JP4447524B2 - Karaoke equipment characterized by medley music selection processing with uniform tempo - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a karaoke apparatus for performing a medley performance with a unified tempo by connecting a part of a plurality of music pieces designated by a user, and more particularly to a user interface for music selection and tempo designation.

Medley is known as one of the genres of karaoke. In particular, pre-made medley songs prepared as karaoke songs are well known. On the other hand, there is also known a karaoke apparatus that connects a plurality of songs designated by a user to make a medley song. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-56780 discloses a technique for producing a sense of unity as a whole medley song by combining the tempo and rhythm of a plurality of designated songs. According to this technology, for each piece of music, the rhythm and the tempo are matched by selecting appropriately from the different pieces of music data of different rhythms according to the medley rhythm, prepared for medley performance separately from the usual karaoke performance. And play multiple songs together.
JP 2000-56780 A

  There is a field called dance music among the music that is popular among young people recently. I enjoy dancing to the rhythm of music. There are several genres with different rhythms and tempos in dance music such as house techno and hip hop. For example, a house has a tempo of 4/4 beats and a heart rate (120 beats / minute). When it comes to techno, the rhythm is 4/4 mechanical beats and the tempo is faster than the house (128-130 beats / minute). Hip-hop is a syncopated beat, a slow tempo (below 118 beats / minute), and so on.

  In any case, what is important in dance music is rhythm (beat) and tempo. When listening to music as dance music, lyrics are not an important factor.

  With the increasing number of young people enjoying dance music, the way of enjoying karaoke is changing. There are many groups that do not always enjoy singing, but select a favorite song and dance with them. Lyrics are not an important element, and it is safe to change the tempo to make it easy to dance even if you like it.

  Therefore, the inventor of the present application thinks that the convenience of such people is improved when a song suitable for dance music is presented and the song selected by the user is played in medley one after another, Invented the present invention.

The karaoke apparatus according to the present invention is specified by the following items (1) to (16).
(1) It is a karaoke device that includes a karaoke database, performance means, main control means, and a music selection console and is capable of performing medley. (2) The karaoke database associates karaoke data of a large number of music pieces with music numbers. (3) The performance means plays the music based on the karaoke data according to the control of the main control means. (4) The main control means registers the music number and the medley number in the queue and sets the medley number. The associated designated tempo value and music number permutation are stored, and when the head of the queue is a music number, normal performance processing is performed, and when the medley number is used, medley performance processing is performed. (5) Playing the karaoke data corresponding to the music number (6) The medley performance processing is performed for each of the music number permutations stored in association with the medley number. A part of the karaoke data of the music number is played in order according to the permutation, and the performance tempo of each music is unified to the specified tempo value. (7) The music selection console includes display means, operation input means, and control means. The music attribute database corresponding to the karaoke database is accessible (8) The music attribute database stores the music number, song name, artist name, and dance aptitude classification information in association with each other (9) The display means displays information in accordance with the control of the control means. (10) The operation input means can accept the user's operation input. (11) The control means performs normal music selection processing and first to fourth. (12) The normal music selection means allows the user to extract music based on the music attribute database and is extracted. Sending the song number of the song to the control means (13) The first process displays the input reception screen for the specified tempo value, and receives and stores the input of the specified tempo value. (14) The second process is for the song. Search the attribute database and extract a music set whose dance aptitude classification information matches the specified tempo value stored in the first process. (15) The third process displays the music set extracted in the second process. Prompt to select a plurality of songs, store the song numbers of the selected songs in the order of selection, and shift to the fourth process when there is a medley reservation input (16) The fourth process generates a medley number, The medley number, the specified tempo value stored in the first process, and the song number sequence stored in the third process are associated with each other and transmitted to the control means.

  Not only can the medley play with the user's favorite music, but even if the standard tempo as the karaoke music of each song is different, the medley performance is unified at the tempo specified by the user. Moreover, by simply designating the tempo, a music suitable for the tempo is presented, and a favorite music can be easily selected from the music. Therefore, according to the user's mood, it is possible to easily realize a medley performance of dance music using a user's favorite song as an element.

=== Basic configuration and functions of karaoke equipment ===
FIG. 1 shows an outline of the electrical system configuration of a karaoke apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The main computer 1 controls the entire karaoke apparatus. The hard disk device 2 stores various information such as a program of the main computer 1, a karaoke database, and a video database. The operation / display panel unit 3 can input various types of information by the user, and can display various types of information for the user. The communication processing unit 7 communicates with an external karaoke server or a member information server via a communication line. In addition, communication with the portable computer 14 is possible via the wireless port 13.

  The portable computer 14 can exchange various information interactively with users participating in the karaoke gathering, and communicates with the main computer 1 via the wireless port 13. The portable computer 14 is a palmtop type or laptop type personal computer, and a liquid crystal display with a transparent touch panel is largely laid out on the front as a user interface. Is programmed to exchange information.

  The main computer 1 manages the requested music specified by the user using the operation / display panel 3 or the portable computer 14 in a queue in that order. Then, the karaoke data of the corresponding music is taken out from the karaoke database in the order registered in the queue and transferred to the performance processing unit 8. The performance processing unit 8 performs stereo accompaniment music based on the karaoke data under the control of the main computer 1, amplifies the music signal with the mixing amplifier 9, and emits the sound through the speaker.

=== Configuration of Music Attribute Database ===
In the karaoke apparatus of the present embodiment, the accompanying portable computer 14 stores various attribute information of karaoke music managed in the karaoke database in the hard disk device and manages the music number as key information and managed as a music attribute database. The same database is also stored and managed in the hard disk device 2 in the karaoke device body.

  As attribute information items, in addition to song names, artist names, song genres, etc., dance aptitude classification information is stored and managed. By specifying a part of these attribute information items and referring to this database, it is possible to search for karaoke music.

  The dance aptitude classification information is classified into an appropriate dance genre when each song is played as dance music, such as house, techno, and hip hop. A certain piece of music is not necessarily classified into a single dance genre, and a plurality of pieces of dance aptitude classification information may be given. For example, it may be appropriate as dance music of other genres simply by changing the tempo. Therefore, for example, the same music may be classified into two different dance genres such as “house” and “techno” as dance aptitude classification information. This song is hit both when searching the music attribute database as the dance genre “house” and when searching as “techno”.

  During the medley performance, as will be described later, the music attribute database is searched based on the dance aptitude classification information to extract appropriate music, and the music number and the music are presented to the participant so as to be specified.

The information in the karaoke database and the music attribute database is updated at an appropriate communication opportunity between the karaoke device and the portable computer 14 and the external karaoke server.
The music attribute database may be managed by an external server so that the portable computer 14 can be accessed via a network. Alternatively, it may be configured such that it is not stored in the portable computer 14 but managed only by the karaoke apparatus main body and appropriately accessed and searched via the wireless port 13.

=== Composition of karaoke data ===
The karaoke data of each song is an organization of song numbers, MIDI performance data, recording data, and lyrics subtitle data. As is well known, the MIDI performance data specifies each of various types of karaoke sound sources as one instrument, and specifies the sound generation / mute timing, pitch, volume, etc. of each performance sound to be generated by each instrument. Yes. It also specifies the tempo and beat of the entire song. At the time of performance processing, a timing clock signal is generated based on this tempo, the sounding / mute timing of each musical instrument performance sound is determined, and performance sounds are generated in time series. Thereby, each musical instrument performance sound can be synchronized.

  Furthermore, the karaoke data of each musical piece is accompanied by medley section data indicating the start and end points of the section to be subjected to performance processing when designated as a medley.

=== Normal music selection processing ===
A karaoke participant can use a table of contents on a paper medium to check the song number of a song to be sung, and designate and input the song number from the operation / display panel 3 or the portable computer 14 to reserve a karaoke performance. It is. The main computer 1 manages the input music number in a queue.

  In addition, the participant can search and reserve a song to be sung using the portable computer 14 as a music selection console. FIG. 2A illustrates a top menu displayed on the touch panel type liquid crystal display of the portable computer 14. Various search menus such as “new music”, “singer name”, “song name”, “at that time”, “video starring”, “red and white song battle”, “live sound recording”, “tie-up”, “genre”, etc. ) Is available. The portable computer 14 searches the music attribute database based on the attribute item designated by the participant, displays the search result on the display device, and allows the participant to select music in an interactive manner. Then, the music selection number of the music selected by the participant is transferred to the main computer 1, and the main computer 1 manages the music number in a queue.

=== Medley selection process ===
In this embodiment, the participant can use the portable computer 14 to specify a medley performance of dance music in addition to the search menu. When the participant inputs “Dance Medley” and designates a medley performance, the screen is changed to a screen for designating a tempo.

  Here, dance genres such as house techno and hip hop with different tempos and rhythms are defined so that each has a certain range of tempo and does not overlap each other. For example, as described above, techno is defined as 128-130 beats / minute, house is defined as 120 beats / minute, and hip-hop is defined as 118 beats / minute or less. Therefore, when a tempo is specified, one dance genre is determined. The portable computer 14 and the main computer 1 manage a tempo value / dance genre comparison table in which a dance genre and a range of tempo values are associated with each other in an appropriate storage unit, and tempo values (known to those who like dance music). ) Can be determined by comparing which dance genre the numerical value belongs to (see FIG. 2B).

  When the participant inputs a numerical value of tempo, the portable computer 14 determines one dance genre, searches and extracts music of the corresponding dance genre with reference to the music attribute database, and displays the music of the extraction result as a liquid crystal display. Display on the container (see FIG. 2C). All of the corresponding songs may be displayed over several pages for each predetermined number of songs, or the number of songs that can be displayed on one page may be appropriately selected and displayed as recommended songs.

  The participant can select and input a plurality of songs by designating and inputting from among the displayed songs. Repeat the process of displaying the song you want to play in the medley on the screen and specifying it. The portable computer 14 temporarily stores the music numbers of the selected music appropriately in the designated order. Thereafter, when the participant inputs the designation to reserve the medley music after finishing the music selection (for example, inputs “end music selection” in FIG. 2C), the medley number is generated and assigned.

  The medley number is a numerical string having the same number of digits as the music number, and is configured to immediately identify the medley music instead of the normal music number. For example, a band to which no music number is assigned as a medley number is determined in advance.

  The portable computer 14 transfers the designated tempo value and the song number permutation together with the medley number to the main computer 1 via the wireless port 13. The main computer 1 registers the received medley number in the queue in the same manner as other music numbers. At this time, the designated tempo value and the medley music number sequence are registered and managed in association with the medley number. In this case, the dance genre previously determined based on the tempo value may also be transferred from the portable computer 14, and the main computer 1 may also register the dance genre in association with the queue.

=== Reservation confirmation display ===
When the reservation is accepted, the music piece is displayed on the liquid crystal display of the portable computer 14 and the operation / display panel unit 3 of the karaoke apparatus main body. When a normal music number is registered in the queue, the music name and artist name are displayed. The portable computer 14 or the main computer 1 retrieves and displays necessary information by referring to the music attribute database based on the received music number.

  When the medley number is registered in the queue, for example, a dance medley is displayed instead of a song name, and a dance genre and a specified tempo value are displayed instead of an artist name. For example, “Dance Medley / Techno (128 bpm)” (see FIG. 3). The dance genre to be displayed is read from the tempo value with reference to the tempo value / dance genre comparison table. The dance genre determined from the tempo value at the time of medley selection by the portable computer 14 is also transferred to the main computer 1, and when the medley number is registered in the queue, the main computer 1 also associates the dance genre with it. May be registered.

  It is also possible to display all reserved songs registered in the queue on the screen (see FIG. 3). For example, when “reservation list” is instructed and input from the top menu of FIG. 2B on the portable computer 14, the song names and artist names corresponding to the song numbers managed in the queue are listed in the order of reservation. Medley songs are displayed when the reservation is completed.

  Alternatively, it is also possible to display all reserved songs on the screen in the same manner as described above by inputting a “reservation confirmation” on the operation / display panel unit 3. A similar reservation list is displayed on the display device 6 as appropriate between the pieces of music from the end of the performance to the start of the performance of the next song.

=== Medley performance processing ===
The main computer 1 takes out the numbers in the order registered in the queue. When the extracted music number is the music number, the corresponding karaoke data is extracted from the karaoke database and subjected to normal performance processing. If the extracted number is a medley number, the following medley performance processing is performed.

  That is, the karaoke database is referred to based on the associated song number permutation, and the karaoke data corresponding to each song number is extracted in the order of selection. First, the medley section data of the karaoke data of the first song is referred to and the performance processing is controlled for the corresponding section.

  At the start of the performance process, a timing clock signal is generated in accordance with the tempo input when the medley performance is designated. Based on the timing clock signal, the performance processing is advanced in time series.

  When the performance process for one medley section is completed, the performance process is continued for the medley section of the karaoke data of the next music. The same performance process is sequentially performed in the order of music selection, and the medley performance is performed by connecting them together.

  In this way, the medley performance can be performed not only with the favorite music of the participant, but also with the tempo designated as the medley, even if the standard tempo as the karaoke music of each music differs. Therefore, the medley performance of dance music can be easily realized according to the mood of participation.

  Instead of providing the medley section data as in the above embodiment, the entire pieces of music may be played and connected.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The user interface may be configured so that a dance genre can be specified and input instead of specifying a tempo value when specifying a medley performance. In this case, the tempo at the time of medley performance is determined for each dance genre.

  The system configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The karaoke device and the portable computer 14 may be an integrated hardware device.

It is a functional block diagram of the karaoke apparatus which concerns on a present Example. It is the figure which illustrated the screen transition at the time of designating the medley performance which concerns on a present Example. It is the figure which illustrated the list display screen of the reservation music which concerns on a present Example.

Explanation of symbols

1 Main computer 8 Performance processor 14 Mobile computer

Claims (1)

A karaoke apparatus comprising a karaoke database, performance means, main control means, and a music selection console and capable of performing medley performances,
The karaoke database stores karaoke data of a large number of songs in association with song numbers,
The performance means plays music based on karaoke data according to the control of the main control means,
The main control means registers the music number and medley number in the queue, stores the specified tempo value associated with the medley number and the music number permutation, and performs normal performance processing when the head of the queue is the music number. In case of medley number, perform medley performance processing,
In the normal performance process, the karaoke data corresponding to the music number is played,
In the medley performance process, a part of the karaoke data of each music number in the music number permutation stored in association with the medley number is played in order according to the permutation, and the performance tempo of each music is unified to a specified tempo value,
The music selection console includes display means, operation input means, and control means, and can access a music attribute database corresponding to the karaoke database.
The song attribute database stores song numbers, song names, artist names, and dance aptitude classification information in association with each other,
The display means displays information according to the control of the control means,
The operation input means can accept the user's operation input,
The control means enables normal music selection processing and first to fourth medley music selection processing,
The normal music selection means causes the user to extract music based on the music attribute database and transmits the music number of the extracted music to the control means,
The first process displays an input reception screen for a specified tempo value, receives and stores an input for the specified tempo value,
In the second process, a music attribute database is searched to extract a set of music that matches the designated tempo value stored in the first process by the dance aptitude classification information,
The third process displays the music set extracted in the second process, prompts selection of a plurality of music, stores the music numbers of the selected music in the order of selection, and enters the fourth process when a medley reservation is input. Migrate,
The fourth process generates a medley number, associates the medley number, the specified tempo value stored in the first process, and the song number permutation stored in the third process, and transmits the medley number to the control means.

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