the storage means 10. In this way, when the use of the hitchhiking content starts, the terminal identification information of the certain in-vehicle terminal becomes the terminal identification information of the certain in-vehicle terminal.

[0032] (Second Acquisition Section) The second acquisition unit 300 acquires, from one in-vehicle terminal, location information indicating the current location of the in-vehicle terminal and terminal identification information of the in-vehicle terminal, and acquires, from another in-vehicle terminal, the vehicle's travel route including the destination set using the car navigation function, location information indicating the current location of the other in-vehicle terminal, and terminal identification information of the other in-vehicle terminal.

[0033] The in-vehicle terminal that has started the content application uses the GPS function to acquire its current location at a predetermined interval, which is set in advance, for example, every 5 seconds.

[0034] The one in-vehicle terminal transmits the location information acquired using the GPS function to the server device S, linking it with the terminal identification information. The second acquisition unit 300 stores the location information and terminal identification information received from the one in-vehicle terminal together with the travel route in the location information table of the storage means 10. The second acquisition unit 300 updates the location information stored in the location information table every time it acquires location information from the one in-vehicle terminal. Note that the travel route stored at the start of use of the hitchhiking content is the travel route acquired from a certain in-vehicle terminal (the travel route stored in the singing voice table). On the other hand, when the terminal identification information of the one in-vehicle terminal is updated (described later), the travel route stored becomes the travel route acquired from the other updated in-vehicle terminal.

[0035] The other vehicle-mounted terminals are terminals other than the vehicle-mounted terminal that transmitted the song identification information, singing voice data, travel route, and terminal identification information to the server device S. The other vehicle-mounted terminals are operated by other users.

[0036] Other users who wish to use the hitchhiking content get into the vehicle and then operate other in-vehicle terminals to start up the content application.

[0037] The other user selects a destination to travel to in the vehicle using the navigation function provided by the content application. The other in-vehicle terminal sets the optimal travel route from the current location (starting point) acquired using the GPS function to the selected destination. The other in-vehicle terminal stores the set travel route in a storage means (not shown) provided in the other in-vehicle terminal.

[0038] Thereafter, the other user operates the other in-vehicle terminal and selects "singing voice data reception mode" on the display means. The singing voice data reception mode is a mode for receiving the distribution of singing voice data acquired from a certain in-vehicle terminal. When the singing voice data reception mode is selected, the other in-vehicle terminal transmits the travel route stored in the storage means (not shown) and the location information indicating the current location acquired using the GPS function to the server device S, linking it with the terminal identification information.

[0039] The second acquisition unit 300 stores the travel route, location information, and terminal identification information received from the other in-vehicle terminal in the location information table of the storage means 10. Every time the second acquisition unit 300 acquires location information from the other in-vehicle terminal, it updates the location information stored in the location information table.

[0040] (Update section) The update unit 400 updates the terminal identification information of another on-board terminal that is located within a predetermined range of the current location of the one on-board terminal and whose first route overlaps with at least a portion of the second route as the terminal identification information of the one on-board terminal.

[0041] The predetermined range is a criterion for determining the positional relationship between one in-vehicle terminal and another in-vehicle terminal. The predetermined range is set in advance as a criterion, such as "a radius of 100 m centered on the current location of one in-vehicle terminal." The first route is a route from the current location of one in-vehicle terminal to a destination included in a travel route acquired from a certain in-vehicle terminal. The second route is a route from the current location of another in-vehicle terminal to a destination included in a travel route acquired from another in-vehicle terminal.

[0042] When the second acquisition unit 300 acquires location information from one in-vehicle terminal, the update unit 400 compares the current location indicated by the location information with the current locations indicated by the location information of other in-vehicle terminals stored in the storage means 10, and determines whether there are other in-vehicle terminals located within a specified range of the current location of the one in-vehicle terminal.

[0043] When it is determined that there is another in-vehicle terminal (hereinafter, another in-vehicle terminal Mx) located within a predetermined range of the current location of the one in-vehicle terminal, the update unit 400 reads out a travel route acquired from the one in-vehicle terminal stored in the singing voice table, and calculates a route from the current location of the one in-vehicle terminal to a destination included in the travel route (i.e., a first route). The update unit 400 also reads out a travel route acquired from the other in-vehicle terminal Mx stored in the position information table, and calculates a route from the current location of the other in-vehicle terminal Mx to a destination included in the travel route acquired from the other in-vehicle terminal Mx (i.e., a second route). The update unit 400 determines whether at least a part of the calculated first route and second route overlap.

[0044] When it is determined that the first route and the second route overlap at least in part, the update unit 400 updates the terminal identification information stored as the terminal identification information of one in-vehicle terminal in the terminal ID table of the storage means 10 to the terminal identification information of another in-vehicle terminal Mx. That is, the terminal ID table of the storage means 10 stores, as one piece of terminal information, the terminal identification information of another in-vehicle terminal Mx that is located within a predetermined range of the current position of the one in-vehicle terminal and whose first route and second route overlap at least in part.

[0045] The update unit 400 may perform an update when the overlap between the first route and the second route is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance is a criterion for determining whether to perform an update. The predetermined distance is set to a predetermined value, such as "1 km."

[0046] (Distribution Department) When the distribution unit 500 determines that a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle terminal has arrived at a destination included in a travel route acquired from an in-vehicle terminal, it distributes karaoke performance data and singing voice data corresponding to the music identification information acquired from the in-vehicle terminal to the in-vehicle terminal.

[0047] The distribution unit 500 determines at a predetermined timing whether a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle terminal has arrived at a destination included in a travel route acquired from an in-vehicle terminal. For example, each time the second acquisition unit 300 acquires location information from an in-vehicle terminal, the distribution unit 500 calculates the distance between the current location indicated by the location information and the location of the destination included in the travel route acquired from an in-vehicle terminal. If the calculated distance is equal to or less than a certain value (for example, 500 m or less), the distribution unit 500 determines that the vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle terminal has arrived at the destination included in the travel route acquired from an in-vehicle terminal.

[0048] In this case, the distribution unit 500 reads out karaoke performance data corresponding to the song identification information acquired from a certain in-vehicle terminal from the storage means 10. The distribution unit 500 also reads out singing voice data stored in the singing voice table. The distribution unit 500 distributes the read out karaoke performance data and singing voice data to one of the in-vehicle terminals.

[0049] The in-vehicle terminal uses the karaoke function of the content application to play back the received karaoke performance data and emit the karaoke performance sound from the sound emitting means. The in-vehicle terminal also uses the karaoke function of the content application to play back the received singing voice data and emit the singing voice of a certain user from the sound emitting means. Users riding in a vehicle equipped with the in-vehicle terminal can listen to a karaoke performance of a song selected by a certain user along with the singing voice of the certain user.

[0050] It is possible that a vehicle equipped with a certain in-vehicle terminal may not pass another vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle terminal running a content application until the vehicle equipped with the certain in-vehicle terminal arrives at the destination. In other words, the terminal identification information of the certain in-vehicle terminal may remain the terminal identification information of the in-vehicle terminal that was initially set (i.e., the in-vehicle terminal that transmitted the singing voice data).

[0051] In this case, the distribution unit 500 may execute the same processing as described above to distribute karaoke performance data and singing voice data to a certain vehicle-mounted terminal, and may also distribute message data for displaying an error message (for example, "Unfortunately, your hitchhiking has failed").

[0052] A certain in-vehicle terminal can display an error message on a display means or emit a sound of the error message from a sound emitting means based on the received message data.

[0053] Alternatively, the distribution unit 500 may stop distribution of the karaoke performance data and singing voice data when the terminal identification information of one in-vehicle terminal is the terminal identification information of a certain in-vehicle terminal that was initially set.

[0054] ==About the operation of the server device== Next, a specific example of the operation of the server device S in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 6. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server device S. Figs. 4 to 6 are diagrams schematically showing a travel route R1 of a vehicle C1, a travel route R2 of a vehicle C2, and a travel route R3 of a vehicle C3. As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle C1 is equipped with an in-vehicle terminal M1 operated by a driver D1, the vehicle C2 is equipped with an in-vehicle terminal M2 operated by a driver D2, and the vehicle C3 is equipped with an in-vehicle terminal M3 operated by a driver D3. Content applications are installed in the in-vehicle terminals M1 to M3.

[0055] The first acquisition unit 100 acquires, from an in-vehicle terminal operated by a user, the song ID of a song that was performed as karaoke using the karaoke performance function, singing voice data corresponding to the singing voice accompanying the karaoke singing of the user, the vehicle's travel route including the destination set using the car navigation function, and the terminal ID of the in-vehicle terminal (acquiring the song ID, singing voice data, travel route, and terminal ID from the in-vehicle terminal; step 10).

[0056] The setting unit 200 sets the terminal ID of the in-vehicle terminal acquired in step 10 as the terminal ID of the in-vehicle terminal (setting the terminal ID of the in-vehicle terminal; step 11).

[0057] The second acquisition unit 300 acquires, from one in-vehicle terminal, location information indicating the current location of the in-vehicle terminal and the terminal ID of the in-vehicle terminal (acquiring location information and terminal ID from one in-vehicle terminal; step 12).

[0058] In addition, the second acquisition unit 300 acquires from the other in-vehicle terminal the vehicle's travel route including the destination set using the car navigation function, location information indicating the current location of the other in-vehicle terminal, and the terminal ID of the other in-vehicle terminal (acquiring the travel route, location information, and terminal ID from the other in-vehicle terminal; step 13).

[0059] The update unit 400 determines whether there are other on-board terminals located within a predetermined range from the current location of the one on-board terminal (determining whether there are other on-board terminals located within a predetermined range from the current location of the one on-board terminal; step 14).

[0060] If it is determined that there is another on-board terminal located within a predetermined range of the current location of the one on-board terminal (Y in step 15), the update unit 400 calculates a first route from the current location of the one on-board terminal to a destination included in the travel route obtained from the one on-board terminal, and a second route from the current location of the other on-board terminal to a destination included in the travel route obtained from the other on-board terminal (calculating the first route and the second route; step 16).

[0061] The update unit 400 determines whether the calculated first route and second route overlap at least partially (determine whether the first route and second route overlap; step 17).

[0062] If at least a part of the first route and the second route obtained in step 16 overlap (Y in step 18), the update unit 400 updates the terminal ID of the other in-vehicle terminal to the terminal ID of the one in-vehicle terminal (updating the terminal ID of the one in-vehicle terminal; step 19).

[0063] When it is determined that a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle terminal has arrived at a destination included in a travel route acquired from an in-vehicle terminal (Y in step 20), the distribution unit 500 distributes karaoke performance data and singing voice data corresponding to the song ID acquired from the in-vehicle terminal to the in-vehicle terminal (distributing karaoke performance data and singing voice data to the in-vehicle terminal; step 21).

[0064] Specifically, a driver D1 who wishes to use the hitchhiking content gets into a vehicle C1 and then operates an in-vehicle terminal M1 to launch the content application. The driver D1 corresponds to a "certain user," and the in-vehicle terminal M1 corresponds to a "certain in-vehicle terminal."

[0065] The driver D1 selects a destination DST1 to travel to in the vehicle C1 using a navigation function provided by the content application. The in-vehicle terminal M1 sets an optimal travel route R1 from the departure point OR1 acquired using the GPS function to the destination DST1 selected by the driver D1 (see FIG. 4). The in-vehicle terminal M1 stores the set travel route R1 in a storage means (not shown) provided in the in-vehicle terminal M1. Thereafter, the driver D1 starts driving the vehicle C1.

[0066] While traveling to destination DST1, driver D1 operates in-vehicle terminal M1 to select song X that he / she wishes to sing karaoke. The in-vehicle terminal M1 performs karaoke of song X using a karaoke performance function provided by a content application. Driver D1 sings karaoke using a headset attached to the in-vehicle terminal M1. The in-vehicle terminal M1 associates singing voice data SD corresponding to the singing voice of driver D1 singing karaoke with song ID ***X of song X, and stores the data in storage means (not shown) provided in the in-vehicle terminal M1.

[0067] Thereafter, the driver D1 operates the in-vehicle terminal M1 and selects "Hitchhiking Mode" on the display means. The in-vehicle terminal M1 associates the song ID ***X, singing voice data SD, and travel route R1 stored in a storage means (not shown) with the terminal ID ***M1 and transmits them to the server device S.

[0068] The first acquiring unit 100 stores in the singing voice table of the storage means 10 the song ID***X, the singing voice data SD, the travel route R1, and the terminal ID***M1 received from the in-vehicle terminal M1.

[0069] When the setting unit 200 acquires the song ID ***X, singing voice data SD, travel route R1, and terminal ID ***M1 from the in-vehicle terminal M1, it stores the terminal ID ***M1 in the terminal ID table of the storage means 10, thereby setting it as the terminal ID of one in-vehicle terminal m.

[0070] An in-vehicle terminal M1 corresponding to one in-vehicle terminal m associates location information indicating its current location CL1 with a terminal ID ***M1 and transmits the information to the server device S. The second acquisition unit 300 stores the location information and terminal ID ***M1 received from the in-vehicle terminal M1 together with the travel route R1 in the location information table of the storage means 10.

[0071] On the other hand, a driver D2 who wishes to use the hitchhiking content gets into a vehicle C2 and operates an in-vehicle terminal M2 to start the content application. The driver D2 corresponds to the "other user," and the in-vehicle terminal M2 corresponds to the "other in-vehicle terminal."

[0072] The driver D2 selects a destination DST2 to travel to in the vehicle C2 using a navigation function provided by the content application. The in-vehicle terminal M2 sets an optimal travel route R2 from the departure point OR2 acquired using the GPS function to the selected destination DST2 (see FIG. 4). The in-vehicle terminal M2 stores the set travel route R2 in a storage means (not shown) provided in the in-vehicle terminal M2.

[0073] Thereafter, the driver D2 operates the in-vehicle terminal M2 and selects "singing voice data reception mode" on the display means. The in-vehicle terminal M2 transmits the travel route R2 stored in the storage means (not shown) and the location information indicating the current location CL2 acquired using the GPS function to the terminal ID ***M2 and the server device S.

[0074] The second acquisition unit 300 stores the travel route R2, the location information, and the terminal ID***M2 received from the in-vehicle terminal M2 in the location information table of the storage means 10.

[0075] Similarly, a driver D3 who wishes to use the hitchhiking content gets into a vehicle C3 and then operates an in-vehicle terminal M3 to launch the content application. The driver D3 corresponds to the "other user," and the in-vehicle terminal M3 corresponds to the "other in-vehicle terminal."

[0076] The driver D3 uses the navigation function provided by the content application to select a destination DST3 to travel to in the vehicle C3. The in-vehicle terminal M3 sets an optimal travel route R3 from the departure point OR3 acquired using the GPS function to the selected destination DST3 (see FIG. 4). The in-vehicle terminal M3 stores the set travel route R3 in a storage means (not shown) provided in the in-vehicle terminal M3.

[0077] Thereafter, the driver D3 operates the in-vehicle terminal M3 and selects "singing voice data reception mode" on the display means. The in-vehicle terminal M3 transmits the travel route R3 stored in the storage means (not shown) and the location information indicating the current location CL3 acquired using the GPS function to the terminal ID ***M3 and the linked server device S.

[0078] The second acquisition unit 300 stores the travel route R3, the location information, and the terminal ID***M3 received from the in-vehicle terminal M3 in the location information table of the storage means 10.

[0079] Here, when the second acquisition unit 300 acquires new location information from the in-vehicle terminal M1, the update unit 400 compares the current location CL1 indicated by the new location information with the current location CL2 indicated by the location information of the in-vehicle terminal M2 stored in the memory means 10 and the current location CL3 indicated by the location information of the in-vehicle terminal M3, and determines whether at least one of the in-vehicle terminal M2 or the in-vehicle terminal M3 is within a predetermined range PR (for example, a radius of 100 m centered on the current location CL1 of the in-vehicle terminal M1) of the current location CL1 of the in-vehicle terminal M1.

[0080] In this example, as shown in Fig. 5, the in-vehicle terminal M2 is located within a predetermined range PR of the current location CL1 of the in-vehicle terminal M1 (i.e., the current location CL2 of the in-vehicle terminal M2 is located within the predetermined range PR). In this case, the update unit 400 reads out the travel route R1 acquired from the in-vehicle terminal M1 stored in the singing voice table, and calculates a route r1 from the current location CL1 of the in-vehicle terminal M1 to the destination DST1 included in the travel route R1. The update unit 400 also reads out the travel route R2 acquired from the in-vehicle terminal M2 stored in the position information table, and calculates a route r2 from the current location CL2 of the in-vehicle terminal M2 to the destination DST2 included in the travel route R2. The update unit 400 determines whether the calculated route r1 and route r2 at least partially overlap.

[0081] In this example, as shown in Fig. 5, the route r1 and the route r2 at least partially overlap. The update unit 400 updates the terminal ID ***M1 stored as the terminal ID of one in-vehicle terminal m in the terminal ID table of the storage means 10 to the terminal ID ***M2 of the in-vehicle terminal M2.

[0082] Thereafter, when the second acquisition unit 300 acquires new location information from the in-vehicle terminal M2, the distribution unit 500 calculates the distance between the current location CL2 indicated by the new location information and the location of the destination DTS1 included in the travel route R1 acquired from the in-vehicle terminal M1. In this example, it is assumed that the calculated distance is equal to or greater than a certain value. In this case, the distribution unit 500 determines that the vehicle C2 equipped with the in-vehicle terminal M2 has not yet arrived at the destination DST1 included in the travel route R1 acquired from the in-vehicle terminal M1.

[0083] When the terminal ID***M2 of the in-vehicle terminal M2 is set as the terminal identification information of one in-vehicle terminal m, if the second acquisition unit 300 acquires new location information from the in-vehicle terminal M2, the update unit 400 compares the current location CL2 indicated by the new location information with the current location CL3 indicated by the location information of the in-vehicle terminal M3 stored in the memory means 10, and determines whether the in-vehicle terminal M3 is within a predetermined range PR of the current location CL2 of the in-vehicle terminal M2 (for example, a radius of 100 m centered on the current location CL2 of the in-vehicle terminal M2).

[0084] In this example, as shown in Fig. 6, the in-vehicle terminal M3 is located within a predetermined range PR of the current location CL2 of the in-vehicle terminal M2 (i.e., the current location CL3 of the in-vehicle terminal M3 is located within the predetermined range PR). In this case, the update unit 400 reads the travel route R1 acquired from the in-vehicle terminal M1 stored in the singing voice table, and calculates a route r3 from the current location CL2 of the in-vehicle terminal M2 to the destination DST1 included in the travel route R1. The update unit 400 also reads the travel route R3 acquired from the in-vehicle terminal M3 stored in the position information table, and calculates a route r4 from the current location CL3 of the in-vehicle terminal M3 to the destination DST3 included in the travel route R3. The update unit 400 determines whether the calculated route r3 and route r4 at least partially overlap.

[0085] In this example, as shown in Fig. 6, route r3 and route r4 at least partially overlap. The update unit 400 updates the terminal ID ***M2 stored as the terminal ID of one in-vehicle terminal m in the terminal ID table of the storage means 10 to the terminal ID ***M3 of the in-vehicle terminal M3.

[0086] Thereafter, when the second acquisition unit 300 acquires new location information from the in-vehicle terminal M3, the distribution unit 500 calculates the distance between the current location CL3 indicated by the new location information and the location of the destination DTS1 included in the travel route R1 acquired from the in-vehicle terminal M1. In this example, it is assumed that the calculated distance is equal to or less than a certain value. In this case, the distribution unit 500 determines that the vehicle C3 equipped with the in-vehicle terminal M3 has arrived at the destination DST1 included in the travel route R1 acquired from the in-vehicle terminal M1.

[0087] Based on the song ID ***X acquired from the in-vehicle terminal M1, the distribution unit 500 reads out the karaoke performance data of the song X corresponding to the song ID from the storage means 10. The distribution unit 500 also reads out the singing voice data SD stored in the singing voice table. The distribution unit 500 distributes the read out karaoke performance data and singing voice data SD of the song X to the in-vehicle terminal M3.

[0088] The in-vehicle terminal M3 uses the karaoke function of the content application to play the received karaoke performance data of the song X and emit the karaoke performance sound from the sound emitting means. The in-vehicle terminal M3 also uses the karaoke function of the content application to play the received singing voice data SD and emit the singing voice of the driver D1 from the sound emitting means. The driver D3 of the vehicle C3 equipped with the in-vehicle terminal M3 can listen to the karaoke performance of the song X selected by the driver D1 along with the singing voice of the driver D1.

[0089] As is clear from the above, the server device S according to this embodiment is communicably connected to an in-vehicle terminal mounted on a vehicle. The server device S includes a first acquisition unit 100 that acquires, from an in-vehicle terminal operated by a user, song identification information of a song for which karaoke performance has been performed using a karaoke performance function, singing voice data corresponding to the singing voice of the user singing karaoke, a vehicle travel route including a destination set using a car navigation function, and terminal identification information of the in-vehicle terminal, a setting unit 200 that sets the acquired terminal identification information of the in-vehicle terminal as the terminal identification information of one in-vehicle terminal, and a setting unit 201 that acquires, from one in-vehicle terminal, location information indicating the current location of the in-vehicle terminal and the terminal identification information of the in-vehicle terminal, and acquires, from another in-vehicle terminal, the vehicle travel route including a destination set using the car navigation function, location information indicating the current location of the other in-vehicle terminal, and terminal identification information of the other in-vehicle terminal. The device includes a second acquisition unit (300) that acquires identification information, an update unit (400) that updates the terminal identification information of another in-vehicle terminal that is located within a predetermined range of the current location of the one in-vehicle terminal, and that overlaps at least a part of a first route from the current location of the one in-vehicle terminal to a destination included in the travel route acquired from the one in-vehicle terminal and a second route from the current location of the other in-vehicle terminal to a destination included in the travel route acquired from the other in-vehicle terminal, as the terminal identification information of the one in-vehicle terminal, and a distribution unit (500) that distributes karaoke performance data and singing voice data corresponding to the song identification information received from the one in-vehicle terminal to the one in-vehicle terminal when it is determined that a vehicle equipped with the one in-vehicle terminal has arrived at the destination included in the travel route acquired from the one in-vehicle terminal.

[0090] When there is another in-vehicle terminal located within a predetermined range of the current location of the in-vehicle terminal, such as when a vehicle equipped with a certain in-vehicle terminal and a vehicle equipped with another in-vehicle terminal are traveling side by side or when the vehicles are stopped nearby, and when at least a portion of the calculated first route and second route overlap, the server device S updates the terminal identification information of the other in-vehicle terminal with the terminal identification information of the in-vehicle terminal. Thereafter, when the server device S determines that the vehicle equipped with the in-vehicle terminal has arrived at a destination included in the travel route acquired from the in-vehicle terminal, the server device S distributes karaoke performance data and singing voice data corresponding to the music identification information received from the in-vehicle terminal to the in-vehicle terminal. In this way, by updating the terminal identification information of the in-vehicle terminal and successively changing the in-vehicle terminal to which the singing voice data is distributed, the server device S can provide new content in which singing voice data simulates hitchhiking. In other words, the server device S according to this embodiment can execute content that combines karaoke performance functions and car navigation functions.

[0091] <Variation 1> In the example embodiment, there may be a case where a plurality of other in-vehicle terminals are located within a predetermined range of the current location of one in-vehicle terminal. In this case, the update unit 400 can update the terminal identification information of the other in-vehicle terminal that has the most overlap between the first route and the second route as the terminal identification information of the one in-vehicle terminal.

[0092] For example, as described in the embodiment, when the second acquisition unit 300 acquires new location information from the vehicle-mounted terminal M1, the update unit 400 compares the current location CL1 indicated by the new location information with the current location CL2 indicated by the location information of the vehicle-mounted terminal M2 stored in the memory means 10 and the current location CL3 indicated by the location information of the vehicle-mounted terminal M3, and determines whether at least one of the vehicle-mounted terminal M2 or the vehicle-mounted terminal M3 is within a predetermined range PR (for example, a radius of 100 m centered on the current location CL1 of the vehicle-mounted terminal M1) of the current location CL1 of the vehicle-mounted terminal M1.

[0093] Here, as shown in Fig. 7, it is assumed that on-board terminals M2 and M3 are within a predetermined range PR of the current location CL1 of on-board terminal M1 (see Fig. 7). In this case, the update unit 400 performs the same processing as in the embodiment to calculate a route r5 corresponding to the first route and a route r6 corresponding to the second route, and calculates the distance OLD1 of the overlapping portion. Furthermore, the update unit 400 performs the same processing as in the embodiment to calculate a route r7 corresponding to the second route, and calculates the distance OLD2 of the overlapping portion with route r5.

[0094] The update unit 400 compares the distance OLD1 with the distance OLD2, and identifies the in-vehicle terminal M3 based on the distance OLD2 that has the greater overlap. The update unit 400 updates the terminal ID ***M3 of the in-vehicle terminal M3 to the terminal ID of one in-vehicle terminal.

[0095] In addition, if there are three or more other on-board terminals located within a specified range of the current location of one on-board terminal, the update unit 400 identifies one other on-board terminal that has the most overlap between the first route and the second route, and updates its terminal identification information as the terminal identification information of the one on-board terminal.

[0096] As is clear from the above, when there are multiple other on-board terminals located within a predetermined range of the current location of one on-board terminal, the update unit 400 of the server device S according to this modification updates the terminal identification information of the other on-board terminal that has the most overlap between the first route and the second route as the terminal identification information of the one on-board terminal. With such a server device S, it is possible to update the terminal identification information of one on-board terminal even when multiple other on-board terminals are located within a predetermined range of the current location of the one on-board terminal.

[0097] <Variation 2> The distribution unit 500 may distribute the karaoke performance data and singing voice data to one vehicle-mounted terminal only when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0098] Specifically, the distribution unit 500 can distribute karaoke performance data, etc. only if the singing history of a user operating an in-vehicle terminal includes a song corresponding to song identification information obtained from a certain in-vehicle terminal.

[0099] The singing history includes various information obtained when the user has previously sung karaoke using a karaoke device, etc. The various information includes, for example, the name of the song sung, the singer's name, song identification information, scoring results, and the date and time of singing. The singing history is stored, for example, in the storage means 10 of the server device S. The singing history is linked to user identification information. The user identification information is information unique to each user, such as a user ID for identifying the user.

[0100] For example, as described in the embodiment, it is assumed that the distribution unit 500 determines that the vehicle C3 equipped with the on-board terminal M3 has arrived at the destination DST1 included in the travel route R1 acquired from the on-board terminal M1.

[0101] In this case, the distribution unit 500 according to this modification reads out the singing history of the driver D3 from the storage means 10 based on the user ID of the driver D3 who operates the in-vehicle terminal M3.

[0102] The distribution unit 500 checks whether the read singing history includes song X corresponding to song ID ***X.

[0103] If the song X is included, the distribution unit 500 reads out the karaoke performance data of the song X corresponding to the song ID from the storage means 10 based on the song ID ***X acquired from the in-vehicle terminal M1. The distribution unit 500 also reads out the singing voice data SD stored in the singing voice table. The distribution unit 500 distributes the read karaoke performance data and singing voice data SD of the song X to the in-vehicle terminal M3.

[0104] On the other hand, if the song X is not included, the distribution unit 500 does not read out the karaoke performance data of the song X.

[0105] As is clear from the above, when the singing history of a user operating an in-vehicle terminal includes a song corresponding to song identification information acquired from the in-vehicle terminal, the distribution unit 500 of the server device S according to this modification can distribute karaoke performance data and singing voice data based on the song identification information. The songs included in the singing history are likely to be songs the user knows. In other words, the server device S according to this modification can distribute only karaoke performance data of songs that the user operating the in-vehicle terminal is likely to know.

[0106] <Variation 3> The distribution unit 500 can distribute singing voice data received from one in-vehicle terminal to which karaoke performance data and singing voice data have been distributed, to another in-vehicle terminal.

[0107] For example, as described in the embodiment, the distribution unit 500 determines that the vehicle C3 equipped with the in-vehicle terminal M3 has arrived at the destination DST1 included in the travel route R1 acquired from the in-vehicle terminal M1, and distributes the karaoke performance data and singing voice data SD of the song X to the in-vehicle terminal M3.

[0108] The in-vehicle terminal M3 uses the karaoke function of the content application to play the received karaoke performance data of the song X and emit the karaoke performance sound from the sound emitting means. Also, the in-vehicle terminal M3 uses the karaoke function of the content application to play the received singing voice data SD and emit the singing voice of the driver D1 from the sound emitting means.

[0109] Here, the driver D3 of the vehicle C3 equipped with the in-vehicle terminal M3 sings karaoke along with the karaoke performance of the song X selected by the driver D1 and the singing voice of the driver D1. In this case, the in-vehicle terminal M3 transmits singing voice data SD1 corresponding to the singing voice of the driver D3 singing karaoke to the server device S.

[0110] The distribution unit 500 distributes the received singing voice data SD1 to the in-vehicle terminal M1. The in-vehicle terminal M1 uses the karaoke function of the content application to play back the karaoke performance data of the song X, the singing voice data SD corresponding to the singing voice of the driver D1 singing karaoke, and the received singing voice data SD1, and causes the sound emitting means to emit the karaoke performance sound, the singing voice of the driver D1, and the singing voice of the driver D3. The driver D1 of the vehicle C1 equipped with the in-vehicle terminal M1 can listen to the singing voice of the driver D3 together with his own singing voice in a duet format.

[0111] As is clear from the above, when the distribution unit 500 according to this modification receives singing voice data corresponding to the karaoke performance based on the karaoke performance data and the singing voice of the user operating the in-vehicle terminal, which is performed in accordance with the singing voice of the user based on the singing voice data, from an in-vehicle terminal that has distributed the karaoke performance data and singing voice data, the distribution unit 500 distributes the received singing voice data to the in-vehicle terminal. With this server device S, the singing voice of the user operating the in-vehicle terminal to which the singing voice data has been distributed can be previewed on the in-vehicle terminal that transmitted the singing voice data.

[0112] <Variation 4> The distribution unit 500 may distribute video data obtained by filming a user singing karaoke together with the karaoke performance data and singing voice data.

[0113] (First Acquisition Section) The first acquisition unit 100 in this modified example acquires, from an in-vehicle terminal operated by a user, song identification information of a song that has been performed as karaoke using the karaoke performance function, singing voice data corresponding to the singing voice of the user singing karaoke, video data obtained by filming the user singing the karaoke, a travel route including a destination set using the car navigation function, and terminal identification information of the in-vehicle terminal.

[0114] As described in the embodiment, a certain in-vehicle terminal performs karaoke based on the received karaoke performance data using the karaoke performance function provided by the content application. The karaoke performance sound is emitted from the sound emitting means of the certain in-vehicle terminal (or a sound emitting means such as a speaker provided in the vehicle). A certain user sings karaoke using the sound collecting means of the certain in-vehicle terminal (or a sound collecting means such as a headset attached to the in-vehicle terminal). In addition, the image capturing means of the certain in-vehicle terminal (or an image capturing means such as a camera attached to the in-vehicle terminal) captures an image of the certain user singing karaoke. The certain in-vehicle terminal associates singing voice data corresponding to the singing voice of the certain user singing karaoke and video data obtained by capturing the certain user singing karaoke with song identification information, and stores them in storage means (not shown) provided in the certain in-vehicle terminal.

[0115] Thereafter, when the hitchhiking mode is selected, a certain vehicle-mounted terminal transmits to the server device S the song identification information, singing voice data, video data, and travel route stored in a storage means (not shown) linked to the terminal identification information.

[0116] The first acquiring unit 100 stores the song identification information, singing voice data, video data, travel route, and terminal identification information received from a certain in-vehicle terminal in a singing voice table of the storage means 10.

[0117] (Distribution Department) When the distribution unit 500 in this modified example determines that a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle terminal has arrived at a destination included in a travel route obtained from an in-vehicle terminal, it distributes to the in-vehicle terminal karaoke performance data, singing audio data, and video data corresponding to the song identification information received from the in-vehicle terminal.

[0118] As described in the embodiment, when the distribution unit 500 determines that a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle terminal has arrived at a destination included in a travel route acquired from an in-vehicle terminal, the distribution unit 500 reads karaoke performance data corresponding to the song identification information from the storage means 10 based on the song identification information received from the in-vehicle terminal. The distribution unit 500 also reads singing voice data and video data stored in the singing voice table. The distribution unit 500 distributes the read karaoke performance data, singing voice data, and video data to the in-vehicle terminal.

[0119] The in-vehicle terminal uses the karaoke function of the content application to play the received karaoke performance data and emit the karaoke performance sound from the sound emitting means. The in-vehicle terminal also uses the karaoke function of the content application to play the received singing voice data and emit the singing voice of a certain user from the sound emitting means. The in-vehicle terminal also uses the karaoke function of the content application to play the received video data and display the video of a certain user singing karaoke on the display means. A user riding in a vehicle equipped with the in-vehicle terminal can listen to a karaoke performance of a song selected by the certain user along with the singing voice and video of the certain user.

[0120] <Other> The above-described embodiments are presented as examples and do not limit the scope of the invention. The above configurations can be implemented in appropriate combinations, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The above-described embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0121] 1 Karaoke system 100 First Acquisition Section 200 Settings 300 Second Acquisition Section 400 Update Department 500 Distribution Department C1~C3 vehicles M1~M3 In-vehicle terminal S Server device

Claims

1. A server device communicably connected to an in-vehicle terminal mounted on a vehicle, a first acquisition unit that acquires, from an in-vehicle terminal operated by a user, song identification information of a song performed by the user using a karaoke performance function, singing voice data corresponding to the singing voice of the user singing karaoke, a vehicle travel route including a destination set using a car navigation function, and terminal identification information of the in-vehicle terminal; a setting unit that sets the acquired terminal identification information of the certain in-vehicle terminal as terminal identification information of one in-vehicle terminal; a second acquisition unit that acquires, from the one in-vehicle terminal, location information indicating the current location of the one in-vehicle terminal and terminal identification information of the one in-vehicle terminal, and acquires, from another in-vehicle terminal, a vehicle travel route including a destination set using a car navigation function, location information indicating the current location of the other in-vehicle terminal, and terminal identification information of the other in-vehicle terminal; an updating unit that updates the terminal identification information of another on-board terminal, the other on-board terminal being located within a predetermined range of the current location of the one on-board terminal, and having at least a part of a first route from the current location of the one on-board terminal to a destination included in the travel route acquired from the one on-board terminal overlapping with a part of a second route from the current location of the other on-board terminal to a destination included in the travel route acquired from the other on-board terminal, as the terminal identification information of the one on-board terminal; a distribution unit that distributes karaoke performance data and singing voice data corresponding to the music identification information acquired from the one in-vehicle terminal to the one in-vehicle terminal when it is determined that the vehicle equipped with the one in-vehicle terminal has arrived at a destination included in the travel route acquired from the one in-vehicle terminal; A server device having the above configuration.

2. 2. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the update unit performs the update when an overlap between the first route and the second route is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance.

3. The server device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when there are multiple other on-board terminals located within a predetermined range of the current location of the one on-board terminal, the update unit updates the terminal identification information of the other on-board terminal that has the greatest overlap between the first route and the second route as the terminal identification information of the one on-board terminal.

4. The server device according to claim 1, characterized in that the distribution unit distributes karaoke performance data and singing voice data based on song identification information acquired from one of the in-vehicle terminals when the singing history of the user operating the in-vehicle terminal includes a song corresponding to the song identification information acquired from the in-vehicle terminal.

5. A server device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when the distribution unit receives singing voice data from an in-vehicle terminal that has distributed the karaoke performance data and the singing voice data corresponding to the singing voice accompanying the karaoke singing of a user operating the in-vehicle terminal, which is performed in accordance with a karaoke performance based on the karaoke performance data and the singing voice of a certain user based on the singing voice data, the distribution unit distributes the received singing voice data to the certain in-vehicle terminal.

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