JP2007121550A - Karaoke contest system capable of reproducing and hearing singing voice of high order prizewinner, karaoke system, and contest server - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system capable of hearing singing voice of a high order prizewinner of a karaoke contest. <P>SOLUTION: The karaoke device reserves a playing song by a musical piece ID and a singer ID, and transmits the musical pieace ID to a contest server and receives an order table, and displays the order table in which an order according to a singing score result is reflected. When the order is higher than a criterion, a set of files of recorded singing voice under playing together with the musical piece ID and the singer ID are transmitted to the contest server. The contest server returns the order table which corresponds to the song ID from the karaoke device, and updates the order table, when the file set is received from the karaoke device. Then, a singing voice file received from the karaoke device is newly registered on a singing voice data base, and one of the singing voice file is deleted, and the order table corresponding to the song ID designated by a browser device is returned, and when a predetermined high record in the order table is designated, the corresponding singing voice file is transmitted to the browser device, in the karaoke contest system. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a system that uses a karaoke apparatus having a singing scoring function, a karaoke recording function, and a network communication function, and performs a karaoke competition among a large number of users of karaoke apparatuses existing in a wide area.

  The well-known karaoke singing scoring function is a function that presents the skill of the singing to the singer, and the singing voice of the singer is compared with the main melody of the music. For example, scoring is performed sequentially for each appropriate scoring section, and a score of 100 points is sequentially output, and the average value of the scores is calculated throughout the music, and the final score is displayed. There is also a karaoke scoring device that calculates the elapsed score by averaging the scores for each scoring interval during the performance and displays the elapsed score (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Also, there is a singing recording function that can record karaoke accompaniment music that is acoustically output by a karaoke device and a user's singing voice that sings along with the music. Patent Document 2 describes a karaoke recording system having the singing recording function (for example, see Patent Document 2).

Furthermore, there is also a function to implement a karaoke contest where the skill of karaoke singing can be competed at the national level by linking karaoke devices in various places equipped with a singing scoring function by utilizing the broadband communication network in the communication karaoke system. In this karaoke contest, singers registered as members of the contest are identified and managed by ID, and the score by the singing scoring function of the karaoke device is uploaded to a server computer (contest server) on the network together with the singer's ID. The contest server announces a singer who has obtained a high score for each song based on the singing score collected from a large number of karaoke apparatuses on a website operated by the karaoke company. The following Patent Document 3 describes a technique for implementing this karaoke competition, and Patent Document 4 describes in detail a user interface of a karaoke apparatus that identifies and manages a singer by ID. The following Non-Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 2 describe the contents of services related to a karaoke competition that is actually being implemented.
JP-A-11-95775 JP 2004-205888 A JP 2005-99288 A JP 2005-134570 A Daiichi Kosho Co., Ltd., “Ranking Battle DAM Station”, [online], [searched on September 13, 2005], Internet <URL: http://www.clubdam.com/damstation/rankingbattle/index.html > Daiichi Kosho Co., Ltd., “Ranking Battle Special DAM Station”, [online], [searched on September 13, 2005], Internet <URL: http://www.clubdam.com/damstation/rankingbattle_special/index. html>

  In the conventional karaoke competition system, a ranking table based on the scoring results is posted / announced on a website. Many karaoke enthusiasts participating in this contest are interested in actually listening to the singers who have been awarded higher than themselves and knowing their singing skills. Also, those who really sang well and won the top prize want their friends, acquaintances, and other virtual world rivals who are always competing in online competitions to listen to their work.

The karaoke contest system according to the present invention is specified by the following items (1) to (20).
(1) A karaoke contest system in which a large number of karaoke apparatuses can communicate with a contest server via a communication network. (2) The karaoke apparatus includes a user interface, performance means, recording means, scoring means, and control means. (3) The performance means outputs the accompaniment music of the specified karaoke piece according to the control of the control means. (4) The recording means records the singing voice according to the accompaniment music according to the control of the control means. (5) The scoring means evaluates the skill of the singing voice according to the accompaniment music according to the control of the control means and outputs the scoring data. (6) The control means performs the first to sixth processes. (7) The first process acquires the song ID and the singer ID associated therewith by the user interface. (8) The second process is the song acquired in the first process. Prior to the performance of the accompaniment music of D, the music ID is transmitted to the contest server, and the rank table of the music is received from the contest server. (9) The third process is the accompaniment of the music ID acquired in the first process. (10) The fourth process is to record a singing voice during the performance by the third process. (11) The fifth process is to score the singing voice during the performance by the third process. The rank is obtained by comparing the data with the rank table received in the second process, and the rank is displayed at least at the end of the singing. (12) The sixth process is the scoring data output in the fifth process and the first process. If the acquired music ID and singer ID and the rank obtained in the fifth process are higher than the specified level, the singing voice file recorded in the fourth process is associated and transmitted to the contest server ( 13) The contest server includes a singer information database, a ranking table database, and a singing voice database, and performs a ranking table transmission process, a ranking table update process, a singing voice update process, and a browser dialogue process. (14) Singer information database (15) The rank table database associates a rank table consisting of a set in which singer IDs and scoring data are associated with music IDs. (16) The singing voice database stores the song ID, the singer ID, and the singing voice file in association with each other. (17) When the rank table transmission process receives the song ID from the karaoke device, the corresponding rank is stored. Sending a table to the karaoke device (18) When the rank table update process receives a set of song ID, singer ID, and scoring data from the karaoke device, Updating the rank table (19) When the singing voice update process receives a combination of the song ID, singer ID, scoring data, and singing voice file from the karaoke device, the singing voice file is updated while the corresponding ranking table is updated. New registration in the database, and deletion of a predetermined one of the singing voice files of the music ID already registered in the music ID in the singing voice database (20) The browser dialogue processing is performed with the browser device accessed via the communication network When communicating and receiving the song ID, based on the singer information database and the rank table database, a telegram of a rank table including the singer's attribute information is created and transmitted to the browser device, and the predetermined list in the rank table When a telegram designating a high-level recording is received, a singer ID of the recording and a singing voice file corresponding to the music ID are transmitted to the browser device

The present invention extends to a karaoke apparatus and a competition server constituting the contest system, and the karaoke apparatus is specified by the following items (31) to (41).
(31) A karaoke apparatus comprising a user interface, performance means, recording means, scoring means, and control means, and communicating with a competition server via a communication network. (32) The performance means is controlled by the control means. The accompaniment music of the specified karaoke piece is acoustically output according to (33) The recording means records the singing voice sung in accordance with the accompaniment music according to the control of the control means (34) The scoring means follows the control of the control means Evaluating the skill of the singing voice according to the accompaniment music and outputting the scoring data (35) The control means performs the first to sixth processes (36) The first process is performed with the music ID and the user interface. Acquiring the singer ID associated with this (37) The second process is to send the music ID to the contest server prior to the performance of the accompaniment music of the music ID acquired in the first process. Receiving the music ranking table from the competition server (38), the third process is to cause the performance means to play the accompaniment music of the music ID acquired in the first process (39) the fourth process is Recording the singing voice during the performance by the third processing (40) The fifth processing is to score the singing voice during the performance by the third processing and obtain the ranking in accordance with the ranking table received by the second processing, Displaying the ranking obtained at the end of at least the singing section (41) The sixth process includes the scoring data output in the fifth process, the song ID and singer ID obtained in the first process, and the fifth process. If the ranking obtained in step 4 is higher than the specified level, the singing voice file recorded in the fourth process should be associated and sent to the competition server.

The competition server according to the present invention is specified by the following items (51) to (58).
(51) Consists of a computer that can communicate with a large number of karaoke apparatuses via a communication network, and includes a singer information database, a ranking table database, and a singing voice database, a ranking table transmission process, a ranking table update process, It is a contest server that performs karaoke contests by performing singing voice update processing and browser interaction processing (52) The singer information database stores singer attribute information in association with singer IDs (53 ) The rank table database stores a rank table composed of a set in which a singer ID and scoring data are associated with each other in association with a song ID. (54) The singing voice database stores a song ID, a singer ID, and a singing voice file. (55) The rank table transmission process stores the corresponding rank table when the music ID is received from the karaoke apparatus. Transmitting to the orchestra device (56) The rank table update process is to update the corresponding rank table when receiving the combination of the song ID, singer ID and scoring data from the karaoke apparatus (57) When receiving a set of song ID, singer ID, scoring data, and singing voice file from the karaoke device, the corresponding ranking table is updated, the singing voice file is newly registered in the singing voice database, and the singing voice file is added to the singing voice database. New registration in the singing voice database and deleting a predetermined one of the singing voice files of the music ID already registered in the singing voice database in the singing voice database (58) Browser apparatus that has accessed the browser interactive process via the communication network When the song ID is received, the attribute information of the singer is included based on the singer information database and the ranking table database. When a telegram is created and transmitted to the browser device, and a telegram specifying a predetermined high-level record in the rank table is received, the singer ID of the record and the singing voice file corresponding to the music ID are stored in the browser device. To send to

  As many people experience, if you are too nervous, you will not be able to sing well and you will not be able to demonstrate your normal ability. We went to the karaoke box and started a well-known karaoke contest system that was popular under the name of “Ranking Battle”. We sang seriously without getting too nervous and got a high score. In such a situation, if the song just sung is recorded and left, the user will be very pleased. If you are informed from the beginning that you want to sing well because you are recording, and if you are charged for using the recording system, it will spur tension. On the other hand, karaoke enthusiasts should be pleased that works that sang well can be recorded unintentionally and the recorded works can be used by paying the fee later.

  The inventor created the present invention in consideration of the above. In the contest system of the present invention, while enjoying karaoke as usual while looking at their scoring results and rankings, when they were singing well and ranked high, their recorded work was uploaded to the contest server and the Internet It will be released to karaoke enthusiasts along with their rankings. If you are interested in this, you can download the recorded work to a computer and listen to it.

=== Network and system configuration ===
FIG. 1 shows a network configuration of a contest karaoke system in an embodiment of the present invention. The contest karaoke system 1 of the present embodiment is basically the same as the network configuration in the communication karaoke system, and the LAN 110 and karaoke music laid in karaoke stores 100 in various places on a VPN (Virtual Private Network) 70b using the Internet 70a. The accompaniment music and the karaoke data that is the origin of the generation of the lyric image are accumulated, and the host device 90 that distributes the karaoke data of the new music to the karaoke device 2 in a timely manner is connected to the VPN 70b to construct a wide area intranet.

  In addition to the function of distributing karaoke data to the karaoke device 2, the host device 90 of the present embodiment accumulates and manages a rank table and singer's attribute information (name, identifier, authentication information, etc.) in the karaoke contest. Or a computer (browser device) 200 that implements a browser and a function as a contest server that performs a karaoke contest while communicating with a computer.

  The karaoke device 2 is installed in each guest room 120 of the karaoke store 100 in each place, and the karaoke device 2 communicates with the host device 90 via the VPN 70b. The karaoke device 2 is accompanied by a remote control device (karaoke utilization terminal) 30 having a user interface mainly composed of a touch panel and a music search function. This karaoke utilization terminal (hereinafter referred to as utilization terminal) 30 is operated by a built-in secondary battery, and a charging stand 50 for charging the secondary battery is also installed in each guest room. The gantry 50 includes a communication interface of a predetermined standard such as RS232C, and is connected to a communication interface of the same standard that the karaoke apparatus 2 is equipped with. When the utilization terminal 30 is mounted on the charging stand 50, the utilization terminal 30 and the karaoke apparatus 2 communicate with each other via the charging stand 50. Further, the utilization terminal 30 communicates with the host device 90 on the VPN 70 b via the charging stand 50.

  Further, the karaoke store 100 is introduced with the karaoke recording system described in Patent Document 2, and a store computer 80 installed at the front of the store is connected to the LAN 110 and a CD-R writing device. 81 is connected to the store computer 110 through an appropriate interface (USB, SCSI, etc.).

=== Outline of Karao Competition ===
In the karaoke contest carried out by the karaoke contest system 1 of the present embodiment, the progress status and results of the karaoke contest are presented to an unspecified number of users through a web page, and voices of singers who participated in the karaoke contest are recorded. The data is used for listening to the user who operates the browser device 200. In the karaoke competition system 1, the karaoke device 2 links the well-known singing scoring function, the singing recording function, and the communication function with the host device, so that a song with a singer who has applied for participation in the karaoke contest. When singing, the latest score ranking table (hereinafter referred to as a ranking table) for the music that is aggregated and prepared in the host device 90 is obtained and presented to the singer, and the scoring results immediately after singing are displayed in the ranking table. Reflect immediately. In addition, the singing voice of the singer who participated in the karaoke competition is recorded, and if the scoring result is higher than the score of a predetermined rank, the voice data corresponding to the recorded singing voice is transmitted to the host device 90.

  On the other hand, the host device 90 attaches various databases (91 to 94), and performs a karaoke contest based on information stored in these databases and communication with the karaoke device 2 and the browser device 200. That is, the ranking table is updated or the ranking table is sent to the karaoke apparatus 2. Also, a Web page (rank table page) describing the rank table is created, and the rank table page is made public on the Internet 70a by the WWW server function. Furthermore, the voice data transmitted from the karaoke apparatus 2 is stored, and the voice data is used for listening to the user in response to a request from the browser apparatus 200 that has accessed.

  Hereinafter, functions of each component of the karaoke contest system (the karaoke device 2, the utilization terminal 30, and the host device 90) will be described, and a procedure for performing a contest service based on the functions will be described.

=== Basic configuration and functions of karaoke equipment ===
FIG. 2 shows a functional block configuration of the karaoke apparatus 2, and FIGS. 3A and 3B show an external view of the utilization terminal 30 and the charging stand 50 and a block configuration of the utilization terminal 30. The karaoke apparatus 2 has almost the same hardware configuration as a performance terminal of a known communication karaoke system. The central control unit 11 controls each peripheral component unit to control the karaoke device 2, and the hard disk device 12 is the origin of generation of accompaniment music data mainly composed of MIDI data and lyrics images for a large number of karaoke songs. Karaoke data including lyrics rendering data is stored. In addition, table of contents information such as song titles and artist names, video data for a long time in a predetermined format, and script data that defines the video data processing sequence (storage location and processing order of video data to be processed, etc.) are also stored. Has been. The central control unit 11 identifies karaoke data, table of contents information, script data and the like of each music piece by music number, and manages this as a karaoke database. Then, karaoke data is received from the host device 90 connected in a timely manner via the network interface 23, and the contents of the karaoke database are updated.

  The utilization terminal 30 attached to the karaoke device 2 includes a user interface mainly composed of a touch panel 33 in which a liquid crystal display (LCD) 31 and a touch sensor 32 are stacked, and is stored in the built-in flash memory 35 in the karaoke device 2. The same table of contents information as the existing ones and various image information displayed on the touch panel 33 are stored. The remote control unit 34 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a video RAM, and the like, develops various image information and character information into a video RAM based on input information to the touch panel 33, and displays an LCD based on the bitmap data. The driver 36 is driven to display appropriate information on the touch panel 33. The table of contents information stored in the flash memory 35 is managed as a music index database.

  The remote controller control unit 34 accepts a fragment of the table of contents information as a query through dialogue with the user via the touch panel 33, extracts the table of contents information of the corresponding karaoke song from the song index database, and presents it. When the karaoke song is finally specified as one song in the utilization terminal 30 and a user input is made to reserve the performance of the song, the remote control unit 34 codes the performance reservation command including the song number. Is transferred to the LED driver 37. The LED driver 37 drives the LED 38 to transmit an infrared signal including this code.

  When the operation control unit 13 of the karaoke apparatus 2 receives the music number input to the operation terminal 14 provided on the utilization terminal 30 or the main body of the karaoke apparatus 2, the operation control unit 13 transfers the number to the central control unit 11. The central control unit 11 stores the music number in an internal RAM and manages it in a performance processing queue. The music numbers are sequentially extracted from the queue, the corresponding karaoke data is read from the hard disk device 12, and the accompaniment music data in the karaoke data is transferred to the synthesizer 19 to generate accompaniment music.

  On the other hand, with regard to the lyric rendering data, the lyric image in which the portion to be sung is changed in color in synchronization with the accompaniment music is sequentially developed in the video RAM 16 as a bitmap. Also, predetermined moving image data is sequentially transferred to the video controller 17 in a predetermined order based on the script data, and the background moving image of the lyrics image is decoded.

  The mixing amplifier 20 mixes and amplifies the accompaniment music and the singing voice input to the microphone 22 and outputs the sound from the speaker 21. The video control unit 17 superimposes the lyric image on the decoded moving image and outputs it on the display 18.

=== Singing recording function ===
The karaoke apparatus 2 is equipped with a singing recording function for recording accompaniment music and the singing voice of a singer singing along with the same technique as the karaoke recording apparatus described in Patent Document 2 as a recorded piece of music. ing. More specifically, the audio signal processing unit 24 samples a mixed acoustic signal of the accompaniment music of the requested song from the synthesizer 19 and the singing voice input to the microphone 22 and A / D converts it into digital audio data. When the performance start timing information is received from the central control unit 11, the digital audio data is transferred to the central control unit 11. The central control unit 11 stores the digital audio data in an internal RAM or the like. When the performance is finished, the central control unit 11 creates the audio data into a data file of an appropriate format such as a WAVE file, and requests this file as a song recording work. Corresponding to the song ID of the song, it is temporarily stored in the built-in hard disk device 12. Temporarily stored song recordings can be transferred to CD-R and taken home. When the user operates the operation terminal 14 or the operation panel 14 of the karaoke apparatus 2 to instruct the transfer of the song recording work to the CD-R, the central control unit 11 stores the song recording work in the store via the network interface 23. Transfer to computer 80. The store computer 80 controls the CD-R writing device 81 to transfer the transferred singing music piece to the CD-R.

=== Singing scoring function ===
The karaoke device 2 uses the same technology as the music playback device described in Patent Document 1 above, and a singing scoring function together with a singing recording function for recording accompaniment music and the singing voice of a singer singing as a recorded piece of music. It has. And the singing scoring part 26 is provided as hardware for implement | achieving the function. When the central control unit 11 receives a user input indicating that the singing scoring function is used, the central control unit 11 sequentially transfers the music information of the main melody in the karaoke data of the performance music to the singing scoring unit 26. The singing scoring unit 26 samples the singing voice signal input from the microphone 22 and converts it into digital singing voice data, and extracts the singing voice pitch from the singing voice data. Then, the pitch reference value is compared with the singing voice pitch, and the score based on the comparison result is sequentially output for each appropriate section, for example, for each measure. In the present embodiment, the section score of 100 points is output sequentially. When the performance of all the singing parts is completed, such as after the performance is finished, the central control unit 11 totals the section scores that have been sequentially output from the singing scoring unit 26, and the average score (final score) is used as the scoring result. This is displayed on the display 18.

=== Host device ===
In the present embodiment, the host device 90 includes a song database 91 that stores and manages karaoke data and table of contents information about a large number of karaoke songs in association with song numbers, and communicates with the karaoke device 2 in a timely manner to obtain karaoke data. It has a basic function as a well-known music distribution server in a distributed online karaoke system.

  Also, it has a function as a contest server for performing a karaoke contest, and identifies and manages users registered as members by a singer ID, and individual singers ID and members corresponding to the IDs in the singer information database 92 Attribute information such as information (name, contact information, face photo, etc.), performance reservation history, singing grading history, and the like are stored and managed in association with each other. In addition, the music number from the karaoke apparatus 2, the singer ID of the person who sang the music corresponding to the number, and the final score when the music is sung are associated with each other and stored and managed in the rank table database 93. The database 94 stores and manages music numbers, singer IDs, and song recording works in association with each other.

=== Member authentication ===
Karaoke Contest is a service for individual singers, and those who want to use this service should notify their personal information to the karaoke company in advance by a well-known method such as mail or online, and register as a member. deep. The karaoke company uses the person who has notified the personal information as a member, and stores the singer ID for identifying each member and the personal information in the singer information database 92 of the host device 90 in association with each other.

  In the present embodiment, the technique described in Patent Document 3 is used as the technique related to member authentication. When the karaoke device 2 accepts a song ID together with a song number when accepting a performance reservation, the song number is associated with the song ID and managed in a queue. Thereby, it becomes possible to associate the person who requested the musical piece with the musical piece, the song recording work at the occasion of the musical piece performance, and the singing score result. And a member logs in to the communication karaoke system containing a karaoke contest system for every utilization opportunity of the karaoke apparatus 2, logs in, and logs off at the end of use.

  Specifically, the karaoke company gives a non-contact IC card having an electronic money function to a member, and uses the identification number of this IC card as a singer ID. In addition, the personal information managed by the host device 90 includes image data of a member's face photograph taken with a digital camera, in addition to text information such as a nickname, a prefectural residence, and sex. The utilization terminal 30 has a function of reading the stored information of the IC card. In order to log in to the communication karaoke system before the member uses the karaoke device 2, the utilization terminal 30 first uses his / her IC card. To the antenna 44. The remote control controller 34 of the utilization terminal 30 acquires the stored information of the IC card via the card interface 45. Then, when the utilization terminal 30 is mounted on the charging stand 50, the acquired stored information is transferred to the karaoke apparatus 2.

  The karaoke device 2 acquires the singer ID from the stored information of the IC card transferred from the utilization terminal 30, and transfers the singer ID to the host device 30. The host device 90 makes an inquiry to the singer information database 92 for the transferred singer ID, and returns personal information including the corresponding member's face photograph to the karaoke device 2. The karaoke apparatus 2 manages the personal information in association with the singer ID. Further, the personal information is transferred to the utilization terminal 30 via the charging stand 50, and the utilization terminal 30 displays on the touch panel 33 a button that iconizes the member's face photo. Further, the correspondence between the icon identification information (icon ID) and the image data of the member's face photograph is transferred to the karaoke apparatus 2.

  The karaoke device 2 stores the correspondence between the singer ID from the host device 90 and the personal information, and based on the correspondence between the icon ID and the image data transferred from the utilization terminal 30, the icon ID and the singer. Recognize the association with the ID. Accordingly, when the member designates his / her icon and performs a music selection operation, the ID of the icon is transferred to the karaoke apparatus 2 together with the music number of the requested music. The karaoke apparatus 2 recognizes the singer ID corresponding to the icon ID, and can send the scoring result and the singing recording work to the host apparatus 90 in association with the singer ID of the member who requested the song.

=== Procedure for Karaoke Competition ===
When a member wants to participate in a karaoke contest, when making a performance reservation, the user terminal 30 performs a predetermined operation on the utilization terminal 30 and designates participation in the karaoke contest. Thereby, the utilization terminal 30 transmits to the karaoke apparatus 2 a performance reservation command including an icon ID corresponding to the singer ID, a music number, and information on an instruction to participate in the karaoke contest. When the central control unit 11 accepts this command, the music corresponding to the music number is set as the competition application music, and the music number, the corresponding singer ID, and the information indicating that the karaoke contest function is activated when the corresponding music is played. And are registered in the queue. Of course, the music reserved by the member may be unconditionally selected as the contest entry music. In addition, when a member logs in, an instruction to participate in the karaoke contest is accepted, and the music reserved by the member who instructed to participate in the contest may be all applied for the contest.

  FIG. 4 shows the flow of information processing related to the implementation of the karaoke competition. In the karaoke apparatus 2, the contents of the queue are sequentially monitored, and for the contest application music, for example, when the performance order of the music is ranked first, a ranking table including the music number is sent at an appropriate time. The request is transmitted to the host device 90 (s1, s2 → s5). When it is not a contest application piece, normal music performance processing is performed (s3, s4).

  When a rank table request is sent from the karaoke apparatus 2, the host apparatus 90 inquires the rank table database 93 for the music number included in the request and returns the rank table of the corresponding music to the karaoke apparatus 2. The karaoke apparatus 2 displays the returned rank table on the display 18, activates the singing scoring function and the singing recording function, and starts the performance of the contest application music (s6 to s10). FIG. 5 shows the display state of the ranking table. The ranking table screen 210 includes the table of contents information 211 of the music that has started playing, the score up to the upper predetermined ranking, and the predetermined personal information about the singer (nickname, prefecture of residence, gender). Is displayed.

  When the central control unit 11 starts to play the competition application piece, the central scoring unit 26 sums up the scores for each section that is sequentially output during the performance, and the average score for each section after the performance starts as the elapsed score. Calculate the value. Then, the progress score is compared with each score in the ranking table, and the current ranking of the progress score is monitored as needed. Bitmap images reflecting the progress score are sequentially generated, and the generation screen is displayed on the display 18. (S11). FIG. 6 shows a screen for displaying the progress score. In this screen 220, in addition to the lyrics 221, an elapsed score 222 and a rank 223 from the start of singing to the present time are displayed.

  The central control unit 11 stores the song recording work recorded during the performance at the end of the performance in association with the singer ID of the singer and the song ID of the requested song, and temporarily stores them in the built-in hard disk device 12. The score is reflected in the ranking table (s12 → s13 to s15). FIG. 7 shows an outline of a ranking table displayed on the display 18 of the karaoke apparatus 2 after the performance is completed. On this screen 230, a ranking table 231, a final score 232, and a ranking 233 are displayed. In the ranking table 231, an arrow 234 is displayed in the ranking column corresponding to the current score.

  The central control unit 11 also stores the final score, the song number, the singer ID, and the stored song when the final score is equal to or higher than a predetermined rank in the ranking table received from the host device 90 prior to the performance of the competition application song. Data associated with the recorded work is transmitted to the host device 90 (s16 → s17). If the score falls below the predetermined order, the final score, the music number, and the member ID are transmitted to the host device 90 (s16 → s19). Then, the temporarily recorded song recording work is deleted (s20). The data format of the song recording work may be compressed audio data such as MP3 format for the purpose of reducing the amount of data and reducing communication traffic. Alternatively, an uncompressed song recording that is temporarily stored when transmitting to the host device 90 may be converted into compressed audio data.

  When the host device 90 receives the final score, song number, and singer ID from the karaoke device 2, the host device 90 accesses the ranking table database 93 and updates the ranking table for the corresponding song (s21). If a song recording is also sent together, the song number and final score sent together with this song are inquired to the rank table database, and if the rank in the rank table of the corresponding song is more than the predetermined For example, the received song recording work is stored in the singing voice database 94 in association with the music number and the singer ID. Also, the singing voice database is updated by deleting the registered singing recording work that has fallen from a predetermined order due to the new registration of the singing recording work (s18). In the present embodiment, the host device 90 converts the song recording work into audio data in a predetermined streaming format. Then, a link to the audio data is set on the Web page that discloses the ranking table. As a result, karaoke contest participants and a large number of unspecified users can check the implementation status of the karaoke contest on the web page at any time, and the singing recordings of the singers in that order for a given rank or higher. Can be heard. In addition, when the same singer participates in a contest multiple times about one music, the highest score is employ | adopted for a ranking table in a present Example. That is, the same singer is not ranked in a plurality of ranks in the rank table of the same music. Of course, there are various ways to announce the rankings, such as adopting scores for all the participation opportunities, and publishing only the highest ranking for singing recordings.

  A user who wants to browse the ranking table operates the browser device 200 and requests a Web page (contest window page) on which guidance regarding the karaoke contest is specified by specifying a predetermined URL (s31, s32). Fig. 8 shows the outline of the contest window page. This competition window page 240 is provided with a “confirm” button 241 for obtaining a ranking table for the top 10 songs having the most performance opportunities. This button 241 has a link for inquiring the ranking table database 93 for the number of the music corresponding to the column in which the button 241 is arranged.

  Further, in order to obtain a ranking table of songs other than the top 10 songs, the competition window page 240 has a text box (song number input field) 242 for inputting the song number of the song, and the entered song number in the rank table database. A “ranking table display” button 243 for transmitting as form data is provided. Note that the music number input in the music number input field 242 is the same as the music number used when making a performance reservation in the karaoke apparatus 2. Further, the contest window page 240 is provided with a form 244 for designating the title and artist name, searching the music database based on the designated information, and transferring the corresponding music number to the input field. Yes.

  The user operates the browser device 200 to instruct the “confirm” button 241, or to input the music number directly into the music number input field 242 or indirectly through the music database search, and to display “ranking table display”. When the button 243 is instructed or the music number is sent to the host device 90, the host device 90 inquires the sent music number to the rank table database 93, and displays the corresponding music rank table as a Web page (rank table). Page) and returned to the browser device 200, and the browser device 200 displays the ranking table page (s33 to s37). FIG. 9 shows an outline of the ranking table page. In the rank table page 250, a “singing voice” button 251 for downloading a song recording work is arranged in the description column for the upper predetermined rank. When the “singing voice” button 251 arranged in the description column of the rank that the user wants to listen to is designated on the browser device 200, the song number of the music targeted by the rank table and the singer corresponding to the designated rank The ID is sent to the host device 90 (s38 to s40).

  The host device 90 inquires of the song number and singer ID sent to the singing voice database 94 and transfers the corresponding song recording work to the browser device 200 as streaming audio data. The music playback software conforming to the above is started and the song recording work is used for listening to the user (s41).

It is a network block diagram including the karaoke contest system in the Example of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the karaoke apparatus which comprises the said karaoke contest system. It is the external view (A) of a karaoke utilization terminal attached to the said karaoke apparatus, and a functional block diagram (B). It is a flowchart of the process in connection with the karaoke contest which the said karaoke contest system implements. It is the schematic of the ranking table | surface of the karaoke contest displayed prior to a music performance in the said karaoke apparatus. It is the schematic of the screen containing the ranking in the singing scoring status and karaoke contest which the said karaoke apparatus displays during a music performance. In the said karaoke apparatus, it is the screen schematic diagram of the order table displayed after a music performance. It is the screen schematic diagram of the contest contact page which the host apparatus which comprises the said karaoke contest system sends to a browser apparatus. It is the screen schematic diagram of the rank table page which the said host device sends to a browser apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Karaoke contest system 2 Karaoke apparatus 11 Central control part 12 Hard disk apparatus 24 Audio | voice signal processing part 26 Singing scoring part 30 Karaoke utilization terminal 50 Charging stand 90 Host apparatus 92 Singer information database 93 Rank table database 94 Singing voice database 200 Browser apparatus

Claims (3)

A karaoke contest system in which many karaoke devices can communicate with a contest server via a communication network,
The karaoke apparatus includes a user interface, performance means, recording means, scoring means, and control means,
The performance means outputs the accompaniment music of the specified karaoke music according to the control of the control means,
The recording means records the singing voice sung in accordance with the accompaniment music according to the control of the control means,
The scoring means evaluates the skill of the singing voice according to the accompaniment music according to the control of the control means and outputs scoring data,
The control means performs the first to sixth processes,
A 1st process acquires music ID and the singer ID matched with this by user interface,
In the second process, prior to the performance of the accompaniment music of the music ID acquired in the first process, the music ID is transmitted to the competition server, and the rank table of the music is received from the competition server.
The third process causes the performance means to perform the accompaniment music of the music ID acquired in the first process,
The fourth process is to record a singing voice during the performance by the third process,
In the fifth process, the singing voice is scored during the performance by the third process, and the ranking is obtained by comparing the scoring data with the rank table received in the second process, and the rank is displayed at least at the end of the singing,
In the sixth process, when the scoring data output in the fifth process, the song ID and singer ID acquired in the first process, and the rank obtained in the fifth process are higher than prescribed Associate the singing voice file recorded in the fourth process and send it to the contest server.
The contest server includes a singer information database, a ranking table database, and a singing voice database, and performs a ranking table transmission process, a ranking table update process, a singing voice update process, and a browser dialogue process.
The singer information database stores the singer's attribute information in association with the singer ID,
The rank table database stores a rank table composed of a set in which a singer ID and scoring data are associated with each other in association with the music ID.
The singing voice database stores music IDs, singer IDs, and singing voice files in association with each other,
In the rank table transmission process, when the music ID is received from the karaoke device, the corresponding rank table is transmitted to the karaoke device,
When the rank table update process receives a set of song ID, singer ID, and scoring data from the karaoke device, the corresponding rank table is updated,
When the singing voice update process receives a set of the song ID, singer ID, scoring data, and singing voice file from the karaoke device, the singing voice file is updated in the singing voice database and the corresponding singing voice file is newly registered in the singing voice database. Delete a predetermined one of the singing voice files of the music ID already registered in the music ID,
The browser dialogue process communicates with the browser device accessed via the communication network, and when receiving the music ID, based on the singer information database and the rank table database, the telegram of the rank table including the singer's attribute information Is transmitted to the browser device, and when a telegram designating a predetermined high-level record in the ranking table is received, the singer ID of the record and the singing voice file corresponding to the song ID are transmitted to the browser device. Competition system. A karaoke apparatus comprising a user interface, performance means, recording means, scoring means, and control means, and communicating with a contest server via a communication network,
The performance means outputs the accompaniment music of the specified karaoke music according to the control of the control means,
The recording means records the singing voice sung in accordance with the accompaniment music according to the control of the control means,
The scoring means evaluates the skill of the singing voice according to the accompaniment music according to the control of the control means and outputs scoring data,
The control means performs the first to sixth processes,
A 1st process acquires music ID and the singer ID matched with this by user interface,
In the second process, prior to the performance of the accompaniment music of the music ID acquired in the first process, the music ID is transmitted to the competition server, and the rank table of the music is received from the competition server.
The third process causes the performance means to perform the accompaniment music of the music ID acquired in the first process,
The fourth process is to record a singing voice during the performance by the third process,
In the fifth process, the singing voice is scored during the performance by the third process, and the ranking is obtained by comparing the scoring data with the rank table received in the second process, and at least the rank obtained at the end of the singing section is displayed.
In the sixth process, when the scoring data output in the fifth process, the song ID and singer ID acquired in the first process, and the rank obtained in the fifth process are higher than prescribed A karaoke device that associates the singing voice file recorded in the fourth process and transmits it to the contest server. Consists of a computer that can communicate with a large number of karaoke devices via a communication network, and includes a singer information database, a ranking table database, and a singing voice database, as well as a ranking table transmission process, a ranking table update process, and a singing voice update process. It is a contest server that performs a karaoke contest by performing browser interaction processing,
The singer information database stores the singer's attribute information in association with the singer ID,
The rank table database stores a rank table composed of a set in which a singer ID and scoring data are associated with each other in association with the music ID.
The singing voice database stores music IDs, singer IDs, and singing voice files in association with each other,
In the rank table transmission process, when the music ID is received from the karaoke device, the corresponding rank table is transmitted to the karaoke device,
When the rank table update process receives a set of song ID, singer ID, and scoring data from the karaoke device, the corresponding rank table is updated,
When the singing voice update process receives a set of a song ID, a singer ID, scoring data, and a singing voice file from the karaoke device, the singing voice database is updated and the singing voice file is newly registered in the singing voice database. The singing voice file is newly registered in the singing voice database, and a predetermined one of the singing voice files of the tune ID already registered in the singing voice database is deleted from the singing voice database.
The browser dialogue process communicates with the browser device accessed via the communication network, and when receiving the music ID, based on the singer information database and the rank table database, the telegram of the rank table including the singer's attribute information Is transmitted to the browser device, and when a telegram specifying a predetermined high-level record in the ranking table is received, a singing voice file corresponding to the song ID of the record and the song ID is transmitted to the browser device. server.

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