Karaoke system and karaoke device

Abstract

To transmit appropriate voice to a terminal of the other party in a karaoke system.SOLUTION: In a karaoke system having a remote controller 1 and a karaoke device 2, the remote controller 1 includes: a sound collection microphone 43 for sound-collecting peripheral voice information; a radio LAN communication unit 16 communicating with the karaoke device 2; and a CPU 15 for controlling transmission of the sound-collected peripheral voice information to the karaoke device 2. The karaoke device 2 includes: an acoustic control unit 25 for reproducing performance information; a LAN communication unit 24a for communicating with the remote controller 1 and receiving the peripheral voice information; and a CPU 30 which centralizes and controls each structure. The karaoke device 2 can be communication-connected to a terminal of the other party, such as another karaoke device, and controls switching between transmitting or not transmitting the received peripheral voice information to the terminal of the other party according to a performance situation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a karaoke system having a terminal device and a karaoke device, and to a karaoke device. [Background technology]

[0002] Karaoke machines that allow people to enjoy singing have been used in karaoke booths, snack bars, and other night establishments. Some karaoke machines use their communication functions to distribute songs and play video content. Some also have a function for performing duets by transmitting singing voices between remote locations.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a communication karaoke system in which a master karaoke device and a slave karaoke device are communicably connected via a transmission line, and a duet can be performed between the master karaoke device and the slave karaoke device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2014-235231 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The applicant is considering a system in which singing can be transmitted between karaoke devices connected by communication, as well as a system in which conversation can be conducted. In such a case, it is possible to use a microphone. For example, in the communication karaoke system disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible to use a microphone for singing during conversation.

[0006] In most cases, microphones for singing are handheld, and when used for conversation, they are also handheld, which may cause fatigue. In addition, many microphones for singing have a narrow sound collection range (directivity), and when used by multiple users, the microphone for singing must be passed around between users. Furthermore, since effects such as echo are applied to microphones for singing, the effects are also applied to the voices of conversation, which may make it difficult to have a conversation.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a karaoke system capable of transmitting good conversational voices in a karaoke device connected in communication. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] For this reason, the karaoke system and the karaoke device according to the present invention adopt the following configuration. A karaoke system including a terminal device and a karaoke device, the terminal device including a sound collecting microphone, a first communication unit, and a first control unit, The sound collection microphone collects surrounding sound information, The first communication unit communicates with the karaoke device, the first control unit controls the first communication unit to transmit the ambient sound information collected by the sound collecting microphone to the karaoke device; the karaoke device includes a performance unit, a second communication unit, an audio control unit, and a second control unit, and is communicatively connectable to the other party's terminal; The performance unit reproduces the performance information, The second communication unit enables communication with the terminal device and receives ambient sound information; The audio control unit controls switching between transmitting or not transmitting the ambient sound information received by the second communication unit to the other terminal connected for communication; The second control unit controls switching of the audio control unit according to the performance status of the performance unit.

[0009] Furthermore, in the karaoke system according to the present invention, The karaoke device includes a singing microphone input section, The singing microphone input section is capable of connecting a singing microphone having a narrower sound collection range than the sound collection microphone, The audio control unit controls switching between transmitting or not transmitting singing voice information collected by the singing microphone to the other terminal connected in communication.

[0010] Further, in the karaoke system according to the present invention, The second control unit controls switching between transmitting or not transmitting the ambient sound information input from the sound collection microphone in response to an instruction from the other terminal connected for communication.

[0011] Furthermore, in the karaoke system according to the present invention, The audio control section mixes the singing voice information with the performance information reproduced by the performance section.

[0012] Further, in the karaoke system according to the present invention, The second control unit causes the display unit to display the switching status of the audio control unit.

[0013] Furthermore, in the karaoke system according to the present invention, the second control unit of the karaoke device transmits the switching status of the audio control unit to the terminal device through the second communication unit; The first control unit of the terminal device causes the display unit to display the switching status based on the switching status of the audio control unit received by the first communication unit.

[0014] Furthermore, in the karaoke system according to the present invention, The terminal device has a remote control function that enables control instructions to be given to the karaoke device.

[0015] Further, in the karaoke system according to the present invention, The first control unit of the terminal device is controlled by a voice transmission program, After the voice transmission program is started, the surrounding voice information is transmitted to the karaoke device from the first communication unit, and when the voice transmission program is terminated, the transmission of the surrounding voice information by the first communication unit is interrupted.

[0016] Further, in the karaoke system according to the present invention, When multiple terminal devices are connected to the karaoke device, The karaoke device transmits the ambient sound information received from any one of the terminal devices to the other terminal connected for communication.

[0017] The karaoke device according to the present invention further comprises: A karaoke device capable of communicating with a terminal device, The device includes a performance unit, a communication unit, an audio control unit, and a control unit. The performance unit reproduces the performance information, The communication unit enables communication with the terminal device, The audio control unit controls switching between transmitting or not transmitting the ambient sound information collected by the sound collecting microphone and received by the communication unit to the other terminal connected for communication; The control unit controls switching of the audio control unit according to the performance status of the performance unit. Karaoke equipment.

[0018] The karaoke device according to the present invention further comprises: A karaoke device to which a microphone for collecting surrounding sound information can be connected, the karaoke device includes a performance unit, an audio control unit, and a control unit, and is communicatively connectable to the other party's terminal; The performance unit reproduces the performance information, The audio control unit controls switching between transmitting or not transmitting the ambient sound information collected by the sound collecting microphone to the other terminal connected for communication; The control unit controls switching of the audio control unit according to the performance status of the performance unit. Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to the karaoke system and the karaoke device of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately transmit ambient sound information to a communication connection destination terminal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram showing a communication process according to the present embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 shows a home screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a communication application screen according to the embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a voice transmission process according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a karaoke system according to another embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing a part of a communication process according to another embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a communication application screen according to another embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a karaoke system according to this embodiment. The karaoke system according to this embodiment includes a karaoke device 2 (sometimes called a commander) and a remote control device 1. The karaoke device 2 and the remote control device 1 are communicatively connected to each other to form a network using a LAN 100 and an access point 101.

[0022] The karaoke device 2 installed in a store such as a karaoke booth includes an audio control unit 25 as a performance unit for playing music. The karaoke device 2 also includes an operation unit 21 that receives various inputs from a user. The karaoke device 2 also includes an operation processing unit 22 that interprets the inputs from the operation unit 21 and transmits them to the CPU 30. The karaoke device 2 also includes a hard disk 32 as a storage unit for storing various information. The karaoke device 2 also includes a LAN communication unit 24a as a communication means for connecting to the LAN 100 and joining the network. The karaoke device 2 of this embodiment also includes a wireless LAN communication unit 24b, and instead of a wired network connection using the LAN communication unit 24a, it is also possible to perform a wireless network connection using the wireless LAN communication unit 24b.

[0023] The karaoke device 2 also includes a video playback means for displaying a lyric video and a background video on the monitor 41. This video playback means includes a video playback section 29 for playing back video based on video information, a video RAM 28 for temporarily storing the video to be played back, and a video control section 31 for overlaying lyric captions on the played back video, applying video effects, and the like.

[0024] Furthermore, in this karaoke device 2, various information can be displayed on the touch panel monitor 33 in addition to the monitor 41 connected to the outside. The touch panel monitor 33 is configured by superimposing a display section 35 for displaying video information input from the video control section 31 and a touch panel 34 for outputting a touch input position to the operation processing section 22. This touch panel monitor 33 is disposed on the front of the housing of the karaoke device 2, and functions as an input section similar to the operation section 21 of the karaoke device 2 or the touch panel monitor 11 of the remote control device 1. By selecting a song on the touch panel monitor 33, the user can perform various operations on the karaoke device 2, such as directly reserving the song on the karaoke device 2.

[0025] Furthermore, the karaoke device 2 is provided with a control section including a CPU 30 for controlling each component in an integrated manner, and a memory 27 for temporarily storing information required for executing various programs.

[0026] With this configuration, the karaoke device 2 executes various processes, and the main functions of the karaoke device 2 include song reservation and song playback. The song reservation process is a process for specifying and reserving a song based on an operational instruction from the user, and is executed in cooperation with the remote control device 1. Reservation information including song identification information formed by the song specification process of the remote control device 1 is transmitted to the karaoke device 2. The karaoke device 2 registers the received reservation information in a reservation table in the memory 27. The song playback process is a process for playing a song based on song identification information included in the reservation information registered in the reservation table, and is a process in which the song performance process and the lyric display process are executed synchronously.

[0027] The music performance process is a process for reading out music information based on reservation information registered in the reservation table, and for causing the audio control unit 25 to perform a performance based on the performance information included in the music information. The music played by the audio control unit 25 is output from the speaker 42 together with the singing voice input from the microphones 43a and 43b. The lyrics display process is a process for providing singing assistance by displaying the lyrics information included in the music information on the monitor 41. A background video display process may be executed in which the lyrics displayed in the lyrics display process are superimposed on a background video.

[0028] Meanwhile, the remote control device 1 can search for songs based on an operation instruction from the user, and execute reservation instruction processing, such as transmitting reservation information for a song designated or instructed to be reserved to the karaoke device 2. The remote control device 1 can also receive various information from the karaoke device 2 or a server device 5 connected to the Internet, and execute various processes. In this embodiment, the remote control device 1 includes an operation unit 17 and a touch panel monitor 11 as a user interface for receiving various operation instructions from the user. The touch panel monitor 11 includes a display unit 11a and a touch panel 11b, and displays various interfaces on the display unit 11a, and can receive touch input from the user.

[0029] The remote control device 1 further comprises a memory 14 as a storage unit for storing databases required for music selection processing, various programs, and various information generated with program execution, and a remote control control unit for controlling these components in an integrated manner. The remote control control unit includes a CPU 15, an image control unit 13a for forming images to be displayed on the touch panel monitor 11, an audio control unit 13b, a video RAM 12 for temporarily storing image information to be displayed, and an operation processing unit 18 for interpreting inputs from the touch panel monitor 11 or the operation unit 17 and transmitting them to the CPU 15.

[0030] The remote control device 1 is connected to a network formed by a LAN 100 by being wirelessly connected to an access point 101 via a wireless LAN communication unit 16. In communication using the wireless LAN communication unit 16, the remote control device 1 and the karaoke device 2 can perform two-way communication. Each remote control device 1 is associated with a specific karaoke device 2 at any timing. Various commands output from the remote control device 1 are received by the associated karaoke device 2.

[0031] The remote control device 1 can also perform communication using the infrared communication unit 19. In communication using the infrared communication unit 19, communication between the remote control device 1 and the karaoke device 2 is one-way (from the remote control device 1 to the karaoke device 2). In this embodiment, when communication using the wireless LAN communication unit 16 is not possible, communication using the infrared communication unit 19 is performed.

[0032] With such a configuration of the remote control device 1, various inputs from the user are accepted from the touch panel monitor 11 or the operation unit 17, and various information is provided to the user by the display on the touch panel monitor 11, making it possible to perform various processes, such as a reservation instruction process for transmitting reservation information to be output to the karaoke device 2.

[0033] Further, the remote control device 1 of the present embodiment has a sound collection microphone 43 for collecting surrounding sounds. The sound collection microphone 43 is a microphone that collects sounds around the remote control device 1, and a microphone with a wider sound collection range than the microphones 43a and 43b used in the karaoke device 2 is used.

[0034] In the karaoke system of this embodiment, a communication application is used to connect to another karaoke device 2 (corresponding to the "other party's terminal" of the present invention) for communication and conversation. The sound collection microphone 43 is a microphone provided for collecting the conversation voice when the communication application is used. Here, it is also conceivable to use microphones 43a and 43b (corresponding to the "singing microphone" of the present invention) on the karaoke device 2 side to collect the conversation voice.

[0035] However, when using microphones 43a and 43b, the following problems occur: (1) handheld microphones are used for microphones 43a and 43b, which can be tiring to use while holding them in your hands; (2) microphones with a narrow sound collection range are used, which limits the sound collection range and makes them unsuitable for collecting conversational voices; (3) an effect (echo) is applied to the audio information collected by microphones 43a and 43b in acoustic control unit 25, making it difficult to hear during conversation; and (4) the audio information collected by microphones 43a and 43b is output from speaker 42, which can cause howling.

[0036] Therefore, in this embodiment, the sound collection microphone 43 provided on the remote control device 1 is used to collect the sound of the conversation, which makes it possible to eliminate the above-mentioned problems (1) to (4) etc. Also, when using the communication app, the singing voice (singing voice information) collected by the microphones 43a and 43b and the conversation voice (ambient voice information) collected by the sound collection microphone 43 are switched and transmitted to the other party's terminal such as another karaoke device 2, making it possible to appropriately transmit the singing voice information and the ambient voice information to the other party's terminal.

[0037] Fig. 2 is a flow diagram showing communication processing according to this embodiment. The communication processing is started by executing a communication application on the remote control device 1 (S101). In Fig. 2, the karaoke device 2a and the remote control device 1 are used in the same room and are associated with each other. The karaoke device 2b is a karaoke device in another room or connected via the Internet. In the communication processing, a conversation can be held between a user using the karaoke device 2a and a user using the karaoke device 2b.

[0038] 3 is a diagram showing a home screen of the remote control device 1 according to this embodiment. On the home screen, search buttons 111a to 111f for searching to select a song, application buttons 113a to 113c for selecting an application, video selection buttons 114a to 114d for playing a video on the karaoke device 2, etc. are arranged. By selecting the application button 113a displayed on the home screen, communication processing is started.

[0039] When an instruction to start a communication application is given by selecting the application button 113a (S101), the remote control device 1 starts the communication application (S102). Then, the remote control device 1 transmits the start instruction to the associated karaoke device 2a. The karaoke device 2a that receives the start instruction starts the communication application on the karaoke device side (S201). In the communication process, the communication application on the remote control device 1 and the communication application on the karaoke device side of the karaoke device 2a cooperate with each other to execute the process.

[0040] The remote control device 1 issues a connection instruction to the karaoke device 2b as the communication destination using the user interface displayed on the touch panel monitor 11 (S103). To specify the communication destination, identification information for identifying the karaoke device 2b as the communication destination can be input, or, if the remote control device 1 is provided with a camera, the identification information can be read by the camera.

[0041] Upon receiving the connection instruction, the karaoke device 2a transmits a connection request to the karaoke device 2b (S202) and initiates a communication connection with the karaoke device 2b (S203). The other party, the karaoke device 2b, also initiates a communication connection with the karaoke device 2a (S251). In this embodiment, the karaoke device 2a transmits the connection request, but it is also possible for the karaoke device 2b to make the connection request. In this case, the karaoke device 2a waits with its communication application running, waiting for a connection request from the karaoke device 2b.

[0042] Fig. 4 shows communication application screens according to this embodiment. These communication application screens are screens after communication connection has been established, and display information about the communication connection and various buttons for operating available functions. A back button 115 is a button that is operated to return to the home screen of Fig. 3. A connection status 116 is a notation that indicates the state of the communication connection, and in the state shown in the figure, it is shown to be "connected".

[0043] The sound collection microphone switching button 118 is a notation indicating the state of the sound collection microphone 43, and is used to select which of the remote control devices 1 to use the sound collection microphone 43 of when multiple remote control devices 1 are used. By touching the sound collection microphone switching button 118, it is possible to switch the usage state of the sound collection microphone 43 in the remote control device 1. The use of multiple remote control devices 1 will be described in the second modified example.

[0044] The all mute button 120 is an operator for muting the ambient sound information and singing voice information in the karaoke device 2a. For example, when a situation arises in which a call needs to be answered while singing karaoke, the all mute button 120 can be operated to stop the transmission of the ambient sound information and singing voice information to the karaoke device 2b as the other terminal, and the output of the singing voice information to the speaker 42. The remote control device 1 transmits an all mute command to the karaoke device 2a, and the karaoke device 2a mutes both the ambient sound information and the singing voice information.

[0045] In this embodiment, even when the full mute is activated, the remote control device 1 continues to transmit the ambient sound information to the karaoke device 2a. Alternatively, when the full mute is activated, the remote control device 1 may stop transmitting the ambient sound information to the karaoke device 2a.

[0046] The audio information received from the karaoke device 2b as the other terminal is output from the speaker 42, and the volume of the audio information can be adjusted by the volume buttons 119a and 119b. The participant display button 121 is an operator for displaying information about the karaoke device 2b as the other terminal of the communication process or the user using the karaoke device 2b by operating the button. Specifically, a list of terminals participating in an event using a communication app or participants is displayed on the remote control device 1. When the remote control device 1 is the host of an event, it is possible to permit participation in the event, refuse participation, mute, and force exit for each of the displayed terminals participating in the event. The exit button 122 is an operator for issuing an instruction to cut off the communication connection and to terminate the communication app. The connection information 117 is a field in which various information related to the communication process is displayed, and in this embodiment, the name of the user using the karaoke device 2b as the other terminal of the communication, the start of the communication connection, and the scheduled end date and time are displayed.

[0047] As described above, in the communication process of the present embodiment, the remote control device 1 transmits ambient sound information to the karaoke device 2a. The karaoke device 2a transmits ambient sound information or singing sound information to the karaoke device 2b, which is the communication partner, by executing the sound transmission process (S300).

[0048] 5 is a flow diagram showing the voice transmission process (S300) according to this embodiment. The karaoke device 2a receives ambient voice information from the remote control device 1, and during singing, singing voice information is input from the microphones 43a and 43b. In this embodiment, the karaoke device 2a transmits ambient voice information or singing voice information according to the performance status of the karaoke device 2a. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to transmit appropriate voice information according to the status to the karaoke device 2b, which is the communication partner.

[0049] In the voice transmission process (S300), the performance status of the karaoke device 2a is acquired (S301). If the performance status is in performance (S302: Yes), the karaoke device 2a transmits singing voice information to the karaoke device 2b (S303). The singing voice information transmitted in this embodiment is provided with effects such as echo in the acoustic control unit 25. Then, the performance information and the singing voice information performed in the acoustic control unit 25 are mixed. In addition to this form, the karaoke device 2b that receives the singing voice information may provide effects, or the karaoke device 2a may transmit the singing voice information without mixing the performance information and the singing voice information, and the karaoke device 2b may play the performance information in synchronization with the received singing voice information.

[0050] On the other hand, if the performance status is not being performed (S302: No), the karaoke device 2a transmits ambient sound information to the karaoke device 2b (S304). Note that no effects such as echo are applied to the ambient sound information transmitted in this embodiment. The ambient sound information is used for conversation with the karaoke device 2b, so by not applying any effects, it is possible to transmit clear conversation sounds to the karaoke device 2b.

[0051] In the voice transmission process (S300), if a disconnection instruction or an end instruction is given (S305: Yes), the voice transmission process is terminated. On the other hand, while the voice transmission process (S300) is continuing, the performance status is continuously acquired, and singing voice information is transmitted (S303) or surrounding voice information is transmitted (S304) according to the acquired performance status.

[0052] In this way, in the voice transmission process of this embodiment, the singing voice information is transmitted (S303) or the surrounding voice information is transmitted (S304) depending on the performance situation, so that karaoke and conversation can be appropriately performed between the other terminal (the karaoke device 2b in this case) using the karaoke system. In particular, when a karaoke lesson is performed using the karaoke system, for example, by distributing a singing instructor at the other terminal (the karaoke device 2b in this case), the user on the karaoke device 2a side can appropriately receive guidance through karaoke and conversation.

[0053] In the communication process of Fig. 2 and the voice transmission process of Fig. 5, the ambient sound information and singing voice information are transmitted from the karaoke device 2a to the karaoke device 2b, but it is also possible for the karaoke device 2b to transmit the ambient sound information and singing voice information to the karaoke device 2a. The ambient sound information and singing voice information transmitted from the karaoke device 2b are reproduced by the acoustic control unit 25 and output as sounds from the speaker 42.

[0054] When the exit button 122 on the home screen described in FIG. 3 is operated, it is determined that there is a disconnection instruction and an instruction to end the communication application (S105: Yes), and the remote control device 1 transmits the disconnection instruction to the karaoke device 2a. The karaoke device 2a that receives the disconnection instruction executes disconnection of communication with the karaoke device 2b that is connected to the karaoke device 2a (S204) and ends the communication application on the karaoke device side (S205). The karaoke device 2b (the other party's terminal) ends the communication application based on the fact that the communication with the karaoke device 2a has been cut off (S252). At that time, the karaoke device 2b (or the remote control device 1 associated therewith) may display an error indicating that there is no connection destination. The disconnection of communication between the karaoke devices 2a and 2b and the end of the communication application may be performed on the condition that the scheduled end date and time set at the time of reservation or the like has arrived.

[0055] On the other hand, when the disconnection instruction is issued (S105: Yes), the remote control device 1 stops transmitting the ambient sound information to the karaoke device 2a (S106) and terminates the communication application (S107).

[0056] The communication process executed in the karaoke system of this embodiment has been described above, but in this communication process, by communicating with the other terminal connected for communication (the karaoke device 2b in the case of FIG. 2), it becomes possible to enjoy conversation and karaoke between the karaoke device 2a and the karaoke device 2b. In this case, since the ambient sound information and singing sound information are switched according to the performance situation, it is possible to transmit an appropriate sound according to the situation on the karaoke device 2a side to the karaoke device 2b.

[0057] Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described as a modified example. The modified examples described below can be substituted for or applied to the components of the karaoke system, the remote control device 1, and the karaoke device 2 described above.

[0058] (First Modification) 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a karaoke system according to another embodiment. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the remote control device 1 is provided with a sound collection microphone 43, but the first modified example is different in that a separate sound collection microphone 43 is provided. In this case, the sound collection microphone 43 is connected by wire to the karaoke device 2, and is placed, for example, in a place where the remote control device 1 is used, or in the vicinity of a user listening to karaoke. As the sound collection microphone 43, a boundary microphone with a wide sound collection range, which is used in meetings, etc., may be used.

[0059] In the karaoke device 2, the ambient sound information and the singing sound information are switched and transmitted according to the performance situation, as in the case described in the voice transmission process of Fig. 5. In this manner, in the first modified example, instead of being provided in the remote control device 1, a separate sound collection microphone 43 is provided. Note that the sound collection microphone 43 and the karaoke device 2 may be connected wirelessly instead of being connected by wire.

[0060] (Second Modification) 7 is a flow diagram showing (a part of) communication processing according to another embodiment. In the second modified example, a plurality of remote control devices 1a to 1c are associated with the karaoke device 2. For example, in a large karaoke room, the karaoke device 2 may be operated from multiple points by using the plurality of remote control devices 1a to 1c in this manner.

[0061] In this way, when multiple remote control devices 1a-1c are used, if each of the remote control devices 1a-1c collects the surrounding sound, it is possible that howling may occur or that it may become difficult for the communication connection destination to hear the surrounding sound information. Therefore, in the second modification, a configuration is adopted in which any one of the remote control devices 1a-1c transmits the surrounding sound information to the karaoke device 2.

[0062] In a situation where a plurality of remote control devices 1a to 1c are being used, the sound collection microphone switching button 118 of the remote control device 1a in which the sound collection microphone 43 is being used is displayed in the state shown in Fig. 4. On the other hand, the sound collection microphone switching button 118 of the remote control devices 1b and 1c in which the sound collection microphone 43 is not being used is displayed with a line drawn through it, as shown in Fig. 8.

[0063] 7, the remote control device 1a is initially transmitting ambient sound information (S121). In this state, when a sound collection microphone start instruction (S131) ​​is given on the remote control device 1b by operating the sound collection microphone switch button 118 in FIG. 8, the remote control device 1b first transmits a first instruction to the karaoke device 2.

[0064] When the lined-out sound collection microphone switching button 118 on the remote control device 1b is touched, that is, when an instruction to start the sound collection microphone 43 is given (S131), the remote control device 1b transmits a first instruction to the karaoke device 2. The karaoke device 2 that receives the first instruction transmits an instruction to stop all sound collection microphones to all the associated remote control devices 1a to 1c (S211). The remote control device 1a that is transmitting ambient sound information receives the instruction to stop all sound collection microphones and stops transmitting the ambient sound information (S122). Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the sound collection microphone switching button 118 of the remote control device 1a changes its display to a lined-out state representing mute (S123).

[0065] On the other hand, since the remote control devices 1b and 1c do not transmit surrounding audio information, there is no change in state even when they receive the instruction to stop all sound collection microphones. Next, the remote control device 1b that transmitted the instruction to start sound collection microphones transmits a second instruction to the karaoke device 2. This second instruction may be transmitted on the condition that an instruction to stop all sound collection microphones is received from the karaoke device 2. The karaoke device 2 that receives the second instruction transmits an instruction to start sound collection microphones to the remote control device 1b (S212). The remote control device 1b that receives the instruction to start sound collection microphones starts transmitting surrounding audio information (S132), and changes the display of the sound collection microphone switch button 118 of the remote control device 1b to a display indicating that the sound collection microphone 43 is being used (S133), as shown in FIG. 4.

[0066] In this way, when multiple remote control devices 1a-1c are used, any one of the remote control devices 1a-1c transmits ambient sound information to the karaoke device 2. This makes it possible to prevent problems such as howling or difficulty in hearing ambient sound information at the communication connection destination. In addition, in this second modification, after once transmitting an instruction to stop all sound collection microphones, a sound collection microphone start instruction is transmitted to the target remote control device 1b, which eliminates the need for communication between the remote control devices 1a-1c and allows for a simple configuration.

[0067] In the second modified example described in Fig. 7, the ambient audio information is transmitted by one of the remote control devices 1a-1c, but the ambient audio information may be controlled by the karaoke device 2. For example, all the remote control devices 1a-1c may transmit the ambient audio information to the karaoke device 2, and the karaoke device 2 may transmit the ambient audio information of the selected remote control device 1a-1c to the other terminal. In this way, whether the ambient audio information is controlled by the remote control devices 1a-1c or the ambient audio information is controlled by the karaoke device 2, the karaoke device 2 can transmit the ambient audio information received by any one of the remote control devices 1a-1c.

[0068] (Third Modification) In the above embodiment, the sound collection microphone 43 is described as being mounted on the remote control device 1 having a remote control function. In addition to this embodiment, the sound collection microphone 43 may be provided on a terminal device that does not have a remote control function.

[0069] (Fourth Modification) In the communication process described in Fig. 2, the remote control device 1 transmits ambient sound information to the karaoke device 2a during the period from the connection instruction (S103) to the disconnection instruction (S105). Instead of this configuration, the ambient sound information transmitted by the remote control device 1 may be transmitted to the karaoke device 2a during the period from starting (S102) the communication app to ending (S107). Also, instead of transmitting the ambient sound information constantly during communication (or starting the communication app), the remote control device 1 may stop transmitting the ambient sound information to the karaoke device 2a when the sound collection microphone 43 is switched to an inactive state by operating the all mute button 120, for example.

[0070] (Fifth Modification) 2, the case where the karaoke machine 2b is used as the terminal to be connected for communication (corresponding to the "other terminal" of the present invention) is described. The other terminal to be connected for communication can be not only the karaoke machine 2, but also various information processing devices with communication functions such as personal computers, game devices, tablet terminals, smartphones, etc.

[0071] (Sixth Modification) In the above embodiment, the side using the sound collecting microphone 43 can switch between transmitting and not transmitting the surrounding sound information by operating the all mute button 120. Switching between transmitting and not transmitting the surrounding sound information may be controlled according to an instruction from the other terminal connected for communication.

[0072] The above describes the karaoke system of this embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the karaoke system, and the karaoke device 2, the remote control device 1, or the programs executed by them that constitute the karaoke system also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1 (1a to 1c): Remote control device 30: CPU 2 (2a, 2b): Karaoke device 31: Video control unit 5: Server device 32: Hard disk 11: Touch panel monitor 33: Touch panel monitor 11a: Display unit 34: Touch panel 11b: Touch panel 35: Display unit 12: Video RAM 41: Monitor 13a: Video control unit 42: Speaker 13b: Sound control unit 43: Sound collection microphone 14: Memory 43a, 43b: Microphone (for singing) 15:CPU 101:Access point 16: Wireless LAN communication section 111a to 111f: Search button 17: Operation section 113a to 113c: Application buttons 18: Operation processing unit 114a to 114d: Video selection buttons 19: Infrared communication unit 115: Back button 21: Operation unit 116: Connection status 22: Operation processing unit 117: Connection information 24a: LAN communication unit 118: Sound collection microphone switch button 24b: Wireless LAN communication unit 119a, 119b: Volume buttons 25: Sound control unit 120: All mute button 27: Memory 121: Participant display button 28: Video RAM 122: Exit button 29: Video playback section

Claims

1. A karaoke system including a terminal device and a karaoke device, the terminal device including a sound collecting microphone, a first communication unit, and a first control unit, The sound collection microphone collects surrounding sound information, The first communication unit communicates with the karaoke device, the first control unit controls the first communication unit to transmit the ambient sound information collected by the sound collecting microphone to the karaoke device; the karaoke device includes a performance section, a second communication section, an audio control section, and a second control section, and is communicatively connectable to the other party's terminal; The performance unit reproduces the performance information, The second communication unit enables communication with the terminal device and receives ambient sound information; The audio control unit controls switching between transmitting or not transmitting the ambient sound information received by the second communication unit to the other terminal connected in communication; The second control unit controls switching of the audio control unit in response to a performance state of the performance unit. Karaoke system.

2. The karaoke device includes a singing microphone input section, The singing microphone input section is capable of connecting a singing microphone having a narrower sound collection range than the sound collection microphone, The audio control unit controls switching between transmitting or not transmitting singing voice information collected by the singing microphone to the other terminal connected for communication.

2. The karaoke system according to claim 1.

3. The second control unit controls switching between transmitting or not transmitting the ambient sound information input from the sound collecting microphone in response to an instruction from the other terminal connected for communication.

2. The karaoke system according to claim 1.

4. The audio control unit mixes the singing voice information and the performance information reproduced by the performance unit.

3. The karaoke system according to claim 2.

5. The second control unit causes the display unit to display the switching status of the audio control unit.

2. The karaoke system according to claim 1.

6. the second control unit of the karaoke device transmits the switching status of the audio control unit to the terminal device through the second communication unit; The first control unit of the terminal device causes the display unit to display the switching status based on the switching status of the audio control unit received by the first communication unit.

2. The karaoke system according to claim 1

7. The terminal device is provided with a remote control function that can issue control instructions to the karaoke device.

2. The karaoke system according to claim 1.

8. The first control unit of the terminal device is controlled by a voice transmission program, After the voice transmission program is started, the surrounding voice information is transmitted to the karaoke device from the first communication unit, and when the voice transmission program is terminated, the transmission of the surrounding voice information by the first communication unit is interrupted.

2. The karaoke system according to claim 1.

9. When multiple terminal devices are connected to the karaoke device, The karaoke device transmits the surrounding sound information received from any one of the terminal devices to the other terminal connected for communication.

2. The karaoke system according to claim 1.

10. A karaoke device capable of communicating with a terminal device, The device includes a performance unit, a communication unit, an audio control unit, and a control unit. The performance unit reproduces the performance information, The communication unit enables communication with the terminal device, The audio control unit controls switching between transmitting or not transmitting the ambient sound information collected by the sound collecting microphone and received by the communication unit to the other terminal connected for communication; The control unit controls switching of the audio control unit according to the performance status of the performance unit. Karaoke equipment.

11. A karaoke device to which a microphone for collecting surrounding sound information can be connected, the karaoke device includes a performance unit, an audio control unit, and a control unit, and is communicatively connectable to the other party's terminal; The performance unit reproduces the performance information, The audio control unit controls switching between transmitting or not transmitting the ambient sound information collected by the sound collecting microphone to the other terminal connected for communication; The control unit controls switching of the audio control unit according to the performance status of the performance unit. Karaoke equipment.

Images