JP4420579B2 - Karaoke system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a karaoke system that performs a karaoke performance while displaying a background image corresponding to a song.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The karaoke apparatus not only performs a karaoke song, but also displays a background image corresponding to the song on the monitor and also displays a lyrics telop with a superimpose on the background image.
[0003]
The conventional online karaoke device is a device that downloads music data for performance from the distribution center, so it is separated from the background video with a large amount of data, and the background video is stored on the karaoke device side on a medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD. It is remembered.
[0004]
Since the amount of video data is large as described above, conventionally, one or a plurality of video data corresponding to each genre of karaoke songs such as enka and pop are stored, and this genre is requested when a karaoke song is requested. The video data is read out and displayed as the background video, and the karaoke song and the background video do not correspond individually.
[0005]
However, in the method of selecting from a few video data based only on the genre, there is a problem that only the same video data may be repeated, and the karaoke performance cannot be excited because the user gets bored.
[0006]
On the other hand, if video data individually corresponding to each karaoke song is stored, the video data corresponding to each song can be displayed without fail, but one karaoke device has more than 10,000 karaoke songs. It is not realistic to store individual video data corresponding to each of the above, because the cost is very high and the apparatus becomes very large.
[0007]
Therefore, there has been proposed a karaoke system for playing karaoke songs with video data individually corresponding to each karaoke song without increasing the storage capacity of the video data of each karaoke device (see JP-A-11-161288). In this karaoke system, a plurality of karaoke devices are connected via a network, and individual video data associated with a plurality of karaoke songs are shared by a plurality of karaoke devices, and the individual video data is stored in the own device. When there is not, data is transferred from another karaoke apparatus, and the background video corresponding to the karaoke song is reproduced using the data.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above karaoke system, when there is a request from another karaoke apparatus, one karaoke terminal outputs individual video data to the network corresponding to one piece of music data. There is a physical limit for one karaoke terminal to send data. In addition, the load related to the output of one karaoke terminal is large, and there is a problem that it is necessary to prepare a high-performance karaoke terminal.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the background described above, and can display video data suitable for each song without using a high-speed communication network called a broadband network without causing a large load on each karaoke terminal. The purpose is to provide a karaoke system.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The present invention is a karaoke system in which a plurality of karaoke terminals are connected to each other via a network, wherein the karaoke terminal is provided with music data storage means and video data storage means, and the video of each karaoke terminaldataIn the storage means,A part of low bit rate video data associated with karaoke songs,Associated with karaoke songsPart of high bit rate video dataMemorize and memorize in the plurality of karaoke terminalsHigh bit rate video dataWhen the video data corresponding to one karaoke song is composed and the karaoke terminal is instructed to perform karaokeUntil the high bit rate video data is received via the network, the low bit rate video data is played and played,Supports karaoke songsHigh bit rateVideo of a karaoke terminal that stores video data in a shared mannerdataReceive from storage means via networkSwitch to high bit rate video data and play the video.It is characterized in that the performance is executed.
[0011]
  According to the above configuration, since video data is shared and stored by a plurality of karaoke terminals, the time for one karaoke device to send data is short, and the load to send moves to another karaoke device. To be lighter. For this reason, the number of karaoke apparatuses that can perform data communication services increases. Moreover, since the capacity | capacitance memorize | stored in each karaoke terminal is also a part of background data, the memory | storage device of a karaoke terminal does not need a big thing.In addition, by playing back the video with the background data stored in the karaoke terminal and switching the video data for playback when the data from the network arrives, the background data corresponding to the music regardless of the delay in the network Can be played.
[0012]
In the present invention, when a plurality of music data is stored in the music data storage means of each karaoke terminal and the karaoke performance instruction is given, the corresponding music data is not stored in the storage means of the karaoke terminal instructed to perform the karaoke performance. Can be configured to receive music data from other karaoke terminals via a network and reproduce the music data to execute the performance.
[0013]
If comprised as mentioned above, the memory capacity of each karaoke terminal can be decreased more.
[0014]
The network may be configured to be capable of multicast transmission.
[0015]
If multicast distribution technology or distribution synchronization is performed, traffic reduction during data transfer can be achieved.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke system according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of each karaoke device connected on a network.
[0017]
1, a plurality of karaoke apparatuses 3, which are karaoke terminals, are connected on a communication network 1. The communication network 1 is configured by a broadband network, and is a network such as an FTTH (Fiber To The Home) service, and is a high-speed communication network with a communication speed of 100 Mbps. The communication network 1 is connected to a data transmission device which is a data server (not shown), and music and background video data are distributed to the karaoke device 3 via the communication network 1. The music is transmitted as MIDI data or data compressed in the MPEG format, and the background video data is transmitted as data compressed in the MPEG format.
[0018]
The karaoke apparatus 3 is connected to the communication network 1 and performs a karaoke performance. As will be described later, each karaoke apparatus 3 in this embodiment includes a part of background data for performing (several seconds to several tens of seconds). Seconds). This retained data is, for example, a low bit rate (coarse) video, and stores data for a long time with a small capacity. Further, each karaoke apparatus 3 stores a part of background data having a high bit rate (clean) for performing. The background data of the high bit data is divided and stored in video data corresponding to one piece of music data in the plurality of karaoke apparatuses 3 so that one video scene is constituted by the plurality of karaoke apparatuses 3. is doing. That is, the background video data is continuously shared by the plurality of karaoke apparatuses 3 to constitute one video. For example, if a scene is composed of eight karaoke apparatuses 3..., Even if it is assumed that one karaoke terminal 3 stores only a part of one scene, there are 3200 karaoke terminals for 400 scenes. All scenes can be provided to each other. Actually, a part of video corresponding to a plurality of scenes is stored in one karaoke terminal 3..., So that the number of karaoke terminals 3 connected to the network 1 and the number of scenes is determined according to the stored number. Will be.
[0019]
Each karaoke apparatus has a configuration as shown in FIG. 2, and each piece of music data and part of the individual background data corresponding to the music and the video data corresponding to one piece of music data. Is stored.
[0020]
By the way, in a system in which a plurality of karaoke apparatuses 3... Are connected to the communication network 1 as shown in FIG. 1, even a high-speed communication network 1 is actually distributed depending on the load and line status of the karaoke apparatus 3. It is inevitable that a delay of a certain time will occur until In addition, a failure in the network or a case where the communication rate temporarily drops is assumed.
[0021]
For this reason, each karaoke apparatus 3 described above stores background data of several seconds to several tens of seconds, which is a time longer than a delay time assumed in advance. When a delay occurs in the distribution system, first, the video is reproduced with the background data stored in the karaoke apparatus 3, and the video data to be reproduced is switched when the data from the communication network 1 arrives. Like that.
[0022]
  By configuring the system in this way, the background data corresponding to the music can be reproduced regardless of the delay in the communication network 1. In addition, the storage capacity can be reduced by using a part of background data (several seconds to several tens of seconds) and a low bit rate (coarse) video. For this reason, all the karaoke devices 3ofA part of the background data corresponding to the music can be stored. Further, since the high bit rate background data only stores a part of one scene, video data corresponding to a plurality of music pieces, for example, several hundred music pieces, can be stored with a small storage capacity.
[0023]
Each karaoke apparatus 3 includes a communication interface 33 for connecting to the network 1. The communication interface 33 is connected to the CPU 30 via a bus. In addition to this, a buffer RAM 31, a hard disk 32, a user interface 40, an MPEG (MIDI) decoder 34, a sound system 35, a graphic controller 36, and the like are connected to the CPU 30. A display device 37 is connected to the graphic controller 36, and a microphone 39 is connected to the sound system 35. Further, although not shown, a ROM is provided in which a program for starting the karaoke apparatus is stored.
[0024]
The communication interface 33 not only controls communication with a data transmission device (not shown) via the communication network 1, but also controls communication with other karaoke devices 3 connected to the communication network 1. From the data sending device, music data of new songs, index tables, etc. are downloaded. This index table is a table for instructing the correspondence between the song number of the karaoke song and the background video data. Further, a part of the high bit rate (clean) MPEG data is downloaded from the data sending device as the background data of the music that is shared and stored by the plurality of karaoke terminals 3.
[0025]
The hard disk 32 stores the music data, index table, and the like, as well as programs such as system programs, karaoke performance programs, loaders, and character pattern data. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a part (several seconds to several tens of seconds) of background data individually corresponding to music is stored as low bit rate (coarse) MPEG data. A part of high bit rate (clean) MPEG data is stored as background data of the music that is shared and stored by a plurality of karaoke terminals 3.
[0026]
The system program is a program for controlling the basic operation of the apparatus, and is read into the buffer RAM 31 when the karaoke apparatus is activated. The karaoke performance program is a program for controlling the sound system 35, the MPEG decoder 34, and the like based on the music data. The loader is a program for downloading background data, music data, and an index table via a network. The character pattern data is data for expanding text information such as lyrics and song names given as code information into character patterns. In the buffer RAM 31, an area for reading the program and a music data buffer for reading music data currently being played and music data to be played next are set.
[0027]
The user interface 40 is connected to a circuit, a panel switch, or the like that receives an infrared signal sent from an infrared remote controller (commander) (not shown) and converts it into data. The CPU 30 reserves a karaoke song based on the song number input from the commander, and executes various processes such as a key change based on other command codes.
[0028]
The MPEG decoder 34 is a circuit that demodulates background data and music data transmitted by communication into audio and video, and is also provided with a MIDI decoder so as to perform MIDI decoding when the music data is in the MIDI format.
[0029]
The graphic controller 36 receives the background data demodulated by the MPEG decoder 34 and the lyrics data demodulated by the CPU 30, superimposes the lyrics data on the respective image images, and displays them on the display 37. Note that the lyrics data may be input from the MPEG decoder 34.
[0030]
The sound system 35 mixes the signal demodulated by the MPEG decoder 34 and the signal from the microphone 39 or outputs a sound signal to the speaker 38. The signal demodulated by the MPEG decoder 34 may be composed of a plurality of channels, and has a function of mixing according to the setting of the user interface 40 according to an instruction set by the user, such as adjustment of the guide melody volume.
[0031]
In a system for sharing karaoke data such as background video data between terminals, a karaoke data database stored in each karaoke apparatus 3 is managed on the karaoke apparatus 3 side. A specific method will be described below.
[0032]
First, as a first method, data to be recorded with a network identification number is unique. A terminal connected to the network 1 is added with a management serial number that can uniquely identify the terminal by a network address (IP address), a network interface address number (MAC address), or the like. Using this number, karaoke data recorded by the karaoke apparatus 3 serving as a terminal can be specified.
[0033]
As a concrete method,
1) The data held by the network address can be specified.
[0034]
In a system in which continuous network addresses are assigned to and managed by the karaoke device 3, for example, when the music number is composed of 6 digits, the lower 2 digits are grouped and recorded in the same karaoke device 3. Like that.
[0035]
For example, when a video scene of one song is shared and stored by eight terminals, the first video scenes of the song numbers 1210-01 and 1310-01 are recorded in the karaoke apparatus 3 having a network address of 01xx01. , 1210-01 and 1310-01 are recorded in the karaoke apparatus 3 with the network address of 01xx02, and the third video scenes of 1210-01 and 1310-01 are recorded with the network address of 01xx03. Recorded in the karaoke device 3, and thereafter, similarly, one video data is divided and stored by the eight karaoke devices 3. Here, xx is an arbitrary number.
[0036]
When a new song is released, a new musical piece is distributed simultaneously to all karaoke devices 3..., So that each karaoke device 3... Records necessary data according to a confident network identification number.
[0037]
In the second method, when the karaoke apparatus 3 is activated, the data number held by itself is distributed. When the power of the karaoke device 3 is turned on, the number of karaoke data recorded by the karaoke device 3 is distributed to the other karaoke devices 3. An example of the data format to be distributed is shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the terminal ID is a network number of the karaoke apparatus 3 that records data. The command is information indicating whether the karaoke data is stored, additional information, or whether the karaoke apparatus is turned off. For karaoke data information, if there are 20,000 karaoke songs, use a bit string record of 20,000 bits, set the bit corresponding to the recorded data number to 1, etc. It also stores data indicating whether you own a part.
[0038]
When releasing / distributing new song data, the network configuration to which the karaoke device 3 is connected or the load of the network to which the karaoke device 3 is connected (in large cities where many terminals are connected, the data is recorded. Therefore, it is determined which karaoke data is recorded in which karaoke device 3.
[0039]
When data is newly distributed, karaoke data information to be recorded as described above is distributed.
[0040]
When the power is turned off, the other karaoke apparatuses 3 are notified of the turn-off in the format shown in FIG.
[0041]
In addition, the other karaoke devices 3 ... have a table indicating which terminal holds karaoke data not held by the own terminal, and when the terminal in the table is turned OFF, It is configured so that it can be inquired whether it has the karaoke data that it needs.
[0042]
The third method periodically distributes the number of karaoke data held by itself to the network. Basically, the second method is the same as the second method, except that the information of the data held is regularly notified to other terminals.
[0043]
In addition, when the terminal is turned off with respect to the database of the terminal in which karaoke data not owned by the user exists, the information is not sent even after a predetermined time has elapsed. In this case, the terminal is deleted from the database.
[0044]
The composition of music data used in the karaoke apparatus and the operation of the karaoke apparatus based on this data will be described. The music data is composed of a header, a musical sound track, a lyrics track, an audio control track, an effect control track, and an audio data section. The header is a portion in which various data relating to the music data is written, and includes data such as a music number, a music title, a genre, a release date, and a performance time of the music. Each piece of music data is identified by a music number.
[0045]
As an example, a case will be described in which music data is transmitted as data compressed in MPEG format, and background video data is transmitted as data compressed in MPEG format.
[0046]
Keys and guide melodies cannot be adjusted by simply compressing based on the MPEG format. Therefore, in the present invention, the data structure is determined so that the MPEG stream ID can be expanded and used as audio data for karaoke.
[0047]
The type and data format of data used for karaoke will be described.
[0048]
There are two types of video data: background video data (MPEG), lyrics and color change data (MPEG or WIP data (timing information such as lyrics display and color change)).
[0049]
Music data can be divided into A) music data and B) scoring data. The music data of A) is a normal music part (MPEG), a guide melody (MPEG), and a drum part (MPEG) which is a key control adaptation exclusion part.
[0050]
The scoring data of B) is scoring standard singing data (MPEG), scoring standard data (MIDI), and harmony / fist data (MIDI).
[0051]
Karaoke devices are required to have a background video selection function, a speed control function, and a background video and lyrics synchronization function. In order to realize these functions, it is conceivable to use the following three configurations as the data configuration.
[0052]
(First configuration)
Background video (MPEG) and lyrics and color change (MPEG) + A) Music data (MPEG) + B) Scoring data (MIDI)
[0053]
Since music data and lyrics and color change need to be synchronized, the lyrics and color change are made into video streams, and A) music data (MPEG) and B) scoring data (MIDI) are made up as music bitstreams. MPEG file. The background video is an MPEG file as one bit stream.
Note that the scoring data may be organized in a separate file.
[0054]
  (Second configuration)
  Background video (MPEG) and lyrics and color change (WIP data) + A) Music data (MPEG) + B) Scoring data (MIDI)
[0055]
Since it is necessary to synchronize the music data and the lyrics and color change, the MPEG file is configured with the lyrics and color change as one bit stream. The color change data (WIP) and B) scoring data are described by extending the format of the previous MPEG file in order to use MIDI karaoke data.
Note that B) scoring data may be handled as an independent MPEG file.
The background video is configured as an MPEG file as one bit stream.
[0056]
(Third configuration)
Background video + lyrics and color change + A) music data + B) scoring data (MPEG)
The MPEG file format is expanded to form all data as an MPEG file with one bit stream. However, in this case, background video selection and speed control are not possible.
[0057]
An example of the data recording format and data structure will be described. An example of use of MPEG stream ID is shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, the MPEG stream ID is expanded, and an ID is assigned to each data of the second configuration. Specifically, since the MPEG standard stipulates that the next ID is used, the ID is as shown in FIG.
[0058]
MPEG Audio 0xC0-0xCF
・ MPEG Video 0xE0 ~ 0xEF
[0059]
FIG. 9 shows the data format. As shown in FIG. 9, the code number shown in FIG. 8 is stored in the stream ID of the packet header part. The lyrics and color change data are transmitted in the form of one bit stream packet data, and the normal music part is stored together with one bit stream packet data and a stream ID indicating the data type, and stored in each karaoke device. The
[0060]
In this way, by recording the stream ID representing the data type and the bit stream of the data, the karaoke apparatus can determine the type of the data based on the stream ID and perform arithmetic processing according to the data type. For example, by performing a calculation process that adjusts the volume according to the instructions entered by the user for the guide melody music part or key part during performance, and superimposing the calculated data on the main music part, Adjustments can be made.
[0061]
The hard disk storage device 32 of each karaoke device stores an index table. The index table stores the file name of the song data of this karaoke song corresponding to the song number, the number of the video data associated with this karaoke song, and which karaoke device 3 stores this video data. This information is also stored. The index table may be a table that only associates the music number with the video data. In this case, the music data may be provided with an index table dedicated to the music data.
[0062]
Thus, in the index table, video data is associated with one karaoke piece.
[0063]
In addition, as a part of the background data stored in the karaoke apparatus 3 described above, a sufficiently large number of data (for example, about 1000 pieces) is set even if it does not completely correspond to about 10,000 karaoke songs. Then, it may correspond to 10,000 karaoke songs.
[0064]
Next, the operation of the above karaoke system will be described with reference to the operation flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the karaoke apparatus 3 for performing a performance, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the karaoke apparatus 3 for sending video data via a network.
[0065]
When the user inputs a song number, as shown in FIG. 4, the karaoke apparatus 3 refers to the index table, reads out a song data file corresponding to the song number, and reads out the corresponding background data. A performance preparation process is performed (step S31). Then, with reference to the index table, a request is made to send video data via the network 1 to the karaoke apparatuses 3 that share and record the video data (step S32).
[0066]
As shown in FIG. 5, when the karaoke apparatus 3, which shares and stores video data, receives a request for transmission of video data from the karaoke apparatus 3 that performs a performance via the communication network 1 (step S <b> 41). The index table corresponding to the requested music is referred to, and data transmission preparation processing corresponding to the music is performed (step S42). Then, a part of the background video data corresponding to the music is read from the data file, and the high bit rate video data is sent to the karaoke apparatus 3 that performs the performance via the communication network 1 (step S43). At this time, since the video data is shared and stored by a plurality of karaoke terminals 3..., The time for one karaoke device 3 to send the data is short, and the load to be sent moves to the other karaoke devices 3. Lighten to go. For this reason, the number of the karaoke apparatuses 3 which can perform a data communication service increases. At this time, if multicast distribution technology or distribution synchronization is performed, it is possible to reduce traffic during data transfer.
[0067]
In the karaoke apparatus 3 that performs the performance, it is determined whether background video data from another karaoke apparatus 3 has arrived via the network 1 (step S33). When the background video data from the other karaoke apparatus 3 arrives, it is stored in the buffer RAM 31, and the performance of the karaoke apparatus 3 is started using the background video data (step S34). Then, the performance operation of the karaoke apparatus 3 described above is started.
[0068]
If the background video data from another karaoke apparatus 3 has not arrived, the performance of the karaoke apparatus 3 is started using the background data stored in the karaoke apparatus 3 that performs the performance (step S35). It is monitored whether or not background video data from another karaoke apparatus 3 has arrived via the network 1 (step S36), and is stored in the karaoke apparatus 3 until the background video data arrives via the network 1. The performance of the karaoke apparatus 3 is continued using the existing background data. When the background video data from the other karaoke apparatus 3 arrives via the network 1, the background video data is switched to the background video data obtained via the network 1 (step S37).
[0069]
Thus, until the background video is obtained via the network 1, the video is reproduced with the background data stored in the karaoke apparatus 3, and the video data to be reproduced is switched when the data from the communication network 1 arrives. Like that.
[0070]
By configuring the system in this way, it is possible to reproduce background data corresponding to each piece of music regardless of the delay in the communication network 1. Therefore, without waiting for the arrival of the background video data from the other karaoke apparatus 3, the performance or the performance preparation can be performed, and the music can be quickly prepared. Further, the amount of data stored in the karaoke apparatus 3 can be reduced.
[0071]
In the above-described embodiment, the music data is stored in each karaoke device 3, but not all the music data is stored in each karaoke device 3, and the music data is shared and recorded by a plurality of karaoke terminals 3. When there is no desired music data in the karaoke device 3 of the user, it can be configured to request and distribute to other karaoke devices 3. In the case of such a configuration, the karaoke apparatus 3 may store a part of background data and music data of a certain number of songs. Therefore, since the storage capacity can be further reduced, a part of the background data of the video data and the music data can be easily stored in a storage device such as a semiconductor memory without using a hard disk.
[0072]
As described above, even when there is no music data in the own karaoke apparatus 3, the operation in the case of distribution in response to a request from another karaoke apparatus 3 will be described with reference to the operation flowcharts of FIGS.
[0073]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the karaoke apparatus 3 for performing a performance, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of another karaoke apparatus 3 for sending karaoke data upon request.
[0074]
When the song number is input by the user, as shown in FIG. 6, the karaoke apparatus 3 that performs the performance refers to the index table and performs performance preparation processing such as reading processing of the corresponding background data (step S51). ). Then, it is checked whether or not the requested music data is in the own karaoke apparatus 3 (step S52). If there is music data in the own karaoke apparatus 3, the music data is read out (step S53) and played. In step S56, background data is requested.
[0075]
On the other hand, if the requested music data is not in the own karaoke apparatus 3, a request is transmitted to the network 1 in order to request the other karaoke apparatus 3 to transmit the music data (step S54).
[0076]
As shown in FIG. 7, when the other karaoke device 3 storing the desired music data receives a request for sending music data from the karaoke device 3 that performs the performance via the communication network 1 (step S71), the request is made. The index table corresponding to the music piece is referred to, and data sending preparation processing corresponding to the music piece is performed (step S72). The music data corresponding to the music is sent to the karaoke apparatus 3 via the network 1 (step S63).
[0077]
As shown in FIG. 6, in the karaoke apparatus 3 that performs the performance, when music data is received from another karaoke apparatus 3 (step S55), the index table is referred to, background data reading processing corresponding to the music number, and the like. The karaoke devices 3... That record and share video data with reference to the index table are requested to send video data via the network 1 (step S56).
[0078]
As shown in FIG. 7, when the karaoke device 3 that stores and distributes video data receives a request for transmission of video data from the karaoke device 3 that performs a performance via the communication network 1 (step S74). Referring to the index table corresponding to the requested music, after preparing to send the data corresponding to the music, a part of the background video data corresponding to the music is read from the data file, and the high bit rate video data is The data is sent to the karaoke apparatus 3 that performs the performance via the communication network 1 (step S75).
[0079]
In the karaoke apparatus 3 that performs the performance, it is determined whether background video data from another karaoke apparatus 3 has arrived via the network 1 (step S57). When the background video data from the other karaoke apparatus 3 arrives, it is stored in the buffer RAM 31, and the performance of the karaoke apparatus 3 is started using the background video data (step S58). Then, the performance operation of the karaoke apparatus 3 described above is started.
[0080]
If the background video data from another karaoke apparatus 3 has not arrived, the performance of the karaoke apparatus 3 is started using the background data stored in the karaoke apparatus 3 that performs the performance (step S59). It is monitored whether or not background video data from another karaoke apparatus 3 has arrived via the network 1 (step S60), and is stored in the karaoke apparatus 3 until the background video data arrives via the network 1. The performance of the karaoke apparatus 3 is continued using the existing background data. When background video data from another karaoke apparatus 3 arrives via the network 1, the background video data is switched to the background video data obtained via the network 1 (step S61).
[0081]
In this way, both the music data and the background video data are distributed from the other karaoke apparatus 3 to perform karaoke performance. Even in the system configured as described above, when a delay occurs in the transmission / distribution system of the video data, the video is reproduced with the background data stored in the karaoke apparatus 3 and the data from the communication network 1 is received. The video data for playback is switched when it arrives.
[0082]
By configuring the system in this way, it is possible to reproduce background data corresponding to each piece of music regardless of the delay in the communication network 1. Therefore, without waiting for the arrival of the background video data from the data transmission device 2, performance and performance preparation can be performed, and music preparation can be performed quickly. Further, the amount of data stored in the karaoke apparatus 3 can be smaller.
[0083]
In the karaoke apparatus 3 in the above-described embodiment, the performance is performed so that the background video can be reproduced even when a delay of a predetermined time occurs until the distribution is actually performed due to the load and the line state of the karaoke apparatus 3. A part (several seconds to several tens of seconds) of background data is held and stored. When a delay occurs in the distribution system or the like, first, the video is reproduced with the background data stored in the karaoke device 3, and the reproduced video data is obtained when the data from the communication network 1 arrives. It is configured to switch. It is not always necessary to store a part of such background data in the karaoke device 3, and it may be configured to store only background video data that is shared and stored in each karaoke terminal device 3. In this case, it may be configured to wait for the performance until the video data from each karaoke apparatus 3 is distributed via the network 1.
[0084]
In the above-described embodiment, a hard disk is used as a device for storing karaoke data such as music data and video data. However, by reducing the storage capacity of each karaoke device 3, a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory can be used. And may be configured to store karaoke data.
[0085]
Further, it is not necessary to store karaoke data to be supplied to other karaoke devices in all karaoke devices connected to the network 1, and a server-type karaoke terminal device having a function of supplying karaoke data to other devices by itself. It is also possible to form a network system by mixing client-type karaoke terminal devices that do not supply data to other karaoke devices. In this case, it is more friendly to the user to make some differentiation on the system between a karaoke device that supplies karaoke data to other karaoke devices and a karaoke terminal device that does not supply karaoke data.
[0086]
As a method of differentiation, for example, a difference is made in the monthly usage fee. As one aspect of this, the monthly usage fee of the server-type karaoke terminal device is reduced. In this case, the time and price system may be changed depending on the energization time and the number of times data is provided.
[0087]
As another method, the performance preparation time in the client-type karaoke terminal device is lengthened. It can also be configured to intentionally lengthen the time during which a song can be prepared and make a difference in performance.
[0088]
In addition, as another method, a difference is made in the warranty period and maintenance cost of the apparatus.
[0089]
Another way is to make a difference in the release of a new song or background video. In other words, the server type karaoke terminal device can be differentiated by making it possible to play a new song first, or providing a video image that can be reproduced only on the server type karaoke terminal device.
[0090]
In this way, differentiation may be attempted by various methods.
[0091]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, according to the present invention, since video data is shared and stored by a plurality of karaoke terminals, the time for one karaoke device to send data is short, and the load to send is different from other karaoke devices. Lighten to move to the device. For this reason, the number of karaoke apparatuses that can perform data communication services increases. In addition, since the capacity stored in each karaoke terminal is a part of the background data, a large karaoke terminal storage device is not required, and a karaoke performance can be enjoyed with a small karaoke terminal.Furthermore, by playing back the video with the background data stored in the karaoke terminal, and switching the video data for playback when the data from the network arrives, the background data corresponding to the music regardless of the delay in the network Can be played.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of each karaoke apparatus connected on the network used in the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a data format used in the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the karaoke apparatus for performing a performance according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of another karaoke apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the karaoke apparatus for performing a performance according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of another karaoke apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing types of stream IDs used by the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a data format used by the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Communication network
3 Karaoke equipment

Claims (3)

A karaoke system karaoke terminal plurality are connected to each other via a network, the provided music data storage means and the video data storage means to a karaoke terminal, said the image data storage means of each karaoke terminal, the karaoke a portion of the video data of low bit rate that has been correlated, stores some of the video data of a high bit rate associated with the karaoke, the high bit rate stored in the plurality of karaoke terminals image The video data corresponding to one karaoke song is composed of data, and when the karaoke terminal is instructed to perform karaoke , the low bit rate video data is reproduced until the high bit rate video data is received via the network. to perform the play, remembered by sharing this video data of a high bit rate corresponding to the karaoke Upon receiving via the network from the image data storage means of the karaoke terminal, karaoke system, characterized in that to execute a play to play the video switch to the video data of a high bit rate.   A plurality of music data is stored in the music data storage means of each karaoke terminal, and when there is a karaoke performance instruction, the corresponding music data is not stored in the storage means of the karaoke terminal instructed to perform karaoke performance. The karaoke system according to claim 1, wherein music data is received from the karaoke terminal via a network, and the music data is reproduced and played.   The karaoke system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the network is configured to be capable of multicast transmission.

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