JP7660989B2 - Server device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a server device.

When operating a karaoke system, the use of an artist's performance footage or a song may be suspended due to circumstances such as a scandal involving the artist who released the song (original artist) or changes to the copyright management of the song. For example, a technology has been disclosed in which a server device prohibits the karaoke device from displaying footage of an artist in response to scandal information about the artist provided to the server device from an external information providing server (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2021-124516 A

However, if a song that is to be suspended is registered in a user's favorites list, a situation may arise in which the song that cannot be played as karaoke remains in the user's favorites list.

The object of the present invention is to provide a server device that, when the use of a song registered in a favorites list is stopped, can change the stopped song in the favorites list to another song that can be substituted, thereby improving convenience for users.

The main invention for achieving the above object is a server device communicably connected to a karaoke machine, characterized in that it comprises a first storage unit that stores attribute information including a song name and an artist name for each song in association with song identification information, a second storage unit that stores a favorite list in which song identification information of favorite songs for each user is registered, an input unit that accepts input of usage suspension information for specifying a stopped song whose usage is to be suspended by the karaoke machine, and a registration unit that, when the song identification information of the stopped song is registered in the favorite list, registers in the favorite list, in place of the song identification information of the stopped song, another song identification information having at least some attribute information that is the same as the song identification information, in the favorite list.

According to the present invention, it is determined that another song having at least some of the same attribute information as the stopped song can be substituted for the stopped song, and the other song is registered in the favorites list in place of the stopped song registered in the favorites list. Therefore, even if a song in the favorites list is designated as the stopped song, the occurrence of songs that cannot be played as karaoke remaining in the favorites list is minimized. The stopped song in the favorites list can be automatically changed to another song that can be substituted, improving user convenience.

1 is a configuration diagram of a karaoke system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a server device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing operation of the server device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing operation of a server device according to the second embodiment.

First Embodiment
A karaoke system according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of the karaoke system according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of a server device according to the first embodiment. Note that, for the sake of convenience, the functional block diagram of Figure 2 shows functional blocks for realizing specific processing, but it is assumed that the server device is provided with the same configuration as a normal server device.

As shown in FIG. 1, the karaoke system 1 includes a server device 20 that is managed by a karaoke business and installed in a data center or the like, and karaoke devices 10 that are installed in karaoke stores 5 or the like. The server device 20 and the karaoke devices 10 are connected to each other via a network 8 so that they can communicate with each other. The server device 20 manages various information about songs and favorite lists in which each user's favorite songs are registered. When a user logs in to the karaoke device 10, the server device 20 applies the user's favorite list to each karaoke device 10.

The karaoke device 10 is connected to a monitor 11, a speaker 12, a microphone 13, and a remote control device 14. The monitor 11 displays lyrics captions along with background video based on a video signal from the karaoke device 10. The microphone 13 converts singing voice into a singing voice signal and inputs it to the karaoke device 10. The speaker 12 emits singing voice along with performance sounds based on the performance sound signal from the karaoke device 10 and the singing voice signal from the microphone 13. The remote control device 14 accepts various operations from the user, such as reserving songs for the karaoke device 10.

When the karaoke performance is started by the karaoke device 10, lyrics captions and background images are displayed on the monitor 11 in sync with the karaoke performance. In the karaoke device 10, the karaoke performance sound signal and the singing voice signal input from the microphone 13 are mixed by the mixer, and this mixed signal is amplified by the amplifier and output from the speaker 12. In this way, when the user sings along with the karaoke performance, the singing voice is output from the speaker 12 together with the performance sound. The karaoke device 10 also scores the user's singing ability and the score result is displayed on the monitor 11.

In such a karaoke system 1, the karaoke operator may suspend the use of some songs on the karaoke device 10 due to circumstances such as an artist's scandal or changes in copyright management. In this case, if the karaoke operator suspends the use of songs registered in the user's favorites list, the favorites list will remain filled with songs that cannot be played on the karaoke device 10. For this reason, the server device 20 takes into consideration circumstances such as an artist's scandal and automatically changes the suspended songs in the favorites list to other songs that can be substituted, improving user convenience.

As shown in FIG. 2, the server device 20 is provided with a first memory unit 21, a second memory unit 22, an input unit 23, and a registration unit 24. The first memory unit 21 stores a song database in which attribute information is associated with a song ID (song identification information) for each song. The song ID is information for identifying karaoke performance data. The attribute information for each song includes the song name, artist name, and version information. Examples of version information include the original studio version, a live version including video of the artist's performance, and a cover version covered by another artist.

The second memory unit 22 stores a favorite list in which the song IDs of favorite songs are registered for each user. For example, song names and song IDs are registered in the favorite list. By registering songs in the favorite list, it is possible to create a unique song list for each user. The input unit 23 accepts input of usage suspension information for specifying songs that the karaoke device 10 will suspend use of. The input unit 23 is composed of, for example, an input screen displayed on the management terminal. Song IDs, artist names, and song names can be entered into the input screen as usage suspension information.

When the song ID of the stopped song is registered in the favorites list, the registration unit 24 registers another song ID in the favorites list in place of the song ID of the stopped song. The other song ID is a song ID of another song that has at least some attribute information that is the same as the song ID of the stopped song and can be substituted for the stopped song. For example, the favorites list registers the song ID of a cover song by another artist that is associated with the same song name as the stopped song. Also, for example, the favorites list registers the song ID of another song by the same artist that is associated with the same artist name as the stopped song.

More specifically, when the karaoke business operator inputs the song ID ***X2 of the stopped song as usage suspension information to the server device 20, the karaoke performance data associated with the song ID ***X2 cannot be played on the karaoke device 10. The registration unit 24 of the server device 20 refers to the song database to identify attribute information associated with the song ID ***X2 of the stopped song. For example, as shown in Table 1, song title X, artist name A, and live version are identified as attribute information associated with the song ID ***X2 of the stopped song.

One song name is associated with a song ID, but different song IDs are associated with songs of different versions even if the song name is the same. Therefore, the registration unit 24 refers to the song database to search for other song IDs associated with the same song name X as the song ID ***X2 of the stopped song. For example, as shown in Table 2, song IDs ***X1 and ***X3 with the same song name X as the song ID ***X2 of the stopped song are extracted. Song ID ***X1 is the studio version of song name X, and song ID ***X3 is a cover version of song name X by artist B.

When the registration unit 24 extracts another song ID of song name X, the other song ID is registered in the favorites list instead of the song ID of the stopped song. For example, before the song ID ***X2 of the stopped song is input as the usage suspension information, the song ID ***X2 of the live version of song name X is registered in the first line of the favorites list as shown in Table 3. When the song ID ***X2 of the stopped song is input as the usage suspension information, the song ID ***X3 of the cover version of song name X by artist B is registered in the favorites list instead of the song ID ***X2 of the live version of song name X as shown in Table 4.

Note that song IDs ****X1 and ****X3 are extracted as other song IDs for song title X, but it is possible to change which of song IDs ****X1 and ****X3 is registered in the favorites list. For example, a priority may be set in advance for each version of song IDs ****X1 and ****X3, and the song ID with the higher priority may be registered in the favorites list. Also, a song ID randomly selected by the registration unit 24 from song IDs ****X1 and ****X3, a song ID with a high number of plays nationwide including by other users, or a song ID with a high number of favorite registrations nationwide may be registered in the favorites list.

If there is no other song ID associated with the same song name as the song ID of the stopped song, the registration unit 24 searches for other song IDs associated with the same artist name as this song ID. Naturally, even songs by the same artist are associated with different song IDs for each song name. For example, as shown in Table 5, song IDs ****V1, ****W1, ****Y1, and ****Z1 with the same artist name A as song ID ****X2 input as the usage suspension information are extracted. Song IDs ****V1, ****W1, ****Y1, and ****Z1 are associated with song names V, W, Y, and Z, respectively.

When the registration unit 24 extracts another song ID of artist A, the other song ID is registered in the favorites list in place of the song ID of the stopped song. For example, before song ID ***X2 of the stopped song is input as the usage suspension information, song ID ***X2 of song title X by artist A is registered in the first line of the favorites list as shown in Table 6. When song ID ***X2 of the stopped song is input as the usage suspension information, song ID ***V1 of song title V by the same artist A is registered in the favorites list in place of song ID ***X2 of song title X by artist A as shown in Table 7.

Note that song IDs ****V1, ****W1, ****Y1, and ****Z1 are extracted as other song IDs of artist A, but it is possible to change which of song IDs ****V1, ****W1, ****Y1, and ****Z1 is to be registered in the favorites list. For example, a song ID with a more recent release date and time may be registered in the favorites list. Also, a song ID randomly selected by the registration unit 24 from song IDs ****V1, ****W1, ****Y1, and ****Z1, a song ID with a large number of plays nationwide including by other users, or a song ID with a large number of favorite registrations nationwide may be registered in the favorites list.

If there is no other song ID associated with the same song name as the song ID of the stopped song, and there is no other song ID associated with the same artist name as the song ID of the stopped song, the registration unit 24 does not change the favorites list. In this case, the registration unit 24 may delete the song ID of the stopped song from the favorites list. Note that when use is suspended due to artist circumstances, song IDs of multiple songs corresponding to the artist may be input as suspension information, and when use is suspended due to song circumstances, multiple song IDs corresponding to the songs may be input as suspension information. In such cases, the registration unit 24 does not register the song ID input as suspension information in the favorites list.

The processing of each part of the server device 20 may be realized by software using a processor, or may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit or the like. When a processor is used, various processes are performed by the processor reading and executing programs stored in the memory. For example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) is used as the processor. Furthermore, the memory is composed of one or more storage media such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory) depending on the application.

The processing operation of the server device of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing an example of the processing operation of the server device of the first embodiment. Note that the symbols in FIG. 2 will be used as appropriate for the explanation. Also, the following flow is merely an example and can be modified as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the song ID of the stopped song is input to the karaoke business as suspension information (Yes in step S01), the registration unit 24 refers to the song database to identify the song name and artist name associated with the song ID of the stopped song (step S02). Next, the registration unit 24 refers to the song database to search for other song IDs that are associated with the same song name as the song ID of the stopped song (step S03). In this case, the song name identified in the processing of step S02 is set as a keyword, and other song IDs associated with this song name are searched for in the song database.

If there is another song ID associated with the same song name as the song ID of the stopped song (Yes in step S03), the registration unit 24 registers the other song ID in the favorites list instead of the song ID of the stopped song (step S04). As a result, the registration unit 24 registers the song ID of another song that has the same song name as the stopped song but a different version in the favorites list. For example, instead of the song ID of a live version of the stopped song, the song ID of a cover version of the stopped song by another artist is registered in the favorites list.

On the other hand, if there is no other song ID associated with the same song name as the song ID of the stopped song (No in step S03), the registration unit 24 refers to the song database to search for other song IDs associated with the same artist name as the song ID of the stopped song (step S05). In this case, the artist name identified in the processing of step S02 is set as a keyword, and other song IDs associated with this artist name are searched for in the song database.

If there is another song ID associated with the same artist name as the song ID of the stopped song (Yes in step S05), the registration unit 24 registers the other song ID in the favorites list instead of the song ID of the stopped song (step S06). As a result, even if the artist name is the same as that of the stopped song, a song ID with a different song name from the stopped song is registered in the favorites list by the registration unit 24. If there is no other song ID associated with the same artist name as the song ID of the stopped song (No in step S05), the processing of the server device 20 ends without changing the favorites list.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is determined that another song associated with the same song name or artist name as the stopped song can be substituted for the stopped song, and the other song is registered in the favorites list in place of the stopped song registered in the favorites list. Therefore, even if a song in the favorites list is designated as the stopped song, it is possible to minimize the occurrence of songs that cannot be played as karaoke remaining in the favorites list. The stopped song in the favorites list can be automatically changed to another song that can be substituted, thereby improving convenience for the user.

Second Embodiment
Next, a server device of the second embodiment will be described. The server device of the second embodiment differs from the server device of the first embodiment in the suspension information input to the input unit and the registration process of the registration unit. Therefore, for the second embodiment, the description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted using FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the karaoke operator inputs the artist name, song name, or song ID as suspension information into the input unit 23 of the server device 20. For example, if an artist is involved in a scandal, the artist name is input as suspension information. Also, if a song can no longer be used regardless of its version due to a change in copyright management, the song name is input as suspension information. Furthermore, if a live performance video or the like is distributed for a limited period of time, the song ID is input as suspension information when the usage contract expires.

When the suspension information is an artist name, the registration unit 24 registers in the favorites list, instead of the song ID associated with the artist name, a song ID of another artist associated with the same song name as the song ID. When the suspension information is a song name, the registration unit 24 registers in the favorites list, instead of the song ID associated with the song name, a song ID of another song associated with the same artist name as the song ID. When the suspension information is a song ID, the registration unit 24 registers in the favorites list, instead of the song ID, a song ID of another version associated with the same artist name or song name as the song ID.

More specifically, if artist A commits a scandal, the karaoke business operator inputs artist name A as suspension information to server device 20. In this case, karaoke performance data of a song ID associated with artist name A cannot be played on karaoke device 10. The registration unit 24 of server device 20 refers to the song database to identify the song ID and song name associated with artist name A. For example, as shown in Table 8, song IDs ****V1, ****W1, ****X1, ****Y1, ****Z1 of song names V, W, X, Y, Z are identified.

The registration unit 24 refers to the song database to search for song IDs of other artists associated with the same song names as the song IDs ****V1, ****W1, ****X1, ****Y1, and ****Z1 of artist A. For example, as shown in Table 9, song ID ****X3 with song name X that is the same as song ID ****X1, song ID ****Y3 with song name Y that is the same as song ID ****Y1, and song ID ****Z3 with song name Z that is the same as song ID ****Z1 are extracted. Song IDs ****X3, ****Y3, and ****Z3 are cover versions of song names X, Y, and Z by artists B, E, and F, respectively.

When a song ID of another artist with song title X is searched for, the registration unit 24 registers the song ID of the other artist in the favorites list instead of the song ID of artist A. For example, before artist name A is input as suspension information, song ID ***X1 of the studio version of song title X is registered in the first line of the favorites list, as shown in Table 10. When artist name A is input as suspension information, song ID ***X3 of the cover version of song title X by artist B is registered in the favorites list, instead of song ID ***X1 of the studio version of song title X by artist A, as shown in Table 11.

Furthermore, when song X becomes unavailable regardless of the version due to a change in copyright management or the like, the karaoke operator inputs song name X as usage suspension information to the server device 20. In this case, the karaoke performance data of the song ID associated with song name X can no longer be played on the karaoke device 10. The registration unit 24 of the server device 20 refers to the song database to identify the song ID and artist name associated with song name X. For example, as shown in Table 12, song IDs ****X1, ****X2, and ****X3 of song name X are identified for each artist.

Since song title X is specified as the stopped song, the registration unit 24 refers to the song database to search for song IDs of other songs associated with the same artist name as song IDs ***X1, ***X2, ***X3 of song title X. For example, as shown in Table 13, song IDs ***W1, ***Y1, ***Z1 with the same artist name A as song IDs ***X1 and ***X2 are extracted. Song IDs ***W1, ***Y1, ***Z1 are associated with song names W, Y, Z, respectively. Although not described in detail here, song IDs with the same artist name B as song ID ***X3 are also searched for.

When the song ID of another song by artist A is searched for, the registration unit 24 registers the song ID of the other song in the favorites list instead of the song ID of song title X. For example, before song title X is input as the suspension information, song ID ***X1 of song title X by artist A is registered in the first line of the favorites list, as shown in Table 14. When song title X is input as the suspension information, song ID ***W1 of song title W by artist A is registered in the favorites list instead of song ID ***X1 of song title X by artist A, as shown in Table 15.

Furthermore, if the karaoke business operator inputs song ID ****X2 as usage suspension information to the server device 20 due to circumstances such as expiration of the usage contract, the karaoke performance data associated with song ID ****X2 cannot be played on the karaoke device 10. The registration unit 24 of the server device 20 refers to the song database to identify the song name and version information associated with song ID ****X2. For example, as shown in Table 16, the song name X and live version associated with song ID ****X2 of the suspended song are identified.

Because the live version of song title X is specified as the stopped song, the registration unit 24 refers to the song database and searches for song IDs of other versions associated with the same song title X as song ID ***X2 of the stopped song. For example, as shown in Table 17, song IDs ***X1 and ***X3 of other versions of the same song title X as song ID ***X2 of the stopped song are extracted. Song ID ***X1 is the studio version of song title X, and song ID ***X3 is a cover version of song title X by artist B.

When a song ID of another version of song name X is searched for, the song ID of the other version is registered in the favorites list instead of the song ID of the live version by the registration unit 24. For example, before the song ID ***X2 of the live version is input as the suspension information, the song ID ***X2 of the live version of song name X is registered in the first line of the favorites list as shown in Table 18. When the song ID ***X2 of the live version is input as the suspension information, the song ID ***X1 of the studio version of song name X is registered in the favorites list instead of the song ID ***X2 of the live version of song name X as shown in Table 19.

The processing operation of the server device of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing an example of the processing operation of the server device of the second embodiment. Note that the symbols in FIG. 2 will be used as appropriate for the explanation. Also, the following flow is merely an example and can be modified as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the artist name of the stopped song is input to the karaoke business as suspension information (artist name in step S11), the registration unit 24 refers to the song database to identify the song ID and song name associated with the artist name (step S12). Next, the registration unit 24 refers to the song database to search for a song ID of another artist associated with the same song name as the song ID of the artist of the stopped song (step S13). In this case, the song name identified in the processing of step S12 is set as a keyword, and the song ID of another artist associated with this song name is searched for in the song database.

If a song ID of another artist exists for the same song name (Yes in step S13), the registration unit 24 registers the song ID of the other artist in the favorites list instead of the song ID of the artist of the suspended song (step S14). In this way, even if the use of the song is suspended due to the artist's misconduct, a cover song by another artist is registered in the favorites list. If a song ID of another artist does not exist for the same song name (No in step S13), the processing of the server device 20 ends without changing the favorites list.

When the song name of the stopped song is input to the karaoke business as suspension information (song name in step S11), the registration unit 24 refers to the song database to identify the song ID and artist name associated with the song name (step S15). Next, the registration unit 24 refers to the song database to search for the song ID of another song associated with the same artist name as the song ID of the stopped song (step S16). In this case, the artist name identified in the processing of step S15 is set as a keyword, and the song ID of another song associated with this artist name is searched for in the song database.

If a song ID of another song with the same artist name exists (Yes in step S16), the registration unit 24 registers the song ID of the other song by the same artist in the favorites list instead of the song ID of the stopped song (step S17). As a result, even if the use of the song is stopped due to a change in copyright management, etc., the other song by the same artist is registered in the favorites list. If a song ID of another song with the same artist name does not exist (No in step S16), the processing of the server device 20 ends without changing the favorites list.

When the song ID of the stopped song is input to the karaoke business as suspension information (song ID in step S11), the registration unit 24 refers to the song database to identify the song name and version information associated with the song ID (step S18). Next, the registration unit 24 refers to the song database to search for a different version of the song ID associated with the same song name as the song ID of the stopped song (step S19). In this case, the song name identified in the processing of step S18 is set as a keyword, and the song database is searched for a different version of the song ID associated with this song name.

If a song ID of a different version with the same song name exists (Yes in step S19), the registration unit 24 registers the song ID of the different version in the favorites list instead of the song ID of the stopped song (step S20). As a result, even if the use of the song is stopped due to the expiration of the usage contract, the different version of the same song is registered in the favorites list. If a song ID of a different version with the same song name does not exist (No in step S19), the processing of the server device 20 ends without changing the favorites list.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, when a song ID is input to the karaoke business as suspension information, a different version of the song ID associated with the same artist name as the song ID may be registered in the favorites list. In this case, in step S18, the song name, artist name, and version information associated with the song ID of the stopped song are identified. In step S19, a search is performed for a different version of the song ID associated with the same song name and artist name as the song ID of the stopped song.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, even if the use of a song is suspended due to a scandal involving an artist, due to changes in copyright management, or due to the expiration of a usage contract, the occurrence of songs that cannot be played as karaoke remaining in the favorites list is minimized.

In the first embodiment, the attribute information includes the song name, artist name, and version information, but it may also include the composer name, lyricist name, etc.

In addition, in the above embodiment, a program may be installed in the server device to add the above-mentioned favorites list registration function to the server device. This program is stored in a storage medium. The storage medium is not particularly limited, but may be a non-transitory storage medium such as an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a flash memory.

Although this embodiment has been described, other embodiments may be combinations of the above embodiments and variations in whole or in part.

The technology of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be modified, substituted, or altered in various ways without departing from the spirit of the technical idea. Furthermore, if the technical idea can be realized in a different way due to technological advances or other derived technologies, it may be implemented using that method. Therefore, the claims cover all embodiments that may fall within the scope of the technical idea.

1: Karaoke system 10: Karaoke device 20: Server device 21: First storage unit 22: Second storage unit 23: Input unit 24: Registration unit

Claims (2)

A server device communicably connected to the karaoke device,
a first storage unit that stores attribute information including a song title and an artist name for each song in association with song identification information;
a second storage unit for storing a favorites list in which music identification information of favorite music pieces is registered for each user;
an input unit for receiving input of use suspension information for designating a stop piece of music the karaoke device is to stop using;
The server device is characterized by comprising a registration unit which, when the music identification information of a stopped music piece is registered in the favorites list, registers in the favorites list, in place of the music identification information of the stopped music piece, other music identification information having at least a part of attribute information that is the same as the music identification information. When the suspension information is an artist name, the registration unit registers, in place of the song identification information associated with the artist name, song identification information of another artist associated with the same song name as the song identification information in the favorites list;
When the usage suspension information is a song title, the registration unit registers, in place of the song identification information associated with the song title, song identification information of another song associated with the same artist name as the song identification information, in the favorites list;
The server device according to claim 1, characterized in that when the suspension information is song identification information, the registration unit registers in the favorites list, instead of the song identification information, a different version of song identification information associated with the same artist name or song name as the song identification information.

Images