JP7485570B2 - Content Output Device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a content output device.

In karaoke stores, the number of karaoke rooms equipped with playback devices (e.g. DVD/BD players) connected to karaoke machines is increasing. In addition to singing karaoke, karaoke room users can also use the large screen of the karaoke machine to watch video content recorded on DVDs or BDs.

On the other hand, the communication speed and device performance of mobile devices such as smartphones are improving. In addition, the number of providers offering services that distribute music, video works, and other content (hereinafter referred to as "content") to mobile devices is increasing. As a result, it has become common for individuals to play content on their own mobile devices. In particular, users who have signed up for flat-rate (subscription-based) distribution services want to make the most of the content they can view.

As a result, services are being considered that provide audiovisual equipment (hereafter "content output devices") that allows people to watch content played on their personal mobile devices at high volume and on a large screen.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology including a step of a customer connecting a terminal device to a server connected to a wired or wireless Internet network, etc.; a step of the customer selecting music or multimedia data through a search; a step of designating a device for outputting the music and multimedia data selected by the customer; a step of outputting the music or multimedia data through the output device; and a step of settling charges between the customer and related businesses.

JP 2009-506451 A

The object of the present invention is to provide a content output device that can charge a user a usage fee for the content output device when the user views content played on a mobile terminal owned by the user on the content output device.

One invention for achieving the above-mentioned object is a content output device capable of communicating with a mobile terminal owned by a user, the content output device having: a fee memory unit that stores a usage fee for the content output device; a pairing processing unit that pairs the content output device with the mobile terminal and cancels the pairing; an acquisition unit that acquires an audio signal output from the paired mobile terminal; an audio control unit that controls a performance means and causes a sound based on the acquired audio signal to be emitted from a sound emitting means; a determination unit that, when canceling the pairing with the mobile terminal, determines a usage fee to be charged to a user who owns the mobile terminal based on the connection time during which the mobile terminal and the content output device were paired and the stored usage fee; and a payment request unit that requests payment of the determined usage fee from the mobile terminal.
Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification and drawings.

According to the present invention, when content reproduced on a user's mobile terminal is viewed on a content output device, the user can be charged for the use of the content output device.

1 is a diagram showing a karaoke device according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a karaoke main unit according to the embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of the karaoke device according to the embodiment.

The content output device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. In this embodiment, a karaoke device K will be used as an example of the content output device.

==Karaoke Equipment==
The karaoke device K is a device for playing karaoke songs and for users to sing karaoke. As shown in Fig. 1, the karaoke device K is installed in a room R of a karaoke store. The user uses the karaoke device K.

The mobile terminal is a smartphone or the like owned by the user. As shown in FIG. 1, mobile terminal M is owned by user U. In this embodiment, dedicated application software (hereinafter, "karaoke app") for performing various operational inputs to karaoke device K is installed on the mobile terminal.

In addition, the mobile terminal in this embodiment has dedicated application software (hereinafter, "content app") installed for playing desired music and videos. The content app is for using a content distribution service with which the user has a personal contract, for example. The user starts the content app on the mobile terminal and selects the desired music and video. The server device (not shown) of the content distribution service transmits signals corresponding to the selected music and video to the mobile terminal by streaming. The user can enjoy the music and video on the mobile terminal. The content app may be for playing music and video that have been downloaded to the mobile terminal in advance.

As shown in FIG. 1, the karaoke device K includes a karaoke main unit 10, a speaker 20, a display device 30, a microphone 40, and a remote control device 50.

The karaoke machine main unit 10 performs various controls related to karaoke performance and singing, such as karaoke performance control of the selected song, display control of lyrics and background images, and processing of singing voice signals input through the microphone 40. The speaker 20 is configured to emit sound based on a sound emission signal from the karaoke machine main unit 10. The speaker 20 is an example of a "sound emission means". The display device 30 is configured to display an image on a screen based on a signal from the karaoke machine main unit 10. The display device 30 is an example of a "display means". The microphone 40 is configured to convert the singing voice of the user singing karaoke into an analog singing voice signal and input it to the karaoke machine main unit 10. The microphone 40 is an example of a "sound collection means". The remote control device 50 is a device for performing various operations on the karaoke machine main unit 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the karaoke machine 10 according to this embodiment includes a storage unit 10a, a communication unit 10b, an input unit 10c, a performance unit 10d, and a control unit 10e. Each component is connected to a bus B via an interface (not shown).

[Storage Means]
The storage means 10a is a large-capacity storage device that stores various types of data, such as a hard disk drive.

In this embodiment, a part of the storage area of the storage means 10a functions as a fee storage unit 100. The fee storage unit 100 stores the usage fee when the karaoke device K is used as a content output device. There may be multiple settings for the usage fee depending on the size of the room in which the karaoke device K is installed, the equipment, etc.

Specifically, the usage fee may be set to a single amount in advance, such as "5 yen/minute" or "10 yen/minute," or multiple usage fees may be set depending on the time period, number of users, etc., such as "5 yen/minute from 10:00 to 17:00, 10 yen/minute after 17:00."

[Communication means/input means]
The communication means 10b provides an interface for communicating with the remote control device 50 and the mobile terminal. The input means 10c is configured to allow the user to input various instructions. The input means 10c is a button or the like provided on the karaoke main unit 10. Alternatively, the remote control device 50 may function as the input means 10c.

[Playing means]
The performance means 10d, under the control of the control means 10e, performs karaoke performance of music pieces and processes singing voice signals input through the microphone 40. The performance means 10d includes a sound source, a mixer, an amplifier, etc. (none of which are shown).

[Control Means]
The control means 10e performs various controls in the karaoke device K. The control means 10e includes a CPU and a memory (neither of which are shown in the figures). The CPU realizes various functions by executing programs stored in the memory.

In this embodiment, the CPU executes a program stored in the memory, causing the control means 10e to function as a pairing processing unit 200, an acquisition unit 300, an audio control unit 400, an image control unit 500, a determination unit 600, and a payment request unit 700.

(Pairing processing unit)
The pairing processing unit 200 performs pairing and cancellation of pairing between the karaoke device and the portable terminal.

Pairing is a state in which the karaoke device and the mobile terminal are connected and can communicate with each other. The communication may be performed using a public line or short-range wireless communication.

For example, the pairing processing unit 200 displays a two-dimensional code for pairing on the display screen of the remote control device 50. The two-dimensional code for pairing contains information necessary for pairing and information necessary for acquiring audio signals, etc. from the mobile terminal. When the two-dimensional code for pairing is read by a mobile terminal on which a karaoke application is running, the mobile terminal makes a pairing request to the karaoke device. The pairing processing unit 200 pairs the karaoke device and the mobile terminal based on the request. After pairing is completed, the pairing processing unit 200 starts timing.

The pairing processing unit 200 also displays a two-dimensional code for canceling pairing on the display screen of the remote control device 50. The two-dimensional code for canceling pairing contains information necessary for canceling pairing. When the two-dimensional code for canceling pairing is read by a mobile terminal on which a karaoke application is running, the mobile terminal requests the karaoke device to cancel pairing. The pairing processing unit 200 cancels the pairing between the karaoke device and the mobile terminal based on the request. Note that when a request for canceling pairing is received, the pairing processing unit 200 ends the timekeeping. On the other hand, the pairing is canceled after a notification that the payment of the usage fee has been completed (details will be described later) is received from the mobile terminal M.

(Acquisition Department)
The acquisition unit 300 acquires an audio signal output from the paired portable terminal, and also acquires a video signal output from the paired portable terminal.

Audio and video signals can be acquired using known techniques (e.g., Miracast (registered trademark)).

For example, after the mobile terminal M and the karaoke device K are paired, the user U launches a content application on the mobile terminal M and starts watching a video work W. In this case, the mobile terminal M transmits to the karaoke device K an audio signal and a video signal of the video work W that are distributed in streaming format from a server device of a content distribution service. The video work W is an example of content.

The acquisition unit 300 acquires an audio signal of the video work W and outputs it to the audio control unit 400. The acquisition unit 300 also acquires a video signal of the video work W and outputs it to the video control unit 500. The acquisition unit 300 may also acquire the audio signal and the video signal via a wired connection (for example, mirroring using an HDMI (registered trademark) cable, etc.).

(Audio control unit)
The audio control unit 400 controls the playing means 10d to cause the sound emitting means to emit sound based on the acquired audio signal.

As described above, when an audio signal of the video work W is output, the audio control unit 400 controls the performance means 10d to emit audio based on the audio signal from the speaker 20.

(Video control section)
The image control unit 500 causes the display unit to display an image based on the acquired image signal.

As described above, when a video signal of the video work W is output, the video control unit 500 causes an image based on the video signal to be displayed on the display screen of the display device 30.

(Decision Unit)
When canceling the pairing with the mobile terminal, the determination unit 600 determines the usage fee based on the connection time and the stored usage fee.

The connection time is the time during which the mobile terminal and the content output device have been paired. The connection time can be determined based on the time measured by the pairing processing unit 200. The usage fee is an amount determined based on a preset usage fee and the connection time. The usage fee is charged to the user who owns the mobile terminal as a usage fee for the karaoke device K.

For example, when a request to cancel pairing is received from mobile device M, the pairing processing unit 200 outputs the total time (e.g., 100 minutes) measured from the start of pairing to the determination unit 600. The determination unit 600 determines the output total time (100 minutes) as the connection time. Meanwhile, the fee storage unit 100 stores a usage fee of "5 yen/minute."

In this case, the determination unit 600 determines the usage fee to be 500 yen (= 5 yen x 100 minutes). The determination unit 600 outputs the determined usage fee to the payment request unit 700.

(Payment request section)
The payment request unit 700 requests the mobile terminal to pay the determined usage fee.

In the above example, the payment request unit 700 requests payment by sending payment information for making the payment of the usage fee of 500 yen determined by the determination unit 600 to the mobile terminal M. The mobile terminal M makes the payment of the usage fee of 500 yen by a pre-registered method (for example, mobile payment via a contracted telecommunications company). After the payment is completed, the mobile terminal M notifies the karaoke device K that the payment is complete. When the notification is received, the pairing processing unit 200 cancels the pairing between the mobile terminal M and the karaoke device K.

==Operation of Karaoke Device K==
Next, a specific example of the operation of the karaoke device K in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the karaoke device K. In this example, it is assumed that the fee storage unit 100 stores the usage fee of the karaoke device K. It is also assumed that a user U who owns a mobile terminal M uses the karaoke device K.

The pairing processing unit 200 displays a two-dimensional code for pairing on the display screen of the remote control device 50. A user U who uses the karaoke device K reads the two-dimensional code for pairing displayed on the display screen of the remote control device 50 with a mobile terminal M on which a karaoke app is activated. The mobile terminal M makes a request for pairing to the karaoke device.

Based on the request, the pairing processing unit 200 performs pairing between the karaoke device K and the mobile terminal M (pairing with the mobile terminal; step 10). After that, the pairing processing unit 200 starts timing (start timing; step 11).

After starting the content application on the mobile terminal M, the user U watches the video work W. The mobile terminal M transmits the audio signal and video signal of the video work W to the karaoke device K.

The acquisition unit 300 acquires the audio and video signals output from the paired mobile terminal M (acquires the audio and video signals output from the mobile terminal; step 12).

The audio control unit 400 controls the performance means 10d to emit sound from the speaker 20 based on the audio signal acquired in step 12. The video control unit 500 also displays an image based on the video signal acquired in step 12 on the display screen of the display device 30 (emits sound and displays image; step 13).

After finishing watching the video work W, the user U who uses the karaoke device K reads the two-dimensional code for canceling the pairing that the pairing processing unit 200 has displayed on the display screen of the remote control device 50 using the mobile device M on which the karaoke app is activated. The mobile device M makes a request to cancel the pairing to the karaoke device.

The pairing processing unit 200 ends timing based on the request (timing end; step 14).

The determination unit 600 determines the usage fee to be charged to the user U who owns the mobile terminal M based on the connection time based on the time measured by the pairing processing unit 200 and the usage fee stored in the fee storage unit 100 (determine the usage fee; step 15).

The payment request unit 700 requests the mobile terminal M to pay the usage fee determined in step 15 (requests payment of the usage fee from the mobile terminal; step 16).

If the mobile terminal M notifies the user that payment has been completed (Y in step 17), the pairing processing unit 200 cancels the pairing between the karaoke device K and the mobile terminal M (cancels pairing with the mobile terminal; step 18).

In this embodiment, an example of viewing a video work W including audio and video has been described, but it is also possible to listen to content including only audio. In this case, the video control unit 500 is not a required component. Also, the content output device according to this embodiment is not limited to a karaoke device as long as it has at least the functions of a fee memory unit 100, a pairing processing unit 200, an acquisition unit 300, an audio control unit 400, a determination unit 600, and a payment request unit 700. In this case, the performance means 10d controlled by the audio control unit 400 needs only to include a mixer and an amplifier, and does not need to include a sound source.

As is clear from the above, the karaoke device K according to this embodiment can communicate with a mobile terminal owned by a user. The karaoke device K has a fee storage unit 100 that stores the usage fee of the karaoke device K, a pairing processing unit 200 that performs pairing and cancellation of the pairing between the karaoke device K and the mobile terminal, an acquisition unit 300 that acquires an audio signal output from the paired mobile terminal, an audio control unit 400 that controls the performance means 10d and causes the speaker 20 to emit sound based on the acquired audio signal, a determination unit 600 that, when canceling the pairing with the mobile terminal, determines the usage fee to be charged to the user who owns the mobile terminal based on the connection time during which the mobile terminal and the karaoke device K were paired and the stored usage fee, and a payment request unit 700 that requests the mobile terminal to pay the determined usage fee.

With such a karaoke device K, by pairing a mobile terminal owned by a user with the karaoke device K, the content played on the mobile terminal can be listened to at a loud volume. Furthermore, when canceling the pairing with the mobile terminal, the karaoke device K can request the mobile terminal to pay the usage fee for the karaoke device K. In other words, with the karaoke device K according to this embodiment, when content played on a mobile terminal owned by a user is viewed on a content output device, the usage fee for the content output device can be charged to the user.

The acquisition unit 300 of the karaoke device K according to this embodiment acquires a video signal output from the paired mobile device. The karaoke device K has a video control unit 500 that displays an image based on the acquired video signal on the display device 30. With this karaoke device K, by pairing a mobile device owned by a user with the karaoke device K, it becomes possible to view content played on the mobile device on a large screen.

The determination unit 600 may increase the usage fee when a video work is viewed. For example, the fee storage unit 100 stores a video usage fee corresponding to viewing of the video work in addition to the usage fee. The video control unit 500 measures the video time, which is the time during which the video signal is input. The determination unit 600 increases the usage fee based on the video time and the video usage fee.

More specifically, it is assumed that the memory unit 100 stores a usage fee of "5 yen/minute" and a video usage fee of "2 yen/minute." Here, it is assumed that the determination unit 600 determines the connection time to be 100 minutes, and the video control unit 500 times the video time to be 60 minutes. In this case, the determination unit 600 determines the usage fee to be 620 yen (= 5 yen x 100 minutes + 2 yen x 60 minutes). With such a karaoke device K, it is possible to respond in detail to the usage mode of the karaoke device K.

<Modification 1>
A user can select a song to sing karaoke as the content.

In this case, the acquisition unit 300 acquires a karaoke performance sound signal for singing karaoke as an audio signal output from the paired mobile terminal. The acquisition unit 300 also acquires a lyric subtitle and background video signal accompanying the karaoke performance as a video signal output from the paired mobile terminal.

For example, after the mobile terminal M and the karaoke device K are paired, the user U launches a content application on the mobile terminal M and selects a song X for singing karaoke. In this case, the mobile terminal M transmits to the karaoke device K a karaoke performance sound signal of the song X, which is distributed in streaming format from a server device of a content distribution service, as well as signals for the lyrics and subtitles of the song X and a background image. The song X is an example of content.

The acquisition unit 300 acquires the karaoke performance sound signal of the song X and outputs it to the audio control unit 400. The acquisition unit 300 also acquires the lyric subtitle and background video signals of the song X and outputs them to the video control unit 500.

The acoustic control unit 400 controls the performance means 10d and causes the sound emitting means to emit sound based on an audio signal that is a mixture of the singing voice signal input from the sound collecting means and the karaoke performance sound signal acquired from the mobile terminal.

As described above, when the karaoke performance sound signal of song X is output, the audio control unit 400 controls the performance means 10d to emit karaoke performance sound based on the karaoke performance sound signal from the speaker 20. In addition, the video control unit 500 displays lyrics captions and background video based on the lyrics captions and background video signals of song X on the display screen of the display device 30 in time with the karaoke performance sound. The user U uses the microphone 40 to sing karaoke in time with the karaoke performance sound while referring to the lyrics captions.

The sound control unit 400 controls the performance means 10d to generate an audio signal by mixing a singing voice signal based on the singing voice input from the microphone 40 with a karaoke performance sound signal, and emits the sound based on the audio signal from the speaker 20. The sound control unit 400 may also apply effects such as echo to the singing voice signal based on the input singing voice.

With this type of content output device, users can enjoy singing karaoke using content played on their mobile terminals.

The determination unit 600 may increase the usage fee when karaoke singing is performed. For example, the fee storage unit 100 stores a singing usage fee corresponding to karaoke singing in addition to the usage fee. The audio control unit 400 measures the singing time, which is the time during which a singing voice signal is input from the sound collection means. The determination unit 600 increases the usage fee based on the singing time and the singing usage fee.

More specifically, it is assumed that the memory unit 100 stores a usage fee of "5 yen/minute" and a singing usage fee of "4 yen/minute." Here, it is assumed that the determination unit 600 determines the connection time to be 100 minutes, and the audio control unit 400 times the singing time to be 60 minutes. In this case, the determination unit 600 determines the usage fee to be 740 yen (= 5 yen x 100 minutes + 4 yen x 60 minutes). With such a content output device, it is possible to respond in detail to the usage mode of the content output device.

The content output device may also have a function of reducing the usage fee according to the singing technique used in singing karaoke. In this case, the fee memory unit 100 stores bonus points corresponding to the karaoke singing in addition to the usage fee. The audio control unit 400 measures the singing time, which is the time during which the singing voice signal is input from the sound collection means. The audio control unit 400 also analyzes the singing voice signal using known technology to detect the singing technique. Singing techniques include vibrato, fisting, and shakuri. The determination unit 600 reduces the usage fee based on the singing time and bonus points if the detected singing technique meets a predetermined condition (for example, the number of times the singing technique is used is greater than a certain level, or the quality of the singing technique is greater than a certain level).

More specifically, suppose that the memory unit 100 stores a usage fee of "5 yen/minute" and bonus points of "3 yen/minute." Here, suppose that the determination unit 600 determines the connection time to be 100 minutes, the audio control unit 400 times the singing time to be 60 minutes, and the singing technique detected from the singing voice signal satisfies a predetermined condition. In this case, the determination unit 600 determines the usage fee to be 320 yen (= 5 yen x 100 minutes - 3 yen x 60 minutes).

Furthermore, the reduction in the usage fee for singing karaoke may be combined with an increase in the usage fee for singing karaoke. More specifically, it is assumed that the memory unit 100 stores a usage fee of "5 yen/min", a singing usage fee of "4 yen/min", and bonus points of "3 yen/min". Here, it is assumed that the determination unit 600 determines the connection time to be 100 minutes, the audio control unit 400 times the singing time to be 60 minutes, and the singing technique detected from the singing voice signal satisfies a predetermined condition. In this case, the determination unit 600 determines the usage fee to be 560 yen (= 5 yen x 100 minutes + 4 yen x 60 yen - 3 yen x 60 minutes). With such a content output device, it is possible to respond in detail to the usage mode of the content output device and to increase the interest of the user.

<Modification 2>
Furthermore, when pairing is performed between the content output device and the mobile terminal, the pairing processing unit 200 can display information related to the usage fee on the display means.

As described in the above embodiment, it is assumed that the pairing processing unit 200 pairs the karaoke device K with the mobile terminal M. In this case, the pairing processing unit 200 displays information such as "The usage fee is 150 yen for 30 minutes" on the display screen of the display device 30 or the remote control device 50 based on the usage fee (e.g., "5 yen/minute") stored in the fee storage unit 100. With such a content output device, the user can know the usage fee before using the device, and can use the device with peace of mind.

＜Other＞
The above embodiment is presented as an example and does 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 gist of the invention. The above embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims, as well as the scope and gist of the invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Fee storage unit 200 Pairing processing unit 300 Acquisition unit 400 Sound control unit 500 Video control unit 600 Determination unit 700 Payment request unit K Karaoke device M Portable terminal

Claims (5)

A content output device capable of communicating with a mobile terminal owned by a user,
a fee storage unit that stores a usage fee for the content output device;
a pairing processing unit that performs pairing and cancellation of pairing between the content output device and a portable terminal;
an acquisition unit that acquires an audio signal output from a paired mobile terminal;
an audio control unit that controls the playing means and causes the sound emitting means to emit a sound based on the acquired audio signal;
a determination unit that, when canceling pairing with a portable terminal, determines a usage fee to be charged to a user who owns the portable terminal, based on a connection time during which the portable terminal and the content output device were paired and the stored usage fee;
a payment request unit that requests the mobile terminal to make a payment for the determined usage fee;
A content output device having the following: The acquisition unit acquires a video signal output from the paired portable terminal,
2. The content output device according to claim 1, further comprising a video control unit for causing a display unit to display a video based on the acquired video signal. the audio signal acquired from the mobile terminal is a karaoke performance sound signal for singing karaoke,
The content output device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the acoustic control unit controls the performance means and causes the sound emitting means to emit sound based on an audio signal that is a mixture of a singing voice signal input from the sound collection means and a karaoke performance sound signal acquired from the mobile terminal. the fee storage unit stores a singing fee corresponding to karaoke singing;
the acoustic control unit measures a singing time, which is a time during which a singing voice signal is input from a sound collection means;
4. The content output device according to claim 3, wherein the determination unit increases the usage fee based on the singing time and the singing usage fee. The content output device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the pairing processing unit causes a display unit to display information related to the usage fee when the content output device and the mobile terminal are paired.

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