JP2006317804A - Karaoke machine and electronic quick reference apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic quick reference apparatus having a simple and high usability music selection-reservation function. <P>SOLUTION: The system comprises a USB interface 88 for connecting to a storage section 116 capable of storing a plurality of MP3 data and an MP3 player 100 including an MP3 decoder 114 for playing music, based on the MP3 data stored in the storage section 116; a determining means 124 which reads music-specific information contained in the MP3 data stored in the storage section 116 of the MP3 player 100 via the USB interface 88 and determines the corresponding music to be played, based on the music specific information; and a display means 126 for displaying the music to be played, which is determined by the determining means 124 so as to be selectable. Thereby, since the music which can be played by the MP3 player 100 is displayed, as it is, in the electronic quick reference apparatus 22 so as to be selectable, the music to which users like to listen can be made a selection reserved object without complicated operations. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a karaoke apparatus that outputs a predetermined performance tune selected from a large number of performance tunes, and an electronic quick sample device that is a remote input device of the karaoke apparatus, and more particularly to an improvement of a music selection reservation function.

  2. Description of the Related Art Music playback apparatuses that output a predetermined performance song selected from a large number of performance songs are known. For example, a karaoke device used in a karaoke box or the like. According to such a karaoke apparatus, music information of a predetermined karaoke performance song selected from a large number of karaoke performance songs stored in advance in a storage device is output, and an image including lyrics information of the karaoke performance song is output. Karaoke performance of a desired song can be enjoyed by displaying it on the screen in synchronization with.

  By the way, in the karaoke performance by the conventional karaoke apparatus, a quick sample described so that the music selection number which is the identification number of the performance music, the song title of the performance song, the name of the singer, the lyrics of the singing, etc. can be listed. The user made a reservation for the selection of the music piece while referring to the quick sample. However, in recent years, with the advancement of technology, the number of performance songs that can be played by the karaoke device has greatly increased, and the quick sample has become thick and difficult to refer to accordingly. Music selection reservation technology has been proposed. For example, it is a karaoke music selection apparatus described in Patent Document 1. According to this technology, the table of contents information including the song selection number of the karaoke performance song is read from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, and the user selects the song selection screen by displaying a predetermined song selection screen based on the table of contents information. It is said that the music selection reservation can be made easily while referring to it.

JP-A-10-301582

  However, in the conventional technique, it is necessary to prepare a storage medium such as a CD-ROM exclusively for music selection reservation by the karaoke apparatus, which is complicated. In addition, since the trend of music is changing rapidly, it was thought that the storage media prepared with difficulty would soon become obsolete, which was not suitable for practical use. For this reason, development of a karaoke apparatus and an electronic quick sample apparatus having a simple and easy-to-use music selection reservation function has been desired.

  The present invention has been made in the background of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a karaoke apparatus and an electronic quick sample apparatus having a simple and easy-to-use music selection reservation function.

  In order to achieve such an object, the gist of the first invention is a karaoke apparatus for outputting a predetermined performance song selected from a large number of performance songs, wherein performance information of a predetermined format is output. A plurality of storage elements that can be stored and an interface for connecting to an external device having performance means for playing music based on performance information stored in the storage element, and stored in the storage element of the external device The music identification information included in the performance information is read via the interface, and a determination means for determining the corresponding performance music based on the music identification information, and the performance music determined by the determination means are displayed in a selectable manner. It has a display means, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In order to achieve the above object, the gist of the second aspect of the present invention is that a predetermined video image is used to remotely control a karaoke apparatus that outputs a predetermined performance song selected from a large number of performance songs. And a storage element capable of storing a plurality of pieces of performance information in a predetermined format, and a storage element that can store a plurality of pieces of performance information in a predetermined format. An interface for connecting to an external device having performance means for performing music based on the stored performance information, and the music specifying information included in the performance information stored in the storage element of the external device Can be selected via the interface, judging means for judging the corresponding performance music based on the music identification information, and the performance music judged by the judgment means can be selected And display means for displaying, is characterized in that it has.

  As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage element capable of storing a plurality of pieces of performance information in a predetermined format and an external device having performance means for playing music based on the performance information stored in the storage element. An interface for connection between the two pieces of music, and music specifying information included in the performance information stored in the storage element of the external device are read through the interface, and a corresponding performance music is determined based on the music specifying information. Since the determination means and the display means for displaying the performance music determined by the determination means in a selectable manner, the music that can be played by the external device is displayed as it is in the karaoke apparatus. Therefore, the music that the user likes and listens to can be selected as a reservation for music selection without complicated work. That is, a karaoke apparatus having a music selection reservation function that is simple and easy to use can be provided.

  Here, the first invention preferably includes a touch panel display for displaying a predetermined image and performing input to the karaoke device in response to a user's contact in order to remotely operate the karaoke device. An electronic quick sample apparatus is provided, and the interface, determination means, and display means are provided in the electronic quick sample apparatus. In this way, the music that can be played by the external device can be displayed as it is in the electronic quick sample device as it is, and a simple and convenient music selection reservation can be made in a practical manner. There is an advantage that can be.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, between the storage element capable of storing a plurality of pieces of performance information in a predetermined format and the external device having performance means for playing music based on the performance information stored in the storage element. Determining means for reading out the music specifying information included in the performance information stored in the storage element of the interface and the external device for the connection through the interface and determining the corresponding performance music based on the music specifying information And display means for selectively displaying the performance music determined by the determination means, so that the music that can be played by the external device is displayed as it is in the electronic quick sample apparatus as it is. Therefore, the music that the user likes and listens to can be selected as a reservation for music selection without complicated work. That is, it is possible to provide an electronic quick sample apparatus having a music selection reservation function that is simple and easy to use.

  Here, in the first and second inventions, preferably, the external device has a built-in storage unit capable of storing a plurality of pieces of performance information in a predetermined format as the storage element. In this way, a song that can be played by an external device such as an MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer-III) player, which is a popular portable music player, can be selected by the karaoke device as it is. There is an advantage that can be displayed.

  Preferably, the external device has a removable storage disk capable of storing a plurality of pieces of performance information in a predetermined format as the storage element. In this way, music that can be played by an external device such as a CD (Compact Disc) player or an MD (Mini Disc) player, which is a popular portable music playback device, can be used as it is in the karaoke device. There is an advantage that it can be displayed so that the music can be selected.

  Preferably, the determination means reads a song name and / or singer name included in performance information stored in a storage element of the external device as the song identification information, and based on the song name and / or singer name. The corresponding performance music is determined. In this way, there is an advantage that the performance music corresponding to the performance information stored in the storage element of the external device can be determined in a practical manner.

  Preferably, the determination means reads performance time information included in performance information stored in a storage element of the external device as the music specifying information, and determines a corresponding performance music based on the performance time information. To do. In this way, there is an advantage that the performance music corresponding to the performance information stored in the storage element of the external device can be determined in a practical manner.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a karaoke system 10 to which the present invention is preferably applied. As shown in FIG. 1, in the karaoke system 10, a plurality of private rooms 14 a, 14 b, 14 c,... In a store 12 such as a karaoke box, a snack, an inn, etc. Karaoke apparatuses 16a, 16b, 16c,... (Hereinafter referred to simply as karaoke unless otherwise specified), each of which is one or more (one in FIG. 1). (Referred to as device 16). Among these karaoke devices 16, a predetermined karaoke device 16a as a master commander is connected to a center device 20 of a karaoke service providing company via a communication line 18 such as a public telephone line. Information can be communicated between the karaoke apparatuses 16a. The center device 20 is a server that performs basic control of storage and input / output management of digital contents (Digital Contents) such as karaoke information, background video information, and inter-song information, and is connected to the master commander via the communication line 18. The contents are periodically distributed to the karaoke apparatus 16a, and a predetermined function control program is transmitted in response to a request from the karaoke apparatus 16a. The karaoke system 10 includes a plurality of electronic sample devices 22a, 22b, 22c,... (Hereinafter simply referred to as the electronic sample device 22 unless otherwise distinguished), which is an embodiment of the present invention. When using the karaoke device 16, one electronic quick sample device 22 is rented for each user (group), and as a remote operation device for the karaoke device 16 in each private room 14 as described later. It has come to be used. A LAN 24 for connecting the plurality of karaoke apparatuses 16 to each other is laid in the store 12, and an input to the karaoke apparatus 16 from the electronic quick sample apparatus 22 is made via a predetermined access point 26 and the LAN 24. This is performed by LAN communication or the like.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the karaoke apparatus 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the karaoke device 16 includes a video display device 30 such as a CRT (Cathode-ray Tube), a video information decoder 32, a video mixer 34, an amplifier mixer 36, a speaker 38, and a microphone 40. The operation panel 42, the CPU 44 as a central processing unit, the ROM 46, the RAM 48, the hard disk 50 as a storage device, the modem 52, the LAN port 54, the CRT controller 56, the operation panel 42 and the like. An input / output interface 58 for processing the input signal, a synthesizer 60 as a sound source, and a remote control receiving unit 62 for receiving a remote control signal from an input device such as the electronic quick sample device 22 or the remote control device 66. Configured.

  The CPU 44 is a so-called computer that processes and controls electronic information based on a predetermined program stored in advance in the ROM 46 using the temporary storage function of the RAM 48. The remote control device 66, the electronic sample device 22 and the like When a predetermined karaoke performance song is selected by the above, the selected karaoke performance song is registered in the reserved song list provided in the RAM 48 or selected from the hard disk 50 in the RAM 48 according to the performance order of the reserved song list. The performance information and lyric information of the karaoke performance music read out, the performance information is transmitted from the RAM 48 to the synthesizer 60 as the performance of the karaoke performance music progresses, and the lyric character image based on the lyric information Is generated and sent to the CRT controller 56. An image is generated and sent to the CRT controller 56, the video information decoder 32 is controlled to reproduce a predetermined background video, or new music information, music selection ranking, Information such as store advertisements is output, and basic control such as information communication control with the center device 20 via the communication line 18 is executed.

  The operation panel 42 selects a karaoke performance song that the user of the karaoke device 16 wants to sing, adjusts the pitch of the performance song, adjusts the volume balance between the performance and the song, and performs echo and volume. , An input device provided with operation buttons (switches) or knobs for performing various adjustments such as tone. Further, the karaoke device 16 is provided with a remote control device 66 that functions as an input device for remotely executing some functions of the operation panel 42, and the remote control receiving unit 62 is connected to the remote control device 66. A remote control signal to be transmitted is received and supplied to the CPU 44. In addition, the association (sticking) processing between the karaoke device 16 and the electronic quick sample device 22 is also performed via the remote control receiving unit 62, and thus the electronic quick sample device associated with the karaoke device 16. 22 also functions as an input device. In the present embodiment, the input devices such as the electronic quick sample device 22 and the remote control device 66 are considered to be included in the karaoke device 16 as a part of the configuration.

  The video information decoder 32 is a background video playback device that plays back (decodes) a predetermined background video based on background video information stored in the hard disk 50 when a user sings a song while referring to lyrics. The background video information is, for example, MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) format data, and the background video reproduced by the video information decoder 32 based on the MPEG data is sent to the video mixer. The CRT controller 56 is a character video output device that outputs a character video (telop) such as a lyric character video generated by the CPU 44, and the video mixer 34 is generated by the CPU 44 and the CRT controller 56. Is a video composition device that synthesizes the character video output from the video information decoder 32 with the background video reproduced by the video information decoder 32 and displays it on the video display device 30.

  The synthesizer 60 is a sound source that generates a music signal such as a musical instrument performance signal based on performance information of a karaoke performance song read from the hard disk 50 and sent. The performance information is, for example, data in MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) format, and the music signal generated by the synthesizer 60 based on the MIDI data is converted into an analog signal and sent to the amplifier mixer 36. In the amplifier mixer 36, the music signal transmitted and the user's singing voice input via the microphone 40 are mixed, and these signals are electrically amplified and output from the speaker 38.

  The modem 52 is a device for connecting the karaoke device 16 to a communication line 18 such as a public telephone line, converts a digital signal output from the CPU 44 into an analog signal and sends it to the communication line 18. An analog signal transmitted via the communication line 18 is converted into a digital signal and supplied to the CPU 44. The modem 52 is required for the karaoke device 16a functioning as a master commander, but is not necessarily provided for other karaoke devices 16 that do not communicate information with the center device 20. .

  The LAN port 54 is a connector for connecting the karaoke device 16 to other devices such as the other karaoke device 16 and the electronic quick sample device 22 via the LAN 24, and the karaoke device 16 is thus By being connected via the LAN 24, information can be transmitted / received to / from other devices such as the other karaoke apparatus 16 and the electronic quick sample apparatus 22. For example, the music selection input from the electronic quick sample device 22 received by the access point 26 is accepted, or predetermined information is transmitted from the karaoke device 16 to the electronic quick sample device 22. Mutual information exchange is performed between the karaoke device 16 and the electronic sample device 22.

  The hard disk 50 outputs a karaoke database that stores a large number of karaoke information for outputting karaoke performance songs, a background video database that stores a plurality of background video information for outputting background video, and information between songs. Various databases such as an inter-music information database for storing a plurality of inter-music information are provided. Among the plurality of karaoke devices 16 provided in stores such as karaoke boxes, the karaoke device 16a that functions as a master commander is connected to the communication line 18 via the modem 52, and the plurality of karaoke devices 16 New karaoke information, background video information, inter-song information, etc. are constantly sent from the center device 20 so that a new song can always be played or predetermined background video and inter-song information can be output. It is distributed via the communication line 18 and stored in the karaoke database, background video database, inter-music information database, etc. of the hard disk 50. In addition, communication is performed via the LAN 24 between the karaoke device 16a that has acquired the information from the center device 20 and the other karaoke devices 16, so that the information is stored in the hard disk 50 of each karaoke device 16. Information is shared, and the contents of the karaoke database, background video database, inter-song information database, and the like are equivalent.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of the electronic quick sample device 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the electronic quick sample device 22 is provided with a touch panel display 66 for displaying a predetermined image (video) and inputting according to a user's contact. Further, it is a stand-type connection stand (docking table) that performs operations such as transmission / reception and synchronization of data with the karaoke device 16 and charging of a battery built in the electronic quick sample device 22. A cradle 64 is provided. The electronic quick sample device 22 is used in a state of being attached to or removed from the cradle 64, and in the attached state, the electronic quick sample device 22 is wired to the karaoke device 16 via the cradle 64 and the LAN 24. Connected. Further, when the cradle 64 is removed, the karaoke device 16 is wirelessly connected via the access point 26 and the LAN 24.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the electronic quick sample device 22. As shown in FIG. 4, the electronic quick sample device 22 includes a display device 68 that displays a predetermined video on the touch panel display 66, a display control unit 70 that controls display by the display device 68, and a user's A touch panel 72 that performs input by touching the touch panel display 66 with a finger or an attached pen (not shown), an input control unit 74 that controls input by the touch panel 72, a CPU 76 that is a central processing unit, a ROM 78, and a RAM 80 A storage unit 82 such as a flash ROM, a LAN interface 84, a connector 86 for enabling electrical connection with the cradle 64, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface 88, and a flat USB connector 90. A remote control transmission unit 92 and a wireless LAN communication unit 94; It is configured Te.

  The cradle 64 is provided with a connector 96 for enabling electrical connection with the electronic quick sample device 22, and the electronic quick sample device 22 is placed on the cradle 64 and mounted on the connector 86. Are connected to the cradle 64 or the LAN 24 via the LAN interface 84. The electronic sample device 22 can be connected to an external device having a USB module, such as an MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer-III) player 100 described later, and is provided in the external device. When the square USB connector 120 is connected to the flat USB connector 90 directly or via a USB cable, information can be communicated with the external device via the USB interface 88. .

  The storage unit 82 is provided with various databases including a performance song database 98. This performance song database 98 corresponds to each of a large number of pieces of karaoke information stored in the karaoke database of the karaoke device 16, song selection information such as song name, singer name, attribute information, singing part of lyrics, performance time information, And notes etc. are stored for each music selection number. Here, the attribute information is, for example, information on the genre to which each performance song belongs, the singer name predetermined for each performance song, the announcement date of each performance song, or the tempo of each performance song. The performance time information indicates the performance time of each performance song in units of, for example, 1/100 second, for example, a numerical value (CD (CD)) written in a TOC (Table of Contents) of a commercially available CD. Performance time of songs recorded in the That is, the performance time information stored for each performance song in the performance song database 98 does not necessarily coincide with the performance time of the karaoke performance song played by the karaoke device 16.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the MP3 player 100 which is an example of an external device connected to the electronic quick sample device 22. As shown in FIG. 5, the MP3 player 100 includes an operation unit 102 for performing various operations related to music output, a display unit 104 such as a liquid crystal display for displaying a predetermined video, and a music output unit. A certain headphone 106, an output terminal 108 for outputting music reproduced by the MP3 decoder 114 to the headphone 106, etc., a central processing unit CPU 110, a ROM 112, an MP3 decoder 114, a storage such as a flash ROM Unit 116, USB interface 118, and square USB connector 120.

  The MP3 decoder 114 is a playing means for playing (reproducing) music based on MP3 data, and the music signal reproduced by the MP3 decoder 114 is output from the headphones 106 via the output terminal 108. The storage unit 116 is provided with an MP3 database 122 for storing a plurality of MP3 data, and a plurality of sets of MP3 format performances corresponding to each piece of music desired to be played by the MP3 player 100. It functions as a storage element capable of storing information. The MP3 data stored in the MP3 database 122 includes a song title, singer name, performance time information, remarks, etc. as table of contents information. In addition, the MP3 player 100 can be connected to other devices having a USB module, such as a general personal computer, the electronic quick sample device 22 and the like, through the USB interface 118 and the square connector 120. . As a result, the MP3 data is acquired from the other device via the USB connection and stored in the MP3 database 122. Then, predetermined MP3 data is appropriately read from the MP3 database 122 in accordance with the operation by the operation unit 102, reproduced by the MP3 decoder 114, and output from the headphones 106 or the like.

  FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram for explaining a main part of the control function provided in the electronic quick sample device 22. The determination means 124 shown in FIG. 6 reads out music specifying information included in performance information stored in an external device such as the MP3 player 100 via the USB interface 88, and performs a corresponding performance based on the music specifying information. Judge the song. Preferably, a song name and / or singer name included in MP3 data stored in the MP3 database 122 of the MP3 player 100 is read as the song specifying information, and the performance song database 98 is based on the song name and / or singer name. The corresponding performance music stored in is determined. The performance song database 98 of the electronic quick sample apparatus 22 stores a song name and a singer name for each performance song, and the MP3 data stored in the MP3 database 122 of the MP3 player 100 is similar to the table of contents information. Since the song name and the singer name are included, the corresponding performance song can be determined by referring to them. Here, even for the same song name and singer name, “alphabet, kanji, hiragana and katakana”, “kanji, hiragana and katakana”, “hirakana only”, “only katakana”, “alphabet only”, etc. In addition, since it may be stored in various notations depending on media, the storage unit 82 preferably includes “Love tomorrow”, “Love tomorrow”, “Tomorrow” with respect to the song name “Tomorrow Love”. Various tune names and / or singer names such as “Nani Love”, “Ashitani Love”, “Ashitani Love”, “Ashitani Love”, “Ashitani Love”, “Ashitanirabu”, “Ashitanilove” A correspondence table in which various notations are associated is stored. The determination means 124 preferably uses the name of the song and / or singer included in the MP3 data stored in the MP3 database 122 of the MP3 player 100 from the correspondence table previously stored in the storage unit 82 or the like as described above. The corresponding performance music stored in the performance music database 98 is determined based on the above.

  Further, the determination means 124 preferably reads performance time information included in MP3 data stored in the MP3 database 122 of the MP3 player 100 as the music specifying information, and performs the performance music based on the performance time information. The corresponding performance music stored in the database 98 is determined. The performance song database 98 of the electronic quick sample device 22 stores performance time information indicating the length of a performance song in units of 1/100 seconds for each performance song, and the MP3 database 122 of the MP3 player 100. Since the performance time information is similarly included in the MP3 data stored in the table of contents as the table of contents information, it is possible to determine the corresponding performance song by referring to them. Since songs with matching performance times in units of 1 / 100th of a second are rare, most performance songs are specified by such performance time information. However, when there are multiple candidate songs with matching performance times, the above-mentioned Thus, the corresponding performance music can be more reliably determined by referring to the music title and / or singer name in a complementary manner.

  The display means 126 displays the performance tune determined by the determination means 124 on the touch panel display 66 so as to be selectable. Specifically, a music selection screen 128 as shown in FIG. 7 including a music selection button 130 for selecting the performance music determined by the determination means 124 is displayed on the display device 68 via the display control unit 70. Let By performing touch input with a user's finger or a pen (not shown) on the music selection button 130 displayed on the music selection screen 128, the performance music corresponding to the music selection button 130 is reserved as a reserved music via the LAN 24 or the like. To the karaoke device 16.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining extraction / music selection control from an external device by the CPU 76 of the electronic quick sample device 22, which is repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle.

  First, in step (hereinafter, step is omitted) S1, it is determined whether or not an input operation for starting a music selection mode from an external device has been performed via the touch panel 72 or the like. If the determination in S1 is negative, the routine is terminated accordingly. If the determination in S1 is affirmative, the MP3 player is connected to a connection site such as the flat USB connector 90 in S2. It is determined whether or not an external device such as 100 is connected. If the determination in S2 is negative, the routine is terminated after a predetermined error message is displayed on the display device 68 via the display control unit 70 or the like in S3. Is affirmed, in S4, song identification information such as song name, singer name, and performance time information included in the performance information stored in the external device such as the MP3 player 100 is sent via the USB interface 88 or the like. Acquired and stored in the RAM 80 or the like. Next, in S5 corresponding to the operation of the determination means 124, the performance music corresponding to the music identification information acquired in S4 from the performance music stored in the performance music database 98 is determined. Next, in S6 corresponding to the operation of the display means, a music selection screen 128 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed via the display control unit 70 or the like to display the performance music determined in S5 so that the music can be selected. 68. Next, in S7, it is determined whether or not a touch input by a user's finger or the like has been performed on the music selection button 130 of the music selection screen 128 displayed in S6. While the determination of S7 is denied, the process waits by repeating the determination of S7. However, when the determination of S7 is affirmative, in S8, the performance song corresponding to the music selection button 130 that has been touch-inputted. Is transmitted as a reserved song to the karaoke apparatus 16 via the LAN 24 or the like, and in S9, whether or not an input operation for ending the music selection mode from the external apparatus is performed via the touch panel 72 or the like. To be judged. If the determination in S9 is negative, the processing from S7 is executed again, but if the determination in S9 is affirmative, this routine is terminated.

  The embodiment has been described above in which the music that can be played by the MP3 player 100 is displayed on the touch panel display 66 of the electronic quick sample device 22 so that the music can be selected. The external device to be extracted / determined is not limited to the MP3 player 100. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a CD (Compact Disc) player 132 which is another example of such an external device. As shown in FIG. 9, the CD player 132 includes an operation unit 134 for performing various operations related to music output, a display unit 136 such as a liquid crystal display for displaying a predetermined video, and a music output unit. A headphone 138, an output terminal 140 for outputting music reproduced by the performance control unit 150 to the headphone 138, etc., a CPU 142 as a central processing unit, a ROM 144, and a CD 156 as a storage element are mounted. Disc reading unit 146, a disc reading unit 148 for reading performance information stored in the CD 156 attached to the disc mounting unit 146, and playing predetermined music based on the performance information read by the disc reading unit 148. A performance control unit 150 functioning as a performance means for (reproducing) and the USB interface 1 2, the flat USB connector 154 is configured to include.

  The CD player 132 has, as a storage element, a CD 156 that is a detachable storage disk capable of storing a plurality of pieces of performance information in a predetermined format. The CD 156 is mounted on the CD mounting unit 146, and the CD 156 is attached to the CD 156. The stored performance information is read by the disk reading unit 148 as needed, and a performance based on the read performance information is output by the performance control unit 150 and output from the headphones 106 via the output terminal 108. . Further, in the information writing area (so-called lead-in) in the CD 156, TOC (Table of Contents) which is table-of-contents information indicating performance time information and the like of each performance music stored in the CD 156 is written. Further, the CD player 132 can be connected to other devices having a USB module such as a general personal computer or the electronic quick sample device 22 through the USB interface 152 and the flat connector 154. The electronic quick sample device 22 reads out the TOC written in the CD 156 through the USB connection, so that the karaoke performance music corresponding to the music stored in the CD 156 as described above is displayed on the touch panel display 66. Can be displayed so that music can be selected. In addition, songs that can be played by an external device such as an MD (Mini Disc) player can be determined and displayed in the same manner, and thus can be played by various types of portable music playback devices. The displayed music can be displayed as it is in the electronic quick sample device 22 as it is.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, between the storage element capable of storing a plurality of pieces of performance information in a predetermined format and the external device having performance means for performing music based on the performance information stored in the storage element. The USB interface 88 for connecting with the USB interface 88 and the music identification information included in the performance information stored in the storage element of the external device are read out via the USB interface 88, and the corresponding performance music is based on the music identification information. Determination means 124 (S5), and display means 126 (S6) for selectively displaying the performance music determined by the determination means 124, so that the external device can perform. The music can be displayed as it is in the karaoke device 16 as it is, and the music that the user likes and listens to can be reserved without complicated work. It can be. That is, the karaoke apparatus 16 having a simple and easy-to-use music selection reservation function can be provided.

  In addition, in order to remotely operate the karaoke device 16, the electronic quick sample device 22 is provided with a touch panel display 66 that displays a predetermined video and inputs to the karaoke device 16 in response to a user's contact. The USB interface 88, the determination means 124, and the display means 126 are provided in the electronic quick sample device 22, so that the music that can be played by the external device is used as it is. Can be displayed in such a manner that music selection is possible, and there is an advantage that a simple and easy-to-use music selection reservation can be made in a practical manner.

  Further, since the external device has a built-in storage unit 116 capable of storing a plurality of pieces of performance information in a predetermined format as the storage element, the MP3 player 100, which is a popular portable music player, is widely used. Thus, there is an advantage that the music that can be played by the above or the like can be displayed in the karaoke device 16 as it is so that the music can be selected.

  Further, since the external device has a removable storage disk capable of storing a plurality of pieces of performance information in a predetermined format as the storage element, a CD player 132, which is a popular portable music playback device, There is an advantage that music that can be played by an external device such as an MD player can be displayed as it is on the karaoke device 16 as it is.

  The determination means 124 reads out the song name and / or singer name included in the performance information stored in the storage element of the external device as the song specifying information, and performs a corresponding performance based on the song name and / or singer name. Since the music is determined, there is an advantage that the performance music corresponding to the performance information stored in the storage element of the external device can be determined in a practical manner.

  The determination means 124 reads performance time information included in performance information stored in the storage element of the external device as the music specifying information, and determines a corresponding performance music based on the performance time information. Therefore, there is an advantage that the performance music corresponding to the performance information stored in the storage element of the external device can be determined in a practical manner.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and may be implemented in other modes.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the USB interface 88, the determination unit 124, and the display unit 126 are provided in the electronic quick reference device 22, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, those control functions may be provided in the karaoke apparatus 16 main body. In this case, external devices such as the MP3 player 100 and the CD player 132 are directly connected to the karaoke device 16 via a USB cable or the like, and the above-described control is executed by the karaoke device 16.

  In the above-described embodiment, the electronic sample device 22 reads out the music specifying information included in the performance information stored in the storage element of the external device via the USB interface 88. The interface 88 is an example of an interface for transmitting and receiving information to and from an external device until it gets tired, and it goes without saying that various types of interfaces are appropriately selected and used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the electronic quick sample device 22 is connected to the CD player 132 via a USB cable, and reads the music specifying information stored in the CD 156 attached to the CD player 132. However, in the aspect in which the music specifying information is stored in the removable storage element such as the CD 156, the music specifying information may be read directly from the storage element without going through the external device. That is, the electronic music sample device 22 is provided with a disk mounting portion or the like to directly read the music specifying information included in the performance information stored in the removable storage disk, and the corresponding performance music is based on the music specifying information. A mode of determination is also conceivable.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the electronic quick sample device 22 identifies the performance song by referring to the performance time information for each performance song stored in the performance song database 98. For example, the performance song specifying process may be executed by making an inquiry to the TOC compatible database stored in a predetermined database server via the communication line 18 or the LAN 24.

  In addition, although not illustrated one by one, the present invention is implemented with various modifications within a range not departing from the gist thereof.

It is the schematic explaining the karaoke system to which this invention is applied suitably. It is a block diagram which illustrates the composition of the karaoke device which is one example of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an external appearance of an electronic quick sample apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the electronic sample device of FIG. 3. It is a figure explaining the structure of the MP3 player which is an example of the external device connected to the electronic quick sample apparatus of FIG. It is a functional block diagram explaining the principal part of the control function with which the electronic quick sample apparatus of FIG. 4 was equipped. It is a figure which illustrates the extraction music selection screen from the MP3 player displayed on the touchscreen display of the electronic quick sample apparatus of FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining extraction / music selection control from an external device by a CPU of the electronic sample device of FIG. It is a figure explaining the structure of the CD player which is another example of the external apparatus connected to the electronic quick sample apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

16: Karaoke device 22: Quick reference device 66: Touch panel display 88: USB interface 100: MP3 player (external device)
114: MP3 decoder (performance means)
116: Storage unit (storage element)
124: Determination means 126: Display means 132: CD player (external device)
150: Performance controller (performance means)
156: CD (storage disk)

Claims (11)

A karaoke apparatus for outputting a predetermined performance song selected from a large number of performance songs,
An interface for connecting between an external device having a storage element capable of storing a plurality of pieces of performance information of a predetermined format and a performance means for playing music based on the performance information stored in the storage element;
Determination means for reading out music specifying information included in performance information stored in a storage element of the external device via the interface, and determining a corresponding performance music based on the music specifying information;
A karaoke apparatus comprising: display means for selectively displaying a performance song determined by the determination means.   In order to remotely operate the karaoke apparatus, the electronic swatch apparatus includes a touch panel display that displays a predetermined image and inputs the karaoke apparatus in response to a user's contact, and includes the interface and the determination unit. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display means is provided in the electronic quick sample apparatus.   The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the external device includes a built-in storage unit capable of storing a plurality of pieces of performance information in a predetermined format as the storage element.   The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the external device includes a removable storage disk capable of storing a plurality of pieces of performance information in a predetermined format as the storage element.   The determination means reads a song name and / or singer name included in performance information stored in a storage element of the external device as the song identification information, and determines a corresponding performance song based on the song name and / or singer name. The karaoke apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:   The determination means reads performance time information included in performance information stored in a storage element of the external device as the music specifying information, and determines a corresponding performance music based on the performance time information. The karaoke device of any one of 1 to 4. A touch panel display for displaying a predetermined video and inputting to the karaoke device in response to a user's contact in order to remotely control a karaoke device for outputting a predetermined performance song selected from a large number of performance songs An electronic quick sample device comprising:
An interface for connecting between an external device having a storage element capable of storing a plurality of pieces of performance information of a predetermined format and a performance means for playing music based on the performance information stored in the storage element;
Determination means for reading out music specifying information included in performance information stored in a storage element of the external device via the interface, and determining a corresponding performance music based on the music specifying information;
An electronic quick sample apparatus comprising: display means for selectively displaying a performance song determined by the determination means.   The electronic quick sample apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the external device has a built-in storage unit capable of storing a plurality of pieces of performance information in a predetermined format as the storage element.   8. The electronic sample apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the external device has a removable storage disk capable of storing a plurality of pieces of performance information in a predetermined format as the storage element.   The determination means reads a song name and / or singer name included in performance information stored in a storage element of the external device as the song identification information, and determines a corresponding performance song based on the song name and / or singer name. The electronic quick sample apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9.   The determination means reads performance time information included in performance information stored in a storage element of the external device as the music specifying information, and determines a corresponding performance music based on the performance time information. Electronic reference sample device of any one of 7 to 9.

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