JP3610117B2 - Karaoke equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a karaoke apparatus and a karaoke communication system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in a karaoke system, subtitles and background images are usually output along with audio output of accompaniment music. For background images, the background image is specified for each song and the background image is specified. There was something that was not.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional karaoke system, the user cannot select and sing a favorite lyrics in the case of a song having a plurality of types of lyrics attached to the same song.
[0004]
Thus, the conventional karaoke system has a low degree of freedom of selection when viewed from the user side.
An object of the present invention is to improve a user's freedom of various selections when enjoying karaoke.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a means for solving the above-mentioned problem, the karaoke apparatus according to claim 1,A karaoke apparatus comprising a storage means (33), a control means (31), a communication control means (27), and a reproduction means (35, 26), wherein the storage means (33) Parts information list and , Storing a plurality of pieces of music piece information, the communication control means (27) enables various communications with the information center, and the reproduction means (35, 26) reproduce the music piece information according to the control of the control means (31). The control means (31) performs the process 1-4, and the first process is based on the music part information list corresponding to the music selected by the input means (32). A song pattern list including patterns is created and displayed on the display means (29), and the second process is to use the song pattern selected by the input means (32) from the displayed song pattern list. It is determined whether or not the part information is stored in the storage means (33). If the part information is insufficient, the process proceeds to the third process. If not, the process proceeds to the fourth process. Via communication control means (27) Request to the information center and move to the fourth process, where the music part information used in the music pattern selected in the second process is sent to the reproduction means (35, 26). It is the structure to reproduce.
[0006]
The karaoke apparatus according to claim 2The control means (31) is the karaoke device according to claim 1, wherein the music part information list in the storage means (33) is updated by the music part information list received from the information center.
[0007]
[0008]
[0009]
[0010]
[0011]
[0012]
[0013]
[Action]
In the karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, which is configured as described above,When the user operates the input means (32) to select a music piece, the control means (31) selects at least one music pattern based on the music part information list corresponding to the music piece selected by the input means (32). Is created and displayed on the display means (29) (first process).
Next, when the user operates the input means (32) to select one song pattern from the displayed song pattern list, the control means (31) selects the song selected by the input means (32). It is determined whether or not the song part information used in the pattern is in the storage means (33) (second process).
The control means (31) requests and obtains the lacking music part information from the information center via the communication control means (27) when the music part information used in the selected music pattern is insufficient. From (third process), if there is no shortage, the third part is not performed and the music part information used in the music pattern selected in the second process is reproduced by the reproduction means (35, 26) ( Fourth process).
[0014]
Here, the song part information includes information for accompaniment music, information for displaying subtitles, information for displaying background images, and the like. Specifically, for example, accompaniment music is classified according to various factors such as the singer or group that sings the song, the instrument that plays the main role, the performance style such as enka style or pop style, etc. A singer A version and a singer B version, an enka style version, a pop style version, etc. are illustrated. Examples of subtitle display include Japanese subtitles, Hiragana subtitles in Japanese, Katakana subtitles with sound displayed in a foreign language, English subtitles, and other foreign language subtitles. As the background image display, there are characters only in the scenery, and there are various characters such as celebrities (for example, singers and groups singing the song), animations, computer graphics (CG), and the like.
[0015]
Accordingly, as music piece information for composing a song, there are usually information for accompaniment music, information for subtitles, and information for background images. For example, information for accompaniment music of the singer A version, Japanese subtitles The karaoke performance information for one song is composed of three pieces of music piece information including information for subtitles and information for background images of only scenery. In addition, although the information for accompaniment music is indispensable on the character of karaoke, other music parts information, for example, information for subtitles, can also be omitted.
[0016]
The user operates the input means (32) to select a song and select a song pattern from the displayed song pattern list so that the user can enjoy karaoke with that song pattern. The degree of freedom of various selections is improved.
In addition, since the user can select a song pattern while watching the song pattern displayed following the input of the song, the operability is good.
When the music part information used in the selected music pattern is insufficient, the control means (31) requests and obtains the insufficient music part information from the information center via the communication control means (27) (first). 3), that is, since only necessary music parts are requested and acquired, excessive transmission / reception of information is avoided.
[0017]
[0018]
The karaoke apparatus according to claim 2The control means (31) updates the music part information list in the storage means (33) with the music part information list received from the information center.
[0019]
[0020]
[0021]
[0022]
[0023]
[0024]
[0026]
[0027]
[0028]
【Example】
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a karaoke communication system according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing configurations of an information center and a billing center that are components of the system, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a karaoke apparatus that is a component of the system. It is a block diagram which shows a structure.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 1, the karaoke communication system 1 includes a charging center 2 and a plurality of karaoke devices 10 connected via a charging communication network 5, and an information center 3 and a plurality of karaoke devices 10. Are connected via an information communication network 7. The charging center 2 and the information center 3 are also connected.
[0030]
The billing communication network 5 has a function of charging a fee for information transmitted from the center to the terminal, such as a videotex communication network or a dial Q2 communication network. In Japan today, the videotex communication network and the dial Q2 communication network are known as typical ones. The dial Q2 communication network is basically time-based calculation, and the videotex communication network can set an arbitrary fee for each content of information and is used for a so-called captain system or the like.
[0031]
As an example of the charging function, a videotex communication network will be described. Specifically, the videotex communication network is composed of, for example, a public telephone line connected to each karaoke device 10 and a videotex communication processing device (VCP). ing. This VCP connects / exchanges the public telephone line (currently a public telephone line dialed with a special number 166 and a five-digit charging center number) to the charging center 2 to access the Videotex communication network, and at the user terminal Management of a certain karaoke apparatus 10 and management of subscribers to the charging center 2, charging of communication charges and information usage charges collected by the telephone company, control of conversation between the information processing apparatus and the charging center 2, protocol conversion and code / Provides communication processing functions such as conversion processing such as pattern conversion.
[0032]
On the other hand, the information communication network 7 is also used for transmitting information from the information center 3 to the karaoke apparatus 10 or transmitting operation information of the karaoke apparatus 10 to the information center 3 as necessary. The information communication network 7 is not limited to a predetermined communication protocol such as the billing communication network 5 and can adopt a network capable of high-speed communication, for example. Alternatively, even if the billing communication network 5 is limited to the circuit switching system, it is possible to use the packet switching system if necessary as long as the information communication network 7 is a separate system.
[0033]
Next, the configuration of the charging center 2 and the information center 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
The accounting center 2 includes a host computer 51 as control means, a storage device 53 as storage means, an input device 55 as input means, a communication control device 57 as communication means, a printer 59, and a CRT 61. The storage device 53 stores various control programs for operating the host computer 51, a billing information table in which a billing amount and billing information corresponding to the billing amount are linked, a billing record for each karaoke device 10, and the like. Is to do.
[0034]
Various commands to the host computer 51 can be input from the input device 55. For example, the accounting results for each karaoke device 10 stored in the storage device 53 are processed, or the accounting results and processed data are processed. Can be printed by the printer 59 or displayed on the CRT 61.
[0035]
On the other hand, the information center 3 has the same configuration as the accounting center 2, and includes a host computer 71 as control means, a storage device 73 as storage means, an input device 75 as input means, a communication control device 77 as communication means, a printer. 79 and CRT81.
[0036]
The storage device 73 has various control programs for operating the host computer 71, entry information 120 for each karaoke song (see FIG. 5), song part information to be transmitted to the karaoke device 10, and distribution records of the song part information, This is for storing operation information and the like transmitted from each karaoke apparatus 10, and corresponds to song parts storage means and list storage means.
[0037]
The music part information stored in the storage device 73 includes music information for accompaniment music, subtitle information for subtitle display, and background information for background image display, each of which has about several thousand karaoke music pieces. . However, the type of song part information corresponding to each karaoke song is not constant, there are two or more types of music information, subtitle information and background information, music information, subtitle information and only one type of background information, subtitle information There are various types such as those lacking any of the background information, music information, caption information, background information, one or two of the background information, and a plurality of others. The music information, subtitle information, and background information for each karaoke song can be added or deleted at any time. Although not so configured in the present embodiment, music part information other than music information, caption information, and background information can be provided.
[0038]
Further, the entry information 120 for each karaoke song stored in the storage device 73 describes information on the type and combination of song part information necessary for reproducing each karaoke song.
Here, the structure of the music piece information and the structure of the entry information 120 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0039]
First, the structure of the song part information will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the music information, the caption information, and the background information as the song part information are each composed of management information 100, entity information 102, and EOD 104 indicating the end of data. The management information 100 is composed of a song part code 106 that specifies song part information, a data type 108 that indicates the type of data of the song part information, and charge data 110 that indicates a usage fee that is required to be paid for providing the song part information. Has been. The entity information 102 is described in a data structure according to the data type 108. For example, if a piece of music piece information is music information and the data type 108 is MIDI, the music information is described in the MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) standard. Indicates that
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 5, as the entry information 120, management information 100 (see FIG. 4) of music part information necessary for karaoke performance is provided after the music name 122 and the music number 124 for identifying the music. 126, the background image information column 128 and the subtitle information column 130, and if there are any conditions for the combination of the song parts information, they are described in the condition column 132.
[0041]
For example, if there is music information A, music information B, background image information A, background image information B, background image information C, and caption information A as song part information that can be used for karaoke performance of a certain song, Management information 100 for music information A and music information B is described in the information column 126, and management information 100 for background image information A, background image information B, and background image information C is described in the background image information column 128. In the information column 130, the management information 100 of the caption information A is described. For example, if there is a condition that music information A and background image information A and B can be combined, but music information A and background image information C cannot be combined, the condition is described in the condition column 132. Is done.
[0042]
Returning to the description of FIG.
The host computer 71 shown in FIG. 2 executes various control processes in accordance with the control program stored in the storage device 73, and also enters entry information 120 (list of song part information and song part information from the storage device 73). 5) can be read out and transmitted to the karaoke apparatus 10 via the information communication network 7 by the communication control device 77. Further, the host computer 71 can transmit the updated entry information 120 to each karaoke device 10 through the communication control device 77 when the list of music parts information (entry information 120) is updated. That is, the host computer 71 corresponds to music part extraction means and update notification means, and the communication control device 77 corresponds to music part sending means and list sending means.
[0043]
Various commands can be input from the input device 75. For example, a distribution record of music part information for each karaoke device 10 stored in the storage device 73, an operation record of each karaoke device 10 and the like are printed by the printer 79. Or displayed on the CRT 81.
[0044]
Note that the communication control device 57 of the charging center 2 and the communication control device 77 of the information center 3 are connected to each other and can communicate information with each other.
Next, the configuration of the karaoke apparatus 10 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the central control device 31 as the control means includes a hard disk 33 as a storage means, an audio reproduction circuit 35, a screen display control device 26,Communication control means andA first communication control device 27 as a first communication means, a second communication control device 28 as a second communication means, and a multipurpose input key 32 as an input means are connected. However, a television monitor 29 as a display means is connected to the screen display control device 26. Further, a speaker 41 and a microphone 43 are connected to the mixer amplifier 38.
[0045]
The central control unit 31 is configured as a microcomputer having a well-known CPU, ROM, RAM (all not shown) and the like, and communicates with the information center 3 through the first communication control unit 27 to send out music piece information. Requesting the information center 3, receiving the music part information and the music part information list (entry information 120, see FIG. 5) transmitted from the information center 3 and storing them in the hard disk 33. Reading music piece information constituting the karaoke performance information from the hard disk 33, transferring the read music piece information to the audio reproduction circuit 35 and instructing the reproduction thereof, and in accordance with an instruction input by the multi-purpose input key 32 A song pattern corresponding to a combination of song parts information constituting karaoke performance information is constructed and the song pattern Is stored in the hard disk 33, a music pattern is selected and read from the hard disk 33 in accordance with an instruction input by the multi-purpose input key 32, and a music pattern that can be used to play the music input by the multi-purpose input key 32 is stored in the hard disk 33. Are transferred to the screen display control device 26 and displayed on the television monitor 29. When the music piece information is received, the charge center 2 is charged through the second communication control device 28 for the amount of money set in advance. Can be requestedIt is.
[0046]
Since the first communication control device 27 is for connecting to the information communication network 7, for example, the information communication network 7 adopts a device capable of high-speed communication, or a circuit switching method and a packet switching method Is used, a communication control device that can handle them is used. Further, since the second communication control device 28 is for the billing communication network 5, a communication control device corresponding to the communication protocol of the billing communication network 5 is naturally used.
[0047]
The sound reproduction circuit 35 receives music information as music part information read out and transferred from the hard disk 33 by the central control unit 31, synthesizes an analog performance signal based on the music information, and converts the performance signal into the music performance information. It can be sent to the mixer amplifier 38. The performance signal is sent to the mixer amplifier 38 and amplified as an audio signal mixed with a user's singing voice input via the microphone 43 at an appropriate rate. The audio signal is output to the outside as a performance sound by the speaker 41.
[0048]
The screen display control device 26 receives background image information and subtitle information as song part information read and transferred from the hard disk 33 by the central control device 31, and is used for background image display reproduced from the background image information. And the subtitle display signal reproduced from the subtitle information can be combined (superimposed) and sent to the TV monitor 29 to be displayed in a form in which the subtitles are superimposed on the background image.
[0049]
As is clear from this explanation, the sound reproduction circuit 35 and the screen display control device 26 work together with the central control device 31 toReproduction meansIs functioning as
As described above, the hard disk 33 stores the song part information transmitted from the information center 3 and a list of song part information (entry information 120, see FIG. 5), the reception history of the song part information, and the execution of the karaoke performance. Communication history with the information center 3 via the information communication network 7, such as history (number of times, date, etc.), date of power ON / OFF of the karaoke device 10 and history about failure, etc., charging center via the charging communication network 5 2, the operation information of the karaoke apparatus 10 such as the history of the charging information request made via the charging communication network 5 is also stored.
[0050]
Next, regarding the operation of the karaoke communication system 1 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, a flowchart of processing relating to reception of song part information in the karaoke apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 6, the karaoke apparatus 10 and the information center 3 shown in FIG. 8 is a communication sequence diagram between the karaoke apparatus 10 and the charging center 2 shown in FIG. 8, a song pattern list shown in FIG. 9, and a flowchart of processing related to karaoke performance in the karaoke apparatus 10 shown in FIG. A description will be given along a flow of processing related to reception of music part information in the karaoke apparatus 10 with reference to FIG.
[0051]
When the central control device 31 of the karaoke apparatus 10 is instructed to receive music part information via the multi-purpose input key 32, it starts the music part information routine shown in FIG. First, the central control device 31 executes a process for receiving entry information through communication with the information center 3 (S110).
[0052]
Processing related to communication with the information center 3 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, if the central control device 31 of the karaoke device 10 accesses the information communication network 7 through the first communication control device 27, makes a call to the information center 3, and calls the information center 3. Send a password.
[0053]
In the information center 3 that has received the password, the host computer 71 checks the password, and if it is confirmed that the karaoke device 10 is registered in the information center 3, a confirmation signal is transmitted.
When the central control device 31 of the karaoke device 10 receives the confirmation signal through the first communication control device 27, the central control device 31 sends a request for transmitting desired information to the information center 3. Here, since the information desired by the karaoke apparatus 10 is entry information, the central control apparatus 31 transmits a transmission request for entry information.
[0054]
When the host computer 71 of the information center 3 receives the entry information transmission request, the music part information that is not distributed to the karaoke apparatus 10 is included based on the distribution record of the music part information stored in the storage device 73. The retrieved entry information is searched and read, and the read entry information is transmitted to the karaoke apparatus 10. Therefore, the entry information transmitted here is not necessarily one item. If there is no corresponding entry information, the entry information is not transmitted and a signal corresponding to “not applicable” is transmitted.
[0055]
The central control device 31 of the karaoke apparatus 10 receives the transmitted entry information and stores it in the hard disk 33, and then transmits a communication disconnection request to the information center 3. When the information center 3 receives this communication disconnection request, the information center 3 disconnects communication with the karaoke apparatus 10.
[0056]
As shown in FIG. 6, the central control device 31 of the karaoke device 10 reads the song name and song number described in the entry information received as described above from the hard disk 33 and transfers them to the screen display control device 26. The music title and music number are displayed in a list on the TV monitor 29 (S120).
[0057]
Here, for example, when the administrator of the karaoke apparatus 10 selects one of the song numbers displayed in the list on the TV monitor 29 and inputs it using the multi-purpose input key 32, the central control device 31 sets the song number as the selected song number. Temporarily store (S130).
Subsequently, the central control device 31 reads out the entry information corresponding to the selected song number from the hard disk 33 and creates a list of song patterns that can be realized by a combination of song part information recorded in the entry information. The display data corresponding to is transferred to the screen display control device 26, and the music pattern list is displayed as a list on the television monitor 29 (S140).
[0058]
For example, based on the entry information 120 shown in FIG. 5, the song pattern list 140 shown in FIG. 9 is created. As shown in FIG. 9, the song pattern list 140 includes a song pattern number 142 for identifying a song pattern, a subtitle 144 that displays the song version, music information, background image information, and subtitle information versions. For example, music pattern number 1 is a combination of music information A, background image information A, and caption information A, and song pattern number 2 is a combination of music information B, background image information A, and caption information A. It shows that it is composed of a combination.
[0059]
In addition, a music pattern in which a circle is displayed in the remark 148 indicates that each piece of music part information has already been acquired and can be played, and a music pattern in which a star is displayed in the remark 148 is a new pattern. Indicates a combination in which entry information has been updated by adding song part information (for example, adding background image information C), and if remark 148 is blank, the song pattern information already considered and the song Indicates that the user is not authorized to use the pattern.
[0060]
Next, for example, when the administrator of the karaoke apparatus 10 selects one of the song pattern numbers and inputs it with the multi-purpose input key 32 while referring to the song pattern list displayed on the TV monitor 29, the central control device 31. Temporarily stores the music pattern number (S150).
[0061]
Next, the central controller 31 determines whether or not a next song selection operation has been performed (S160). Specifically, if the central controller 31 receives an instruction to select the next song via the multi-purpose input key 32, the central controller 31 determines that there is an operation for selecting the next song (YES in S160), and returns to S120. If an instruction not to select the next song is received via the multi-purpose input key 32 (NO in S160), the process proceeds to S170.
[0062]
In S170, the central control device 31 compares the music part information included in the music pattern selected in S120 to S150 with the music part information that has already been acquired, and selects music part information that needs to be newly acquired ( S170). Subsequently, the central control unit 31 calculates the usage fee of the song part information selected in S170 from the fee data 110 of the management information 100 included in the entry information (S180), and uses the usage fee to the TV monitor 29. It is displayed (S190).
[0063]
Next, for example, when the administrator of the karaoke apparatus 10 operates the execution key of the multi-purpose input key 32 in order to receive the music piece information selected as described above (YES in S200), the central control apparatus 31 performs S220. Move on to processing. In addition, when it is not necessary to receive the selected music piece information and the cancel key of the multi-purpose input key 32 is operated (NO in S200), the central controller 31 proceeds to the process of S210. In S210, the central control unit 31 determines whether the music piece information routine is completed based on an instruction input via the multi-purpose input key 32. If the determination is affirmative, the central control unit 31 ends this routine. If there is, return to S120.
[0064]
In S <b> 220, the central control device 31 executes a process for receiving music part information through communication with the information center 3.
The process related to communication with the information center 3 is the same as the process for receiving entry information described above (see FIG. 7). However, since the desired information is music part information this time, the central control device 31 transmits the music part code of the music part information to the information center 3 and makes a transmission request for the music part information. In the information center 3, the host computer 71 reads out the corresponding music piece information from the storage device 73 and transmits it through the communication control device 77. The central control device 31 of the karaoke apparatus 10 receives the music part information transmitted from the information center 3 and then transmits a communication disconnection request to end the communication with the information center 3.
[0065]
Subsequently, the central control unit 31 stores the received song part information in the hard disk 33 and creates a song pattern that can be realized by obtaining this song part information and stores it in the hard disk 33. (S230). That is, the central controller 31 functions as a pattern construction unit.
[0066]
Next, the central control device 31 executes processing for charging the usage fee of the received music part information by communication with the charging center 2 (S240).
Processing related to communication with the billing center 2 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, if the central control device 31 of the karaoke device 10 accesses the charging communication network 5 through the second communication control device 28, makes a call to the charging center 2, and receives a call to the charging center 2. Send a password.
In the charging center 2 that has received the password, the host computer 51 checks the password, and if it is confirmed that the karaoke device 10 is registered in the charging center 2, a confirmation signal is transmitted.
[0067]
When the central control device 31 of the karaoke device 10 receives the confirmation signal through the second communication control device 28, the central control device 31 transmits the usage fee of the song part information received in S220 to the charging center 2.
When the host computer 51 of the charging center 2 receives the usage fee, it reads out the charging information corresponding to the usage fee received from the table of fee-to-charging information stored in the storage device 53, and reads the read charging information into the charging communication network 5. Is transmitted to the karaoke apparatus 10.
[0068]
When the billing information is transmitted by the billing communication network 5, a charge preset for each billing information is sent to the subscriber of the telephone line to which the karaoke apparatus 10 is connected by the billing communication network 5. Charged. This fee is collected together with the telephone line usage fee.
[0069]
That is, the central control unit 31 transmits the usage fee, thereby requesting the charging center 2 to transmit the charging information and simultaneously requesting the charging process. The billing information is information that triggers billing processing by the billing communication network 5 and may be a simple sequence of numbers and symbols as long as the billing information and the billing amount correspond one-to-one.
[0070]
The central control device 31 of the karaoke apparatus 10 transmits a communication disconnection request to the charging center 2 when receiving the charging information. When charging center 2 receives this request, billing center 2 ends communication with karaoke apparatus 10.
In addition, after transmitting the communication disconnection request, the karaoke apparatus 10 ends communication with the charging center 2 and ends the song part information routine.
[0071]
The music part information received from the information center 3 in this way is used for karaoke performance in the same manner as the music part information already received and stored in the hard disk 33. The karaoke performance procedure will be briefly described with reference to the karaoke performance routine shown in FIG.
[0072]
First, the central control unit 31 waits for a user to request a song to be sung by operating the multipurpose input key 32 or a remote controller (not shown) (S310). If there is a request (YES in S310), the central control unit 31 reads the song pattern of the requested song from the hard disk 33 and displays it on the TV monitor 29 (S320), and waits for the song pattern to be selected by the user (S320). S330).
[0073]
When the user operates the multi-purpose input key 32 or the remote controller to select a desired music pattern (YES in S330), the central control device 31 reads out music piece information constituting the music pattern from the hard disk 33 (S340). Subsequently, the central control device 31 transfers the music information in the read music piece information to the sound reproduction circuit 35 and the background image information and the subtitle information to the screen display control device 26, respectively.
[0074]
The sound reproduction circuit 35 synthesizes an analog performance signal based on the music information transferred from the central controller 31 and sends the performance signal to the mixer amplifier 38. The performance signal is sent to the mixer amplifier 38, amplified as a voice signal mixed at an appropriate rate with the user's singing voice input via the microphone 43, and output to the outside as a performance sound by the speaker 41.
[0075]
The screen display control device 26 receives the background image information and the caption information transferred from the central control device 31, and displays the background image information reproduced from the background image information and the caption display reproduced from the caption information. Are combined (superimposed) and sent to the television monitor 29 to display the subtitles superimposed on the background image. The user can sing karaoke while watching this screen display.
[0076]
As described above, according to the karaoke communication system 1 of the embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
First, the karaoke apparatus 10 performs the karaoke performance by combining the music part information transmitted from the information center 3 and stored in the hard disk 33 according to the music pattern. Therefore, even if it is the same tune, a plurality of types of performance forms, background images, subtitles, and the like can be provided to the user, so the degree of freedom of selection on the user side when enjoying karaoke is improved.
[0077]
Moreover, since music parts are sent by the request | requirement from the karaoke apparatus 10 side, the freedom degree of selection on the karaoke apparatus 10 side becomes high. Moreover, since only necessary music parts are sent, excessive information transmission is also avoided.
When the entry information (song part) stored in the storage device 73 of the information center 3 is updated and added, entry information reflecting the updated and added contents is sent to the karaoke device 10. On the karaoke apparatus 10 side, if the piece part information in the updated and added entry information is necessary, it can be requested and sent to the information center 3. Therefore, the latest music pattern can always be acquired.
[0078]
The user can perform a karaoke performance based on desired music part information only by selecting a desired music pattern while watching the music pattern displayed on the television monitor 29. Therefore, the karaoke apparatus 10 having this configuration is excellent in operability.
[0079]
The usage fee for the music piece information is charged to the karaoke device 10 side by the charging communication network 5 and is collected together with, for example, the line usage fee of the telephone line to which the karaoke device 10 is connected. Handed over to the installer. Accordingly, the installation side of the billing center 2 does not need to go to the installation location of the karaoke device 10 or the location of the owner of the karaoke device 10 to collect fees. In addition, collection of fees is also certain.
[0080]
As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated according to the Example, this invention is not limited to such an Example, It cannot be overemphasized that it can implement variously in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.
For example, although an information center and a billing center are provided in the embodiment, a configuration in which the information center also serves as a billing center is possible. If comprised in this way, the effect equivalent to an Example can be acquired with a simpler structure.
[0081]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the karaoke apparatus of the first aspect, the degree of freedom of various selections on the user side when enjoying karaoke is improved.
Moreover, since music piece information can be acquired by communication with an information center, new music part information etc. can be acquired very rapidly, for example.
In addition, since the information center sends the song part information in response to a request from the karaoke device, the degree of freedom of selection on the karaoke device side is increased. Moreover, since only the necessary music parts are sent, excessive information transmission is also avoided.
Since the user can select a music pattern while watching the music pattern displayed following the input of the request, the operability is further improved.
[0082]
According to the karaoke apparatus of claim 2, since the control means updates the music part information list in the storage means with the music part information list received from the information center, the music means receives the music part information list from the information center. The parts information list is updated.
[0083]
[0084]
[0085]
[0086]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a karaoke communication system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information center and a billing center that are components of the karaoke communication system of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a karaoke apparatus that is a component of the karaoke communication system according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a structure of music piece information.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a structure of entry information.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a music part information routine executed by the karaoke apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a communication sequence diagram between the karaoke apparatus and the information center.
FIG. 8 is a communication sequence diagram between the karaoke apparatus and the billing center.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a music pattern list.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a karaoke performance routine executed by the karaoke apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Karaoke communication system,
2 ... billing center,
3 Information center
5 ... billing communication network,
7. Information communication network,
10 ... Karaoke device,
26... Screen display control device (Reproduction means),
27... First communication control device (Communication control means),
28 ...A second communication control device;
29 ... TV monitor (Display means),
31 ... Central control unit (Control means),
32 ... Multi-purpose input key (Input means),
33 ・ ・ ・ Hard disk (Storage means)
35 ... Audio reproduction circuit (Reproduction means),
51 ... Host computer,
53... Storage device,
57... Communication control device,
71 ...Host computer,
73 ...Storage device,
77 ...・ Communication control device,
120: Entry information.

Claims (2)

A karaoke apparatus comprising a storage means (33), a control means (31), a communication control means (27), and a reproduction means (35, 26),
The storage means (33) stores a song part information list corresponding to the song and a plurality of song parts information,
The communication control means (27) enables various communications with the information center,
The reproduction means (35, 26) can reproduce the music part information according to the control of the control means (31),
The control means (31) performs the process 1-4.
The first process is to create a song pattern list including at least one song pattern based on the song part information list corresponding to the song selected by the input means (32), and display it on the display means (29).
The second process determines whether there is music part information used in the music pattern selected by the input means (32) in the memory means (33) from the displayed music pattern list, and is insufficient. If there is no shortage, move to the fourth process.
The third process requests the information center for the missing music piece information via the communication control means (27) and obtains it, and proceeds to the fourth process.
The fourth process is a karaoke apparatus that causes the reproduction means (35, 26) to reproduce the music piece information used in the music pattern selected in the second process . The control means (31) updates the music part information list in the storage means (33) with the music part information list received from the information center.
The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1 .

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