JPH1078783A - Karaoke sing-along machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a KARAOKE sing-along machine adaptable to the service to add and change effect sound data by producing effect sounds without losing the timing with the operation of the keys to be exclusively used for the effect sounds and providing the machine with functions to select desired sounds from many kinds of the effect sounds. SOLUTION: Many kinds of the effect sounds are respectively classified and are stored in a memory section 6. A main control section 4 receives the information to specify the kinds of the effect sound data and sound production commands and reproduces the corresponding effect sound data so as to have the effect sounds produced from a speaker 13. A remote control transmitter 8 has plural pieces of the effect sound keys for applying the sound production commands of the effect sounds to the main control section 4. When the main control section receives the sound production commands from this remote control transmitter 8, the main control section recognizes to which of plural pieces of the effect sound keys the signals correspond. The control section produces the effect sounds allocated and registered to the respective effect sound keys according to prescribed key assignment information. This key assignment information is arbitrarily rewritable by a user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a karaoke apparatus having a function of generating an entertaining sound effect (such as cheers, applause, fanfare, and bells) to enhance the atmosphere of a karaoke banquet. The present invention relates to a karaoke apparatus in which a user operates a remote control transmitter to generate an arbitrary sound effect at an arbitrary timing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-83377, a karaoke apparatus having the following sound effect output function is known. Various sound effects are AD
It is converted into digital data by the PCM method or the like and stored in a memory in the apparatus. The designated sound effect data is read out, converted into an analog audio signal, and output from a speaker. By operating the keys of the remote control transmitter during a karaoke performance, an arbitrary sound effect is generated at an arbitrary timing.

[0003] For example, when an operator wants to send "cheering" to a singer during a song, he presses a "cheering" key on a remote control transmitter. In response to the signal from the remote control transmitter at this time, the karaoke apparatus reproduces the sound effect data corresponding to the designated "cheering" and generates the sound effect data from the speaker.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-83 is disclosed.
In the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 377, the remote control transmitter is for controlling sound effects (also serving as a scoring device), and has a plurality of dedicated keys for designating sound effects on its operation panel. Pressing the "" key will output a sound effect of "cheering", pressing the "applause" key will output a sound effect of "applause", as well as the "fanfare" key and the "bell"
Pressing the key, the "percussion" key, or the "bird's voice" key will output the corresponding sound effect.

[0005] In this way, it is very easy to specify the tone generation timing by using a dedicated key for each sound effect, it is easy to operate, and the occurrence timing of the sound effect is rarely lost. However, there are many types of sound effects that can be generated, for example, 2
If the number of types is zero or more, the number of keys of the remote control transmitter must be increased, and there is a problem that the size of the remote control increases. In addition, similar to the distribution of karaoke data in the communication karaoke system, when considering a service for adding or changing newly created sound effect data to the storage unit of the karaoke device, each key of the remote control transmitter and the sound effect Cannot be handled by a system configuration in which the information is associated on a one-to-one basis.

[0006] A normal karaoke apparatus is provided with a remote control transmitter for reservation of music selection for inputting a music number to be played. Since this has a numeric keypad, a system configuration that also uses the numeric keypad for selecting a sound effect can be easily considered. In other words, a number of sound effects are assigned identification numbers,
By inputting the number using the numeric keypad, the corresponding sound effect is produced. Of course, in this case, an operation of switching between the music selection mode and the sound effect mode is required. Therefore, the operation becomes complicated, and an erroneous operation such as an unintended sound effect is likely to occur if the operation is performed with the intention of selecting a song, and it is difficult to appropriately sound the effect sound at the intended timing.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has as its object to produce a sound effect without losing timing by operating a key dedicated to the sound effect.
In addition, there is also a function of selecting a desired sound from many types of sound effects, so that it can be adapted to a service for adding or changing sound effect data.

[0008]

The karaoke apparatus according to the present invention basically has the following requirements (1) to (5) (claim 1).

(1) A main body side operation panel for inputting various command information and the like by operating the user and notifying the user of various status information and the like, and various command information and the like operated by the user. A main control unit for controlling the karaoke apparatus operates in response to signals from the main body side operation panel and the remote control transmitter.

(2) A large number of types of sound effect data are stored in the storage unit while being distinguished from each other.
Upon receiving the information for specifying the type of the sound effect data and the sound generation command, the corresponding sound effect data is reproduced and generated from the speaker.

(3) The remote control transmitter has a plurality of sound effect keys for giving a sound generation instruction to the main control unit.

(4) When receiving the sound generation command from the remote control transmitter, the main control unit recognizes which of the plurality of sound effect keys the sound generation command corresponds to, and Further, it recognizes which sound effect data is associated with each sound effect key according to the predetermined key assignment information, and reproduces the corresponding sound effect data to generate it from the speaker.

(5) By inputting a command for appropriately rewriting the key assignment information from the operation panel or the remote control transmitter, the main control unit rewrites the key assignment information according to the command.

In the karaoke apparatus having the above-mentioned requirements, a number of types of the sound effect data are each provided with an identification name, and in the key assignment information rewriting mode, the sound effect data is stored in the storage section. A control means is provided for displaying a list of identification names of the sound effect data present on the display (claim 2). In this case,
Further, when any one of the identification names of the sound effect data displayed in the list is specified by an operation input and a confirmation sounding instruction is input, the corresponding sound effect data is reproduced and generated from a speaker. Means are provided (claim 3).

Further, according to the present invention, a key portion for effect sound control can be added to the remote control transmitter for music selection. In other words, the remote control transmitter of the requirement (3) includes a music selection key group for giving the music number to be played to the main control unit, and a sound generation instruction for the sound effect separately from the music selection key group. A plurality of sound effect keys to be provided to the control unit are provided.

In the present invention, a plurality of types of the sound effect data associated with the plurality of sound effect keys are transferred in advance from the storage unit to a high-speed memory for reproduction processing according to the key assignment information. It is possible to employ a control means for storing the information (claim 5).

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

==== Basic Configuration and Function ==== The karaoke apparatus 1 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a terminal of a communication karaoke system, and is connected to a host apparatus 2 and a communication network 3. Central processing unit 4 in karaoke apparatus 1
Is a central element of the main control unit, and has a CPU / RAM
-It is a computer body including ROM. The central processing unit 4 is connected to the communication network 3 via a modem 5. Karaoke data distributed from the host device 2 to the karaoke device 1 includes karaoke accompaniment music data in accordance with the MIDI standard, lyrics data including synchronization information of the accompaniment, and the like. Karaoke data of many songs distributed from the host device 2 is stored in the hard disk device 6. AD
A number of types of sound effect data composed of digital data of the PCM system are distinguished from each other, and
Is stored in

The main body of the karaoke apparatus 1 has an operation panel 7 for user interface including a display and a keyboard, and a remote control receiver 9 corresponding to a remote control transmitter 8.
It also has. The operation panel 7 and the remote control receiving unit 9 are connected to the central processing unit 4 via the operation control unit 10.
The karaoke user performs various operation inputs such as music selection using the operation panel 7 of the main body or the remote control transmitter 8, and the operation contents and response information of the apparatus to the operation input are displayed on the operation panel 7.
Will be displayed.

The reproduction of the music is performed through the following route under the control of the central processing unit 4. The accompaniment music data and the lyrics data of the designated music number are read from the hard disk device 6. Accompaniment music data composed of MIDI signals is sequentially input to the synthesizer 11, converted into audio signals, and output from the speakers 13 via the audio amplifier 12. In synchronization with the audio output, the central processing unit 4 sequentially converts the lyrics data into a character string and
14 and a process of coloring the lyric character string to indicate the progress of the music. The contents of the video RAM 14 are displayed on the display 16 by the display control unit 15. Of course, the audio amplifier 12 has a function of mixing with the output of the microphone 17.

Moving picture information for background video etc. is CD-ROM
It is reproduced by the player 18. The video control unit 19 is composed of a microcomputer that operates in response to a command from the central processing unit 4, performs a process of selecting video data to be reproduced, reproduces the selected video data by the CD-ROM player 18, and The reproduction data is restored and transferred to the display control unit 15. The display controller 15 combines the video signal from the video controller 19 with the image of the lyric character string in the video RAM 14 and displays it on the display 16.

==== Sound Effect Generating System ==== Further, the central processing unit 4 receives the information specifying the type of the sound effect data and the sound generation command, and reads out the corresponding sound effect data from the hard disk device 6. To the sound effect reproducing unit 20 to activate the sound effect reproducing unit 20. As a result, an analog sound effect signal is output from the sound effect reproducing unit 20, and is output from the speaker 13 via the audio amplifier 12. The reproduction process of the sound effect is performed in parallel during the karaoke performance, and the karaoke accompaniment music, the singing sound from the microphone 17 and the sound effect are simultaneously output from the speaker 13.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, 39 types of sound effect data distinguished by numbers 1 to 39 can be stored in the hard disk device 6. In the example of FIG. This shows that 31 types of sound effect data are actually stored. Each of the stored sound effect data is given an identification name that briefly indicates the content of the sound effect data, and a list of concepts as shown in FIG. 6 showing the correspondence between the number of each sound effect data and the identification name. Are created in the hard disk device 6.

==== Key Arrangement of Remote Controller Transmitter 8 and Processing of Remote Controller Signals ==== FIG. 2 shows an example of a key layout on the operation panel surface of the remote controller transmitter 8. "Numeric keypad" to enter the song number you want to play, "Cancel key" to press to cancel the input data, "Memory / Set key" to press to register the input data, "Start singing key",
The "stop key", "key control" up / down key to change the pitch of accompaniment music, and "tempo control" up / down key to change the speed of accompaniment music are widely used as general karaoke remotes. Since this is a technology, the signal processing related to this technology will not be described.

The remote control transmitter 8 of this embodiment has three sound effect keys (○ key 21,
X-mark keys 22 and Δ-mark keys 23) are arranged side by side. When any one of these sound effect keys is pressed, unique key information is transmitted to the remote control receiving unit 9 as an infrared remote control signal, and the central processing unit 4 recognizes the input key information via the operation control unit 10.

In the hard disk device 6, a key assignment table having a concept as shown in FIG. 3 is created. In this table, when the key information of the 印 key 21, the X key 22, or the △ key 23 is input from the remote control transmitter 8, the correspondence relation of the number of sound effect data to be reproduced and output, respectively. is described. The contents of the key assignment table can be arbitrarily set by the user as described later. In the key assignment table illustrated in FIG. 3, when the “の” key 21 is pressed, the sound effect of “No. 21 cheers and applause” sounds, and when the “×” key 22 is pressed, the “Explosion sound” of No. 01 is displayed. It is set to sound a sound effect and to sound a sound effect of No. 31 “Singing battle rejection” when the “△” key 23 is pressed.

For example, during a karaoke performance, when key information of any of the ○ key 21, the X key 22, or the △ key 23 is input from the remote control transmitter 8 to the central processing unit 4, the key assignment table is displayed. It is determined which sound effect is to be sounded, and the corresponding sound effect data is read from the hard disk device 6 and transferred to the sound effect reproducing unit 20. That is, when viewed from the user, the remote control transmitter 8
○ key 21 or × key 22 or △ key 23
Is pressed, the sound effect associated with each key is emitted from the speaker 13.

It should be noted that the following method may be employed in place of the processing method for reading out the relevant data from the hard disk device 6 when a sound effect sounding instruction is issued from the remote control transmitter 8. As an initial process when the power of the karaoke apparatus 1 is turned on, the key assignment table is looked at, three types of sound effect data set therein are read out, and written in a high-speed memory in the sound effect reproducing unit 20 in advance. deep. Then, when a sound effect sounding command is issued from the remote control transmitter 8, the hard disk device 6 is not accessed but any one of the three types of sound effect data transferred in advance by the sound effect reproducing unit 20 is reproduced. Indicates whether to output. This method can improve the responsiveness from the key operation of the remote controller to the actual sound effect.

The remote control transmitter 8 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is a type in which three sound effect keys according to the present invention are added to a general remote control for music selection control. Separately from this, a remote control transmitter (having a plurality of sound effect keys) dedicated to sound effect control may be provided, and this may be used to issue a sound effect selection and playback timing instruction.

==== Setting and Registration of Key Assignment Table ==== When the operation panel 7 of the main body of the karaoke apparatus 1 is operated according to a predetermined procedure and a remote control registration menu of sound effects is selected, control of the central processing unit 4 is performed. Thereby, the screen of the “remote control registration” mode illustrated in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display 16.
On this screen, the user is asked which key of the mark key 21, the mark key 22, and the mark key 23 is to be set. When the user selects any of the three using the ten keys on the operation panel 7, the screen is switched to a sound effect selection screen illustrated in FIG. FIG. 5 is a registration screen of the mark key 21. On this screen, it is displayed that the sound effect of “explosion sound” is registered in correspondence with the mark key 21, and the identification names of all types of sound effect data registered in the karaoke apparatus 1 are displayed. The display is divided into four pages. Operation panel 7
When an arbitrary one of the display of the sound effect list is designated by the numeric keypad, the central processing unit 4 reproduces the designated sound effect data and sounds it through the speaker 13. The user actually confirms the sound effect by ear, and presses the start key of the operation panel 7 if the sound effect is satisfactory. Then, the central processing unit 4
Rewrites the key assignment table so that the sound effect data selected at that time with the numeric keypad is associated with the o mark key 21, and at the same time rewrites the display contents of FIG. Similarly, the registered contents of the X mark key 22 and the 印 mark key 23 can be freely changed while actually confirming the sound effect by ear. The input operation for changing the key assignment table described here is performed not only from the operation panel 7 but also from FIG.
The same can be done by using the remote control transmitter 8 shown in the embodiment.

[0030]

According to the present invention, a sound effect can be produced without losing the timing by operating a plurality of sound effect exclusive keys arranged on the remote control transmitter. Since there are a plurality of sound effect dedicated keys, a desired sound can be selectively output from a plurality of types of sound effects. In addition, the device stores a large number of types of sound effect data, and registers the sound effects freely selected by the user as key assignment information. The sound effect generation function can be arranged, and it can be flexibly adapted to the service of adding or changing sound effect data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a key layout of a remote control transmitter according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a key assignment table in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in a remote control registration mode for sound effects in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a sound effect list screen when a specific sound effect key is registered in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of a management table of sound effect data in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Karaoke apparatus 4 Central processing unit (main control unit) 6 Hard disk drive 7 Main unit side operation panel 8 Remote control transmitter 20 Sound effect reproduction unit 21 ・ 22 ・ 23 Sound effect key

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A karaoke apparatus for synchronizing and outputting accompaniment music and lyric image of a music specified by a user to a speaker and a display, respectively.
A karaoke apparatus comprising (5). (1) A main body side operation panel for inputting various command information and the like by operating the user and for notifying the user of various status information and the like, and for inputting various command information and the like by operating the user. The main control unit that supervises the karaoke apparatus operates by receiving signals from the main body side operation panel and the remote control transmitter. (2) A large number of types of sound effect data are stored separately in the storage unit, and the main control unit receives the information specifying the type of the sound effect data and the sound generation instruction, and receives the corresponding sound effect data. And play it from the speaker. (3) The remote control transmitter has a plurality of sound effect keys for giving a sound generation instruction to the main control unit. (4) When receiving the sounding command from the remote control transmitter, the main controller recognizes which of the plurality of sound effect keys the sounding command corresponds to, and receives a predetermined signal. It recognizes which sound effect data is associated with each sound effect key according to the key assignment information, and reproduces the corresponding sound effect data to generate it from the speaker. (5) By inputting a command for appropriately rewriting the key assignment information from the operation panel or the remote control transmitter, the main control unit rewrites the key assignment information according to the command. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein an identification name is assigned to each of the plurality of types of sound effect data, and identification of the sound effect data stored in the storage unit in the key assignment information rewriting mode. A karaoke apparatus comprising control means for displaying a list of names on the display. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein any one of the identification names of the sound effect data displayed in the list is designated by an operation input and a confirmation sounding instruction is input.
A karaoke apparatus comprising control means for reproducing said sound effect data and generating it from a speaker. 4. The remote control transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the remote control transmitter transmits a music selection key group for giving a music number to be played to the main control unit and a sounding instruction of the sound effect separately from the music selection key group. A karaoke apparatus comprising: a plurality of sound effect keys for giving to the main control unit. 5. The high-speed memory for reproduction processing according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of types of said sound effect data associated with said plurality of sound effect keys are previously stored in said high-speed memory for reproduction processing in accordance with said key assignment information. A karaoke device characterized by being transferred.