JPH09311691A - Karaoke apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to output a different background scene even in the case when a musical composition with similar theme is selected by grading the singing ability of a singer for every prescribed period and continuously changing the background scene based on the grading results. SOLUTION: A control part 2 extracts voice signals of a singer from a microphone 7 by controlling a comparative part 10 and only standard guide melody signals from a MIDI sound source part 5, respectively, and sends the results to the comparative part 10. The control part 2 controls when the comparative part 10 carries out the comparison. The output from the comparative part 10 is sent to the controlling part 2 and based on the data, the singing ability is graded and scored as numerical points and the control part 2 sends the scored numerical points to a background scene reproducing part 12. The background scene reproducing part 12 selects the next background scene and sends out the selected background scene to a background scene monitor 13. Consequently, even in the case music composition with a similar theme is selected, the background scene is continuously changed and users are not bored.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a karaoke device,
More specifically, the present invention relates to a karaoke device which scores a singer's singing ability and provides a fresh background image by selecting a background image to be output according to the score to enhance a sense of play.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a new way of enjoying singing power has been proposed in which a scoring device is provided in a conventional karaoke device. Furthermore, in addition to displaying the score of singing ability, an attempt has been made to further enhance the entertainment property by changing the background image of the karaoke device based on the score.

As a prior art relating to a karaoke device for changing a background image, there is a technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-191882. In the invention described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-191882, medium classification images regarding flowers, mountains, and rivers are classified and recorded in the large classification image area, and if a flower, for example, is a spring flower, in the middle classification image recording area. Small classification images of summer flowers and autumn flowers are classified and recorded. For example, in the case of spring flowers, still or moving images such as dandelions, cherry blossoms, and peaches are classified and recorded in the small classification image recording area.

The background image is formed by connecting the sub-classified images based on the image control signal recorded in the MIDI karaoke data and outputting the background image according to the content and atmosphere of the song. However, since the image control signal outputs the background image according to the content and mood of the song, if the content and mood of the song are the same in multiple songs, the background image will be the same and the background image will be refreshed. It had the drawback of not being able to enjoy it.

Also, as a prior art relating to a karaoke device for operating a background image based on a score of singing ability to enhance entertainment, there is Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-93872. This is a method in which automatic scoring is performed during singing, and processing such as reducing or deleting the monitor screen is performed based on the score, so that the singer and the people around him have a sense of play.

However, in the method in which the screen is reduced or erased, the lyrics of the image are difficult to see or disappear, so a singer who does not know the lyrics cannot sing. Despite not being able to sing a song, only the karaoke song is played, and the singer is puzzled.

[0007]

As described above, the conventional technique has a drawback that a fresh background image cannot be enjoyed. In addition, there is also the drawback that the fun atmosphere changes because you can no longer sing all the songs.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, a karaoke piece and a voice signal input through a microphone are combined to output a sound, and lyrics information and In a karaoke device for synthesizing a background image and outputting the image, a music reproducing section for reproducing a karaoke song and a reference guide melody signal, a comparing section for comparing the reference guide melody signal with an audio signal from the microphone, and a background. A video reproduction unit, and a control unit to which the music reproduction unit, the comparison unit and the background video reproduction unit are connected,
The control unit scores the singing ability according to the output of the comparison unit, and determines the background image based on the score.

According to a second aspect of the karaoke apparatus, in the karaoke apparatus according to the first aspect, the background image of the image reproducing section is a background image including information related to scoring.

The karaoke apparatus according to claim 3 is the karaoke apparatus according to any one of claims 1 and 2, further comprising a timer section for sending a signal regarding time, and the control section is a background image determined by scoring. The present invention provides a karaoke device characterized in that the selection information of (1) is sequentially output to the background video reproducing section according to the signal from the timer section.

According to the karaoke apparatus of the first aspect,
The singer's singing ability is scored during a certain period, and the score of this score is used as a parameter for selecting the background image. Scoring is performed a plurality of times in one song, and the background image is changed a plurality of times in one song according to the score. Since the background image output in one song is changed by scoring, it is possible to provide a fresh background image with arbitrariness.

Further, even if a plurality of songs having the same theme are selected, the background image can be continuously changed, and the singer and the audience are not tired. In addition, the singer can continue singing without having to worry about being scored, unless the singer shows that it is being scored.

On the contrary, in the karaoke apparatus according to the second aspect, in order to indicate that the scoring is being performed, the background image of the video reproducing section has, for example, a scoring result such as "75 points" or "work hard" and "work hard". The background image includes information related to the scoring by the scoring means, such as a message "great".
This allows the singer to sing all the songs even if the singing ability does not reach a certain level, and at the same time, while scoring the singing ability, the singer can make an effort to sing well by looking at the background image associated with the scoring. It can evoke and enhance the sense of play together with the audience.

Further, according to the karaoke apparatus of the third aspect, by counting the pulse output from the timer by the output from the timer or by the program of the control unit, every fixed time (for example, every 30 seconds). Can be set to output video. For example, if there are 10 background videos, and if the karaoke music time is 4 minutes and 30 seconds, if the background video is output every 30 seconds, 9 background videos will be output during the karaoke music playback, and the background video after the karaoke music is finished. Is output as 1. It is possible to output a comment or a background image corresponding to the end of the karaoke song when the last background image ends, for example, a comment such as “end” at a good timing.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a karaoke apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The music selection input unit 1 is provided for selecting and inputting karaoke music. The music selection input unit 1 is a remote controller or a key button of the main body of the karaoke device for inputting characters or numbers indicating a music number. In response to input from the music selection input unit 1, MIDI data and lyrics data of a desired music is selected and output from the MIDI data record holding unit 3 in which MIDI data of the karaoke music and lyrics data of the karaoke music are recorded via the control unit 2. To do.

The MIDI data recording / holding unit 3 can hold a large amount of MIDI data and lyrics data of a karaoke piece, and is, for example, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a host computer accessible by a telephone line or the like. is there. MIDI data record holding unit 3
Is connected to the memory section 4, MIDI data of a karaoke piece is output in response to an input from the music selection input section 1, and the MIDI data is temporarily stored in the memory section 4.

Of the data output from the memory unit 4, M
The IDI data is input to the MIDI sound source unit 5, and the MID
Based on the I data, it is converted into a karaoke piece which is an analog audio signal in which the performance of the musical instrument is recorded, and a reference guide melody signal which is also an analog audio signal and is the same as the melody sung by the singer. MI
The DI data recording / holding unit 3, the memory unit 4, and the MIDI sound source unit 5 are collectively referred to as a music reproducing unit.

The karaoke music and the reference guide melody signal output from the MIDI sound source section 5 are input to an audio signal operating section 6 for adjusting the volume and sound quality. A microphone 7 is also connected to the audio signal operation unit 6, and a voice signal which is a singer's singing voice is input through the microphone 7.
Then, the karaoke piece and the voice signal are combined.

The audio signal operation input section 8 is provided with an output volume, tone control, microphone selector, microphone input level volume, etc., and the singer inputs from the audio signal operation input section 8 as necessary. The karaoke music or the voice signal from the microphone 7 is operated by the control of the audio signal operation unit 6 via the control unit 2. The output after synthesizing the karaoke song and the audio signal is
The sound is output from the audio monitor unit 9 including a speaker and headphones and reaches the human ear. Also, whether or not the above-described reference guide melody signal is output from the audio monitor unit 9 is selected by the singer at the audio signal operation input unit 8.

The music selection input section 1, the MIDI data recording / holding section 3, the memory section 4, the MIDI sound source section 5, the audio signal operating section 6 and the audio signal operating input section 8 described above.
Are connected to the control unit 2. The control unit 2 performs system control regarding a series of operations as described above.

A comparison unit 10 is also connected to the control unit 2. The control unit 2 controls the comparison unit 10 to extract the voice signal of the singer from the microphone 7 and the reference guide melody signal from the MIDI sound source unit 5, respectively, and input them to the comparison unit 10.

Various types of methods can be considered for the comparing section 10, but as a specific example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-70690, the guide melody pitch information and the voice signal obtained based on MIDI data are used. F / V (Freque
ncy to voltage) conversion and A / D (Analog to Digita)
l) A method of taking difference data of vocal melody pitch information obtained by conversion can be considered. This value shows how much the singer has no sense of rhythm compared to the reference guide melody signal, and the higher the value, the less the sense of rhythm. As described above, there are various methods, and the method can be appropriately selected and incorporated in the present invention.

The control unit 2 controls by the input from the timer unit 11 when the comparison unit 10 performs the comparison. As an example of the control method, performance time data of a karaoke piece is loaded into the control unit 2. For example, 4 minutes 30 seconds is 270 seconds. Then, it is divided by the number of blocks, which is the number of background image files. For example, if the number of blocks is 10, then 270/10 =
It becomes 27 seconds, and if the control signal is output every 27 seconds, the background image can be output in one song of the karaoke song. For example, the comparison is performed 100 times in 27 seconds, that is, the comparison is performed in a unit of 1 point every 270 ms, and a score of at least 0 point and a maximum of 100 points is obtained every 27 seconds.

As another embodiment, the playing time is 4 minutes and 30 minutes.
Seconds, that is, 270 seconds of a karaoke piece is divided by the number of background video files minus one. For example, if 10 sheets are used, 270/9 = 30 seconds, and if a control signal is issued every 30 seconds, 9 background images can be output in one karaoke song, and one background image can be output after the karaoke song ends. The last background image may be, for example, a background image in which a message such as “End” or “Difficulty” is recorded. In this way, various usages are possible by setting the output from the timer unit 11.

In this embodiment, the control unit 2 controls when the comparison unit 10 performs the comparison by the input from the timer unit 11. As another embodiment, the timer unit 12 simply has a function of outputting a clock with a constant cycle. The program loaded in the control unit 2 is a program that counts clocks and calculates time when counting a preset number.

For example, assuming that 10 background images are output for a karaoke piece having a performance time of 4 minutes and 30 seconds, that is, 270 seconds, a clock of 1 ms counts 270 pulses. Ie 2
It is sufficient to perform the scoring once every 70 ms and output the one background image when the pulse is counted 27,000 times, that is, every 27 s. With this method, it is also possible to set the time on the program. As another embodiment, the comparison by the timer unit 11 and the comparison unit 10 is performed every clock output, every 1 ms in the above embodiment, and the output from the comparison unit 10 is taken out after 270 ms which is the time for scoring. It can also be a program.

In this embodiment, the control unit 2 and the timer unit 11
However, the timer unit 11 may be incorporated in the control unit 2.

The output from the comparison unit 10 is sent to the control unit 2, the singing ability is scored based on this data, and the control unit 2 sends the score to the background video reproduction unit 12. The background video reproduction unit 12 selects the next background video based on this score, and outputs the selected background video to the background video monitor unit 13.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the background video reproducing section 12 of the karaoke apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention. The background image reproduction unit 12 includes a background image data recording / holding unit 20, a background image decoder 21, a theme information input unit 22, and a lyrics information input unit 2.
3, video signal synthesizer 24, memory 25, video controller 2
6, the theme information input unit 22, the lyrics information input unit 23, and the video control unit 26 are connected to the control unit 2 in FIG. 1, and the video signal synthesizing unit 24 is shown in FIG.
It is connected with 3.

The background image data recording / holding unit 20 stores the digital data obtained by encoding the background image data by using a moving image compression method such as MPEG, in a file format (to be referred to as a background file hereinafter) in a file format described later. Called)) that is held in large quantities, such as optical disks, magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, or host computers that can be accessed by telephone lines.

As for the theme information, there are a method of selectively inputting the theme information from the theme information input section 22 by a human operation and a method of reading the theme information recorded in the header section of the MIDI file of each karaoke piece. The theme information input unit 22 outputs the theme information selected by these methods to the video control unit 26. The video control unit 26 determines the background video related to the theme information and stores the theme information in the memory 2.
5, and sends to the background image data recording and holding unit 20 an instruction to output the first block 1 of the background file.

The block 1 of the background file output from the background image data recording / holding unit 20 is a background image decoder 2
1 is sequentially transferred to the video signal No. 1, converted into an analog video signal, and then sent to the video signal synthesis unit 24.

The lyrics information input unit 23 receives the lyrics information data recorded at the same time as the MIDI file of each karaoke song from the control unit 2, and the lyrics information, which is digital data, is an analog video signal in response to a command from the video control unit 26. After converting to lyrics information video, video signal synthesizer 2
4 is output. The video signal synthesizer 24 synthesizes the background video and the lyrics information video and outputs the synthesized video to the video monitor 13.

The video control unit 26 receives the scoring result from the control unit 2 at regular time intervals while instructing the background video output. After storing the scoring result in the memory 25, the video control unit 26 determines the block 2 to be reproduced next in the background file from the scoring result, and instructs the background video data recording and holding unit 20 to output the block 2. send. The background video data recording / holding unit 20 sequentially transfers the data of the blocks of the selected background file to the background video decoder 21, and the background video decoder 21 converts this block into an analog video signal, and the video signal synthesizing unit 24. Send to. The video signal synthesizing unit 24 uses the background video and lyrics information input unit 23.
The lyric information image from is synthesized and output to the image monitor unit 13. Hereinafter, the same video output is repeated every time the scoring result from the control unit 2 is received at regular intervals.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a background video file recorded and held in the background video data recording and holding unit 20 of the karaoke apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. The background video file corresponds to the theme information. The theme information refers to, for example, pops, enka, nursery rhymes, etc., and a plurality of files are created for each theme. Each of these files is composed of a plurality of blocks, and each block is, for example, 1 block.
The background image data is divided into 0 and 15, and a plurality of background image data corresponding to the scoring result is stored in the block. In FIG. 3, one block has a total of five background video data for every 20 points. By selecting a background corresponding to the scoring result for each certain time, it is possible to provide a background video rich in changes. The background image in FIG. 3 is a background image including a message having a relationship with the scoring result, but it can be a city or a natural landscape, for example.

FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of the control unit 2 of the karaoke apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention. Step S
Reference numeral 1 is a step indicating the start of the processing operation shown in this flowchart. Step S2 is a step of detecting whether or not an input is made from the music selection input unit 1. If there is no input, step S2 is repeated to wait for input. If there is an input, the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, the desired M data from the MIDI data recording / holding unit 2 is received in response to the input from the music selection / input unit 1.
This is a step of reading IDI data and lyrics data. Operations such as accessing the host computer using a telephone line and reading from a magnetic disk are performed. In step S4, the MIDI data record holding unit 3
This is a step of transferring the lyrics data read out from the background video reproducing unit 12.

Step S5 is a step of storing the MIDI data read from the MIDI data recording / holding unit 3 in the memory unit 4. Step S6 is a step in which the reproduction of the music is started. Played from the prelude of the song.

Step S7 is a step of retrieving the reference guide melody signal corresponding to the melody sung by the singer. If the start of the reference guide melody signal is detected, the process proceeds to step S8, and if the start of the reference guide melody signal is not detected, step S7.
Return to and repeat the search.

Step S8 is a step of starting the operation of the timer section 11 to start scoring. The timer unit 11 that has started the operation outputs a pulse at a predetermined timing. In this embodiment, the playing time is 4 minutes and 30 seconds, that is,
Assuming that 10 background images are output for a karaoke song of 270 seconds, a clock of 1 ms is 270
When counting the number of pulses, that is, scoring once every 270 ms, and when counting 27,000 pulses, one background image is output. Step S9 is a step of making a comparative score. Jump subroutine (hereinafter referred to as JSR) to step S20 of FIG. 5 described later.
And jump to perform the scoring processing operation, and return to the return subroutine (hereinafter referred to as RTS) after completion.

Step S10 is a step of determining whether or not the reproduction of the reference guide melody signal is completed. If the reference guide melody signal is terminated,
Proceed to step S11. If the reference guide melody signal has not ended, the process returns to step S9 and the scoring process is repeated. Step S11 shows a step in which the reproduction of all the music pieces is completed. Step S12 is a step indicating the end of this flowchart.

FIG. 5 shows a scoring process operation flowchart of the control unit 2 of the karaoke apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention. Step S20 is a step showing the start of the subroutine jumped by JSR from step S9 in FIG. In step S21, the audio signal input from the microphone 7 is F / V.
This is a step of obtaining difference data between vocal melody pitch information obtained by conversion and A / D conversion and guide melody pitch information obtained based on MIDI data, and inputting A / D converted data to the control unit 2. .

Step S22 is a step of temporarily storing the difference data input to the control unit 22 in the memory unit. Afterwards, they will be scored collectively. In step S23,
This is a step of confirming whether or not the count of the counter has reached a predetermined number. When the number of counts has not reached the predetermined number, the process returns to step S21, and the difference data is continuously measured and stored in the memory unit. When the number of counts reaches the predetermined number, the process proceeds to step S24.

Step S24 is a step of scoring collectively using the difference data temporarily stored in the memory section. If the absolute value of the difference data is smaller than a predetermined value, the singing ability has reached a certain level, and the score is 1 point. If the absolute value of the difference data is greater than the predetermined value, the singing ability has reached a certain level. If there is not, the score is 0. The scores based on these 100 pieces of difference data are added to give a score from 0 to 100 points. Step S25
Is a step of outputting the score as the scoring result to the background video reproducing unit 12.

A step S26 clears (sets to 0) the counter which has reached a predetermined number (100 in this embodiment).
Indicates steps. The count number, which is the predetermined number of times used for one scoring, is cleared to prepare for the next scoring. Step S27 is the step of indicating the end of the subroutine and returning (RTS) to step S9 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the scoring processing operation of the video control unit 26 of the karaoke apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Step S30 is a step showing the start of the processing operation shown in this flowchart. A step S31 reads the theme information recorded in the header part of the MIDI file of the karaoke song into the video control part 26 and the memory part 25.
It is the step of writing to.

Step S32 is a step of selecting a background file based on the theme information read by the video controller 26. For example, the theme information is pops, enka, rock, nursery rhymes, etc., and the background file sorted according to these theme information is selected. Step S33
Is the step of selecting the first background block from the selected background file. The first background block is output regardless of the scoring result, and displays the title, lyricist, composer, etc. of the karaoke piece.

Step S34 is a step of outputting the video data of the selected background block. Step S
Step 35 is a step of waiting for the input of the scoring result scored by the subroutine shown in FIG. When the scoring result is not input, step S35 is repeated and the input is kept waiting. When the scoring result is input, the process proceeds to step S36.

In step S36, the video data of the background block to be output next is determined from the scoring result. In the present embodiment, 0 to 100 points are divided into 20 points, and a total of 5 pieces of video data are prepared for output. Step S37 is a step of observing the end of the karaoke piece. If the karaoke piece has not ended, step S3
Return to step 3 and output the background image. When the karaoke piece ends, the process proceeds to step S38.

Step S38 is a step indicating the end.

In this embodiment, a karaoke device using MIDI data is shown. However, when data other than MIDI data is used, for example, a laser karaoke apparatus using a conventional analog video disk has an analog video disk in which not only karaoke songs but also human voices are recorded. The present invention can be implemented by comparing the singing voices of human singers.

According to the karaoke apparatus of the present invention, the singing ability of the singer is scored during a certain period of time, and is used as a parameter for selecting the background image. And 1 according to the scoring result
Change the background image over two or more times while singing. As a result, it is possible to provide a fresh background image with arbitrariness by changing the background image by scoring.

Further, even if the music of the same theme is selected, the background image can be continuously changed, and the singer and the audience are not tired. In addition, if the singer does not indicate that it is being scored, the singer can continue singing without being particularly concerned about being scored.

Further, the background image of the image reproducing section is, for example, a background image on which information related to the scoring of the scoring means such as a scoring result and a message such as "work hard" is recorded. As a result, the singer can sing an entire song even if the singing ability does not reach a certain level, and while scoring the singing ability, he or she can sing well by seeing the background image associated with the scoring ability. It can evoke and enhance the sense of play together with the audience.

Further, by outputting from the timer or by counting the pulse output from the timer by a program, it is possible to set to output an image at a constant time interval (for example, every 30 seconds). This allows, for example,
Assuming there are 10 background images, the karaoke song time is 4 minutes 3
If it is 0 second, if the background image is output every 30 seconds, 9 background images are output during the karaoke music reproduction, and one background image is output after the karaoke music is finished. It is possible to output a comment or a background image corresponding to the end of the karaoke song when the last background image ends, for example, a comment such as “end” at a good timing.

[0056]

As described above, according to the karaoke apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to sing a song while enjoying the background image.
You can also enjoy singing all songs.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a karaoke device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a background video reproducing unit 12 of the karaoke device of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a background image file of a karaoke device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of the control unit of the karaoke apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a scoring process operation flowchart of the control unit of the karaoke apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a scoring process operation of the video control unit of the karaoke device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Music selection input unit 2 ... Control unit 3 ... MIDI data recording / holding unit 4 ... Memory unit 5 ... MIDI sound source unit 6 ... Audio signal operation unit 7 ... Microphone 8・ ・ ・ Audio signal operation input unit 9 ・ ・ ・ Voice monitor unit 10 ・ ・ Comparison unit 11 ・ ・ Timer unit 12 ・ ・ Background video playback unit 13 ・ ・ Background video monitor unit 20 ・ ・ Background video data storage unit 21 ・Background video decoder 22 Theme information input 23 Lyrics information input 24 Video signal synthesizer 25 Memory 26 Video controller

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A karaoke device for synthesizing a karaoke song and a voice signal input through a microphone to output a sound, and synthesizing lyrics information and a background image to output an image, and outputting the karaoke song and a reference guide melody signal. A music reproducing unit for reproducing, a comparing unit for comparing the reference guide melody signal with the sound signal from the microphone, a background video reproducing unit, the music reproducing unit, the comparing unit and the background video reproducing unit are connected. The karaoke device characterized in that the karaoke device has a control unit, and the control unit scores the singing ability according to the output of the comparison unit, and determines the background image to be reproduced by the score. 2. The karaoke device according to claim 1, wherein:
The karaoke apparatus, wherein the background image reproduced by the background image reproducing unit is a background image including information related to scoring. 3. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a timer unit connected to the control unit for transmitting a signal regarding time, and the control unit has background image selection information determined by scoring. Is sequentially output to the background video reproducing unit according to a signal from the timer unit.