JPH11184482A - Karaoke device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the KARAOKE device which can fade a text telop in and out, line by line, by using conventional music data. SOLUTION: When music data are read out of a hard disk to a RAM 12, data of a text track are inspected and rewritten. When a display event data display displaying a character string textstring of the text telop is read out, it is inspected whether or not there is fade-in event data in synchronism with the display start timing or erasure timing of the text telop. When not, fade-in event data and fade-out event data are generated and inserted in the timing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a karaoke apparatus for displaying and erasing lyrics telops by fade-in and fade-out.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A general karaoke apparatus is provided with a monitor such as a CRT, and superimposes the lyrics of the karaoke song on a background image and displays the lyrics on the monitor in parallel with the performance of the karaoke song. In a sound source karaoke apparatus that drives a sound source with music data, the lyric data is also included in the music data. The image is superimposed on a background image such as a ROM and displayed on a monitor. Usually, two to four lines of lyrics are displayed at the same time, and one or two lines are switched to the next lyrics as the song progresses. The display of lyrics can be made natural and easy to see by starting display with fade-in and erasing with fade-out.

[0003]

However, the video mixer circuit of the conventional karaoke apparatus cannot fade-in and fade-out on a part of the screen, but only fades the entire screen. Is 2
When a line is displayed, if only one of the lines is erased, only that one line cannot be faded out.
There was no other way but to erase it suddenly. Also, when one line of lyrics is displayed, even if another line is to be displayed, this line cannot be displayed in a fade-in manner, and only a simple display can be started.

As described above, in the conventional video mixer circuit,
Since there is a drawback that the lyric telop cannot be switched smoothly, a video mixer circuit has been proposed in which a partial area can be separated from the screen and only that area can be faded in and out. With this device, even when lyrics are displayed in a plurality of lines, fade-in / fade-out can be performed for each line.

However, music data distributed to the karaoke apparatus is partially displayed when a plurality of lines of lyrics telops are displayed so that the music data can be played on a conventional karaoke apparatus having only the entire screen fade function. It is not described that only rows are faded. Therefore, there is a problem that even when the above-mentioned advanced video mixer circuit is used, the fade function of the above-mentioned partial area is wasted when performing karaoke with general music data.

On the other hand, if music data is produced so that only a part of the lyrics telop is faded, there is a problem that it is not possible to perform with a conventional karaoke apparatus. In addition, producing music data that can be performed by both a conventional karaoke apparatus and a karaoke apparatus partially using a fade function requires a lot of trouble and increases the data amount.

According to the present invention, lyrics telops are faded in and out line by line using music data for a conventional karaoke apparatus.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a karaoke device that can fade out.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a screen display control means for fading in and out of a part of a screen, and lyrics display data for displaying a plurality of lines of lyrics telop on the screen are provided. Storage means for storing music data including the music data, performance means for playing a karaoke song using the music data, display start timing of each lyrics telop of the lyrics display data when playing a karaoke song using the music data, At the erase timing, it is determined whether fade data indicating a fade-in and fade data indicating a fade-out have been written, and if the fade data has not been written, the fade corresponding to a predetermined position in the lyrics display data is determined. Editing means for inserting data.

[0009] The invention of claim 2 of this application is characterized in that the editing means is executed for all songs before the performance means starts to play a karaoke song.

[0010]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a karaoke apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The karaoke apparatus generates a karaoke performance sound by driving a sound source with music data for karaoke performance, generates a lyrics telop based on the lyrics display data included in the music data, and displays it on the monitor 32 together with the background video. Lyric telops are displayed on the monitor in two to four lines. In this karaoke apparatus, the display can be started / erased by fade-in / fade-out for each line.

In FIG. 1, a karaoke apparatus includes a sound source for forming a performance sound signal and a PC for decoding audio data.
It has a karaoke performance section 21 including an M decoder, and the karaoke performance section 21 generates a karaoke performance sound based on music data. The lyrics and background video are displayed on the monitor 32 in synchronization with the karaoke performance. Music data for performing karaoke songs is stored on the hard disk 17 or CD-
It is stored in the ROM.

The CPU 10 for controlling the entire karaoke apparatus includes a ROM 11, a RAM 12, a hard disk 17, a communication control unit 16, a commander receiving unit 13, an operation unit 14, a display unit 15, a graphic circuit 18, a video mixer 20, a karaoke performance unit 21. And CD-ROM changer 31
Is connected.

The ROM 11 stores a program for starting the karaoke apparatus, and the like. The hard disk 17 stores the above-described music data, video data, and the like, as well as programs such as a system program, a karaoke performance program, a loader, and character pattern data. The system program is a program for controlling the basic operation of the apparatus, and is read into the RAM 12 when the karaoke apparatus is started. The karaoke performance program includes a karaoke performance section 2 based on music data.
1 is a program for controlling the program. The loader is a program for downloading music data and video data for a background video from a distribution center. The character pattern data is data for developing text information such as lyrics and song titles given as code information into character patterns. In the RAM 12, an area for reading the program and an execution data storage area for reading music data currently being played are set.

The communication control unit 16 is a controller for communicating with a distribution center via a communication line and downloading music data and the like. The communication control unit 16 has a built-in DMA circuit, and can directly write the downloaded music data and video data to the hard disk 17 without passing through the CPU 10.

The commander receiving section 13 receives the infrared signal sent from the commander 30 and restores the data. The commander 30 includes a plurality of key switches such as a numeric keypad for inputting a song number and a set key for setting a song number. When the user operates these key switches, the commander 30 transmits an infrared code signal corresponding to the operated key switches. Commander receiver 1
3 receives this infrared code signal, restores it to data, and inputs it to the CPU 10. The CPU 10 executes various processes such as reservation of karaoke songs and key changes based on the data. The operation unit 14 is provided on a front panel of the karaoke apparatus main body, and includes the same key switches as those of the commander 30. The display unit 15 is also the operation unit 1
Like FIG. 4, it is provided on the front panel of the main body of the karaoke apparatus, and includes an LED matrix display for displaying the number of the currently playing music or the number of reserved music.

The karaoke performance section 21 is a circuit section for generating karaoke performance sounds based on music data.
It includes a CM decoder, an effect DSP, and the like. The sound source generates a tone based on the tone track in the music data,
The PCM decoder reproduces audio such as back chorus based on audio data of music data. The effect DSP gives effects such as echo reverb to the generated musical sound and reproduced sound. A microphone 34 is connected to the karaoke performance section, and the singing voice signal input from the microphone 34 and the karaoke performance sound are mixed and output from the speaker 33.

On the other hand, the graphic circuit 18 has a VRAM, and develops a character pattern on the VRAM based on the lyrics display data read from the lyrics track of the music data to convert it into a video signal. The video signal of this character pattern is input to the video mixer 20 and is displayed on the monitor 3 as lyrics telop.
2 is displayed. The CD-ROM changer 31 drives a CD-ROM on which a background image is recorded, and
The background video is reproduced according to the instruction of. Although the video data of the CD-ROM is MPEG-compressed, the CD-ROM changer 31 expands this video data and inputs it to the video mixer 20 as a composite video signal.

The video mixer 20 superimposes the video signal of the lyrics telop on the video signal of the background video input from the CD-ROM changer 31, and
To be displayed. The video mixer 20 has a partial fade function, and can fade-in and fade-out the lyrics telop displayed on the background video,
When a lyrics telop of a plurality of lines is displayed, only a part of the lines can be faded in or out. Note that only the lyrics telop is faded in / out, and the background video is always displayed. The fade function is controlled based on the mixing control data input from the CPU 10. The mixing control data is generated based on fade data read from the lyrics track.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of music data used in the karaoke apparatus. The music data is composed of a header, a musical sound track, a lyrics track, an audio control track, an effect control track, and an audio data section. The header is a portion in which various data relating to the music data is written, and includes data such as a music number, a music title, a genre, a release date, and a music performance time. Each song data is identified by a song number.

Each of the musical sound track, the lyrics track, the voice control track, and the effect control track is MIDI.
It is described in the format. The MIDI format is originally a format for describing data for musical tone control such as a musical tone track. However, in order to describe all data in a unified format and to facilitate implementation, tracks other than musical tone are also written in the MIDI format. Has been described. A track in the MIDI format includes a plurality of event data and timing data for instructing a read timing of each event data. When performing a karaoke song, the plurality of tracks are read out in parallel. In each track, the value of the timing data is counted by a predetermined tempo clock, and when this value is counted up, the event data indicated by the timing data is read. The read event data is output to a predetermined operation unit, and a corresponding process is executed in the operation unit.

The musical sound track is composed of a plurality of tracks such as a melody track and a rhythm track.
The event data of the musical tone track includes note-on event data for instructing the generation of musical tones, and note-off event data for instructing the silencing of musical tones.

The event data of the audio control track is data indicating the audio data of the audio data section. When the event data is read, the audio data indicated by the data is transmitted to the PCM decoder of the karaoke performance section 21. Is input to The voice data is data obtained by digitizing a human voice such as a back chorus which is difficult to synthesize with a sound source.

The event data of the effect control track is data for controlling the operation of the effect DSP included in the karaoke performance section 21.
The data consists of data indicating the type and degree of the effect to be applied to the singing voice signal input from the PC. This data is input to the effect DSP.

Lyric track data (lyric display data)
Is described in a format as shown in FIG. 3 (A) or FIG. 3 (B). The lyrics display data shown in FIG. 3A is data that can be used by a conventional karaoke apparatus as it is distributed from the distribution center. FIG. 2B shows data rewritten so as to partially use the fade function in the karaoke apparatus.

The lyrics display data and the lyrics telop displayed on the monitor will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the lyrics track and a timing chart of display switching by the lyrics track. FIG. 4 shows a monitor 3 based on the lyrics track data.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display mode of No. 2;

According to the lyrics track data, the display on the monitor 32 changes as follows. 2 lines of lyrics textstring from a screen with only background video (FIG. 4A)
1 and textstring 2 are displayed simultaneously (FIG. 4
(B)). After elapse of t1, only textstring1 is erased (FIG. 4C), and thereafter (after elapse of T1) the same z
textstring3 is displayed in one1 (FIG. 4
(D)). Textstr after elapse of t3 from the start of this display
ing3 and textstring2 are simultaneously erased (FIG. 4E).

The screen of the monitor 32 is composed of 480 dots in the y direction (vertical direction) (FIG. 4B).
), Each dot row is represented by a y-coordinate value of 0 to 479. The video mixer 20 having a partial fade function can fade in / fade out only a horizontal band-like partial area (zone) in the screen. The zone is specified by the y coordinate value at the upper end and the y coordinate value at the lower end, and the range is arbitrary. For example, if the upper y coordinate value is 0 and the lower y coordinate value is 479, the entire range of the monitor is specified. In a normal Japanese karaoke song, lyrics telops are displayed in two lines, and the range of y-coordinates in which each lyrics telop is displayed is assumed to be zone 1 and zone 2.

A conventional lyric track usable in a karaoke apparatus which does not have a partial fade function is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3A, duration data duration is data indicating a time interval between event data.
With a parameter T indicating the time interval. The fade event data “fade” is event data for instructing fade-in and fade-out of the lyrics telop.
It is accompanied by a parameter in / out indicating whether the image is fade-in or fade-out, and a time parameter f indicating the time required for the fade. The display event data display is event data for instructing the display of a lyrics telop, and includes data of a position (x, y coordinate values) at which the lyrics are displayed, a time t at which the lyrics are displayed, and a character string textstring at which the lyrics are to be displayed. Accompanied by Note that the display event data may include a parameter indicating a display mode such as a display color or a character type.

FIG. 3 (C) shows the change of the lyrics display according to the lyrics display data of FIG. 3 (A) in chronological order. During the karaoke performance, the background image is always displayed on the monitor 32. Then, when the time of T0 elapses from the start according to the duration data 101, textstring1 and textstring are faded in.
The lyrics of g2 are displayed. That is, the fade event data 102 has the same timing as the display event data 103 and 104 (without interposing the duration data).
Since they have been written, they are executed simultaneously. t
extstring1 is displayed only for time t1, and texstring1 is displayed.
tstring2 is displayed only for the time t2. FIG.
As shown in (C), t2 is longer than t1.
The display position of each textstring is represented by x and y coordinates on the screen (see FIG. 4B). In this description, the area where textstring1 is displayed is zone1 and textstring is simplified.
The area where g2 is displayed is described as zone2.
textstring1 is deleted when t1 has elapsed, but textstring2 is still displayed at this time. Therefore, no fade event data is written here, and after the lapse of t1, textstring
g1 is suddenly deleted as it is. Then, the previous event (textstr) is generated by the duration data 105.
After a lapse of T1 (> t1) from the display start of ing1), textstring3 is displayed in the same zone1 as the position where textstring1 was displayed (display event data 106, see FIG. 4D). The display start of this textstring3 is te
Since xtstring2 is performed in a state where it is displayed, the fade function cannot be used, and the display is suddenly performed. Then, this textstring3 and textstring
Since the erase timing of g2 is the same, fade-out is performed simultaneously with the fade-out data 108 (FIG. 4).
(E)).

On the other hand, FIG. 3 (B) and FIG. 3 (D) show the lyrics track data and timing chart rewritten by the karaoke apparatus so as to use the partial fade function.
By this rewriting, the fade event data fade
Are in / out, fade time f
In addition, a zone parameter indicating the area to be faded is added, and it is possible to instruct to fade only the area specified by this zone. By using this, FIG. 4 (B) → (C)
In a state where textstring 2 is displayed as shown in FIG.
textstring1 with the partial fade function of one1
Can be erased by fade-out, and FIG.
Even at the start of the display of textstring 3 of (C) → (D), t is displayed using the partial fade function of zone1.
While displaying textstring2, textstr
Only ing3 can be faded in.

In order to realize such fade-out and fade-in, the karaoke apparatus processes the lyrics track shown in FIG. 3A as shown in FIG. 3B. First, the fade area of the fade event data 102 is set to all (all)
To be specified. The first fade-in is for all lyrics subtitles (textstring1, textstring2)
Is displayed at the same time, all the lyrics telops are started to fade in. Then, in accordance with the erasing timing of one of the lyrics telop textstring2, a zon is set as a fade-out area.
e1 inserts the designated fade data 202. Duration data 201 of time Ta is inserted between the display event data 103 and the fade data in order to match the above-mentioned erasing timing. Then, in order to control the display timing of the lyrics telop textstring 3 to be the same as the first, the duration data 105
Is obtained by subtracting the Ta from T1.
Change to Ta. And lyrics telop textstri
The fade event data 203 is inserted at the same timing as the display event data of ng3. The fade event data 203 is data for instructing fade-in, and the fade area is a lyrics telop textstring.
zone1 where g3 is displayed is specified. The last fade data 108 is the lyrics telop te
Since xtstring2 and textstring3 are erased at the same time, all (entire) is designated as a fade area.

By editing in this manner, it is possible to display all the lyrics telops in a fade-in / fade-out manner.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the karaoke apparatus. When there is a request (s1), the storage address of the music data is searched (s2), a portion other than the lyrics track is read (s3), and written to the execution data storage area of the RAM 12 (s4). Next, the lyrics tracks are sequentially read (s5). When the display event data display of the lyrics track is read, it is searched whether or not the fade event data fade exists in synchronization with the display start timing and the deletion timing of the event data (s10, s12). If there is no fade event data synchronized with the display start timing (s10), fade event data designating fade-in is inserted before or after the display event data (s11). If there is no fade event data in synchronization with the erase timing, the subsequent duration data is divided (s13) so that fade-out is performed in accordance with the erase timing, and fade event data for instructing fade-out is inserted at the division point. Do (s
14). This insertion method is as described with reference to FIG. The data subjected to the above processing is written in the execution data storage area of the RAM 12 (s7), and the above processing is repeated until the data of the lyrics track is completed (s8).
When this process ends, the karaoke performance starts.

The rewritten data is deleted from the RAM 12 when the performance of the karaoke tune is completed, and the data stored in the hard disk 17 is always versatile downloaded tune data.

In the above description, the case where the lyrics telop is displayed up to two lines at the same time and only one of them is faded in / fade out has been described.
If a fade-out is possible, the processing may be performed so that the fade events of a plurality of areas do not overlap. If a plurality of fade events overlap, for example, if fade-ins overlap or fade-outs overlap, rewriting may be performed so that both timings fade together within a range that does not greatly shift.

If the video mixer 20 has a function of simultaneously fading a plurality of partial areas, three or more lines of lyrics telop are displayed, and one or two lines are faded separately. Can also.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the fade times of the fade events are all the same f1, but may be different from each other. In this case, the fade time of the newly inserted fade event data may be an average of the fade times of the original fade event data before and after.

The fade time may be determined according to the type of music such as the genre of the music data. For example, a method of slowly performing enka songs (longer fade time) and a shorter time of pops (decreasing fade time) can be considered.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, even when a plurality of lyrics telops are displayed, it is possible to perform fade-in and fade-out on a line-by-line basis. The lyrics can be displayed more easily using the music data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a karaoke apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of music data used in the karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the contents of a lyrics track of the music data.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a change in a lyrics telop on a monitor of the karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the karaoke apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

18: Graphic circuit, 20: Video mixer, 32: Monitor

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] February 24, 1998

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Brief description of drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a karaoke apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of music data used in the karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the contents of a lyrics track of the music data.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a change in the lyrics telop on the monitor of the karaoke apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the karaoke apparatus.

[Description of Signs] 18 ... Graphic Circuit, 20 ... Video Mixer, 32 ... Monitor

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A screen display control means for fading in and out of a part of a screen; a storage means for storing music data including lyrics display data for displaying a plurality of lines of lyrics telops on the screen; Playing means for playing a karaoke song using the song data; and when playing the karaoke song using the song data, fade data and fade-out for instructing a fade-in at a display start timing and a delete timing of each lyrics telop of the lyrics display data, respectively. Editing means for judging whether or not fade data indicating the instruction has been written, and if the fade data has not been written, inserting the corresponding fade data at a predetermined position in the lyrics display data. A karaoke apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said editing means is executed for all music pieces before the performance means starts playing a karaoke music piece.