JPH0944173A - Karaoke sing-along machine and karaoke sing-along communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the KARAOKE sing-along machine and sing-along communi cation system which can directly reflect the intention of an owner and a user by making it possible to freely set a 'lucky song' and are equipped with a game function for 'selecting' a KARAOKE sing-along song by giving a bounus to a person who has selected a 'lucky song'. SOLUTION: This sing-along communication system enables a 'lucky song' to freely be set by inputting the number of the KARAOKE 'sing-along' song as the 'lucky song' from an input part 19 and stores it in a 'lucky song' memory of a RAM 13. Further, the KARAOKE sing-along song is selected by inputting the song number of the sing-along song from the input part 19 and storing the inputted song number in a reservation memory of the RAM 13, and when the song number of the selected KARAOKE sing-along song matches the song number of the 'lucky song' stored in the lucky song memory of the RAM 13, a free gift is discharged from a free gift discharging device 40.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a karaoke apparatus and a karaoke communication system installed in a karaoke room, a home or the like, and a "winning song" can be freely set and a reward is given to a person who selects the "winning song". The present invention relates to a karaoke device and a karaoke communication system having a game function for playing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a karaoke room where a karaoke device or a karaoke communication system terminal (hereinafter, referred to as "karaoke device or the like" when the karaoke communication system terminal is omitted) is installed in a private room. You can enjoy karaoke. In such a karaoke room, a small group of people can exclusively use the karaoke device and the interior of the room, and by providing a substantial food and drink menu and interior interiors in recent years, only a space where karaoke songs can be sung Not just a "party room" where you can enjoy karaoke easily with friends you like.
Has also come to be used. In addition, karaoke devices and the like have begun to be widely used in ordinary households, and it has become possible to easily enjoy karaoke even within family members and friends.

Under the above-mentioned background, in recent years, there have been many opportunities to hold a karaoke party, but in such a place, it is not possible to excite the user's playfulness by merely singing a karaoke song. So, as one of the means to liven up the atmosphere of a karaoke party,
A karaoke device equipped with a game function and a scoring function was provided, which was useful for event planning at a karaoke party.

The game function is a "slot machine" which automatically executes a three-digit number matching game after the karaoke piece is finished playing, and when a predetermined number combination is displayed, prizes are discharged and rewarded. The mainstream games are similar to
The display by the combination of the predetermined numbers is controlled by the probability with respect to the number of times the karaoke piece is played, and in some cases, the probability and the combination of the numbers can be freely set.

Further, the scoring function displays a high score to a singer who is judged to be able to sing in accordance with the reference pitch, and when a score higher than a predetermined score is displayed, a prize or the like is discharged. Some were rewards, and some could set the difficulty of the decision.

[0006]

However, in the conventional game function, the game is performed on the "playing" of the karaoke song, and in the conventional scoring function, the "singing content" of the karaoke song is scored. However, the function was completely unrelated to the "selection" of karaoke songs.

In the conventional karaoke apparatus using a laser disc or the like, the karaoke songs that can be selected are limited to relatively famous songs such as single hit songs and famous songs because of the limit of the number of songs that can be accommodated. In addition, when a karaoke party is held in a group of friends who are in close agreement, the genre of the karaoke song selected, the singer, etc. are generally biased. Under such circumstances, even if the "karaoke song""karaokesong" is targeted for reward, the range in which the karaoke song is selected can be predicted in advance and the game quality becomes poor, which is effective for enlivening the atmosphere of the karaoke party. As a means, the conventional game function for the "performance" of the karaoke song and the conventional scoring function for the "singing content" of the karaoke song were sufficient.

On the other hand, in the so-called communication type karaoke apparatus which is now widely used, the karaoke songs that can be selected are, in addition to single hit songs and famous songs, new songs just released, songs buried in albums, folk songs, Currently, there are about 10,000 songs, including children's songs, and users can select a variety of songs without feeling the limits of the song selection range. Under such an environment, it is difficult to predict the range in which karaoke songs will be selected, and even if "karaoke songs" are selected as rewards, the game will not be compromised. Means that the user's individuality, preferences, selections, etc. are prominently expressed. Therefore, if there is a game function that targets "karaoke selection" of such karaoke songs, the user's individuality, preferences, selections, etc. Rewarding can be one of the effective ways to enhance the atmosphere of a karaoke party.
However, at present, there is no game function for "selecting" karaoke songs.

Further, in the conventional game function and scoring function, in order to reflect the intentions of the owner and the user, the probability,
This can be done by changing the combination of numbers and the difficulty of judgment, etc., but the decision as to whether or not to be rewarded is substantially dependent on the karaoke device, etc. Could not be reflected in.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to directly reflect the intention of the owner or the user by freely setting the "hit song." An object of the present invention is to provide a karaoke device and a karaoke communication system having a game function for "selected songs" of karaoke songs by rewarding a person who has selected "winning songs".

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a karaoke device for playing a karaoke song selected by the song selecting means, and sets a specific karaoke song as a hit song and sets a hit song. Means and a prize discharging means for discharging a prize when the karaoke music selected by the music selecting means is a winning music set by the winning music setting means.

Further, in a karaoke apparatus for playing a karaoke piece selected by the song selecting means after the fee has been charged to the fee inserting section, a karaoke piece setting means for setting and storing a specific karaoke piece as a winning piece is provided, If the karaoke song selected by the song selecting unit is a hit song set by the hit song setting unit, the karaoke song newly selected by the song selecting unit is not charged again to the fee input unit. Characterized by performing a song.

Further, in addition to the above structure, the karaoke apparatus of the present invention further comprises display means for indicating that the karaoke piece selected by the song selection means is the hit piece set by the hit piece setting means. Is characterized by. Further, the karaoke communication system of the present invention uses the karaoke device, and the karaoke device is connected to a central device having the hit song setting means via a transmission means. And

In the karaoke apparatus of the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration, in the initial setting before playing the karaoke piece,
Of the karaoke songs that can be played, a specific karaoke song,
The hit song is set and stored by the hit song setting means. After that, when the user selects a karaoke song that he / she wants to sing by means of the song selecting means, if the selected karaoke song and the "hit song" match, the display means indicates that the selected karaoke song is the "hit song". At the same time as displaying, the prize is discharged from the prize discharging means.

Further, even in a karaoke apparatus in which the karaoke piece cannot be selected by the music selection means only after the charge has been input to the charge input section, similarly, in the initial setting before performing the karaoke piece. A specific karaoke piece from the playable karaoke pieces is set and stored as a "hit piece" by the hit piece setting means. After that, when the user inputs a fee to the fee input section, the user can select the karaoke song that he / she wants to sing by the song selecting means, and if the selected karaoke song and the "winning song" match, the song is selected. It is possible to display that the karaoke piece is a "winning song" by the display means, and to select a new karaoke piece by the music selection means without recharging the fee to the fee charging section.

Further, also in the karaoke communication system in which the karaoke apparatus is connected to the central apparatus via the transmission means, similarly, in the initial setting before performing the karaoke piece, among the karaoke pieces that can be played, A specific karaoke piece is set and stored as a "hit song" by the hit song setting means. However, "hit song" by hit song setting means
Is set by the hit song setting means provided in the central device, and the set "winning song" is transmitted to the karaoke device via the transmission means and stored therein, whereby the "winning song" is transmitted to the karaoke communication system. Share within.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the present invention. It is configured as a karaoke communication system called a so-called communication karaoke device, and a plurality of karaoke commanders 4 (only one is shown for convenience of explanation) are a telephone line 3 and a modem 15 (built in each karaoke commander 4) which are transmission means. Is connected to the host computer 2 which is a central device.

The karaoke commander 4 includes a monitor 7 for displaying lyrics, background images, etc., an amplifier mixer 8 connected to a microphone 5 and a speaker 6, a lamp drive control unit 22 connected to a lamp 23 as a display means, and a prize discharge means. A certain prize discharge device 40, a charge collection device 39 provided with a charge input unit (not shown), and the like are connected, and thus constitute the main part of the karaoke device. Further, a karaoke controller 10 is provided inside the karaoke commander 4, and the modem 1
5, a karaoke data storage unit 16, a tone synthesis unit 17, a monitor control unit 18, and an input unit 19 which is a music selection unit are connected. The inside of the karaoke control unit 10 will be described later.

Inside the karaoke data storage unit 16, there are provided a tone data storage unit 24, a lyrics data storage unit 26, and a background video data storage unit 27. The tone data storage unit 24 stores the tone data of the karaoke piece distributed from the host computer 2 in association with the song name. The musical tone data of the karaoke piece is constructed based on the MIDI standard, and includes at least data such as pitch, tone intensity, tone length, and tone color. The lyrics data storage unit 26 stores lyrics data corresponding to each karaoke piece on a one-to-one basis, and the background image data storage unit 27 stores background image data corresponding to each karaoke piece.

The tone synthesis section 17 is composed of, for example, a synthesizer, and uses the tone data of the karaoke piece sent from the tone data storage section 24 as a sound source for synthesizing (generating) the performance signals of the respective musical instruments. This sound source is sent to the amplifier mixer 8 and amplified, and is mixed with the user's singing voice input through the microphone 5 at an appropriate ratio and output from the speaker 6.

The monitor control unit 18 includes the lyrics data storage unit 2
The lyrics data sent from 6 and the background video data sent from the background video data storage unit 27 are converted into a video signal that can be visually displayed on the monitor 7 such as a CRT, and both data are combined. And display it on the monitor 7. The lyrics data displayed on the monitor 7 serves as a lyrics telop to inform the user of the corresponding singing portion.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the karaoke controller 10. As shown in FIG. 2, a CP that controls the entire karaoke apparatus is provided inside the karaoke control unit 10.
U11, ROM12, RAM13 are built in. R
The OM 12 includes a music performance program 12a related to music performance processing, a hit music setting program 12b related to hit music setting processing, and a prize discharge program 1 related to prize discharge processing.
2c and the like are stored. The RAM 13 has an input unit 19
Song reservation memory 1 that stores song number data input from
3a, a hit song memory 13b for storing song number data of a karaoke song set as "winning song".

FIG. 3 is a view showing the operation panel of the karaoke commander 4. The operation panel includes an input unit 19 for inputting a song number for song reservation. Even when a specific karaoke piece is set as a "winning piece", the specified song number is input by the input unit 19. In this case, the hit song setting button (not shown) provided on the back surface of the karaoke commander 4 is pressed and then input. The input song number is stored in RAM as the song number data of "winning song".
It is stored in the hit song memory 13b of 13. The main part of the hit song setting means includes an input unit 19 and a hit song memory 13b.

As the prize discharge device 40, for example, one having the following structure can be adopted. FIG.
Is a conveyance mechanism 4 inside the main body of the prize discharge device 40 provided integrally with or separately from the karaoke commander 4.
0a is shown. Reference numeral 41 is a plate-shaped or box-shaped prize, and a plurality of the prizes are stored in the main body. The prize 41 is placed on a plurality of guide rolls 45 a that form the guide portion 45. The guide part 45 is configured by arranging two rows of the plurality of guide rolls 45a substantially parallel to each other, and an outlet 46a formed on the front plate 46 of the prize discharge device 40 from below inside the storage frame 43. The prize 41 is guided and moved substantially horizontally along the route to. And this guide part 4
5 and the chain 4 along the rail 48 shown in FIG.
7 is suspended around the sprockets 49a and 49b. Here, the upper portion 47A of the chain 47 is adapted to maintain a substantially horizontal state below the respective guide rolls 45a.

As shown in FIG. 4, two sets of push-out members 55 are attached to the chain 47 at predetermined intervals. That is, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the links 47a and 47b that form the chain 47 are provided on both sides with respect to the longitudinal direction of the chain 47 by the inverted L-shaped support members 57a and 57b using the pins 59, respectively. The support member 57a of one of them is fastened.
The front portion of the horizontal portion 55a of the pushing member 55 is fixed by the screw 56, and the other supporting member 57b is
The rear portion of the horizontal portion 55a is placed on the top.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the sprocket 4
An L-shaped member 60 rotatably supported around a rotation shaft 59b is provided above 9a, and one side portion of the L-shaped member 60 projects into the conveyance path 62 of the prize 41.
Is formed. On the other hand, the other side portion is a balance member 60b having a weight portion 60d at the tip. A restricting member 64 is provided below the weight portion 60d, and constitutes a stopper mechanism 65 together with the L-shaped member 60. A limit switch 73 is provided below the sprocket 49a and is turned on / off by the pushing member 55 to control the operation of the motor 80 that drives the transport mechanism.

The above-described transport mechanism 40a is provided in one or a plurality of sets corresponding to the types of prizes to be discharged.
In response to the control signal for discharging the prize from the karaoke control unit 10, the one corresponding to the prize to be discharged is driven. That is, the motor 80 is driven by receiving the control signal, and the chain 47 circulates in the direction of arrow A through the sprocket 51, the chain 53, and the sprocket 49a. As a result, the pushing member 55 pushes the prize 41 forward, and the pushed prize 41 moves to the take-out port 46a while turning the L-shaped member 60 of the stopper mechanism 65 and becomes ready for taking-out.
On the other hand, the push-out member 55 on the chain 47 moves together with the chain after the prize is conveyed, operates the limit switch 73, and stops the driving of the motor 80. At this time, another push-out member 55 provided on the chain 47 waits for the next push-out of the prize 41. The prize 41 is discharged as described above.

Next, the operation of the karaoke communication system will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a music performance process, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a hit song setting process, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a premium discharging process.

To play a karaoke piece, the music playing process shown in FIG. 7 is performed. First, in step (hereinafter referred to as "S") 1, the karaoke commander 4 performs the hit song setting process shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, in S20, it is determined whether or not to set the "hit song" manually. When the hit song setting button (not shown) provided on the back surface of the karaoke commander 4 is pressed, it is determined that the "win song" setting is manually set (S20; Ye
s), in S21, when the song number of the karaoke song to be the "winning song" is input by the input unit 19, the entered song number is stored in the winning song memory 13b, and the process proceeds to S2 in FIG.

On the other hand, when the hit song setting button (not shown) provided on the back surface of the karaoke commander 4 is not pressed, it is determined that the "win song" setting is not manually set (S20; No). , Random number is generated and "hit song"
7, the music number is stored in the hit memory 13b, and then the process proceeds to S2 in FIG. When the number of digits of the song number is large, a random number is regenerated to compensate for the insufficient digits.
It should be noted that a plurality of "winning songs" can be set in S21 and S22.

In S2 of FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not a fee has been put into the fee slot of the fee collection device 39. When a fee is input to the fee input port of the fee collection device 39 (S2;
If Yes), the process proceeds to S3, and if the charge has not been input to the charge input port of the charge collection device 39 (S2; No), S is executed.
Return to 2 and wait until the fee is paid.

In S3, the song number of the karaoke song is input from the input unit 19 to reserve the performance of one or a plurality of karaoke songs. In the next S4, the inputted song number is RA
It is stored in the song reservation memory 13a of M13, and proceeds to S5.
In S5, the first one of the song numbers stored in the song reservation memory 13a is read out, and in the next S6, the musical tone data corresponding to the song number is read out, and the process proceeds to S7.
In S7, the lyrics data corresponding to the song number is read, and in the next S8, the background video data is read from the background video data storage unit 26. Then, in step S9, a karaoke piece is played based on the read musical sound data, and the process proceeds to step S10, in which the prize discharging process shown in FIG. 9 is performed.

In the gift discharge process of FIG. 9, in S30,
It is determined whether or not the karaoke piece played is a "winning piece". Specifically, the song number stored at the beginning of the song reservation memory 13a is compared with the song number stored in the hit song memory 13b. If the karaoke piece played is a "winning piece"(S30; Yes), the prize 41 is discharged from the prize discharge device 40 and the lamp 23 is turned on via the lamp drive control unit 22 in S31. , Proceeds to S11 in FIG. On the other hand, when the karaoke piece played is not the "winning piece"(S30; No), the process proceeds to S11 of FIG. 7 without performing anything.

In S11 of FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not the song number of the next karaoke song is stored in the song reservation memory 13a. When the song number of the next karaoke song is stored in the song reservation memory 13a (S11; Yes), the process returns to S5, the song number of the next karaoke song is read from the song reservation memory 13a, and after S5. The process of is repeated. When the song number of the next karaoke song is not stored in the song reservation memory 13a (S11; No), the process returns to S2 and waits until the fee is charged.

As described in detail above, in the karaoke communication system of the present embodiment, the song number of the karaoke song is input through the input unit 19 (S3), and the entered song number is stored in the reservation memory 13a. (S4), the karaoke song can be selected, and the song number of the selected karaoke song is stored in the hit song memory 13b as "win song".
If it matches the song number (S30; Yes), the prize 41 can be discharged from the prize discharge device 40 (S31).
By rewarding the player with a ".", A game function for "selecting" a karaoke song can be provided.

Further, by inputting the song number of the karaoke song to be the "hit song" through the input section 19 and storing it in the hit song memory 13b (S21), the "hit song" can be freely set. Further, the determination as to whether or not to reward the prize 41 is already determined at the time when the song number of the karaoke song is input through the input unit 19 (S3),
Since the actual determination does not depend on the karaoke communication system, but depends on the “music selection” of the person who inputs the music number of the karaoke music by the input unit 19, the “winning music” can be freely set. This makes it possible to directly reflect the intentions of the owner and the user of the karaoke communication system in determining whether or not to reward the game function.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For example, in S31 of the prize discharge process (S10) of FIG. 9, the prize 41 is discharged to reward the person who has selected the "winning song". If the song number of the karaoke song can be newly input by the input unit 19 without recharging the fee to the charge slot 39, and the entered song number is stored in the reservation memory 13a. ,
It is possible to reward people who have selected "winning songs" with karaoke songs free of charge.

Further, S in the free gift discharge process (S10) of FIG.
In FIG. 31, the lamp 23 is turned on via the lamp drive control unit 22 to indicate to the outside that the “winning song” has been selected, but instead, the screen of the monitor 7 is displayed via the monitor control unit 18. By outputting an image showing that the "winning song" has been selected, or outputting music indicating that the "winning song" has been selected by the speaker 6 via the musical sound synthesizing unit 17 etc., It is possible to further improve the effect of externally indicating that "" has been selected.

Further, in S21 and S22 of the hit song setting process (S1) of FIG. 8, the song number of "winning song" is set in the karaoke commander 4, but instead, in the host computer 2, "winning song" is set. Set the song number of
If the song number of the "hit song" is distributed to each karaoke commander 4 via the telephone line 3 and the modem 15, the "hit song" can be shared in the karaoke communication system.

Further, the tune number of the karaoke song is provided with a specified digit (for example, the last three digits) indicating the distinction between the genre and the singer, and the song number of the "winning song" is set (S21, 22) or the "winning song". It is possible to add genres, singers, and the like as a unit of the "winning song" by making a determination (S30) as to whether "" has been selected. As a result, when a plurality of "hit songs" are set (S21,
It is possible to expand the range of intentions of owners and users, including 22). Further, in the current situation that the number of karaoke songs accommodated exceeds 10,000 due to the spread of so-called communication type karaoke devices, when the "hit song" is one, the "hit song" is not selected at all for a long period. Therefore, it also plays a role of appropriately adjusting the probability that the “winning song” is selected.

[0042]

As is apparent from the above description, in the karaoke communication system of the present embodiment, the song number of the karaoke song is input by the input unit and the entered song number is stored in the reservation memory. The karaoke song can be selected by the above, and when the song number of the selected karaoke song matches the song number of the "hit song" stored in the hit song memory, the prize is discharged from the prize discharge device. Therefore, by rewarding the person who has selected the “winning song” with a prize, a game function for the “selected song” of the karaoke song can be provided.

By inputting the song number of the karaoke song to be the "winning song" through the input unit and storing it in the winning song memory, the "winning song" can be freely set and the prize is discharged. The decision as to whether or not to give a reward has already been made when the song number of the karaoke song is entered by the input unit, and the actual decision does not depend on the karaoke communication system, but is determined by the input unit. Since it depends on the "selected song" of the person who inputs the song number of the karaoke song,
By freely setting the "hit song", it is possible to directly reflect the intentions of the owner and the user of the karaoke communication system in determining whether or not to reward the game function.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke control unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation panel of a karaoke commander.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a front surface of the premium discharging device.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the pushing member of the premium discharging device.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a side surface of the premium discharging device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a music performance process.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a hit song setting process.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a gift discharge process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 host computer 3 telephone line 4 karaoke commander 12a music performance program 12b song setting program 12c prize discharge program 13a song reservation memory 13b song memory 15 modem 19 input section 23 lamp 39 fee collection device 40 prize discharge device

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A karaoke device for playing a karaoke song selected by a song selecting means, wherein a hit song setting means for setting and storing a specific karaoke song as a hit song, and the karaoke song selected by the song selecting means is the karaoke song. A karaoke device comprising: a prize discharge means for discharging a prize when the hit music set by the hit music setting means. 2. A karaoke device for playing a karaoke song selected by the song selecting means after a fee has been charged to the fee inserting section, and a hit song setting means for setting and storing a specific karaoke song as a hit song. If the karaoke song selected by the song selecting unit is a hit song set by the hit song setting unit, the karaoke song newly selected by the song selecting unit is not charged again to the fee input unit. A karaoke device characterized by playing a song. 3. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for indicating that the karaoke song selected by the song selecting means is a hit song set by the hit song setting means. Characteristic karaoke device. 4. A karaoke communication system using the karaoke device according to claim 1, wherein the karaoke device is provided with the hit song setting means via a transmission means. Karaoke communication system characterized by being connected to a device.