JP5144333B2 - Karaoke equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a Karaoke apparatus achieving musical performance evaluation that people in wide age groups enjoy. <P>SOLUTION: The Karaoke apparatus 16 which outputs a predetermined piece of musical performance music among many pieces of musical performance music, and amplifies and outputs a voice input through a microphone 40 includes a singing age setting means 74 of setting singing age of a user associated with a musical performance by the Karaoke apparatus 16 and a musical performance evaluation control means 76 of correcting at least one of evaluation standards of the interval, sound volume, and tempo of the musical performance music based upon the singing age set by the singing age setting means 74 according to predetermined relation, and performing musical performance evaluation of the voice input through the microphone 40 based upon the evaluation standard having been corrected. The correction is made according to the age of the singer to achieve suitable musical performance evaluation associated with respective age groups. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a karaoke apparatus that outputs a predetermined performance song selected from a large number of performance songs, and more particularly to an improvement for realizing performance evaluation that can be enjoyed by a wide range of ages.

  2. Description of the Related Art Music playback apparatuses that output a predetermined performance song selected from a large number of performance songs are known. For example, a karaoke device used in a karaoke box or the like. According to such a karaoke apparatus, music information of a predetermined karaoke performance song selected from a large number of karaoke performance songs stored in advance in a storage device is output, and an image including lyrics information of the karaoke performance song is output. Karaoke performance of a desired song can be enjoyed by displaying it on the screen in synchronization with.

  By the way, the karaoke apparatus that has been widely used in recent years evaluates (scores) singing ability and the like based not only on the function as the music playback apparatus as described above but also on voice information input from a voice input device (microphone). Some have a performance evaluation function. For example, it is a karaoke apparatus described in Patent Document 1. According to such a karaoke device, by comparing the voice information input from the voice input device with the performance information of the karaoke performance song based on the pitch, tempo, volume, etc., singing according to the input voice information Can be scored.

JP-A-9-101794

  However, in recent years, performance evaluation in karaoke performance has not been particularly new because of the widespread use of karaoke apparatuses having a performance evaluation function as in the prior art described above. Furthermore, it has become widely known that its function is to evaluate performance based on the pitch, tempo, volume, etc., and the selection of songs and singing methods to achieve high scores has been established. It became a tendency to decline. In addition, as a recent trend, there are an increasing number of usage patterns where a wide range of users, such as families with parents and subordinates of the company, perform karaoke performance together, but also consider the expansion of such age groups. At present, the technology to realize performance evaluation that excites the karaoke performance has not been developed yet.

  The present invention has been made against the background of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a karaoke apparatus that realizes performance evaluation that can be enjoyed by a wide range of ages.

In order to achieve such an object, the gist of the present invention is to output a predetermined performance song selected from a large number of performance songs and amplify and output a voice input by a voice input device. A karaoke device, based on the age of the original artist at the time of announcement of the target performance song and the age of the singer input by a predetermined operation , the singing age related to the performance of the performance song by the karaoke device The singing age setting means to be set and a correction to at least one evaluation criterion among the pitch, volume, and tempo of the performance song based on the singing age set by the singing age setting means from a predetermined relationship, And a performance evaluation control means for performing performance evaluation of the voice input by the voice input device based on the corrected evaluation criteria. It is.

In this way, in a karaoke apparatus that outputs a predetermined performance tune selected from a large number of performance tunes and amplifies and outputs a sound input by the voice input device, the target performance tune is announced. Singing age setting means for setting the singing age related to the performance of the performance song by the karaoke device based on the age of the original artist and the age of the singer input by a predetermined operation, and a predetermined relationship Based on the singing age set by the singing age setting means, at least one evaluation criterion is corrected among the pitch, volume, and tempo of the performance song, and input by the voice input device based on the corrected evaluation criterion since the performance evaluation control means for playing evaluation of speech, those having to be, Ori during presentation of music piece of interest By applying a correction in accordance with the singing age that is set based on the age and the age of the singers null artists, it is possible to achieve appropriate performance evaluation for each age group. That is, it is possible to provide a karaoke apparatus that realizes performance evaluation that can be enjoyed by a wide range of ages.

Here, preferably, the singing age setting means sets, as the singing age, a difference between the age of the singer inputted by a predetermined operation and the age of the original artist at the time of the release of the target performance song. Is. In this way, by applying a correction based on the difference between the age of the original artist and the actual age of the singer at the time of the release of the target performance, the appropriate performance corresponding to each age group for each performance Performance evaluation can be realized.

  Preferably, when outputting a performance song related to performance evaluation by the performance evaluation control means, a part of the performance music is based on a singing age set by the singing age setting means from a predetermined relationship. Alternatively, it is provided with performance control means for changing the entire pitch and / or tempo for output. In this way, by changing the pitch and tempo of the performance tune itself that is output during the karaoke performance, it is possible to implement a suitable performance evaluation corresponding to each age group in a practical manner.

  Preferably, the performance control means is based on a singing age set by the singing age setting means, based on a predetermined relationship, and / or a portion of the performance music whose pitch is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and / or The pitch of the portion where the pitch is below a predetermined value is changed and output. In this way, it corresponds to each age group, such as lowering the high frequency range that can not be spoken for relatively elderly people, and increasing the pitch of the low frequency range for relatively young people with high voices. Appropriate performance evaluation can be realized in a practical manner.

  Preferably, the relationship is determined such that the higher the singing age set by the singing age setting means, the slower the tempo of the target portion is changed and output. In this way, appropriate performance evaluation corresponding to each age group can be realized in a practical manner.

  Preferably, the relationship is determined such that the higher the singing age set by the singing age setting means, the lower the pitch of the target portion is to be output. In this way, appropriate performance evaluation corresponding to each age group can be realized in a practical manner.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a karaoke system 10 to which the present invention is preferably applied. As shown in FIG. 1, in such a karaoke system 10, a plurality of private rooms 14a, 14b, 14c,... In a store 12 such as a karaoke box, snack, inn, etc. (Referred to below), each of one or more (one in FIG. 1) karaoke devices 16a, 16b, 16c,... (Referred to as karaoke device 16). The plurality of karaoke devices 16 are connected to a communication line 18 such as a public telephone line via a router 28, and are connected to a server device (center device) 20 of a karaoke service providing company connected to the communication line 18. Information can be communicated between each other via the communication line 18. The server device 20 is a server that performs basic control of storage and input / output management of digital contents (Digital Contents) such as karaoke information (music data), background video information, and information between songs. The content is regularly distributed to the karaoke device 16 via the karaoke device 16 and a predetermined function control program is transmitted in response to a request from the karaoke device 16. The karaoke system 10 includes a plurality of electronic quick sample devices 22a, 22b, 22c,... (Hereinafter simply referred to as the electronic quick sample device 22 unless otherwise distinguished). In use, one electronic quick sample device 22 is lent for each user (group) and used as a remote control device for the karaoke device 16 in each private room 14 as will be described later. A LAN 24 for connecting the plurality of karaoke apparatuses 16 to each other is laid in the store 12, and an input to the karaoke apparatus 16 from the electronic quick sample apparatus 22 is made via a predetermined access point 26 and the LAN 24. This is performed by LAN communication or the like.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the karaoke apparatus 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the karaoke device 16 includes a video display device 30 such as a CRT (Cathode-ray Tube) or a TFT (Thin Film Transistor Liquid Crystal), a video output control unit 32 such as a CRT controller, and a video. Information decoder 34, video mixer 36, synthesizer 38 as a sound source, microphone 40 as an audio input device, A / D converter 41, amplifier mixer 42, speaker 44, operation panel 46, and operation panel 46 An input / output interface 48 for processing input signals from the CPU, a CPU 50 as a central processing unit, a ROM 52 as a read only memory, a RAM 54 as a write / read memory as needed, a hard disk 56 as a storage device, a modem 58, a LAN port 60, and input devices such as the electronic sample device 22 and the remote control device 64 And a remote control receiving unit 62 for receiving al remote control signal is configured to include.

  The video output control unit 32 functions as a character video output device that outputs a character video (telop) such as a lyric character video generated by the CPU 50, and the video including display of a performance evaluation result video to be described later. This is a display control device that controls various video displays by the display device 30. The video information decoder 34 is a background video playback device that plays back (decodes) a predetermined background video based on background video information stored in the hard disk 56 when a user sings a song while referring to lyrics. is there. The background video information is, for example, MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) format data, and the background video reproduced by the video information decoder 34 based on the MPEG data is sent to the video mixer. The video mixer 36 combines the character video generated by the CPU 50 and output from the video output control unit 32 with the background video reproduced by the video information decoder 34 to the video display device 30. This is a video composition device to be displayed.

  The synthesizer 38 is a sound source that generates a music signal such as a musical instrument performance signal based on performance information of a karaoke performance song read from the hard disk 56 and sent. The performance information is, for example, data in MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) format, and the music signal generated by the synthesizer 38 based on the MIDI data is converted into an analog signal and sent to the amplifier mixer 42. The amplifier mixer 42 mixes the transmitted music signal and the user's singing voice input via the microphone 40, and those signals are electrically amplified and output from the speaker 44. The A / D converter 41 converts voice information as an analog signal input from the microphone 40 as a voice input device into a digital signal and supplies the digital signal to the CPU 50 and the like.

  The operation panel 46 allows the user of the karaoke apparatus 16 to select a karaoke performance song that the user wants to sing, adjust the pitch of the performance song, adjust the volume balance between the performance and the song, and perform echo and volume. , An input device provided with operation buttons (switches) or knobs for performing various adjustments such as tone. Further, the karaoke device 16 is provided with a remote control device 64 that functions as an input device for remotely executing a part of the function of the operation panel 46, and the remote control receiving unit 62 is connected to the remote control device 64 from the remote control device 64. A remote control signal to be transmitted is received and supplied to the CPU 50. In addition, the association (sticking) processing between the karaoke device 16 and the electronic quick sample device 22 is also performed via the remote control receiving unit 62, and thus the electronic quick sample device associated with the karaoke device 16. 22 also functions as an input device.

  The CPU 50 is a so-called microcomputer that uses the temporary storage function of the RAM 54 to process and control electronic information based on a predetermined program stored in the ROM 52 in advance, and the electronic quick reference device 22 and the remote control device 64. When a predetermined karaoke performance song is selected by the above or the like, the selected karaoke performance song is registered in the reserved song table provided in the RAM 54, or from the hard disk 56 to the RAM 54 according to the performance order of the reserved song table. The performance information and lyric information etc. of the selected karaoke performance song are read, the performance information is transmitted from the RAM 54 to the synthesizer 38 as the performance of the karaoke performance song progresses, and the lyric character is based on the lyric information. Generate a video and send it to the video output control unit 32. A new character information is generated while a name character image is generated and sent to the image output control unit 32, a predetermined background image is reproduced by controlling the image information decoder 34, that is, during a karaoke performance, that is, between songs. In addition to basic control such as information selection control and information communication control with the server device 20 via the communication line 18, song age setting control to be described later is output. And various controls such as performance evaluation control.

  The modem 58 is a device for connecting the karaoke device 16 to a communication line 18 such as a public telephone line, converts a digital signal output from the CPU 50 into an analog signal and sends it to the communication line 18. The analog signal transmitted via the communication line 18 is converted into a digital signal and supplied to the CPU 50. In addition, the aspect by which any karaoke apparatus 16 is equipped with the function of the said router 28 among the several karaoke apparatuses 16 with which the said store 12 was equipped, and is connected to the said communication line 18 as a master commander is also considered, In that case, The modem 58 is required for the karaoke device 16 that functions as the master commander, but is not necessarily provided for other karaoke devices 16 that communicate information with the server device 20 via the master commander. Not necessary.

  The LAN port 60 is a connector for connecting the karaoke device 16 to other devices such as the other karaoke device 16 and the electronic quick sample device 22 via the LAN 24, and the karaoke device 16 is used as such. By being connected via the LAN 24, information can be transmitted / received to / from other devices such as the other karaoke apparatus 16 and the electronic quick sample apparatus 22. For example, the music selection input from the electronic quick sample device 22 received through the access point 26 is received and stored in a reserved music table provided in the RAM 54, or the karaoke device 16 through the access point 26. Thus, mutual exchange of information between the karaoke device 16 and the electronic quick sample device 22 is performed via radio waves, such as transmitting predetermined information to the electronic quick sample device 22.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main part of the control function provided in the CPU 50 of the karaoke apparatus 16. As shown in FIG. 3, the hard disk 56 has a karaoke database 66 for storing a large number (for example, tens of thousands of songs) of karaoke information (music data) for outputting karaoke performance music, and performance evaluation control. A pitch conversion table 68, which is a relationship for correcting the pitch evaluation criteria, and a tempo conversion table 70, which is a relationship for correcting the tempo evaluation criteria for performance evaluation control, are provided. Among a plurality of karaoke devices 16 provided in a store such as a karaoke box, a predetermined karaoke device 16 such as the karaoke device 16a is connected to the communication line 18 via the modem 58, and the plurality of karaoke devices. New karaoke information or the like is distributed from the server device 20 via the communication line 18 and stored in the karaoke database 66 or the like of the hard disk 56 so that a new song can always be played by the program 16. In addition, communication is performed via the LAN 24 between the karaoke device 16 a that has acquired information from the server device 20 and the other karaoke devices 16, and is stored in the hard disk 56 of each karaoke device 16. Information is shared, and the contents of the karaoke database 66 and the like are equivalent.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the karaoke database 66. As shown in FIG. 4, in the karaoke database 66, karaoke information identified by a music selection number unique to each performance tune which is a content ID is stored for each performance tune. This karaoke information generates header information such as song name, singer name, announcement time, genre, and artist age (A age) at the time of announcement, performance information for generating performance sound, and lyric text image (lyric telop). Includes lyrics information for. The name of the singer included in the header information is the name of the original artist who sings the performance song (generally recognized as the song of the person by CD or the like). In addition, the genre has at least one classification such as pop, rock, R & B, hip hop, enka, anime song, folk song, western music, and military song indicating the direction of each performance song corresponding to each performance song. It is a thing. The artist age at the time of the announcement is the age of the original artist (or vocalist in the case of a group such as a band) at the time when the performance piece is announced. The performance information included in the karaoke information is, for example, MIDI data for outputting a predetermined performance sound by the synthesizer 38. The type of performance sound (instrument) related to the output and the musical score information corresponding to each performance sound And. The lyric information is data for outputting a lyric character video of a performance tune through the video output control unit 32 and the like, and is combined with the text information of the lyric corresponding to the lyric character video and the performance output. Switch timing information for switching the display of the lyrics character image and color change timing information for sequentially changing the color of the lyrics character image in parallel with the performance output.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the pitch conversion table 68. The pitch conversion table 68 shown in FIG. 5 has a relationship for correcting the evaluation standard of the pitch (pitch) based on the singing age with respect to the performance evaluation control by the performance evaluation control means 76 to be described later. At the time of outputting the performance music, it is also used as a relationship for changing (forcibly changing) the pitch of the performance music output via the synthesizer 38. Specifically, for example, the pitch correction value “+2” corresponds to the singing age “0-13”, the pitch correction value “+1” corresponds to the singing age “14-19”, and the singing age “20-25”. The pitch correction value “0” corresponds to the song age “26-30”, the pitch correction value “−1” corresponds to the song age “31-35”, and the pitch correction value “−2” corresponds to the song age “31-35”. ”Corresponds to the singing age“ 36 to 40 ”, the pitch correction value“ −3 ”corresponds to the singing age“ 41 to 45 ”, and the pitch correction value“ −4 ”corresponds to the singing age“ 46 to 50 ”. The pitch correction value “−5” and the pitch correction value “−6” are determined corresponding to the singing ages “51 to”, respectively. As described above, the pitch conversion table 68 is configured so that the higher the singing age set by the singing age setting means 74 is, the lower the performance evaluation is, or the lower the performance sound is. It is determined to output.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the tempo conversion table 70. The tempo conversion table 70 shown in FIG. 6 has a relationship for correcting the tempo evaluation standard based on the singing age with respect to performance evaluation control by the performance evaluation control means 76 described later, and a performance song related to the performance evaluation. Is also used as a relationship for changing (forcibly changing) the tempo of the performance tune outputted through the synthesizer 38. Specifically, for example, the tempo correction value “0” corresponds to the singing age “0-50”, the tempo correction value “−1” corresponds to the singing age “51-55”, and the singing age “56— Tempo correction value “−2” corresponding to singing age “61 to 65”, tempo correction value “−3” corresponding to singing age “66 to 70”, and tempo correction value “−2” corresponding to singing age “66 to 70”. "-4" is defined with a pitch correction value "-5" corresponding to the singing age "71-". As described above, the tempo conversion table 68 is configured so that the higher the singing age set by the singing age setting means 74 is, the slower the tempo evaluation standard of the target portion is corrected, or the performance sound is changed slowly. It is determined to output.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the performance control means 72 controls the output of the performance music during the karaoke performance by the karaoke device 16. Specifically, the karaoke information corresponding to the music selection number of the performance music stored in the reserved music table is read from the karaoke database 66 in the order of performance in the reserved music table stored in the RAM 54 or the like and included in the karaoke information. The output of the performance music is controlled based on the performance information. That is, on the basis of MIDI data as performance information, the synthesizer 38 outputs musical instrument performance sounds (music information) corresponding to tracks or channels as musical score information in the MIDI data, and the amplifier mixer 42 is used to output the performance data. Output from the speaker 44.

  The singing age setting means 74 sets the singing age of the user related to the performance by the karaoke apparatus 16. Preferably, the age of the singer (singer, singer) input through a predetermined operation by an input device such as the electronic quick sample device 22 or the remote control device 64, and header information in the karaoke information of the target performance song The singing age is set on the basis of the artist age at the time of announcement stored in. The singer's age is entered in order to determine the singer's set age, for example, when an artist in his 60s sings a song released in his 20s, the artist's age is entered. It is what is done. FIG. 7 is a diagram exemplifying a user age input image displayed on the touch panel display or the like of the video display device 30 or the electronic quick sample device 22 regarding the setting of the singing age by the singing age setting means 74. The singer's age is input by the electronic quick sample device 22 and the remote control device 64 according to the video. The singing age setting means 74 may set the singer's age inputted from the electronic quick sample device 22 or the remote control device 64 as it is as the singing age. A difference from the artist age at the time of presentation may be calculated, and the difference may be set as the singing age. Furthermore, the singer age input from the electronic quick sample device 22 or the remote control device 64 is basically used as the singing age, while the artist age at the time of the announcement is not less than a predetermined age. In some cases, various modes such as setting the artist age as the singing age at the time of the announcement can be considered.

  The performance evaluation control means 76 corresponds to the sound inputted from the microphone 40 which is a voice input device in parallel with the output of the performance music by the performance control means 72 when the karaoke device 16 outputs a predetermined performance music. Then, performance evaluation is performed with at least one of pitch, volume, and tempo as evaluation criteria. Specifically, when outputting a predetermined performance song, the pitch (pitch) and tempo of the performance song output via the synthesizer 38 and the microphone 40 are input via the A / D converter 41. The performance evaluation of such performance music is performed by comparing the pitch and tempo of the supplied audio information. That is, basically, the pitch and tempo of the musical piece outputted by the synthesizer 38, in other words, the pitch and tempo defined in the MIDI data correspond to the evaluation criteria. As an aspect of this performance evaluation, for example, there may be a numerical scoring such as how many points out of a thousand points, or a simple one such as determining which of 20 grades is applicable. It may be. In addition, such performance evaluation control may be performed at the end of the performance, in which evaluations performed a plurality of times for each division in parallel with the performance are recorded, or input voice information is recorded in the RAM 54 or the like. Alternatively, it may be evaluated at the end of the performance based on the performance information of the target musical piece and a later-described correction value. In the karaoke performance by the karaoke device 16, the performance evaluation result video as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the touch panel display of the video display device 30 or the electronic quick sample device 22 according to the performance evaluation result by the performance evaluation control means 76. Is displayed.

  Here, the performance evaluation control means 76 corrects to at least one evaluation standard among the pitch, volume and tempo of the performance based on the singing age set by the singing age setting means 74 from a predetermined relationship. And perform performance evaluation based on the corrected evaluation criteria. For example, the higher the singing age set by the singing age setting means 74, the lower the sound volume evaluation standard. That is, correction is performed so that a high score is obtained even at a relatively small volume (voice volume). Further, in the aspect in which the deduction point is determined when the volume is equal to or higher than a predetermined value in the prescribed evaluation standard, when the singing age set by the singing age setting means 74 is less than the predetermined age The correction is made so as not to perform such deduction.

  Further, the performance evaluation control means 76 corrects the evaluation criteria for the pitch of the performance song based on the singing age set by the singing age setting means 74 from the relationship defined in the pitch conversion table 68, and the correction is made. Perform performance evaluation based on later evaluation criteria. For example, when the singing age set by the singing age setting means 74 is within the range of “36 to 40”, the performance evaluation is performed with the pitch evaluation criterion being “(specified value) −3”. Further, based on the relationship defined in the tempo conversion table 70, the tempo evaluation standard of the performance music is corrected based on the singing age set by the singing age setting means 74, and the performance is performed based on the corrected evaluation standard. Evaluate. For example, when the singing age set by the singing age setting means 74 is within the range of “66 to 70”, the performance evaluation is performed with the tempo evaluation criterion being “(prescribed value) −4”. The evaluation criteria after correction is preferably applied to all the performance tunes related to performance evaluation, but may be applied to only a part. For example, when the correction value is negative, the correction value may be applied only to a portion of the musical piece whose pitch is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Alternatively, when the correction value is positive, it may be applied only to a portion of the musical piece whose pitch is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

  Further, the performance control means 72 is based on the singing age set by the singing age setting means 74 based on the singing age setting means 74 when a performance tune related to performance evaluation by the performance evaluation control means 76 is output. The pitch and / or tempo of a part or all of the performance music is changed and output. That is, the synthesizer 38 is controlled so as to change (forcibly change) the pitch of the performance song based on the singing age set by the singing age setting means 74 from the relationship defined in the pitch conversion table 68. . For example, when the singing age set by the singing age setting means 74 is within the range of “36 to 40”, the performance is output with the pitch being “(specified value) −3”. Further, the synthesizer 38 is controlled so that the tempo of the performance song is changed (forced change) based on the singing age set by the singing age setting means 74 based on the relationship defined in the tempo conversion table 70. . For example, when the singing age set by the singing age setting means 74 is within the range of “66 to 70”, the performance output is performed with the tempo set to “(specified value) −4”. This compulsory change of the performance output is preferably applied to all of the performance tunes related to the performance evaluation, but may be applied to only a part thereof. For example, when the change value is negative, the change may be applied only to a portion of the performance music whose pitch is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Alternatively, when the change value is positive, the change may be applied only to a portion of the performance music whose pitch is equal to or less than a predetermined value. As described above, the performance output and the evaluation standard are matched by changing the performance output and correcting the evaluation standard based on the pitch conversion table 68 and the tempo conversion table 70 which have a common relationship.

  The performance control means 72 basically controls the performance output based on the singing age as described above, while depending on the tempo of each performance song, the age of the artist at the time of announcement specified in the header information, the genre, etc. Specific performance output control may be performed. For example, the above-described control is performed within a range in which the tempo of the target musical piece is predetermined according to the genre of the musical piece. For example, ranges such as tempo “60 to 80” corresponding to the genre “enka”, tempo “80 to 130” corresponding to the genre “pops”, and tempo “60 to 80” corresponding to the genre “R & B” are set in advance. If the genre of the performance music is “enka” and the specified tempo is the lower limit “60”, the value corresponding to the singing age in the tempo conversion table 70 is negative. But don't lower the tempo any more. Preferably, neither the pitch nor the tempo is changed when the age of the artist at the time of announcement specified in the header information of the performance piece to be processed is a predetermined age (for example, 60 years old) or more. Further, the performance evaluation control means 76 corrects the evaluation standard in response to the change in performance output by the performance control means 72, and performs the performance evaluation control based on the corrected evaluation standard.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a main part of the performance evaluation control according to age by the CPU 50 of the karaoke apparatus 16, and is repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle.

  First, in step (hereinafter, step is omitted) S1, it is determined whether or not it is a performance evaluation mode for each age (scoring mode for each age). If the determination in S1 is negative, the routine is terminated accordingly. If the determination in S1 is affirmative, in S2, the electronic quick sample device 22, the remote control device 64, etc. It is determined whether or not a music selection input operation has been performed. If the determination in S2 is negative, the processes in and after S6 are executed. If the determination in S2 is affirmative, in S3, the touch panel display of the video display device 30 or the electronic sample device 22 is displayed. Etc., a user age input standby image as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, and input standby of the actual age of the user is started. Next, in S4, it is determined whether or not the singer's age input operation has been performed by the electronic quick sample device 22, the remote control device 64, or the like. While the determination at S4 is denied, the determination is repeated to wait. When the determination at S4 is affirmed, the music selection number of the performance piece related to the music selection input is input at S5. After being stored (reserved) in the reserved song table in the RAM 54 in association with the singer's age, in S6, the performance order of the predetermined performance songs stored in the reserved song table in the RAM 54 is reached and the performance of the karaoke performance is performed. It is determined whether or not is started. If the determination in S6 is negative, the processing from S2 onward is executed again, but if the determination in S6 is affirmative, the output control is performed in S7 corresponding to the operation of the performance control means 72. The performance music is output with the tempo and pitch corrected according to the age stored in association with the performance music. In synchronism with the processing of S7, in S8, performance evaluation is performed by correcting the evaluation criteria of tempo and pitch in accordance with the age stored in association with the musical composition to be output. Next, in S9, it is determined whether or not the karaoke performance has ended. If the determination in S9 is negative, the processing from S7 onward is executed again. If the determination in S9 is positive, the evaluation results in S8 are aggregated in S10 to calculate the overall performance evaluation. Is done. Next, in S11, after a performance evaluation result video as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the touch panel display of the video display device 30 or the electronic quick sample device 22 based on the overall performance evaluation calculated in S10, This routine is terminated. In the above control, S3 and S4 correspond to the operation of the singing age setting means 74, and S8 and S10 correspond to the operation of the performance evaluation control means 76.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the karaoke device 16 outputs a predetermined performance tune selected from a large number of performance tunes and amplifies and outputs the sound input by the microphone 40 which is a sound input device. , Based on the singing age setting means 74 (S3 and S4) for setting the singing age of the user related to the performance by the karaoke device 16 and the singing age set by the singing age setting means 74 from a predetermined relationship. Then, performance evaluation control means 76 for correcting performance evaluation of the voice input by the microphone 40 based on the corrected evaluation standard, by correcting at least one evaluation standard among the pitch, volume and tempo of the musical composition. Since S8 and S10) are provided, each age group can be adjusted by applying corrections according to the singer's age. It is possible to achieve a proper performance evaluation regarding. That is, the karaoke apparatus 16 that realizes performance evaluation that can be enjoyed by a wide range of ages can be provided.

  In addition, the singing age setting means 74 sets the singing age based on the age of the original artist at the time of the announcement of the target performance song and the age of the singer input by a predetermined operation. For example, by performing correction based on the difference between the age of the original artist and the actual age of the singer at the time of the release of the target performance song, an appropriate performance evaluation corresponding to each age group is realized for each performance song can do.

  Further, when outputting a performance song related to performance evaluation by the performance evaluation control means 76, a part or all of the performance music is based on the singing age set by the singing age setting means 74 from a predetermined relationship. Since the performance control means 72 (S7) for changing the pitch and / or tempo of the musical performance is provided, it is possible to change the pitch and the tempo of the musical performance itself that is output during the karaoke performance. Appropriate performance evaluation corresponding to can be realized in a practical manner.

  In addition, the performance control means 76 has a predetermined relationship between a portion and / or a pitch whose pitch is equal to or higher than a predetermined value based on the singing age set by the singing age setting means 74. Since the pitch of the portion below the predetermined value is changed and output, the high frequency range that cannot be spoken for relatively older people is lowered, or the lower pitch for relatively young people who are louder. Thus, it is possible to achieve appropriate performance evaluation corresponding to each age group in a practical manner.

  Moreover, since the tempo conversion table 70 outputs the tempo of the target portion with a slower change as the singing age set by the singing age setting means 74 is higher, it is appropriate for each age group. Performance evaluation can be realized in a practical manner.

  Moreover, since the pitch conversion table 68 is to output the pitch of the target portion lower as the singing age set by the singing age setting means 74 is higher, it is appropriate for each age group. Performance evaluation can be realized in a practical manner.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and may be implemented in other modes.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the performance control means 72, the singing age setting means 74, and the performance evaluation control means 76 are all functionally provided in the CPU of the karaoke apparatus 16. The invention is not limited to this, and for example, one or both of the singing age setting means 74 and the performance evaluation control means 76 may be provided in the CPU of the electronic quick sample apparatus 22.

  In the above-described embodiment, the performance evaluation control means 76 performs performance evaluation based on the pitch or tempo of the musical piece output from the synthesizer 38, that is, the pitch or tempo defined in the MIDI data. However, the performance evaluation may be performed using the difference between the pitch or tempo defined in the MIDI data and the pitch or tempo of the sound input by the microphone 40 as an evaluation criterion. In such an aspect, a pitch conversion table or a tempo conversion table for correcting the evaluation standard is provided corresponding to the difference.

  In addition, although not illustrated one by one, the present invention is implemented with various modifications within a range not departing from the gist thereof.

It is the schematic explaining the karaoke system to which this invention is applied suitably. It is a block diagram which illustrates the composition of the karaoke device which is one example of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram explaining the principal part of the control function with which CPU of the karaoke apparatus of FIG. 2 was equipped. It is a figure which shows an example of the karaoke database with which the hard disk of the karaoke apparatus of FIG. 2 was equipped. It is a figure which shows an example of the pitch conversion table with which the hard disk of the karaoke apparatus of FIG. 2 was equipped. It is a figure which shows an example of the tempo conversion table with which the hard disk of the karaoke apparatus of FIG. 2 was equipped. It is a figure which illustrates the user age input standby image | video displayed on a video display apparatus at the time of the singing age setting which concerns on the performance evaluation control of the karaoke apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which illustrates the performance evaluation result image | video displayed on a video display apparatus after completion | finish of the performance evaluation control of the karaoke apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the principal part of performance evaluation control according to age by CPU of the karaoke apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

16: Karaoke device 40: Microphone (voice input device)
68: Pitch conversion table 70: Tempo conversion table 72: Performance control means 74: Singing age setting means 76: Performance evaluation control means

Claims (6)

A karaoke apparatus that outputs a predetermined performance tune selected from a large number of performance tunes and amplifies and outputs a voice input by a voice input device,
Singing age setting means for setting the singing age related to the performance of the performance music by the karaoke device based on the age of the original artist at the time of the announcement of the target performance music and the age of the singer input by a predetermined operation When,
Based on the singing age set by the singing age setting means from a predetermined relationship, at least one evaluation criterion is corrected among the pitch, volume, and tempo of the performance song, and based on the corrected evaluation criterion A karaoke apparatus comprising: performance evaluation control means for performing performance evaluation of voice input by the voice input device. The singing age setting means sets the difference between the singer's age input by a predetermined operation and the age of the original artist at the time of the release of the target performance as the singing age. The karaoke device described.   When outputting a performance song related to performance evaluation by the performance evaluation control means, from a predetermined relationship, based on the singing age set by the singing age setting means, part or all of the pitch of the performance music and / or Or the karaoke apparatus of 1 or 2 provided with the performance control means to change and output tempo.   Based on the singing age set by the singing age setting means, the performance control means is based on the singing age set by the singing age setting means. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the karaoke apparatus outputs a part with a changed pitch.   5. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the relationship is determined such that the higher the singing age set by the singing age setting means, the slower the tempo of the target portion is changed and output.   6. The relationship according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the relationship is determined such that the higher the singing age set by the singing age setting means, the lower the pitch of the target portion is to be output. The karaoke device described.

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