JP5572498B2 - Karaoke equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a karaoke apparatus that sings along with the performance of music, and particularly relates to a karaoke apparatus that can display video information in conjunction with the performance of music.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a karaoke apparatus that enjoys singing along with the performance of music, it is usual to display lyrics in synchronization with the performance of the music and perform singing assistance. At that time, a background image corresponding to the music is displayed on the background of the lyrics so that the singing is performed. In a device that uses music information such as MIDI such as a communication karaoke device, music information and background video information are independent information, and therefore, a device such as selecting background video information by genre information of music information is applied. ing.

  Patent Document 1 describes an automatic performance device that allows a user to select image information used as such a background video. In this automatic performance device, the user can display a background video corresponding to the scene of the music by assigning an image to the music information in advance. In addition, an image created by the user himself / herself can be used, and the image can be disclosed to other users.

  Patent Document 2 also describes a karaoke device that allows a user to select a background video. In this karaoke device, the combination data of the music data and the video data corresponding to the music data is stored in the combination data storage means, so that the background video that the user likes is surely reproduced when playing a specific karaoke song. The Rukoto.

  Patent Document 3 describes a karaoke system in which a self-made video work created by a user can be used as a background video of a karaoke device. In this system, the video server stores video data associated with the user ID and the music ID, and when receiving a request including the user ID and the music ID, transfers the corresponding video data to the karaoke apparatus. By doing so, the video data corresponding to the music can be used as the background video.

JP 2003-99035 A Japanese Patent No. 3956411 JP 2003-76380 A

  In the karaoke apparatuses disclosed in Patent Literatures 1 to 3, the user can select a background video, but any background video is associated with the music to be played. In addition, in the karaoke apparatuses described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 3, a video created by a user can be used, but no convenience is provided for the selection of the video. In particular, in Patent Document 3, video data created by a user is used by the user himself and is not widely disclosed to others.

At present, the communication capacity of the Internet has become much larger, and it is possible to handle high-quality images at image posting sites and the like. In addition, a mobile information terminal having a communication function is usually equipped with a camera, and a user can easily upload a photographed image to an image posting site and enjoy it widely.

  In view of such circumstances, the present invention uses a video that reflects the preference of a user who sings easily from among a large number of posted videos that are expected when performing music on a karaoke device. An object of the present invention is to provide a karaoke apparatus capable of performing the above.

Therefore, the karaoke apparatus according to the present invention includes input means for accepting various designations from a user, control means for executing music designation processing, and performance processing, and the music designation processing is performed by the input means. Is specified, the specified information including the music identifier corresponding to the music and the user identification information of the user who specified the music is registered, and the performance processing corresponds to the music identifier included in the specified information. The music information is caused to be played by the music performance means, and the user information corresponding to the user identification information included in the designation information and the posted video information selected based on the attribute information corresponding to the posted video information are displayed on the display means. The attribute information includes at least part of user information of a user who posted the posted video information.

  Furthermore, in the karaoke apparatus according to the present invention, the posted video information displayed in the performance process is selected from posted video information corresponding to a specified category.

  Furthermore, the karaoke apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the category is designated from categories presented to the user.

  Furthermore, the karaoke apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that when the category is presented to the user, posted video information corresponding to the category is presented.

  Furthermore, in the karaoke apparatus according to the present invention, the category is specified based on category specifying information included in the user information.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the image | video contributed by the user corresponding to the user's preference which performs a singing can be easily selected from the posted image | video by a user, and can be displayed according to the performance of a music.

  In the present invention, by selecting a posted video from a designated category, it is possible to narrow down the posted video to be used in the posted video corresponding to the user's preference.

  In the present invention, the category can be easily selected by presenting the category to the user for selection.

  In addition, in the present invention, when the user selects a category, the posted video corresponding to the category is presented in association with each other, thereby visually recognizing what posted video is displayed and assisting the category selection. It becomes possible to do.

  Further, in the present invention, by using the category designation information included in the user information, it is not necessary to designate a category at the time of music selection or the like, and it becomes possible to narrow down posted videos easily.

The figure which shows the network structure of the karaoke system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the contribution information which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the structure of the karaoke system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the top menu which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the user information which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the music designation | designated process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the music detail screen which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the contribution image | video selection screen which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the reservation information which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure for demonstrating selection of the contribution video information which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the performance process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the reservation list which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the user information setting screen which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network configuration of a karaoke system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the main configuration as a karaoke system is composed of a karaoke host, a commander 2 installed in a store, and the like. The commander 2 is a so-called karaoke device having a music playback function, and is connected to the LAN 100 in the store. The commander 2 and the karaoke host are connected via the Internet, and exchange information necessary for various services such as newly supplied music information and user information. In this embodiment, they are connected via a VPN (Virtual Private Network), and communication with excellent security can be performed.

  The commander 2 installed in the store can accept various instructions from the user by the remote control device 1. In addition, the remote control device 1 includes a display screen and can provide various information to the user. The remote control device 1 is wirelessly connected to the commander 2 via an access point 110a installed on the LAN 100. For example, the commander 2a is associated with the remote control devices 1a and 1b and can be operated via the LAN 100a. Further, the remote control device 1 and the commander 2 can perform short-range communication using infrared rays.

  Furthermore, in the karaoke system of this embodiment, an Internet host is provided to provide various services to the user. The Internet host is connected to a user's personal computer and a portable information terminal (such as a mobile phone or a PDA), and can provide various services to users who use these devices. In addition, the Internet host can provide a coordinated service by sharing data with the karaoke host.

  The karaoke system in the present embodiment can use the posted video from the user, from the information terminal device such as a personal computer or a portable information terminal to the management side system such as the Internet host or the karaoke host, The posted video information can be transmitted. For example, it is possible to access a web server of the Internet host with a personal computer, log in to the member web page, and transmit various posted video information such as video shot and created by the user. The management-side system manages the received posted video information as posted information. The posted video information may be transmitted from a commander or a remote control device, and in this case, these devices also belong to the information terminal device described above.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing post information according to the embodiment of the present invention. The posted information includes the transmitted posted video information and posted reference information provided by the management system. The posting reference information is information for managing the posted video information in the management-side system, and is a user ID of the user who transmitted the posted video information, and a posting ID such as a serial number assigned in the management-side system. Composed. The posted video information may use either a still image or a moving image, or may include audio information.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke system installed in the store A according to the embodiment of the present invention. The karaoke system in the present embodiment is composed of a commander 2 (karaoke device) and a remote control device 1, which are connected to each other wirelessly and wiredly via a LAN 100.

  The commander 2 mainly functions as a control unit 30 that performs overall control of the commander 2, and can perform performance processing, video reproduction processing, music designation processing, and the like as main functions. The performance process is a process in which the music information corresponding to the music specified by the user is played on the sound source unit such as the MIDI sound source 26 and emitted from the speaker 42 by the input unit 21 or the remote control device 1. At this time, the sound input from the microphone 43 is also emitted from the speaker 42. The video playback process is a process in which video playback unit 29 plays back video information, lyrics information, and the like, and provides visual information to the user via the monitor 41.

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

  The commander 2 is provided with a video input unit 43. As the video input unit 43, for example, a memory adapter is employed. By attaching an external memory to the memory adapter, video information stored in the memory adapter can be read and posted as posted video information. Alternatively, a camera may be connected to the commander 2 and video information captured by the camera may be used as posted video information.

  FIG. 4 is a view showing a top menu according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, various types of information are provided to the user who operates the remote control device 1 by displaying on the display unit 11 of the remote control device 1. Note that as the operation unit 17 of the remote control device 1, in addition to various switches such as a cursor key, a touch panel or the like that performs an operation by directly touching an icon displayed on the display unit 11 can be adopted.

  In the top menu, various methods for music selection can be specified, and information related to user login is displayed. In the present embodiment, as a music selection, a search can be performed by specifying a singer name and a music title.

  In the karaoke system of the present embodiment, a plurality of users can log in. Information related to user login is always displayed at the top of the screen. An avatar indicating the logged-in user is displayed. In the figure, Mr. A, Mr. E, Mr. C, and three avatars are displayed, but it is possible to log in additional users. Of the three avatars displayed, the user whose background is displayed in brown indicates that he is an operating user. In the present embodiment, the user name of the operating user and various messages for the operating user are also displayed.

  For the operating user, various services can be performed based on the user information of the user, and services based on the user information can be provided by referring to the personal information and operation history of the operating user. Is possible.

  The operating user can switch by operating user switching displayed on the upper left side of the screen. Also, on the upper right side of the screen, a new login for logging in a new user and a logout for logging out an operating user are displayed. By operating these, a user can be added and logged out.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining user information stored for each user. In the present embodiment, the user information includes personal information, an eighteenth table, a history table, and the like. The personal information includes a user ID for identifying the user, a password, and a user name, gender, age, and the like. These settings can be made by the user himself / herself using the remote control device 1, a personal computer connected to a network, a portable information terminal, or the like.

  The eighteenth table is a table showing songs registered in advance by the user, and includes at least a song identifier for identifying the song. In addition to this, each music identifier may be registered together with the highest score (scoring information) scored at the time of singing and the pitch information for matching to the own singing range. By calling this 18th table, the user can easily call a previously registered music and select a music. The scoring information is not limited to the highest score, but may be an average score or a lowest score, and may be configured with a rank without being limited to the score.

  The history table is a table in which the history of music selection by the user is described, and includes a music identifier, singing date and time, singing store, scoring information, pitch information, and the like. The scoring information is information indicating the result of the scoring means when singing, and the pitch information is information indicating the pitch change when singing.

  In the present embodiment, by using such user information, it is possible to select posted video information that meets the user's preference. In the present specification, the selection of posted video information using personal information in user information will be described. However, not only personal information but also an eighteenth table or a history table may be used.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the music designation process according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, when a music is designated, a category of posted video information to be displayed at the time of music performance is selected. In addition, although the various methods can be employ | adopted for the selection method of contribution video information, the detail is mentioned later.

  When the music designating process is started, the user searches for various methods of music from the top screen shown in FIG. 4 and selects the music to be sung (S102). The search uses a well-known interface, and a detailed description thereof is omitted here. When a song to be sung is selected, the user is allowed to confirm details on the song detail screen, and settings for music performance are performed (S103).

FIG. 7 shows a music detail screen displayed on the display unit 11 of the remote control device 1. In this embodiment, in order to confirm the details of the music, the song name, singer name, and singing are displayed. In addition, a key setting function is provided for changing the pitch during singing to match the own range. By operating the triangular switches arranged on the left and right, the user's favorite pitch can be set. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a “posted video selection” switch is provided, and by operating this switch, it is possible to move to the posted video selection screen and select a category of posted video.

  FIG. 8 shows a posted video selection screen (S105). On this posted video selection screen, it is possible to select a category of posted video instead of selecting individual posted video information. In the example of the figure, “same generation” using age in user information (personal information), “same residence” using residence, “same hobby” using hobby, “same song age” using song age You can select the category you want to use. In the present embodiment, thumbnail images of posted video information belonging to each category are also displayed. This thumbnail image is arbitrarily selected from the posted video information of the corresponding category, and assists the user in selecting the category. In the present embodiment, the same or close age, place of residence, hobbies, and song age are selected as categories, but the category selection is not necessarily limited to the same or close, but may be those having a predetermined relationship. it can.

  From the displayed categories, the user selects one or more categories (the “same hobby” category is selected in the figure) and operates the “OK” button to display the posted video to be displayed when playing the song. A category is determined (S107). When the category is determined or canceled ("Back" button is operated without selecting a category), the music detail screen of FIG. 7 is displayed again.

  After confirming the details of the song to be sung on the song detail screen of FIG. 7 and finishing the key setting and the category selection of the posted video, the user operates the button displayed as “Reserve” to select the song to be sung. Confirm (S108). The confirmed music is registered in the reservation list managed by the commander 1 as the reservation information shown in FIG. 10A (S109).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing reservation information according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9A shows reservation information when a category of posted video is not selected, that is, normal reservation time. b) shows the reservation information when the category of the posted video is selected. The reservation information includes the user ID of the user who selected the music, that is, the user ID of the operation user, in addition to the music identifier of the selected music. When key setting is performed, pitch information for changing the pitch at the time of performance is added. When the category of the posted video is selected, a category ID corresponding to the selected category is attached as shown in FIG. 9B. These reservation information are sequentially registered in a reservation list managed by the commander 2.

  FIG. 10 is a view for explaining selection of posted video information according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10A shows the personal information of the user who specified the music, that is, the operating user. In the present embodiment, the area of the logged-in store can be acquired as position information, and the position information is included and handled as user information. The posted video information is managed by a management-side system such as a karaoke host or an Internet host. Selection of the posted video information may be executed by the management-side system or installed in the commander 2 or the store. It may be executed by a server or the like. When the post video information itself is selected on the side that is not directly managed, the post ID is selected using post reference information or user information, and the post video information is indirectly selected.

FIG. 10B shows information related to the posted video. In the figure, the post reference information given to the post video information explained in FIG. 2 and the user information (personal information) are shown together in one table, but the post reference information and user information are managed individually. Is done. The posted video information and the user information are associated with each other using the user ID of the posted reference information as a common key. In the present embodiment, a predetermined item in the user information (personal information) is used as attribute information. The attribute information of the present embodiment is not limited to using the predetermined item in the user information through the user ID in this way, but the predetermined item of the user information of the posting user is added to the posting reference information incidental to the posted video information. You may join.

  In the example shown in FIG. 10, the user who designates the music, that is, the operation user is “Takako”. When selecting “same generation user” in category selection, posted video information posted by “Yuka”, “Noboru”, “Toshiko”, and “Machiko” who are users of the same age (25 years old) Is selected. When “same residence” is selected in the category selection, posted video information posted by “Ai” and “Hanako” who are users of the same residence (Tokyo) is selected.

  It is also possible to use location information indicating the area where the user is logged in. By selecting the posted video information of the user who has the location information of the operating user in his / her residence, the posted video information of the local user can be enjoyed, for example, when karaoke is performed during a business trip. In the example shown in the figure, since the location information of “Takako” is Osaka, posted video information of “Miho”, “Yu”, and “Toshiko” who have Osaka as their residence is selected. In addition, it is possible to select not only one but also a plurality of categories. In that case, the posted video information is obtained from the logical sum or logical product of the posted video information belonging to the selected category. Selected.

  Thus, in this embodiment, it becomes possible to select the posted video according to the preference of the user who sings by selecting the posted video information using the user information of the operating user. In this embodiment, by selecting the category, the user is allowed to select the posted video to some extent, but the category selection is not necessarily performed, and the user information of the operation user and the user who posted the posted video information It may be appropriately selected by comparing with information. Moreover, as user information, the user who has the same preference about a music may be selected by using the 18th table and log | history table demonstrated in FIG. 5 besides personal information.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing performance processing according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the reservation information issued in the music designation process is managed on the reservation list, and the performance is executed sequentially. In S202, it is determined whether there is a song that has not been played yet in the reservation list. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the reservation list, and performance management is performed by performing a performance on the reservation information indicated by the pointer. In the figure, the third reservation information is being played.

  If it is determined in S202 that there is a music to be played on the reservation list, the process proceeds to S203, and it is determined whether the music is a normal reservation or a posted video is a specified reservation. This determination can be easily made based on the contents of the reservation information described with reference to FIG. If it is determined that the reservation is normal, reproduction of normal video, that is, video information associated with the genre of music is started in S204, as in the conventional case. At the same time, in S206, the music information corresponding to the music identifier included in the reservation information is played by the MIDI sound source 26 as the music playing means. When it is determined in S207 that the performance has ended, the display of the video information is ended (S208), and the process returns to S201.

On the other hand, in the case where the posted video mode is selected in S203, and the category is selected in this embodiment, and the reservation information is in the format of FIG. 9B, the posted video information is displayed in S205. The posted video information extracted here is displayed based on the category selected by the user. The posted video information may be displayed as lyric background video information, or may be displayed independently on a display means different from the display means for displaying lyrics.

  Posted video information posted from various information terminal devices such as personal computers, portable information terminals, or commanders is stored in a management system such as a karaoke host and received by the commander 2 when displayed. It is necessary to keep it. If the posted video information used before is stored in the commander 2, it may be preferentially used, but if there is no storage, the corresponding posted video information is received by the commander 2. There is a need. In the present embodiment, since a form for reserving music is adopted, it is conceivable that posted video information to be displayed is stored in the commander 2 using a period in which music performance starts after reserving music. For example, in FIG. 12, posted video information selected by the fifth and sixth reservation information that has not been started yet can be stored in the commander 2 in advance. The display of posted video information is not limited to such a form, and various forms such as a real-time display by streaming can be adopted.

  In the posted video mode, the posted video information and the video information corresponding to the music can be displayed in combination. This is particularly effective when the selected posted video information is insufficient. In S206 to S208, the same music performance as in the normal reservation is executed. As described above, in the present embodiment, by selecting the posted video information based on the user information of the user performing the singing and the user information of the posting user, it is possible to enjoy the posted video in accordance with the preference of the user performing the singing. Become.

  In the present embodiment, the category is selected when the music is specified. However, the category may be specified as the category specifying information in the user information in advance. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a user information setting screen according to the embodiment of the present invention. On the user information setting screen, various settings such as personal information can be changed. In this embodiment, an item of background video setting is provided, and here, it is possible to specify whether to use a posted video and which category to use when used. . Settings can be made by operating the radio buttons, and the figure shows the use of the posted video and the state that “age” is selected as the category. The conditions set here are stored in the user information as category designation information, and are used at the time of music selection.

  By providing category specification information in the user information in this way, the user can select the category of posted video information that he / she wants to use without having to perform operations during music selection, and can easily use the posted video information. It becomes. In this case as well, category selection at the time of music selection may be performed. In that case, priority is given to selection at the time of music selection.

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

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Remote control apparatus, 11 ... Display part, 12 ... Video RAM, 13 ... Image | video control part, 14 ... Memory, 15 ... Control part, 16 ... Wireless LAN communication part, 17 ... Operation part, 18 ... Operation processing part, 19 ... Infrared communication unit, 2 ... Commander (karaoke device), 21 ... Operation unit, 22 ... Operation processing unit, 23 ... Infrared communication unit, 24 ... Interface unit, 25 ... Voice control unit, 26 ... MIDI sound source, 27 ... Memory, 28 ... Video RAM, 29 ... Video playback unit, 30 ... Control unit, 31 ... Video control unit, 32 ... Hard disk, 41 ... Monitor, 42 ... Speaker, 43 ... Microphone, 100 ... LAN, 110 ... Access point, 120 ... Router

Claims (5)

An input means for accepting various specifications from the user;
A control means for executing a music specification process and a performance process,
When the music is designated by the input means, the music designation process registers a music identifier corresponding to the music and designation information including user identification information of a user who designated the music,
The performance processing causes the music performance means to perform music information corresponding to a music identifier included in the designation information, and also includes user information corresponding to user identification information included in the designation information and attributes corresponding to posted video information. The posted video information selected based on the information is displayed on the display means,
The karaoke apparatus, wherein the attribute information includes at least a part of user information of a user who posted the posted video information. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, wherein posted video information displayed in the performance process is selected from posted video information corresponding to a specified category. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the category is designated from categories presented to a user. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the category is presented to a user, posted video information corresponding to the category is presented. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the category is specified based on category specifying information included in the user information.

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