JP3933975B2 - Karaoke competition scoreboard device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a karaoke competition scoreboard device that displays a score and supports recording and counting work when a plurality of users compete for a singing score using the singing scoring function of the karaoke device.
[0002]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There is a singing scoring function as an incidental function of the karaoke device. This function compares karaoke accompaniment music with the singing voice of a singer singing along with it, and calculates and displays the score according to the degree of coincidence. This singing scoring function is used not only for the purpose of the singer confirming his / her singing ability, but also for the “singing battle” application in which the singing ability is compared with the scores of other users.
[0003]
In particular, the use of the karaoke apparatus can be promoted in the “singing battle” application because it enhances the original entertainment of karaoke and has game characteristics. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 6-59618 discloses a karaoke apparatus with a singing scoring function that allows a plurality of users to divide into two teams and compete for a total of singing scores.
[0004]
However, the conventional karaoke apparatus cannot cope with “individual battle” in which a large number of users compete for singing scores individually. In order to deal with individual battles, it is necessary to make extensive modifications to the software and user interface of the karaoke machine. It is more practical to use a karaoke device with a general singing scoring function and a user prepares a scoreboard separately. However, in this method, when a user sings, other users check the score that the karaoke device outputs for the song one by one, enter the score on the scoreboard, and finally each competition The cumbersome and cumbersome work of calculating the total score by determining the score of the person and determining the ranking is required. For this reason, the user is chased by the tabulation work and cannot improve the entertainment and the game.
[0005]
Moreover, if the display time of the score is short in the karaoke apparatus, the score writer may miss the score. If the score display is missed even once, the individual battle is canceled at that time. In a venue where karaoke is performed in a private room, such as a karaoke box, the interior of the venue is dark and the work of recording the score itself is also hindered.
[0006]
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a karaoke competition scoreboard device that supports the entry and tabulation of scores when performing a karaoke individual battle using the singing scoring function of the karaoke device without making a major change to the karaoke device itself. The purpose is that.
[0007]
The karaoke competition scoreboard device according to the present invention is specified by the following items (1) to (11).
(1) A karaoke competition scoreboard device comprising a communication means, a storage means, a player registration means, a control means, a memory, and a display means, and used together with a karaoke apparatus that manages music numbers in a performance processing queue. (2) The communication means is capable of data communication with the karaoke device. (3) The storage means stores an index that associates the song number, song name, and artist name for each song. (4) Athlete The registration means registers a permutation of names of a plurality of athletes in the memory. (5) The control means causes the display means to display a scoreboard screen based on the permutation of names registered in the memory. (6) Score The board screen arranges a plurality of names according to a permutation, and arranges a plurality of score fields and a total score field in each name field. (7) The control means performs initial processing and score display processing. The music display process and the total display process are performed. (8) The initial process is to set the top name field on the scoreboard screen to a different specific display form. (9) The score display process is performed by scoring the score from the karaoke device. When received, the score is displayed in the first blank of the score field corresponding to the name field in the specific display form, and the specific display form is moved to the next name field. When the karaoke device takes out the music number from the performance processing queue, the music number is received, and the music name and artist name corresponding to the music number are extracted from the index of the storage means, and this is used as a performance music scoreboard In addition to displaying additional information on the screen, the additional display is continued until a score is received from the karaoke device. It is displayed on the total score column by adding the scores of column [0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
=== Network configuration in karaoke store ===
FIG. 1 schematically shows an example of a LAN configuration in a karaoke store. This karaoke store has a plurality of guest rooms, and each guest room is provided with a general-purpose computer (guest room computer) 1 such as a personal computer and a karaoke apparatus 2. The guest room computer 1 and the karaoke apparatus 2 are configured to perform data communication through a communication interface of the RS232C standard. The guest room computer 1 has a user interface mainly composed of a touch panel, and the built-in external storage stores attribute information such as song names and artist names of karaoke songs that can be played on the karaoke apparatus in association with song numbers. ing. Then, it accepts a search query designated by the user, presents the corresponding karaoke song, and if a certain song is finally identified, it includes a song number for reserving a performance with the karaoke device 2 in the same room. The main function is an electronic table of contents function that issues a reservation command.
[0013]
The store server 3 is a personal computer installed at the reception of a karaoke store and manages the operating state of the guest room computer 1 and the karaoke apparatus 2 and performs accounting processing for each guest room based on the operating state. Have gone. In this example, the reservation command including the song number of the requested song designated by the user in the guest room computer 1 is configured to be sent to the LAN, and the store server 3 receives the command and receives the corresponding command. A process of transferring to the karaoke apparatus 2 is also executed. Of course, the guest room computer 1 may be configured to issue a reservation command directly to the karaoke apparatus 2 in the same room via the RS232C interface.
[0014]
The karaoke device 2 is a performance terminal in a well-known online karaoke system, and stores and manages karaoke data downloaded from the host device 5 via the telephone line 4 in a music database. Then, the music numbers in the reservation command from the guest room computer 1 are managed in a queue, the karaoke data corresponding to the music numbers sequentially picked up from the queue is processed, and the karaoke accompaniment music and the lyrics image are synchronized and sounded. Output video. Of course, the karaoke apparatus 2 is provided with an operation panel for receiving a music number directly on the main body, and a remote control transmitter mainly including a numeric keypad is also attached. The karaoke apparatus 2 accepts a reservation command originating from the guest room computer 1 and a reservation command originating from the user interface attached to itself, such as a remote control transmitter, and registers the music numbers in the queue according to the acceptance order. .
[0015]
The karaoke apparatus 2 is also equipped with a singing scoring function. As is well known, this function calculates the score according to the degree of coincidence between the pitch and pronunciation timing of the accompaniment music being played and the singing voice by sampling and analyzing the singing voice input from the microphone, The total score at the end of the performance is displayed and output to a maximum of 100 points.
[0016]
=== Karaoke competition scoreboard device ===
The hardware of the karaoke competition scoreboard display device (scoreboard device) in the embodiment of the present invention uses the cabin computer 1 as it is. Also, the karaoke apparatus 2 receives the music number for each opportunity of picking up the music number from the queue, the score data for each opportunity to output the score by the singing scoring function, and the guest room computer 1 in the same room via the RS232C interface. It is supposed to send. The guest room computer 1 uses a song number and score data transmitted from the karaoke device 2 in a timely manner, and an additional program for executing a scoreboard function for supporting score entry / counting work related to a karaoke individual battle performed by the user is additionally implemented. Has been. Next, a procedure for performing an individual battle using the cabin computer 1 and a user interface in the scoreboard function will be described.
[0017]
=== Registration of Athletes ===
In this example, in order to perform a personal karaoke game among a plurality of users, when entering a karaoke store, telling the reception that a karaoke competition will be held, the names (names of all participants)・ Nicknames, initials, etc.) and singing order. A program linked to the scoreboard function of the guest room computer 1 is installed in the store server 3, and the store clerk starts this program in the store server 3 and uses the guest room number used by the user who applied for the karaoke competition. Enter the name and order of the declared competitors. Also, in this example, a “competition name” can be entered to excite the competition, and if there is an offer from the user, the competition name is also entered. The store server activates the scoreboard function of the guest room computer 1 of the corresponding guest room, and transfers various input information.
[0018]
== Start of competition and scoreboard display ===
When the guest room computer 1 receives the various input information transferred from the store server 3, the guest room computer 1 displays and outputs the karaoke competition holding confirmation screen shown in FIG. 2 on the touch panel. On this screen, the starting method of the singing scoring function of the karaoke apparatus 2 and the names of the players according to the input singing order are described. When the user enters this room, confirms the display items on the screen and instructs the “Yes” button, the room computer 1 displays the scoreboard table.
[0019]
If there is an error in the name or order and the “No” button is instructed, the store server 3 is notified accordingly. When the store server 3 receives this notification, the store server 3 displays that the corresponding room number and the content of the competition are corrected and notifies the store clerk. The store clerk listens to the correction content from the user using an extension telephone or the like, and re-enters the name and order so that the content of the game is corrected from the store server 3 in the same manner as at the time of reception.
[0020]
Of course, the guest room computer 1 may be able to accept correction input. As a user interface for correction input in this case, for example, if the order is changed, the finger touching the name is moved to the position in the desired order without releasing it from the touch panel in the manner of drag and drop. That's fine. When the name is changed, the character palette is displayed when the name to be changed is touch-inputted in the manner of double-clicking, so that characters can be input. After the correction input, the corrected event confirmation screen is displayed again. Of course, if the user interface for character input is provided, it is easy to accept the player's name and its registration in the cabin computer 1.
[0021]
=== Karaoke music performance reservation ===
When the guest room computer 1 accepts the instruction of the “Yes” button, it displays the scoreboard screen shown in FIG. 3. The leftmost column of the scoreboard table on this screen is the name entry column for each competitor, and the corresponding names are entered from the top column according to the order declared at the reception or the corrected order. To the right of each name is a plurality of score display fields. In this example, there are five score display fields for each competitor for the fifth round. The rightmost column is a column for entering the total score. In addition, the name of the event is written on the table. The guest room computer 1 displays a predetermined tournament name when there is no tournament name in the data transferred from the store server 3.
[0022]
=== Reservation procedure ===
The user performs a performance reservation operation for the requested song in a timely manner. However, the reservation order follows the order described in the scoreboard table. That is, the user's first requested song corresponding to the name in the top entry column in the name entry column of the scoreboard table is registered in the queue. Next, the user in the second name entry column from the top requests the second song. When the user in the name entry column at the bottom requests, the second track of the first competitor is registered. The guest room computer 1 can receive a predetermined operation input and display a use screen of the electronic table of contents function even when the scoreboard function is activated.
[0023]
=== Fill in the scoreboard ===
FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a scoreboard screen during a karaoke competition. When the guest room computer 1 receives a song number from the karaoke apparatus 2 while the scoreboard function is activated, the guest room computer 1 displays the song name and artist name on the scoreboard screen as attribute information corresponding to the number, and there is no specific user input. As long as the score data is transferred from the karaoke device 2, the display is continued. Also, when the scoreboard screen is displayed, the first player's first score entry field is used as the entry field, and the score data that was transferred first is entered in the object field, and the score entry field Advance to the next score box. In other words, the score entry field for the first song of the second competitor is the score entry field. Then, the next score data is entered in the corresponding target column. Next to the score entry field for the first song of the last competitor, the score entry field for the second song of the first competitor is the target. In this way, the score entry target column is advanced step by step every time the score data is transferred and the score is entered. Also, enter the total score so far in the total score entry field. During the period from when the song number is transferred to when the score data is transferred, the frame of the score entry field and the corresponding competitor name entry field are highlighted and the score entry field Enter an appropriate symbol or design. As a result, the user can check who is playing what piece of music.
[0024]
=== Change of performance music ===
A “clear” button is provided on the scoreboard screen. When this button is touched, the score just entered is deleted from the corresponding column. When a user input for reserving a performance for the music immediately after that is received, an interrupt reservation command for the music is transmitted to the karaoke apparatus 2. The karaoke apparatus 2 registers the music number transferred according to this command in the first queue and immediately plays the corresponding karaoke music. The guest room computer 1 uses the score deleted column as the score entry target column and enters the score data received first after issuing the interrupt reservation command into the score entry column previously erased. As a result, it corresponds to the case where there is an error in the requested music or when the requested music of another person is sung.
[0025]
=== Confirmation of already sung songs and report on the actual situation in other rooms ===
The guest room computer 1 records the entry field, the entered score, and the corresponding music number in association with each opportunity for entering the score in the score entry field. When the user touches an arbitrary score entry field that has been entered, the song name and artist name of the song corresponding to the corresponding song number are displayed for a while instead of the currently playing song. In this case, the frame line of the score display column designated by the user is highlighted. FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a scoreboard screen on which sung songs are displayed.
[0026]
In addition, the guest room computer 1 transfers the entered contents (score / score entry field / music number) to the store server 3 as score data at every score entry opportunity, and the store server 3 aggregates score data from each guest room. ·to manage. The scoreboard screen is provided with a “score in another room” button. When the user touches this button, the guest room computer 1 issues a request to transfer the score data of the other room to the store server 3, and the store The server 3 transfers the score data of each guest room to the guest room computer 1 that has requested it. The guest room computer 1 displays the score data transferred from the store server 3 on the competition actual condition report screen of the other room. Fig. 6 shows a schematic diagram of the competition report screen in the other room. On this screen, there are left and right arrow buttons for selecting the room number. Touching this button as appropriate to select any room displays the score data for that room as a scoreboard table. The
[0027]
=== The end of karaoke competition and result announcement ===
In the present embodiment, the cabin computer 1 ends the competition when the score is entered in the score entry field for the fifth song of the competitor. The result can be seen by looking at the contents displayed on the scoreboard screen, but when the “Ranking” button on this screen is instructed, the arrangement of the name entry column and the corresponding score entry column and total score entry column are changed in order of the total score. Display the ranking table. In addition, an average score entry field is provided to display the score. The instruction input to the “ranking” button is accepted even during the competition, and the scoreboard table is switched to the ranking table as an intermediate progress at every instruction input opportunity. FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of the ranking display screen.
[0028]
In this embodiment, the total score is displayed as the total score, but it may be an average score. The total score and the average score may be switched and displayed. Moreover, you may enable it to finish a competition on the way. In this case, the content entered in the ranking table should be set as appropriate, such as listing the total score up to the number of times the last competitor's score has been entered in the ranking table, or using the average score as the total score. be able to.
[0029]
=== Other Embodiments ===
As described above, if the store server manages score data collectively, a printer can be connected to the store server, and the user can receive the printed scoreboard when leaving the store. Score data in all guest rooms can be aggregated, and the ranking for all competitors in the karaoke store including other rooms can be displayed on the guest room computer.
[0030]
If there are many companions who cannot accommodate all the competitors in one room, and competitors participating in the same karaoke competition divide into multiple rooms and perform individual karaoke competitions, the store server will hold multiple karaoke competitions. If the guest rooms are managed as a group, when browsing of the ranking table and the score table of another room is instructed by a certain guest room computer, the browsing can be permitted only to the rooms belonging to the same group. The store server sequentially distributes the score data transferred from the guest room computer to other guest room computers in the same group, and the guest room computer updates the scoring status and attribute information of the songs sung for all competitors in the same group in real time. Can also be displayed.
[0031]
Even in a club where there is only one karaoke device or a karaoke store where no LAN is laid, as long as the scoreboard device is connected to the karaoke device so that data communication is possible, a karaoke individual battle can be carried out.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
According to the karaoke competition scoreboard device of the present invention, it is possible to support the entry and tabulation of scores when performing a karaoke individual battle using the singing scoring function of the karaoke device without making a major change to the karaoke device itself. As a result, the user can be freed from the counting work, can become enthusiastic about the karaoke personal battle, and can excite the place of karaoke.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows a LAN configuration diagram in a karaoke store where a scoreboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a karaoke competition confirmation screen displayed in the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a scoreboard screen displayed in the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a scoreboard screen displayed during a karaoke competition in the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a scoreboard screen including the names of songs already sung displayed in the embodiment.
FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a game report screen in the other room displayed in the above embodiment.
FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a ranking display screen displayed in the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Guest room computer (scoreboard device)
2 Karaoke equipment 3 Store server

Claims (1)

A karaoke competition scoreboard device comprising a communication device, a storage device, a player registration device, a control device, a memory, and a display device, and used together with a karaoke device that manages music numbers in a performance processing queue. ,
The communication means is capable of data communication with the karaoke device,
The storage means stores an index that associates the song number, song name, and artist name for each song,
Athlete registration means registers permutations of names of multiple athletes in memory,
The control means displays the scoreboard screen on the display means based on the permutation of the names registered in the memory,
The scoreboard screen arranges multiple names according to the permutation, arranges multiple score fields and total score fields in each name field,
The control means performs initial processing, score display processing, music display processing, and total display processing,
In the initial process, the first name field on the scoreboard screen is changed to a specific display form different from the others
In the score display process, when a score is received from the karaoke device, the score is displayed in the first blank of the score field corresponding to the name field in the specific display form, and the specific display form is moved to the next name field. Let
The music display process receives the music number when the karaoke apparatus takes out the music number from the performance processing queue, and extracts the music name and artist name corresponding to the music number from the index of the storage means. While being additionally displayed on the scoreboard screen as a performance song, the additional display is continued until a score is received from the karaoke device,
The total display processing is a karaoke competition scoreboard device that adds a plurality of score points for each name field and displays them in the total score field.

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