JPH11161288A - Karaoke device and karaoke system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To play a karaoke music with an image data independently corresponding to each karaoke music without increasing the memory capacity for image data of each karaoke device. SOLUTION: A plurality of karaoke devices A-E are connected to a network 1 such as Ethernet. Each karaoke device stores a plurality of music data to play a karaoke music according to a use's request. The background images to be regenerated according karaoke musics are independently conformed to each karaoke music. Each karaoke device stores independent image data corresponding to a part of karaoke musics. When the independent image data of a requested music is not stored in its own device, the data is transferred from another karaoke devices through the network 1, and the background image independently corresponding to the karaoke music is reproduced by use of this data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a karaoke apparatus and a karaoke system for performing a karaoke performance while displaying a background image suitable for a song.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A karaoke apparatus not only plays a karaoke song but also displays a background image corresponding to the song on a monitor and superimposes the background image on the monitor in order to enhance the atmosphere of the karaoke performance. Also displays the lyrics telop.

A communication karaoke device is a device that downloads music data for performance from a distribution center, so that it is separated from a background video having a large data amount, and the karaoke device transmits the background video to a medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD. Is stored in

As described above, since the amount of video data is large, conventionally, one or more pieces of video data corresponding to each genre of karaoke songs such as enka and pops are stored, and a karaoke song is requested. At this time, video data of this genre is read and displayed as a background video, and the karaoke tune and the background video do not correspond individually.

[0005]

However, in the method of selecting one from among a few video data based on only the genre, it is not always possible to select video data that matches the atmosphere of the song, and to excite karaoke performances. There was a problem that can not be.

On the other hand, if video data corresponding to each karaoke tune is individually stored, video data suitable for each karaoke tune can be displayed without fail. It is not possible to store individual video data corresponding to each of the karaoke songs as a practical problem such as cost and size of the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a karaoke apparatus and a karaoke system which solve the above problem by sharing and storing video data among a plurality of karaoke apparatuses.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a karaoke apparatus in which a plurality of karaoke apparatuses are connected to each other via a network. Means, video data storage means for storing individual video data individually associated with each karaoke song for some karaoke songs, and individual video data corresponding to the karaoke song when a karaoke song performance instruction is issued. Is determined in the video data storage means. If it is stored, individual video data is obtained from the video data storage means. If not stored, another karaoke apparatus is connected via a network. Karaoke performance using the obtained individual video data and the music data read from the music data storage means. And playing executing means for, characterized by comprising a.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, general-purpose video data corresponding to a plurality of karaoke songs is stored in the video data storage means in addition to the individual video data. The execution means is means for executing a karaoke performance using the general-purpose video data when the individual video data cannot be obtained.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the performance executing means is provided when the individual video data of the karaoke tune to which the performance instruction is given is not stored in the video data storage means. Means for starting a karaoke performance using the general-purpose video data, and switching the video of the karaoke performance from the general-purpose video data to that of the individual video data when the individual video data is received from another karaoke device. It is characterized by having.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a karaoke system in which a plurality of karaoke apparatuses are connected to each other via a network, wherein each karaoke apparatus is provided with a music data storage means and a video data storage means. A plurality of music data are respectively stored in the music data storage means of the karaoke device, and a plurality of individual video data individually associated with the plurality of karaoke songs are shared and stored in the video data storage means of each karaoke device. When each karaoke device is instructed to play a karaoke song, the music data corresponding to the karaoke song is read from the music data storage means of the karaoke device, and the individual video data corresponding to the karaoke song is read. Acquired from the video data storage means of the karaoke device which is shared and stored, and the read music data and Characterized by comprising a performance execution means for executing the karaoke performance on the basis of fine-acquired individual image data.

In the above invention, a plurality of karaoke apparatuses are connected via a network, and each karaoke apparatus is individually associated with a part of karaoke music along with a plurality of (about 10,000 music) music data. Individual video data is stored. The individual video data stored in each karaoke device may be partially duplicated, but is generally not duplicated.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a request is issued to a certain karaoke apparatus, the music data is read out and the karaoke performance is performed in response to the request. Is determined, and if stored, the karaoke performance is executed while reproducing the karaoke and displaying the background video. On the other hand, when the individual video data is not stored in the own apparatus, an inquiry is made as to whether or not the individual video data is stored in another karaoke apparatus connected via a network, and the stored karaoke apparatus transmits the individual video data. Receives individual video data transfer. Then, a karaoke performance is executed using the individual video data.

On the other hand, according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the other karaoke apparatus does not store the individual video data of the karaoke song, the karaoke performance is performed using the general-purpose video data stored therein. I do.

[0015] In addition, the time for inquiring another karaoke apparatus whether individual video data is stored is a waiting time for the user.
While inquiring of another karaoke device, a karaoke performance is started using the general-purpose video data, and if there is a karaoke device storing the individual video data, the karaoke device sends the individual video data to the karaoke device. The data is received, and the video is switched from the general-purpose video data to the individual video data in the middle of the music. This makes it possible to eliminate the delay of the performance start and, if there is individual video data, use that individual video data.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of each karaoke device connected on a network, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of an index table stored in the karaoke apparatus.

In FIG. 1, there are a plurality of karaoke apparatuses (five in FIG.
E) Connected. Network 1 is, for example, Eth
What is necessary is just to comprise by LAN, such as ernet. Each karaoke apparatus stores music data and video data individually in the configuration as shown in FIG. 2, and executes a karaoke music in response to a user request. This karaoke system is installed in a place where a plurality of karaoke devices are installed in the same building, such as a karaoke box. When Ethernet is used as a network, the communication speed is about 10 Mbps.

In FIG. 2, each karaoke apparatus has a communication interface 14 for connecting to the network 1.
It has. This communication interface 14 is connected to the CPU 10 via a bus. The CPU 10 also includes a ROM 11, a RAM 12, a hard disk storage device 13, a card reader 15, a panel interface 1
6, sound source 20, audio decoder 21, hamo amplifier 22,
Effector 24, background video playback unit 30, video creation unit 3
2, a video mixer 33 and the like are connected.

The communication interface 14 controls not only communication with another karaoke apparatus via the network 1 but also communication with the host computer 3 via a telephone line. From the host computer 3, music data of new songs, index tables, and the like are downloaded. As shown in FIG. 4, the index table is a table for instructing the correspondence between the song number of the karaoke song and the individual background video data.

The ROM 11 stores a program for starting the karaoke apparatus and the like. The hard disk 13 stores the music data, the index table, and the like, as well as programs such as a system program, a karaoke performance program, a loader, and character pattern data. The system program is a program for controlling the basic operation of the apparatus, and is read into the RAM 12 when the karaoke apparatus is started. The karaoke performance program is a program for controlling the sound source 20, the audio decoder 21, and the like based on music data. The loader is a program for downloading music data and an index table from the distribution center 3. The character pattern data is data for developing text information such as lyrics and song titles given as code information into character patterns. In the RAM 12, an area for reading the program, a music data currently being played, and a music data buffer for reading music data to be played next are set.

The panel interface 16 includes a circuit for receiving an infrared signal transmitted from an infrared remote controller (commander) (not shown) and converting it into data, a panel switch, and the like.
A display is connected. The CPU 10 reserves a karaoke song based on the song number input from the commander, and executes various processes such as key change based on other command codes. The display includes an LED matrix or 7-segment display for displaying the number of the currently playing music or the number of reserved music.

Referring to FIG. 3, the configuration of music data used in the karaoke apparatus and the operation of the karaoke apparatus based on the data will be described. The music data is composed of a header, a musical sound track, a lyrics track, an audio control track, an effect control track, and an audio data section. The header is
This is a portion in which various data related to the music data is written, and includes data such as a music number, a music title, a genre, a release date, and a music performance time. Each song data is identified by a song number.

Each track of the musical sound track, the lyrics track, the voice control track, and the effect control track is MIDI.
It is described in the format. The MIDI format is originally a format for describing data for musical tone control such as a musical tone track. However, in order to describe all data in a unified format and to facilitate implementation, trunks other than the musical tone are also in the MIDI format. Has been described. A track in the MIDI format includes a plurality of event data and timing data for instructing a read timing of each event data. When performing a karaoke song, the plurality of tracks are read out in parallel. In each track, the value of the timing data is counted by a predetermined tempo clock, and when this value is counted up, the event data indicated by the timing data is read. The read event data is output to a predetermined operation unit, and a corresponding process is executed in the operation unit.

The musical sound track is composed of a plurality of parts such as a melody track and a rhythm track.
The event data of the musical tone track includes note-on event data for instructing the generation of musical tones and note-off event data for instructing the silencing of musical tones. These event data are output to the sound source 20.

The event data of the lyrics track is composed of data indicating the character code, display coordinates, display color, etc. of the lyrics to be displayed on the monitor. When this data is read, the CPU 10 reads the corresponding character pattern data from the hard disk 13. Is read out and developed in the video creation unit 32.

The event data of the audio control track is data for instructing reproduction of the audio data in the audio data section. When the event data is read, the CPU 10 reads the audio data specified by the event data and inputs the audio data to the audio decoding unit 21. The audio data is data obtained by digitizing a human voice such as a back chorus which is difficult to synthesize with a sound source. The audio decoding unit 21 decodes this data into an analog audio signal and outputs the analog audio signal to the mixer 23.

The event data of the effect control track is data for controlling the operation of the effector 24, and indicates the type and degree of an effect to be given to a karaoke performance sound or a singing voice signal input from the microphone 25. Data.

On the other hand, a microphone 25 is connected to the hamori amplifier 22, and the singing voice signal input from the microphone 25 is amplified and input to the mixer 23, and the singing voice signal is pitch-shifted according to the mode. Corrects pitch shifts and synthesizes hamori sounds. The performance sound signal synthesized by the sound source 20, the sound signal such as the back chorus reproduced by the sound decoding unit 21, and the singing sound signal and the sound signal output from the memory amplifier 22 are all input to the mixer 23. The mixer 23 mixes these signals with an appropriate balance and inputs the signals to the effector 24. The effector 24 gives an effect such as an echo to these karaoke sound signals based on the effect control data of the music data. The sound signal of the karaoke performance to which the effect has been added is output as sound from the sound output unit 26.

A DVD changer 31 is connected to the background video reproducing section 30. DVD changer 31
A plurality of DVDs can be set,
A predetermined disk can be set on the turntable according to the instruction of 0, and data can be read from the designated track. The DVD video data is stored after being compressed by MPEG, and the background video reproducing unit 30 has an MPEG decoder. When the compressed video data is input from the DVD, the background video reproducing unit 30 decompresses the video data and converts it into a composite video signal. The converted video signal is output to the video mixer 33. On the other hand, the video creation unit 32
Is a circuit unit which has a VRAM and develops a character pattern for displaying lyrics display data read from the lyrics track of the music data and converts it into a video signal. The video mixer 33
The background video signal and the character pattern of the lyrics are synthesized by superimposition and output to the video output unit 34. The video output unit 34 displays this video signal on a CRT monitor.

The card reader 15 reads a simple music selection card possessed by an individual, and may be a self-propelled card reader or a hand-scanner card reader. Here, the simple song selection card is a trading card on which a photograph of a singer or a composer or the like is printed and the song number of the song of the singer or the composer is recorded as a barcode or magnetic data. The card reader 15 reads this bar code or magnetic data. Card reader 1
The music number read by 5 is processed as the music number of the request in the same manner as the music number input from the commander, and the user can request the music only by reading the desired trading card.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of an index table stored in the hard disk storage device 13 of each karaoke apparatus. The index file includes the file name of the song data of the karaoke song corresponding to the song number, the number (4 digits) of the individual video data individually associated with the karaoke song, and the general-purpose video data corresponding to the karaoke song. (Three digits) is stored. It should be noted that the index table may be a table that only associates song numbers with individual video data. In this case, the music data may be provided with an index table dedicated to the music data, and the general-purpose video data may be selected based on the genre of the music data.

Thus, in the index table,
One individual video data is associated with one karaoke song, and the karaoke song and the individual video data are one-to-one.
Is supported. On the other hand, one piece of general-purpose video data is associated with one karaoke song, but a plurality of karaoke songs correspond to one general-purpose video data.

Although general-purpose video data corresponds to about 10,000 karaoke songs with several to several tens of data types, individual video data does not correspond to karaoke songs completely one-to-one. A sufficient number of data (for example, about 1000 pieces) may be set more than general-purpose video data so as to correspond to 10,000 karaoke songs.

Here, the list attached to each karaoke apparatus in FIG. 1 is a part of a list of video data stored in a DVD or the like of each karaoke apparatus. In this video data list, the four-digit numbers are the numbers of the individual video data individually corresponding to the karaoke songs,
A three-digit number is provided for each genre and is a number of general-purpose video data corresponding to a plurality of karaoke songs corresponding to the genre. Each karaoke device stores general-purpose video data (001, 002, 003,...) Of all genres, and stores individual video data of some karaoke songs. The karaoke apparatuses A to D on the network 1 store individual video data that does not overlap with each other. In this way, each karaoke device shares and stores individual video data and enables data transfer via the network 1 so that all individual video data can be stored without providing a large-capacity storage device in each karaoke device. Make the data available. On the other hand, the karaoke apparatus E stores individual video data overlapping with other karaoke apparatuses. By storing individual video data of karaoke songs frequently requested in a plurality of karaoke apparatuses in this way, it is possible to prevent data transfer requests from being concentrated on a specific karaoke apparatus.

The karaoke apparatus stores all kinds of general-purpose video data corresponding to each genre, such as pops and enka. It can be read and a karaoke performance can be performed.

Each piece of general-purpose video data has a show time of about 15 minutes, and is read cyclically in a plurality of karaoke performances. That is, the end position of each general-purpose video data when the karaoke performance is performed using the video data is stored, and when the karaoke performance is performed next time using the video data, the reading is started from the end position. As a result, 15
The entire video data can be used without waste (see FIG. 5).

In the above configuration, for example, the karaoke apparatus A
If the song number 1000-21 is requested at
Since the individual video data 1002 is stored in the own device,
The music data file A is read, and the individual video data 1002 is read to perform a karaoke performance.

In the karaoke apparatus A, the music number 1000-
When 25 songs are requested, since the individual video data 2003 is not stored in the own device, the karaoke device inquires of another karaoke device about the existence of the individual video data.
At this time, since there is a reply from the karaoke apparatus B indicating that the data is stored, the data is transferred from the karaoke apparatus B. Then, a karaoke performance is executed using the individual video data.

The music number 4758-
When the song No. 02 is requested, the individual video data 3005 is not stored in the own device, so that another karaoke device is inquired about the existence of the individual video data.
At this time, there is a reply from the karaoke apparatus C and the karaoke apparatus E indicating that the data is stored. When valid replies are received from a plurality of devices, one of them is selected to request data transfer. Then, after receiving the data transfer, a karaoke performance is executed using the individual video data.

When a plurality of karaoke apparatuses reply that individual video data is stored, the following selection methods are available.

Select the terminal device that has returned the earliest reply. Select the terminal device closest to the network.
The load status of the device is written in the response, and the terminal device with the lightest load status is selected from the terminal devices that have received a valid response. And any other method may be adopted. Further, it is not necessary to use the same method for all karaoke apparatuses, and the karaoke apparatuses may differ depending on the apparatuses.

Further, the karaoke apparatus A uses the music number 2356
When the tune of “−01” is requested, the individual video data 6002 is not stored in the own apparatus, and therefore, the other karaoke apparatus is inquired about the existence of the individual video data. However, since there is no karaoke device that stores the 6002 video data on this network, a valid answer is not returned from any device. Therefore, in this case, the karaoke apparatus A uses the general-purpose video data 002.
Is used to execute a karaoke song.

Also, in this embodiment, when the individual video data is not stored in the own device, the individual video is stored in the own device so that the user does not have to wait for the time required for inquiries and data transfer to other devices. If there is no data, the karaoke performance is started using the general-purpose video data, and when the individual video data is present on the network and the transfer of the data is completed, the reproduced video is replaced with that of the individual video data. Is switched to In this case, if there is no individual video data on the network, the karaoke performance using the general-purpose video data is continued.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the karaoke music performance operation of the karaoke apparatus. When a user inputs a song number (s1), the CPU refers to the index table and performs a performance preparation process such as reading a song data file corresponding to the song number and resetting a waiting time timer (s2). The waiting time timer also resets a timer that counts the waiting time from the start of the performance preparation to the start of the performance. Then, it is determined whether or not the own device stores the corresponding individual image data by referring to the image data list of the own device (s3). If the own device stores the individual video data, a karaoke performance is started using this video data (s4). On the other hand, when the individual video data is not stored, an inquiry message as to whether the individual video data is stored is transmitted to another karaoke apparatus via the network 1 (s5). If the timer expires after a certain period of time has elapsed without completing the transfer of the individual video data, a general-purpose corresponding to the genre of the requested music regardless of the presence or absence of a response from another device and the content of the response. A karaoke performance is started using the video data (s6, s7). When there is no valid response, that is, no response indicating that the desired individual video data is stored (only when there is no response and a response indicating that the desired individual video data is not stored), the performance is continued as it is until the end of the performance ( s7). If there is a valid response, the karaoke device is requested to transmit individual video data (s
8). In this case, if there is a valid response from a plurality of karaoke apparatuses, one of the karaoke apparatuses is used in the above-described manner.
One of the karaoke apparatuses is selected to request the transfer of the individual video data. When the transfer of the video data is completed (s11),
If the performance has not started yet, start the performance from the beginning, and if the performance has already started using general-purpose video data, switch to the individual video data from the position that was at the performance time and continue karaoke performance Yes (s1
2).

When the performance of the karaoke song is completed (s7, s
13) Return to s1, and execute the process corresponding to the karaoke song number reserved next.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation when an inquiry about individual video data is made via the network. First, the video data list of the own device is searched to determine whether the data is stored in the own device (s21, s22). If the own device does not store the data, it responds that transmission is impossible (s23) and ends the operation. On the other hand, even if the own device owns the video data, there are cases where the data cannot be transferred, such as when the DVD changer 31 is in use during a karaoke performance. In this case, a response to the effect that the background video data is stored but the current reply is not possible is returned (s25). If the DVD changer 31 is usable and the individual video data can be transferred, a reply to the effect that the transfer is possible and the current load of the own device is sent as a mail (s26). Thereafter, it is determined whether there is a transmission request from the inquired karaoke apparatus (s27). If there is a transmission request, a DVD storing the video data is set (s28), and the data is stored. To transfer. This data transfer is performed by the DVD changer 3
The compressed data (MGEG data) read from 1 is transmitted without decoding.

In the above embodiment, all the video data is stored in the DVD, but may be stored in another storage means such as the hard disk storage device 13. In addition to setting the media on which the video data has been recorded in advance in the karaoke apparatus, the video data may be downloaded from the distribution center 3 as appropriate, and written and stored in a writable storage unit.

The individual video data shared and stored in each karaoke apparatus may be divided by genre. For example, the karaoke apparatus A stores individual video data of enka, and the karaoke apparatus B stores individual video data of pops. In this manner, the karaoke apparatus A can perform the karaoke performance of the enka song smoothly, and the karaoke apparatus B can perform the karaoke performance of the pops smoothly.

[0049]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, even if individual video data individually corresponding to a karaoke tune is stored for only some karaoke tunes, there is no request for another tune (performance instruction). Then, since the individual video data corresponding to the song can be transferred from another karaoke device via the network, it is not necessary to store all of the huge individual video data.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, general-purpose video data is stored, and karaoke music can be played using the general-purpose video data. Even when the karaoke device storing the individual video data cannot be transferred, the performance of the karaoke music does not become impossible.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the performance of the karaoke music is started using the general-purpose video data until the transfer of the individual video data from the other karaoke device, so that another karaoke device is started. Even when video data is being transferred from the device, the karaoke performance can be started with a short waiting time.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the individual video data is shared among a plurality of karaoke apparatuses and stored, and the karaoke apparatus which has made the request does not store the individual video data corresponding to the request, By transferring data from another device via a network, a large amount of individual video data can be used without increasing the storage capacity of each karaoke device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a karaoke system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a karaoke apparatus of the karaoke system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a hard disk of the karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of music data used in the karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the karaoke apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Network, AE ... Terminal device (Karaoke device), 14 ... Communication interface, 30 ... Background video reproduction part, 31 ... DVD changer

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A karaoke device in which a plurality of karaoke devices are connected to each other via a network, wherein a tune data storage means for storing a plurality of tune data for performing karaoke songs, and individual karaoke songs individually associated with the karaoke songs. Video data storage means for storing video data for some karaoke songs; and determining whether or not individual video data corresponding to the karaoke songs are stored in the video data storage means when a karaoke song performance instruction is given. If it is stored, the individual video data is obtained from the video data storage means. If it is not stored, the individual video data is obtained from another karaoke apparatus via a network. Performance performing means for performing a karaoke performance using the data and the music data read from the music data storage means. Karaoke machine for. 2. The video data storage means stores, in addition to the individual video data, general-purpose video data corresponding to a plurality of karaoke songs, wherein the performance executing means cannot acquire the individual video data. 2. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the karaoke apparatus is means for executing a karaoke performance using the general-purpose video data. 3. The performance executing means starts a karaoke performance using the general-purpose video data when individual video data of the karaoke tune for which a performance instruction is given is not stored in the video data storage means. 3. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the individual video data is received from the karaoke apparatus, the karaoke performance video is switched from the general-purpose video data to the individual video data. 4. A karaoke system in which a plurality of karaoke apparatuses are connected to each other via a network, wherein each karaoke apparatus is provided with a music data storage means and a video data storage means, wherein the music data storage means of each of the karaoke apparatuses is provided. In the karaoke apparatus, each of the plurality of pieces of music data is stored, and in the video data storage means of each karaoke apparatus, a plurality of pieces of individual video data individually associated with the plurality of karaoke songs are shared and stored. When a karaoke song is instructed, song data corresponding to the karaoke song is read from the song data storage means of the karaoke apparatus, and individual video data corresponding to the karaoke song is stored in a shared manner. The read music data and the acquired individual video data are obtained from the video data storage means of the karaoke device. A karaoke system comprising a performance performing means for performing a karaoke performance based on data.