JP3761953B2 - Karaoke equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a karaoke apparatus that can be sung and enjoyed along with accompaniment music, and in particular, to an apparatus that can use an audio output service other than karaoke.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a karaoke apparatus that can be enjoyed by a user by singing along with a karaoke performance that is accompaniment music. When a desired song is selected, only the karaoke performance of the song flows, so that the user can sing and enjoy the part that the singer is singing to the accompaniment. Actually, the lyrics of the song are projected on a TV monitor or the like on the background, and the user sings and enjoys karaoke while watching it.
[0003]
In addition to karaoke services, for example, in addition to karaoke services, supplementary services such as games and fortune-telling can be provided, and ordinary TV programs and VTRs can also be viewed. Yes.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Although it is such a karaoke apparatus, the following problems arise depending on the installation place. For example, in a karaoke-only place such as a karaoke box, soundproofing measures and the like are often surely taken, and since only people gathering for that purpose, so-called noise problems are unlikely to occur. However, for example, when a karaoke device is installed in a room in an accommodation facility such as a hotel, the original purpose is other (for example, accommodation), and in the case of positioning as karaoke as an additional service, It can be an unpleasant noise for the neighbors who do not use karaoke.
[0005]
Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a karaoke apparatus that can solve the above-described noise problem.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 comprises a karaoke performance means for reproducing a musical sound based on karaoke performance data and performing a karaoke performance, and a microphone for inputting a user's singing voice. A microphone input terminal for insertion, a headphone output terminal different from the microphone input terminal, a musical sound from the karaoke performance means, and a user input via a microphone inserted into the microphone input terminal In a karaoke apparatus comprising: a synthesis amplifying means for synthesizing and amplifying the singing voice of the voice; and a speaker for radiating a synthesized sound of the musical sound and the singing voice outputted from the synthesis amplifying means into a space to form a sound field The speaker can be used for sound output other than the musical sound reproduced by the karaoke performance means, and is attached to an ear so that the synthetic increase is performed. Add synthesized sound of the singing voice and the output tone from the means in the ear canal, and the headphone is separate from the said microphone, when the microphone input terminal for the microphone is plugged in, the from the composite amplifier means The synthesized sound of the musical sound and the singing voice output via the headphone output terminal is output only from the headphone, and when the microphone is not inserted, only the musical sound from the karaoke performance means is amplified and output. The karaoke apparatus is characterized by comprising output destination control means for controlling the output from the speaker.
[0007]
According to the karaoke apparatus of the present invention, the karaoke performance means reproduces the musical sound based on the karaoke performance data to perform the karaoke performance, and the musical sound from the karaoke performance means is input through the microphone inserted into the microphone input terminal. The synthesis amplification means synthesizes and amplifies the user's singing voice. When the microphone is inserted into the microphone input terminal, the output destination control means outputs the synthesized sound output from the synthesis amplification means via the headphone output terminal different from the microphone input terminal only from the headphones. If the microphone is not inserted, only the musical sound from the karaoke performance means is amplified and output from the speaker.
[0008]
Therefore, when a microphone is connected and the singing voice input from the microphone is synthesized with the replayed musical sound from the karaoke performance to enjoy the karaoke, the synthesized sound is output only from the headphones. By doing so, the following effects are produced. In other words, there are cases where karaoke is positioned as an additional service although the original purpose is elsewhere, such as when a karaoke apparatus is installed in a room in an accommodation facility such as a hotel. In this case, if it is output from the speaker as in ordinary karaoke, it may become unpleasant noise for a person in the adjacent room who does not use karaoke, so according to the present invention, output from only headphones. Therefore, the above-described noise problem can be solved. And for the user, karaoke can be enjoyed almost the same as that outputted from a normal speaker. Also, people around you who are not singing can enjoy the same thing if they wear headphones.
[0009]
There is a “live” singing voice that the user gives out from the mouth, but there is no particular problem because it is not a loud sound amplified by the synthetic amplification means. And it was mentioned above that users can enjoy karaoke almost the same as what is output from a normal speaker, but if it is headphones, it will come directly into their ears, so you can check your voice accurately and sing correctly. Is advantageous. This is the same reason that a so-called singer performs with headphones while recording. And there is also a sensory advantage that makes you feel like you are recording.
[0010]
Furthermore, as for people around you who are not singing, the sound has been too loud for people near the speakers and too loud for people far away. If you listen to it, you can always enjoy the optimal volume regardless of where you are.
[0011]
On the other hand, in the case of audio output other than the playback music sound by karaoke performance, for example, a normal TV program or VTR can be viewed, and in addition to the karaoke service, auxiliary services such as games and fortune-telling can be provided. If so, those sounds are output from the speaker. Or, even if the musical sound is played back from a karaoke performance, if the microphone is not connected to the microphone input terminal, the sound is emitted from the speaker. The largest cause of the noise described above is often a human singing voice that is amplified and output. In addition to the basic point that human voices are worrisome to others, it is easy to understand from the point that there are people who sing loudly, and that it is more uncomfortable if it is a bad song it can.
[0012]
Therefore, it does not completely eliminate the sound output from the speaker, but switches to the output from the headphones only when enjoying karaoke in which the user's singing sound is synthesized. This is not just for the user himself / herself and the surrounding people to enjoy, but also for the idea of preventing the noise for those who do not enjoy karaoke in the next room etc. Is based.
[0013]
Further, as shown in claim 2, when the microphone is inserted into the microphone input terminal, the normal mode in which the synthesized sound is output only from the headphone, and the synthesized sound is output even if the microphone is inserted into the microphone input terminal. It is also conceivable to provide mode setting means that can switch and set a special mode to be output from the speaker. If the mode can be switched in this way, for example, the special mode is set until 10 pm to output from the speaker, and thereafter, the normal mode is set and output from the headphones is set to the normal mode. It is convenient when the person manages. This is because noise problems are particularly noticeable at night (time zone where people are sleeping) in hotels, etc., and in that case, it can be set as headphone output, and at other times it can be set as speaker output. .
[0014]
It should be noted here that if the user can switch the mode without permission, there is a possibility that noise will be output from the speaker at night, so the user cannot switch and manage It is necessary to make it possible for only the person to switch. Of course, if there is no such special mode and the karaoke device is configured to output headphones in any case, the above problem need not be considered.
[0015]
In addition, as headphones, there are “head-mounted headphones” generally called headphones and “insertion headphones” generally called earphones, and either form may be used. The headphones may be connected to the apparatus main body by wire or may be wirelessly connected. In the case of wireless connection, as shown in claim 3, the apparatus main body modulates the synthesized sound of the musical sound and the singing sound output from the synthetic amplifier means via the headphone output terminal into a high frequency signal and transmits the modulated sound On the other hand, the headphones may be provided with receiving means for receiving and demodulating and reproducing the high frequency signal transmitted from the wireless transmitting means.
[0016]
In the case of wireless connection, in addition to being able to move around more freely than in the case of wired connection, if the device main body has one wireless transmission means, it can be received by multiple headphones, and many people It is effective when you enjoy it. In other words, in the case of wired connection, basically, only the number of headphones provided with the headphones input terminals can be connected, and the number of users is naturally limited.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a karaoke apparatus as an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the karaoke apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, the karaoke apparatus 30 of the present embodiment is a control means that can perform various arithmetic processes and controls each part of the karaoke apparatus 30, and also functions as a “karaoke performance means”; The hard disk 33 as storage means for storing service providing data such as karaoke song data, the operation program of the central control unit 31 and the digital data read from the hard disk 33 and transferred by the central control unit 31 A voice reproduction circuit 34 as a “karaoke performance means” to be converted into an analog performance signal, and a voice signal sent from the voice reproduction circuit 34 are electrically amplified, and the singing voice inputted from the microphone 43 via the selector 37. Is mixed at an appropriate ratio and output to the speaker 44 via the selector 37 as “synthetic amplification means” As a mixer amplifier 35, a screen display control device 36 for synthesizing the lyrics data included in the karaoke song data with the background video data for the background video and displaying it on the television monitor 45 as the display means, and various instructions input to the karaoke device 30. A multi-purpose input key 38 as an input means for performing the above, a selector 37 interposed between the mixer amplifier 35, the microphone 43 and the speaker 44, and an audio signal output from the mixer amplifier 35 or connected to the selector 37 A radio transmission device 39 or the like is provided as “radio transmission means” that modulates and transmits a signal obtained by mixing the singing voice into a high-frequency signal.
[0018]
The high-frequency signal transmitted from the wireless transmission device 39 is received by wireless headphones (hereinafter simply referred to as headphones) 50. The headphones 50 are attached to the user's ears and add received and reproduced sound to the user's ear canal. As the headphones 50, there are “head-mounted headphones” generally referred to as headphones 50 and “insertion headphones” generally referred to as earphones, and either form may be used.
[0019]
The hard disk 33 stores karaoke song data of about several thousand songs in advance as data for providing karaoke services. One piece of karaoke song data is composed of song number data, which is identification information for identifying songs, and entity information. The entity information includes the performance data of the MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) standard, which is information of the accompaniment sound, and the lyrics data for displaying the lyrics in text, and the background encoded with the video information corresponding to the song Video data may be included. In addition, the karaoke apparatus 30 can provide auxiliary services such as games and fortune telling in addition to karaoke, and data for providing these services is also stored in the hard disk 33.
[0020]
In the karaoke apparatus 30, the user can input a service type (karaoke, fortune telling, game, etc.) by operating the above-described multipurpose input key 38, or can input a requested song in the karaoke service mode. The selector 37 will be further described. As described above, the selector 37 is interposed between the mixer amplifier 35, the microphone 43 and the speaker 44, and includes a “microphone input terminal” 37 a for connecting the microphone 43. As shown in FIG. 1, a microphone output terminal 37b for outputting an audio signal input via a microphone 43 connected to the microphone input terminal 37a to the mixer amplifier 35, and an output signal from the mixer amplifier 35 An amplifier input terminal 37c for inputting, a speaker output terminal 37d for outputting an output signal from the mixer amplifier 35 input from the amplifier input terminal 37c to the speaker 44, and a mixer amplifier input from the amplifier input terminal 37c And a wireless transmission device output terminal 37e for outputting an output signal from the wireless transmission device 39 to the wireless transmission device 39.
[0021]
Further, an output destination switching unit 41 as “output destination control means” is interposed between the amplifier input terminal 37c and the speaker output terminal 37d or the wireless transmission device output terminal 37e. The output destination switching unit 41 outputs the output destination of the output signal from the mixer amplifier 35 input from the amplifier input terminal 37 c to the speaker output terminal 37 d side for outputting to the speaker 44 and the wireless transmission device 39. The wireless transmission device output terminal 37e can be switched to any one of the wireless transmission device output terminal 37e side.
[0022]
The output destination switching unit 41 is basically connected to the speaker output terminal 37d for output to the speaker 44, but when the microphone 43 is connected to the microphone input terminal 37a, When a signal that detects the connection is input, the signal is switched to and connected to the wireless transmission device output terminal 37e for output to the wireless transmission device 39. The configuration for this switching is the same as the configuration for automatically switching to the headphone side what was output from the speaker until then when the headphone jack is connected, as already realized in normal audio equipment, for example. Alternatively, it may be switched by electrically detecting that the jack of the microphone 43 is connected to the microphone input terminal 37a and operating a relay or the like based on the electrical detection.
[0023]
As described above, the output destination switching unit 41 connects to the wireless transmission device output terminal 37e side when the microphone 43 is connected to the microphone input terminal 37a, and when the microphone 43 is not connected. Although it is configured to connect to the speaker output terminal 37d side, it does not always switch in this way in any case, and there is an exception in this embodiment. This depends on the setting state of the mode setting switch 42 as “mode setting means” connected to the output destination switching unit 41.
[0024]
The mode setting switch 42 can be set to switch between two modes of “normal mode” and “special mode”. When the “normal mode” is set, the above-described normal switching control is performed. . On the other hand, when the “special mode” is set, the output destination switching unit 41 is not only when the microphone 43 is not connected, but also when the microphone 43 is connected to the microphone input terminal 37a. However, it is configured to forcibly connect not to the wireless transmission device output terminal 37e side but to the speaker output terminal 37d side.
[0025]
According to the karaoke apparatus 30 of the present embodiment having the above configuration, the following operations and effects are achieved. When a user enjoys karaoke using the karaoke apparatus 30, the microphone 43 is usually connected to the microphone input terminal 37a. Therefore, the singing voice inputted from the microphone 43 is synthesized with the reproduced musical sound from the voice reproduction circuit 34 in the mixer amplifier 35, and the synthesized sound is outputted to the wireless transmission device 39 side via the wireless transmission device output terminal 37e. The For this reason, the output is only from the headphones 50, and the user wears the headphones 50 to enjoy karaoke.
[0026]
By doing so, the following effects are produced. That is, there is a case where karaoke is positioned as an additional service although the original purpose is elsewhere, such as when a karaoke device 30 is installed in a room in an accommodation facility such as a hotel. In this case, if it is output from the speaker 44 as in ordinary karaoke, it may become unpleasant noise for a person in the adjacent room who does not use karaoke. The above-mentioned noise problem can be solved. The user can enjoy karaoke almost the same as that output from the normal speaker 44. Moreover, if the surrounding people who are not singing also put on the headphones 50, they can still enjoy the same way.
[0027]
In addition, although there is “live” singing voice that the user (speaking with karaoke accompaniment) utters from the mouth, it is not a loud sound amplified by the mixer amplifier 35, so the problem is particularly problematic. Absent. As described above, the user can enjoy karaoke almost the same as what is output from the normal speaker 44. However, since the headphones 50 directly enter his / her ears, his / her voice can be confirmed accurately. It is advantageous to sing correctly. This is the same reason that a so-called singer performs with headphones 50 during recording. And there is also a sensory advantage that makes you feel like you are recording.
[0028]
Furthermore, as for the surrounding people who are not singing, the sound has been too loud for people near the speaker 44 or too loud for people far away. If you listen with the headphones 50, you can always enjoy the optimal volume without being affected by the location.
[0029]
On the other hand, in the case of voice output other than the playback music sound by karaoke performance, for example, in addition to the karaoke service, if it is possible to provide auxiliary services such as games and fortune telling, those voices are output from the speaker 44. I am doing so. Or even if it is the reproduction | regeneration musical sound by a karaoke performance, a sound will come out from the speaker 44, when the microphone 43 is not connected to the input terminal for microphones. The biggest cause of the noise described above is often a human singing voice. In addition to the basic point that human voices are worrisome for others, it is easy to understand from the point that there are people who sing loudly, and that poor songs make it more uncomfortable. it can.
[0030]
Therefore, in such a case, the audio output from the speaker 44 is not lost, but the output is switched to the output from the headphones 50 only when enjoying karaoke in which the user's singing voice is synthesized. This is not just for the user himself / herself and the surrounding people to enjoy, but also for the idea of preventing the noise for those who do not enjoy karaoke in the next room etc. Is based.
[0031]
Further, in this embodiment, the mode setting switch 42 inserts the microphone 43 into the normal mode in which the microphone 43 is inserted into the microphone input terminal 37a and the normal mode in which the output is made only from the headphones 50 when the microphone 43 is inserted into the microphone input terminal 37a. However, it is conceivable to provide a mode setting means that can switch and set the special mode output from the speaker 44. If the mode can be switched in this way, for example, the karaoke device is set to the special mode until 10 pm to output from the speaker 44, and thereafter to the normal mode to output from the headphones 50. This is convenient when managed by an administrator. This is because noise problems are particularly noticeable at night (time zone where people are sleeping) in hotels, etc., and in that case, the output from the headphones 50 is used, and the output from the speakers 44 is used in the other days. You can do that.
[0032]
It should be noted here that if the user can switch the mode without permission, it will cause the speaker 44 to output the special mode at night, which may cause a noise problem. This means that the user cannot switch, and only the administrator needs to be able to switch. For example, it is conceivable that the mode setting switch 42 is provided on the back side of the apparatus where the user does not normally touch the eyes, or the switch cannot be operated unless it is opened with a key or the like. Of course, the above problem does not have to be taken into account in the karaoke apparatus 30 that does not have the mode setting switch 42 and always outputs from the headphones 50 when the microphone 43 is connected.
[0033]
In this embodiment, the selector 37 is interposed between the mixer amplifier 35, the microphone 43, and the speaker 44. However, the mixer amplifier 35 may be configured to have the function of the selector 37. And you may comprise so that the function of the radio | wireless transmitter 39 may also be combined. However, if the selector 37 and the mixer amplifier 35 are separated as in the present embodiment, a conventional karaoke device configured only on the output from the speaker 44 is used, and the selector 37 and the wireless transmission device 39 are newly provided. Just add it. In other words, the microphone 43 and the speaker 44 that are conventionally connected to a terminal (not shown) of the mixer amplifier 35 are connected to the microphone input terminal 37a of the selector 37, and the speaker 44 is connected to the speaker output terminal 37d. Fix it. The selector 37 can be connected to the mixer amplifier 35 using the microphone output terminal 37b and the amplifier input terminal 37c.
[0034]
The present invention is not limited to such embodiments as described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the karaoke device 30 includes the wireless transmission device 39 and the headphones 50 are of the wireless type, but may be connected to the device main body by wire. However, in the case of wireless connection as in the above embodiment, in addition to being able to move around freely compared to the case of wired connection, if the device main body is provided with one wireless transmission device 39, it can be received by a plurality of headphones 50. It is effective when many people enjoy it. That is, in the case of wired connection, the headphones 50 can basically be connected only to the number provided with the headphones input terminals, and the number of users is naturally limited.
[0035]
In addition, auxiliary services such as games and fortune-telling have been given as examples of audio output other than replaying musical sounds by karaoke performance. However, for example, when a normal TV program or VTR can be viewed. They are also applicable. As a karaoke apparatus in the multimedia era, it is desirable that various information providing services can be realized in addition to karaoke, rather than a dedicated karaoke apparatus. Accordingly, solving such noise problems peculiar to karaoke while maintaining such multimedia advantages is also effective from the viewpoint of industrial development in coexistence with society.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a karaoke apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Karaoke apparatus 31 ... Central controller 33 ... Hard disk 34 ... Sound reproduction circuit 35 ... Mixer amplifier 36 ... Screen display control device 37 ... Selector 37a ... Microphone input terminal 37b ... Microphone output terminal 37c ... Amplifier input terminal 37d ... Speaker Output terminal 37e ... wireless transmitter output terminal 38 ... multipurpose input key 39 ... wireless transmitter 41 ... output destination switching unit 42 ... mode setting switch 43 ... microphone 44 ... speaker 45 ... TV monitor 50 ... headphone

Claims (3)

Karaoke performance means for playing karaoke performance by playing music based on karaoke performance data;
A microphone input terminal for inserting a microphone for inputting a user's singing voice;
A headphone output terminal different from the microphone input terminal;
Synthesis amplification means for synthesizing and amplifying the musical sound from the karaoke performance means and the user's singing voice input via a microphone inserted into the microphone input terminal;
In a karaoke apparatus provided with a speaker that radiates a synthesized sound of a musical sound and a singing voice output from the synthesis amplification means into a space to form a sound field,
The speaker can be used for sound output other than the musical sound reproduced by the karaoke performance means,
A headphone separate from the microphone, which is attached to the ear and adds a synthesized sound of the musical sound and the singing voice output from the synthetic amplification means to the external auditory canal;
When a microphone is inserted into the microphone input terminal, the synthesized sound of the musical sound and the singing voice output from the synthesis amplification means via the headphone output terminal is output only from the headphone, and the microphone A karaoke apparatus comprising: output destination control means for controlling so that only the musical sound from the karaoke performance means is amplified and outputted from the speaker when not inserted. Normal mode for outputting the synthesized sound only from headphones when a microphone is inserted into the microphone input terminal, and a special mode for outputting the synthesized sound from the speaker even when a microphone is inserted into the microphone input terminal The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising mode setting means for switching between and. The headphone is wirelessly connected to the apparatus main body, and the apparatus main body wirelessly transmits a synthesized sound of the musical sound and the singing sound output from the synthesis amplification means via the headphone output terminal into a high-frequency signal and transmits it. 3. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a transmission unit, wherein the headphones include a reception unit that receives and demodulates and reproduces the high-frequency signal transmitted from the wireless transmission unit.

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