KR100842238B1 - Karaoke remote control device having a function of electronic contents book - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a karaoke remote control device having an electronic table of contents function having a user interface that can be operated intuitively by eliminating error operation.

A music index database management means, a user interface using a touch panel, means for retrieving the desired music from the music index database via the user interface, and a remote controller for transmitting a performance reservation signal of the music specified by the database search It has a signal transmission means, and the search screen and the performance change command button for operating the karaoke device coexist in the initial screen, and if the performance change command button has a touch input, the corresponding remote control signal is transmitted to the karaoke device, If there is a touch input on any one, the screen is switched to the task screen for executing the search mode, and the task screen does not include a play change command button by arranging an initial return button for returning to the initial screen.

Description

KARAOKE REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE HAVING A FUNCTION OF ELECTRONIC CONTENTS BOOK}

1 is an external view of a karaoke remote control device having an electronic table of contents function in an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a functional block diagram of the embodiment.

3 is a schematic diagram of a top screen displayed in the above embodiment.

4 is a flowchart showing an operation of invoking various search methods and functions from the top screen.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen when the above various search methods and functions are called up;

6 is a flowchart of a process relating to a music name search function in the embodiment;

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a process relating to a music name search function in the embodiment by a transition diagram of a display screen.

8 is a flowchart of processing relating to a history management function in the embodiment;

9 is a diagram showing a process in the history management function by a transition diagram of a display screen;

Fig. 10 is a screen schematic diagram showing a display form of a performance change command button in another embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1: Karaoke remote control device

2: liquid crystal monitor

3: touch panel

11: central control unit

12: flash memory

13: communication interface

17: light emitting diode

The present invention provides a remote control for retrieving a suitable karaoke piece of music based on a search condition input by a user, while accepting a user input for reserving a karaoke piece of music presented as a search result and reserving the piece of music in a karaoke apparatus. A karaoke remote control device having an electronic table of contents function for transmitting a signal.

Karaoke remote control devices with electronic table of contents functions are commercialized as computer application devices similar to palmtop personal computers with touch panels. Then, attribute information about the karaoke music corresponding to the karaoke music database in the karaoke apparatus is stored in an external storage such as a built-in hard disk or a nonvolatile memory, and managed as a music index database. The database is queried as a search word for attribute information, and the table of contents information and the song number of the karaoke piece are presented and outputted. Then, if the karaoke piece of music that the user desires to play is finally designated, the performance reservation code including the piece number of the piece of music is transmitted to the nearest karaoke device as a remote control signal.

When the karaoke apparatus receives the remote control signal for the performance reservation, the karaoke apparatus manages the music number included in the signal as a queue of the performance reservation, and picks up the music number sequentially from the queue. Then, the karaoke music piece corresponding to the picked-up music number is played.

The karaoke remote control unit with the electronic table of contents function accepts user input to stop playing a song or to change the playing state of an accompaniment music key, tempo, etc., while the karaoke device is being prepared for or performing karaoke music performance. And an operation mode that functions as a conventional karaoke remote control device for transmitting the corresponding remote control signal.

However, the karaoke remote control device having an electronic table of contents function to the last is mainly used to find and reserve a desired piece of music by highly utilizing the music index database in various search modes. Therefore, if an operation input relating to a performance change is made by mistake during a music search operation, it acts on the karaoke apparatus being played, causing much trouble to the person currently singing. Therefore, I want to make the operation related to the change of performance possible only under limited conditions.                         

Moreover, since there are various kinds of people using a karaoke apparatus, it is also necessary to employ | adopt the operation procedure especially for the person who is unfamiliar with a machine operation. It is necessary to have a user interface that can be operated intuitively by any person and can reach the final purpose (specification of the requested song) linearly.

The karaoke remote control device is portable in size, and it is also necessary to consider that the space provided for user input and information output by the touch panel is very small. In other words, the final goal can be reached with the minimum presentation information required. Excessive information display only disturbs the user. Of course, it is also necessary to be able to quickly switch between the operation mode related to music search and the operation mode related to performance change.

The present invention has been made in consideration of an ideal user interface required for a karaoke remote control device having an electronic table of contents function, and an object thereof is to provide mutual interference between an operation for a music search function and an operation for a performance change function of the karaoke device. An object of the present invention is to provide a karaoke remote control device having an electronic table of contents function with a user interface that can be operated intuitively by anyone, while excluding an operation sequence leading to error operation as much as possible.

A first invention for achieving the above object is a means for managing a music index database describing attribute information relating to a plurality of pieces of music provided for performance in a karaoke apparatus, and displaying various characters to users by displaying characters or images on the touch panel. The user interface which recognizes the selection information touched by the user in association with the presentation information at the time of presenting the information, and the processing for searching for the music desired by the user based on the music index database are performed through the user interface. A karaoke remote control device having an electronic table of contents function having database search means for executing and remote control signal transmitting means for transmitting a remote control signal for reserving a performance of the music specified by the database search means to the karaoke device. Initial screen displayed on the panel The search menu presents various search modes that can be executed by the database search means as an option, and a remote control signal for acting on the karaoke apparatus while preparing or playing a certain piece of music and requesting a change in its playing behavior. In a screen configuration in which several performance change command buttons coexist, and when the performance change command button on the initial screen has a touch input, the remote control signal is transmitted to the karaoke device. Is configured to switch the screen to a task screen for executing the search mode when any of the search menus of the search menu has a touch input, and arranges an initial return button for returning to the initial screen on the task screen, Does not include the Change Performance command button And rock.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a karaoke remote control apparatus having an electronic table of contents function, wherein the performance change button includes an operation button for stopping the playing of a piece of music during which the karaoke apparatus is being prepared for performance or playing. The third invention has a karaoke remote control device having an electronic table of contents function, in which a performance change button includes an operation button for changing a key of karaoke accompaniment music in which the karaoke device is being prepared for performance or playing.

The fourth invention is a screen according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the task screen includes a command button display instruction button for displaying or hiding the performance change command button in coexistence with the task screen. I assume the karaoke remote control device with the electronic table of contents function with the thing of the structure.

According to any one of the first to third inventions, the task screen has a screen configuration including a command button display instruction button for coexisting and displaying the performance change command button with the task screen. Karaoke remote control with an electronic table of contents function configured to make the performance change command button non-displayed when the corresponding remote control signal is transmitted by the user input to the performance change command button displayed on the display as the origin of the corresponding display instruction button on the screen. Device.

In the sixth invention, in the fourth or sixth invention, when the command button is hidden after displaying the performance change command button during a user input for operating a certain search mode via the task screen, And a karaoke remote control apparatus having an electronic table of contents function configured to return the search mode to be operable to reproduce a state during the user input on the task screen.

=== Configuration of Karaoke Remote Control Unit ===

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a karaoke remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus main body 1 is generally a thick panel type, and the size is such that it can hold | maintain both hands lightly when the panel is lengthened horizontally. A liquid crystal monitor (LCD) 2 is disposed on the front face of the panel, and a touch panel 3 is stacked on the surface of the LCD 2.

On the upper surface of the panel case, there is an infrared ray transmitting portion 4 by a light emitting diode (LED), and on the lower surface, a terminal 6 for receiving power supply from an external power source when charging a secondary battery inside the main body, or an external The terminal 5 for the interface (IF) of the RS232C standard for data communication with a computer is provided. On the other hand, these terminal groups are not normally seen from the outside by the blind cover.

2 shows the internal structure of the karaoke remote control device 1 by a functional block diagram. The configuration of the karaoke remote control device 1 of the present embodiment is basically the same as that of a computer such as a PC. In the flash memory 12 functioning as an external memory, attribute information, such as a song name, artist name, and the beginning of a song, is stored in correspondence with the music number in relation to the karaoke music that can be used in the karaoke apparatus. It is. In addition, the central control unit 11, which is the main control unit of the karaoke remote control device 1, communicates with an external computer such as a karaoke device via an RS232C standard communication interface (IF) 13, to thereby display attribute information on the new karaoke music. The music index database is updated in a timely manner by downloading and storing the data in the flash memory 12 and the like.

When the central control unit 11 receives the operation input information from the touch panel 3 through the operation control unit 15, the image data prepared in the internal ROM or the processing result according to the operation input information in this image data. The bitmap image image data reflecting this in the video RAM is controlled, and the LCD driver 14 is controlled to display and output the bitmap image on the LCD 2. As a result, the karaoke remote control device 1 provides a GUI environment to the user. Then, the central control unit 11 retrieves the music index database through a dialogue between the user and the GUI, and displays and outputs the search result to realize the electronic contents table function.

The central control unit 11 generates a code including the music number, if there is a user input that the music is scheduled to be played while finally presenting one karaoke music in accordance with the electronic table of contents function. Transfer to the LED driver 16. The LED driver 16 applies a modulated signal of this code to the LED 17, and transmits a radio signal for performance reservation to the karaoke apparatus.

The central control unit 11 executes the process according to the electronic contents book function and the transmission of the remote control signal, and also manages the history of the music that is reserved for performance. The flash memory 12 stores the history of the karaoke music that is scheduled to be played by the karaoke remote control device 1 from the latest reserved music by the predetermined number of songs, and the central control unit 11 transmits a remote control signal of the performance reservation. Each time is executed, the music number of the reserved music is stored as the recent performance reservation history, and the oldest music number is deleted from the history.

The ROM in the central control unit 11 stores codes for generating origins of various remote control signals transmitted by the conventional remote control device attached to the karaoke apparatus, and the central control unit 11 operates the karaoke apparatus through the GUI. Recognizing that there has been user input, the remote control signal including the corresponding code is transmitted.

=== initial screen ===

3 shows a schematic diagram of the initial screen 20 displayed when the electronic table of contents function of the karaoke remote control device 1 is activated. In the initial screen 20, menu buttons 21 to 21 for starting various search modes (new report, life name, song name, viewpoint, duet genre) and various functions (history, remote control) mounted in the karaoke remote control device 1 are provided. 28) is arranged. The function called when each menu button arrange | positioned in the initial screen 20 is instructed in FIG. 4 is shown by a flowchart.

In addition, various command buttons 29a to 29c for operating the karaoke apparatus are collectively arranged on the right side of the area where the menu buttons 21 to 28 are arranged, and any of these command buttons 29a to 29c is instructed. When the karaoke device is ready to play or the karaoke music is being played, a performance change command is issued to change the performance of the karaoke music. In this embodiment, various performance change buttons for performance stop 29a, replay (for replay) 29b, and key control value set 29c are arranged.

If any of the menu buttons 21 to 28 are instructed during the display of this initial screen 20, a task screen for operating each search mode or function shown in Figs. 5A to 5H is displayed. . The karaoke remote control device 1 displays the task screens A to H as introduction screens to each operation mode (search mode and function), and at the same time, the introduction screens A to H according to the user's operation input. From this, the task screen is hierarchically shifted, and finally, a piece of music to be reserved for performance by the karaoke apparatus is specified by the user, and a remote control signal including the number of the piece of music is transmitted in accordance with an operation input for reserving the piece of music.

In addition, after instructing the menu buttons 21 to 28 to start various operation modes, the performance change command buttons 29a to 29c on the initial screen 20 are not displayed. Except for the remote control mode H, the user input of the performance change for the music being prepared or being played is not accepted. That is, except for the mode in which the karaoke apparatus is actively operated, the performance change of the music during preparation or performance by error operation is prevented from being made. Next, various examples of the operation modes included in the karaoke remote control device 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

=== music search function ===

A music retrieval function for retrieving a search word from a music index database and finally specifying a music desired by the user will be described. Here, the "music name search" mode is taken as an example.

First, when the menu button 23 of "song name" on the initial screen is instructed, the task screen of the song name search mode shown in Fig. 5C is displayed. Fig. 6 shows the flow of music search processing in the music name search mode. 7A to 7F show the transition diagrams of the screen displayed on the LCD 2 during this process. When the menu button 23 in the music name search mode is instructed to be selected by the user on the initial screen, the keyword input screen a including the character pallet is displayed (s51 to 53). The user instructs the characters in this character palette and inputs the title of the karaoke piece of music as the first character from the head character. The central control section queries the music search database for the character string from the head character each time one character is input. For example, "ま な つ の…" ", The music search database is searched using the keyword" ま "as a search word at the time when" ま "was input. If the number of tunes of the karaoke music corresponding to this point is larger than the prescribed number, the input characters and the number of tunes are displayed at predetermined positions 31 and 32 on the screen as shown in the screen (b) (s54 to s58 → S53). . When the character after "な" is input following "ま", the input character string is inquired into the music search database for every character input opportunity, and the number of the corresponding music is displayed (c).

Here, when the "search" button 33 in the screen in which the number of music is displayed with this character pallet is instruct | indicated, the appropriate attribute information regarding the retrieved music is displayed over a plurality of pages (s58-> s59). In other words, it becomes difficult to see the attribute information of a plurality of pieces of music in a limited display area. Therefore, a plurality of retrieved pieces of music are sorted for each predetermined number, and the attribute information of pieces of music of the prescribed number is displayed on one screen. In the present embodiment, a plurality of karaoke pieces found are collectively displayed for every eight pieces in the order of music number (d).

In this list screen, the total number of pages and the currently displayed page number are displayed at the predetermined position 34. When the user instructs the page turning button 35, the front and rear pages are displayed along the direction of turning the pages. Then, the attribute information of the other music pieces is displayed (s59 to s61). If the character input is to be searched again and again, the "return" button 36 in the list of attribute information is instructed to display the character pallet again (s62-&gt; s53).

If the display column of a certain piece of music is instructed while the user sequentially browses the list of searched music items over a plurality of pages, the karaoke remote control device displays and outputs detailed attribute information about the indicated piece of music (s63 → s64, e). . When the user sees this detailed attribute information and confirms that it is a musical piece intended for the purpose, the "transfer" button 38 arranged in the display screen of this detailed attribute information is instructed. Thus, the karaoke remote control device transmits the remote control signal for reserving the music (s66-s73), displays a confirmation screen f indicating that the music is reserved, and then displays the task screen a of the music name search processing again ( s74 → s51). Moreover, when it is not the target music, the "return" button 37 in the display screen of detailed attribute information is instructed, and the list which contains this music is displayed again (s65-> s59). In addition, when returning to the number of music presentation page containing the previous character pallet and continuing to input a character, the "return" button 36 in the list screen is instructed (s62-&gt; s53). In addition, all the screens have a button 39 written as "top", and when this button is instructed, the screen returns to the initial screen shown in FIG.

In the karaoke remote control device of the present embodiment, when the number of karaoke pieces of music corresponding to the search result becomes less than a predetermined number (8 pieces) as a result of gradually inputting characters, a part of the attribute information about the karaoke pieces of music is obtained from the piece of music search database. It extracts and displays the attribute information list (d) of the music shown in FIG. 7 automatically (s57-s67-s68). In the attribute information list screen d displayed in this case, 1/1 is displayed on the page position description position 34, and the user's instruction operation is invalidated by setting the page feed button 35 to a light color display. .

In addition, for example, the above-mentioned "manatsu no…" When 10 pieces of music are retrieved at any point in the inputting process, and the corresponding piece of music becomes 1 piece at the time when the next 1 character is inputted, the display processing of the attribute information list screen is skipped and the song is skipped. Detailed attribute information related to the information is automatically displayed (s57 → s67 → s70). In addition, the flow until the subsequent performance reservation is the same as the above-described flow (s63 to s66 to s73 to s74) (s69 to s74).

In this way, since the number of pieces of music is sequentially displayed as a search result in the character input process, when the list is displayed at the time when the user filters out the appropriate number, the work of sequentially browsing the pages of many lists can be omitted. In addition, even if the display area is limited and the number of pieces of music that can be displayed at one time is limited, the list is automatically displayed when the number of pieces of music as a result of the search is filtered down to the number of pieces of music that can be displayed, thereby releasing from the page turning operation.

Further, in the above embodiment, the user's operation is made to display the detailed attribute information of the piece of music at the time when the last piece of music is filtered out and to make a reservation on the screen by the user's instruction in the database search or list display. Although it is supposed that the remote control signal is automatically transmitted at the time of filtering out one song. At this time, the detail screen may or may not be displayed.

=== History Management Function ===

In addition to the music retrieval function described above, the karaoke remote control device having the electronic table of contents function of the present embodiment has a function of managing, as a history, the transmission of a remote control signal intended to reserve a performance. The history management function designates a request song from the past history and reserves the music for performance, a mode to designate a certain music from the past history, and stops playing the music, and a music from the past history. There is a mode that advances the order of playing the music to number 1 in the queue. The operation and user interface of these three modes in the history management function will be described below.

To call up the history management function, the "reservation history" button 27 of the initial screen shown in FIG. 3 is instructed. The karaoke remote control device 1 receives this instruction operation and displays the task screen shown in Fig. 5G. 8 shows a processing flowchart in the history management function. 9A to 9F show a transition diagram of the task screen displayed on the LCD 2 in the course of this process.

First, when the task screen (a) of the history management function is called out from the initial screen shown in Fig. 3, a list of song names previously reserved for playing is displayed (a). In the present embodiment, the past 100 songs are managed as a history, and a list of eight song names and artist names is displayed on one screen. In the list, the number 40 on the left side of each song name indicates the order in which the reservation operation is performed, and the latest performance reservation music is set to one. In the initial screen (a), a list of song names for the past eight songs is displayed from this latest reserved piece of music, and when the "page turn" button 41 in this screen is instructed, a list of songs that have been reserved for playing in the past is displayed. Displayed sequentially (s81 to s84).

If the user instructs the "detail" button 42 after designating a particular piece of music in this history list, a screen (b) containing detailed attribute information on the piece of music is displayed (s85 → s86 → s91 → s94 → s95). ). When the "Transfer" button 43 in this screen (b) is instructed, the remote control signal for the performance reservation including the music number of the piece of music is sent out, and a confirmation screen (c) indicating that the performance has been reserved is displayed for a while. The initial screen (a) of the reservation history is displayed (s96 → s97 → s98 → s81). In addition, when the "interrupt transmission" button 44 is instructed, the music number of the music which has been reserved for playing is registered not at the end of the queue of the performance processing in the karaoke apparatus, but at the beginning, and after the karaoke music currently being played. The reserved song is played on.

At the time point when the karaoke remote control device 1 transmits a performance reservation remote control signal, the karaoke remote control device 1 performs a process of additionally registering the performance reserved music as the latest reserved music in the reservation history. Therefore, when the initial screen a is displayed again, the music reserved for performance is displayed as the latest reserved music in the history list. In addition, the "return" button 45 in each screen is a button for redisplaying the screen displayed just before, and the "top" button 46 is a button for displaying the initial screen shown in FIG. By placing the top button on the task screen in any operation mode as described above, the user can switch to the initial screen as soon as the performance is changed, and the person who sings the song completely separates the operation mode from the operation change operation. This prevents unintentional performance changes. Of course, even when starting the remote control function from any operation mode, it is necessary to return to the initial screen once.

The "delete" button 47 is also arranged in the screen a of the history music list. If this "delete" button 47 is instructed after designating a particular piece of music, a reservation detail screen d containing the reservation date of the piece of music is displayed (s86 to s87). When the user confirms that the music is to cancel the reservation in this screen (d) and instructs the "OK" button 49 in the screen (d), the remote control signal including the music number of the music and a code for canceling the performance is indicated. Is sent out. Then, after confirming the confirmation screen (e) that the reservation of the music is canceled for a while, the initial screen (a) of the reservation history is displayed (s88 → s89 → s90 → s81).

When the karaoke apparatus receives the remote control signal including the code indicating that the music is to be stopped, the karaoke apparatus may be configured to cancel the performance of the music by deleting the number if the music number is found in the queue of the performance processing. .

In the screen a of the history music list, a "forward" button 48 is also arranged. When the "push-up" button 48 is instructed after designating a particular piece of music, a remote control signal is sent to advance the order of the specified piece of music registered in the queue of the performance reservation (s86 → s91 → s92). ). This embodiment transmits a remote control signal including a music number of this music, an interrupt reservation command, and a code for erasing the music number from the queue of the performance reservation. After the confirmation screen d is displayed for a while, the initial screen a is displayed (s93 → s81). In addition, even when a performance is reserved by "advancing," the performance history update process is not performed. Therefore, the initial screen a becomes the same as when it was displayed last time.

The karaoke apparatus may be configured to update the queue by receiving a remote control signal to advance the reservation order.                     

=== Other Embodiments ===

In the above embodiment, the performance change command button is displayed only on the initial screen except for the operation mode of the "remote control". Not only this configuration, but also when the operation mode by the music search function or the history management function is activated, a button for displaying or not displaying the performance change command button may be arranged on the task screen.

Alternatively, when a button for displaying a performance change command button is placed on the task screen and the performance change command button is displayed with the task screen as the origin, whenever a performance change command button is instructed, the command button is deactivated. The display may be returned to the display operation mode, or a button which hides the command button together with the performance change command button may be displayed.

In addition, when the performance change command button is displayed during the user input via the task screen, for example, while inputting a character in a music search, and when the performance change command is not displayed, the previous input status is displayed. It is also possible to return to the task screen for reproduction.

Fig. 10 shows a screen schematic diagram of a state in which a performance change command button is displayed when the music search function is started. The task screen 50 includes a button (command button display instruction button) 51 for displaying a performance change command button. When the button 51 is instructed, a separate screen 52 including various performance change command buttons is displayed. ) Is displayed on the task screen. In this way, the performance change command button is displayed only when necessary, thereby preventing the performance change due to an incorrect operation.

According to the karaoke remote control device having the electronic table of contents function of the present invention, the initial screen has a screen configuration in which a search menu and a performance change command button coexist, and the task screen displayed when a touch input is entered in the search menu returns to the initial screen. The initial return button is set so that the performance change command button is not included. By doing so, the operation for the music search function and the operation for the performance change function of the karaoke apparatus are completely separated, and error operation can be eliminated. In addition, since a plurality of functions are not mixed in one screen, the user can be provided with an excellent user interface that can be operated intuitively by anyone without being confused.

Claims (6)

Means for managing a music index database describing attribute information of a plurality of pieces of music provided for performance in a karaoke device, and displaying various types of information to the user by displaying characters or images on the touch panel, A user interface for recognizing selection information touched by the user, database search means for executing a process for retrieving a piece of music desired by the user based on the music index database via the user interface, and the database search means. A karaoke remote control device having an electronic table of contents function having remote control signal transmitting means for transmitting a remote control signal for reserving a specified piece of music to the karaoke device, In the initial screen displayed on the touch panel, a search menu which presents various search modes that can be executed by the database searching means as an option, and acts on the karaoke apparatus while preparing or playing a certain piece of music to change its playing behavior. Set the screen configuration in which several performance change command buttons for transmitting the required remote control signal coexist, And when the performance change command button on the initial screen has a touch input, send a corresponding remote control signal to the karaoke device, When there is a touch input in any of the search menus on the initial screen, the screen is switched to a task screen for executing the search mode. And an initial return button for returning to the initial screen, and not including the performance change command button on the task screen. The karaoke remote control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the play change button includes an operation button for stopping the playing of a piece of music by which the karaoke device is being prepared for performance or playing. The karaoke remote control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the performance change button includes an operation button for changing a key of karaoke accompaniment music being prepared or played by the karaoke apparatus. The electronic screen according to claim 1, wherein the task screen has a screen configuration including a command button display instruction button for displaying or not displaying the performance change command button in coexistence with the task screen. Karaoke remote control device with this function. The display device of claim 1, wherein the task screen includes a screen configuration including a command button display instruction button for coexisting and displaying the performance change command button with the task screen. And transmitting the corresponding remote control signal by a user input to the displayed performance change command button, thereby making the performance change command button non-displayed. The task screen according to claim 4 or 5, wherein when the command button is hidden after displaying the performance change command button during a user input for operating a certain search mode via the task screen, the task screen is displayed. A karaoke remote control apparatus having an electronic table of contents function, configured to return the search mode to be operable to reproduce a state during the user input in.

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