JP4288217B2 - Music playback apparatus and distribution system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides a music playback apparatus that outputs a desired performance music selected from a large number of performance music and outputs a predetermined background video corresponding to the performance music, and a distribution system that distributes the background video to the music playback apparatus Regarding improvements.

  2. Description of the Related Art Music playback apparatuses that output a desired 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.

  In a general karaoke apparatus, the large number of performance songs belong to at least one genre among a plurality of predetermined genres, and a different background video is output for each genre of the performance songs. It is predetermined. By the way, in karaoke performance, songs belonging to the same genre are often played continuously so as not to break the atmosphere of the place, and it is pointed out that the same background video may be output in succession and bore the user. It was. In order to solve this problem, a technique for outputting a background video in accordance with the contents of a performance song has been proposed. For example, the communication karaoke system described in Patent Document 1 is that. According to this technology, a background image corresponding to the keyword included in the lyrics of a performance song is output when the performance song is played, so that a background image corresponding to the content of the performance song can be output. Yes.

JP 2001-34275 A

  However, in the prior art, there is a high possibility that background images that are not related to the content will flow while reflecting the content of the lyrics in form, and there is a possibility that the user may be urged. In the performance of karaoke, the atmosphere of the venue is an important element that cannot be ignored. Therefore, it has been desired to develop a music playback device that can excite the atmosphere of the venue and output a background image that does not get the user bored.

  The present invention has been made against the background of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a music playback apparatus and distribution system that can excite the atmosphere of a place and output a background video that does not bore users. There is.

In order to achieve such an object, the gist of the first invention includes a central processing unit, a storage device, and a modem for connecting the central processing unit to a predetermined communication line. And a predetermined center device connected via the communication line, configured to be able to download background video information from the center device via the communication line and store the background video information in the storage device. A predetermined performance music selected from a large number of performance music belonging to at least one genre among the genres is output, and a predetermined background video associated with the genre of the performance music is output based on the background video information And a ranking statistic unit that statistically ranks the number of selected music pieces for each genre, and ranking ranking thereof. Based on the statistics it has been ranked by the means, along with a request for transmission of the background image information for outputting the background image to be associated with the genre to the top predetermined position genre Ranking to the center apparatus, already in the storage device Video transmission requesting means for transmitting a list of stored background video information .

In order to achieve the above object, the gist of the second invention is a central processing unit, a storage device, and a modem for connecting the central processing unit to a predetermined communication line. And a plurality of predetermined plurality of predetermined center devices connected to a predetermined center device via the communication line and configured to download background video information from the center device via the communication line and store the background video information in the storage device. A predetermined performance song selected from a large number of performance songs belonging to at least one of the genres is output, and a predetermined background video associated with the genre of the performance song is output based on the background video information. A distribution system for distributing background video information for outputting a background video from the center device to a music playback device to be output, Music reproducing apparatus, and ranking statistics means for ranking statistically music selection number of the music piece for each of the genres, based on the rankings is statistically by its ranking statistics unit, genre to top predetermined position genre Ranking Video transmission requesting means for requesting the center device to transmit background video information for outputting a background video associated with the video, and transmitting a list of background video information already stored in the storage device. And the center device includes request video transmission means for transmitting background video information requested by the video transmission request means , which is not included in the list, to the music playback device. It is a feature.

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the ranking statistic unit that statistically ranks the number of times of selection of the performance music for each genre, and the ranking by genre based on the rankings statistically calculated by the ranking statistical unit Video requesting the center device to transmit background video information for outputting a background video associated with a genre up to a predetermined upper level, and transmitting a list of background video information already stored in the storage device Since the transmission request means is included, the background video information according to the request is transmitted from the center device, so that the background video of the frequently played genre can be changed as appropriate, and the same background video is continuously displayed. Can be suitably prevented. That is, it is possible to provide a music playback device that can excite the atmosphere of the place and output a background video that does not bore the user.

Further, according to the second invention, the music reproducing device is based on the ranking statistical means for statistically ranking the number of times of selection of the performance music for each genre, and the ranking statistically calculated by the ranking statistical means. A list of background video information already stored in the storage device, while requesting the center device to transmit background video information for outputting background video associated with genres up to a predetermined upper genre ranking Video transmission requesting means for transmitting the image, and the center device receives background video information requested by the video transmission requesting means and not included in the list. Request video transmission means for transmitting to the genre, the background video of the genre frequently played in the music playback device is appropriately changed. It can be, the same background image is being continuously output can be suitably prevented. That is, it is possible to provide a distribution system that can excite the atmosphere of the place and output a background video that does not bore the user.

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

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a karaoke apparatus 12 which is an embodiment of a music reproducing apparatus of the present invention and a distribution system 10 for distributing contents to the karaoke apparatus 12. A plurality of karaoke apparatuses 12 installed in karaoke boxes, snacks, inns and other stores, or ordinary households are connected to a center apparatus 16 of a content distribution service provider company via a communication line 14 such as a public telephone line. Yes. The center device 16 is a server for storing digital contents such as karaoke information and background video information, input / output management, etc., so that new songs can always be played by the karaoke device 12. Alternatively, new karaoke information, predetermined background video information, and the like are periodically distributed to the plurality of karaoke apparatuses 12 via the communication line 14 so that a predetermined background video can be output.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the karaoke apparatus 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the karaoke device 12 includes a video display device 20 such as a CRT, a video information decoder 22, a video mixer 24, an amplifier mixer 26, a speaker 28, a microphone 30, and an operation panel 32. CPU 34, which is a central processing unit, ROM 36, RAM 38, hard disk 40, which is a storage device, modem 42, CRT controller 44, input / output interface 46 for processing input signals from the operation panel 32 and the like. Wireless LAN communication is performed between the synthesizer 48 as a sound source, a remote control receiving unit 50 for receiving a remote control signal from an input device such as the remote control 54 or the electronic quick sample device 56, and the electronic quick sample device 56 etc. And a wireless LAN communication unit 52 for performing the operation.

  The CPU 34 is a so-called computer that processes and controls electronic information based on a predetermined program stored in the ROM 36 using the temporary storage function of the RAM 38. The CPU 34 is controlled by the remote controller 54, the electronic sample device 56, or the like. When a predetermined karaoke performance song is selected, the selected karaoke performance song is registered in the reserved song list provided in the RAM 38, or selected from the hard disk 40 in the RAM 38 according to the performance order of the reserved song list. The performance information and lyrics information, etc. of the karaoke performance song are read out, the performance information is transmitted from the RAM 38 to the synthesizer 48 as the performance of the karaoke performance song progresses, and the lyric character image is displayed based on the lyric information. Generate and send it to the CRT controller 44, or select a song title text image when selecting a song Or sent to the CRT controller 44 generates and executes basic control such as to reproduce the predetermined background image by controlling the image information decoder 22.

  The operation panel 32 selects a karaoke performance song that the user of the karaoke device 12 wants to sing, adjusts the pitch of the performance song, adjusts the volume balance between the performance and the song, and performs echo and volume. , An input device provided with operation buttons (switches) or knobs for performing various adjustments such as tone. In addition, the karaoke device 12 is provided with a remote controller 54 and an electronic quick sample device 56 that function as input devices for remotely executing some functions of the operation panel 32. Remote control signals transmitted from these input devices are received and supplied to the CPU 34. In addition, the wireless LAN communication unit 52 receives a music selection input from the electronic quick sample device 56 by performing wireless LAN communication with the electronic quick sample device 56, or receives the music selection input from the karaoke device 12. Information is exchanged between the karaoke device 12 and the electronic quick sample device 56 via radio waves, such as transmitting a command for executing predetermined processing to 56.

  The video information decoder 22 is a background video playback device that plays back (decodes) a predetermined background video based on background video information stored in the hard disk 40 when a user sings a song while referring to lyrics. The background video information is, for example, MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) format data, and the background video reproduced by the video information decoder 22 based on the MPEG data is sent to the video mixer. The CRT controller 44 is a character image output device that outputs a character image (telop) such as a lyric character image generated in the CPU 34, and the video mixer 24 is generated in the CPU 34 and the CRT controller 44. Is a video composition device that synthesizes the character video output from the video information decoder 22 with the background video reproduced by the video information decoder 22 and causes the video display device 20 to display it.

  The synthesizer 48 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 40 and sent. The performance information is, for example, data in MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) format, and the music signal generated by the synthesizer 48 based on the MIDI data is converted into an analog signal and sent to the amplifier mixer 26. The amplifier mixer 26 mixes the transmitted music signal and the user's singing voice input via the microphone 30, and those signals are electrically amplified and output from the speaker 28.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the hard disk 40 has a karaoke database 58 for storing a large number of karaoke information for outputting the performance tune, and a plurality of background video information for outputting the background video. A background video database 60 to be stored and a ranking database 62 to store a music selection ranking obtained by statistically ranking the number of music selections of the performance music are provided.

  A large number of musical performances performed by the karaoke apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment belong to at least one genre among a plurality of predetermined genres (for example, 64 types). The karaoke information is composed of performance information for generating a performance sound and lyric information for generating a lyric character image (lyric telop), and is identified by a music selection number unique to each performance tune which is a content ID. The The karaoke database 58 stores, for example, karaoke information of each performance song identified by the music selection number, that is, title information including the song name, singer name, genre, etc., MIDI format performance information, lyrics information, and the like. It has become.

  The background video information is video information for outputting the background video, for example, video data in MPEG format. The background video information is associated with the genre of the performance song, and when the karaoke device 12 outputs the performance song, the background video information associated with the genre of the performance song is obtained from the background video database 60. After being read out and sent to the video information decoder 22 and decoded by the video information decoder 22, the video mixer 24 synthesizes it with the lyrics character video and displays it on the video display device 20. That is, the genre of the performance music functions as background video designation information for designating a background video to be reproduced when the performance music is output. The background video and the genre are not necessarily associated one-to-one. For example, a mode in which a plurality of background video information is associated with one genre is also conceivable. In this case, when a predetermined performance piece is played, any one of the plurality of background picture information associated with the genre of the performance piece is selected and decoded by the video information decoder 22 as a background picture. Is output.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the ranking database 62. The music selection ranking is preferably a music selection ranking by genre in which the number of music selections of the performance music is statistically classified for each genre and ranked in order from a genre with a cumulative total number of music selections in a predetermined period. In the case where 64 types of genres from “genre No. 1” to “genre No. 64” are defined, the ranking database 62 includes the 64 types of genres in the total number of music selections as shown in FIG. In response, the first place “Genre No. 12 (total cumulative song selection 2,110 times)”, second place “Genre No. 2 (cumulative total song selection 1,890 times)”, third place “Genre No. 34 (cumulative total song selection) The ranking ranked from the first place to the 64th place is stored, such as “Number 1,883 times”,..., 64th place “Genre No. 5 (cumulative total selection number 52 times)”.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the modem 42 is a device for connecting the karaoke device 12 to a communication line 46 such as a public telephone line. A plurality of karaoke devices 12 respectively provided in a store such as a karaoke box are connected to the center device 16 via the communication line 14 so that new songs can always be played by the karaoke devices 12. Thus, new karaoke information and background video information are distributed from the center device 16 through the communication line 14 as needed so that a new background video can be output, and the karaoke database 58 and background of the hard disk 40 It is stored in the video database 60. That is, the karaoke apparatus 12 is a communication karaoke apparatus that can execute transmission / reception of various information through an electric communication line.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the center device 16. As shown in FIG. 3, the center device 16 includes a so-called microcomputer system that performs signal processing in accordance with a program stored in advance in a ROM 72 by using a temporary storage function of a RAM 74 by a CPU 70 that is a central processing unit. Yes. Further, a video display device 78 such as a CRT controlled by a CRT controller 76, a keyboard 82 which is an input device connected via an interface 80, a storage device 84 such as a hard disk, and a CPU 70 are connected to the communication line 14. A modem 86 is provided.

  The storage device 84 is provided with a karaoke database 88 for storing the karaoke information and a background video information database 90 for storing background video information. The karaoke database 88 and the background video information database 90 are databases that store karaoke information and background video information for distribution to the karaoke apparatus 12. That is, the center device 16 is connected to the plurality of karaoke devices 12 via the communication line 14 so that new songs can always be played by the plurality of karaoke devices 12 or a new background image. As a result, new karaoke information and background video information can be transmitted through the communication line 14 as needed.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram for explaining a main part of the control function provided in the CPU 34 of the karaoke apparatus 12 and the CPU 70 of the center apparatus 16. The music selection means 100, ranking statistics means 102, and video transmission request means 104 shown in FIG. 4 are functionally provided in the CPU 34 of the karaoke apparatus 12, and the requested video transmission means 106 is the CPU 70 of the center apparatus 16. Is functionally provided.

  The music selection means 100 stores a predetermined performance song selected and input in accordance with the operation of the remote controller 54, the electronic quick sample device 56, etc. in a reserved song list formed in the RAM 30 as a performance waiting song. The performance-waiting music stored in this reserved music list is basically played according to the performance order, which is the order in which the music selection input is performed. When a predetermined performance music is in order, The performance information and lyric information of the performance music are read from the karaoke database 58 and sent to the RAM 30, and the background video information for outputting the background video associated with the genre of the performance music is read. .

  The ranking statistics unit 102 statistically ranks the number of music selections for each performance genre. For example, the number of music selections by the music selection means 100 is calculated for each genre, and the genre-specific music selection ranking as shown in FIG. 6 is formed by grading in descending order of the cumulative total number of music selections in a predetermined period. And stored in the ranking database 62.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining processing by the video transmission request unit 104 and the requested video transmission unit 106. As shown in FIG. 5, the video transmission requesting means 104 outputs a background video that is preferentially associated with the genre from the higher genre to the center device 16 based on the rankings statistically calculated by the ranking statistic means 102. Request transmission of background video information for For example, in the process of transmitting / receiving information to / from the center device 16 performed every predetermined time, it corresponds to the genres up to the upper predetermined position (for example, the upper third place) of the genre selection rankings stored in the ranking database 62 The center apparatus 16 is requested to transmit background video information for outputting a background video to be attached.

  The requested video transmission means 106 reads the background video information requested by the video transmission request means 104 from the background video database 90 and transmits it to the karaoke apparatus 12. Here, preferably, the background video transmission request transmitted from the karaoke device 12 to the center device 16 includes a list of background video information already stored in the background video database 60 of the karaoke device 12. The requested video transmission means 106 obtains background video information not included in the list, that is, background video information not yet stored in the background video database 60 of the karaoke apparatus 12 that is the transmission source of the background video transmission request, from the background video database 90. Read from and send.

  The capacity of the hard disk 40 of the karaoke device 12 is limited, and therefore the total number of background video information stored in the background video database 60 is limited. For this reason, it is difficult to download and store all the background video information stored in the background video database 90 of the center device 16, but the tendency to be played by the karaoke device 12 as in this embodiment. By acquiring preferentially the background video information for outputting a background video of a high genre, a new background video can be appropriately added as a background video associated with the genre. In this case, it is possible to prevent a predetermined background image from being repeatedly output. In particular, with regard to the karaoke apparatus 12 installed in the night sales store, since the genre of the performance music played at each store tends to be fixed, the effect of enhancing the background video associated with the top-ranked genre Is expensive.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the background video update control by the CPU 34 of the karaoke apparatus 12 and is repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle.

  First, in a step (hereinafter, step is omitted) SA1 corresponding to the operation of the music selection means 100, a predetermined performance music selected and input in accordance with the operation of the remote controller 54, the electronic quick sample device 56, or the like is a music waiting music. Are stored in the reserved music list formed in the RAM 30 and karaoke performance processing is executed in accordance with the performance order. Next, in SA2 corresponding to the operation of the ranking statistic means 102, the music selection of SA1 is statistic as the number of music selections in the music selection ranking by genre in the ranking database 62, and the music selection ranking by genre is updated. Next, in SA3, it is determined whether or not it is a background video request timing, that is, whether or not it is an information transmission / reception processing timing with the center device 16. If the determination at SA3 is negative, the routine is terminated accordingly. If the determination at SA3 is affirmative, at SA4 corresponding to the operation of the video transmission request means 104, at SA2. Based on the statistical ranking, transmission of background video information for causing the center device 16 to output a background video associated with the genre preferentially from the higher genre is requested. Next, in SA5, it is determined whether the background video information requested in SA4 has been sent from the center device 16 and received. While the determination of SA5 is denied, the system waits by repeating the determination of SA5, but when the determination of SA5 is affirmed, it is sent and received from the center device 16 at SA6. After the background video information is stored in the background video database 60, this routine is terminated.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the background video transmission control by the CPU 70 of the center device 16 and is repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle.

  First, at SB1, it is determined whether or not there is a background video transmission request from the karaoke apparatus 12. If the determination of SB1 is negative, the routine is terminated accordingly, but if the determination of SB1 is affirmative, the background video information associated with the requested genre is stored in the background in SB2. It is read from the video database 90. Next, in SB3, the background video information read in SB2 is transmitted to the karaoke apparatus 12 that is the transmission source of the background video transmission request, and then this routine is terminated. In the above control, SB2 and SB3 correspond to the operation of the request video transmission means 106.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the ranking statistic means 102 (SA2) that statistically ranks the number of times of selection of the performance music for each genre and the ranking statistically calculated by the ranking statistic means 102 are used. Including video transmission requesting means 104 (SA4) for requesting transmission of background video information for preferentially outputting a background video associated with the genre to a predetermined center device 16 from a higher genre. Since the background video information according to the request is transmitted from the center device 16, the background video of the genre that is frequently played can be changed as appropriate, and the same background video is preferably prevented from being output continuously. it can. That is, it is possible to provide the karaoke apparatus 12 that can excite the atmosphere of the place and output a background video that does not bore the user.

  Further, the karaoke device 12 gives priority to the ranking statistic means 102 that statistically ranks the number of times of selection of the performance tunes for each genre, and from the top genres based on the rankings statistic by the ranking statistics means 102. Video transmission request means 104 for requesting transmission of background video information for causing the center device 16 to output a background video associated with the genre. The center device 16 receives the video transmission request. Since it includes request video transmission means 106 (SB2 and SB3) for transmitting the background video information requested by the means 104 to the karaoke apparatus 12, the background video of the genre frequently played in the karaoke apparatus 12 is appropriately changed. It is possible to prevent the same background video from being output continuously. That. That is, it is possible to provide the distribution system 10 that can excite the atmosphere of the place and output a background video that does not bore the user.

  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 ranking statistics unit 102 statistically ranks the number of performance songs selected by each of the karaoke apparatuses 12 for each genre. The number of music selections may be statistically ranked for each store. That is, the number of music selections of performance songs selected by a plurality of karaoke apparatuses 12 may be ranked in an integrated manner. In the case where a plurality of karaoke apparatuses 12 are installed in a predetermined store, the tendency of performance songs performed by the karaoke apparatuses 12 is often similar. can get.

  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 a figure explaining the karaoke apparatus which is one Example of the music reproduction apparatus of this invention, and the delivery system for delivering a content to the karaoke apparatus. It is a block diagram which illustrates the structure of the karaoke apparatus of FIG. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the center apparatus of FIG. It is a functional block diagram explaining the principal part of the control function with which CPU of the karaoke apparatus of FIG. 2 and CPU of the center apparatus of FIG. 3 were equipped. It is a figure explaining the process by the video transmission request means of FIG. 4, and a request | requirement video transmission means. It is a figure which shows an example of the content of the ranking database provided in the hard disk of the karaoke apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the background video update control by CPU of the karaoke apparatus of FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining background video transmission control by a CPU of the center apparatus of FIG. 3;

Explanation of symbols

10: Distribution system 12: Karaoke device (music playback device)
16: Center device 102: Ranking statistics means 104: Video transmission request means 106: Requested video transmission means

Claims (2)

A central processing unit, a storage device, and a modem for connecting the central processing unit to a predetermined communication line, and connected to a predetermined center unit via the communication line; The background video information can be downloaded and stored in the storage device via the communication line, and a predetermined music selected from a large number of performance songs belonging to at least one genre among a plurality of predetermined genres. A music playback device that outputs a performance song and outputs a predetermined background video associated with the genre of the performance song based on the background video information,
Ranking statistical means for statistically ranking the number of music selections for each genre,
Based on the rankings statistically calculated by the ranking statistic means, the center device is requested to transmit background video information for outputting background videos associated with genres up to a predetermined upper rank in the genre ranking, and the storage And a video transmission requesting means for transmitting a list of background video information already stored in the apparatus. A central processing unit, a storage device, and a modem for connecting the central processing unit to a predetermined communication line, and connected to a predetermined center unit via the communication line; The background video information can be downloaded and stored in the storage device via the communication line, and a predetermined music selected from a large number of performance songs belonging to at least one genre among a plurality of predetermined genres. A music playback device for outputting a performance music and outputting a predetermined background video associated with the genre of the performance music based on the background video information for outputting the background video from the center device. A distribution system for distributing background video information,
The music player is
Ranking statistical means for statistically ranking the performance songs selected for each genre;
Based on the rankings statistically calculated by the ranking statistic means, the center device is requested to transmit background video information for outputting background videos associated with genres up to a predetermined upper rank in the genre ranking, and the storage Video transmission requesting means for transmitting a list of background video information already stored in the device , and
The center device is
2. A distribution system comprising: request video transmission means for transmitting background video information requested by the video transmission request means , which is not included in the list, to the music playback device.

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