JPH11126084A - Karaoke device and karaoke system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a KARAOKE (orchestration without lyrics) device conforming to various requests with a small cache capacity. SOLUTION: Plural KARAOKE devices 6 are connected through a network 4, and respective KARAOKE devices 6 are communicatable with each other. Respective KARAOKE devices 6 are provided with storage means such as hard disk storages (HDD) 8, CD-ROM changers 9, etc., to store the composition data of several thousands to nearly ten thousand pieces of music. A network modem 5 is connected to the network 4, and respective KARAOKE devices 6 are communicatable with a signal distribution center 2 through the network modem 5-a communication line 3. When a request is performed in the KARAOKE device 6, first, the HDD 8 is retrieved, and when the composition data of the requested piece of music exist, they are read out, and a KARAOKE performance is executed. When not, the device 6 inquires of the HDD of another KARAOKE device, and when not, retrieves the CD-ROM changer 9, and when not, inquires of another CD-ROM changer. When not further, the device 6 telephones the signal distribution center 2 to download the composition data.

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 system for efficiently reading out music data before starting a performance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A communication karaoke apparatus generates karaoke performance sound by downloading music data from a distribution center and driving a sound source or the like with the music data.
However, in the method of downloading music data from the distribution center each time a user requests a music, it takes time from the request to the start of the performance, and the communication cost increases because the distribution center must be accessed every time. However, there is a problem in that access from terminals frequently occurs and communication overhead increases.

In recent communication karaoke apparatuses, H
By connecting a DD or CD-ROM changer, many karaoke songs are stored in these storage devices in advance.

[0004]

However, at present, the number of karaoke songs that have been announced is over 10,000, which cannot be stored on the karaoke apparatus side. New songs and classic songs are stored in the karaoke device, and other songs are downloaded from the distribution center upon request. Songs that have been downloaded once may be requested again The songs are stored on the hard disk as cache songs within the capacity of the area.

Therefore, if the cache area is large, any song can be requested immediately, but if a large number of cache songs are to be stored, a large-capacity hard disk storage device is required. There was a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a karaoke apparatus and a karaoke system which can immediately respond to various requests with a small cache capacity.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention of claim 1 of the present application relates to a system in which a plurality of karaoke devices such as a karaoke box are installed today, and these devices are connected to a LAN.
A karaoke apparatus to which a plurality of karaoke apparatuses are connected on the network, the center communication means communicating with a distribution center having a function of distributing music data of karaoke songs, A storage means for storing music data downloaded from the center; a network communication means for communicating with another karaoke device connected to the network via the network; Means for retrieving and reading music data of a song in the order of the storage and storage means, another karaoke apparatus connected via the network, and the distribution center.

The invention according to claim 2 of the present application is a karaoke system having a plurality of karaoke apparatuses connected via a network, wherein the karaoke apparatus stores music data in each karaoke apparatus; Network communication means for communicating with other karaoke devices via the karaoke device, a part or all of the plurality of karaoke devices,
A center communication means for communicating with a distribution center via a telephone line is provided, and when a request is generated in any of the plurality of karaoke apparatuses, music data of the requested music is stored in the storage means of the karaoke apparatus. At the time, the karaoke performance is executed by using the music data, and when the music data is stored in the storage means of another karaoke apparatus, the music data is transferred to the karaoke apparatus where the request is issued, and the karaoke performance is executed. If the karaoke device is not stored in any of the karaoke devices, the karaoke device or the other karaoke device that has issued the request calls the distribution center to download the music data, execute the karaoke performance, and execute the downloaded music. Performance execution for storing data in the storage means of the karaoke apparatus where the request has been issued Characterized in that a stage.

According to the present invention, storage means such as a hard disk is provided, and the music data distributed (downloaded) from the distribution center is stored and stored. When a karaoke song request is received, if the song is stored in the storage device, the music data is read from the storage device and the karaoke song is executed. In the case of a tune not stored in the storage means, before downloading from the distribution center, another karaoke apparatus connected via a network is inquired as to whether or not the tune data is stored, and is stored. If there is a karaoke device, music data is transferred from the karaoke device. Since the communication speed of the network is much higher than the communication speed with a distribution center connected by a telephone line or the like, this transfer is shorter. If the music is not stored in another karaoke apparatus, the music data is downloaded from the distribution center.

If the karaoke apparatus is provided with a storage device such as a CD-ROM changer or the like whose reading speed is not high, if this data is cached by another karaoke apparatus, it is better to transfer the data from the other karaoke apparatus. ,
It may be faster than setting a CD-ROM in a CD-ROM changer and reading it. Also in this case, it is also possible to read out by inquiring of another device.

[0011]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a karaoke system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of one karaoke apparatus constituting the karaoke system. In FIG. 1, a karaoke system 1 is installed in a store or the like where a plurality of karaoke devices such as a karaoke box are installed. Karaoke system 1
Sets a plurality of (three in the figure) communication karaoke apparatuses to Et.
It is connected via a network 4 such as the Internet. In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, a network modem 5 is further connected to the network 4. The communication karaoke apparatuses 6 can communicate with each other via the network 4, and the communication speed is about 10 Mbps. Each communication karaoke device 6 is connected to a network modem 5-
Communication with the distribution center 2 is possible via the telephone line 3. If the telephone line 3 is a digital line (ISDN), the network modem 5 may be changed to a terminal adapter (TA). The communication speed between the communication karaoke apparatus 6 and the distribution center is about 64 kbps.

Each communication karaoke apparatus 6 includes a karaoke apparatus main body 7, a hard disk storage device 8 built in the main body, and an external CD-ROM changer 9. The karaoke music is played on the hard disk 8 and the CD-ROM. Music data is stored for several thousand songs. A typical hard disk drive has a data transfer rate of 20
The data transfer rate of a general CD-ROM changer is about 600 kbytes / sec.

In FIG. 2, the karaoke apparatus main body 7 has a control unit 10 comprising a microcomputer, a ROM, a RAM 100 and the like, and the control unit 10 controls the operation of the entire apparatus. The control unit 10 is connected with a communication interface 11, a peripheral device interface 12, a karaoke performance execution unit 13, and a video display unit 14. The communication interface 11 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the network 4. The peripheral device interface 12 is an interface for controlling the hard disk 8 and the CD-ROM changer 9 to transmit and receive data, and is constituted by an interface such as SCSI. The karaoke performance execution section 13 has a sound source, a mixing amplifier, and the like, and is connected to a microphone 15 and a speaker 16. The sound source generates a karaoke performance sound based on the music data read into the RAM 100 from the hard disk storage device 8, the CD-ROM changer 9 or another communication karaoke device 7 on the network, and the distribution center 2. The mixing amplifier mixes the karaoke performance sound and the singing voice signal input from the microphone 15 and amplifies the karaoke performance to a power capable of driving the speaker 16. The video display unit 14 is connected to a monitor 17, and displays a background video and lyrics telop on the monitor 17. The background image is the CD-RO
It is input as a video signal from the M changer 9. Also,
The lyrics telop is controlled by the control unit 10 based on the lyrics display data included in the music data.
Is a video signal obtained by reading out font data stored in. The video display unit 14 superimposes these video signals in a superimposed manner and outputs them to the monitor 17.

The CD-ROM changer 9 has a plurality of CD-ROMs (six in the figure), and one of the CD-ROMs can be set on a tray and read in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 10. State. General CD-ROM
CD-ROM set on tray in changer
The time required to replace is about 10 seconds. 6 above
One CD-ROM stores music data of a standard karaoke tune, and stores about 1500 music data. MPEG on other CD-ROMs
Background video data compressed in a format is stored. The CD-ROM changer 9 has a built-in MPEG decoder. When reading background video data, the data is decoded by the MPEG decoder and directly input to the video display unit 14 as a video signal. On the other hand, when reading music data, the music data is input to the control unit 10 via the peripheral device interface 12. The control unit 10 stores the music data in the RAM 100.

In this embodiment, six CD-ROM changers 9 are stored in one tray.
A larger one may be connected. For example, if three trays can store 18 CD-ROMs, six for each tray, reading of three CD-ROMs can be performed in parallel.

On the other hand, the hard disk storage device 8 is configured as shown in FIG. 1B, and storage areas such as a program storage area 20, a font data storage area 21, and a music data storage area 22 are set on the hard disk. Have been. The program storage area 20 stores a system program of the apparatus, a karaoke performance execution program for executing a karaoke performance, and the like.
These programs are read into the RAM 100 of the control unit 10 when the power of the karaoke apparatus 6 is turned on.
The font data 21 is character pattern data for displaying characters such as lyrics on the monitor 17. During a karaoke performance, the control unit 10 synthesizes lyrics telops using the font data and outputs them to the video display unit 14. The music data storage area 22 includes a new music data storage area 221 and a cache data storage area 222, and stores music data of a new music (new music data) and music data (cache data) cached from another low-speed data storage, respectively. Have been.

This karaoke apparatus is periodically used by the distribution center 2
And receive downloads of song data for newly announced karaoke songs. The music data of the new music is stored in the new music data storage area 221. The music data stored in the new music data storage area 221 is not deleted. On the other hand, the cache data storage area 22
2 stores music data of karaoke songs recently played other than the new songs. For song data other than new songs, please use the CD
-Stored in the ROM, another karaoke apparatus 6, the distribution center 2, etc.
The data is read by the AM 100, but the data transfer speed of each device is much lower than the data transfer speed of the hard disk storage device 8. Therefore, only the recently played music data is stored in the cache data storage area 222 so that the music can be promptly dealt with when the music is requested again.
Is written to. If the performance of the karaoke song is performed many times, the cache data storage area 222 becomes full.
At that time, the old cache data is deleted sequentially. In this case, even if the cache data has been stored for a long time, the cache data that has recently been played again is updated as new data and the order is updated. Also, although the new song data storage area 221 and the cache data storage area 222 are separated in FIG. 2B, they may be integrated and the remaining area storing the new song data may be used as a cache area. .

FIGS. 3 to 5 are flowcharts showing the operation of the karaoke apparatus 6. FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation from the request of the karaoke song to the start of the performance of this song. This processing operation is executed when there is a request when the performance of the karaoke music is not performed or when the performance of the karaoke music is currently performed and there is a reservation for the next karaoke music. First, a song number of a karaoke song to be played is input from a remote control device or a reservation list (s1). A search is made as to whether the song is stored as a new song or a cache song in the hard disk storage device 8 (s2). If the song is stored in the hard disk storage device 8, it is read into the RAM 12 (s3) and the performance of the karaoke song is performed. Execute (s4).

If the music data of the requested music is not stored in the hard disk storage device 8 of the own device, another karaoke device inquires through the network 4 whether the music data is stored in the hard disk storage device (s5). ). A reply to this inquiry is received from each karaoke device (s6), and if there is a device storing this music data in the hard disk storage device (s6)
7), receiving the music data from the device (s)
8). As described above, since the network has a transfer rate of about 10 Mbps, even if the music is stored in the CD-ROM, it takes less time than setting the CD-ROM in the CD-ROM changer 9 and reading it. Music data can be read. The received data is stored in the RAM 100 (s3), and the performance of the karaoke music is executed (s4).

On the other hand, if the song is not stored in the hard disk storage device of another karaoke device, it is searched whether the song data is stored in the CD-ROM of the CD-ROM changer 9 of the own device. (S9). CD-
If the music data is stored in the ROM, it is determined whether or not the CD-ROM changer 9 of the own device is currently usable (s10). For example, if the CD-ROM changer 9 is currently playing back the background video, the music data cannot be read. When the CD-ROM changer 9 can be used, a CD-ROM storing the music data is set on a tray, read out (s11), stored in the RAM 12 (s3), and the karaoke music A performance is executed (s4).

On the other hand, the music data is stored in the CD-RO of its own device.
If it is not stored in M, or if it is stored in the CD-ROM but the CD-ROM changer 9 cannot be used at present, an inquiry is made to another karaoke device connected via the network 4 ( s12). That is, an inquiry is made as to whether the music data is stored in the CD-ROM and the CD-ROM changer is usable. A response to this inquiry is received from each karaoke device (s13), and if there is a device in which music data is stored in the CD-ROM and a CD-ROM changer can be used (s14), the device uses the CD-RO.
A request is made to operate the M changer, and music data is received from the device (s15). The received music data is stored in the RAM 12 (s3), and a karaoke performance is executed (s4).

On the other hand, if the music data could not be read into the RAM 100 by any of the above methods, the cause is checked (s16). The reason why the music data could not be read is stored in the CD-ROM,
If the OM changer could not be used, the process returns to s9 and waits until the CD-ROM changer of the own device or another device becomes available. When it becomes available, the music data is read from the device. On the other hand, if the music data is not stored in the HDD or CD-ROM of any of the karaoke apparatuses, a call is made to the distribution center 2 using the network modem 5 (s17). Download (s
18). The downloaded music data is stored in the RAM 10
0 (s3), and the performance of the karaoke song is executed (s3).
4).

FIG. 4 shows the state of the karaoke song from the start.
It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement when 0 second passes. When 30 seconds have elapsed from the start of the song, the performance of the song is established, and the number of times of performance is counted up once. Then, the cache processing of the music data read into the RAM 100 by the above operation is executed. First, it is determined whether or not the music data has been read from the hard disk storage device 8 of the own device (s21). If the music data is not read from its own hard disk storage device 8, the music data is stored in the cache data storage device of the hard disk storage device 8 so that the music data can be immediately read out to the RAM 100 when the music data is next requested. Area 222
(S22). Then, this song number is written at the top of the list storing the order of the cache songs (s2
3). In this cache operation, if there is an empty area in the cache music storage area 222, only the writing operation is required. However, when the cache music storage area 222 is full, the cache music stored beforehand is erased and then the current cache music is erased. Write songs.

On the other hand, when the music data of the music played this time is read from the hard disk storage device 8 of the own device, it is determined whether the music is a new music or a cache music (s24). . In the case of a new song, since there is no priority and there is no deletion, the process returns.
In the case of a cache tune, the priority of this tune is rewritten to a higher order so as not to be erased when writing a new cache tune (s25).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when an inquiry is received from another karaoke apparatus searching for music data. When an inquiry is received (s3
0) First, it is determined whether the content of the inquiry is "stored in the hard disk storage device 8" or "stored in the CD-ROM" (s31).

In the case of an inquiry as to whether or not it is stored in the hard disk storage device 8, a list of new songs and cache songs is searched by the song number of the inquiry (s32), and if this song number is found (s33). ), A message indicating that transmission is possible is returned (s34). On the other hand, if this song cannot be found (s33), a message indicating that transmission is impossible is returned (s35). If a transmission-capable message has been returned (s34), it is checked whether a transmission request has been made from the other party's karaoke device (s36). If a transmission request has been made, the music data is read from the hard disk storage device 8, 4 to the other device (s3
7). If there is no transmission request, it is determined that a transmission request has been made to another device, and the operation ends as it is.

In the case of an inquiry as to whether or not the music is stored in the CD-ROM, the music list of the CD-ROM is searched by the music number of the inquiry (s40), and if this music number is found (s41). Then, it is determined whether the CD-ROM changer 9 is currently usable (s43). If usable, a message indicating that the music data can be transmitted is returned (s45). Thereafter, it is confirmed whether or not there is a transmission request from the other party's karaoke device (s46). If there is a transmission request, a CD-ROM storing the music data is set on a tray, and a CD-ROM changer is set. 9 is read out and transmitted to the partner device (s4).
7). If there is no transmission request, it is determined that a transmission request has been made to another device, and the operation ends. on the other hand,
If the searched song is not on the CD-ROM (s41),
A message indicating that transmission is impossible is returned (s42). Also,
If the music data is found but the CD-ROM changer 9 is currently being used for another purpose and cannot be used for reading the music data, a reply indicating that transmission is not possible is returned (s4).
4). In this case, if the CD-ROM changer 9 is currently out of order and cannot be used, the transmission impossible message in s42 is returned.

In the above-described embodiment, the network modem 5 is used, and all the karaoke apparatuses 6 on the network 4 can be shared and used by one unit. However, a modem (TA) is individually provided for each karaoke apparatus. May be connected, or a modem may be connected only to some karaoke apparatuses. In this case, the work of downloading music data by making a call to the distribution center 2 is performed exclusively by the karaoke apparatus to which the modem (TA) is connected. After the karaoke device downloads the music data from the center, the karaoke device transfers the music data to the target karaoke device via the network 4, and thereafter,
The downloaded karaoke device may delete this music data.

In the above case, the downloaded karaoke apparatus may store the downloaded music data as cache music. In this case, when a plurality of karaoke apparatuses share and download music data from the distribution center 2, the genres such as enka and pops may be assigned to each apparatus. Then, in each device, a large number of songs of a specific genre are cached, and it is possible to characterize the song of the genre such that the song is played immediately.

Also, when a plurality of karaoke apparatuses reply to the inquiry that "song data can be transmitted",
A transmission request may be returned to the device that responded first, and data indicating the load status of the device is included in the transmittable message, and a device with a light load is selected and transmitted to the device. You may reply your request.

When a song stored as a cache song in the hard disk storage device 8 is transmitted to another karaoke device 6, the other device also writes this song data as a cache song to the hard disk. The cache songs will be duplicated in the device. This is sufficient when priority is given to the songs in each karaoke apparatus, and if the number of cache songs is to be increased by eliminating duplication, this cache song is deleted on the transmitting side, or The receiving and performing party may discard the tune after the performance. In this case, if it is a cache song of another karaoke device, s22 and s in FIG.
23 may be skipped. Conversely, when a cache song is transmitted to another device, the order of the cache song may be updated.

In the above embodiment, when the music data stored in the CD-ROM of the own device is also stored in the other hard disk storage device 8, the music data is transferred from the karaoke device. The music data stored in the CD-ROM of the device may not be transferred from another device, and may wait until the CD-ROM changer 9 of the device can be used. That is, s in FIG.
7, s8 and s9, s10, s11 may be interchanged.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, even when a song (song data) not stored in the storage unit is requested, the song data is stored in the storage unit of another karaoke apparatus. In this case, the music data is transferred via the network, so that it is not necessary to connect to the distribution center and download the music data at a low transfer speed, so that the music data can be imported quickly and the karaoke The song can be started quickly. Further, the access frequency of the distribution center can be suppressed, and the load on the center can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the karaoke apparatus.

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

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

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Karaoke system, 2 Distribution center, 4 Network, 5 Network modem, 6 Karaoke device, 8
... Hard disk storage device, 9 ... CD-ROM changer, 222 ... Cache data storage area

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI G06F 13/00 351 G06F 13/00 351E 357 357Z G11B 27/10 G11B 27/10 A A

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A karaoke apparatus to which a plurality of karaoke apparatuses are connected on a network, a center communication means for communicating with a distribution center having a function of distributing music data of karaoke music, and storing music data downloaded from the distribution center. Storage means for storing; network communication means for communicating with another karaoke device connected to the network via the network; and when there is a request for a karaoke song, the music data of the requested song is stored. A karaoke apparatus comprising: a storage unit, another karaoke apparatus connected via the network, and a unit for searching and reading in the order of the distribution center. 2. A karaoke system having a plurality of karaoke devices connected via a network, wherein the storage device stores music data in each karaoke device, and communicates with another karaoke device via the network. A network communication unit for communicating with a distribution center via a telephone line in a part or the whole of the plurality of karaoke apparatuses; and when a request is generated in any of the plurality of karaoke apparatuses. When the song data of the requested song is stored in the storage unit of the karaoke apparatus, a karaoke performance is executed using the song data, and when the song data is stored in the storage unit of another karaoke apparatus. The karaoke device transmits the music data to the karaoke apparatus where the request has been issued and executes a karaoke performance. If it is not stored in the device, the karaoke device or the other karaoke device that has generated the request calls the distribution center to download the music data and execute the karaoke performance, and sends the downloaded music data to the requester. A karaoke system comprising a performance executing means for storing in a storage means of the karaoke apparatus in which the karaoke occurred.