JPH09190340A - Karaoke device provided with communication function, host computer for the same and karaoke system provided with communication function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the version up of a communication KARAOKE device even without exchanging an equipment by rewriting the operation program of the KARAOKE device, into an operation program transmitted from a host computer. SOLUTION: The operation program of the KARAOKE device (terminal) 10 can be rewritten into the operation program transmitted from the host computer (server). The terminal 10 is provided with CPU 12 controlling the whole terminal 10, ROM 13 for CPU for storing the operation program of the terminal 10, a character font and the like, RAM 14 for CPU for storing received data from the server and the like and MODEM/NCU 15 transmitting a request signal from the terminal 10 and receiving received data from the server. They are connected to a data bus 11. A memory which can be rewritten is used for ROM 13 for CPU and it can update and add data in accordance with the instruction of CPU 12.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a karaoke device with a communication function, a karaoke device with a communication function, and a host computer for a karaoke device with a communication function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of karaoke apparatus is mainly used for business use, having a communication function because of the speed of handling new songs. This karaoke device is connected to a server (host computer) by a public line, and music information is transmitted from the server to the karaoke device. Furthermore, even for household karaoke devices, those having a communication function have come to be marketed, and the karaoke device having a communication function has become multi-functional.

The karaoke apparatus having a communication function is provided with a control section and its operation program, but is not provided with a music information storage section. When a song is specified by the karaoke device, the song information is transmitted from the server to the karaoke device. Therefore, since the karaoke apparatus does not have a storage section for music information, the karaoke apparatus can be downsized and simplified, and there is an advantage that the version of the karaoke music for adding new music is not frequently updated. . On the other hand, on the server side, a huge number of songs including the latest songs (for example,
Information of more than 10,000 songs is stored.

[0004]

As described above, in the conventional karaoke apparatus with a communication function, the karaoke music version can be easily upgraded by adding a new music piece in the server. However, regarding the version upgrade of the function of the karaoke device, since the operation program of the karaoke device is stored in the ROM in the karaoke device,
There was a problem that it was difficult.

That is, the user has no choice but to replace the karaoke device or to replace the ROM in the terminal in order to upgrade the function of the karaoke device, and replacement of the karaoke device requires a large amount of money. However, even if the ROM in the terminal is replaced, there is a problem that it takes a lot of trouble.

Further, the karaoke system manager must redesign and remanufacture a new karaoke device ROM each time a new karaoke device model having a new function is sold, and the old karaoke system is redesigned. It was difficult to reuse the ROM used for the device and the karaoke device.
Therefore, when the version is upgraded by replacing the ROM, there is a problem that the ROM for the old model karaoke device is wasted. In addition, when the version is upgraded by replacing the karaoke device, the old karaoke device with communication function will be taken over from the user at the time of version upgrade. There was a problem that it was difficult to use.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention of claim 1 is a karaoke device with a communication function capable of exchanging information with a host computer (80), wherein the karaoke device (10) comprises: It is characterized in that the operation program can be rewritten with the operation program transmitted from the host computer (80).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a karaoke device (10) is provided.
In the karaoke system host computer (80) with a communication function capable of exchanging information with the above, a specific operation program can be transmitted only when it is a specific karaoke device (10).

According to a third aspect of the invention, in the karaoke system with a communication function, which comprises a host computer (80) and a karaoke device (10) with a communication function capable of exchanging information with the host computer (80), the host The computer (80) displays a specific karaoke device (1
0), a specific operation program is transmitted to the karaoke device (10), and the karaoke device (1) is transmitted.
0) executes the operation program on the host computer (8).
It is possible to rewrite to the operation program transmitted from 0).

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of main parts of a karaoke device according to the present invention, showing a terminal 10, a CRT 30, an amplifier / speaker 40, and a microphone 50.

The terminal 10 controls the entire terminal 10.
A CPU 12 for controlling, a ROM 13 for CPU that stores operation programs and character fonts of this terminal 10, a RAM 14 for CPU that stores received data from the server 80 (shown in FIG. 2), and a request from this terminal 10. The MODEM / NCU 15 and the like that transmit signals and receive data received from the server 80 are provided, and these are connected to the data bus 11. In addition, R for CPU
A rewritable memory is used for the OM 13, and the rewritable memory is capable of updating and adding data in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 12.

The VDP 17 is used to generate video data such as lyrics and still images to be displayed on the CRT 30, and is connected to the data bus 11. VDP17
The output of is converted into an analog signal by the video D / A converter 18, and then connected to the NTSC encoder 19. The NTSC encoder 19 is for converting analog-converted video data into an NTSC signal, and its output is connected to the CRT 30. This NTSC encoder 19 is a home video camera,
External video can be captured from video equipment such as a VCR, BS / CS tuner, TV tuner, etc., and the captured external video can be used as a background movie, and the user can view the background movie of their choice. While you can enjoy karaoke.

On the other hand, the terminal 10 includes a sound source RAM 22 for storing MIDI data and a WaveROM 23 for storing sound source data (sampling data) of each musical instrument, which are connected to the data bus 21.
The sound source chip 24 is for generating musical instrument data,
It is connected to the data buses 11 and 21. Sound source chip 2
The output of No. 4 is converted into an analog signal by the sound source D / A converter 25, and then connected to the mixer 26. The mixer 26 sends the musical instrument data from the sound source D / A converter 25 and the microphone sound from the microphone 50 to the CPU 12.
In order to mix and add an audio effect in accordance with the instruction of 1., the output is connected to the amplifier / speaker 40. The amplifier / speaker 40 is
The audio signal generated and processed in this way is amplified and output as audio.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the server 80 of this embodiment. The server 80 controls the entire server 80.
CPU 82 for controlling and input terminal 83 for inputting data
And a communication I / F 84 connected to a plurality of karaoke devices through an analog public line, and a hard disk 85, which are connected by a data bus 81.

The hard disk 85 has a karaoke data area 85a, a terminal version management area 85b, a charging area 85c, and a version upgrade information area 85d.
Contains. Information in the hard disk 85 is the CPU
In accordance with the instruction 82, search, update and addition are input terminal 83.
The operation of the online karaoke system can be performed, and the administrator of the online karaoke system can grasp the status of version upgrade by searching the information stored in the hard disk 85, and input a new version by updating or adding data. You can

The karaoke data area 85a is an area for storing karaoke information such as the length, strength, and pitch of each of the songs played in the karaoke song centering on the MIDI data of the karaoke song. is there. Since this information is different for each karaoke piece, data corresponding to each karaoke piece is stored. The karaoke information can be transmitted to the terminal 10 in response to a karaoke request according to a command from the CPU 82.

Karaoke data area 85 shown in FIG.
a, terminal version management area 85b, and charging area 8
In addition to 5c, the hard disk 85 can store data related to games (for example, baseball games, soccer games, etc.) and other information (for example, news, weather forecasts, etc.). Such data can be transmitted to the terminal 10, and these data are used by the terminal 10 as a game function and an information function.

Although the hard disk 85 is used in FIG. 2, a storage medium other than the hard disk, for example, a storage medium capable of electrically, magnetically, and optically storing data such as an optical disk, is supplementarily provided. Alternatively, it can be used as a main part. Further, although FIG. 2 shows only the case of the operation program for karaoke, the hard disk 85 can store operation programs other than the operation program for karaoke, for example, a game operation program and an information display operation program. is there.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the contents of information stored in the server 80. FIG. 3A is a diagram showing the terminal version management area 85b. In the terminal version management area 85b, the user ID and the confirmation flag are recorded in association with each other. The user ID is an ID number given to each user terminal, and the karaoke system uses this ID number to identify the terminal. The confirmation flag is an electronic symbol indicating the type of the version of the terminal, and in FIG. 3A, there are two types, “0” and “1”. For example, in FIG. 3A, the user ID is "0.
The confirmation flag of the terminal "2" is "0", and "0" is
It shows that the version has not been upgraded. In addition, when more types of symbols are used for the confirmation flag, more versions can be managed.
For example, when the confirmation flags are "0", "1", and "2", if "0" corresponds to version a, "1" corresponds to version b, and "2" corresponds to version c, It is possible to manage three types of versions: a, version b, and version c. Since the version upgrade of the karaoke device is frequently performed, it is necessary to manage the versions over several generations, but in order to manage a large number of versions, the number of symbols used for the confirmation flag is increased in this way. Can be dealt with.

FIG. 3B is a diagram showing the charging area 85c. The billing area 85c is an area in which usage fees and the like corresponding to the user ID are recorded. The user ID is the same as the terminal version management area 85d, and records the amount of money such as the usage fee corresponding to the user ID. For example, in FIG. 3B, the user “12” is “5000”.
The usage fee of "yen" has not been paid. Further, when the version is upgraded, a predetermined amount of money is written in the charging area 85c, so that the administrator of the karaoke system can send a bill or the like to the user from the record of the charging area 85c or in the past. It is possible to manage the usage fee such as determining a preferential user from the paid amount and adding a delinquent fee.

FIG. 3C is a diagram showing the version upgrade information area 85d. The upgrade information area 85d is an area that stores the type of operation program corresponding to the model of the terminal. Depending on the model of the old terminal, there are some that do not support the upgraded operation program due to lack of parts. Therefore, the server 80 records the type of operation program corresponding to the model of the terminal in the version upgrade information area. Before sending the version upgrade of the operation program,
By referring to the version upgrade information area 85d and confirming the operating program that can be upgraded, malfunction due to a matching mistake of the operating program is prevented.

Some of the functions of the operation program that is upgraded in this embodiment are shown below. In the case of the karaoke function, it is roughly classified into an operation program of a function for adding a sound effect, an operation program of a function for starting and stopping a karaoke song, and an operation program of a function for controlling the performance of a karaoke song. This is the target operation program. With these functions, the CPU 12 controls the sound source chip 24 and the mixer 26 to stop and restart the performance, add audio processing such as modulation and volume adjustment, and so replace the parts of the terminal 10. Even if it is not necessary, if a rewritable memory is used for the CPU ROM 13, the function can be exerted by changing / adding the stored operation program with the same device configuration as the conventional karaoke device. Is.

(Operation Program of Function for Adding Voice Effect) The function for adding a voice effect is a function for adding a voice effect such as an echo or a voice modulation to a song or a song input when a karaoke song is played. , Mixer 2
6 and the like can be performed by an operation program for controlling. Functions for adding a voice effect to a karaoke song include an automatic pitch correction function, a modulation function, an auto effect function, and the like. When the user's song skill is insufficient and the pitch of the song is not determined by the operation program of the automatic pitch correction function, the singing voice input from the microphone 50 is corrected to the correct pitch to listen to the song well. Can be made. By the operation program of the modulation function, the voice with the same pitch as the voice that is actually singing is layered, and the voice that has modulated the singing voice of yourself or the sound to which the voice effect is added is layered with the voice that is actually singing, and the harmony is created. You can enjoy. The operation program of the auto effect function automatically controls the type of audio effect such as echo according to the song. For example, the depth of the delay effect and the reverb effect added to the singing voice input from the microphone and the length of the added time can be controlled faithfully to the original song.

(Operating program of function for starting / stopping karaoke song) A function for starting / stopping a karaoke song is a function for performing, stopping, and adjusting the volume of the karaoke song when the karaoke song is played. And an operation program for controlling the sound source chip 24 and the like. Functions related to the start / stop of karaoke songs include a 2-chorus fade-out function, a re-singing function, an after cut function, and an auto repeat function. 2
By the operation program of the chorus fade-out function,
The volume of the karaoke piece can be smoothly reduced when the performance of the karaoke piece is completed by two choruses, and the karaoke piece can be automatically faded out. This is a convenient function when there are many people waiting for a song and wants to end the song early.
With the re-sing function, if it is within a certain time after entering the singing part of the karaoke song, stop playing the song once,
You can restart from the beginning of the song. If you can't sing as expected when you start singing, you can easily re-song the song. With the after performance cut function, the after performance after the singing part of the karaoke piece can be ended and cut. If you want to pour water into a mood with a long afterplay, or if you have a lot of waiting lines, you can cut the afterplay and end the song quickly. The operation program of the auto-repeat function allows you to play all or part of the song repeatedly, and if you sing along with it, you can use it to practice difficult phrases.

(Operation program for functions related to performance control of karaoke piece) Functions related to performance control of karaoke piece are as follows:
Adding a voice different from the song to the performance of the karaoke song,
It is a function of automatically adjusting the volume when a karaoke piece is played, and can be performed by an operation program that controls the CPU 12 and the sound source chip 24. Functions related to performance control of karaoke songs include guide melody adjustment function, tempo change function, automatic applause function, BGM
There are functions, etc. The strength of the guide melody can be adjusted by the operation program of the guide melody adjustment function. If you make the guide melody sound stronger and sing it like tracing it, you can easily sing it even in practice songs. In addition, if you weaken the guide melody, you can use techniques such as delaying the singing voice by half a beat, so you can enjoy singing with a higher degree of variation.
The tempo of the song can be changed by changing the playback speed of the song information of the karaoke song related to the tempo of the song by the operation program of the tempo change function. It can be used for practicing difficult songs.
With the operation program of the automatic applause function, it is possible to generate and output applause and cheers when playing a karaoke song.
Applause and cheers can be added between karaoke songs and during the performance. With the BGM function, the terminal 10 can perform only the music without displaying the screen of the CRT 30. For example, the song being played can be used as a BGM for a karaoke store or private room.

(Operation Program of Other Functions) In the above description, the functions of the upgraded operation program for using the karaoke function of the terminal 10 have been described. However, the operation program is not limited to karaoke but a game function. It is possible to make a program corresponding to the information function. Driver programs for various peripheral devices and operation programs for functions can be added. For example, regarding the game function, when using a new game operation controller, the driver software for the operation can be sent from the server side, and regarding the information function, the operation program of the new information sorting function can It is possible to easily select and sort the display.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operations of the server 80 and the terminal 10 when upgrading the version. In S101, the terminal 10 displays the menu screen 31. When the user performs an input operation according to the menu screen 31, the process proceeds to S102. In S102, it is determined whether or not the user has selected a version upgrade. If the upgrade is selected, the process proceeds to S102, and if the upgrade is not selected, the process proceeds to S103.
In S103, it is determined whether or not the function to be upgraded is determined and selected. If the function to be upgraded is determined and selected, the process proceeds to S103, and if the function to be upgraded is not selected and determined, the process proceeds to S104. In S104, the version upgrade request is transmitted to the server 80. When the transmission of the version upgrade request is completed, the process proceeds to S105. In S105, the terminal 1
0 displays the communicating screen 33 on the CRT 30.

In S201, the server 80 receives the version upgrade request. When the reception of the version upgrade request is completed, the process proceeds to S102. In S202, the server 80 refers to the terminal version management area 85d in the hard disk 85 to determine the operation program stored in the CPU ROM of the terminal 10. If the operation program of the terminal 10 is not the low version, the process ends, and if it is the low version, S1
Go to 02. In S203, the confirmation flag is rewritten to record that a new operation program has been transmitted. When the confirmation flag has been rewritten, the process proceeds to S204. S20
In 4, the server 80 transmits the upgraded operating program to the terminal 10. When the transmission of the upgraded operation program ends, the process proceeds to S205. S
In 205, the amount of money for the upgrade is written in the charging area 85c. When the writing of the charge amount to the charging area 85c is completed, the process ends.

In S106, the terminal 10 receives the version upgrade program. When the reception of the version upgrade program is completed, the process proceeds to S107. In S107, the terminal 10 rewrites the contents of the ROM for the CPU with a new version. When the rewriting of the CPU ROM is completed, the process proceeds to S108. In S108, the terminal 10 clears the communicating screen 33 and displays the upgrade screen 34.
Is displayed on the CRT 30. When a certain period of time for displaying the version upgrade screen 34 has elapsed, the display of the version upgrade screen 34 is cleared and the process ends.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing one form of a screen displayed on the CRT 30 when the version of the terminal 10 is upgraded. Menu screen for version upgrade 3
It starts from the state where 1 is displayed on the CRT 30. The upgrade menu screen 31 is the CP of the terminal 10.
It is stored in the ROM for U, and in addition to the normal menu screen, an item indicating that version upgrade is possible is added. The user can select the upgrade according to the display of the upgrade screen 31.

When the upgrade is selected according to the display of the upgrade menu screen 31, the terminal 1
0 displays the upgrade screen 32 on the CRT 30. The version upgrade screen 32 displays the types of functions that can be upgraded, fees, the limitation of the period, the description of the functions, etc. Therefore, from the display of the version upgrade screen 32, the user can select the version upgrade function. Can be determined and selected.

When the function to be upgraded is selected according to the display of the upgrade screen 32, the terminal 10
Displays the in-communication screen 33 on the CRT 30. The in-communication screen 33 is a screen that displays that the terminal 10 is in communication while communicating with the server 80. When the communication ends, the terminal 10 displays the upgrade end screen 34.
Is displayed on the CRT 30. Version upgrade end screen 3
Reference numeral 4 denotes a display for explaining the usable functions after the version upgrade is completed, and the display is cleared after the user's operation or after a lapse of a certain time.

When the display of the upgrade end screen 34 is cleared, the terminal 10 displays the upgrade menu screen 31 again. The user can continue to operate the terminal 10 according to the upgrade menu screen 31.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be modified within a range of equality. One form of modification is shown below. 1. The overall configuration of the karaoke device shown in the present embodiment is not limited to the one described above, and other configurations can be replaced. For example, in the present embodiment, the terminal 10 and the CRT 30
The karaoke device in which the amplifier / speaker 40 and the microphone 50 are separately configured has been described. However, a karaoke device in which any or all of them are incorporated, for example, a CRT, a terminal, and an amplifier / speaker are incorporated. The integrated karaoke device may be used. 2. The communication means shown in the present embodiment has been described as an analog public line, but any line capable of communication can be replaced regardless of the type of line. For example, the line may be a dedicated line or a digital line, and the communication means may be a wire, a terrestrial wave, a satellite, or the like. In this case, the MODEM / NCU1 described in this embodiment is used.
5 and the communication I / F 84, depending on the type of line, DS
A data line termination device such as U is used. 3. The upgraded program of this embodiment is
When the usable period has been set and the usable period has passed, the unusable program is again sent from the server 80 to the terminal 1.
By transmitting the data to 0 and rewriting it, it is possible to limit the usable period and upgrade the version. In this case, the fact can be recorded in the terminal version management area 85b together with the confirmation flag, and the usage period can be managed using this.

[0035]

The present invention has the following effects.
The user can easily and inexpensively upgrade the version of the function of the karaoke apparatus. Since it is not necessary to replace the ROM or karaoke device, you can upgrade the version simply by performing the operation according to the screen display you are using, without complicated operations or purchasing expensive equipment. Because you can.

The manager of the karaoke system has the effect of being able to provide the user with the upgraded operating program at a low price. If the administrator of the karaoke system inputs the upgraded operation program into the host computer, the version is automatically upgraded in response to the user's request.
This is because it is possible to reduce the development cost of the ROM, the cost of the user support service, etc. Further, since the type of operation program of the karaoke device terminal with the communication function can be always grasped, it becomes possible to easily conduct a market research of the karaoke device with the communication function.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a main part of a karaoke apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a server 80 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing contents of information stored in a server 80. (A) is a terminal version management area 85b
FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a charging area 85c, and FIG. 7C is a version upgrade information area 85d.
FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing operations of the server 80 and the terminal 10 when performing a version upgrade.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing one form of a screen displayed on the CRT 30 when the terminal 10 is upgraded.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 terminal 11 data bus 12 CPU 13 CPU ROM 14 CPU RAM 15 MODEM / NCU 16 IC card expansion slot 17 VDP 18 video D / A converter 19 NTSC encoder 21 data bus 24 sound source chip 22 sound source RAM 23 WAVEROM 25 sound source D / A converter 26 Mixer 80 Server

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A karaoke apparatus with a communication function capable of exchanging information with a host computer, wherein the operation program of the karaoke apparatus can be rewritten with an operation program transmitted from the host computer. apparatus. 2. A communication function, characterized in that, in a karaoke system host computer with a communication function capable of exchanging information with a karaoke device, a specific operation program can be transmitted only when the karaoke device is a specific karaoke device. Host computer for karaoke system with. 3. A karaoke system with a communication function, comprising a host computer and a karaoke device with a communication function capable of exchanging information with the host computer, wherein the host computer is a specific karaoke device Is transmitted to the karaoke apparatus, and the karaoke apparatus can rewrite the operation program with the operation program transmitted from the host computer.