JP3225817B2 - Image selection method for communication karaoke device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image selecting method for a communication karaoke apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, MIDI (Musical Instruments) is used as a means for transmitting performance information for generating musical tones.
Trument Digital Interfac
e) is widely used. MIDI is a hardware and software standard that is defined to enable information exchange by connecting to a sound source such as a musical instrument such as a synthesizer or an electronic piano. When MIDI is used, an input to a player's keyboard or the like is converted to MIDI information and output to a transmission path. On the other hand, a sound source that has a MIDI receiving capability and actually generates a sound is connected to the transmission path, and interprets the MIDI information to generate a sound.

[0003] Such MIDI information is roughly divided into the following information. (1) Note-like information (hereinafter referred to as note information) representing sounding start by keying (pressing the keyboard) or the like, and sounding stop by key release (stopping the keyboard pressing) or the like. This note information includes information on the pitch of the sound represented by the keyboard number. (2) Accent information indicating the strength of pronunciation. In MIDI, it is transmitted and received along with note information. (3) Control information for transmitting an inflectional expression, such as crescendo or pitch fluctuation, performed by a player using a pedal or lever to a sound source. Specifically, when the MIDI converter on the player side detects a change in the lever position, the position information is transmitted. Each of these information will be updated as the performance progresses.
Since the information is transmitted immediately, the information flow is in a state where the above-mentioned various information are mixed.

Since all MIDI information is digitized, recording, editing, and reproduction are performed using computer equipment such as a synthesizer and a recording medium. That is, the MIDI information is recorded on the medium as a data file. Here, SMF (Standard Midi Fi) is usually used as a commonly used file format.
le), but since MIDI information is real-time performance information, each information element (hereinafter MIDI) such as sound generation start and sound generation stop
The event is recorded in the SMF with time information added. Also, since recording is performed according to the order of occurrence of MIDI events,
Note information and control information are recorded in a mixed form.

When storing data files, not limited to SMF, it is desirable that the data files be compressed as much as possible due to the limited capacity of the recording medium. Is usually L used in programs such as LHA and GZIP.
A compression method based on pattern matching called the Z method is used. The principle of the data compression will be briefly described. The generation of the compressed file from the original file is performed by copying the data read from the processing position to the compressed file while moving the processing position in the original file from the head of the file. If two identical data areas exist in the original file, the processing position is set to two of the same data areas.
At the beginning of the first data area, instead of simply copying the data, the distance from the beginning position of the matching first data area to the processing position and the length of the matching data area Is recorded in the compressed file, the processing position in the original file is moved to the end of the second data area, and the processing is continued. As a result, it is not necessary to copy data for the second same data area.
Data may be compressed by adding only a small amount of distance information and length information.

As is apparent from the above description, the compression ratio of this compressed data increases as the size of two identical data areas increases. Also, when searching for a data pattern after a certain processing position from the data area before the processing position, the size of the search target area is limited. It has the characteristic that the rate is high. An example of using such a performance information file such as SMF is a communication karaoke apparatus. Among the non-storage type communication karaoke apparatuses, the terminal apparatus receives a MIDI performance information file distributed from a distribution center via a public line or the like, and the terminal apparatus reproduces the file and uses it as an accompaniment for singing. In this configuration, every time a user selects a music piece, information on the selected music piece is distributed from the center side. In such a case, if the performance information file in the distribution center is compressed and then distributed, the distribution time can be shortened, and the line usage fee can be reduced.

A terminal device of a communication type karaoke apparatus called a storage type has a built-in recording medium such as a large-capacity hard disk and stores therein a performance information file distributed in the past in an updatable manner. Also in this case, by storing the performance information file in a compressed state, more music pieces can be stored in the recording medium.

[0008]

When a karaoke apparatus is used, lyrics of the music are displayed on a display so that the user can easily sing, and a background image corresponding to the atmosphere of the music is projected. It is indispensable to excite the atmosphere of the place. As the background image, there is a still image distributed from the distribution center together with the above-mentioned MIDI information, or a moving image in a changer fixedly provided on the user side, and the background image is selected according to the requested music. . A conventional communication karaoke apparatus will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a conventional communication karaoke apparatus, in which music information, chorus information, still picture information, etc. are transmitted from a distribution center 1 to a communication karaoke apparatus 3 via a communication line 2. Is distributed, this information is stored in a large-capacity storage unit 5 such as a hard disk. The distribution is performed by selecting a time zone where communication costs are low, such as at night. When a user inputs a request music as a code from the input unit 6, music data corresponding to the music is output from the storage unit 5, and a background image corresponding to the music is stored in the storage unit 5 or the changer 7 containing a large number of disks. MIDI information and the like are output from a speaker 9 by a MIDI sound source unit 8, and a background image is displayed on a display 11 via a display drive unit 10.

Here, the background image selection process will be described with reference to FIG. 5. When a user makes a request for a song (S1), the song is extracted (S2), and the attribute is further assigned to the song. It is determined whether there is a background image matching the code (S3). If there is no background image with the matching attribute code in the moving image or the still image (NO), the information of the requested music is reproduced without the background image (S6).
If there is a background image whose attribute code matches in S3 (YES), it is next determined whether or not access to the changer 7 is possible (S4). If it is determined that the changer 7 cannot be accessed due to a failure or the like,
That is, if NO, the information of the requested music is reproduced without a background image (S6). If it is determined that access is possible, that is, if YES, the background image is reproduced (S5), and information of the requested music is also reproduced (S6).

As described above, in the conventional apparatus, since each song has only one background image code, when a certain song is requested, the same background image is always reproduced when requested. There was little fun. Also,
Even if the attribute code of the moving image in the changer matches the attribute code of the requested music, if the changer 7 cannot be accessed due to failure or disconnection of the changer 7,
Since music information and the like are reproduced without displaying any background image, this point is also less interesting. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the problems as described above, and has been devised in order to effectively solve the problems. An object of the present invention is to provide an image selection method for a communication karaoke apparatus capable of expanding the range of selection of a background image. Is to provide.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a main storage means for storing data of a plurality of music pieces and data of a plurality of still images distributed from a distribution center; Moving image storage means for storing moving image data;
Input means for inputting a user's requested music, control means for selecting the music data and the corresponding still image or moving image data as a background image in accordance with the music requested from the input means, and the image selection method for a communication karaoke apparatus and an output means for outputting the request song as musical tones and outputs the background image as an image, wherein each of the music pieces, each still image and each moving, the most significant genus
A plurality of attributes having a plurality of hierarchical structures from the gender to the lowest attribute are individually added in advance, and the plurality of attributes of the music defined by the music requested from the input unit and the respective attributes of the still image and the moving image And comparing the plurality of attributes
Select a still image or movie that matches the background as the background image
A step or a still image or all of the plurality of attributes that match
Changes from the lowest attribute to the higher attribute when there is no video
Remove the attributes one by one until the remaining attributes match
A step of repeating the comparison between the music and the still image and the moving image.
It is configured to have a tap .

As described above, according to the present invention, when a plurality of attributes from the top to the bottom are added to each song, still image and moving image in advance and a requested song is input, the requested song is is compared the attributes and each still image or a moving image attribute, both attributes is that all are those that match is selected as preferentially <br/> background picture. And all genera
If there is no match,
The remaining attributes are removed from the attribute
The comparison will be performed until they match. In this case, moving image storage means for storing moving picture data when inactive, i.e. when not accessible, selecting a background image from the still image. If a plurality of background image candidates are extracted, one background image is selected from the extracted candidates using a random number operation. Further, if one of the finally selected background images is the same as the previously reproduced background image, the use of this background image is stopped, and another background image is selected by random operation. Select

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an image selecting method for a communication karaoke apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a communication karaoke apparatus for carrying out the method of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a view showing the contents of attribute information. First, the communication karaoke apparatus will be described. This communication karaoke apparatus 12
A large-capacity main storage unit 13 for storing data of a large number of music pieces and data of a large number of still images distributed through a communication line 2 such as a telephone line, and a moving image storage unit 14 for storing a large number of moving image data And an input means 15 for the user to input the requested music, and to select the requested music,
The control unit 16 includes a control unit 16 including, for example, a microcomputer for selecting a corresponding background image, and an output unit 17 for reproducing and outputting the selected music or background image. The karaoke apparatus 12 further includes an attribute comparison unit 18 attached to the control unit 16, a random number generation unit 19 for determining one of the background image candidates as a random number when there are a plurality of background image candidates, and a moving image storage unit 14. It has a judgment unit 20 for judging whether or not it is active, that is, whether or not access is possible, and a shelf number conversion processing unit 21 for directly controlling the operation of the moving image storage unit 14.

The moving image storage means 14 is constituted as a changer having, for example, a large number of optical discs 22 and the like. A large number of moving pictures are stored in each optical disc, and the optical discs 22 are arranged on a shelf at a predetermined position. Since moving image data requires a huge amount of capacity, it is stored in an optical disk or the like and fixedly provided. The main storage means 13 stores information sent from the distribution center 1, and includes a music information file area 23 for storing music information (MIDI) and the like, a still image information file area 24 for storing still images, and the like. And an attribute information file area 25 for storing attribute information.

In this embodiment, a plurality of music pieces, still pictures, and moving pictures are respectively provided with a plurality of attributes, in this case, three attributes as shown in FIG. That is, the attribute has, for example, three attribute codes of a genre, a pattern, and a scene. The genre corresponds to the upper attribute, the pattern corresponds to the middle attribute, and the scene corresponds to the lower attribute. The genre has, for example, ten types from 0 to 9 shown below in order to represent the types of songs such as enka and pops, the pattern indicates the type of video that is considered to be adapted to the song, and the scene is Specific types of subjects appearing in the video are shown. The types are not limited to these 10 types.

0: Project 1: Pops (slow tempo) 2: Pops (medium tempo) 3: Pops (uptempo) 4: Animations 5: Foreign songs 6: Enka / Kayo (male) 7: Enka / Kayo (female) 8: Enka / kayo (male and female, etc.) 9: folk songs / famous songs / army songs (Chinese songs, Korean songs) Table 1 shows the attributes actually assigned to the selected songs (songs). Similarly, attributes are given to the moving image and the moving image in advance.

[0017]

[Table 1]

Such attribute information is also transmitted from the distribution center 25 and stored in the main storage unit 13. For this purpose, the attribute information file area 25 has a music attribute area 25A and a still image attribute area 25B for storing them.
And a moving image attribute area 25C, and attribute information is stored as an index in each area. The comparing unit 18 compares the attribute code of the requested music with the attribute code of the still image or the moving image, and is actually processed on software. The comparison unit 18 includes a genre comparison unit 18A that compares genre codes, a pattern comparison unit 18B that compares pattern codes, and a scene comparison unit 18 that compares scene codes.
C and compare each attribute individually.

The random number generator 19 generates a random number electrically, and when there are a plurality of candidate background images, one is determined by a random number operation. In this case, a priority order storage unit 26 for storing the order of the selected background images is provided so that a plurality of background images can be selected with priority by performing a random number operation a plurality of times. The output unit 17 includes, for example, the MIDI tone generator 27 and the display driver 2.
The MIDI sound source unit 27 reproduces MIDI information and generates sound from the speaker 30, or mixes the MIDI information with the real voice input from the micro fan 29 and outputs the mixed sound from the speaker 30. Display drive unit 28
Displays the final selected video or still image on the display 3.
1 is displayed.

The input means 15 has a numeric keypad for the user to input a requested song, and selects a song by inputting a 4-digit code, for example. Note that the input means 15 can also be used to input a selection number in order to select a specific still image. However, since this is not directly related to the present invention, it is not described here.

Next, the method of the present invention performed in the karaoke apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. First, prior to use of the device, from the distribution center 1. Music attribute information, still image attribute information, and moving image attribute information are also distributed in addition to a large number of music information, still image information, and the like, and these information are stored in corresponding areas of the main storage unit 13. As for the moving image attribute information, since the distribution center 1 does not know how many optical disks 22 are actually accommodated in the changer 14, the maximum amount of moving image attribute information that can be used is input. . Of course, the data capacity of these attribute information is much smaller than the data amount of other information.

In such a state, first, when the user inputs a music selection number from the input means 15 and requests a music, the music selection number and the music are in one-to-one correspondence. The music corresponding to the selected music selection number is extracted, and the three pieces of attribute information of the music are stored in the music attribute area 25A.
(S11). Next, the operation proceeds to the operation of selecting a background image corresponding to the extracted music.

First, in step S12, the changer 14 for storing a moving image, that is, whether the moving image storage means is active, that is, whether or not access is possible, is determined by a signal from the determination unit 20 for exchanging signals with the changer 14. to decide. Here, in the case of YES, that is, when it is determined that the changer 14 can be accessed, both the moving image and the still image are subject to the background image. It is checked whether or not there is a piece in which the three attribute codes of the music piece selected in step S1 and the three attribute codes of the respective images all match (S1).
3). In this investigation, attribute information is read from the still image attribute area 25B and the moving image attribute area 25C with reference to the genre code, the genre code is the genre comparison unit 18A, the pattern code is the pattern comparison unit 18B, and the scene code is the scene comparison unit 18C. Is performed by comparing with the attribute code of the music piece previously selected.

If there is one in which all three attribute codes match (YES), all of them, including moving pictures and still pictures, are extracted and stored as candidates (S14). Next, a random number is generated by the random number generation unit 19, and one is finally selected from all the background image candidates previously extracted (S15). In this case, it is preferable that the random number selecting operation is performed a plurality of times, for example, three times, priorities are assigned in the order of occurrence, and stored in the priority order storage unit 26.

Next, if the background image finally selected is a moving image, it is determined whether or not the optical disk 22 storing the moving image exists in the changer 14 (S16), and NO
In the case of, the next candidate is selected. In this case, if the candidates are stored in the priority storage unit 26, the background image of the second candidate may be used, or a new random selection operation may be performed. If YES in S16, it is determined whether or not the selected background image is the same as the previously reproduced background image (S17). If YES, the same background image is continuously reproduced. Since there is no change and lack of interest, the process returns to S15 and selects a background image from the next candidate.
In the case of NO in S17, the selected background image is read from the still image information file area 24 if the selected background image is a still image, and if the image is a moving image, the position of the optical disk or the sector is read via the shelf number exchange processing unit 21. Is read out from the corresponding optical disk 22, and displayed on the display 31 for reproduction (S18). At the same time, the corresponding music information is read from the music information file area 23, and the MID is read.
Sound is generated from the speaker 30 via the I sound source unit 27 (S1
9). Note that, of course, the chorus information and the lyrics character information are simultaneously reproduced.

Here, a specific case will be described. For example, as shown in Table 2 below, the requested song number 10 with the attribute information added to the still image number and the moving image number
Assuming that the attribute code of the music number 050 is genre [1], pattern [15], and scene [23], the still image number 7000 and the moving image number 87131 whose all attribute codes match are extracted as candidates. Are selected by a random selection operation.

[0027]

[Table 2]

Next, returning to S13, in the case of NO here, that is, when none of the three attribute codes match, only the upper two attribute codes (genre and pattern) match. It is determined whether or not there is one (S20), and if YES, all of them are extracted as candidates and stored (S21). Then, after proceeding to S15, through the above-described procedure, one background image is selected by, for example, a random number selection operation and reproduced.

Here, a specific case will be described. For example, as shown in Table 2 above, in a state where each attribute information is added to the still image number and the moving image number, the requested station number 10
Assuming that the attribute code of the music No. 051 is genre [1], pattern [15], scene [00], four still image numbers 70000, 70001, 70002 in which the two upper attribute codes (genre and pattern) match. , 700
03 and the moving image number 87131 are extracted as candidates, and one image is selected by a random selection operation. Next, returning to S20, in the case of NO here, that is, when there is no one in which the upper two attribute codes match, it is determined whether there is one in which the highest attribute code (genre) matches. Is determined (S22), and if YES, they are all extracted as candidates and stored (S23).
In S22, the lowest attribute code (scene) is ignored and not considered.

Then, after proceeding to S15, one background image is selected and reproduced by, for example, a random number selection operation through the above-described procedure. Further, in the case of NO in S22, that is, when there is no matching one of the top-level attribute codes (genres), all the background images to be investigated are extracted as candidates (S24), and then S15 After that, go through the same steps as above,
Select one background image and play it. Of course, the background images that are candidates in S24 include not only still images but also all moving images because the changer 14 can be accessed.

Next, returning to S12, if NO in this case, that is, if the changer 14 cannot be accessed because it has failed or is not connected, the moving image cannot be used as the background image. Therefore, it is determined whether or not there is a search target of only the still image except for the moving image and all three attribute codes match (S2).
5) If YES, proceed to S14 described above,
Extract all candidates. The following steps S15 to S19 are the same as described above. In the case of NO in S25,
The process proceeds to S20 described above, and it is determined whether or not there is any one in which only the upper two codes match. S21 to S21
Steps S25 and S15 to S19 are the same as described above.
In this case, unlike the case where the changer has access to all the background images that have been investigated in S24, it is needless to say that only the still images are shown except for moving images.
In the above embodiment, the attribute code has a three-layer structure using three types of genre, pattern, and scene. However, two or four or more types may be used to enable fine selection. .

[0032]

As described above, according to the image selecting method of the communication karaoke apparatus of the present invention, the following excellent operational effects can be exhibited. Mosquitoes trying to perform
Select a background image that exactly matches the lyrics of the Laoke song
I can do it. Also, karaoke songs that you want to perform
If no background image exactly matches the background image of
The selection range of the image is gradually expanded, and the
Lyrics content of the karaoke song from among many background images
The background image closest to is surely selected. Further, even when the moving image storage means for storing moving image information cannot be accessed, a still image suitable for music selection can be reproduced. Further, when the background image used immediately before is selected, the next candidate is used, so that the same background image can be prevented from being reproduced continuously.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a communication karaoke apparatus for carrying out a method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the contents of attribute information.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the process of the method of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a conventional communication karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a conventional background image selection process.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Distribution center, 2 ... Communication line, 12 ... Communication karaoke apparatus, 13 ... Main storage means, 14 ... Video storage means (changer), 15 ... Input means, 16 ... Control means, 17 ... Output means, 18 ... Attribute comparison Section, 19: random number generating section, 23: music information file area, 24: still image information file area, 25: attribute information file area, 25A: music attribute area, 25B: still image attribute area, 25C: moving image attribute area.

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-5-241585 (JP, A) JP-A-4-11295 (JP, A) JP-A-7-212714 (JP, A) JP-A-7-281686 (JP) JP-A-58-128028 (JP, A) JP-A-4-168498 (JP, A) JP-A-5-289682 (JP, A) JP-A-9-134186 (JP, A) JP-A-7-327222 (JP, A) JP-A-8-102902 (JP, A) JP-A-7-13576 (JP, A) JP-A-8-54889 (JP, A) JP-A-7-210183 (JP, A) A) JP-A-8-160979 (JP, A) JP-A-8-190394 (JP, A) JP-A-8-221086 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) ) G10K 15/04 302 G11B 27/34

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A main storage means for storing data of a plurality of music pieces, data of a plurality of still pictures, and the like distributed from a distribution center, a moving picture storage means for storing data of a plurality of moving pictures, and a music piece requested by a user. Input means, a control means for selecting, as a background image, the music data and the corresponding still image or moving image data corresponding to the requested music from the input means, and an image of the selected background image And an output unit for outputting the requested music as a musical tone. The image selection method of the communication karaoke apparatus, wherein each music, each still image, and each moving image is assigned the highest attribute from the highest attribute.
Multiple attributes having multiple hierarchical structures up to lower-level attributes
The plurality of attributes of the music specified by the request music from the input means are compared with the attributes of the still image and the moving image, and all of the plurality of attributes match.
Selecting the selected still image or moving image as the background image
And there are still images or moving images that match all of the multiple attributes
If not, the attributes belong sequentially from the lowest attribute to the higher attribute.
Before the song until the remaining attributes match except the gender
Repeating the comparison with the still image and the moving image.
Image selection method of a communication karaoke apparatus characterized by that. 2. A method for managing a plurality of music pieces distributed from a distribution center.
Main storage means for storing data, data of multiple still images, etc.
Moving image storage means for storing data of a plurality of moving images;
An input means for inputting the user's requested song, and the input means
The data of the music corresponding to the music requested from the stage
The corresponding still or moving image data as the background image
Control means for selection and output of the selected background image as video
Output the requested song as a musical tone
Image selection method of a communication karaoke apparatus having
And each of the music, each still image and each moving image has a higher attribute, a middle attribute,
3 attributes consisting of sex and lower-level attributes
Specified by the request music from the input means.
The plurality of attributes of the music to be played and the attributes of the still image and the moving image
And the still image or all the three attributes matched
Is a first step of selecting a moving image as a background image, and a still image in which all of the three attributes match in the first step
Or, if there is no video, the upper attribute and middle
Select a still image or movie with matching attributes as background image
The second step and the upper and middle attributes match in the second step.
If there is no still image or moving image,
Select a still image or moving image that matches
3. An image selecting method for a communication karaoke apparatus, comprising: three steps . 3. When the moving image storage device is out of order or not connected , the comparison is performed only for the still image and the back
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a landscape image is selected. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein, as a result of the comparison, when there are a plurality of background pictures having the same attribute , one background picture is extracted and reproduced by a random number operation. Item 4. The image selecting method of the communication karaoke device according to any one of Items 1 to 3. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the random number operation is performed a plurality of times, and when the extracted background image is the same as the previously reproduced background image, the next extracted background image is used. Item 5. The image selecting method of the communication karaoke device according to Item 4.