JPH09265293A - Karaoke (sing-along machine) device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the KARAOKE device in which a game and KARAOKE performances are linked to increase enjoyment. SOLUTION: A backgammon disk 45 is displayed on a monitor. The objective of the game is to advance a piece 60 from a start box 50 to a goal box 52. Each player sings a KARAOKE under the conditions instructed by the device. The device evaluates the KARAOKE singing and the piece 60 is advanced based on the evaluation results. When the piece 60 reaches to the box 52, the player sings his favorite song under special illumination and a paper storm. As an example of the conditions which are instructed by the device, the following is presented, i.e., 'Sing a popular song at 1.5 times faster than the original speed in a converted major key'.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a karaoke device for playing karaoke songs according to the result of a game or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a general karaoke apparatus, a user inputs a song number or the like to designate one song and select the song. In addition, since many stores such as karaoke boxes come to the group, it is proposed that not only the music is selected and played, but also a game function is attached so that all the group customers can enjoy. .

[0003]

However, the conventional karaoke apparatus with a game function has a drawback that the game and the karaoke performance are not linked at all, and the person who enjoys the game and the person who sings the karaoke are separated. It was Further, when the monitor is occupied by the game function, the music selection function does not work, and a karaoke performance is performed in which the music is randomly selected.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a karaoke device in which a game function and a karaoke playing function are interlocked with each other, so that the user can enjoy karaoke together with the game.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided storage means for storing music data for karaoke performance, performance means for playing the music data, and selection of the music data based on a user's game operation or the above-mentioned music data. It is characterized in that it is provided with a game means for determining a performance mode of the performance means and an executing means for executing a karaoke performance based on the determination result of the game means.

According to the present invention, the karaoke apparatus has a game function, and the user operates the game according to the game function. Game operation is an operation of moving a piece or firing a bullet in the case of a shooting game, and an operation of advancing a piece in the case of a role-playing game (Sugoroku is also a kind of this). These include operations to solve. The karaoke apparatus determines a song to be played and a mode at the time of playing in response to such a game operation. To determine the song, one song may be selected, or a selection range such as the genre of the song may be designated and the user may be allowed to select the song within the range. The performance mode includes tempo, keys (C, D, etc.), tonality (major / minor), etc. By changing these from the original of the song, it is possible to enhance the game characteristic of karaoke singing. Furthermore, if the advance of the frame is controlled according to the result of this karaoke singing, the karaoke singing and the game will be completely linked.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A karaoke apparatus which is an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This karaoke device is a so-called sound source karaoke device, and controls the on / off of musical tones by inputting music data to a sound source or a voice data processing unit, thereby executing a karaoke performance. About 10,000 pieces of music data are stored in the hard disk 27 (see FIG. 1). In the normal mode, one song can be selected from the song data stored in the hard disk 27 by inputting the song number from the commander which is an infrared remote controller. Further, in the game mode, the user plays the game displayed on the monitor 39 by the karaoke device, determines the song and the playing mode according to the progress of the game, and plays the karaoke. Also,
The game progresses according to the singing content of the karaoke song.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the karaoke apparatus. A CPU 20, which controls the operation of the entire karaoke apparatus, includes a ROM 21, a RAM 22, a hard disk (HDD) 27, a communication control unit 26, a commander receiving unit 23, an operating unit 24, a display unit 25, a MIDI interface 28, and a sound source 29 via a bus. , Voice data processing unit 30, DSP3
1, a pattern development unit 36, an LD changer 37, a display control unit 38, and a scoring device 42 are connected. ROM2
1 includes a system program, a sequence program,
A game program, a loader, and pattern data are stored. The system program is a program that controls the basic operation of the device and data transmission / reception with peripheral devices. The sequence program is a program that drives the sound source 29, the audio data processing unit 30, the DSP 31, etc. based on the music data to generate the karaoke performance sound and control the display of lyrics and the reproduction of the background video. The game program is a program for displaying a game screen on the monitor 39, advancing a frame in response to a user's operation, selecting a karaoke piece, and determining a performance mode. The loader is a program for downloading music data from the distribution center. The pattern data includes character pattern data (font data) for displaying lyrics, song titles, and the like, a graphic pattern for displaying a game graphic, and the like. The communication control unit 26 is a controller for communicating with a distribution center via a communication line and downloading music data and the like. The communication control unit 26 has a built-in DMA circuit and can directly write the downloaded music data to the HDD 27 without going through the CPU 20.

An effect device 40 such as a lighting device or a confetti device is connected to the MIDI interface 28. This peripheral device is controlled by the peripheral device control data included in the music data. That is, during the performance of a karaoke piece, the color and illuminance of the lighting are controlled so as to match the atmosphere and the progress of the piece.

The commander receiving unit 23 receives the infrared signal sent from the commander 41 and restores the data. The commander 41 includes various key switches such as a command key such as a normal mode key and a game mode key, and a numeric keypad. When the user operates these key switches,
The commander 41 outputs an infrared code signal corresponding to the operated key switch. The commander receiver 23 receives the infrared code signal and transmits it to the CPU 20. The operation unit 24 is provided on the front panel of the karaoke apparatus and includes the same mode selection switch and ten keys as the commander 41. The display unit 25 is also provided on the front panel of the karaoke apparatus similarly to the operation unit 24, and includes an LED matrix display for displaying the number of the currently playing music or the number of reserved music.

The sound source 29 forms a tone signal based on the tone data included in the music data. The audio data processing unit 30 reproduces an audio signal such as a back chorus based on audio data included in the music data. The tone signal generated by the sound source 29 and the audio signal reproduced by the audio data processing unit 30 are input to the DSP 31. The DSP 31 gives effects such as reverb and echo to the musical tone signal and the audio signal. The type and degree of the effect provided by the DSP 31 are controlled based on the DSP control data included in the music data. Music signal with effect,
The voice signal is converted into an analog signal (karaoke performance sound) by the D / A converter 33 and then output to the amplifier 33. A singing voice signal is also input from the microphone 34 to the amplifier 33. The amplifier 33 drives the speaker 35 by mixing and amplifying the karaoke performance sound and the singing voice signal.

Further, the pattern expanding section 36 expands a character pattern on the screen corresponding to the character code data of the lyrics track, and creates a game screen in the game mode. The LD changer 37 reproduces a predetermined background image (moving image) during karaoke performance. Pattern development unit 36
The character pattern developed by, the game screen, and the background image reproduced by the LD changer are combined by the display control unit 38 and displayed on the monitor 39.

In the normal mode, the user sets the commander 41
When you input the song number by operating, the song number will be
5, the corresponding music data is read from the hard disk 27 to the RAM 22. Then, each track of the music data is read based on the tempo clock, and the read event data is transmitted to the sound source 29, the sound data processing unit 30, and the DSP 31, whereby a karaoke performance sound is formed, and the lyrics display event is displayed. The lyrics are displayed by transmitting the data to the pattern expanding unit 36. On the other hand, in the game mode, a graphic game screen is created according to the instruction of the game program.

Further, the scoring device 42 inputs a singing voice signal from the microphone 34 and inputs melody track data from the CPU 20. The scoring device 42 compares these and judges the degree of conformity. In the case of a game, it is determined how much the song can follow the melody. Then, it gives a score with 100 points and outputs it to the CPU 20. When the game is executed, the CPU 20 determines the progress of the pieces according to this score.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of music data. The figure (A) shows the entire structure of the music data, and the figure (B) shows the structure of the melody track included in the musical sound track. The music data is composed of a header, a tone track, a lyrics track, a voice control track, a DSP control track, a peripheral device control track and a voice data section. The header is a portion where various data related to the music data is written, and data such as a music title, a genre, a release date, and a performance time (length) of the music are written.

The musical tone track, the lyrics track, the voice control track, the DSP control track, and the peripheral device control track are all described in the MIDI format as shown in FIG. The MIDI format is
It is composed of a plurality of event data and duration data Δt indicating a time interval between each event data. The sequence program counts .DELTA.t at a predetermined tempo clock, and when .DELTA.t is counted up, reads out event data subsequent thereto and outputs it to a predetermined processing unit.

The musical tone tracks include various part tracks such as a melody track and a rhythm track. In the melody track of FIG. 6B, the performance event data includes musical tone pronunciation (note-on event) and musical sound mute (note-off event) data, and the event type (note-on, note-off, tone color change, etc.) It is composed of data such as number (pitch) and velocity.

When performing a sequence with such track data, the tempo can be slowed by processing the value of the duration data Δt longer, and the tempo can be increased by processing the duration data Δt smaller. it can. By rewriting the note number, it is possible to change the key or change the tonality.

The lyrics track is a track in which sequence data for displaying lyrics on the monitor 39 is stored. Although this sequence data is not musical sound data, this track is also described in a MIDI data format system exclusive message in order to unify the implementation and facilitate the work process. The voice control track is a sequence track for designating the generation timing and the reproduction pitch of the voice data stored in the voice data section. The sound data part includes the sound source 29
A human voice such as a back chorus or harmony singing that is difficult to synthesize is stored. DS control tracks include DS
DSP control data for controlling the operation of P31 is written together with the duration data. Further, data for controlling the color and brightness of the illumination is written in the peripheral device control track.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a screen of a Sugoroku game which is a game executed by the karaoke apparatus. The board surface 45 of the Sugoroku game is formed by arranging a plurality of squares 51 between a start 50 and a goal 52. In each box 51, selection conditions for karaoke songs such as enka, pops, and foreign songs are written. A plurality of frames 60 are displayed on the scroll board. Each frame 60 is displayed in a different color. At the start of the game, all pieces are placed in the starting square. Each user (player) of the karaoke device is in charge of one frame. Each player makes his / her piece arrive at the goal as soon as possible while following the rules below.

4 to 9 are flowcharts of the game program of the karaoke apparatus. The progress of the game will be described with reference to this flowchart.

FIG. 4 shows the main routine of the game program. When the game starts, the game start processing operation is first executed (s1). In FIG. 5, in the game start processing operation, each player first inputs a name (s11), and receives a color designation of a frame (s12). For example, the colors of the frames are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, purple, etc.
The order of play is fixed in this color order. The colors in the previous order are specified in the order in which the names are entered. When all the members are registered, the first karaoke song is performed.

First, the player selects the song he or she wants to sing. The karaoke apparatus stores this song number in association with the player name in order to play this song even at the goal (s1).
4). Then, perform only one chorus of this song (s1
5). Since the player sings this song, this singing detects and stores the range of this player (s16) and marks the singing. A conventional scoring method may be used. Based on this scoring result, the degree of progress of the frame (the number of advancing cells) is determined (s17). The number of frames displayed on the monitor 39 is advanced by this number (s18). When the processes of s14 and below are completed for all players, the game start process is completed and the process returns to the main routine.

Next, the second and subsequent processes are executed for each player (s3). In FIG. 6, a plurality of cards corresponding to the position where the player's frame is stopped are displayed facing down and shuffled (s21). This shuffle continues until the player gives an instruction to open (s
22). When opening is instructed, the card at the top at that time is turned to the front and its contents are displayed (s2
3). All the above processing is executed as a graphic on the screen of the monitor 39. Further, the command for opening the player may be given by the commander 41 or the like.

The contents of the card are as follows, for example.

"Sing at a tempo of 1.5 times""Sing at a half tempo""The tempo changes randomly""Raise 5 times and sing""Lower 5 times and sing""Key is It changes randomly. ”“ Change the major / minor sing and sing ”. The karaoke device stores this content (s24), and changes the karaoke performance according to the instruction when performing the karaoke performance. In addition, major /
Since it is a game, it is only necessary to change the pitch of the minor key by moving the sound of "Mi" up and down a semitone. Also, a card combining the above conditions may be created. The content of this card and the genre of the song described in the box are the singing conditions for this player. Therefore, for example, a singing condition such as "Sing in Enka with a fast tempo and sing in major" or "Raise the best 10 of the week by 5 degrees and sing in minor" is set.

At s25, music selection processing is executed. This music selection process is a process in which the player selects one song from the songs of the genre designated by the cell description. In FIG. 7, it is first determined whether or not one song has already been decided (s3
1). When one song has been decided, when the song name is directly written on the square, or when there is a description indicating only one song such as "Best 1 of the week" or "Last year record award" Is. In this case, the process directly returns at the judgment of s31. Otherwise, set the NG counter to 0.
(S32). The NG counter is a counter that counts up when a song of a specified condition (genre) is not selected. In s33, the song selection (input of the song number) is accepted, and it is determined whether or not the song number conforms to the specified conditions (s34). If the condition is met, the number is retained and the process returns. If the condition is not met, add 1 to the NG counter (s3
5) If the NG counter is less than 3, the music selection is accepted again (s33). When NG becomes 3, the player's piece is returned to the start as an out (s37), and the processing operation (FIG. 6) after the second round of this time is ended (s38).
Thus, for example, by describing a difficult-to-understand song selection condition such as “Record Grand Prize Song of the 1940s”, the song selection itself can be converted into a game.

In FIG. 6, the song selected in s25 is s
Perform under the performance conditions of 24 (s25). FIG. 8A shows the basic operation of the performance execution processing, and FIG. 8B shows the timer interrupt processing at the time of performance execution. In the figure (A), first, the music data of the selected music is read out to the RAM 22 (s4
1) Start the karaoke performance sequence (s4
2). At this time, the play flag is turned on at the same time. Then, it waits until the play flag is turned off by a timer interrupt operation described later (s43).

In FIG. 8B, this operation is executed by a tempo clock interrupt while the play flag is on. First, Δt indicating the time interval of the sequence is subtracted by 1 (s45). Δt becomes 0 by this subtraction
If it becomes, the operation from s47 onward is executed, and if it does not become 0, the process directly returns (s46). However, this operation is executed in parallel for all the tracks included in the music data.

When Δt = 0 and the operation proceeds to s47,
Read the next data from the corresponding track. Then, it is determined whether this data is event data, end data, or duration data (s48, s
49). If it is event data, this data is changed according to the playing condition (s50) and output to the corresponding operation unit (s51). After this, the next data is read again (s47). The change of the above-mentioned data is, for example, a change such as adding 7 to the note number data indicating the pitch and raising it by 5 degrees. As a result, the karaoke performance can be changed to meet the conditions. If it is end data, all tracks are muted (s52), the play flag is turned off (s53), and the process returns. It is assumed that this end data is written in one of all tracks of the music data. If it is duration data, it is changed according to the condition (s54), and the changed value is set in the Δt register (s5).
5) Return. To change the duration data,
For example, half the size and double the tempo.

In FIG. 6, the performance execution process (s2
When the karaoke performance is performed according to 6) and the karaoke singing is performed at the same time, the singing is scored by the scoring device (s
27). In the above karaoke performance, since the tempo and the key have changed, the following is a point to be scored for singing following this. The progress of the frame is determined based on the scoring result.
The correspondence between the scoring result and the progress of the frame is set as shown in FIG. 10, for example. If the score is high as shown in the figure, the coma moves up to three, but if the score is bad, the coma is moved backwards.
If it is extremely bad, the piece will be returned to the starting point, and the song and the game can be linked. The frame is advanced by the number of cells determined by this processing (s28), and the process returns to the main routine.

In FIG. 4, the processing after the second round (s2)
Then, it is determined whether or not the player has scored a goal as a result of advancing the frame (s3). When a goal is reached, goal processing is performed (s3 → s4). When the goal has not been reached, the order is passed to the next player (s6), and the second and subsequent processes (s2) are executed for that player. After performing the goal processing (s4), it is determined whether or not all the goals have been reached (s5). If all the goals have been reached, the game ends, and if all the goals have not yet been reached, , The order is passed to the next player (s6), and the second and subsequent processes (s2) are executed for that player.

Here, the goal process (s4) will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the goal processing.
The goal process is a song in which the player selects a song at the start and sings only one chorus (s14, s1 in the game start process).
5) is a motion to bless the goal and sing it with effects such as full chorus, mirror ball, confetti, and applause. In FIG. 9, first, the song played at the start is read again into the RAM 22 (s60). Then, the effect device is activated (s61), and the karaoke piece is played in full chorus (s62).

Although the route is not branched in this Sugoroku board, it may be branched. However, it is preferable not to complicate the Sugoroku game more than necessary in order to link it with the karaoke performance.

The contents of the game and the conditions for instructing music selection and performance (singing) are not limited to the above. Further, in the above embodiment, the condition (genre) of music selection is displayed on the cell and the condition of performance is selected by flipping over the card. However, the condition of music selection may be made into a card, and the condition of performance is displayed on the cell. You may do it.

Further, in the above embodiment, the progress of the frame is determined based on the singing scoring result, but in addition to this, dice or roulette is displayed on the screen and the progress is determined by operating this. Good.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the game and the karaoke singing can be linked, it is possible to sing the karaoke singing as a part of the game while enjoying the game. You can enjoy both.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a karaoke apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structure of music data of the karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a screen of a game of the karaoke device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a game operation of the karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a game operation of the karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a game operation of the karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a game operation of the karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a game operation of the karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a game operation of the karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a method of determining the progress of the pieces in the game of the karaoke apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

45 ... Sugoroku game board, 50 ... Start trout, 51 ...
Path trout, 52 ... Goal trout, 60 ... Top

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A storage means for storing music data for karaoke performance, a performance means for playing the music data, and a selection of the music data or a performance mode of the performance means based on a user's game operation. A karaoke device comprising: a game means; and an executing means for executing a karaoke performance based on the determination result of the game means.