JP2013020195A - Karaoke device and karaoke program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display order corresponding to score information during performance in karaoke devices connected by a network.SOLUTION: A karaoke device related to present invention is configured to execute: communication processing which corresponds to a specified musical piece and also receives ranking information associating order and score information from a host device; scoring processing which causes performance means to perform performance information corresponding to the specified musical piece, and also outputs score information by scoring singing audio signals input from a microphone; and interim notification processing which estimates order on the basis of the ranking information received in the communication processing and score information acquired in the scoring processing, and causes display means to display the estimated order.

Description

  The present invention relates to a karaoke apparatus that enjoys singing according to the music to be played, and a karaoke program that is used in the karaoke apparatus. In particular, the ranking is performed by scoring the singing when playing the music. The present invention relates to a karaoke apparatus that competes for karaoke and a karaoke program used for the karaoke apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, karaoke apparatuses that enjoy singing along with performances are known. Some karaoke apparatuses are provided with a scoring function in order to refer to the superiority or inferiority of singing. Recently, users have been competing for scoring information using the network function of karaoke equipment.

  Regarding a karaoke apparatus for the purpose of competing for such ranking, in Patent Document 1, the score output by the scoring means is transmitted to the host apparatus, and the scoring ranking information created by the host apparatus is received and displayed. By this, the communication karaoke system which can be compared with the singing score result of another person is disclosed. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a karaoke apparatus that calculates and displays a normalized provisional rank for the purpose of knowing what level the scoring result is in the whole.

Japanese Patent No. 41377752 Japanese Patent No. 3902736

  By the way, it goes without saying that accuracy is required when competing for ranks corresponding to such scoring results. In the communication karaoke system disclosed in Patent Literature 1, every time the score output by the scoring means is transmitted to the host device, the corresponding scoring ranking information is received. In such a system, although accuracy of scoring ranking information is ensured, inquiries from the karaoke apparatuses installed throughout the country to the host apparatus increase, and the load on the host apparatus increases.

  On the other hand, in the karaoke apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2, the provisional rank normalized simply based on the average score and standard deviation of singing karaoke songs is calculated, so it is far from competing for an accurate rank. is there.

  In view of such circumstances, the present invention provides a karaoke apparatus and a karaoke program capable of competing for more accurate rankings, and further aims to reduce the load on the host apparatus. It is.

Therefore, the karaoke apparatus according to the present invention is
A performance means for reproducing performance information;
Control means for executing a communication process, a scoring process, and an intermediate notification process. The communication process corresponds to a specified music piece, and rank information in which ranking and scoring information are associated from the host device. Receive
The scoring process causes the performance means corresponding to the designated music to be played, and also scores the singing voice signal input from the microphone to output the scoring information,
The intermediate notification process estimates the rank based on the ranking information received in the communication process and the scoring information obtained in the scoring process during the performance information corresponding to the designated music, and displays the estimated rank. It is characterized by being displayed.

Furthermore, in the karaoke apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention,
The ranking information is composed of scoring information associated with a predetermined rank, and an interval is provided between at least some ranks.

Furthermore, in the karaoke apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention,
The interval between the ranks in the ranking information is characterized in that the lower rank is set larger.

Furthermore, in the karaoke apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention,
The ranking information is configured by a rank associated with predetermined scoring information.

Furthermore, in the karaoke apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention,
The control means inquires the host device for the rank corresponding to the scoring information obtained by the scoring process for the designated music after the singing is finished, and executes a final notification process for displaying the obtained rank on the display means. Features.

Furthermore, in the karaoke apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention,
The communication process receives ranking information corresponding to the music during performance of the performance information corresponding to the designated music,
The intermediate notification process is characterized in that the rank is estimated based on the ranking information received in the latest communication process.

In addition, the karaoke program according to the embodiment of the present invention,
A communication process for receiving ranking information corresponding to the designated music from the host device;
A scoring process for causing the performance means to perform the performance information corresponding to the designated music, scoring the singing voice signal input from the microphone, and outputting the scoring information;
An intermediate notice that estimates the rank based on the ranking information received in the communication process and the scoring information obtained in the scoring process and displays the estimated rank on the display means during the performance information corresponding to the specified music And causing the computer to execute the processing.

  According to the present invention, the ranking of the singing score is estimated based on the received ranking information, and in particular, the ranking is estimated using the ranking information composed of the scores associated with the thinned ranking. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the data amount of the ranking information and reduce the load on the karaoke host.

The figure which shows the structure of the karaoke system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the top screen which concerns on embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the user information which concerns on embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the service process with respect to the user which concerns on embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the active user top screen which concerns on embodiment of this invention The flowchart which shows the music reservation process which concerns on embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the music confirmation screen which concerns on embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the data structure of the reservation information which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the music performance process which concerns on embodiment of this invention The schematic diagram which shows the acquisition of the ranking information which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and the timing of intermediate rank display The figure which shows the data structure of the ranking information which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure for demonstrating the ranking estimation which concerns on embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the screen at the time of the music start which concerns on embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the ranking display screen (first time) which concerns on embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the ranking display screen (at the time of ranking up) which concerns on embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the ranking display screen (at the time of ranking down) which concerns on embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the ranking display screen (final) which concerns on embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the data structure of the ranking information which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The karaoke system in the present embodiment is composed of a commander 2 (karaoke device) and a remote control device 1, which are connected to each other wirelessly and wiredly via a LAN 100.

  The commander 2 installed in the store can accept various instructions from the user by the remote control device 1 (for example, 1a, 1b). In addition, the remote control device 1 includes a touch panel display screen in which the display unit 11 and the operation unit 17 are shared, and is capable of providing various information to the user and inputting operations. The remote control device 1 is wirelessly connected to the commander 2 via an access point 110a installed on the LAN 100. As indicated by broken lines in the figure, for example, the commander 2a is associated with the remote control devices 1a and 1b, and can transmit and receive information via the LAN 100a. Further, the remote control device 1 and the commander 2 can perform short-range communication using infrared rays or the like.

  Furthermore, in the karaoke system of the present embodiment, a host 5 (host device) is provided via the Internet to provide various services to the user, and stores information necessary for various services such as music information and user information. . The above-described information can be transmitted / received to / from the commander 2 or the remote control device 1a through the router 120a.

  The commander 2 functions centering on the control unit 30 that performs overall control of the commander 2, and can perform music performance processing, video display processing, music reservation processing, and the like as main functions. In the music performance process, the performance information corresponding to the music specified by the user is played by the acoustic control unit 70 including the MIDI sound source by the input unit 21 or the remote control device 1, and the sound is emitted from the speaker 42. It is processing. At this time, sound input from the singing microphones 44a and 44b is also emitted from the speaker 42 together. The video playback process is a process in which various video information, lyrics information, and the like are played back by the video playback unit 29 and visual information is provided to the user via the monitor 41.

The music reservation process is a process for selecting and reserving music based on designation from the user. In this embodiment, it is executed in cooperation with the remote control device 1. A user command input from the operation unit 17 of the remote control device 1 is transmitted to the commander 2 via the infrared communication units 19 and 23 or the LAN 100. The processing result of the commander 2 is displayed on the display unit 11 on the remote control device 1 side, and the user can visually recognize various information for music selection. The commander 2 and the remote control device 1 are not limited to the music designation process, and can execute various processes such as a login process for providing a user-specific service.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a top screen according to the embodiment of the present invention, that is, a screen immediately after starting the remote control device 1. In the present embodiment, various information is provided to the user who operates the remote control device 1 by displaying on the display unit 11 of the remote control device 1. As the operation unit 17 of the remote control device 1, a touch panel that directly operates buttons, icons, and the like displayed on the display unit 11 in addition to various mechanical switches such as cursor keys can be employed. .

  In the karaoke system of the present embodiment, a plurality of users can log in by inputting necessary information (user ID and password to be described later) from the touch panel display screen of each remote control device 1. Information about user login is always displayed at the top of the screen. A login user column 103 is provided for displaying a login image (avatar) of the logged-in user. In addition to the image imitating a person or a character, various forms such as figures and symbols can be adopted as the portrait image.

  In addition, a guest icon 102 for a user who does not have an account and a user changeover switch 101 for switching the user are displayed. A logged-in user can receive various services using his / her user information by selecting the image displayed in the logged-in user column 103 or operating the user changeover switch 101. Further, a user who does not have an account can receive a general service such as music selection by operating the guest icon 102. Note that when switching users, authentication such as a password may be performed, but switching may be performed simply without performing authentication.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining user information stored for each user. In the present embodiment, the user information includes various information related to the user such as personal information, my song table, my artist table, and history table.

  The user information is associated with a user ID and password for logging in and using the information. The personal information includes a user name (not limited to an actual name but may be a nickname), gender, age, and the like. These various types of information can be set by logging in using the remote control device 1, or a personal computer or portable information terminal connected to the network.

  The My Uta table is a table showing songs registered in advance by the user, and includes at least a song identifier for identifying the song. In addition, register the highest score (scoring information) scored when singing, the ranking when using the national ranking function in this embodiment, the key adjustment value to match your singing range, etc. It may be left. The user can easily select a music piece registered in advance by reading out this My Uta table.

  The my artist table is a table showing artists (singer) registered in advance by the user, and includes a singer identifier. The user can read out the artist registered in advance by calling up this my artist table, and can read out and select music related to the artist by referring to the database.

The history table is a table that describes the history of the songs selected by the user so far.
It includes music identifier, singing date and time, singing store (singing position), scoring information, ranking when using nationwide ranking function, etc.

  In the present embodiment, it is also possible to select music recorded in this history table. The user can perform the music specified in the past again by performing the music selection using the history table.

  In the present embodiment, various services can be provided to each user by using user information including such various types of information.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing how user information is transmitted and received. A user who visits a karaoke store inputs identification information composed of his / her user ID and password, or causes the identification information stored in the IC card to be read by an IC card reader provided in the remote control device 1 or the like. The authentication process S101 is executed. The commander 2 or the remote control device 1 that has read the identification information of the user transmits the identification information to the karaoke host 5 (S102), and the karaoke host 5 that has received the identification information from the database stored in the storage unit 1, User information of the corresponding user is extracted (S121), and transmitted to the commander 2 or remote control device 1 that made the inquiry (S122).

  On the commander 2 side that has received the user information (S103), various service processes such as a music selection process and a performance process are provided based on the received user information (S104). When logout is requested by the user (S105), the service process is interrupted, and various histories (logs) during the service process or user information reflecting the setting change by the user is transmitted to the karaoke host 5 (S106). Here, as the user information, not only all the information but also the updated difference may be transmitted. The karaoke host 5 updates the database stored in the storage unit 1 based on the received user information (S124).

  The flow from one user authentication process (login) to logout has been described above, but the commander 2 and the remote control device 1 of this embodiment are in a state where a plurality of authenticated users (authenticated users) are logged in at the same time. By using the user interface described with reference to FIG. 2, it is possible to switch and use a user who provides a service (hereinafter referred to as “active user”).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an active user top screen according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, when a plurality of people are logged in, the logged-in user column 103 displays the logged-in images 103a to 103e (face portions in this embodiment) of the logged-in user. In the login user column 103, the user whose background is highlighted at the right end is the active user 103e. In the state shown in the figure, the service for the active user 103e, that is, the user information of the active user 103e is used. The service is running.

  On this active user top screen, by selecting “Search for a song”, a search based on a singer name and a song name can be performed as in the case of a conventional song book. When “My Room” is selected, a music search specialized for the active user can be performed using the My Uta table in the user information.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the music reservation process according to the embodiment of the present invention, which is a process executed by input means such as the remote control device 1. In the case of the logged-in user described in FIG. 5, the user selects a song to be sung from the various menus on the active user top screen, and in the case of a guest user from the “find a song” menu described in FIG. It is possible to make a reservation. When the music reservation process is started, a search for music is executed by an appropriate search method (music name designation, singer name designation, etc.) selected by the user (S201). The user designates his / her desired music from a plurality of search results (S202). In S203, while confirming whether there is no mistake in the designated music, a music confirmation screen is displayed for performing key (pitch) adjustment at the time of performance (S203).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a music confirmation screen according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a screen that allows the user to confirm the music by displaying not only the music name and the singer name but also singing. In this music confirmation screen, when the pitch that can be sung for the selected music is known in advance, it is possible to set the key adjustment value when performing by changing the “key setting” . By operating the “change” button at the lower right of the key setting, a sub window for key setting is displayed (S205), and the key adjustment value can be set (S206).

  When the user confirms that the selected music piece is the music piece to be sung, the “reservation” button is operated (S207: Yes), the music performance reservation is executed, and the series of music reservation processing ends. Specifically, reservation information is transmitted from the remote control device 1 to the commander 2 (S208). The commander 2 that has received the reservation information manages the reservation information on the reservation table and causes the reserved music pieces to be sequentially played by the acoustic control unit 70 as a playing means.

  FIG. 8 shows the data structure of the reservation information according to the embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, in addition to the music ID for identifying the music to be played, the key adjustment value is included when the key setting is performed, and the user ID is included when the reservation is made by the logged-in user. Will be composed.

  In the present embodiment, the scoring process is performed during the performance of the music reserved in such a music reservation process, and the scoring information obtained by the scoring process is matched with the ranking information in which the scoring information is associated with the ranking. In this way, the ranking is announced to the user. The notification of the ranking is not only the final ranking, but is also announced at appropriate timing during the performance, and the user can know which ranking is during the singing.

  The music performance process will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing music performance processing according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing timing of acquisition of ranking information and intermediate rank display according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a data structure of ranking information according to the embodiment of the present invention. When the commander 2 is activated, this music performance process is started, and the reservation table stored in the commander 2 is referred to in S301, and the reservation information on the reservation table is sequentially read out.

  In S302, the commander 2 executes communication processing with respect to the karaoke host 5, thereby acquiring ranking information of the music to be played. In the present embodiment, the ranking information is acquired immediately before the start of the performance of the music, but after the music is reserved, the period before the first rank calculation, that is, the period 1-1 shown in FIG. If there is, it is possible to acquire it at an appropriate timing. Since the ranking information is updated in the karaoke host 5, it is preferable to obtain the ranking information as late as possible in terms of accurate ranking calculation.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a data structure of ranking information according to the embodiment of the present invention. The ranking information of the present embodiment is associated with the music ID, and is composed of scores (scoring information) associated with the ranking. The rankings from 1st to 100th are listed for all rankings, but every ranking from 150th to 1000th, and every 100th for 1000th and below. It has been published. Thus, the ranking information of the present embodiment is created with a configuration in which a part of data is thinned out by the karaoke host 5. In the ranking calculation during performance, the ranking is estimated using the thinned ranking information. Since the lower rank has a larger thinning interval, it is possible to reduce the data capacity and accurately estimate the higher rank.

  Various forms can be adopted as the data structure of the ranking information. For example, by including the lowest rank and its score without fail, it is possible to improve the rank estimation accuracy even when the user being used is positioned at a lower position. For example, if there are 155 participants, in the present embodiment, there are 100 data of 1st to 10th place and 101 data of 150th place, but this is between 151th and 155th place. For example, when there is a significant change in score, it may be impossible to accurately estimate the rank of 150th or lower. Therefore, by including the lowest ranking (= number of participants) and its score (in this case, the score at 155th) in the ranking information, it is possible to improve the accuracy of ranking estimation.

  In addition, the number of data to be acquired may be changed depending on the population parameter. The ranking information of the present embodiment is configured to include data for every 50th place in the 100th and below, and data for every 100th place in the 1000th and below, but when the parameter is small, By narrowing the thinning interval (for example, every 10th place for 100th place or less), it is possible to improve the accuracy of rank estimation. Further, the data capacity of the ranking information is not greatly increased. In this way, it is possible to change the rank of the boundary where the thinning interval is changed based on the parameter. For example, when the population (number of participants) is 250, it is conceivable that the 101st to 150th places are every 5th place, the 151st to 200th places are every 10th place, and the 201st place to every 20th place.

  In S303, the music control unit 70 starts playing the corresponding performance information with reference to the music ID in the reservation information. At this time, the commander 2 may display information related to the ranking on the monitor 41. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a screen at the start of music according to the embodiment of the present invention. On this screen, in addition to the name of the song to be played, the number of participants who participated in the rank calculation for this song, the user names of the higher rank users (1st to 3rd) and the score are displayed. These pieces of information are included in the ranking information acquired in S302.

  The singing scoring process is started at an appropriate timing from the start of the music performance (S304). The singing scoring process may be executed only during the performance period during the performance period. This singing period can be discriminated by display of lyrics or color change timing that is executed in synchronism with the performance of the music, in addition to adding information indicating the singing period to the performance information.

When singing is started, it is determined in S305 that the rank estimation timing has arrived. The rank estimation process of the present embodiment is performed at 10-second intervals after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the singing period. As for the rank estimation timing, the following form may be adopted in addition to the predetermined time interval.
・ Shorten the interval of rank transition timing as time passes. The passage of time may be determined by the absolute time of the performance time or the singing time, or may be determined by the relative time with respect to the entire performance time or the entire singing time.
・ In the exciting part of singing such as rust, shorten the interval of the rank estimation timing. In this case, the rising part can be determined by providing a rust determination flag in the performance information.
-During the interlude, the rank estimation process is not executed, or the rank estimated by the rank estimation process is not displayed.
In the present embodiment, the singing period ends when a predetermined rate (80%) ends, and during the period until the final ranking is displayed at the end of the performance, the playability is improved without displaying the ranking. It is illustrated. Note that this timing may be a predetermined time before the singing period ends (for example, 15 seconds before).

When the arrival of the rank estimation timing is determined (S305: Yes), first, the current performance time or performance ratio is acquired (S306), and the score calculation rate is calculated. This is provided to prevent user fraud and improve the playability. The score calculation rate increases as the performance progresses and becomes a maximum value (for example, 1 (100%)). Is set to take. The singing score used for rank estimation is calculated by multiplying the singing score calculated in S308 by this score calculation rate (S309). By changing this score calculation rate according to the performance of the performance, it is possible to prevent a high score from being calculated if the user stops playing in the middle, and the singing score is increased according to the performance of the performance, and the estimated rank Can be raised as the performance progresses. Specifically, as a score calculation formula used for rank estimation,
Score = lowest score + (singing skill points x score calculation rate)
The score calculation rate is increased with the passage of performance time or singing time. The method for increasing the score calculation rate may be linearly increased by a predetermined value every predetermined time (for example, every 15 seconds), or may be increased non-linearly. In the calculation formula, the singing technique point is a score calculated by comparing the singing voice signal input from the microphone and the main melody (melody) of the performance information, and the lowest score is a predetermined score. .

  By the way, when this calculation formula is used, a perfect score cannot be obtained for a song with a short performance time, that is, the song may end before the score calculation rate reaches the maximum value. Therefore, in the case of music whose performance time or singing time is shorter than the predetermined time, the score calculation rate is skipped (instead of increasing by 0.1 (10%), increasing by 0.2 (20%), etc. In other words, the score calculation rate is set to the maximum value from the beginning, so that the score calculation rate finally reaches the maximum value so that the full score can be acquired.

  In addition, when the score calculation rate is increased by the ratio of the elapsed performance time to the total performance time or the ratio of the elapsed song time to the total singing time, even if the length of the music is short, the score calculation rate is Since it is possible to reach the maximum value, this is not necessary. Note that it is also within the scope of the present invention to calculate the score without using this score calculation rate.

  The calculation of the singing score executed in S308 is executed by comparing the singing voice signal input from the singing microphone 44 with the main melody of the performance information to be played. The calculation of the singing score may be performed by appropriately accumulating the scores for each section, or may be performed by appropriately averaging the scores for each section.

  In S310, ranking estimation is executed based on the singing score corrected at the score calculation rate in S309 and the received ranking information. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the rank estimation according to the embodiment of the present invention, and shows the relationship between the singing score and the rank. In the figure, the portions indicated by circles indicate data existing in the ranking information. In such ranking information, for example, when an X point is calculated as a singing score, it is possible to estimate the rank Y by complementing the data in each ranking information. In the present embodiment, linear interpolation is used. However, the interpolation method is not limited to linear interpolation, and for example, a complementing method that reduces the score difference between higher ranks can be employed. In the present embodiment, when the score is within 100th, the ranking is calculated based on actual data without complementation.

  In S311, an intermediate ranking notification (display on the monitor 41 in this embodiment) is executed based on the ranking estimated in S310. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a ranking display screen (first time) according to the embodiment of the present invention, which corresponds to the display at the timing of the circle 1 shown in FIG. The process of the rank estimation in S310 and the process of displaying the estimated rank in S311 is referred to as an intermediate notification process.

  While the lyrics to be sung are displayed on the monitor 41, the rank 413 estimated in S310 is displayed at the center of the screen. In addition, the current singing score 412 is displayed on the upper right, and the avatar 411 of the user who is singing is displayed on the upper left. This avatar 411 display can be performed for a user who has logged in and reserved, but when singing as a guest user, an arbitrary avatar may be displayed.

  By repeatedly executing the above processes (S305 to S311), the user can check on the monitor 41 in what order he / she is performing. Moreover, it is good also as notifying how it changed from the last ranking about the 2nd time or later. 15 and 16 are diagrams showing a ranking display screen according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 shows a screen when the ranking is increased compared to the previous time, and FIG. A screen is shown when the rank is lowered in comparison.

  In this embodiment, in addition to the estimated rank 413, the current singing score 412, and the avatar 411 shown for the first time, a rank difference 414 from the previous time, and a score value 415 for raising the rank are displayed. At this time, the avatar 411 changes the expression to a smiling face when it rises (FIG. 15), and changes its facial expression to a troubled face when it descends (FIG. 16), based on the ranking comparison with the previous time. The situation is to be expressed. A user who is singing will visually check such information that changes from moment to moment, and will heat up the singing to raise the ranking.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the ranking accuracy is improved by updating the ranking information used during the performance. If the ranking targets are all over Japan, it can be a popular song and several people can participate in the ranking. In view of such a case, in the present embodiment, accurate ranking estimation is possible by acquiring ranking information even during performance. In the flowchart of FIG. 9, when it is determined that it is the ranking acquisition timing (S312: Yes), the communication processing, that is, the karaoke host 5 is requested to transmit the ranking information of the song being played, and the karaoke The ranking information transmitted from the host 5 is received (S313). The received ranking information is used for subsequent ranking estimation. The ranking acquisition timing can be any timing, but in the present embodiment, the timing 1-2 shown in FIG. 10 (when the singing period is 50%) and the timing 1-3 (when the singing period is 80%) To do in.

  With the above processing, the rank ranking during performance is performed, and the estimated rank is notified to the user at an appropriate timing. When the end of the music performance is determined (S314: Yes), the commander 2 transmits the final singing score to the karaoke host 5 (S316), and receives the ranking at that time calculated by the karaoke host 5 (S316). Since the karaoke host 5 stores scores for all ranks, this rank can calculate an accurate rank at that time. Also, the karaoke host 5 updates the ranking information of the music based on the received singing score. In S317, the received order is displayed, and a series of music performance processing ends.

FIG. 17 shows a ranking display screen (final) according to the embodiment of the present invention. In this form, the singing score is displayed in addition to the final ranking. The singing score and ranking are stored in the user information described with reference to FIG.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the ranking of the singing score is estimated based on the received ranking information, and in particular, the ranking is estimated using the ranking information composed of the scores associated with the thinned ranking. Therefore, the amount of ranking information can be reduced, and the load on the karaoke host 5 can be reduced.

  The ranking information used in the above-described embodiment has a data structure in which a score is associated with a predetermined rank as described in FIG. 11, but instead of this data structure, a rank is associated with a predetermined score. Also good. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a data structure of ranking information according to another embodiment of the present invention. The ranking information of this embodiment has a configuration in which the rank is associated with a predetermined score.

  Rankings are associated with every 0.1 points (in increments) from 100 to 98 points, and rankings are associated with every 0.5 points from 98.0 to 80 points. Furthermore, the ranking is associated with every two points for 80 points or less. Thus, the higher the score, the smaller the score interval, the more the number of users who tend to increase as the score becomes higher, and the more accurate ranking estimation can be made. When using such an embodiment, the karaoke host 5 creates a database of received singing scores and creates this ranking information each time a new singing score is added.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and embodiments configured by appropriately combining the configurations of the respective embodiments also fall within the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Remote control apparatus, 11 ... Display part, 12 ... Video RAM, 13 ... Image | video control part, 14 ... Memory, 15 ... Control part, 16 ... Wireless LAN communication part, 17 ... Operation part, 18 ... Operation processing part, 19 ... Infrared communication unit, 2 ... Commander (karaoke device), 21 ... Operation unit, 22 ... Operation processing unit, 23 ... Infrared communication unit, 24 ... Interface unit, 27 ... Memory, 28 ... Video RAM, 29 ... Video playback unit, 30 ... Control unit, 31 ... Video control unit, 32 ... Hard disk, 41 ... Monitor, 42 ... Speaker, 44a, 44b ... Singing microphone, 100 ... LAN, 110 ... Access point, 120 ... Router, 5 ... Karaoke host, 51 ... Storage unit, 70 ... Sound control unit

Claims (8)

A performance means for reproducing performance information;
Control means for executing a communication process, a scoring process, and an intermediate notification process. The communication process corresponds to a specified music piece, and rank information in which ranking and scoring information are associated from the host device. Receive
The scoring process causes the performance means corresponding to the designated music to be played, and also scores the singing voice signal input from the microphone to output the scoring information,
The intermediate notification process estimates the rank based on the ranking information received in the communication process and the scoring information obtained in the scoring process during the performance information corresponding to the designated music, and displays the estimated rank. A karaoke apparatus characterized by being displayed on the screen. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ranking information is composed of scoring information associated with a predetermined rank, and an interval is provided between at least some ranks. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an interval between ranks in the ranking information is set to be larger as a lower rank. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ranking information is configured in a rank associated with predetermined scoring information. The control means inquires the host device for the rank corresponding to the scoring information obtained by the scoring process for the designated music after the singing is finished, and executes a final notification process for displaying the obtained rank on the display means. The karaoke apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The communication process receives ranking information corresponding to the music during performance of the performance information corresponding to the designated music,
The karaoke apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the intermediate notification process estimates a rank based on ranking information received in the latest communication process. The scoring information output in the scoring process is calculated by multiplying a scoring rate that increases as the performance progress of the performance information, The calculation method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, Karaoke equipment. A communication process for receiving ranking information corresponding to the designated music from the host device;
A scoring process for causing the performance means to perform the performance information corresponding to the designated music, scoring the singing voice signal input from the microphone, and outputting the scoring information;
An intermediate notice that estimates the rank based on the ranking information received in the communication process and the scoring information obtained in the scoring process and displays the estimated rank on the display means during the performance information corresponding to the specified music A karaoke program that causes a computer to execute processing.

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