JPH09297592A - Karaoke device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to switch the font of text characters which are displayed according to the kind of selected music by automatically selecting a font storage part corresponding to the kind of the selected music. SOLUTION: A control part 2 of the KARAOKE device 1 determines the font of text characters to be used according to the kind of music (genre) in addition to the control over the whole device. A font storage means 9 is stored with pieces of font information on different fonts. For example, a Ming font, a round Gothic font, a null-D font, and an antique font are used here, a correspond to font storage parts 9A-9D respectively. Their correspondence table is generated and stored in, for example, a music storage part 3, so that it is distributed. Thus, the kinds of music and the front storage parts 9A-9D are made to correspond to each other and then the font corresponding to a selected music kind is automatically selected.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a karaoke apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a karaoke apparatus popular in restaurants, karaoke boxes, homes, etc., when a user selects a tune, a key panel provided in the karaoke apparatus main body or an infrared remote control provided separately is used. The key number is used to input the music number assigned in advance to the music. Then, the lyrics characters of the selected music piece are sequentially displayed on the monitor means together with the background image, and the user sings along with the accompaniment reproduced while referring to these lyrics characters.

By the way, there is only one typeface of lyrics characters displayed on the monitor means, and for example, either one of the Mincho typeface and the Maru Gothic typeface is generally used.
However, since there is only one typeface as described above, there are cases where the image of the song does not match the image of the typeface depending on the song type of the song, that is, the genre, and the atmosphere is sometimes destroyed. For example, when singing Enka as a genre of music, if the lyrics characters are displayed in Mincho typeface, which is a relatively high-quality typeface, the atmosphere of enka and the atmosphere of Mincho typeface match. Although there is no problem, if the lyric characters are displayed in Mincho typeface when singing an animation song or pop song, the atmosphere of the song and the atmosphere of the typeface do not match, impairing the atmosphere of the place There was also. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems and was devised in order to effectively solve them, and the purpose thereof is to provide a karaoke device capable of changing the typeface of lyrics characters displayed according to the type of music. To provide.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention stores a plurality of pieces of music information in which a music title, a music number, a music type, lyric character information, MIDI information and the like are associated in advance. A storage unit, a music selection input unit for inputting information about music selection, a font storage unit for storing font information about lyrics characters, a font expansion unit for expanding the font information read from the font storage unit, and the music. A MIDI reproducing unit for reproducing the MIDI information read from the storage unit, a video signal forming unit for converting the output signal from the font expanding unit into a video signal for display, and a video from the video signal forming unit. While displaying the MIDI information of the music selected by the monitor for displaying a signal and the music inputting means, the lyrics characters of this music are displayed on the monitor. In the karaoke device including a control unit, the font storage unit has a plurality of font storage units for storing font information of different typefaces, and the control unit is selected from the plurality of font storage units. The font information is read from the font storage unit corresponding to the type of music.

With this configuration, the control unit refers to the music type of the corresponding music from the music storage unit based on the music selection information input from the music selection input unit, and thereby the font to be used in the font storage unit. Determine the memory.
Then, the MIDI information read from the music storage unit is set to MI.
At the same time as being played by the DI playback unit, the lyrics character information also read from the music storage unit is converted into font information by the previously determined font storage unit and expanded by the font expansion unit, and further the lyrics character video signal formation unit. After that, it is reproduced together with the background image on the monitor means.

Here, the type of music and the font storage unit of the typeface to be used are associated in advance, but the font storage unit to be used may be arbitrarily selected by the user using the font selection means.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the karaoke apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a karaoke apparatus according to the present invention.
Here, a case where a communication karaoke device is used as the karaoke device will be described as an example.

The control unit 2 of the karaoke apparatus 1 is composed of, for example, a microprocessor and controls the operation of the entire apparatus, and is also used as a characteristic operation of the present invention according to the type of music (genre). Determine the typeface of the lyric letters to be done. Reference numeral 3 is a music storage unit which is connected to the bus 4 and is composed of, for example, a large-capacity hard disk.
A large number of pieces of music information such as a music name, a music number, a music type (genre), lyric characters, and MIDI information which are associated in advance are stored therein. This song information also includes chorus information. MIDI (Musical In)
instrument Digital Interface
e) is a standard of hardware and software that is defined so that information can be exchanged by connecting with a sound source of an electronic musical instrument such as a synthesizer or an electronic piano. Here, the music information is delivered from an information center (not shown) via the public line 5 at night when the usage fee is low and stored in the music storage unit 3. Reference numeral 6 is an interface for matching between the transmission / reception unit 7 and the public line 5 during communication.

Reference numeral 8 is a ROM for storing various control programs used here in advance. Reference numeral 9 is a font storage means for storing font information of lyrics characters to be displayed, and font information such as Japanese and English is stored. In this embodiment, the font storage unit 9 has a plurality of, for example, four font storage units 9A to 9D, which are, for example, ROMs, which store font information of a plurality of different typefaces.

As the typefaces, for example, Mincho typeface, Maru Gothic typeface, narru typeface type, and antique typeface are used as examples, and each typeface type corresponds to the above four font storage sections 9A to 9D. . The font storage unit to be used is predetermined according to the music type of the selected music piece as shown in FIG. 2, and the character examples of the typeface are also described. For example, in the case of folk songs with a relaxed atmosphere, antique styles that give an old and calm image are associated, and in the case of pops that give a light rhythm, the round Gothic style that gives a modern image is associated. , In the case of an animation song, the narru D type that rounds the corners of the font to give a soft atmosphere is associated, and in the case of enka or other song types, it is drawn to create a high-class atmosphere. The Mincho body to put out is matched.

This association is merely an example of a typical typeface, and it is needless to say that a font storage unit representing more typefaces may be used for fine genre classification. Such a correspondence table is made into a table and stored in advance in, for example, the music storage unit 3, and can be distributed. In this way, by associating the music type with the different font storage unit, it is possible to automatically select the typeface corresponding to the selected music type. Reference numeral 10 is a font expansion unit for expanding the font information read from the font storage means 9 into a display form. Reference numeral 11 is a video signal forming unit, and the video signal forming unit 11 includes a processor for displaying lyrics characters and a still image. As a result, a video signal to be displayed is formed from the expanded font information and background image information sent from a storage medium (not shown), and this signal is converted by the encoder 12 and displayed on the monitor means 13 such as a CRT. To be done.

Reference numeral 14 is, for example, a DRAM that enables high-speed access. The selected music information is transferred from the music storage unit 3 to the DRAM 14 and reproduced while being output from the DRAM 14. Reference numeral 15 is MIDI
M which is a reproducing unit and is transferred from the DRAM 14
It reproduces and converts IDI information into digital information,
This reproduced signal is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 16 and then output as a sound wave from the speaker 18 via the mixing unit 17.

Reference numeral 19 is a microphone means for converting a sound wave into an electric signal. The microphone means 19 is a voice amplifier 2.
It is input to the mixing unit 17 via 0. Code 2
Reference numeral 1 denotes a remote control type music selection input means using a wired or infrared ray, which is provided with a numeric keypad group and a predetermined alphabet input key 21A, which are selected by the user by inputting a music number. Is designed to be able to do.

Reference numeral 22 is a font selecting means, and the font selecting means 22 includes the font storage sections 9A to 9A.
Corresponding to the number of 9D, the same number of font selection keys 22A to 22D are provided as shown in FIG.
2A to 22D are associated with the font storage units 9A to 9D. By pressing this key, the user can select the desired font by selecting the lyric character font storage unit. The command for this key input is
It goes without saying that the operation of automatically selecting the font storage unit according to the genre described above is prioritized.

Next, the operation of the karaoke apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, a general flow during reproduction will be described. In the music storage unit 3 including a hard disk,
Many pieces of music information distributed from the information center as needed are stored. Here, MIDI for each accompaniment music
The information is stored in association with text information such as music number, music name, singer name, music type (genre), lyric character information, and chorus information when there is chorus.

When the user inputs a music number by using the music selection input means 21 and selects a music, the control unit 2 reads out a series of information for one music for the selected music from the music storage unit 3 at high speed. The data is transferred to the access DRAM 14.
Then, when the performance is started, MIDI information, lyrics character information and the like are sequentially read out and reproduced in accordance with the MIDI clock. For example, MIDI read from the DRAM 14
After the information is decoded by the MIDI playback unit 15, D
The signal is converted into an analog signal by the A / A converter 16 and further mixed by the user's voice signal input from the microphone means 19 by the mixing unit 17, and is sequentially reproduced and output as a sound wave from the speaker 18. .

Further, the control unit 2 reads out the font information of the character from the font storage means 9 based on the lyrics character information of the selected music, and this is read out by the font expansion unit 10.
Then, the video signal is formed in the video signal forming unit 11.
Background image information sent from a storage medium (not shown) is also input to the video signal forming unit 11 and converted into a video signal. The video signal of the lyrics image is superimposed on the video signal of the background image, and the encoder is formed. Monitor means 1 via 12
It will be sequentially reproduced and displayed at 3.

The above is the general flow during reproduction. Next, the features of the present invention and the selection operation of the font storage section will be described. When the music selection number is input from the music input means 21 as described above, the control unit 2 reads the MIDI information and the lyrics character information corresponding to the selected music from the music storage unit 3 and refers to the text information. The music type (genre) of this music is recognized. Then, based on this music type, the font storage unit to be used when reading the character information from the above-mentioned lyric characters tabulated in the music storage unit 3 in advance is selected. For example, if this song type is enka, the Mincho font storage unit 99 is selected as shown in the table shown in FIG. 2, and the lyrics characters are displayed in the Mincho font.

When the user inputs a music number at the time of selection and, at the same time, designates a desired typeface with the font selection keys 22A to 22D of the font selection means 22, for example, with a sense of play, the selected music is selected. Regardless of the song type, the font designation command is given priority,
The font storage unit corresponding to the designated typeface is selected.

Next, the above operation will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, when the user selects a song by inputting the song number from the song selection input means 21 (S
1) At the same time, the control unit 2 reads MIDI information and lyrics character information from the music storage unit 3 based on this music number, and at the same time, refers to the text information to determine the music type of this music (S2). Next, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the user has pressed any of the font selection keys 22A to 22D of the font selection means 22 to specify the typeface (S3). Here, if the user has not operated the font selection key, that is, if the result is NO in S2, the font storage unit corresponding to the recognized music type is stored in the four font storage units 9A to 9D. One is selected (S5).

If the user operates the font selection key in S3, that is, if YES, the font storage unit of the music type corresponding to this key input is selected (S4). At the time of reproduction, the previously read MIDI information is reproduced by the speaker 18, and at the same time, the lyrics are stored using the font storage unit automatically selected in S5 or the font storage unit manually selected in S4. The font information of the character is obtained and developed by the font development unit 10 and then reproduced and displayed on the monitor means 13 (S6).

In this way, a series of reproduction operations are completed. In this way, when the user does not manually select the font, the typeface that matches the song type of the selected song is automatically selected, and the lyrics characters are displayed in that typeface. That is, the image that the music has and the image that the typeface of the lyric characters have match, and the atmosphere is not spoiled. In addition, when the user manually specifies the typeface of the lyric character with a sense of play, the lyric character can be displayed in the specified typeface, which can be more interesting.

In the above embodiment, four typefaces have been described as an example, but the typefaces are not limited to these, and other typefaces, such as square Gothic typefaces and square typefaces, can be used according to the image of the music. . Furthermore, although Japanese (Japanese) was taken as an example here, Western English typeface,
For example, a Futura light type, a Bodney book type, a Bodney bold italic type, a copper plate type, etc. can be used according to the image of the music. Although the communication karaoke apparatus has been described as an example in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to a general karaoke apparatus that is not a communication type.

[0023]

As explained above, according to the karaoke apparatus of the present invention, the following excellent operational effects can be exhibited. By automatically selecting the font storage unit corresponding to the music type of the selected music, the lyrics characters can be displayed in a typeface having an atmosphere that matches the image of the music. Therefore, the user can sing without damaging the atmosphere of the music. In addition, by allowing the user to select the display typeface of the lyric characters, the display typeface can be selected with a sense of play, which can increase the fun.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a karaoke device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between music types and a font storage unit used.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a font selection unit.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the karaoke apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Karaoke device, 2 ... Control unit, 3 ... Music storage unit, 4 ...
Bus, 9 ... Font storage means, 9A-9D ... Font storage section, 10 ... Font developing section, 11 ... Video signal forming section, 13 ... Monitor section, 15 ... MIDI reproducing section, 19 ...
Microphone means, 21 ... Music selection input means, 22 ... Font selection means, 22A-22D ... Font selection keys.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A music storage unit for storing a plurality of music information in which a music name, a music number, a music type, lyrics character information, MIDI information and the like are associated in advance, a music selection input means for inputting information regarding music selection, and a lyrics character. Font storage means for storing font information relating to the above, a font expansion portion for expanding the font information read from the font storage portion means, and a MIDI reproduction portion for reproducing the MIDI information read out from the music storage portion. A video signal forming section for converting an output signal from the font expanding section into a video signal for display, a monitor means for displaying the video signal from the video signal forming section, and a music piece selected by the music piece input means. M
In a karaoke device having a control unit for displaying lyrics characters of this music on the monitor unit while reproducing IDI information, the font storage unit has a plurality of font storage units for storing font information of different typefaces. The karaoke device, wherein the control unit is configured to read font information from a font storage unit corresponding to a music type of a selected music among the plurality of font storage units. 2. A music storage unit for storing a plurality of music information in which a music name, a music number, a music type, lyric character information, MIDI information and the like are associated in advance, a music selection input means for inputting information regarding music selection, and a lyric character. A font storage unit having a plurality of font storage units of different typefaces, a font selection unit for selecting a desired font storage unit from the plurality of font storage units, and a font storage unit read from the font storage unit unit. A font expansion unit that expands font information,
A MIDI reproducing unit for reproducing the MIDI information read from the music storage unit, a video signal forming unit for converting an output signal from the font expanding unit into a video signal for display, and a video signal forming unit In the karaoke device having monitor means for displaying the video signal of (1) and MIDI information of the music selected by the music input means, and a control section for displaying the lyrics characters of the music on the monitor means, the font storage The means has a plurality of font storage units for storing font information of a plurality of different typefaces, and the control unit uses the font characters of the font storage unit selected by the font selection unit for the lyric characters of the selected music piece. A karaoke device characterized by being configured so as to be displayed on the monitor means. 3. The plurality of font storage units include a Mincho type font storage unit, a Maru Gothic type font storage unit, and Nahl D.
3. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least two of the body font storage unit and the antique body font storage unit are provided.