EP0457980B1 - Dispositif pour reproduire de la musique et afficher des mots - Google Patents

Dispositif pour reproduire de la musique et afficher des mots Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0457980B1
EP0457980B1 EP90305530A EP90305530A EP0457980B1 EP 0457980 B1 EP0457980 B1 EP 0457980B1 EP 90305530 A EP90305530 A EP 90305530A EP 90305530 A EP90305530 A EP 90305530A EP 0457980 B1 EP0457980 B1 EP 0457980B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
data
words
music data
music
display device
Prior art date
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EP90305530A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP0457980A1 (fr
Inventor
Mihoji Tsumura
Shinnosuke Taniguchi
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Individual
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Individual
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Priority to AT90305530T priority Critical patent/ATE140816T1/de
Priority to ES90305530T priority patent/ES2091794T3/es
Priority to EP90305530A priority patent/EP0457980B1/fr
Priority to DK90305530.9T priority patent/DK0457980T3/da
Publication of EP0457980A1 publication Critical patent/EP0457980A1/fr
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Publication of EP0457980B1 publication Critical patent/EP0457980B1/fr
Priority to GR960402805T priority patent/GR3021432T3/el
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H1/00—Details of electrophonic musical instruments
    • G10H1/36—Accompaniment arrangements
    • G10H1/361—Recording/reproducing of accompaniment for use with an external source, e.g. karaoke systems
    • G10H1/365—Recording/reproducing of accompaniment for use with an external source, e.g. karaoke systems the accompaniment information being stored on a host computer and transmitted to a reproducing terminal by means of a network, e.g. public telephone lines
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H1/00—Details of electrophonic musical instruments
    • G10H1/18—Selecting circuits
    • G10H1/26—Selecting circuits for automatically producing a series of tones
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H2240/00—Data organisation or data communication aspects, specifically adapted for electrophonic musical tools or instruments
    • G10H2240/171—Transmission of musical instrument data, control or status information; Transmission, remote access or control of music data for electrophonic musical instruments
    • G10H2240/201—Physical layer or hardware aspects of transmission to or from an electrophonic musical instrument, e.g. voltage levels, bit streams, code words or symbols over a physical link connecting network nodes or instruments
    • G10H2240/241—Telephone transmission, i.e. using twisted pair telephone lines or any type of telephone network
    • G10H2240/245—ISDN [Integrated Services Digital Network]

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus capable of selecting a desired musical piece or song from a data base of a plurality of binary-coded musical pieces or songs and words thereof, and reproducing the selected musical piece while displaying the words thereof synchronously with such reproduction.
  • the apparatus includes a unit for enabling the user to sing with a microphone while watching the words displayed in accordance with progression of the reproduced music.
  • the apparatus further includes a means for down-loading the data via a public communication line.
  • the words encoded in binary notation are transmitted together with the instrumental music data and then are visually represented on a display device such as a cathode-ray tube (CRT).
  • a display device such as a cathode-ray tube (CRT).
  • CRT cathode-ray tube
  • the display of words be performed synchronously with reproduction of the musical piece or song, so as to inform the user of the present portion of the words by changing the colour of the words already sung or by indicating such portion with an arrow or the like.
  • the speed of replacement is rendered lower in displacing or erasing the words. Therefore it becomes necessary to replace the displayed content on the entire CRT screen at each time to eventually fail in maintaining fine synchronism with progress of the music reproduction.
  • US Patent No. 4,124,773 discloses an audio reproducing system having a host computer to which a plurality of remotely located end users are connected over telephone lines.
  • the end users have means for selecting desired data from the host computer and memory means for storing it at the end user location.
  • the transmitted data, which is derived from an audio analogue signal is converted to a digital code for transmission to the memory means for subsequent reformatting to the analogue form.
  • a music-reproducing and words-displaying apparatus (2) connected via a public communication line to a host computer (1) having a data base of binary-coded music and words, wherein a unitary format of said data base is constituted of composite music data including binary-coded instrumental music data, binary-coded words data and a data code for retrieval of such data, and wherein a words erase command is intermixed with the instrumental music data so as to sequentially erase the words, which are visually represented on the display device, in accordance with progression of the reproduced musical piece or song
  • said apparatus comprising:
  • the public communication line is defined here to imply both an analog telephone line and an ISDN-standard digital line.
  • composite music data signifies binary-coded data including instrumental music play, words and file data
  • instrumental music data signifies binary-coded data of the instrumental music play
  • words data signifies binary-coded data of the words, respectively.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the apparatus according to the present invention, wherein a host computer 1 incorporates a data base composed of a multiplicity of composite music data formed by binary-coding instrumental play of musical pieces or songs and adding a data code to each of them.
  • a host computer 1 incorporates a data base composed of a multiplicity of composite music data formed by binary-coding instrumental play of musical pieces or songs and adding a data code to each of them.
  • 2 is a terminal apparatus of the present invention installed on the user's side for reproduction of music and display of words.
  • the terminal apparatus 2 is in on-line connection to the host computer 1.
  • the composite music data stored as the data base may be any desired amount within the storage capacity of the host computer 1. For completely meeting the requirements from all users of the terminal apparatus 2, at least 300 musical pieces or songs will be needed.
  • the terminal apparatus 2 comprises a selector means 3 for down-loading desired music data from the data base by inputting the data code; a memory means 4 for storing the music data down-loaded from the data base via the selector means 3; a calculator means 5 for analyzing the stored binary music data and processing such data to convert the same into analog signal; and an amplifier 6 for amplifying the analog signal.
  • Denoted by 7 is a loudspeaker for outputting the reproduced signal as music.
  • the selector means 3 is normally equipped with a ten-key device for inputting the data numerically.
  • the operation of converting the instrumental music play into binary music data is performed by previously encoding with another purpose of data compression on a virtual table, and subsequently the signals thus processed are stored as the data base.
  • the memory means 4 is formed of a RAM
  • the operation means 5 is formed of a 16-bit or 32-bit microprocessor for execution of rapid processing.
  • a modem is interposed in the case of utilizing an analog teleplone line, or an interface such is Input/Output port is interposed in the case of utilizing a digital line of ISDN system or the like.
  • batch processing may be possible for each of the terminal apparatus, but since the uses of such apparatus are usually concentrated in a particular time zone, it is preferred that input commands be processed by the time sharing system so as to shorten the wait time of the users for idle lines.
  • Fig. 2 schematically shows the format of unitary data, wherein CL (clear) is a data portion for erasing any unrequired data that remains in the memory means 4 at the data call time; DC (data code) denotes a discrimination code; DL (data length) is a signal to indicate the length of the unitary data; DI (data identification) is a signal to represent the identification of the data; DM (data music) is a data portion formed by binary-coding the instrumental music play; and DE (data end) is a signal to indicate the end of teh music data.
  • One unit of the music data includes CL, DC and DL added to the beginning of its format, but since the individual play time is not fixed, a capacity waste is induced if the unitary data capacity is allocated to the longest-time musical piece or song. Therefore, in the present invention, the music data is divided by determining a certain capacity (e.g. a maximum packet length of 256 bytes) as one unit, and the divided data are united mutually through DI to avert such waste in the data capacity. Furthermore, the data base can be formed without being restricted by the length of any musical piece or song. Since the time required in the operation means 5 for dicision of the signal DL is extremely short, there never occurs any interruption of the music during a reproduction mode to eventually avoid an impediment to the user.
  • a certain capacity e.g. a maximum packet length of 256 bytes
  • the user connects the terminal apparatus 2 to the host computer 1 and inputs a data code, which corresponds to a desired musical piece or song to be reproduced, by manipulating the numerical keyboard or the like in the selector means 3. Then the host computer 1 retrieves the input signal and down-loads in the terminal apparatus 2 the music data designated by the data code.
  • the music data is processed by the operation means 5 after being once saved in the memory means 4, and subsequently the reproduced signal is outputted.
  • Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention. Now this embodiment will be described below with reference to the diagram of Fig. 4 which represents the relationship among data groups.
  • Denoted by 11 is a host computer equipped with a memory unit to store a data base composed of a plurality of composite music data.
  • a public communication line 12 connected to a plurality of terminal apparatus 13 installed on the users' side, and a control means 14 provided on the terminal side and fed with input digital signals via a modem or an I/O port.
  • the control means consists of a CPU, a memory unit, an input unit such as a keyboard and so forth.
  • Denoted by 15 is a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter connected to the control means 14.
  • D/A digital-to-analog
  • the digital signal processed by the control means 14 and outputted in accordance with the time series are controlled by the digital signal processed by the control means 14 and outputted in accordance with the time series.
  • the signal converted into an analog form by the D/A converter 15 is amplified by the amplifier 16 and then the reproduced signal is emitted as music from the loudspeaker.
  • Denoted by 17 is a display unit which is connected to the control means 14 and serves to sequentially display the words corresponding to the reproduced musical piece or song.
  • the means for reproducing a desired musical piece or song by the apparatus mentioned first the user manipulates the keyboard of the control means 14 to designate the data code (normally discriminated by numerical value) added to the corresponding musical piece or song. Then a command is transmitted via the public communication line 12 to the host computer 11, and the required music data is down-loaded in the terminal apparatus 13 so that, after the processing by the control means 14, the music is reproduced and emitted from the loudspeaker while the words relevant to such musical piece or song are visually represented on the display device 17.
  • the data code normally discriminated by numerical value
  • the composite music data consists of three groups, i.e. file header, words data and instrumental music data.
  • Each file header is given by a serial song array number which functions as a data code with allocation of a 32-byte storage capacity for the total data amount, input data, time and so forth.
  • there is allocated to the words data a maximum storage capacity of 8 kilobytes for the title, lyric writer, music composer, end code and variable-length words.
  • each musical piece or song is converted into a data base in the sequence of a file header (including data code), words data and instrumental music data.
  • the present inventor has so contrived that, in the case of a musical instrument with a keyboard for example, the play data are derived from the operations of pounding or releasing the keys by a player, stepping or releasing the pedal for musical effects, or on-off action of the switch to designate a desired tone. And such operations are analyzed as quantitative numerical values and converted into digital signals, whereby objective digital data are obtained. The details of such digital data will be described below.
  • the musical note data is composed of converted digital values representing which of the keys is pounded or released and the force or degree of such pounding.
  • the data consists of a sound emission start command and a sound emission stop command.
  • the time data serves to designate the duration and the pause time of the individual data, and it is composed of a reference mark command and a lapse time command.
  • the expression control data is used as an addition to the musical note data for achieving further faithful expression of the music reproduction with respect to the natural sound by, in a musical instrument, stepping the pedal or pounding the keyboard and then applying modulation such as vibrato.
  • the expression control data comprises a modulation command, an operational factor command, a tone command, a staff line modulation command, a fine change command and a words erase command.
  • the expression control data is also adapted for designation of each staff line on the musical score.
  • This data serves to determine the progression of the musical piece reproduction, including the progression tempo in accordance with the music reproduction, the portion of the musical piece to be repeated and the number of such repetition, and the end portion thereof.
  • This control data consists of a label command, a repeat command, a conditional repeat command, a time pattern command, a tempo command and an end command.
  • the sound volume data is divided into 127 steps, and the number of simultaneously emissible sounds is set to at least 32 while the number of tones is set to be greater than 127 for realizing the desired expression of the various effective sounds mentioned above.
  • the length is set to 10.24 msec and its integral multiple is utilized.
  • the individual commands are designated by specified numerical values, respectively. Any of such numerical values is not restricted to a single one alone, and it is a matter of course that the amounts of data can be reduced by omitting some specified commands depending on the storage capacity of the host computer 11 or that of each terminal apparatus 13.
  • Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an exemplary constitution contrived principally for reproduction of music in digital communication.
  • an interface 21 such as an I/O port
  • a CPU 22 for computing and processing the input data received from the interface 21 and functioning to control each of the means connected mutually via two or multiple buses
  • an internal interface 23 for matching the CPU 22 to each of the means in the following stages
  • a main memory 24 for temporarily storing the data transferred thereto
  • a clock generator 25 incorporated in the CPU 22 and generating clock pulses of a predetermined frequency used to drive the CPU 22 while being utilized as a basis of the musical tempo or as a reference to determine the scale.
  • the clock generator 25 is not limited to such internal type alone, and any external clock means may be employed as well.
  • a volume D/A converter 26 for converting into an analog amount the digital amount of each sound designated in the music data processed by the CPU 22. And two of such converters are installed for stereophonic reproduction.
  • the voltages outputted from the D/A converters 26 are applied to voltage control amplifiers 27 respectively.
  • Denoted by 28 is a scale control frequency divider for demultiplying the frequency of the clock pulses obtained from the clock generator 25, thereby producing a desired frequency which corresponds to the designated scale in the music data.
  • the frequency divider 28 is driven by the data inputted thereto from the internal interface 23.
  • waveform memories 29 for storing digital data obtained by sampling, analyzing and digitizing the characteristic analog waveforms of individual string or wind musical instruments.
  • Each of the waveform memories 29 stores the sampling waveform of a specific musical instrument individually, and a plurality of such memories are existent in mutually equivalent relationship.
  • a control signal is fed from the CPU 22 via the internal interface 23, the data corresponding thereto is outputted to the waveform D/A converter 30.
  • the signal converted into an analog form in this stage is then fed to the voltage control amplifier 27, where the analog signal is combined with another analog signal previously outputted from the volume D/A converter 26, and the resultant signal reproduced via the amplifier 32 is emitted as music from the loudspeaker.
  • Denoted by 31 is a reverberator installed when necessary and serving to add the reverberation effect in accordance with the dimensions of a room for music reproduction or with the physical properties of its wall surfaces.
  • the music data in the form of digital signal received by the interface 21 is composed of 8 bits and is transmitted to the main memory 24 via two buses.
  • the CPU 22 is held in its standby state until the music data is transmitted thereto.
  • the CPU 22 reads out the music data byte by byte from the main memory 24.
  • the music data thus read out is formed in accordance with the pulses from the clock generator 25 when it is the time supervisory data.
  • the data is converted into an analog form by the volume D/A converter 26.
  • the scale control frequency divider 28 which then generates a signal of the demultiplied frequency determined in conformity with the clock pulses. If the received data is composed of the signal for determining the tone, the specific sampling waveform stored in the memory 29 is fed to the waveform D/A converter 30, and the analog signal obtained therefrom is outputted to the voltage control amplifier 27. Then, as mentioned above, the amplifier 27 combines the analog amount of the D/A converter 26 with the analog signal of the D/A converter 30, thereby forming a resultant analog signal to be reproduced.
  • Fig. 6 graphically shows the analog unitary sampling waveform stored in the memory 29.
  • Such waveform comprises an initial portion A and a repetitive portion B . That is, the waveform of each kind of musical instruments can broadly be classified into two characteristic forms.
  • one peculiar waveform is derived from an impact sound emitted by a piano wire and a hammer as a result of pounding a key, and another is an attenuated sound waveform of the piano wire.
  • the impact sound has a momentary waveform like an initial noise, while the attenuated sound has a continuous sine waveform.
  • the piano tone can be reproduced by employment of proper means for sampling the initial impact sound waveform A and merely one unitary portion of the subsequent attenuated repetitive waveform B , and then combining the two waveforms with each other at the output time to gradually decrease the respective waveform. Consequently, it becomes possible to reduce the required storage capacity of the waveform memory 29 to a relatively small value.
  • Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing principally the constitution of the memory unit, wherein there are included a host computer 41 having a data base to store composite music data, and a public communication line 42 for connecting terminal apparatus to the host computer 41 via a modem 43 and an interface 44. Also shown are a keyboard 45 serving as a selector means to select the desired music data for reproduction by inputting a numerical value; a processing circuit 46 for controlling the following-stage circuits such as memory means by feeding signals to the host computer 41 for selection of the music data; and memory means 47 consisting of a main memory 48 and an auxiliary memory 49 for storage of the music data. In the memory means 47, the main memory 48 has a function of storing merely the music data being reproduced.
  • the auxiliary memory 49 has a function of designating a plurality of music data for frequent reproduction and previously down-loading such data from the host computer 41, or a function of down-loading and storing surplus music data in the host computer 41 prior to transfer of such data to the main memory 48.
  • the auxiliary memory 49 there is ensured a storage capacity of about 300 musical pieces or songs.
  • a reproducing means 50 for converting the digital music data into an analog form and reproducing the analog signal as instrumental music.
  • the means 50 comprises three circuits of a synthesizer 51, an amplifier 52 and a loudspeaker 53.
  • the apparatus of the present invention performs its operation in accordance with the procedure shown in the flow chart of Fig. 8.
  • a numerical value representing a data code is inputted [block 61] by manipulating the keyboard 45
  • the music data stored in the auxiliary memory 49 is retrieved [block 62] by the processing circuit 46.
  • a decision is made [block 63] as to whether the selected music data is existent in the stored content of the auxiliary memory 49. If the result of such decision is affirmative (yes), the music data is loaded [block 67] in the main memory 49 and is reproduced by the means 50, so that the played instrumental music is outputted from the loudspeaker 53.
  • the music data transmitted [block 65] to the apparatus in response to the above request is saved [block 66] first in the auxiliary memory 49 and, after being stored therein, the music data is loaded [block 67] in the main memory 48 via the processing circuit 46 and then is reproduced [block 68].
  • the branch A represents the operation performed when no margin is left in the storage capacity of the auxiliary memory 49. In such a case, the operation proceeds as shown in another flow chart of Fig. 9.
  • the result of the above decision is affirmative (yes) to indicate the existence of a storage margin, the data is saved directly in the auxiliary memory 49. Consequently, it is necessary for the individual composite music data to include the past reproduction frequency in addition to the data code.
  • the past reproduction frequency is retrieved, besides the above operation, per predetermined period counted by an internal timer, and any music data not used so frequently as to reach a preset number of loading times is erased so that the entire music data stored in the auxiliary memory 49 can be always maintained satisfactory and adequate.
  • Fig. 10 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the memory unit with a laser disc employed in the terminal apparatus of the invention
  • Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing the operation procedure in the terminal apparatus. Since the use of a public communication line becomes expensive in case the data base is dependent entirely on the host computer, this embodiment is so contrived that any music pieces or songs requested frequently are stored on the terminal apparatus side, and the music data are loaded therefrom to curtail the expenditure of using the communication line.
  • optical disc is not limited to a nonwritable CD-ROM alone, and includes a readable/writable CD-RAM and further an optical disc of another type that permits additional storage merely once.
  • Denoted by 81 is a CD-ROM disc having a diameter of 12 cm and a storage capacity of 500 megabytes.
  • Each musical piece or song is digitized by the aforementioned method to form instrumental music data while the words of each song are encoded similarly to form words data.
  • key words representing the title, singer, composer, lyric writer and so forth of each song are added thereto with retrieval data having a data code, thereby forming composite music data of 83 kilobytes per song.
  • the disc is capable of storing such composite music data corresponding to a maximum of about 6000 musical pieces or songs.
  • a CD- ROM drive mechanism 82 Also shown are a CD- ROM drive mechanism 82; a CPU 83 connected to the CD-ROM drive mechanism 82 and having a function of controlling the same and loading one or more retrieved music data in the RAM; an input unit 84 (normally with a ten-key device or the like) for inputting the identification code or retrieval data for the desired music; a display device 85 for visually displaying the words data and so forth out of the composite music data; and a reproducing unit 86.
  • the instrumental music data out of the composite music data loaded from the CD-ROM disc 81 into the CPU 83 by a sequencer 87 is fed to a synthesizer 88, whose output analog signal is amplified by an amplifier 89 and then is reproduced as music by means of a loudspeaker 90.
  • Denoted by 91 is a host computer where any new song and so forth not yet stored in the CD-ROM disc 81 are added to renew the data base.
  • the host computer 91 is connected to a public communication line 93 through the CPU 83 and teh interface 92.
  • the data code or the like is inputted [block 101] from the input unit 84.
  • the CPU 83 functions to actuate the CD-ROM disc drive mechanism 82 [block 102].
  • the resuly of a decision becomes affirmative (yes)
  • the composite music data including the data code added thereto is obtained from the CD-ROM disc 81 and then is loaded [block 106] in the RAM incorporated in the CPU 83.
  • the words data is visually represented on the display device 85, and the instrumental music data is fed to the synthesizer 88 while being sequentially processed by the sequencer 87.
  • the resultant signal is amplified by the amplifier 89 and then is emitted as reproduced music from the loudspeaker 90.
  • the result of teh decision becomes negative (no), so that the CPU 83 immediately requests transmission of the desired music data to the host computer 91 via the public communication line [block 104].
  • the music data transmitted [block 105] to the terminal apparatus is further transferred to the block 106 mentioned above.
  • the music data is designated by the data code or by inputting a key word representative of the title of the song or the like and retrieving the same from the stored data.
  • the music data retrieval function can be further enhanced by an improved system which once displays a plurality of file data such as singers' names or composers' names on the display device 85 and then selecting the desired one therefrom.
  • the constitution can be modified by equipping the terminal apparatus with a main memory and an auxiliary memory.
  • Figs. 12 and 13 show a third embodiment having such modified constitution.
  • a ROM board 111 is provided with a plurality of additional semiconductor ROMs having a capacity to store music data of 2000 songs each composed of 85 kilobytes on the average.
  • 112 is a semiconductor RAM adapted for writing and reading music data of about 30 songs and backed up by a battery 113 so that the data are not erased despite turn-off or interruption of the power supply.
  • Both the ROMs and RAMs employed here may be known products and are additionally installed to attain desired capacities.
  • a CPU 114 for controlling the ROM board 111 and the RAM 112; a host computer 115 for auxiliarily utilizing the data base which is composed of the music data not stored in the ROM board 111 or the music data requested least frequently; a digital or analog public communication line 116 for connecting the host computer 115 to terminal apparatus; an input unit 117 for receiving a data code and so forth for retrieval of desired music data to be reproduced; a display device 118 for visually representing the words data with characters out of the composite music data; and a reproducing unit 119 for outputting the instrumental music data, which is included in the composite music data fed to the CPU 114, to a sound source 121 such as a synthesizer, via a sequencer 120, then amplifying the output analog signal of the sound source 121 by an amplifier 122 and emitting the reproduced music from a loudspeaker 123.
  • a sound source 121 such as a synthesizer
  • the CPU 114 retrieves [blocks 132 and 133] the storage contents of the ROM board 111. And if the result of a decision is affirmative (yes) to imply that the designated data code is found in such stored contents, the entirety of the composite music data is read out and processed by the CPU 124, and then its output is fed [block 133] to the sequencer 120 to execute both display of the words [block 139] and reproduction of the instrumental music [block 140]. Meanwhile, when the result of the decision in block 133 is negative (no), the stored content of the RAM 112 is retrieved.
  • the operation proceeds to block 138 in the same manner as the above. If the result of another decision is negative (no) in block 134 also, the data base of the host computer 115 is retrieved [block 135], and the composite music data with the designated data code is transmitted [block 136] to the terminal apparatus. Subsequently the music data is once saved [block 137] in the RAM 112, and then the operation proceeds to block 138 to execute both display of the words and reproduction of the instrumental music.
  • Figs. 14 through 16 show an exemplary embodiment for visually representing the words on the display device, wherein connection to the external host computer is executed through digital communication.
  • an I/O port 151 for inputting an external digital signal to the apparatus, and a CPU 152 for computing and processing the external data received.
  • the CPU 152 processes both the instrumental music data and the words data simultaneously.
  • a single CPU may be employed for common use as in this embodiment, or separate CPUs may be employed and driven synchronously with each other via a bus for individually processing the instrumental music data and the words data.
  • first video memory (VRAM) 153 having a storage capacity for the words data of a single song out of the entire data transmitted thereto; and a second video memory (VRAM) 154 having the same storage capacity as that of the first VRAM 153 and serving to store the position of a window for sequential display of preset unitary words data.
  • the words data is composed of a maximum of 8 kilobytes or so. Since each of the VRAMs 153 and 154 needs to have a sufficient storage capacity for displaying one complete image on the screen, a capacity of more than 256 kilobytes is prepared.
  • a line feed code is included at each of predetermined positions for display of words.
  • an instrumental music memory 155 for storing the instrumental music data out of the composite music data; and an interface 156 for outputting to the CPU 152 a color change signal included in the digital signal obtained from the instrumental music memory 155.
  • the color change signal serves to shift the window position forward while properly changing the colors of both the words and the background.
  • a video processor 157 having a function of converting the digital signal into video signal after the storage data in the first and second VRAMs 153, 154 are computed and processed by the CPU 152.
  • Denoted by 158 is a display device consisting of a CRT or liquid crystal panel and serving to display the entire words while following up the position thereof relative to the song being reproduced and changing the colors of both the words and the background.
  • the apparatus performs its operation in accordance with the respective storage contents.
  • the CPU 152 analyzes the instrumental music data and converts the same into a music signal while taking out the words data from the first VRAM 153 and visually representing the words on the display device 158 via the video processor 157.
  • the color change signal included in the data obtained from the instrumental music memory 155 is fed to the CPU 152 via the interface 156, whereby the window position stored in the second VRAM 154 is shifted forward.
  • the signal for changing the background color of the display device 158 is outputted to the video processor 157, and the content thereof is combined with the content of the first VRAM 153, so that the combined data is visually represented on the display device 158.
  • the character color and the background color in the window are so designated as to become the same, the words already sung are sequentially erased on the screen of the display device 158. If the designation is so executed as to change the background color at each clause or phase, the visual effect is rendered more conspicuous.
  • FIG. 15 there are shown storage content 159 of the first VRAM 153; storage content 160 of the second VRAM 154; combined content 161 visually represented on the display device; and a window 162 illustrated conceptionally.
  • the color change signals may be intermingled with the instrumental music data in such a manner that one bit thereof becomes a pulse output, so that the words can be advanced on a character-by-character basis simultaneously with the processing of the instrumental music data.
  • chromatic data it is necessary that chromatic data be intermingled additionally for the color changing purpose.
  • a plurality of bits are allocated to the color change signal, it becomes possible to erase plural characters at a time or to change the colors simultaneously.
  • a desired number of characters from the start of reproduction of teh musical piece or song can be designated for erasure by employing a greater number of bit strings.
  • the window 162 may be formed with a fixed capacity as in the embodiment mentioned, a modification is possible in such a manner that the capacity is varied to increase successively and the portion from the beginning of teh words to the end thereof is treated as a single window.
  • Fig. 16 is a block diagram of another example different from the foregoing one shown in Fig. 15. If moving-image data stored in an optical disc 163 is super-imposed by a video processor, the background can be turned into a moving image without being limited merely to a still image alone, hence achieving greater visual effect.
  • Fig. 17 shows a second embodiment contrived for displaying words, wherein instrumental music data and words data are processed sequentially and individually by means of a sequencer.
  • a host computer 171 installed externally; a communication device 172 such as an interface or modem; a CPU 173 for computing and processing the composite music data down-loaded from the host computer 171, and including an input unit and a memory unit for storing the music data; a sequencer 174 having a function of feeding the instrumental music data, out of the composite music data, sequentially to a sound source such as MIDI, and further feeding the words data to the next stage separately from the instrumental music data; a pattern ROM 175 having data of a registered pattern inclusive of characters, symbols and so forth; a color table 176 having data to designate a plurality of colors; a character controller 177 for visually representing the entire words data, which is stored in a VRAM 178, on an undermentioned display device 181 while controlling progression of the words and change of the background color in accordance with the signal
  • a single-line arrow illustrated in Fig. 17 indicates the path of the signal controlled by the composite music data, and a double-line arrow indicates the flow of the data.
  • the single-line arrow 182 directed from the sequencer 174 to the character controller 177 corresponds to a trigger signal intermixed with the instrumental music data for indicating the progression state of the music reproduction in relation to the displayed words and thereby controlling the progression of the words or changing the background color.
  • the double-line arrow 183 indicates the flow of the words data.
  • the desired composite music data is called by the data code or the like obtained by manipulating the input unit incorporated in the CPU 173.
  • the composite music data is down-loaded from the host computer 171 via the public communication line and is stored in the memory unit.
  • the data thus stored is computed and processed by the CPU 173, and the instrumental music data out of the entire data is inputted to the sound source via the sequencer 174, while the words data is inputted to the character controller 177 via the sequencer 174 and then is stored in the VRAM 178.
  • the designated characters in the words data thus stored are read out from the pattern ROM 175 prior to reproduction of the music and, after being formed into a dot matrix by the character generator 179, the characters are visually represented on the display device 181 via the video controller 180.
  • the sequencer 174 functions to process the instrumental music data sequentially.
  • a trigger signal is intermixed with the instrumental music data so as to synchronize the words with the music reproduction, and also a trigger signal for changing the background color of the display device 181 is intermixed at a proper position.
  • the trigger signals are fed sequentially to the character controller 177 from the sequencer 174. Therefore, with regard to progression of the words, the word position relative to the music portion being reproduced can be indicated by an arrow after the words data is processed by the video controller 180 through the character generator 179, and the color of the words already sung is changed or the visual representation of the words is linked to the reproduction of the music.
  • the color designation is read out from the color table 176 by the character controller 177, and the background color is changed on the display device 181 in accordance with the signal.

Claims (16)

  1. Un appareil de reproduction de musique et de visualisation de mots (2) relié par le moyen d'une ligne de télécommunications publique à un ordinateur hôte (1) ayant une base de données de musique et de mots à codification binaire, dans lequel un format unitaire de ladite base de données est composé de données de musique composites comprenant des données de musique instrumentale à codification binaire, des données de mots à codification binaire et un code de données pour la recherche de ces données, et dans lequel une commande d'effacement de mots est entremêlée avec les données de musique instrumentale afin d'effacer de manière séquentielle les mots qui sont représentés visuellement sur l'unité d'affichage, conformément à la progression du morceau de musique ou de la chanson reproduite, ledit appareil consistant de:
    une interface (21) pour le transfert et la réception des données par le moyen de ladite ligne de télécommunications publique;
    un moyen de sélection (3) des données de musique composites voulues par la désignation du code de données;
    un moyen de mémorisation (4) pour la mémorisation desdites données de musique composites ainsi sélectionnées;
    un moyen d'exploitation (5) et de traitement des données de musique composites;
    un amplificateur (6) pour transformer en forme analogique le signal traité par ledit moyen d'exploitation, puis pour l'amplification du signal analogique ainsi obtenu; et
    une unité d'affichage (17) pour la représentation visuelle des mots.
  2. Un appareil selon la revendication 1, comprenant une unité centrale de traitement (22) pour le contrôle des données de musique transmises par le moyen de ladite interface; une pluralité de mémoires de formes d'onde pour la mémorisation des signaux de formes d'onde obtenus au préalable par l'échantillonnage des tonalités des différents instruments de musique et le codage de ces tonalités; un diviseur de fréquence contrôle d'échelle (28) pour générer des impulsions à une fréquence prédéterminée en démultipliant la fréquence des impulsions d'horloge utilisées pour la commande de ladite unité centrale de traitement; un convertisseur volume son numérique-analogique (26) pour transformer le volume son conformément aux données d'intensité de son spécifiées dans les données de musique; un convertisseur de formes d'onde numérique-analogique (30) pour transformer en signal analogique la forme d'onde désignée parmi tous les signaux de formes d'onde mémorisés dans lesdites mémoires de formes d'onde; et un amplificateur de régulation de tension (32) pour le contrôle des signaux de sortie de ces convertisseurs numériques-analogiques: dans lequel le temps de traitement de données est contrôlé par lesdites impulsions d'horloge, et un morceau de musique ou une chanson sélectionnée est reproduite tandis que les mots de ces derniers sont représentés visuellement sur une unité d'affichage.
  3. Un appareil selon la revendication 2, dans lequel un dispositif de réverbération (31) est fourni relié à cet amplificateur de régulation de tension afin d'ajouter un effet de réverbération au signal généré.
  4. Un appareil selon la revendication 1 ou 2, comprenant en outre: un moyen de contrôle côté terminal (14) relié à l'ordinateur hôte (11) à travers une ligne de télécommunications publique et servant à contrôler les données de musique composites; un convertisseur numérique-analogique (15) pour transformer en forme analogique le signal numérique traité par ledit moyen de contrôle; et un amplificateur (16) pour amplifier le signal analogique émis par ledit convertisseur numérique-analogique.
  5. Un appareil selon la revendication 1 ou 2, comprenant également une pluralité de moyens de mémorisation chacun ayant une mémoire centrale (24) pour le calcul et le traitement des données de musique composites d'un morceau musical ou d'une chanson, et une mémoire auxiliaire (29) pour la mémorisation antérieure d'un nombre prédéterminé de données de musique composites transmises par la base de données, dans lequel, lorsque n'importe quelles données de musique sélectionnées existent dans le contenu mémorisé de ladite mémoire auxiliaire, les données de musique sélectionnées sont chargées dans ladite mémoire centrale à partir de ladite mémoire auxiliaire.
  6. Un appareil selon la revendication 5, dans lequel le nombre de fois de chargement des données de musique à partir de ladite mémoire auxiliaire (29) dans ladite mémoire centrale (24) est mémorisé en ce qui concerne les données individuelles de musique, et toute donnée de musique chargée moins fréquemment et n'atteignant pas par conséquent le nombre prédéterminé de fois au bout d'une durée de temps fixe est effacé.
  7. Un appareil selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel ce moyen de mémorisation consiste d'un disque optique (81) pour la mémorisation d'une multiplicité de données de musique et comprend aussi un mécanisme d'entraînement (82) pour l'entraînement dudit disque optique, ainsi qu'une mémoire à accès direct pour la mémorisation sélective des données de musique sélectionnées.
  8. Un appareil selon la revendication 7 et relié à travers une ligne de télécommunications publique à un ordinateur hôte ayant une base de données renfermant les données de musique non comprises dans le contenu mémorisé du disque optique.
  9. Un appareil selon la revendication 8, dans lequel le disque optique (81) est également du type enregistrable.
  10. Un appareil selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel ce moyen de mémorisation comprend un semi-conducteur à mémoire morte (111) pour la mémorisation d'une multiplicité de données de musique, et un semi-conducteur à mémoire à accès direct (112) pour la mémorisation sélective des données de musique sélectionnées.
  11. Un appareil selon la revendication 10, dans lequel ce semi-conducteur à mémoire à accès direct a une alimentation de secours sous forme de batterie.
  12. Un appareil selon la revendication 1 ou 2, comprenant également: une première mémoire vidéo (153) pour la mémorisation des données de mots; une deuxième mémoire vidéo (154) ayant une capacité de mémorisation égale aux données de mots et capable de mémoriser une fenêtre (162) adaptée afin d'afficher de manière séquentielle une quantité unitaire de données de mots; une unité centrale de traitement (152) pour calculer et traiter le contenu mémorisé de ces deux mémoires vidéo; un processeur vidéo (157) pour transformer en signaux vidéo le contenu mémorisé de ces deux mémoires vidéo calculé par cette unité de traitement; une unité d'affichage (158) pour la représentation visuelle des mots; et une interface pour décharger vers ladite unité de traitement des signaux de changement de couleur entremêlés avec les données de musique instrumentale afin de changer la couleur des mots représentés visuellement sur cette unité d'affichage et aussi pour en changer la couleur de fond.
  13. Un appareil selon la revendication 12, dans lequel lorsque ladite fenêtre est rendue de manière coïncidente avec une position de caractère prédéterminée antérieurement à l'augmentation numérique des caractères jusqu'à leur nombre maximum sur cette unité d'affichage, un signal est produit par ladite unité de traitement pour obtenir un défilement d'un nombre fixe de lignes des mots représentés visuellement sur cette unité d'affichage.
  14. Un appareil selon la revendication 12, dans lequel les données de mots sont combinés avec les données d'images vidéo animées mémorisées dans un autre disque optique, et les données qui en résultent sont représentées visuellement sur ladite unité d'affichage.
  15. Un appareil selon la revendication 1 ou 2, comprenant également: un séquenceur (174) pour le traitement séquentiel des données de musique instrumentale et le contrôle de la représentation visuelle des mots sur l'unité d'affichage; une mémoire vidéo pour la mémorisation des données de mots d'un morceau de musique ou d'une chanson spécifique; un contrôleur de caractère (177) pour le contrôle de cette mémoire vidéo en réponse au signal émis par ce séquenceur; une mémoire morte formes (175) pour la mémorisation des données de formes de ces caractères et symboles représentés visuellement sur l'unité d'affichage; une palette de couleurs (176) ayant des données de couleurs de fond sur l'unité d'affichage; un générateur de caractères (179) pour transformer le contenu voulu de cette mémoire morte formes en caractères à matrice de points sur l'unité d'affichage; et un contrôleur vidéo (180) pour contrôler l'unité d'affichage: dans lequel la progression des mots représentés visuellement sur l'unité d'affichage est exécutée en conjonction avec la reproduction de la musique, tout en changeant la couleur de fond synchroniquement.
  16. Un appareil selon la revendication 15, dans lequel des signaux de déclenchement sont entremêlés aux données de musique instrumentale afin de faire progresser la représentation visuelle des mots en conjonction avec la reproduction de la musique, tout en changeant la couleur de fond synchroniquement.
EP90305530A 1990-05-22 1990-05-22 Dispositif pour reproduire de la musique et afficher des mots Expired - Lifetime EP0457980B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT90305530T ATE140816T1 (de) 1990-05-22 1990-05-22 Vorrichtung zur musikwiedergabe und zur textanzeige
ES90305530T ES2091794T3 (es) 1990-05-22 1990-05-22 Aparato para reproducir musica y visualizar palabras.
EP90305530A EP0457980B1 (fr) 1990-05-22 1990-05-22 Dispositif pour reproduire de la musique et afficher des mots
DK90305530.9T DK0457980T3 (da) 1990-05-22 1990-05-22 Apparat til musikgengivelse og tekstfremvisning
GR960402805T GR3021432T3 (en) 1990-05-22 1996-10-23 Apparatus for reproducing music and displaying words

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP90305530A EP0457980B1 (fr) 1990-05-22 1990-05-22 Dispositif pour reproduire de la musique et afficher des mots

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0457980A1 EP0457980A1 (fr) 1991-11-27
EP0457980B1 true EP0457980B1 (fr) 1996-07-24

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ID=8205429

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP90305530A Expired - Lifetime EP0457980B1 (fr) 1990-05-22 1990-05-22 Dispositif pour reproduire de la musique et afficher des mots

Country Status (5)

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EP (1) EP0457980B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE140816T1 (fr)
DK (1) DK0457980T3 (fr)
ES (1) ES2091794T3 (fr)
GR (1) GR3021432T3 (fr)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2307586B (en) * 1993-03-11 1997-09-24 Yamaha Corp Karaoke apparatus having playback and synthetic sound sources
JPH06268774A (ja) * 1993-03-11 1994-09-22 Yamaha Corp カラオケ制御装置
US5654516A (en) * 1993-11-03 1997-08-05 Yamaha Corporation Karaoke system having a playback source with pre-stored data and a music synthesizing source with rewriteable data
JPH0876776A (ja) * 1994-09-05 1996-03-22 Yamaha Corp 歌唱用伴奏装置

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4124773A (en) * 1976-11-26 1978-11-07 Robin Elkins Audio storage and distribution system
FR2523786B1 (fr) * 1982-03-19 1987-10-09 Bernard Alain Systeme de transmission de musique par voie telephonique
JPS6029794A (ja) * 1983-07-29 1985-02-15 ヤマハ株式会社 電子楽器

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE140816T1 (de) 1996-08-15
GR3021432T3 (en) 1997-01-31
ES2091794T3 (es) 1996-11-16
DK0457980T3 (da) 1996-11-25
EP0457980A1 (fr) 1991-11-27

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