JP2000099049A - Karaoke device characterized by the request reception method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To request by a simple operation without having to remember the title name and reservation number of the music introduced in the program. SOLUTION: A content introduction program is broadcast on a display 24 while the karaoke apparatus is waiting for execution processing or preparing for execution processing. The content introduction program includes request reception control data for setting a reservation reception time according to the introduction time of the content. The main computer 12 monitors user input from the user through the external remote controller 4 and the operation panel 8 based on the request reception control data while the content introduction program is being broadcast. When a specific user input is made within the reservation reception time specified by the request reception control data, the reservation number described in the request reception control data corresponding to the reservation reception time is added to the reservation list on the RAM 11. Register automatically.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a karaoke apparatus which broadcasts a program introducing various contents such as a new music piece or a game while the music piece is on standby or in preparation for the performance of the karaoke music piece. User interface technology that enables a user to easily make a request.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, during standby or preparation for karaoke music, a program that introduces recently requested songs or new songs, or broadcasts a program that introduces contents that can be enjoyed with a karaoke device such as game software. There is a karaoke device that does. The content introduced by the karaoke apparatus is the title of the music, the reservation number, and the like, and is displayed on a display screen for guidance. When a user finds a favorite song among the introduced songs, the user inputs the reservation number of the song into the karaoke apparatus and requests.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned prior art,
Users who watched the content introduction program had to make a request directly to the karaoke device. For this reason, the user has to memorize and take note of the presented music title and request number, which is extremely complicated and troublesome. As a result, even if a song was introduced in a program, the use of the song did not progress easily, and a very large use promotion effect was not obtained.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to easily request a song without having to remember the title and reservation number of the song introduced in the program. An object of the present invention is to provide a karaoke apparatus that can perform the karaoke.

[0005]

The karaoke apparatus of the present invention has the following requirements (1) to (5). (1) There is provided processing means for registering a reservation number requested via a user interface in a reservation list, acquiring contents corresponding to the reservation number in the reservation list from a database, and executing the contents in a predetermined order. (2) Karaoke data in music units including music generation data as the origin of the karaoke accompaniment music and lyrics depiction data as the origin of the lyrics image is one of the contents. When the reservation number in the reservation list corresponds to karaoke data of a certain music, the processing means generates karaoke accompaniment music based on the music generation data of the karaoke data, outputs the karaoke accompaniment music, and outputs the karaoke accompaniment music based on the lyrics rendering data. To generate a lyric image that changes color and output the video. (3) Many inter-song programs including video data to be broadcast between karaoke songs are stored in the inter-song program database. While the processing means is waiting for processing or preparing for processing, an appropriate inter-song program is extracted from the inter-song program database and output as an image. (4) The inter-song program includes a content introduction program including video data for introducing a user to a content executable by the processing means. Request reception control data for receiving a request for an introduction content from a user while the program is being broadcast is added to the content introduction program. (5) At the time of broadcasting the content introduction program, a user input from the user interface is monitored based on the request reception control data of the content introduction program, and a predetermined time is set within a predetermined reservation time defined by the request reception control data. When the user input is made, the reservation number described in the request reception control data is registered in the reservation list.

Further, the present invention is specified by one or more of the following items. (A) The content introduction program is a program for displaying one content on one screen and introducing the content, and when a specific user input is made from a user interface during a content display period, the content being displayed is displayed. Register the reservation number in the reservation list. (B) The content introduction program is a program that introduces a plurality of contents on one screen, and one content on the screen is a program that is switched and displayed one by one in a reservable manner. When a specific user input is made when the content is displayed in the reservable mode, the reservation number of the content is registered in the reservation list. (C) When the specific user input is received, a reservation confirmation screen is output as an image. (D) One of the contents is a video game program for interactively expressing a game image and a game sound effect by video and audio, and the content introduction program introduces a video game program and has the request reception control data added thereto. A game introduction program is included.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS === Basic Configuration and Operation =
== FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the basic configuration of the karaoke apparatus of the present invention. This karaoke device uses a hard disk or CD-RO
A large number of karaoke data are stored in a data storage unit 2 including an M player or a DVD-ROM player. The reservation number desired by the user is input from the external remote controller 4 by the remote controller receiving unit 6 or the operation panel 8.
The main computer 12 receives a request input via the remote control receiving unit 6 or the user interface 10 and registers the request in the reservation list created in the RAM 11. The main computer 12 sequentially reads out the karaoke data corresponding to the registered songs in the reservation list from the data storage unit 2 and sequentially performs the performance processing. Here, the karaoke data includes music generation data that is the origin of the karaoke accompaniment music and lyric rendering data that is the origin of the lyric image. The main computer 12 drives the synthesizer 14 based on the read music generation data of the karaoke data to generate karaoke accompaniment music. Output. Also, based on the lyrics rendering data, a lyrics image that changes color according to the progress of the karaoke accompaniment music is displayed on the display 24 via the video control unit 22 on the screen. At this time, the background of the lyrics image on the display 24 is provided by a background video supply unit 26 composed of a video CD player, a DVD player, an LD player, and the like.
Is synthesized and output via the video control unit 22.

The karaoke apparatus has a number of game programs prepared as contents other than karaoke. These non-karaoke contents are also stored in the data storage unit 2. Each game program that is a non-karaoke content is also provided with a reservation number of the same system as the karaoke content, and the user inputs a reservation number of each game program to the karaoke device by request,
You can make a reservation. The karaoke apparatus reads out the game program corresponding to the reservation number when the appropriate opportunity to execute and process the game program registered in the reservation list arrives, executes the game program, generates sound and video, and displays 24 and the speaker 18. The user responds interactively to the output sound or image by operating a remote controller or the like.

=== Inter-song program === In this karaoke apparatus, when a performance of a certain music is finished and a next music is to be performed, there is no performance music in a reservation list or a music registration from a user. A function of broadcasting a prepared inter-song program on the display 24 during a waiting period or the like during the waiting time is provided. The inter-song programs broadcast here include programs introducing contents that can be processed by the karaoke apparatus, such as a new music list, a recommended music list, a request best 20, and an introduction of a new game. In addition, there are information programs for notifying various information such as concert information of a certain artist, and corporate PR programs. These programs are also stored in the data storage unit 2.

Each inter-song program may be composed of, for example, moving image data of several tens of seconds to several minutes in MPEG format or the like, or still image data of several to several tens frames in JPEG format or the like. Also, for example, it may be composed of analog video data recorded as an analog video signal such as an NTSC signal. In addition, there are some which are composed of text data of only characters and symbols. These video data may be accompanied by audio data.

The main computer 12 selects the most suitable inter-song program from the inter-song program database and enters the inter-song program on the display 24 when entering the standby state or the preparation state of the content execution processing. Output. When one inter-song program ends, the next inter-song program is started, or the process shifts to content execution processing.

=== Content Introduction Program === In the content introduction program, the title or reservation number of one or a plurality of contents is displayed on the display 24 on the screen. For example, in a karaoke song introduction program, as shown in FIG. 2, the title of the song, the name of the singer, and the reservation number are displayed on the screen. If there are many contents to be introduced and cannot fit on one screen, the display screen is scrolled or the screen is switched at predetermined time intervals to introduce a plurality of contents.

The main computer 12 receives a request for content from a user when the content is introduced in a content introduction program. Request reception control data for receiving reservation registration of the content to be introduced is added to the content introduction program. The request reception control data defines reservation reception time setting information for setting a time for receiving a request input from a user for each content to be introduced. The reservation reception time is set so that the contents are not wrapped with each other so that the contents are alternatively selected according to the introduction time of the contents in the program. That is, when the content A is introduced between 1 second and 5 seconds after the start of the broadcast, the reception time of the request for the content A is set between 1 second and 5 seconds after the start of the broadcast. Content B starts 10 seconds after 5 seconds
If the content B is introduced before the second, the reception time of the request for the content B is set between 5 seconds and 10 seconds after the start of the broadcast. In addition, if the request reception time of each content is set so as not to wrap each other,
A non-acceptance period during which a request is not accepted may be set between the introduction period of a certain content and the introduction period of the next content. Each reservation reception time is defined in association with a reservation number of each content.

The main computer 12 reads out the request acceptance control data of the content introduction program when the content introduction program is aired, and receives a user input from the user interface 10 based on the request acceptance control data during the airing of the content introduction program. , And monitor operation inputs from the external remote controller 4 and the operation panel 8. In the content introduction program, information on one karaoke song is displayed on the screen so that it fits on one screen. That is, the title name and the reservation number of the karaoke song are displayed on one screen. When trying to introduce the next karaoke song, the information of the karaoke song is deleted from the screen. Thereby, one karaoke song is displayed on the same screen while scrolling the screen. At this time, a mark, an icon, or the like indicating that the content can be selected is displayed near the display area of the information regarding the content.

The user can know the content that can be requested now while watching the content introduction program broadcast on the display 24. If any of the contents displayed on the screen of the display 24 is liked, the user makes a reservation registration through the user interface 10 within a predetermined time. For example, the user inputs by pressing an “Enter” key, a “Select” key, or the like provided on the external remote controller 4 or the operation panel 8. When a user inputs a reservation registration through the user interface 10 from the user, the main computer 12
A reservation confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display 24. Here, when further detecting from the user an operation input for making a reservation, that is, pressing of a “start” key on the external remote controller 4 or the operation panel 8, the main computer 12 displays a screen as shown in FIG. Is displayed, and the reservation number of the music is registered in the reservation list. Then, when an appropriate opportunity to execute the content comes, the content is read from the database and executed.

On the other hand, if the user inputs an operation to reject the reservation, the main computer 12 returns to the introduction screen without performing the reservation and continues the introduction. Also,
If there is no operation input instruction from the user even if a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the display of the reservation confirmation screen, the user returns to the introduction screen and continues the introduction.

[0017] Even when the content introduction program is a program introducing a game program, the introduction of the game program is performed based on the request reception control data attached to the program, similarly to the case of the program introducing the karaoke music. To accept requests from users.

=== Other Embodiments === (1) When a plurality of contents are introduced on one screen, as shown in FIG. , A mark indicating that reservation registration can be performed alternatively.

(2) Information on a company's products and services is one of the contents, and the company's publicity program functions as a so-called content introduction program.
As shown in, while a company's advertising program (summary information) is playing, if a user requests to view detailed information on this product or service, more detailed information will be given in this example, The application method may be displayed on the display 24 on the screen.

[0020]

According to the karaoke apparatus of the present invention, during the broadcast of the content introduction program, the user input is monitored based on the request reception control data attached to the content introduction program. When an input is made, the reservation number of the content is automatically registered in the reservation list. If any of the contents introduced in the program is liked, the user immediately registers the reservation of the content. Can be done easily. Therefore, there is no need to memorize the title of the music or the reservation number, etc., as in the past, and take notes, and the user can request the content one after another without hesitation, which is a major factor in improving the content utilization rate. Have expectations.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a screen configuration diagram showing a display screen when a karaoke song is introduced.

FIG. 3 is a screen configuration diagram showing a confirmation screen when a request is input from a user.

FIG. 4 is a screen configuration diagram showing a display screen when a user inputs a reservation of a content and a reservation number of the content is registered in a reservation list.

FIG. 5 is a screen configuration diagram showing an example of a display method showing reservable contents when a plurality of contents are introduced on one screen.

FIG. 6 is a screen configuration diagram when detailed contents of the advertisement are displayed on the screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Data storage unit 4 External remote control 6 Remote control receiving unit 8 Operation panel 10 User interface 12 Main computer 14 Synthesizer 16 Mixing amplifier 18 Speaker 20 Microphone 22 Image control unit 24 Display 26 Background image control unit

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. The invention specified by the following items (1) to (5). (1) There is provided processing means for registering a reservation number requested via a user interface in a reservation list, acquiring contents corresponding to the reservation number in the reservation list from a database, and executing the contents in a predetermined order. (2) Karaoke data in music units including music generation data as the origin of the karaoke accompaniment music and lyrics depiction data as the origin of the lyrics image is one of the contents. When the reservation number in the reservation list corresponds to karaoke data of a certain music, the processing means generates karaoke accompaniment music based on the music generation data of the karaoke data, outputs the karaoke accompaniment music, and outputs the karaoke accompaniment music based on the lyrics rendering data. To generate a lyric image that changes color and output the video. (3) Many inter-song programs including video data to be broadcast between karaoke songs are stored in the inter-song program database. While the processing means is waiting for processing or preparing for processing, an appropriate inter-song program is extracted from the inter-song program database and output as an image. (4) The inter-song program includes a content introduction program including video data for introducing a user to a content executable by the processing means. Request reception control data for receiving a request for an introduction content from a user while the program is being broadcast is added to the content introduction program. (5) At the time of broadcasting the content introduction program, user input from the user interface is monitored based on the request reception control data of the content introduction program, and a predetermined time is set within a predetermined reservation time defined by the request reception control data. When the user input is made, the reservation number described in the request reception control data is registered in the reservation list. 2. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content introduction program is a program for displaying and introducing one content on one screen, and is specified from a user interface during a content display period. When a user input is made, the reservation number of the content being displayed is registered in the reservation list. 3. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content introduction program is a program for introducing a plurality of contents on one screen, and one content on the screen is reserved one by one in order. When a specific user input is made when a certain content is displayed in the reservable mode, the reservation number of the content is registered in the reservation list. 4. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a video of a reservation confirmation screen is output when the specific user input is received. 5. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the contents is a video game program for interactively expressing a video image and a game sound effect by video and audio. The programs include a video game program and a game introduction program to which the request reception control data is added.