Yamaha Corporation

Yuichi Murai

Kanehisa Tsurumi

Youji Semba

Emi Ito

A storing unit of a communication karaoke apparatus has a newly released music file storing area, an information file storing area, a necessary information file list storing area, and the like. Information files are used for displaying information such as concert information, and advertisements of stores and goods. The information files are displayed during an intermission of karaoke performances due to music-piece files. When a new release file is downloaded, a necessary information file list is simultaneously downloaded. Based on the necessary information file list, unnecessary information files are deleted from the information file storing area, and only necessary information files among the downloaded information files are written into the information file storing area. Accordingly, only necessary information files can be always stored.

Method of managing information files in a communication karaoke

A karaoke network system includes a host computer and a plurality of karaoke stations connected to the host computer via a communication line. When a new karaoke station is added to the karaoke network system or when a system program to be used by each of the karaoke stations is upgraded, a new system program is distributed from the host computer to the specified karaoke stations, Each of the karaoke stations has a first storage device for storing the new system program received from the host computer, and a second storage device that stores a system program currently executed to operate each of the karaoke stations. After rebooting each of the karaoke stations and thereafter, each of the karaoke stations is operated with the newest system program.

Method of operating a karaoke network system with system program

A host apparatus stores all of music-piece files and information files, and also stores lists information files (information file lists) required for a plurality of areas where communication karaoke apparatuses are located. When music-piece files are downloaded to a communication karaoke apparatus, information files are simultaneously downloaded. Information files required for the area are determined based on the area where the communication karaoke apparatus is located, and only the necessary information files are downloaded together with the music-piece files. As a result, the operation efficiency and the communication efficiency can be enhanced. At this time, a list of information files stored in the communication karaoke apparatus is requested, and only difference information files are downloaded so that the efficiencies can be further enhanced.

Growing community of inventors

Tokyo, Japan

Yuichi Murai