JP2000214849A - Karaoke apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily search and select a piece of music, even if its title or the like is not known. SOLUTION: Information, such as melodies, words, and titles extracted from data of musical pieces, are stored in a sound-pitch table and in a music information table, and peripheral information relating to those musical pieces (for example, information concerning commercial messages, dramas, and the like, in which those pieces are used) is stored in a peripheral information table. When a user vocally inputs anything known about a piece of music from a microphone, the tables are searched by using the description as input data for music selection, and a piece of music which corresponds to it is retrieved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a karaoke apparatus capable of selecting a karaoke song based on peripheral information relating to the song.

[0002]

As a method of selecting a music piece to be played in a karaoke apparatus, a generally used method is to input a music number using a remote controller. That is,
The karaoke device is equipped with an infrared remote control device for transmitting song numbers to the karaoke device itself and a booklet (table of contents) listing the song numbers of all karaoke songs. In this method, a song number is calculated, and the song number is transmitted from the remote controller to the karaoke apparatus.

[0003] However, it is troublesome to search for a table of contents listing 10,000 or more songs, and it is necessary to input a song number using a remote controller and to operate a key other than the song number such as a set key or a transmission key. Therefore, there is a disadvantage that the operation is troublesome for a person who is not used to it.

To solve this problem, there has been proposed a method of executing a music selection operation by inputting a song name, lyrics, melody, and the like by voice to a microphone. However, even with this method, it is necessary to know the lyrics, melody, and the like. However, there is a problem that a music selection operation cannot be performed, and a music selection cannot be performed with a certain amount of information that has been heard on a television or the like.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a karaoke apparatus that facilitates a music selection operation by allowing a user to select a music piece based on peripheral information related to the karaoke music piece without knowing the name of the music piece.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a music data storage means for storing a plurality of music data, and information on a first music selection data group extracted from each music data and each music data. Music selection data storage means for storing the second music selection data group; input means for inputting the music selection data; search means for searching the music selection data storage means with the input music selection data to determine the music data specified by the input music selection data And playing means for playing the music data determined by the searching means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the music selection data storage means is means for storing the first music selection data group and the second music selection data group as separate tables, and the search means is a first music selection data group.
And a means for selecting one of the music selection data group and the second music selection data group and a means for searching the selected music selection data group by the input music selection data.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the input means comprises a microphone for singing, and means for extracting input music selection data from voice input from the microphone.

In the present invention, the first music selection data extracted from the music data and the second music selection data as information on the music data are stored in the music selection data storage means. First
The song selection data is, for example, a melody, lyrics, a song name, and the like. The second music selection data is, for example, information on a CM or a drama in which the music is used. Then, the tune can be searched by using either the first music selection data or the second music selection data. For example, if the song is used in a TV commercial and the singer knows it but does not know the song title or the commercial name of the CM, enter the singer's name and enter that it is used in the CM. I do. Then, the corresponding song is searched by the cross search between the singer name and the CM song.

[0010]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a karaoke apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. This karaoke device
This is a so-called communication karaoke device. The communication karaoke device is a karaoke device that is connected to a host device via a communication line and downloads music data for performing a karaoke song from the host device and plays it. The karaoke apparatus stores about 10,000 music data, and plays the music selected by the user.

In addition to selecting a song by inputting a song number from an infrared remote control device, this karaoke device can select a karaoke song by inputting song selection data from a singing microphone. The music selection data includes a melody and music information of the music, peripheral information related to the music, and the like. The song information is information of the song itself included in the song data of the song, and includes, for example, a song number, a song title, an original singer, and lyrics of a singer. In addition, the peripheral information related to the song includes a product name, a maker name, and the like of a TV commercial in which the song was used.
The title is the title of the drama, the nickname of the original singer, and the gossip about the original singer.

In FIG. 1, a CPU 11 for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus is provided with a ROM 11 and a RAM 1 via a bus.
2, hard disk (HDD) 17, communication control unit 16,
Remote control receiver 13, display panel 14, panel switch 15, sound source device 19, D / A converter 20, DSP2
1, a character display unit 23, a DVD changer 24, a display control unit 25, and an audio signal processing unit 29 are connected.

The ROM 11 stores a system program, an application program, a loader, and font data. The system program is a program that controls the basic operation of the device and data transmission / reception with peripheral devices. The application program is a sequence program, a voice recognition program, or the like. The sequence program includes a main sequence program, a tone sequence program, a character sequence program, a voice sequence program, a DSP sequence program, and the like. During a karaoke performance, each sequence program is processed in parallel by the CPU 10 to generate a musical tone and reproduce a video based on the music data.
The loader is a program for downloading music data from a host station. The voice recognition program is a program for analyzing a pitch and a pronunciation from a digitized voice signal input from the voice signal processing unit 29 and determining the melody and the contents of words. The font data is for displaying lyrics, song names, and the like, and stores fonts of a plurality of types of characters, such as Mincho and Maru Gojik.

The RAM 12 has a reservation list for registering the song numbers of the selected and reserved karaoke songs, a work area for reading out the music data being played, and a voice selection mode for inputting voice from the microphone 27 to select songs. An input music selection data buffer, a cross search table, and the like are set. In the HDD 17, a music data storage area for storing music data and a music selection data table for storing music selection data as data for selecting music data are set. D set in the DVD changer 24
Music data is also stored in the VD.

The communication control unit 16 is a control unit for communicating with a host device via a telephone line (analog line or digital line). Music data and the contents of the music selection data table are downloaded from the host device. The communication control unit 16 has a built-in DMA circuit, and stores downloaded music data and music selection data in the CPU 1.
The data is directly written to the HDD 17 without going through “0”.

The remote control receiver 13 receives the infrared signal sent from the remote controller 30 and restores the data. The remote controller 30 is a device for transmitting data for music selection and the like. The remote controller 30 includes a command key such as a transmission key, a numeric key switch, and the like. When the user operates these key switches, a code corresponding to the operation is transmitted as an infrared signal. The display panel 14 is provided on the front of the karaoke apparatus, and displays the currently playing music code and the number of reserved music. The panel switch 15 is provided on a front operation unit of the karaoke apparatus, and includes a music code input switch, a key change switch, and the like.

Also in this karaoke apparatus, a normal music selection operation is performed by inputting a music number from the remote controller 30. The music selection operation using the remote controller 30 is possible even during the execution of the karaoke music. On the other hand, the operation in the voice selection mode using the microphone 27 becomes possible after the performance of the karaoke tune. Also, the remote controller 30 is used for various inputs even in the audio selection mode.

The tone generator 19 receives musical sound data included in the music data and forms a musical sound signal. The D / A converter 20 inputs audio data included in the music data and converts it into an audio signal. The audio data is composed of ADPCM data, and is composed of an audio signal such as a back chorus. Further, a microphone 27 is connected to the DSP 21 to input a singing signal of a singer. The DSP 21 gives effects such as reverb and echo to a tone signal and an audio signal input from the sound source device 19, the D / A converter 20, and the microphone 27. The type and degree of the effect provided by the DSP 21 are controlled based on DSP control data included in the music data. The tone signal and the audio signal to which the effect has been added are output to the amplifier / speaker 22 after being mixed. The amplifier / speaker 22 amplifies this signal and emits sound.

The microphone 27 is connected to an audio signal processing section 29. The audio signal processing unit 29 operates in the audio selection mode, converts the audio signal input from the microphone 27 into a digital signal, analyzes the frequency, and inputs the digital signal to the CPU 10. The CPU 10 performs a phonetic coding and a pitch coding based on the waveform and frequency of the input audio signal.

The character display unit 23 generates a character pattern based on character data input from the CPU 10. This character pattern is displayed on the monitor 26 via the display control unit 25. The displayed characters include the lyrics during the performance of the karaoke song and the title of the song during the song selection operation.
The DVD changer 24 sets a predetermined DVD based on an instruction from the CPU 10 and reads out music data and background video. A plurality of DVDs are built in the DVD changer 24, and one background image is selected from the DVDs.
Output as video data. The background video is determined based on the genre data of the karaoke song or the like. The character pattern and the background video data are input to the display control unit 25. The display control unit 25 superimposes these data in superimposition and displays them on the monitor 26.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a partial configuration of the RAM 12 and the HDD 17. An input music selection data buffer and a cross search table are set in the RAM 12 as shown in FIG. The input music selection data buffer is an area for temporarily storing input music selection data input from the microphone 27. The input music selection data is automatically deleted when read by the CPU 10 to search the music selection data table. The cross search table is a table that stores the song numbers of the candidate songs extracted by the search operation. When a plurality of songs are selected as a result of a search using one input song selection data, the song numbers of the selected songs are stored in this table, and the search using the next input song selection data corresponds to this song number. Perform within the range of the selected music data.

In the HDD 17, a music data storage area and a music selection data table are set as shown in FIG. The music data storage area stores music data of a new music downloaded from the host device.
The music data of the classic music is stored on the DVD as described above. The music selection data table is a table for searching for a music number of a music desired by the user based on the input music selection data input by the user, and has a configuration shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2C, the music selection data table is composed of a music number table, a phonetic code table, and a pitch code table. The phonetic chord table is composed of a music information table and a peripheral information table.

The music number table is a table that stores music names and storage addresses (directories) of music data in association with music numbers of each music data. This table is searched when a song number is input by operating the remote controller 30 or the panel switch 15 or by searching a phonetic code table or a pitch code table using voice data input from the microphone 27 to determine the song number. Is used to display the title of the song corresponding to the song number or to determine the storage area of the song data. The song number is a code that corresponds to each song data on a one-to-one basis, and is a code that is input when selecting a song with the remote controller 30, that is, a table of contents (song name list) provided with the karaoke apparatus.
Is the same as the code described in.

In the pitch code table, a melody of each piece of music data converted into a pitch code is stored as music selection data in association with a music number. The pitch chord expresses the melody of the singing of the song by note number. The note number is a value that increases or decreases by one for each semitone, with C3 being 64. This table is searched by the input pitch code determined from the voice data input from the microphone 27.

In the music information table of the phonetic code table, the music number, music name,
The phonetic code of the song type, singer name and lyrics is stored in correspondence with the song number. A phonetic code is a symbolization of its pronunciation, and is represented by, for example, a kana, an alphabet, a phonetic symbol, or the like. For example, "123"
In the phonetic code, the song number "ichi-ni-s
an "or" hyaku-niju-san ". The song type is data such as the genre of the song such as pops and enka, and the number of singers such as duet and solo. The singer name is the name of the singer who originally sang the song.

The melody and lyrics of the music selection data are part of the data written in the musical sound track and the lyrics track of the music data, respectively, and the music number, music title, music type, and the lyrics are headers of the music data. Is the information written in the. These music selection data are downloaded from the distribution center. This download is performed in synchronization with the distribution of the new song. It should be noted that the karaoke apparatus can also separate and extract from the music data to form a music selection data table by itself.

In the peripheral information table of the phonetic code table, the product name and maker name of the television commercial in which the song of each song data was used as song selection data, and the drama of the drama in which the song was the theme song. A phonetic code of the title, the nickname of the original singer, gossip about the original singer, and the like are stored in correspondence with the song number.
In this case, for the song used in the TV commercial,
Music selection data of "CM", "(product name)", "(maker name)" is assigned, and the product name, manufacturer name or "CM"
I try to hit just the word. In this case, an appropriate search method among perfect match, partial match and inclusion may be used. In addition, this peripheral information table,
Updated regularly by the distribution center. The update of the peripheral information table does not need to be synchronized with the update of the music information table and the distribution of the new music.

In the music information table, all pieces of music selection data are sorted in a predetermined order (for example, alphabetical order or Japanese syllabary order) without separating the table according to the type of information (song number, song name, lyrics, etc.). I remember. In the peripheral information table, the type of information (CM product name,
All pieces of music selection data are stored in a predetermined order without separating tables by maker name, drama, etc.). Then, a uniform search is performed using phonetic chords, and if there is any applicable information, a hit is made.

FIGS. 3 to 6 are flowcharts showing the operation of the karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a mode switching operation by the microphone switch. First microphone switch 2
The position 7a is determined (s1). When the position of the microphone switch 27a is PLAY, the performance mode is set and the process returns (s2). On the other hand, when the position of the microphone switch 27a is SELECT, the audio selection mode is set (s3), and the audio selection screen is displayed (s3).
4) Return. In the case of the performance mode, it is determined whether or not there is a tune reserved for the tune selection.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an input processing operation in the voice music selection mode. It is determined whether there is a voice input or a selection switching operation (s10, s11). If there is a selection switching operation (s11), the selection of the music information table / peripheral information table is switched. This selection is stored in a register. This selection switching operation may be performed by a microphone input, or may be performed by a key operation of the remote controller 30.

On the other hand, when a voice is input (s1
0), the pronunciation of the human voice is analyzed from this voice (s12), and if the human voice can be extracted, it is converted into a phonetic code and written into the input music selection data buffer (s13, s14). Next, the frequency component of this voice is analyzed (s15), and if a melody is extracted, it is converted into a pitch code and written into an input music selection data buffer (s16, s17). This analysis processing is performed on a group of voices such as words and phrases, and voice delimiters are recognized at time intervals with the next voice.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a table search operation. First, it is determined whether there is input music selection data in the input music selection data buffer (s21). If not, the process waits until input music selection data is written in the input processing operation. If there is input music selection data, the first one is read (s22). Then, this data is deleted from the buffer (s23). It is determined whether the read information is a phonetic code or a pitch code (s24). If it is a pitch code, the process proceeds to s33. If the read data is a phonetic code, it is determined which information is currently selected from the music information table / peripheral information (s2).
5).

If the music information table has been selected, reading of the music information table is set (s26).
If the peripheral information table has been selected, reading of the peripheral information table is set (s27). Referring to the cross search table (s28), if the candidate songs have already been narrowed down, only the song selection data corresponding to the song number of the candidate song in the song information table and the peripheral information table is searched (s28). , S29). Searching for song numbers is much faster than searching by phonetic codes,
By narrowing down first, the search can be speeded up.
If a candidate song can be selected (s30), this is displayed (s31), the cross search table is updated with this candidate song (s32), and the process returns. On the other hand, if none of the candidate tunes can be selected, this input tune selection data is invalid and the process returns without doing anything.

If the input music selection data read in s22 is a pitch code, the flow advances to s33 to set reading of a pitch code table. With reference to the cross search table (s34), if the candidate tunes have already been narrowed down, only the tune selection data corresponding to the tune number of the candidate tune in the pitch code table is searched (s34).
34, s35). Since the search for the song number is much faster than the search by phonetic code, the search can be speeded up by narrowing down first. If a candidate song can be selected by this (s36), this is displayed (s37), and the cross search table is updated with this candidate song (s3).
8) Return. On the other hand, if none of the candidate tunes can be selected, this input tune selection data is invalid and the process returns without doing anything.

The above search operation is repeatedly executed as long as the input music selection data is input. If there is no corresponding music as a result of the cross search, the search is invalidated, the input music selection data is discarded, and the process returns.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the music selection decision operation. This operation is periodically executed during the audio selection mode. The selection of the music is confirmed by the user viewing the candidate music list displayed on the monitor 26 and operating the remote controller 30 to select one of the music. First, it is determined whether a music selection confirmation operation has been performed (s41). If there is
A tune number corresponding to the display on the monitor 26 is selected (s4
2) Write this music number into the reservation list (s43).
As a result, since the voice music selection operation is completed, the remaining input music selection data is discarded, the cross search table is cleared (s44), and the operation ends. If there is no music selection confirmation operation, the operation is terminated as it is.

The selection of the music information table / peripheral information table and the fixed music selection operation are performed by the remote controller 30, but may be performed by voice input from the microphone 27.

Although the music information table and the peripheral information table are provided separately so that they can be easily updated separately and the search is not complicated, all information is stored in one phonetic code table. You may do so.

The input of music information and peripheral information as input music selection data is performed by microphone input because of the large number of words. However, remote control input may be performed by selecting characters from the Japanese syllabary.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, a song can be searched for using both the first song selection data extracted from the song data and the second song selection data as peripheral information of the song. This makes it possible to easily search for a song even if there is little information about the song.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a partial configuration diagram of RAM and HDD of the karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the karaoke apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 27-microphone, 29-audio signal processing unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 15/401 310C 15/403 350C

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A music data storage means for storing a plurality of music data, a first music selection data group extracted from each music data and a second music selection data group storing information on each music data. Storage means, input means for inputting input music selection data, search means for searching the music selection data storage means with the input music selection data, and finding music data specified by the input music selection data, and music found by the search means A karaoke apparatus comprising: playing means for playing data; 2. The music selection data storage means is means for storing a first music selection data group and a second music selection data group as separate tables, and the search means is a first music selection data group and a second music selection data. 2. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: means for selecting one of the data groups; and means for searching the selected music selection data group based on the input music selection data. 3. The input means includes: a singing microphone;
3. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for extracting input music selection data from a voice input from the microphone.