JP2002091464A - Karaoke device that stores and reproduces the operation history during a performance - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To provide a karaoke apparatus for storing and reproducing an operation state during music performance. Kind Code: A1 A karaoke apparatus for processing music generation data corresponding to a music ID specified by a user to generate an audio signal of accompaniment music, and to output accompaniment music and singing voice from a microphone. Performance control means for appropriately controlling the performance state of the accompaniment music according to the provided operation control information; user interface means for providing the operation control information input by the user to the performance control means; A control history storage unit for storing operation history data in which a time series of operation control information input by a user and a corresponding music ID are stored in an appropriate storage unit; A control for inputting appropriate operation control information to the performance control means in accordance with the time series during the performance period of the music based on the operation history data being performed. Instruction means.

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 more particularly, to a karaoke apparatus that appropriately controls a performance state of accompaniment music and a singing voice according to a user input.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art <Constitution of Karaoke Apparatus> A karaoke apparatus that processes MIDI data is cited as a conventional example.
FIG. 1 shows a functional block diagram of the karaoke apparatus. The central control unit 2 is a microcomputer including a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM therein, and performs data communication with peripheral components via a data bus 100 and a control bus 110 to control the karaoke apparatus 1a. The hard disk drive 3 generates music generation data which is the origin of the karaoke accompaniment music described in the MIDI format for many karaoke songs and lyrics rendering data which is the generation origin of the lyrics image drawn in synchronization with the music performance And are stored.

The lyrics rendering data is a character string obtained by dividing all the lyrics characters into appropriate bars, and information such as the display / deletion order of the character strings (lyric rendering sequence), the display position of the character strings, and each character string. Each information is described, such as display / deletion timing of a character and color change timing (singing timing instruction) of each character in a character string.

The CD-ROM changer 13 divides and stores long-time video data (MPEG1 format or the like) from which a mood video used as a background of a lyric image is generated on a large number of CD-ROMs. ing. And C
One or a plurality of players including a D-ROM drive device and a video data decoding circuit are built in. The CD-ROM changer 13 drives an appropriate CD-ROM with a built-in player under the control of the central control unit 2 and decodes video data recorded at an appropriate recording position of the CD-ROM. An operation of outputting a mood image as a video signal is performed.

<Basic Performance Operation> When the central control unit 2 receives the music number of the requested music specified and input through the user interface such as the remote control transmitter 5 and the operation panel 6 through the operation control unit 7, the input is performed. By storing the order and the music number in the RAM in association with each other, the performance reservation processing of the music is performed. When the performance order of the music comes, the corresponding music generation data and lyrics rendering data are extracted from the hard disk device 3 and processed. The music generation data is sequentially transferred to the synthesizer 8, and the audio signal (song audio signal) of the accompaniment music generated here is input to the mixing amplifier 9 together with the audio signal (singing audio signal) input from the microphone 11. The mixed audio signal is output from the speaker 10.

On the other hand, the lyrics rendering data is processed in synchronization with the processing of the music generation data, a lyrics image synchronized with the accompaniment music is generated, and is sequentially developed in the video RAM 12 as a bit map. The video controller 14 superimposes the lyrics image on a video signal of an appropriate mood video reproduced by the CD-ROM changer 13 and outputs a mood video containing the lyrics image to the display 15.

<Performance Control Function and Singing Voice Control Function> As is well known, a karaoke apparatus has a function of controlling a performance state of accompaniment music and a sound output state of singing voice according to a user input. Controls (accompaniment control) for accompaniment music include volume control, sound quality control, tempo control, pitch (key) control, reverberation component (echo) addition, and audio signals of only a predetermined sound source part (for example, main melody: guide melody). Control that alters the music sound signal itself, such as generating or not generating music (music sound control), and control related to the progress of music (playing sequence control), such as suspending and resuming performance, and repeating performance of a specific section There is.
The control for the singing voice (singing voice control) includes volume control, sound quality control, pitch control, and echo addition.

The music sound control includes a method of changing the processing method of MIDI data by the synthesizer 8 or rewriting the data itself to modify the accompaniment music at the time of generating the music sound signal (music generation data processing method). There is a method of processing the generated analog music sound signal (audio signal processing method).

In the music generation data processing method, for example, if the synthesizer 8 rewrites the velocity and the note number of the MIDI data describing the accompaniment sound, the volume and key of the accompaniment music to be generated change. If the data describing a certain accompaniment sound is processed twice with a staggered time, and the velocity value is reduced during the second processing, a music sound signal corresponding to a reverberation component called “MIDI echo” is generated. Since the synthesizer 8 defines the time of one beat by counting a predetermined number of clocks, the tempo can be controlled by changing the clock frequency.

On the other hand, as a sound signal processing method, a method of performing analog processing of a sound signal, such as adjustment of volume and sound quality (emphasis of high and low sounds, etc.) and echo addition processing, is well known. (Digital Signal Processo
There is also a method of controlling the tempo and pitch in addition to the volume, sound quality, and echo using r). In this method, an analog audio signal is A / D-converted and sampled to be digital audio data, and the digital audio data is processed by a dedicated DSP. This DSP processes the input digital audio data and processes the audio attributes (volume, tempo,
Digital sound data with different pitches and reverberation components). This converted / processed digital audio data is
By performing the / A conversion, accompaniment music with various attributes is output as sound. Note that the above-described audio signal processing method is also applied to singing voice control.

The performance sequence control is performed by the central control unit 2 suspending / re-starting the MIDI data transfer process to the synthesizer 8 in accordance with a user input, or performing a repetitive performance portion (generally, a preset performance in the music generation data). Is to change the transfer process of the music generation data as appropriate, such as by repeatedly transferring the "chorus" portion, to control the pause, re-run, and repetition of the performance.

When a user inputs a set value or the like in each of the above-described control functions using an appropriate user interface such as a remote control transmitter 5, the central control unit 2 operates the operation control unit 7.
And the input information as operation control information.
Then, it transmits data and control signals corresponding to the set values input by the user to appropriate peripheral components such as the synthesizer 8 and the mixing amplifier 9 and changes the transfer process of the music generation data.

[0013]

Originally, the performance control function and the audio signal control function described above adjust the original key and tempo of the karaoke music to the key and tempo suitable for the singer.
Add an echo to the singing voice to "show well"
Or, it was intended to be used as an “auxiliary function” for “do not look poor”.

However, now that karaoke has become widespread as popular entertainment, the above-mentioned control functions are used for entertainment purposes for singers to show their personality to their accompanying persons or to enliven the place. It has become. For example, when it is desired to have a companion sing a song carefully with emotion, the performance tempo is slowed down while the singing is being performed, and the singing volume of the echo is increased to enhance the bass. If you want to invite the companion's chorus, such as rust, to enliven the place,
Suppress the echo to enhance the treble. If possible, repeat the chorus part. As described above, the performance control function and the singing voice control function have been used differently from the original purpose.

In order to "make full use" of the various control functions of the karaoke apparatus in this way, the singer must sing while operating the various control functions during the performance, such as by having a remote control transmitter. In this case, the timing of operation is likely to be different for each performance opportunity, and even if it works well once and it can excite the place, the second time it fails or restarts, and conversely makes the place white May be lost.

Certainly, JP-A-8-63178 and JP-A-9-114475 disclose that the set values in each control function, such as the tempo and the shift amount of the pitch, are associated with the music in advance and the IC card or the karaoke apparatus side. And a karaoke apparatus for calling the set value at the time of singing and playing the corresponding music. But,
These techniques merely provide a fixed set value to each control function before the start of the performance, and cannot at all respond to the application in which the singer "makes full use" of each control function during the performance.

An object of the present invention is to provide a karaoke apparatus capable of storing and reproducing operation states of various controls arbitrarily performed during performance of a certain music piece.

[0018]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a music generation data corresponding to a music ID specified by a user is processed to generate a sound signal of karaoke accompaniment music. A karaoke apparatus that outputs the accompaniment music and a singing voice input from a microphone as a sound, wherein performance control means for appropriately controlling a performance state of the accompaniment music in accordance with given operation control information; User interface means for providing the operation control information to the performance control means, and an operation history in which a time series of the operation control information input by a user during performance of the karaoke accompaniment music and a corresponding music ID are associated with each other. A control history storage unit for storing data in an appropriate storage unit; and a control history storage unit based on the operation history data associated with the music ID specified by the user. Te, and the karaoke device for reproducing the stored operation history of playing with a control instruction means for inputting an appropriate operation control information to the performing period of the musical composition to said performance control means in accordance with the time series.

A second aspect of the present invention is the karaoke apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising singing voice control means for appropriately controlling the sound output state of the singing voice according to the provided operation control information, The interface means provides the operation control information input by the user to the singing voice control means, and the control instruction means provides appropriate operation control information based on the operation history data in accordance with the time series. This is a karaoke apparatus for storing and reproducing operation histories during performance inputted to the means.

A third aspect of the present invention is the karaoke apparatus according to the first or second aspect, further comprising medium interface means for reading and writing data from and to a predetermined storage medium, wherein the control history storage means is provided. The control history data is stored in a predetermined storage medium, and the control instruction means sends appropriate operation control information to the performance control means or the singing voice control means based on the control history data read from the storage medium. I am going to give.

According to a fourth aspect, in the karaoke apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the control history storage unit associates the control history data with a personal ID input by a user. The control instructing means transmits appropriate operation control information based on the control history data associated with a personal ID and a music ID specified by a user to the performance control means or the singing voice control means. A karaoke apparatus that stores and reproduces the control history during the performance given to the karaoke machine.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS === Summary === In a karaoke apparatus of the present invention, a user associates the operating state of the performance control function or the singing voice control function with a music piece while the music piece is playing. When the same music is played next time, the recorded operation state is reproduced to control the performance state of the accompaniment music and the sound output state of the singing voice.

A karaoke apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention
The operation history data describing the operation state at the time of the performance for each music is recorded on the IC card, and the IC
Based on the operation history data recorded on the card, the previous operation state is automatically reproduced at the time of playing the music specified by the user. It is assumed that the user individually possesses the IC card, for example, by distributing the IC card to the customer.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the karaoke apparatus according to the present embodiment. The karaoke apparatus 1b employs substantially the same hardware configuration as a conventional karaoke apparatus. An IC card slot 21 for detachably mounting an IC card 20 and an IC card interface (I / F) 22 for mediating data communication between the IC card 20 mounted in the slot 21 and the central control unit 2 are provided. Is different. Then, an operation history reproduction function is realized by changing the hardware configuration and the software.

=== Creation of Operation History Data === In order to use the operation history reproduction function, the user must first
Register the operation status you want to reproduce. The user uses the remote control transmitter 5 and the operation panel 6 to input a performance designation of a certain music and an instruction to register an operation state at the time of playing the music. In this embodiment, an operation key for instructing the registration of an operation state is provided on the user interface (5, 6), and the central control unit 2 determines that the key has been pressed following the music number. Is recognized via the operation control unit 7, the music piece is reserved for performance as the operation state registration music piece. Of course, even if no special operation keys are provided on the user interface, for example, a method may be adopted in which the specified music is unconditionally reserved as the operation state registration music when the IC card 20 is inserted.

The central control unit 2 accesses the IC card 20 via the IC card I / F 22 when the playing order of the operation state registration music is reached, and checks the memory capacity and the like. When the IC card 20 is not mounted or the memory capacity is insufficient, the fact is displayed on the display 15 to urge the user to mount or replace the IC card 20. When it is confirmed that the IC card 20 capable of recording the operation history data is attached, the processing of the corresponding music generation data is started, and the elapsed time from the performance start time is measured. In the present embodiment, the number of beats from the performance start time is counted, and the elapsed time is represented by the count value. Then, while the user is performing, the user interface (5, 6)
The input operation information is sequentially recorded in a RAM or the like in association with the number of beats at the time of the input. At the end of the performance, operation history data is created by associating all the operation information recorded at this performance opportunity and the respective input timings (beats) with the played music, and this is stored in the IC card 2.
Store to 0. FIG. 3 shows a schematic structure of the operation history data. Keys and setting values operated at each timing are associated with each other.

The present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Operation information and its input timing are recorded for all music pieces without distinguishing between music pieces registered for performance reservation and general reserved music pieces, and stored in the IC card 20 after the performance ends. May be received and the operation history data may be created / stored.

=== Reproduction of Operation Control === The IC Card 20 on which the Operation History Data is Recorded
When a music piece loaded in the card slot 21 is registered for performance reservation, the central control unit 2 accesses the IC card 20 and checks operation history data stored in the memory. Then, when it is recognized that the operation history data corresponding to the designated music piece is stored in the IC card 20,
The performance reservation is made for the music as the operation control music.

When the order of playing the operation control music comes, the central control unit 2 reads out operation history data corresponding to the music from the IC card 20 and stores it in the internal RAM. When the processing of the music generation data is started, the number of beats is counted starting from the performance start time. At the time of counting the number of beats described in the operation history data, transfer processing of music generation data is appropriately performed according to the operation information associated with the time, and data and control signals are transmitted to each component. To variably control the performance state of the accompaniment music and the sound output state of the singing voice. In this embodiment, the operation information associated with each timing is maintained unless the operation information for canceling the setting of the operation information is described.

=== Other Modifications / Applications === The storage medium for the operation history data is not limited to an IC card, but is a floppy (registered trademark) disk, CD-R, CD-R.
An appropriate medium such as W can be adopted. of course,
It is also possible to store in a hard disk device. Further, a storage medium or memory for storing operation history data is mounted and mounted on an appropriate wireless communication device (for example, a remote control transmitter or a mobile phone), and the karaoke device and the wireless communication device are connected to each other.
A mode in which operation history data is transmitted and received via an appropriate wireless interface such as rDA is also conceivable.

When the operation history data already stored in the storage medium and the operation history data to be newly stored are associated with the same music, the operation history data may be overwritten with new data or may be overwritten and stored. Good. In the case of duplicate storage, for example, each operation history data is stored as a file with a different name, for example, each operation history data is managed with a different identifier, and a file name is automatically generated for each data, or input by a user. And naming them appropriately. And
In order to be able to specify specific operation history data, a user interface environment for selectively displaying data creation date and time, data name, and the like may be provided.

In some cases, different users store operation history data in the same storage medium. In such a case, a personal ID may be assigned to each user, the personal ID may be input at a time when the operation history data is created, and the personal ID may be included in the operation history data. Then, the user interface may receive the designation input of the personal ID and the music ID, and employ the operation history data associated with both of the IDs when the operation control music is performed. Note that a karaoke apparatus that can use a personal remote control transmitter called a personal remote control can use a unique remote control ID transmitted from each personal remote control as a personal ID. If a performance reservation instruction is issued from this personal remote controller, there is no need to separately input a personal ID.

A karaoke apparatus serving as a terminal of a known communication karaoke system is connected to a network and has a function of communicating with another computer on the network such as a server computer. Then, various data communication processes such as download of music generation data and upload of request status are executed. If the karaoke apparatus has a communication interface such as a modem, and adopts a data management method that can identify specific data from a large number of operation history data by a file name, a personal ID, or the like,
It is also conceivable to use a predetermined server computer connected to the network as a storage location for the operation history data.

[0034]

According to the present invention, the operation status input by the user during the performance of a certain music is stored, and when the music is played again, the previously stored operation status is automatically reproduced. Can be. Therefore, when the performance state of the music and the sound output state of the singing voice are arranged according to the user's preference, operation history data for reproducing the arrangement state can be stored. If the user saves a successful and effective arrangement as operation history data, the user can perform / sing with that arrangement at all singing occasions, and can surely excite the place. For this reason, the entertainment of the karaoke apparatus is further improved, and the karaoke facility can be expected to increase profits by acquiring new customers and increasing repeaters.

By storing the operation history data in a removable storage medium, a different karaoke apparatus can reproduce the performance state and the like. If the operation history data includes a personal ID for identifying the user, the operation history data for a large number of users can be stored in the same storage medium in an identifiable manner. Also, if the karaoke device is a terminal of a communication karaoke system, the operation history data can be centrally managed by a server computer or the like connected to the network, and if the karaoke device is connected to the network,
The operation history data can be used without depending on the device or the place without carrying the storage medium.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a karaoke apparatus described as a conventional example.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a karaoke apparatus described as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of operation history data generated / processed in the embodiment.

[Description of Signs] 1a, 1b Karaoke device 2 Central control unit 3 Hard disk device 8 Synthesizer 9 Mixing amplifier 20 IC card 21 IC card slot 22 IC card interface

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takahiro Aoyagi 5-5-26 Kita Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Dai-ichi Kosho Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5D044 AB05 AB07 BC08 CC04 EF05 FG18 FG23 HL11 HL14 5D108 BA04 BA39 BB03 BB06 BC19 BD08 BD12 BD14 BF01 BF07 BF16 BG06

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A karaoke system that processes music generation data corresponding to a music ID specified by a user to generate a sound signal of karaoke accompaniment music, and outputs the accompaniment music and a singing voice input from a microphone. An apparatus, comprising: performance control means for appropriately controlling a performance state of the accompaniment music according to provided operation control information; and user interface means for providing the operation control information input by a user to the performance control means. Control history storage means for storing operation history data in which a time series of the operation control information input by a user during performance of karaoke accompaniment music and a corresponding music ID in an appropriate storage unit; Based on the operation history data associated with the specified music ID, the appropriate operation control information during the performance period of the music, Karaoke apparatus to reproduce stores the operation history of the playing, characterized in that it and a control instruction means for inputting to said performance control means in accordance series. 2. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising singing voice control means for appropriately controlling the sound output state of the singing voice in accordance with given operation control information, wherein the user interface means is a user. Giving the operation control information input to the singing voice control means, and the control instruction means inputs appropriate operation control information to the singing voice control means in accordance with the time series based on the operation history data. A karaoke apparatus for storing and reproducing operation histories during performance. 3. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a medium interface unit for reading and writing data from and to a predetermined storage medium, wherein the control history storage unit includes a predetermined storage medium. The control history data, and the control instruction means gives appropriate operation control information to the performance control means or the singing voice control means based on the control history data read from the storage medium. A karaoke device that stores and reproduces the control history during a performance. 4. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control history storage unit stores the control history data in association with a personal ID input by a user, and controls the control history data. The instruction unit provides appropriate operation control information to the performance control unit or the singing voice control unit based on the control history data associated with a personal ID and a music ID specified by a user. A karaoke device that stores and reproduces the control history during a performance.