JP4422656B2 - Remote multi-point concert system using network - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention makes it possible to perform together with the performances of the performers in other places at the places where the plurality of performance terminal apparatuses are placed, using the plurality of performance terminal apparatuses connected via the network. The present invention relates to a remote multipoint ensemble system network that uses a network to perform.

  Conventionally, various systems have been proposed for realizing ensemble by transmitting and receiving music and voice in real time via a network. In the ensemble system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 02-204794 (Patent Document 1), performance information sent from a remote location via a network is synthesized by a synthesizer of a terminal device, amplified from a speaker, and output. , Enabling ensembles between remote locations. In another ensemble system, a collection / delivery device provided with a mixer is provided at one location, and the performance information transmitted from each terminal device is mixed and multiplexed by this collection / delivery device and transmitted to each terminal device. The transmitted performance information is synthesized by a synthesizer, amplified from a speaker, and output to enable ensemble between remote locations.

  In addition, in the electronic musical instrument performance system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-35456 (Patent Document 2), not only the performance information sent via the network is supplied to the client, but also the performance status and the command content are displayed on the display. The technique to display is disclosed.

  JP-A-2005-77485 (Patent Document 3) states that in order to enable a duet of karaoke via a network, video / audio signals of multi-site spaces can be shared by users at remote locations. The content is “Duet / choral karaoke control system in multiple locations”. This publication also discloses that the audio signal is distributed to the communication network with priority over the video signal stream or the like in order to minimize the delay of the mutual audio signal data.

  However, in practice, when a plurality of performers at remote locations perform over a network, a delay time for communication becomes a problem. That is, as the delay time becomes longer, it becomes difficult to realize the ensemble in real time. Accordingly, various devices have been proposed as attempts to overcome such problems. For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-207492 (Patent Document 4), a sequence is set by connecting a number of demonstration recording devices at remote locations, and performance signals are sequentially sent to the next demonstration recording device in the set order. The performance sound can be synchronized. However, with this technique, the first performer could not hear the performances of other performers.

  In the technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-128296 (Patent Document 5), a notification sound (metronome sound) according to a tempo for accelerating an accurate performance operation is generated on the basis of a radio timepiece. It was possible to synchronize the performance sound of the performer. However, with this technique, each performer at a remote location cannot listen to the performances of other performers, and only plays a predetermined piece of music at a predetermined tempo.

  Furthermore, in the technique of the ensemble performance device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-325775 (Patent Document 6), the delay time required for communication with a remote place is measured, and the performance information of the player is delayed based on the measured delay time. By doing so, it was possible to mix the performance sound in synchronization. However, this technology only delays the performance information of the player and mixes them in sync with the performance of the other party. Therefore, this technique cannot be used when playing over a network at three or more remote locations with different delay times. .

On the other hand, in the techniques described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-280644 (Patent Document 7), Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-323173 (Patent Document 8), and Non-Patent Document 1, a performance received from a remote place is recorded from one measure to several measures. By delaying the length of the musical break in time and synchronizing it with my performance, I was able to absorb the effects of the delay caused by the network. However, with this technique, it takes several measures for the opponent's performance to be transmitted to him, so it is performed in accordance with the performance of the opponent several measures before, so the character of ensemble is weak.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 02-204794 JP-A-6-35456 JP 2005-77485 JP JP 2002-207492 JP JP 2005-128296 A JP 2004-325775 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-280644 JP 2003-323173 A Masataka Goto, Ryo Neyama: "Open RemoteGIG: Remote session system with unspecified number of users considering delay", IPSJ Journal, Vol.43, No.2, pp.299-309, February 2002.

  However, since the various techniques that have been proposed in the past target all performance signals transmitted from those who wish to participate in the ensemble, the correction processing of performance signals having a long delay time becomes complicated, and the delay time is also complicated. If the correction process is not performed well, there is a problem that a time-delayed performance can be heard as annoying.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a remote multipoint ensemble system that allows a plurality of performers in a remote place to perform ensembles via a network without performing complicated delay time correction processing. .

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a remote multi-point ensemble system that can perform an ensemble without listening to a time-delayed performance that is annoying.

  The invention according to the present application is divided into a remote multipoint concert system of a type that uses a network but does not use a server, and a remote multipoint concert system of a type that uses both a network and a server. The remote multipoint ensemble system of the present invention of a type that does not use a server is in a different place where a plurality of performance terminal devices are placed using a plurality of performance terminal devices connected via a network. Enables performance and ensemble of performers. Here, “performance” and “ensemble” may be not only performance / ensemble using musical instruments, but also performance / ensemble of voice only, or performance / ensemble in which both instruments and voices are mixed. The performance may also include applause, clapping, audience voice, screaming, and the like.

  In the present invention, as a performance terminal device, conversion means for converting an actual performance into a performance signal, transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving the performance signal to / from one or more other performance terminal devices via a network, and received performance A delay time measuring means for measuring the delay time of the signal; a mixing means for mixing the performance signal output from the converting means and the received performance signal to create a mixed signal; and a reproducing means for reproducing the mixed signal. Use things. Here, the “performance signal” includes all signals (for example, an acoustic signal, a MIDI signal, etc.) that can be used to reproduce the performance. Moreover, the measuring method of the delay time employ | adopted by a delay time measuring means is arbitrary. For example, after the delay time measuring means transmits a delay measurement signal from one performance terminal device to one or more other performance terminal devices, the other one or more performance terminal devices respond to the delay measurement signal. Then, a reply signal can be transmitted to one performance terminal device, and the delay time can be measured based on the time until the one performance terminal device receives the reply signal. In recent years, an operation system for a personal computer has been sold in which such a delay time measurement function is included. Of course, this function may be used.

  In the present invention, the mixing means of the plurality of performance terminal devices respectively increases the amplification factor of one or more performance signals as the delay time of the one or more performance signals received measured with reference to the performance signal output from the conversion means becomes longer. Is configured to be small. Here, the “relationship that decreases the amplification factor of one or more performance signals as the delay time becomes longer” is a proportional relationship having a negative slope or an inversely proportional relationship. The proportional relationship having a negative slope is a proportional relationship represented by y = −mx + k when considered on the xy axis. Here, m is a proportionality coefficient (slope). Further, the inverse proportion means a relationship in which the amplification factor is ½ times and 倍 times when the length of the delay time is 2 times and 3 times. According to the present invention, the longer the delay time is, the smaller the amplification factor becomes. Therefore, when the delay time is increased to some extent, the amplification factor becomes considerably small. You will never hear a delayed performance. Also, the performance signal with a longer delay time has a smaller amplification factor, and the performance based on the performance signal becomes inconspicuous in the ensemble. Therefore, even if there is a slight delay between performances, it will not be harsh to the listener. In this system, when a certain performance terminal device A is considered, the performance signal transmitted from another performance terminal device E located far from the performance terminal device A (the delay time becomes considerably long) is In the mixing means of the performance terminal device A, since the amplification factor is small, the performance terminal device A is in a state where it is not substantially amplified. Therefore, the performance terminal device A performs the performance being performed at the place where the performance terminal device E is placed. You cannot listen to it during the concert. The reverse of this also occurs in the performance terminal device E. Therefore, in this system, when the performance terminal device A is taken as the center, only other performance terminal devices having a delay time that is long enough not to interfere with the ensemble participate in the ensemble. Will do. Therefore, in this system, if all participating performance terminal devices are located within a distance range where the delay time does not interfere with the ensemble, the volume of each performance that participates in the ensemble Although there is a difference, the ensemble by the same kind of performance is reproduced in all the performance terminal devices. On the other hand, when a performance terminal device participating in the ensemble has a delay time that is long enough to cause trouble in the ensemble when viewed from a certain performance terminal device, the same applies to all performance terminal devices. An ensemble based on a different type of performance is not reproduced, and an ensemble based on a different type of performance may be reproduced depending on the performance terminal device. However, even if such a situation occurs, there is no particular problem unless it is an essential requirement that all the participants perform.

  Theoretically, there is no limit to the number of performance terminal devices that can participate in this system. However, if the number of participants increases too much, the ensemble situation may become annoying. Therefore, the number of participants may be limited in advance. The method for limiting the number of units is arbitrary. For example, by configuring the mixing means of a plurality of performance terminal devices to operate as follows, the number of units can be limited as a result. That is, by comparing the delay time of one or more received performance signals with a predetermined reference delay time, performance signals whose delay time is longer than the reference delay time are excluded from mixing. Then, the amplification factor of the performance signal whose delay time is within the reference delay time is reduced in inverse proportion to the length of the delay time of the performance signal. In this way, the number of performance terminal devices that can participate in the system can be limited by changing the setting of the reference delay time.

  When the reference delay time is set as described above, depending on how the reference delay time is determined, it may not be necessary to reduce the amplification factor according to the delay time. Considering the ability of human ears to discern, it is said that if the delay time is within about 50 ms, the time will not feel delayed. Therefore, when the reference delay time is set to a time at which human beings cannot identify the time delay, the amplification factor does not have to be reduced particularly according to the delay time. Therefore, in this case, the mixing means of the plurality of performance terminal devices respectively compare the delay time of the received one or more performance signals with a predetermined reference delay time, and the performance signal having a delay time longer than the reference delay time. May be excluded from mixing, and the remaining performance signals may be mixed and output as they are.

  The method for changing the amplification factor is arbitrary. For example, when the volume is adjusted by configuring the mixing means using a computer, the volume adjustment variable may be changed according to the delay time. In this way, the amplification factor can be easily changed.

  In the above system, there may be a large difference in the ensemble that can be heard at each performance terminal device. Therefore, in order to enable all the participants to listen to the same concert, the remote multipoint concert system of the present invention in which a plurality of performance terminal devices are connected to a mixing server via a network can be employed. In this system, the performance terminal device includes a conversion unit that converts an actual performance into a performance signal, a transmission / reception unit that transmits the performance signal to the mixing server via the network and receives a mixed signal from the mixing server, and a mixing unit. It suffices to have at least reproduction means for reproducing the signal. The mixing server has a function of receiving a plurality of performance signals transmitted from a plurality of performance terminal devices, a delay time measuring function of measuring a delay time of the received plurality of performance signals, and a plurality of performance signals received. A function of generating a mixed signal by mixing a plurality of performance signals by reducing the amplification factor in inverse proportion to the length of the delay time measured, and a function of transmitting the mixed signals to a plurality of performance terminal devices A configuration that can be realized. In this system, since the delay time is determined centering on the mixing server, only a plurality of performance terminal devices placed within a predetermined distance from the mixing server can participate in the concert. As for the delay time, for example, the delay time of another performance signal may be measured based on the performance signal received first, and the delay measurement signal is sent from the mixing server to the performance terminal device as described above. You may transmit and measure delay time. In the performance terminal device placed in a remote place where the delay time becomes long, it is possible to reproduce the mixed signal transmitted from the mixing server and listen to the same ensemble as the participant. Even in this system, since the amplification factor of the performance signal is reduced in inverse proportion to the length of the delay time, the performance with a time delay during the ensemble does not become annoying. If the mixing server is the center, the determination of the delay time is performed at one place, so that the burden on the performance terminal device side is reduced and there is no delay in the determination of the delay time.

  In order to limit the number of performance terminal devices that can participate even when using a mixing server, a reference delay time is determined in advance and a delay time of one or more received performance signals is determined in the same manner as described above. In contrast to the delay time, a performance signal whose delay time is longer than the reference delay time may be excluded from the mixing. Even in this case, if the reference delay time is set to an appropriate length, the amplification factor can be reduced with a proportional relationship having a negative slope or the inverse amplification factor with respect to the length of the delay time. It is not always necessary to reduce the size. In this case, the mixing server only needs to have a function of excluding performance signals whose delay time is longer than the reference delay time from mixing and mixing the remaining performance signals as they are to generate a mixed signal.

  In the system of the present invention using the mixing server, all the performance terminal devices excluded from the ensemble are recognized by the mixing server. Therefore, it is possible to further add a function for notifying the performance server that has transmitted the performance signal excluded from mixing to the mixing server. With such a function, a participant who uses the excluded performance terminal device does not notice that he / she is excluded and does not cause a situation in which the performance continues. In addition, since the participant who is excluded can listen to the ensemble through his / her performance terminal device, the ensemble can be enjoyed even if excluded.

  Embodiments of a remote multipoint concert system using a network according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example of an embodiment of a remote multipoint concert system of the present invention of a type that does not use a server. In FIG. 1, the portion indicated by reference numeral 1 is a network constituted by the Internet or the like. In the present embodiment, five (a plurality) performance terminal devices A to E are connected to the network 1. In the places where the performance terminal devices A to E are placed, the performers 3A to 3E can perform ensembles with the performances of the performers in other places. In the example of FIG. 1, the performers 3 </ b> A to 3 </ b> E are displayed to play different instruments, but even if the performers play all the same instruments, the performers do not play the instruments. It may be either the case of singing and performing, or the case where the performer participates in the performance with clapping. The performance terminal devices A to E use personal computers 5A to 5E that are generally used as main control devices. In this example, the MIDI terminals convert MIDI signals into acoustic signals, and convert acoustic signals into MIDI signals. Sound sources 7A to 7E are provided. In FIG. 1, the volume display indicated by reference numerals 9 </ b> A to 9 </ b> E is a simulated display of differences in amplification factors of a plurality of amplification units inside the mixing means described later.

  The performance terminal devices A to E have the same configuration. The configuration is as shown in FIG. 2, and when divided as a concept, the conversion means 51, the transmission / reception means 53, the delay time measurement means 55, the mixing means 57, and the mixed signal output from the mixing means 57 are reproduced. It can be considered that the reproduction means 59 is configured. The MIDI sound source described above constitutes a part of the converting means 51, the transmitting / receiving means 53, and the reproducing means 59. The conversion means 51 shown in FIG. 2 includes, for example, a microphone and converts an actual performance into a performance signal. In addition, the conversion means 51 is built in an electronic musical instrument and converts a MIDI signal into a performance signal according to the operation of the electronic musical instrument. Are included to convert an actual performance into a performance signal. In this example, as the converting means 51, in addition to the one that converts the acoustic signal based on the sound collected by the microphone into a MIDI signal to be a performance signal, both the one that is built in the electronic musical instrument and directly outputs the MIDI signal is used. It is assumed that In this example, it is assumed that the five performance terminal devices A to E connected to the network know the addresses of each other and have a relationship of transmitting and receiving performance signals to each other. Therefore, the transmission / reception means 53 transmits / receives the performance signal to / from the other four performance terminal devices via the network 1. The delay time measuring means 55 measures the delay times of the plurality of received performance signals (four performance signals in this example). As shown in FIG. 3, the delay time measuring means 55 used in this embodiment is a signal for measuring delay from one performance terminal device (for example, 5A) to one or more performance terminal devices (5B to 5E). Then, one or more other performance terminal devices (5B to 5E) transmit a reply signal to one performance terminal device (5A) according to the delay measurement signal, and one performance terminal device (5A) Is configured to measure the delay time based on the time until the reply signal is received. This delay time measurement may be performed in parallel with the performance by transmitting the delay measurement signal together with the performance signal when transmitting the performance signal. For example, a delay measurement signal may be transmitted at intervals of 0.5 seconds. Such a delay time measurement function is provided as a standard function in, for example, an operation system sold by Apple Computer (trademark) under the name of Mac OS X Tiger (trademark). Therefore, if this function is used, the delay time can be easily measured.

  In addition to the function of mixing a plurality of received performance signals to create a mixed signal, the mixing means 57 in this example increases the amplification factor of one or more performance signals as the delay time of the received one or more performance signals increases. Has the function of reducing. More specifically, it has a proportional relationship (y = −mx relationship) having a negative slope with respect to the delay time of the performance signal and an inversely proportional relationship, and a function of decreasing the amplification factor according to the delay time. Is provided with mixing means 57. In the example of FIG. 1, the delay time of one or more performance signals to be received is measured with reference to the performance signal output from its own conversion means 51. FIG. 4 shows the relationship when the mixing means 55 decreases the amplification factor of one or more performance signals as the performance signal delay time increases. FIG. 4A shows the relationship between the delay time and the gain when the gain decreases with a negative slope (−m) constant with respect to the length of the delay time. Indicates the relationship between the delay time and the amplification factor when the amplification factor decreases in an inversely proportional relationship.

  As the delay time becomes longer as described above, the amplification factor of the received performance signal is reduced. When the delay time is increased to some extent, the amplification factor becomes considerably small. From the ensemble actually heard from the reproduction means 59, it is unpleasant. You won't be able to hear a performance that is too late. Also, the performance signal with a longer delay time has a smaller amplification factor, and the performance based on the performance signal becomes inconspicuous in the ensemble. Therefore, even if there is a slight delay between performances, it will not be harsh to the listener. As the playback means 59, a music playback device attached to the computer can be used.

  Theoretically, there is no limit to the number of performance terminal devices that can participate in this system. However, if the number of participants increases too much, the ensemble situation may become annoying. Therefore, the number of participants may be limited in advance. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an algorithm of a program installed in a computer of each performance terminal device used when setting the maximum number that can be participated in advance. In this flowchart, in step ST1, the maximum number of remote performance terminal devices that can be played together is set. In step ST2, a performance signal is transmitted to one or more performance terminal devices at remote locations. Next, in step ST3, a performance signal is received from a remote place. In step ST4, the delay time (delay time of the received performance signal) due to each remote place and the network is measured (calculated). Next, in step ST5, the volume is adjusted by changing the amplification factor (volume adjustment variable) according to the measured delay time. That is, the amplification factor of each performance signal is changed so as to become smaller as the delay time becomes longer. In step ST6, the amplification factor (volume control variable) for each performance signal is changed, and all performance signals are mixed by the mixing means to obtain a mixed signal for reproduction. When the end of the ensemble (the performance signal is no longer output from the conversion means 51 of the performance terminal device for a predetermined time) is detected in step ST7, the process ends.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a program algorithm used when the number of units is limited as a result by configuring the mixing means 57 as follows without limiting the number of units in advance. In this example, steps ST11 to ST13 correspond to steps ST2 to ST4 in FIG. 5, and steps ST15 to ST17 correspond to steps ST5 to ST7 in FIG. If the algorithm of FIG. 6 is compared with the algorithm of FIG. 5, the step which excludes from the mixing the performance signal whose delay time is longer than the reference delay time is added in step ST14 without limiting the number of participants that can participate in advance. In that respect, they are different. That is, in this example, the delay time of one or more performance signals received is compared with a predetermined reference delay time, and a performance signal having a delay time longer than the reference delay time is excluded from mixing. Then, the amplification factor of the performance signal whose delay time is within the reference delay time is reduced according to the length of the delay time of the performance signal. In this way, by changing the setting of the reference delay time, the number of performance terminal devices that can participate in the system is limited as a result.

  When the reference delay time is set as in the example of FIG. 6, depending on how the reference delay time is determined, it may not be necessary to reduce the amplification factor according to the delay time. Considering the ability of human ears to discern, it is said that there is no time delay if the delay time is within about 50 ms. Therefore, when the reference delay time is set to a time at which human beings cannot identify the time delay, the amplification factor does not have to be reduced particularly according to the delay time. Therefore, in this case, the mixing means 57 of the plurality of performance terminal apparatuses respectively compare the delay time of the received one or more performance signals with a predetermined reference delay time, and perform a performance whose delay time is longer than the reference delay time. What is necessary is just to comprise so that a signal may be excluded from mixing and the remaining performance signal may be mixed and output as it is. FIG. 7 shows an example of a program algorithm used in this case.

  In the system of the above embodiment, a large difference may occur in the ensemble that can be listened to by each performance terminal device. Therefore, in order to make it possible for all the participants to listen to the same ensemble, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality (five) of performance terminal devices 25A to 25E are connected to the mixing server 31 via the network 1. Remote multipoint ensemble system can be adopted. In this system, the performance terminal devices 25A to 25E are not shown, but, as in the configuration of the previous embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the conversion means for converting the actual performance into the performance signal, and the performance signal in the network 1 is provided at least with a transmission / reception means for transmitting to the mixing server 31 via 1 and receiving a mixed signal from the mixing server 31 and a reproducing means for reproducing the mixed signal.

  In this example, a MIDI sound source 33 that converts a MIDI signal into an acoustic signal is provided along with the mixing server 31. The mixing server 31 has a function for receiving a plurality of performance signals transmitted from a plurality of performance terminal devices and a mixed signal for a plurality of performance terminals, as schematically shown in FIG. A transmission / reception means 35 for realizing a function of transmitting to the apparatus is provided. The mixing server 31 includes a delay time measuring unit 37 having a delay time measuring function for measuring delay times of a plurality of received performance signals, and a delay time length obtained by measuring the amplification factors of the received plurality of performance signals. The mixing means 39 having a function of generating a mixed signal by mixing a plurality of performance signals, which is reduced in an inversely proportional relationship, is realized internally by a program. The configuration of the delay time measuring means 37 is the same as that in the previous embodiment.

  In addition, a notification means 41 described later is realized in the mixing server 31. In this system, since the delay time is determined with the mixing server 31 as the center, only a plurality of performance terminal devices placed within a predetermined distance from the mixing server 31 can participate in the concert. The performance terminal devices 25A to 25E placed in remote locations where the delay time becomes long can reproduce the mixed signal (acoustic signal) transmitted from the mixing server 31 and listen to the same ensemble as the participant. Become.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of an algorithm of a program installed in the mixing server 31 of this system. In this algorithm, when at least one performance terminal device (client) is placed and performance for an ensemble is started, the mixing server 31 starts processing. In step ST101, a performance signal (MIDI signal) is received from a remote performance terminal device (client). Next, in step ST102, the delay time of each performance signal is measured, and the MIDI signal is sent to the MIDI sound source 33 by reducing the amplification factor of each performance signal in inverse relation to the length of the delay time measured in step ST103. . The MIDI sound source changes the MIDI signal into an acoustic signal and sends the acoustic signal to the mixing server 31 (step ST104). The mixing server 31 transmits the acoustic signal to the plurality of performance terminal devices (clients) 25A to 25E. When it is confirmed in step ST106 that performance signals are no longer transmitted from all the performance terminal devices (clients) 25A to 25E to the mixing server 31, the ensemble ends.

  Even in this system, the amplification factor for performance signals transmitted from a remote location is reduced according to the delay time (such as a proportional or inversely proportional relationship with a negative slope). The performance will not be annoying. If the mixing server 31 is the center, the determination of the delay time is performed at one place, so that the burden on the performance terminal device side is reduced and the delay time is not delayed.

  In order to limit the number of performance terminal devices that can participate even when a mixing server is used, a reference delay time is set in advance on the mixing server 31 side as shown in FIG. 11 (step ST203). The performance signal delay time described above is compared with the reference delay time, and a performance signal having a delay time longer than the reference delay time may be excluded from the mixing (step ST203). In the algorithm of FIG. 11, since all the performance terminal devices excluded from the ensemble are recognized by the mixing server, they are excluded from the performance terminal devices that have transmitted performance signals excluded from the mixing to the mixing server. A function for notifying that (notification means 41 in FIG. 9) is further added. This function is realized in step ST207 of FIG. With such a function, a participant who uses the excluded performance terminal device does not notice that he / she is excluded and does not cause a situation in which the performance continues. The notification of exclusion can be made by displaying, for example, a red card that means exclusion on the screen of the performance terminal device 25C of FIG. Of course, it may be a verbal notification. In this system, since the participant who is excluded as described above can listen to the ensemble through his / her performance terminal device 25C, the ensemble can be enjoyed as a spectator even if excluded.

  FIG. 12 shows an algorithm of a program installed in the computer on the performance terminal device side in this system. This algorithm has a performance mode and an audience mode. Then, when a warning (notifying that it is excluded) is received from the server (step ST304), a warning (red card R) is displayed on the screen of the performance terminal device (step ST305). When participation in the ensemble ends, the process moves from step ST306 to step ST307, and the performance mode is changed to the audience mode. The audience mode ends when the listening to the ensemble ends (step ST308).

  Even when the mixing server 31 is used, if the reference delay time is set to an appropriate length, it is not always necessary to reduce the amplification factor according to the length of the delay time. Therefore, in this case, as in the algorithm shown in FIG. 13, performance signals whose delay time is longer than the reference delay time are excluded from mixing (step ST403), and the remaining performance signals are mixed as they are to generate a mixed signal. (Step ST204) The function may be realized in the mixing server 31.

It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating an example of embodiment of the remote multipoint concert system of the present invention of the type which does not use a server. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of a performance terminal device. It is a figure used in order to demonstrate an example of the method of measuring delay time. (A) And (B) is a figure which shows the relationship in the case of making small the amplification factor of a performance signal in inverse proportion to the length of delay time. It is a flowchart which shows the algorithm of the program installed in the computer of each performance terminal device used when setting the maximum number which can participate beforehand. It is a flowchart which shows the algorithm of the other program which can be installed in the computer of a performance terminal device. It is a flowchart which shows the algorithm of the other program which can be installed in the computer of a performance terminal device. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of another remote multipoint concert system of this invention which connects a some performance terminal device to the server for mixing via a network. It is a figure which shows the structure of the function implementation means implement | achieved in the server for mixing. It is a flowchart which shows the algorithm of an example of the program installed in the server for mixing. It is a flowchart which shows the algorithm of an example of the other program installed in the server for mixing. It is a flowchart which shows the algorithm of an example of the program installed in the computer of a performance terminal device. It is a flowchart which shows the algorithm of an example of the other program installed in the server for mixing.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Network 3A-3E Performer 5A-5E Personal computer AE Performance terminal device 51 Conversion means 53, 35 Transmission / reception means 55, 37 Delay time measurement means 57, 39 Mixing means 59 Reproduction means 31 Mixing server 41 Notification means

Claims (3)

A network that uses a plurality of performance terminal devices connected via a network to perform performances of performers in other locations at a place where the plurality of performance terminal devices are placed. A remote multipoint concert system used,
As the performance terminal device, conversion means for converting an actual performance into a performance signal, transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving the performance signal to / from one or more other performance terminal devices via the network, and the conversion means A delay time measuring means for measuring a delay time of a performance signal received on the basis of the performance signal output from the signal, and a mixed signal obtained by mixing the performance signal output from the conversion means and the one or more received performance signals. Using at least a mixing means for generating a reproduction means for reproducing the mixed signal,
The mixing means of the plurality of performance terminal devices respectively compare the delay time of the received one or more performance signals with a predetermined reference delay time, and the performance signal whose delay time is longer than the reference delay time Wherein the amplification factor of the performance signal having the delay time within the reference delay time is made smaller as the delay time of the performance signal becomes longer. Remote multi-site ensemble system using Using a plurality of performance terminal devices connected to a mixing server via a network, it is possible to perform with the performances of the performers in other locations at the location where the plurality of performance terminal devices are respectively placed. A remote multipoint ensemble system using a network
The performance terminal device includes a conversion means for converting an actual performance into a performance signal, a transmission / reception means for transmitting the performance signal to the mixing server via the network and receiving a mixed signal from the mixing server; And at least reproducing means for reproducing the mixed signal,
The mixing server has a function of receiving a plurality of performance signals transmitted from the plurality of performance terminal devices, a delay time measuring function of measuring delay times of the received plurality of performance signals, and one or more received The performance signal is compared with a predetermined reference delay time, a performance signal having a delay time longer than the reference delay time is excluded from mixing, and the performance signal has the delay time within the reference delay time. A function of generating the mixed signal by mixing the plurality of performance signals, and a function of generating the mixed signal by changing the amplification rate of the performance signal so that the delay time of the performance signal becomes longer The remote multipoint concert system using the network characterized by having a function of transmitting to the performance terminal device. The mixing server, to the excluded said performance terminal apparatus that transmitted the play signals from the mixing, the multi remote of claim 2, characterized in that it comprises further a function of notifying that it has excluded Point ensemble system.

Images