JPH08190339A - Karaoke equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To provide a karaoke device that enables even blind people to easily obtain lyrics information and enjoy karaoke. [Structure] The karaoke apparatus 1 is provided with a performance music storage means 24 for storing musical tone data of a performance music, a performance music setting means 19 for setting (reserving) a performance music, a lyrics data storage means 25, and a music performance means. In addition to the configuration of the karaoke device, the system includes braille signal conversion means and braille lyrics output means 30, and after the lyrics data corresponding to the musical composition is converted into a braille signal by the braille signal conversion means, the braille lyrics are converted based on the braille signal. It is output from the Braille lyrics output means 30. With this Braille lyrics output, even a blind person can easily obtain lyrics information and enjoy karaoke.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a karaoke device,
In particular, it relates to a karaoke device that can output the lyrics of a performance song in Braille.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional karaoke apparatus, when a predetermined music piece is selected, the music piece flows from a speaker, and the lyrics of the music piece are visually displayed on a display means such as a CRT. Then, the user of the device will sing along with the performance of the song while looking at the lyrics displayed on the display means.

[0003]

In the above karaoke apparatus, the lyrics displayed on the lyrics display means cannot be read by a blind person as a matter of course. That is, in the conventional karaoke apparatus, provision of lyrics information by means other than a visual method is not considered at all, and as a result, a blind person cannot sing a song unless they memorize the lyrics. there were.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a karaoke device which enables even a visually handicapped person to easily obtain lyrics information and enjoy karaoke.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems, the karaoke apparatus of the present invention is characterized by including the following requirements. Performance music storage means: Stores musical tone data of a performance music. Performance song setting means: Sets a performance song. Specifically, it can be configured as a means for inputting data (for example, a song number, a song name, etc.) for specifying a performance song and reserving a desired performance song. Music playing means: The musical tone data of the playing music set by the playing music setting means is read from the playing music storage means to play the playing music. Lyrics data storage means: Stores the lyrics data corresponding to the performance music stored in the performance music storage means. Braille signal converting means: The lyrics data corresponding to the musical piece set by the musical piece setting means is read from the lyrics data storage means, and the lyrics data is converted into a braille signal. Braille lyrics output means: Based on the braille signal generated by the braille signal conversion means, outputs the braille lyrics corresponding to the musical piece played by the music performance means.

The above karaoke apparatus can be provided with a Braille output speed adjusting means for adjusting the output speed of the Braille lyrics output to the Braille lyrics output means. It is also possible to provide performance speed adjusting means for adjusting the performance speed of the musical piece played by the music performance means in accordance with the output speed of the Braille lyrics adjusted by the Braille output speed adjusting means.

Next, the Braille lyrics output means is specifically, among the Braille forming members arranged in a matrix along a predetermined Braille forming surface and among the Braille forming members in a direction intersecting with the Braille forming surface. It is possible to configure a predetermined one with a Braille forming member driving means for driving the predetermined one so as to project relative to another. In this case, the Braille lyrics are output by forming the Braille based on the combination of the Braille forming member that relatively projects and the Braille forming member that does not project.

Further, the karaoke apparatus of the present invention reads out the lyrics data corresponding to the performance music set by the performance music setting means from the lyrics data storage means and visually displays the lyrics based on the read lyrics data. The lyrics display device may be provided. In this case, the mode selection means is provided for selecting at least one of a mode in which the lyrics corresponding to the performance song are output as braille lyrics from the braille lyrics output means and a mode in which the lyrics are visually displayed on the lyrics display device. Can be one.

[0009]

The karaoke apparatus of the present invention includes a performance music storage means for storing music sound data of a performance music, a performance music setting means for setting (reserving) the performance music, a lyrics data storage means, and a music performance means. In addition to the configuration of the karaoke apparatus including, the Braille signal conversion means and the Braille lyrics output means, the lyrics data corresponding to the performance song is converted into the Braille signal by the Braille signal conversion means, based on the Braille signal The Braille lyrics are output from the Braille lyrics output means. With this Braille lyrics output, even a blind person can easily obtain lyrics information and enjoy karaoke.

Further, according to the device configuration including the braille output speed adjusting means, the output speed of the braille lyrics output to the braille lyrics output means can be freely adjusted, and thus the braille lyrics reading ability of the device user. The output speed of Braille lyrics can be set according to. Further, according to the configuration including the playing speed adjusting means, the playing speed of the playing piece played by the music playing means is adjusted in correspondence with the output speed of the Braille lyrics adjusted by the braille output speed adjusting means. ,
For example, even if the Braille reading speed is not so high, the singing can be comfortably enjoyed by setting the playing speed to be slightly slow.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the karaoke apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the karaoke apparatus of the present invention. The karaoke device 1 is configured as a so-called communication karaoke device, and karaoke data is sent from the host computer 2 to the karaoke commander 4, which is the core part of the karaoke device, through the communication means 3 such as a public telephone line. The karaoke commander 4 is connected to the communication means 3, a monitor 7 as a lyrics display device for visually displaying lyrics, an amplifier mixer 8 and the like, and a microphone 5 and a speaker 6 are connected to the amplifier mixer 8.

The karaoke commander 4 is a karaoke controller 1
0, where CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13
Etc. are built in and control the whole karaoke device.
The karaoke control unit 10 includes a modem 15 that communicates between the host computer 2 and the karaoke commander 4, a karaoke data storage unit 16 that stores musical tone data of karaoke songs distributed from the host computer 2, and the storage unit 16 thereof.
A tone synthesizing section 17 for synthesizing a piece of music based on the musical tone data stored in, a monitor control section 18, and an input section 19 as a musical piece setting means are connected. Further, the karaoke control unit 10 includes a Braille board 30 as a Braille lyrics output means.
Are connected via the Braille board control unit 31.

The karaoke data storage unit 16 stores a large number of musical tone data of musical pieces to be played in association with musical piece names. This musical sound data is, for example, MIDI (Musical Instrument)
Digital Interface) standard, and the information includes at least scale, tone strength, tone length, tone color, and other data. The lyrics information storage unit 25 stores the lyrics data of each karaoke song, for example, as data of a sentence containing kanji and kana, and the background video data storage unit 26 pairs each background video data corresponding to each song or each song with a pair. It stores some different background video data that does not correspond to one.
The musical tone synthesizer 17 is composed of, for example, a synthesizer,
It serves as a sound source for synthesizing (generating) the performance signals of the respective musical instruments based on the musical sound data sent from the musical sound information storage section 24 (performance music storage means). This performance signal is sent to the amplifier mixer 8
Is amplified and mixed with the user's singing voice input through the microphone 5 at an appropriate ratio and output from the speaker 6. That is, the musical sound synthesizing section 17, the amplifier mixer 8, the speaker 6 and the like constitute a music playing means.

Next, the Braille board control unit 31 receives the Braille signal output from the karaoke commander 4, and outputs predetermined Braille lyrics to the Braille board 30 in synchronization with the progress of the performance of the music. As shown in FIG. 4, the Braille board 30 includes a large number of pin-shaped Braille forming members 33 arranged in a matrix along the Braille forming surface 32. For example, FIG. 5 (a)
As shown in, each braille forming member 33 is arranged in a guide hole 34 a formed in the guide plate 34 and is slidable in the plate thickness direction of the guide plate 34. The upper surface side of the guide plate 34 is a Braille forming surface 32, and the surface is covered with a cover sheet 36 made of a flexible material such as rubber or resin, and each guide hole 34 a is closed by the cover sheet 36. Has been. On the other hand, a permanent magnet piece 35 is fixed to the lower portion of each Braille forming member 33. Further, on the lower side thereof, the core 37
Electromagnets 39 each having a coil 38 wound therein are arranged.

The electromagnet 39 functions as a Braille forming member driving means, and is excited by the output from the Braille board control unit 31 so as to generate a magnetic repulsive force with the permanent magnet piece 35, whereby the Braille forming member. The tip portion of 33 projects from the Braille forming surface 32 while pushing up the cover sheet 36 (the central Braille forming member 33 in FIG. 5A). On the other hand, unless the electromagnet 39 is excited, the Braille forming member 33 does not project from the Braille forming surface 32. Then, a predetermined Braille is formed on the Braille forming surface 32 by the combination of the protruding Braille forming member 33 and the Braille forming member 33 that does not protrude. Here, the upper limit of this protruding operation is the Braille forming member 3
Although defined by the stopper 33a formed in the lower part of 3, the balance between the repulsive force acting between the electromagnet 39 and the permanent magnet piece 35 and the elastic force generated in the cover sheet 36 due to the pushing up by the Braille forming member 33 May be specified.

The Braille board 30 can also be constructed as shown in FIG. 5 (b). The Braille forming member 33 is made of a magnetic material, and no permanent magnet piece is provided below it. Then, between the base plate 40 provided below the guide plate 34 and the lower portion of the Braille forming member 33, an elastic member 41 for urging the Braille forming member 33 in a direction projecting from the Braille forming surface 32 is, for example, of the electromagnet 39. It is provided concentrically on the outside, and when the electromagnet 39 is not excited, the braille-forming member 33 is projected from the Braille-forming surface 32 by the urging force of the elastic member 41, and when the electromagnet 39 is excited, the braille-forming is formed. The member 33 is attracted by the electromagnet 39 against the urging force of the elastic member 41 and is in the non-projecting state.

The above configuration is an example in which the Braille forming member 33 is driven by utilizing the magnetic repulsive force or the attractive force. However, the Braille forming member 33 is driven by using the force based on Fleming's left hand rule. You may. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the inner peripheral surface of the guide plate 34 is formed with a guide hole 34a, and the ring-shaped permanent magnet 42 magnetized to have two or more poles in the radial direction. And the Braille forming member 33 is arranged inside thereof. And Braille forming member 3
A coil 43 is integrally formed in a portion existing inside the ring-shaped permanent magnet 42 of No. 3, and a current in a predetermined direction is applied to the coil 43, so that the coil 43 is formed as shown in (b). The Braille forming member 33 can be projected from the Braille forming surface 32 by the force acting on. Further, as a configuration opposite to this, as shown in FIG. 7A, for example, a hole 46 is formed in the base member 40, the coil 44 is arranged along the inner peripheral surface thereof, and Permanent magnet piece 45 provided inside the Braille forming member 33 underneath
To place. This permanent magnet piece 45 is magnetized to have two poles or more poles along the radial direction of the coil 44, and a current in a predetermined direction is applied to the coil 44,
As shown in (b), the braille forming member 33 is attached to the braille forming surface 3
2 can be projected.

Returning to FIG. 1, the monitor control unit 18 uses the lyrics telop information sent from the lyrics information storage unit 25 as C
The video signal is converted into a video signal that can be visually displayed on the monitor 7 such as an RT, and the background video data sent from the background video data storage unit 26 is combined with the lyrics telop and displayed on the monitor 7. In addition, it plays the role of notifying the user of the corresponding singing part by sequentially reversing the lyrics telop in synchronization with the progress of the performance of the song. As shown in FIG. 3, the input section 19 includes operation keys 10a for reserving a song that the user wants to sing, adjusting the pitch, speed, etc. of the song to be played, lyrics output to the monitor 7, and the like. A mode selector switch 10b and the like for switching the output of Braille lyrics to the Braille board 30 and the like are provided. In the present embodiment, the input unit 19 is configured as a remote control unit including a wireless transmission unit 10c such as an infrared generator, but it may be configured to be connected to the karaoke commander 4 by wire, or the karaoke commander 4 may be used. It can also be configured as one integrally incorporated in the.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, in the RAM 13 of the karaoke commander 4, the song numbers of reserved performance songs, etc.
A song reservation memory 13a is provided for storing data for specifying a song to be played. Further, in the ROM 12, a music performance program 12a for reading musical tone data from the musical tone information storage section 24 to perform a musical composition, mode output such as lyrics output to the monitor 7 and output of Braille lyrics to the Braille board 30. Based on the lyrics information stored in the mode setting program 12b and the lyrics information storage unit 25, the Braille conversion output program 12c and the lyrics information storage unit 25 for converting this into a Braille signal and outputting it to the Braille board control unit.
Lyrics output program 12d for outputting the lyrics information stored in the monitor 7 to the monitor 7, and the background video data storage unit 26.
A background image display program 12e and the like for reading the background image data stored in and output to the monitor 7 are stored. Hereinafter, the operation of the karaoke apparatus 1 based on these programs will be described using a flowchart.

First, in S1 of FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not there is a mode switching signal. The mode switching signal is transmitted by pressing the mode switching switch 10b of the input unit 19 (FIG. 3). If there is no switching signal, the process proceeds to S19 of FIG. 11, the Braille lyrics are not output, and the mode for visually displaying the lyrics on the monitor 7 (screen display mode) is automatically selected. On the other hand, if there is a switching signal, the mode setting program 1
2b starts up and the monitor 7 displays “1: Braille 2: Screen 3:
"Both" etc. is displayed (S2), and the corresponding number is entered in input section 1
Input from 9 to select the mode (S3). And S4 ~
It is determined which mode is selected in S6,
The following process is determined based on the determination result.

First, when the Braille mode is selected (when 1 is input in S3), the Braille conversion output program 12
c is activated, and the process proceeds from S4 to S7, and a display prompting the monitor 7 to input the output speed of the Braille lyrics is displayed. Based on this, the user inputs the output speed from the input unit 19 using, for example, the numbers 1 to 9 (S8). When the output speed of the Braille lyrics is input, the music playing speed corresponding to the output speed is automatically set (S9). Then, a display is displayed on the monitor 7 asking the user to confirm whether the setting conditions are acceptable (S10),
A predetermined input is made accordingly (S10a). When changing the setting condition, the process returns from S12 to S7 and is repeated. The above display may not be visually displayed using the monitor 7, but may be output in Braille on the Braille board 30.

On the other hand, if there is no change in the setting conditions (Y in S11
In the case of es), the process proceeds to S31 of FIG. 10 and the music number is input from the input unit 19 to reserve the performance music. Here, the input unit 1
It is convenient for a visually impaired person to perform a key operation if Braille characters are displayed for each of the nine operation keys 10a. Reservation of a performance song may be performed by inputting data other than the song number (for example, song name) as long as the performance song can be specified. Next, in S32, the inputted song number is the song reservation memory 1 of the RAM 13 (FIG. 2).
3a is stored. Then, when the music piece is reserved, the music performance program 12a is started, and the first one of the music numbers stored in the music reservation memory 13a is read out in S33, and the music data corresponding to the music number is read in S34. Is read. Further, in S35, the lyrics information is read and converted into a Braille signal by the Braille conversion output program 12c. In this way, a song is played based on the read musical sound data, and Braille lyrics are displayed on the Braille board 30 based on the Braille signal obtained by the conversion (S37, S
38).

Here, the method of converting the lyrics information into the Braille signal by the Braille conversion output program 12c is divided into words, for example, the lyrics information composed of sentences containing Kanji and Kana, and the readings of those words are stored in the ROM 12 or the like. The lyrics information is converted into information based only on kana by collating with the read list (dictionary). Then, the braille code table is stored in the ROM 12 or the like, and each kana or code constituting the information is replaced with the corresponding braille code. Then, each braille code is sent to the braille board control unit 31 (FIG. 1) as a braille signal. Each braille code is composed of, for example, a set of "0.1" signals corresponding to the number of braille forming members 33 forming one braille (e.g., 4 vertically and 2 horizontally). On the other hand, the Braille board control unit 31
8 is provided with a register 31a corresponding to a braille forming matrix as shown in FIG. 8, the "0.1" signals of the braille code are sequentially stored in the respective storage areas 31b, and "0 .." corresponding to the braille to be displayed. 1 "to form an array of data. Then, for example, in the configuration of the Braille board 30 shown in FIG. 5A, the electromagnet 39 corresponding to "1" (or "0") in the arrangement is excited to cause the Braille forming member 33 to project, and "0". The one corresponding to (or "1") should not be projected. As a result, as shown in FIG.
Braille is formed on the Braille board 30 (in the figure, ◯ indicates a protruding Braille forming member, and − indicates a non-protruding Braille forming member).

FIG. 14 shows a typical karaoke machine.
As shown in (a), the lyrics telop 50 is sequentially switched and displayed on the screen 20 of the monitor along with the background image and the like as the performance of the tune progresses. As shown, the Braille lyrics 51 are displayed on the Braille board 30 while sequentially switching by one or more predetermined lines. Further, in order to make the corresponding singing part easy to understand, Braille is formed from one side to the other side on the Braille board 30 in synchronization with the progress of the performance of the song, one by one or a predetermined number of characters. It can also be configured to move forward. On the other hand, Braille board 30
In addition, the protruding height of the Braille forming member 33 can be changed in two or more steps. According to such a configuration, first, the Braille forming member 33 is projected at a predetermined protruding height to display all or part of the lyrics (for example, one line) at once, and then the Braille forming member corresponding to the singing portion. Three
By sequentially changing the protruding height of 3 in synchronization with the performance of the music, it is possible to notify the corresponding singing portion.

The Braille lyrics display speed is adjusted by the Braille conversion output program 12c based on the Braille output speed input in S8 of FIG. That is, the Braille conversion output program 12c serves as the Braille output speed adjusting means. Also,
Music performance program 12a according to the Braille output speed
Automatically adjusts the speed of music performance. That is, the music performance program 12a serves as a performance speed adjusting means. The output speed of the Braille lyrics and the performance speed of the song can be adjusted at any time during the performance of the song by operating the input unit 19 or the like.

In the above example, a method of converting the existing lyrics information in a kanji-kana mixed sentence into braille information is used. However, the braille lyrics information described in advance in braille code is separated from the lyrics information. It may be stored in the karaoke data storage unit 16 or the like, and in the Braille mode, the Braille lyrics information may be read and displayed on the Braille board 30.

When the performance of the music is completed, it is determined in S39 of FIG. 10 whether the music number of the next music to be played is stored in the music reservation memory 13a. If it is stored, the process returns to S33, the music number of the next performance music is read from the music reservation memory 13a, and the same processing is repeated thereafter. If not stored, the process returns to S31 to wait for the input of the song number.
Even when the song number is stored in the song reservation memory 13a, the song number can be input at any time, and the performance song can be reserved. If the end signal is detected in S40, the process ends. On the other hand, when the mode switching is performed after the performance is finished and the mode switching signal is detected (that is, Yes in S41 and S42), the process returns to S1 and the mode is set again.

Returning to FIG. 9, when the screen display mode is selected (when 2 is input in S3), S5 to FIG.
Proceed to S19. The flow of S19 to S30 is almost the same as the flow of S31 to S42 shown in FIG. 10, except that the lyrics information read out in S23 is not converted into a braille signal, and the background image data is converted into a background image in S24. The point is that the lyrics are read from the data storage unit 26 and the lyrics are visually displayed on the monitor 7 along with the image in S26. On the other hand, if 3 is input in S3,
The mode for performing both the lyrics screen display and the Braille lyrics output is entered, and the process proceeds from S6 to S13 in FIG. The flow from S13 to S18 is exactly the same as the flow from S7 to S12 in FIG.
The braille output speed is set in the same manner. Then, when the input of the Braille output speed is completed, the process proceeds from S17 to S43 in FIG. The flow from S43 to S56 is basically S31 to S in FIG.
42, or almost the same as S19 to S30 in FIG. 11, S48
In S49, the lyrics information is converted into a braille signal, in S49, the background image data is read, in S51, the lyrics / image is visually displayed on the monitor 7, and in S52, the braille lyrics are output to the braille board 30. .

In the above device configuration, the monitor 7 for visually displaying lyrics, images, etc. can be omitted. Further, when all the karaoke information such as the musical tone data, the lyrics information and the background image data is supplied through the recording medium such as the disk, the communication means such as the modem 15 can be omitted.

In this way, according to the karaoke apparatus of this embodiment, even if a blind person selects a song whose lyrics are unknown, the lyrics are displayed in Braille so that the user can enjoy karaoke by relying on the Braille. be able to. Furthermore, from the aspect of welfare, people with disabilities can be taken into consideration and social contribution is great.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a karaoke device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the contents of RAM and ROM of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an input unit.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a braille board.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a Braille board together with its modification.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another modified example of the Braille board together with its operation.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing still another modified example of the Braille board together with its operation.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of a register that stores a Braille signal in the Braille board control means.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the karaoke apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart following B in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart following FIG. 9A.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart following E in FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart following C of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example of lyrics output to a monitor and a braille board.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Karaoke device 4 Karaoke commander 6 Speaker (music playing means) 7 Monitor (lyric display device) 8 Amplifier mixer (music playing means) 10 Karaoke control section 12 ROM 12a Music playing program (music playing means, playing speed adjusting means) 12b Mode setting Program (mode selection means) 12c Braille conversion output program (braille signal conversion means,
Braille output speed adjusting means) 16 Karaoke data storage section 19 Input section (performance music setting means) 24 Musical tone information storage section (performance music storage means) 25 Lyrics information storage section (lyric data storage means) 30 Braille board (braille lyrics output means) ) 33 Braille forming member 39 Electromagnet (braille forming member driving means)

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A musical piece data storing means for storing musical tone data of a musical piece, a musical piece setting means for setting a musical piece, and musical tone data for the musical piece set by the musical piece setting means. Music performance means for reading the performance music piece from the performance music piece, lyrics data storage means for storing lyrics data corresponding to the performance music piece stored in the performance music piece storage means, and performance set by the performance music piece setting means. Based on the braille signal conversion means for reading the lyrics data corresponding to the song from the lyrics data storage means and converting the lyrics data into a braille signal, the music playing means is based on the braille signal generated by the braille signal conversion means. A karaoke device comprising: a Braille lyrics output means for outputting Braille lyrics corresponding to a musical piece to be played. 2. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising Braille output speed adjusting means for adjusting the output speed of the Braille lyrics output to the Braille lyrics output means. 3. A playing speed adjusting means for adjusting the playing speed of the playing music played by the music playing means in accordance with the output speed of the braille lyrics adjusted by the braille output speed adjusting means. Item 2. The karaoke apparatus according to item 2. 4. The braille lyrics output means includes: braille forming members arranged in a matrix along a predetermined braille forming surface; and a predetermined one of the braille forming members in a direction intersecting the braille forming surface. Braille forming member driving means for driving one so as to project relatively relative to another, Braille based on a combination of the relatively protruding Braille forming member and the non-projecting Braille forming member The karaoke apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the Braille lyrics are output by forming a. 5. A lyrics display device for reading lyrics data corresponding to a musical piece set by the musical piece setting means from the lyrics data storage means and visually displaying lyrics based on the read lyrics data. The karaoke apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: 6. A mode in which the lyrics corresponding to the performance song is output as braille lyrics from the braille lyrics output means, and a mode in which the lyrics are visually displayed on the lyrics display device,
The karaoke apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a mode selection unit that selects at least one of them.