JP5665131B2 - Karaoke device and karaoke program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a karaoke device that enjoys singing according to the music to be played, and a karaoke program that is used in the karaoke device. Regarding karaoke programs.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a karaoke apparatus that enjoys singing along with a musical piece to be played, lyrics information is displayed on a display device in synchronization with the performance. It is known that various images, so-called background images, are displayed on the background of the lyric information displayed on the display device, thereby enhancing the atmosphere of the singing place. This background video is required for the background video by using one that is prepared one-on-one with the music, so that it matches the mood and progress of the music, or uses one that is associated with the genre of the music. Various forms have been adopted, such as reducing storage capacity.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a function related to display of a background video (video work continued playback function) in such a karaoke apparatus. Specifically, by storing a video work that records video for a time longer than the performance time of one music piece, and sequentially playing a plurality of specific music pieces associated with the video work database, It becomes possible to see the continuation of the video work I saw earlier. By using this video work continued playback function, the user can enjoy a series of work videos.

JP 2008-225379 A

  However, the video work continuation playback function described in Patent Document 1 allows the user to see the continuation of the video work by designating a music previously associated with the video work database. In order to continue, the music to be played will be limited. In this way, if the music is limited for the singing which is the original purpose of karaoke, the user cannot enjoy singing. Also, if you select a song you want to sing, you cannot enjoy a video work.

  In addition, in night shops such as snacks, people who do not know sometimes gather, and in such a case, if the playback function of the video work described in Patent Document 1 is used, users who belong to the same group or the same group continue to stand up. It is difficult to use this function because there is a problem that songs sung by other users or songs sung by users of other groups are limited.

  In addition, this video work continuation function is a function that can be completed by a single visit to the store. I can't see it.

Therefore, the karaoke apparatus according to the present invention is
A performance means for reproducing performance information;
Video playback means for playing back background video information composed of a plurality of chapters divided along the video content ;
Storage means for storing management information in which background video identification information and end information are associated;
A reproduction process and a control means for executing a storage process;
The reproduction process causes the performance means to perform the performance information corresponding to the music designated by the input means, and reads management information corresponding to the user identification information of the user who designated the music from the storage means, and includes the management information The background video information corresponding to the background video identification information to be recorded is stored as the end information when the music specifying the same background video is continuously reserved based on the end information included in the management information. If a song with the same background image is played back after a predetermined time, play it back from the beginning of the chapter that ended halfway or from the previous end time ,
At the end of the playback process, the storage process associates the end information corresponding to the playback end position of the background video information with the background video identification information corresponding to the background video information and the user identification information of the user who specified the music. The information is stored in the storage means as management information.

Furthermore, the karaoke apparatus according to the present invention is
When the music is reserved, the management information can be specified by the input means, and the management information of the background video information that is already scheduled to be completed at the start of the performance of the reserved music is excluded from the selection candidates. It is characterized by that.
Furthermore, the karaoke apparatus according to the present invention is
When the reserved music is stopped halfway, the actual performance time is shortened, and playback of the background video information that has already been scheduled to complete at the start of the performance of the reserved music is no longer completed Is characterized in that the background video information scheduled to be played back is played back.

Furthermore, in the karaoke apparatus according to the present invention,
The storage means stores a plurality of management information,
The management information read in the reproduction process can be specified by the input means.

Also, the karaoke program according to the present invention is
The performance information corresponding to the music specified by the input means is played by the performance means, and the management information corresponding to the user identification information of the user who specified the music is read from the storage means, and the background video identification included in the management information is read. In accordance with the information, background video information composed of multiple chapters divided along the video content is continuously reserved for songs that specify the same background video based on the end information included in the management information If the music is played from the end time stored as the end information, and the music specifying the same background video is played after a predetermined time, the beginning of the chapter that ended halfway or the previous end time A playback process that goes back and forth,
At the end of the playback process, the end information corresponding to the playback end position of the background video information is stored as management information in association with the background video identification information corresponding to the background video information and the user identification information of the user who specified the music And a storage process to be stored in the means.

  According to the present invention, the user can enjoy a series of background video information by playing the performance information and reproducing the background video information from the position corresponding to the end information associated with the background video information. Become. In addition, by using the end information associated with the user identification information, it is possible to provide a series of background images for each user who sings.

The figure which shows the structure of the karaoke system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the top screen which concerns on embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the user information which concerns on embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the service process with respect to the user which concerns on embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the active user top screen which concerns on embodiment of this invention The flowchart which shows the music reservation process which concerns on embodiment of this invention The figure which shows a music confirmation (background image selection) screen in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the data structure of the reservation information which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the music performance process which concerns on embodiment of this invention The figure explaining the relationship between the music performance which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and background image reproduction | regeneration The figure explaining the relationship between the music performance which concerns on other embodiment of this invention, and background image reproduction | regeneration The figure explaining the relationship between the music performance which concerns on other embodiment of this invention, and background image reproduction | regeneration

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining user information stored in the host 5 for each user. In the present embodiment, the user information includes various information related to the user such as personal information and a background video table. User information is stored in advance in the storage unit 51 of the karaoke host 1. The user information is associated with a user ID and a password for the user to log in to the host 5 from the remote controller 1 and use the information. The personal information includes a user name (not limited to an actual name but may be a nickname), gender, age, and the like. These various types of information can also be set by logging in with the remote controller 1 or a personal computer (not shown) connected to a network such as the Internet or a portable information terminal.

  The background video table is a table for storing various information when the user uses the background video selection mode. In this embodiment, the background video table is a set of background video ID, end information, and end date / time information (“ Management information "). The background video table of this embodiment stores a plurality of sets of such information, and the user can select from a plurality of background video candidates being reproduced. In addition to storing a plurality of items as described above, it is also possible to store only the latest one.

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

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

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

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

  On this active user top screen, by selecting “Search for a song”, a search based on a singer name and a song name can be performed as in the case of a conventional song book. In particular, in the present embodiment, by specifying “continuous background video”, it is possible to enjoy a background video over a long period of time following the previous singing.

  Now, the continuous background mode in the karaoke apparatus according to the present invention will be described. In addition, this invention can also be provided as a program executable not only to a karaoke apparatus but to a karaoke apparatus or various general-purpose computers. First, the music reservation process when “continuous background video” is selected on the active user top screen of FIG. 5 will be described first.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining music reservation processing according to the embodiment of the present invention. When various input from the user is determined on the active user top screen of FIG. 5 and it is determined that the continuous background mode is selected (S201: Yes), the process proceeds to the next process. On the other hand, if the input is other than that (S201: No), the corresponding process is executed. In S202, an interface is appropriately displayed to allow the user to select a song to sing. This process is the same as the normal music selection, and the desired music is selected based on the music name, singer name, genre name, and the like.

  When the music selection is completed, the process proceeds to a process of selecting a background video. In S203, the user information (background video table) of the active user is referred to and it is determined whether or not there is a background video that is being reproduced. This determination can be made with reference to the end information in the background video table. If it is determined that there is a background video in the middle of reproduction (S203: Yes), the background video table is referred to, the background video ID in the middle of reproduction is extracted, and the process proceeds to the music confirmation screen display (S206).

FIG. 7 shows a music confirmation screen according to the embodiment of the present invention. In this screen, the music selected in S202 is a screen for confirming whether or not the user wants to sing the music, and as the information to be confirmed, the name of the singer, the name of the music, and the singing of the music are displayed. Furthermore, on this music confirmation screen, it is possible to select a background video that the user wants to use for the background video of the music. In the present embodiment, it is possible to select a desired one from a plurality of candidates among background videos selected by the user in the past. In this embodiment, the video name, start position / all chapters, contents, and playback date / time are displayed as information for selecting a background video that is being played back. The user can select a background image to be used by selecting a radio button displayed on the left side of the item. In the default state, the background image of the latest reproduction date / time is selected, that is, the most recently used background image is selected.

  In the display items, the video name and content are displayed by referring to the database using the background video ID in the background video table. Further, the start position / all chapters are the start positions determined based on the total number of chapters of the background video acquired using the background video ID and the end information associated with the background video ID in the background video table. Is displayed. In the present embodiment, the background video information is divided into a plurality of chapters, and the reproduction start from the middle is executed in units of chapters.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the user can select a background video that is being reproduced. If there is no background video in the middle of playback, or if there is no background video that the user wants to use among the displayed candidates, operate the button labeled `` Select another background video '' It is possible to select a new background video by transitioning to the background video selection screen. In the selection, various forms such as a search using a video name, content, etc. as a key can be adopted.

  By operating the “reservation” button on the music confirmation screen, the music and the selected background video are reserved. The reservation information transmitted from the remote control device 1 to the commander 2 is managed by a reservation table stored in the commander 2. FIG. 8 shows a data structure of reservation information transmitted from the remote control device 1 to the commander 2. In the present embodiment, the music ID indicating the reserved music, the user ID of the user who made the reservation (active user), and the selected background video ID are included.

  FIG. 9 shows a music performance process executed by the commander 2. In S301, reservation information stored and managed on the commander 2 side is read. In S302, based on the read reservation information, it is determined whether or not the reservation is made in the continuous background mode. If it is not the continuous background mode, the corresponding performance process is executed. On the other hand, if it is reserved in the continuous background mode, the end information is extracted based on the user ID and the background video ID. Specifically, the presence / absence of end information associated with the background video ID is searched in the background video table in the user information corresponding to the user ID.

  When there is end information (S303: Yes), the performance information corresponding to the music ID included in the reservation information is played by the acoustic control unit 70 (S304), and the background video ID included in the reservation information is supported. The background video information is played back by the video playback unit 29 from the position corresponding to the end information. On the other hand, when there is no end information (S303: No), the playback of the performance information is started (S306), and the background video information corresponding to the background video ID included in the reservation information is played back from the top (S307).

In S308, the end of the performance information is determined. This end determination includes both the case where the performance information has been played to the end or the stop command by the user. When the end of the performance information is determined (S308: Yes), the reproduction of the background video information is stopped in synchronization with it (S309). In S301, end information based on the stopped background video information,
The end date information is stored in the background video table.

  FIG. 10 shows the relationship between music performance and background video reproduction according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the background video information of this embodiment is composed of a plurality of chapters divided along the video content. In this embodiment, one chapter is composed of seven chapters having a length of about 1 minute. Below the background video information, the music played in the continuous background mode is shown. The background video that is played back synchronously with the first music piece 1 is played from the beginning of the background video to the middle of chapter 3 (3 minutes 14 seconds). As the end information stored at the end of the performance of the music 1, “3 minutes 14 seconds” that is the playback end time of the background video information may be stored, or the chapter 3 being played back or the chapter that has been played back entirely. 2 may be adopted.

  Next, the background video information to be played back synchronously with respect to the music piece 2 to be played and the stored end information are referred to and played back from the beginning of the chapter 3. Similarly, music 3 and music 4 are played back from the beginning of the chapter that was ended halfway, so that all parts of the background video information are reproduced comprehensively. In addition, by reproducing the chapter as a unit, the content is reproduced from a location that is well separated. As a method of midway reproduction, other than this form, reproduction from the end time stored as the end information, or reproduction by a predetermined time from the end time can be considered. Furthermore, the structure which combines these forms is also considered. For example, when music that designates the same background video is continuously reserved, the music is played from the end time stored as the end information, and the music that designates the same background video is played after a predetermined time interval. It is also possible to play back from the beginning of the chapter that ended halfway or from the previous end time. According to such a configuration, when a piece of music that designates one background video is played continuously, the designated background video can be seen immediately from the continuation of the video that was viewed immediately before, and the music It is possible to check the content of the previous background video when playing the music.

  As for the music 4 shown in the figure, the reproduction of the background video information ends during the performance of the music, resulting in a shortage period. In this case, an appropriate portion of the same background video information, for example, the beginning or a predetermined digest part may be played back so that the playback of the background video is not interrupted. Alternatively, it may be possible to compensate for the shortage period by playing back background video information prepared separately.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the user can enjoy a series of background video information by playing the performance information and reproducing the background video information from the position corresponding to the end information associated with the background video information. Is possible. In particular, in this embodiment, a series of background images can be provided for each user who sings by using end information associated with a user ID (user identification information). In addition, when the user logs out, logs in again, and uses it, for example, at the time of use in a revisited store, it is possible to enjoy the continuation of the background video. In this embodiment, the background video table corresponding to each user is used to continuously play back the background video for each user. However, one background video is shared among a plurality of users who are present. It is good also as reproducing | regenerating continuously.

  By the way, when viewing the continuation of the background video information, especially when time has passed since the last performance, it may be difficult to grasp the content even if the continuation is viewed. Therefore, before reproducing the continuation of the background video information, it is possible to make the user understand the content by reproducing the digest video up to the previous time. FIG. 11 shows the relationship between music performance and background video reproduction in such an embodiment.

In this embodiment, before the continuation of the background video information is reproduced, the digest portion in the background video information reproduced so far is reproduced. When attention is paid to the performance of the music 2, when the performance of the music 2 is started, the digest portions A and B of the chapter 1 and the chapter 2 are reproduced and then the chapter 3 which is a continuation portion is reproduced. This digest part is a part defined in advance in the background video information, and a part that significantly shows the contents of each chapter is selected. The digest portion may not be provided for each chapter, or a plurality of digest portions may be provided for one chapter. Further, it is possible to appropriately adopt a form such as using the head part of the chapter as the digest part.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the user can grasp the contents of a series of videos by playing the digest portion of the background video information played up to the previous time before playing back the continuation of the background video information. It becomes possible. The digest part can be played back by referring to the end date / time information in the background video table, when the predetermined time has passed, or only when the user logs out and logs in again. It is also possible to make it.

  In the embodiment described above, the background video information used for the music is specified when the music is reserved. In a karaoke apparatus, usually, a plurality of music pieces can be reserved. In such a case, it is conceivable that the specified background video information has already been reproduced to the end even though it has been specified to be used as a background video at the time of reservation. Therefore, the background video information that can be specified may be limited in consideration of the performance time of the already reserved music and the playback time of the background video information. That is, for the music piece to be reserved from now on, the background video information that has been played back at the time of the performance is excluded.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining such a situation, and shows the relationship between music performance and background video reproduction. For music 1 to music 3, the playback time length of the background video information A is sufficient, but for music 4 and music 5 to be played after that, background video has already been recorded for music 1 to music 3 Since the reproduction of the information A has been completed, the shortage period 2 occurs. In such a case, it can be seen that it is inconvenient if the background video information A can be specified when the music 4 and the music 5 are reserved. Therefore, when it is determined that the shortage period 2 occurs based on the playback time length of the background video information A and the performance time length of the music, the background video information A is selected at the time of reservation after the corresponding music 4. It will be excluded. Specifically, it is not displayed as a background video selection candidate on the screen shown in FIG.

  In addition, when the actual performance time length is shortened due to, for example, the reserved music being stopped halfway, even if it is determined that the shortage time 2 occurs at the time of reservation, the shortage time 2 may not actually occur. For example, in FIG. 12, when the performance of the music piece 2 is stopped halfway (by a user instruction or the like), the background video information A does not cause the shortage period 2 even when the music piece 4 is played. In such a case, the background video information A cannot be specified when the music 4 is already reserved, so it is excluded and other background video information is specified. However, the background video information A is slightly related. It is not preferable for the user not to watch until the end. Therefore, when the music 4 is played, the portion of the background video information A that has not been played back due to the cancellation of the music is preferentially played back before the other background video information specified when the music 4 is reserved. Also good.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to avoid a situation in which reproduction of the selected background video information ends during actual music performance. Note that the shortage period 1 shown in the figure may be compensated by appropriately reproducing the video as in the shortage period described in FIG. In addition, it is preferable to determine whether or not the background video information has been completely reproduced at the time of reservation in consideration of an actual situation such as reproduction of the digest portion shown in FIG.

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

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

Claims (5)

A performance means for reproducing performance information;
Video playback means for playing back background video information composed of a plurality of chapters divided along the video content ;
Storage means for storing management information in which background video identification information and end information are associated;
A reproduction process and a control means for executing a storage process;
The reproduction process causes the performance means to perform the performance information corresponding to the music designated by the input means, and reads management information corresponding to the user identification information of the user who designated the music from the storage means, and includes the management information The background video information corresponding to the background video identification information to be recorded is stored as the end information when the music specifying the same background video is continuously reserved based on the end information included in the management information. If a song with the same background image is played back after a predetermined time, play it back from the beginning of the chapter that ended halfway or from the previous end time ,
At the end of the playback process, the storage process associates the end information corresponding to the playback end position of the background video information with the background video identification information corresponding to the background video information and the user identification information of the user who specified the music. A karaoke apparatus which is stored in a storage means as management information. The storage means stores a plurality of management information,
The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the management information read in the reproduction process can be specified by an input unit. When the music is reserved, the management information can be specified by the input means, and the management information of the background video information that is already scheduled to be completed at the start of the performance of the reserved music is excluded from the selection candidates. It is characterized by
The karaoke apparatus according to claim 2. When the reserved music is stopped halfway, the actual performance time is shortened, and playback of the background video information that has already been scheduled to complete at the start of the performance of the reserved music is no longer completed Is to play back the background video information scheduled to be played back.
The karaoke apparatus according to claim 3. The performance information corresponding to the music specified by the input means is played by the performance means, and the management information corresponding to the user identification information of the user who specified the music is read from the storage means, and the background video identification included in the management information is read. In accordance with the information, background video information composed of multiple chapters divided along the video content is continuously reserved for songs that specify the same background video based on the end information included in the management information If the music is played from the end time stored as the end information, and the music specifying the same background video is played after a predetermined time, the beginning of the chapter that ended halfway or the previous end time A playback process that goes back and forth,
At the end of the playback process, the end information corresponding to the playback end position of the background video information is stored as management information in association with the background video identification information corresponding to the background video information and the user identification information of the user who specified the music A karaoke program that causes a computer to execute storage processing to be stored in the means.

Images