JP2004062081A - Multifunctional karaoke remote control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multifunctional Karaoke remote control device which manages and presents information regarding musical pieces discriminatingly by users. <P>SOLUTION: This device is provided with: a manages a musical piece index database, presents various information to a user with characters and images and recognizes user input associated with the presented information to retrieves a song that the user desires from the musical piece index database through the user interface; and a short-distance radio communication means for a Karaoke playing device to search a based on the musical piece index database . The desired song list of the user is recorded in a note pad through the user interface, a signal reserving the retrieved musical piece and musical pieces recorded in the note pad is transmitted to the Karaoke playing device, playing related information made correspond to a musical piece identifier are received, and the playing related information made correspond to the musical piece are recorded to be made correspond to the musical piece, then the recording contents of the memo pad are displayedout. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a karaoke remote control device, and more particularly to a method of managing and presenting information on music selected or sung by a plurality of users for each user.
[0002]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Applicants have developed a karaoke remote control device that manages a list of desired songs selected by the user for each user. Each user creates a desired song list for each user in the memory of the karaoke remote controller. Then, the user can activate his / her desired music list and register any music in the list in a queue of the karaoke apparatus by a simple operation. The karaoke apparatus plays each song in the order registered in the queue.
[0003]
This karaoke remote control device is provided with various music search functions, such as a music name search mode and a singer name search mode, as well as an amorous search mode for searching during a trendy season. Since the user can search for music using these functions, he / she can enjoy not only singing at karaoke but also the procedure for making a performance reservation.
[0004]
The desired song list for each user is usually held in the memory until the use of karaoke is completed. Therefore, the present inventor considered that the karaoke remote control device could be used not only until a performance reservation was made but also after the performance reservation was made. Therefore, when the karaoke device and the karaoke remote control device communicate with each other using wireless communication means, receive information on the music such as the reservation status, episodes related to each music, the score result after singing, calorie consumption, etc. The present inventor thought that it would be fun and convenient for the user to be able to see when he / she likes.
[0005]
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a multifunctional karaoke remote control device suitable for use in a situation where a single karaoke device is used by a plurality of people, in which a plurality of users respectively create their own desired music lists. This is a multi-function karaoke remote control device that manages performance songs reserved for performance based on a user-desired song list by receiving feedback of the results of the singing, and allows the users to browse the songs, for example.
[0006]
A multifunctional karaoke remote control device according to the present invention includes a means for managing a song index database corresponding to a karaoke song database, and presenting various information to users by characters and images and inputting user information related to the presented information. A user interface for recognizing music, a means for searching for a desired song of the user based on the music index database through the user interface, and a short-range wireless communication means for performing bidirectional data communication with the karaoke performance apparatus. A means for creating and managing a plurality of individually accessible notepads in a memory, a means for recording a user's desired song list in a notepad via a user interface, and a means for searching through a user interface. A signal for reserving a song or a song recorded in a memo pad to the karaoke apparatus is transmitted from the short-range wireless communication means. Means for receiving the performance-related information associated with the music identifier transmitted from the karaoke performance device and recording the performance-related information associated with the music identifier in association with the music; Means for displaying and outputting the recorded contents of the memo pad via an interface.
[0007]
In the present invention, preferably, means for including the identifier of the memo pad in the signal for reserving the music recorded in the memo pad to the karaoke performance device, and accompanying the performance-related information of the music received from the karaoke performance device Means for recognizing the notepad identifier that is present.
[0008]
Desirably, the contents recorded in the memo pad are displayed and output in the idle state.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
=== Configuration of Karaoke Remote Control Device ===
FIG. 1 shows an appearance of a multi-function karaoke remote controller according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows an example of an electronic system configuration. This multi-function karaoke remote control device is a panel-type keyboardless computer having a size of about B5 and a thickness.
[0010]
A large part of the front of the apparatus is occupied by a liquid crystal touch panel 1 in which a transparent touch sensor 1b is superposed on a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) 1a, and a central processing unit 2 including a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM, and a liquid crystal display. A display driver 3 for displaying and driving the display panel 1a; an input detection circuit 4 for detecting input coordinates with respect to the transparent touch sensor 1b; a flash memory 5 which is a large-capacity external storage; Wireless communication means (IrDA transceiver 6, infrared LED 7, infrared light receiving element 8), a power supply battery (not shown) to be charged in connection with the charging station, and a karaoke performance device via a data communication device attached to the charging station. A communication control unit 9 for performing data communication and the like are mounted. The infrared LED 7 and the infrared light receiving element 8 are arranged in the upper central portion of the remote controller, and are laid out above the liquid crystal touch panel 1 so that the directivity thereof is oriented.
[0011]
The central processing unit 2 stores and manages the music index database in the flash memory 5. The music index database is a database that describes attribute information of a large number of music pieces to be performed by the karaoke performance apparatus 10, and includes a music number (song identifier), a song name, an artist name, lyrics of a sung-out part, a popular time period, Various attribute information, such as music genre classification, used movie and TV drama titles, used TV commercials, various music award winning backgrounds, and whether or not the song is a duet song, is included in this. When the multi-function karaoke remote control device is connected to the charging station connected to the karaoke performance device, the central processing unit 2 performs data communication with the karaoke performance device via the communication control unit 9 and updates the contents of the music index database. The system is configured as follows.
[0012]
=== Configuration of Karaoke Performance Device ===
FIG. 3 shows a hardware-based configuration example of the karaoke performance apparatus according to the present embodiment. A karaoke performance device is a computer-applied device equivalent to a personal computer. The central processing unit 11 is a computer main body including a CPU, a RAM and a ROM, a hard disk device 12 as a large-capacity external storage, an optical disk reproducing device 13 such as a CD-ROM and a DVD-ROM, a subscriber telephone line and an ISDN telephone. A communication control device 14 for communicating with a karaoke host device via a line, a user interface device 15 for exchanging input from a user and a response to the user, and accompaniment music based on music performance data in MIDI format A music generating device 16 for generating an audio signal of the same type, an audio device 17 for amplifying an accompaniment music or an audio signal from a microphone and generating sound from a speaker, a display 18 using a CRT, LCD, PDP, or the like; A video processing device 19 for processing video data to be displayed.
[0013]
The user interface device 15 includes an operation panel (keyboard and display) of the device main body, and also includes the above-mentioned multifunctional karaoke remote control device. Short-range wireless communication means (IrDA transceiver, infrared LED, infrared light receiving element) It has.
[0014]
=== Music selection reservation by searching the music index database ===
The central processing unit 2 of the multi-function karaoke remote control device executes a process for a user to search for a desired music based on the music index database. In the initial state of the database search process, a search menu screen is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 1. This search menu screen is illustrated in FIG. In this screen, for example, when touch input is performed on the “song name” search button 21, the display is switched to a kana character palette screen of 50 sounds, and the kana character is touched on the screen, and the song title is input in order from the first letter (to the middle) If a search execution button is touched, a corresponding music group is extracted from the music index database and is listed and displayed. When the user selects a desired song from among them and performs a reservation event operation, the short-range wireless communication means (IrDA transceiver 6, infrared LED 7, infrared light receiving element 8) communicates with a karaoke playing device located nearby, and The performance reservation information including the identification information is notified to the karaoke performance device.
[0015]
=== Basic functions of Karaoke performance device ===
The central processing unit 11 of the karaoke performance apparatus creates a performance reservation queue in an appropriate storage unit based on the received performance reservation information, and manages the performance order of the karaoke music. The music reservation number input by the user interface device 15 includes the music number of the music. When the performance reservation information is input, the central processing unit 11 confirms that the music number in the reservation information is the number of a playable music registered in the karaoke database, and then registers the music number in a queue. .
[0016]
The central processing unit 11 extracts music numbers from the queue in the order of registration, and extracts and processes karaoke data of the corresponding music from a karaoke database constructed in the hard disk device 12. The karaoke data for one song corresponding to one song number is music performance data that is the origin of the accompaniment music represented by MIDI data or ADPCM data, and lyrics subtitles for displaying lyrics subtitles synchronized with the accompaniment music. Data, background selection data for directly or indirectly specifying background video data to be displayed as the background of the lyrics subtitle during the output period of the accompaniment music, and a description of the song for displaying the title, artist, or author of the song in subtitles This is a data group to which subtitle data and the like are associated.
[0017]
The karaoke apparatus has a well-known karaoke scoring function and a calorie consumption calculating function. Each time the performance of each music is completed, the singing is scored or the calorie consumption value associated with the singing is calculated, and the result is displayed on the display 18 and presented to the user.
[0018]
The above is the procedure from the time when the karaoke performance device makes a performance reservation for the music searched using the multifunctional karaoke remote control device of the present embodiment to the time when the karaoke performance device performs the performance process. However, the feature of the multi-function karaoke remote control device of the present invention is not in the above-mentioned electronic contents book function. In each of the individually accessible memo pads, the identification number (song number) of the song that each user may sing is managed, and after using this to reserve the performance, It is provided with a function of receiving information such as a scoring result associated with the performance processing, adding and managing the information in the memo pad, and presenting the information to the user. Hereinafter, the memo pad management function and its user interface according to the present embodiment will be described.
[0019]
=== Outline of notepad management function ===
The central processing unit 2 manages a plurality of memory areas which can be individually accessed in the flash memory as a memo pad, and writes music numbers of a plurality of desired songs (request candidate songs) in each memo pad. When the user specifies a song based on the displayed entry, a process for transmitting a radio signal for making a reservation for the song is performed.In addition, a performance process for each song is performed. Then, a memo pad management function is performed by receiving a radio signal including information such as a scoring result from the karaoke performance apparatus and writing the received signal into the original memo pad. When multiple users are actually present at the karaoke hall, this memo pad management function can be used by a specific user using multiple memo pads, and each user can select his / her own request candidate song or performance. It is convenient to use a dedicated notepad to manage the resulting information.
[0020]
=== Create / Update Notepad ===
To use the notepad management function, you must first create or update a notepad. FIGS. 5A to 5C show the outline of the operation of creating / updating the memo pad by a transition diagram of a screen displayed on the LCD 1. From the screen (a) in which the detailed attribute information of the music searched in the previous procedure is displayed, the request candidate music can be entered in the memo pad (create memo pad). On this screen (a), a “memo” button 25 is provided in addition to a “transfer” button 23 and an “interrupt transfer” button 24.
[0021]
In response to the instruction operation of the "memo" button 25, the multi-function karaoke remote controller displays the memo pad list screen (b) managed by itself. In this example, five memo pads, which are named in advance for Mr. A to Mr. E, are prepared, and buttons 26 for designating these five memo pads are arranged on the screen (b). . Here, for example, if five users decide to use the memo pads A to E exclusively for their own use, the user currently operating the multi-function karaoke remote control device will use the memo pad himself / herself. The button 26 of the name of the memo pad to be executed may be selected on this screen.
[0022]
When a certain memo pad is selected, the central processing unit 2 executes a process of writing the karaoke tune presented on the previous detailed attribute information screen (a) as a request candidate tune and writing the tune number in the selected memo pad. I do. Then, after a confirmation screen (c) indicating that the requested candidate music has been entered in the memo pad is displayed, the screen is switched to the top screen (FIG. 4). In the case of continuously inputting the request candidate song to the notepad, the finally specified karaoke song may be added to the user's notepad as the request candidate song while utilizing the electronic table-of-contents function again.
[0023]
Note that the contents of each memo pad can be cleared (initialized) at an appropriate occasion such as at the start of karaoke use. It is possible to clear all notepads at once or clear each notepad.
[0024]
=== Performance reservation using notepad ===
On the other hand, in accordance with the above-described procedure, after completing the entry of the request candidate song in a certain notepad, in order to select one specific request candidate song and make a performance reservation thereof, “ Touch the "Notepad" button 22. Then, the screen is switched to a memo pad list screen, and when a memo pad is touched from among the screens, the songs written in the memo pad are displayed in a list. When the user touches a song to be reserved for performance, the screen switches to a screen that displays detailed attribute information of the song, and when the user touches the “Transfer” button on that screen, a radio signal for It is transmitted to the karaoke performance device. If the user touches the "interrupt transfer" button instead of the "transfer" button, a radio signal for performance reservation is transmitted so that the karaoke music currently being played is played next to this music. Thereafter, a confirmation screen indicating that the wireless signal has been transmitted is displayed, and the screen returns to the top screen (FIG. 4).
[0025]
=== Management of performance related information ===
When the above-mentioned performance processing is completed in the karaoke performance apparatus for the music piece reserved for performance in the above procedure, a radio signal for notifying the end is transmitted to the multi-function karaoke remote control apparatus. This signal includes the music number. When the karaoke performance apparatus calculates the scoring result and the calorie consumption value of the singing, information on the calculated values is also included in the wireless signal.
[0026]
The multifunctional karaoke remote control device that has received the wireless signal from the karaoke performance device extracts the music number included in the wireless signal. Then, by referring to the contents of the memo pad managed by the user, the memo pad in which the music number is written is specified, and information indicating that the performance of the music has been completed is added. When the scoring result or the calorie consumption value is notified from the karaoke performance device, the information is also added in association with the music number.
[0027]
As in the case of performance reservation using memo pad, when the user touches the “memo pad” button on the top screen (FIG. 4) to switch to the memo pad list screen, and then touches a memo pad from among them , The contents written in the memo pad are displayed. FIG. 6 illustrates a screen on which the contents of a certain memo pad are displayed. On this screen, the songs that A has written in the memo pad are displayed in a list. For each song, whether the performance reservation has not been made yet (in FIG. 6, nothing is displayed but the music reservation has not yet been made) Is displayed), and the status such as whether the reservation has been made or the performance has been completed is displayed. Further, for the already played music, if the scoring result or the calorie consumption value associated with the singing has been calculated, it is also displayed. As a result, the user can enjoy using the multifunctional karaoke remote control device not only when performing a performance reservation, but also after the performance reservation and singing are completed.
[0028]
When the performance-related information is received from the karaoke performance device and the memo pad is updated, the multi-function karaoke remote control device is in an idle state, for example, a state in which the top screen (FIG. 4) is displayed, or a message from the user. If there is no input for more than a predetermined time, the updated (appended) memo pad is immediately displayed on the screen, so that the contents can be checked immediately, which is convenient. Alternatively, if one of the users is in use and is not idle, the contents of the updated notepad can be displayed when the user has recently become idle. .
[0029]
=== Specifying the notepad of the performance reservation source ===
In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that there is no duplication of the same music in a plurality of notepads. Therefore, in the performance-related information notified from the karaoke performance device, the memo pad of the performance reservation source can be easily specified and added only by knowing the corresponding music number. However, the same song may be duplicated in a plurality of notepads. To cope with such a case, an identifier (memo pad number) can be assigned to each memo pad.
[0030]
That is, when a performance reservation is made from the multifunctional karaoke remote control device of the present invention to the karaoke performance device, the memo pad number of the performance reservation source is attached to the music number, and the karaoke performance device manages the music number together with the music number until the performance is completed. When receiving the performance-related information from the karaoke playing device, the memo pad number is notified together with the music number, and the memo pad of the reservation source is specified. This eliminates the need for the multifunction karaoke remote control device to determine the memo pad of the reservation source.
[0031]
In addition, the karaoke performance device notifies the performance-related information only when a memo pad number is added at the time of a performance reservation, or a memo pad identifier is added to the performance-related information notified from the karaoke performance device. If not, it can be ignored (discarded) by the multifunctional karaoke performance device.
[0032]
Of course, without assigning such a notepad number etc., it is also possible to determine the priority of entry in the notepad appropriately in advance and write the same performance related information in all overlapping notepads it can.
[0033]
=== Other Embodiments ===
In this multi-function karaoke remote control device, the contents of each memo pad are totaled at appropriate occasions, and the number of songs sung and the scoring are assigned to each user's order and the average value is calculated. Can also be presented.
[0034]
As other performance-related information, information that introduces an episode related to the music or the artist may be presented to the user after the performance reservation.
[0035]
Also, when a performance reservation is made from a memo pad that has a song that overlaps with a song entered in another memo pad, that song will not be indicated when the list contents of the other memo pad are displayed. An identification display can also be provided. In the case of using a memo pad for each user, the request status of another person can be grasped. By doing so, it is possible to give diversification to the way of enjoying karaoke by not singing the duplicate song in consideration of the person who reserved first, or dare to request the same song and compete for singing skill .
[0036]
The short-range wireless means provided in the multi-function karaoke remote control device and the karaoke performance device are not limited to the IrDA interface. It may be a Bluetooth interface or another type of two-way wireless signal.
[0037]
In the above-described embodiment, the number and names of memo pads are set in advance, but a screen interface for accepting the number of memo pads by user input is prepared, and memo pads can be created by the number. You may do so. As a result, the same number of memo pads as the number of users can be created, and each user can use a dedicated memo pad. Therefore, inconveniences and erroneous operations such as confusing the music written by another person in the same memo pad and mistakenly booking the music written by another person can be eliminated.
It is also conceivable that the name of the memo pad is automatically generated by a series of characters such as A, B, C, etc. according to the created number. This makes it easy to distinguish between your own and other notepads and is convenient.
Further, in such a case, at a suitable time, such as when a predetermined time has elapsed since the creation of the memo pad for the number of persons or when the total number of entered songs has reached a predetermined number or more, a memo in which no music has been written is recorded. Upon recognizing that there is a book, it is also possible to display a screen including the name of the corresponding user and a message prompting the user to register music, and notify the user of the display. As a result, it is possible to prevent users from failing to make a request.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the multifunctional karaoke remote control apparatus which concerns on this invention, since it can enjoy not only when performing a performance reservation, but also after completing a performance reservation and after performing (singing), the enjoyment of karaoke is enjoyed. Expands. By using the shared device, the singing results of other users can be easily viewed, so that sharing the place increases the sense of unity and is effective as a means of communication.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of a multifunctional karaoke remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an electronic system configuration of the multi-function karaoke remote control device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a hardware configuration of a karaoke performance apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a music selection menu screen in the multifunctional karaoke remote control device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a screen transition diagram when a memo pad is entered in the multifunctional karaoke remote control device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an example of a screen displaying the contents of a memo pad in the multifunctional karaoke remote control device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 LCD touch panel 6 IrDA transceiver 7 Infrared LED
8 infrared light receiving element 15 user interface device

Claims (3)

Means for managing a song index database corresponding to the karaoke song database;
A user interface that presents various types of information to the user using characters and images and recognizes user input related to the presented information;
Means for searching for a desired song of the user based on the music index database via a user interface,
A short-range wireless communication means for performing bidirectional data communication with the karaoke performance device;
Means for creating and managing multiple individually accessible notepads in memory,
Means for recording a user's desired song list in a notepad via a user interface,
Means for transmitting, from the short-range wireless communication means, a signal for reserving the music searched for via the user interface or the music recorded in the memo pad to the karaoke performance device;
Means for receiving performance-related information associated with the music identifier transmitted from the karaoke performance device, and recording the performance-related information associated with the music identifier in association with the music;
Means for displaying and outputting the recorded contents of the notepad via a user interface,
A multifunctional karaoke remote control device, comprising: 2. A means according to claim 1, wherein a signal for reserving music recorded in the memo pad to the karaoke apparatus includes an identifier of the memo pad;
Means for recognizing a memo pad identifier attached to the performance-related information of the music received from the karaoke performance device;
A multifunctional karaoke remote control device, comprising: 2. The multifunctional karaoke remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the recorded contents of the memo pad are displayed and output in an idle state.

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