Karaoke apparatus

Abstract

To provide a karaoke device which enables training for skillfully performing karaoke singing even when emitting a harmony voice.SOLUTION: The karaoke device includes a data storage unit that stores harmony data, a difficulty level setting unit that sets a difficulty level for a singing section other than a predetermined singing section of a song selected by a user, a data generation unit that generates training data, a sound emission processing unit that causes a sound emission unit to emit a harmony voice based on the training data in accordance with a karaoke performance of the song, a score processing unit that obtains score values of the predetermined singing section and the other singing section, and a performance processing unit that stops the karaoke performance of the song when the score values of the other singing section with respect to the score value of the predetermined singing section do not satisfy a criterion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a karaoke machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Karaoke machines have the function of emitting harmony voices in sync with the singing voice of the user, thereby enhancing the musical effect of karaoke singing.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for producing harmony sounds using the singer's voice by shifting the pitch of vocal sounds. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-143180 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, some users may find it difficult to sing well due to the harmony voices being emitted.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a karaoke machine that allows training for good karaoke singing even when harmony voices are being produced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above object, one invention includes a data storage unit that stores harmony data in which, for each note name included in a scale, a difficulty level indicating the difficulty of training to sing karaoke while emitting harmony voices is associated with at least one harmony note name that is different from the note name; a difficulty setting unit that sets a difficulty level for singing sections other than a predetermined singing section for a song selected by a user; and a data storage unit that stores harmony data in which the note names included in the scale of the song, the harmony note names associated with the set difficulty level, and the note names and octaves of each note included in reference data for the song. a data generating unit that generates training data for setting a harmony pitch indicating the pitch of a harmony voice for each note in the other singing sections based on a number; a sound emitting processing unit that causes a sound emitting means to emit a harmony voice based on the training data in time with a karaoke performance of the song; a scoring processing unit that calculates a score for the specified singing section and the other singing sections in the karaoke singing of the song by the user; and a performance processing unit that stops the karaoke performance of the song if the score for the other singing sections relative to the score for the specified singing section does not satisfy a standard. Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, even when harmony voices are produced, training for good karaoke singing is possible. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a karaoke device according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing a karaoke machine main body according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing reference data according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing harmony data according to the embodiment. [Figure 5]4 is a flowchart showing the process of the karaoke device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the difficulty level for each singing section according to another embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating training data according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] <Embodiment> A karaoke device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0011] ==Karaoke Equipment== The karaoke device K is a device for performing karaoke music and for singers to sing karaoke. As shown in Fig. 1, the karaoke device K includes a karaoke main unit 10, a speaker 20, a display device 30, a microphone 40, and a remote control device 50.

[0012] The karaoke machine main unit 10 performs various controls related to karaoke performance and singing, such as controlling the karaoke performance of the selected song, controlling the display of lyrics and background images, and processing audio signals input through the microphone 40. The speaker 20 is configured to emit sound based on a sound emission signal from the karaoke machine main unit 10. The speaker 20 is an example of a "sound emission means." A speaker (not shown) installed in the karaoke room or other room where the karaoke machine K is installed may also be used as the "sound emission means." The display device 30 is configured to display videos and images on a screen based on a signal from the karaoke machine main unit 10. The microphone 40 is configured to convert the user's singing voice into an analog audio signal and input it to the karaoke machine main unit 10. The remote control device 50 is a device for performing various operations on the karaoke machine main unit 10.

[0013] 2, the karaoke machine 10 according to this embodiment includes a storage unit 10a, a communication unit 10b, an input unit 10c, a performance unit 10d, and a control unit 10e. Each component is connected to a bus B via an interface (not shown).

[0014] [Storage means] The storage means 10a is a large-capacity storage device that stores various types of data, including music data.

[0015] The music data includes music identification information for identifying each individual piece of music. The music identification information is information unique to each piece of music, such as a music ID for identifying the piece of music. The music data includes accompaniment data, reference data, section information, scale data, etc.

[0016] The accompaniment data is the data that forms the basis of the karaoke performance sound. The reference data is data that indicates the singing melody of the song that is performed karaoke, and is used when scoring the user's karaoke singing. The reference data is composed of multiple notes (i.e., musical notes), and for each note, a note number, a predetermined pitch (i.e., reference pitch), a sound start (so-called note-on) time, and a sound end (so-called note-off) time are set. The note number indicates the order of the notes. For example, the note number corresponding to the first note of a song is "1." The reference pitch is indicated by a note name and an octave number. For example, the note name of the reference pitch "C4" is "C" and the octave number is "4." The sound start time and sound end time are indicated as times that are relative to the start of the karaoke performance of the song (time 0).

[0017] The section information indicates a performance section. A performance section is a section where karaoke is performed. A performance section includes a singing section and a non-singing section. A singing section is a section in a song where lyrics to be sung are set (for example, the A melody, B melody, and chorus of the first verse). A non-singing section is a section in a song where lyrics to be sung are not set, such as an introduction, interlude, or postlude. The scale data is data indicating a scale that starts from the default key of the song. For example, the scale data for "C major" consists of seven notes: "C," "D," "E," "F," "G," "A," and "B."

[0018] Figure 3 is an example of reference data for song X. For example, note No. 28 of song X has a reference pitch of "C4," an onset time of "16000 msec," and an end time of "16750 msec," while note No. 55 has a reference pitch of "E4," an onset time of "45000 msec," and an end time of "45500 msec."

[0019] In this embodiment, a part of the storage area of ​​the storage means 10 a functions as a data storage unit 100 .

[0020] (Data storage unit) The data storage unit 100 stores harmony data, which is data in which a difficulty level and at least one harmony note name are associated with each note name included in one scale.

[0021] The difficulty level indicates the difficulty of training to sing karaoke while emitting harmony voices. For example, the difficulty level can be indicated on a four-level scale, with "4" being the most difficult and "1" being the easiest.

[0022] A harmony note is a note that is different from the first note in the first scale. The more difficult the scale, the more harmony notes can be associated.

[0023] 4 shows an example of harmony data. For example, four difficulty levels, "1" to "4," are associated with the note "C" included in the scale "C major." Difficulty level "1" is associated with one harmony note "E" that is different from the note "C." Difficulty level "2" is associated with two harmony note names "E" and "G" that are different from the note "C." Difficulty level "3" is associated with three harmony note names "D," "E," and "G" that are different from the note "C." Difficulty level "4" is associated with four harmony note names "D," "E," "G♭," and "G" that are different from the note "C."

[0024] 4, as the difficulty level increases (as the difficulty level number increases), one harmony note name is added. For example, at difficulty level "1," a harmony note name that is a third above the note name, which is a basic odd degree, is associated with the note name. At difficulty level "2," in addition to the harmony note name that is a third above the note name, a harmony note name that is a fifth above the note name, which is a basic odd degree, is associated with the note name. At difficulty level "3," in addition to the harmony note names that are a third above and a fifth above the note name, a harmony note name that is a second above the note name, which is an unstable even degree, is associated with the note name. At difficulty level "4," in addition to the harmony note names that are a second above, a third above, and a fifth above the note name, a harmony note name that is a diminished fifth above the note name, which is a tritone (which creates a dissonant tone for the note name and is also called "the devil's harmony"), is associated with the note name. In other words, as the difficulty level increases, harmony voices (described below) are generated that make it more difficult for the user to sing karaoke at a pitch that matches the standard pitch of the reference data.

[0025] The storage means 10a stores lyric data for displaying lyrics corresponding to each song on the display device 30 or the like in sync with the karaoke performance, background image data such as background images to be displayed on the display device 30 or the like during the karaoke performance, and attribute information of the song (song title, singer name, genre, performance time, etc.).

[0026] [Communication means / input means] The communication means 10b provides an interface for communicating with the remote control device 50. The input means 10c is configured to allow the user to input various operations. The input means 10c is a button or the like provided on the karaoke machine main unit 10. Alternatively, the remote control device 50 may function as the input means 10c.

[0027] [Means of performance] Based on the control of the control means 10e, the performance means 10d performs karaoke performance of music pieces and processes audio signals input through the microphone 40. The performance means 10d includes a sound source, a mixer, an amplifier, etc. (none of which are shown).

[0028] [Control means] The control means 10e performs various controls in the karaoke device K. The control means 10e includes a CPU and a memory (neither of which is shown). The CPU executes programs stored in the memory to realize various functions.

[0029] In this embodiment, the CPU executes a program stored in the memory, causing the control means 10e to function as a difficulty level setting unit 200, a data generation unit 300, a sound emission processing unit 400, a scoring processing unit 500, and a performance processing unit 600.

[0030] (Difficulty setting part) The difficulty level setting unit 200 sets the difficulty level for the singing sections other than the predetermined singing section for the song selected by the user.

[0031] The predetermined singing section is a section in which harmony voices are not emitted. In other words, during the predetermined singing section, the user sings karaoke alone. The other singing sections are singing sections other than the predetermined singing section, in which harmony voices are emitted. The predetermined singing section is a singing section that precedes the other singing sections.

[0032] The difficulty level setting unit 200 can determine the predetermined singing section and other singing sections according to the section information of the selected song. For example, if the performance sections of the selected song are an introduction, an A-melody of the first verse, a B-melody of the first verse, a chorus of the first verse, an interlude, an A-melody of the second verse, a B-melody of the second verse, a chorus of the second verse, an interlude, a chorus of the third verse, and an epilogue, the difficulty level setting unit 200 can determine the "A-melody of the first verse," "B-melody of the first verse," and "chorus of the first verse" as the predetermined singing sections, and the other singing sections as other singing sections.

[0033] The difficulty level setting unit 200 can also determine a plurality of other singing sections. For example, in the above example, the difficulty level setting unit 200 can determine the "verse verse of the first verse," "verse verse of the first verse," and "chorus of the first verse" as predetermined singing sections, and the "verse verse of the second verse," "verse verse of the second verse," "chorus of the second verse," and "chorus of the third verse" as other singing sections (i.e., four other singing sections).

[0034] The difficulty level setting unit 200 sets a difficulty level for the determined other singing sections. The difficulty level is set according to the difficulty level associated with the harmony data stored in the data storage unit 100. For example, in the case of harmony data associated with four difficulty levels as shown in Fig. 4, the difficulty level setting unit 200 sets one of the four difficulty levels for the other singing sections.

[0035] Furthermore, when multiple other singing sections are determined, the difficulty level setting unit 200 can set a difficulty level for each of the multiple other singing sections. The set difficulty levels may be the same or different. For example, in the above example, the difficulty level setting unit 200 can set the same difficulty level of "2" for each of the "Version of the Second Verse," "Body Verse of the Second Verse," "Chorus of the Second Verse," and "Chorus of the Third Verse." Furthermore, the difficulty level setting unit 200 can set a difficulty level of "1" for the "Version of the Second Verse" and the "Body Verse of the Second Verse," a difficulty level of "3" for the "Chorus of the Second Verse," and a difficulty level of "4" for the "Chorus of the Third Verse."

[0036] Furthermore, when setting different difficulty levels, the difficulty level setting unit 200 can set the difficulty level of a second singing section, which is a singing section that comes after a first singing section, to be higher than the difficulty level of the first singing section among the multiple other singing sections. For example, in the above example, the difficulty level setting unit 200 can set a difficulty level of "1" for the "A-verse of the second verse," a difficulty level of "2" for the "B-verse of the second verse," a difficulty level of "3" for the "Chorus of the second verse," and a difficulty level of "4" for the "Chorus of the third verse."

[0037] (Data Generation Section) The data generating unit 300 generates training data. The training data is data for training the user to sing karaoke well even when emitting harmony voices.

[0038] The training data is data that sets harmony pitches, which indicate the pitch of harmony voices, for each note in the other singing sections. The harmony pitches can be determined based on the note names included in the scale of the song, the harmony note names associated with the set difficulty level, and the note names and octave numbers of each note included in the reference data for the song.

[0039] For example, if the note name included in the scale of a song is "C," the harmony note name associated with the set difficulty level is "E," and the note name and octave number of a note included in the song's reference data are "C4," the harmony pitch of that note will be "E4" (details will be provided later).

[0040] (Sound emission processing unit) The sound emitting processing unit 400 causes the sound emitting means to emit harmony sounds based on the training data in time with the karaoke performance of the music piece.

[0041] The sound emission processing unit 400 emits the karaoke performance of the music piece based on the accompaniment data, the singing voice of the user singing karaoke, and the harmony voice based on the training data from the speaker 20. The harmony voice can be generated by correcting the singing pitch of the user's singing voice based on the harmony pitch using known technology.

[0042] (Scoring processing unit) The scoring processor 500 calculates the score for a predetermined singing section and other singing sections of the karaoke singing of a song by the user.

[0043] Known techniques can be used to score karaoke singing. For example, the scoring processor 500 extracts pitch data from the singing voice signal input from the microphone 40 and compares it with reference data for the song to determine the degree of match between the pitches of each note. Based on the results of this determination, the scoring processor 500 calculates score values ​​for the specified singing section and other singing sections. The score values ​​can be expressed as a numerical value ranging from 0 to 100 points, for example. Each time the scoring processor 500 calculates a score value, it outputs the score value to the performance processor 600.

[0044] Specifically, the scoring processor 500 judges a note included in a certain singing section as passing if the degree of pitch agreement is within ±50 cents, and judges the note as failing if it is not within ±50 cents. After judging all notes included in a certain singing section as passing or failing, the scoring processor 500 calculates a score for the certain singing section by dividing the number of notes judged as passing by the total number of notes included in the certain singing section and multiplying the result by 100. For example, if the number of notes judged as passing is "80" and the total number of notes included in the certain singing section is "100," the scoring processor 500 calculates a score of "80 points" for the certain singing section.

[0045] If there are multiple other singing sections, the scoring processor 500 calculates a score for each of the other singing sections.

[0046] (Performance processing unit) The performance processing unit 600 controls the performance means 10d to perform karaoke performance of the music piece selected by the user.

[0047] The performance processing unit 600 reads out the accompaniment data of the song selected by the user from the storage unit 10a based on the song identification information of the song. The performance processing unit 600 controls the performance unit 10d to perform karaoke based on the accompaniment data, and causes the speaker 20 to emit karaoke performance sounds.

[0048] Here, the performance processing unit 600 according to this embodiment stops the karaoke performance of the song when the score value of a predetermined singing section relative to the score value of other singing sections does not satisfy a criterion.

[0049] The criteria are used to determine whether or not to stop the karaoke performance of a song. The criteria may be preset, for example, when "the score of a specific singing section is higher than the score of another singing section" or "the score of another singing section exceeds the score of the specific singing section by a predetermined value (e.g., 0.5) or more."

[0050] When the score values ​​of the other singing sections are output from the score processing unit 500, the performance processing unit 600 determines whether the score values ​​of the other singing sections relative to the score value of the predetermined singing section satisfy a criterion. If it is determined that the criterion is not satisfied, the performance processing unit 600 stops the karaoke performance of the song.

[0051] Furthermore, when there are multiple other singing sections, the performance processing unit 600 can stop the karaoke performance of the song if the criteria are not met a predetermined number of times. The predetermined number is used to determine whether to stop the karaoke performance. The predetermined number is set to a value smaller than the number of other singing sections that have been set.

[0052] ==About the operation of the Karaoke device K== Next, a specific example of the operation of the karaoke device K in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the karaoke device K. Figure 6 shows another example of the difficulty level for each singing section set by the difficulty level setting unit 200. Figure 7 shows an example of training data generated by the data generating unit 300. In this example, it is assumed that the data storage unit 100 stores the harmony data shown in Figure 4.

[0053] The user operates the remote control device 50 to select the song they wish to sing and the content "Devil's Harmony" that can be executed on the karaoke device K. "Devil's Harmony" is content for training to enable them to sing karaoke well even when emitting harmony voices.

[0054] The difficulty level setting unit 200 sets the difficulty level for the other singing sections excluding the predetermined singing section for the song selected by the user (setting the difficulty level for the other singing sections; step 10).

[0055] The data generating unit 300 generates training data in which harmony pitches indicating the pitch of the harmony voice are set for each note in the other singing sections based on the note names included in the scale of the selected song, the harmony note names associated with the difficulty level set in step 10, and the note names and octave numbers of each note included in the reference data of the selected song (generate training data; step 11).

[0056] Thereafter, the performance processing unit 600 starts the karaoke performance of the selected song (start karaoke performance; step 12).

[0057] The scoring processing unit 500 calculates the score for a predetermined singing section of the karaoke singing of the song by the user (calculating the score for the predetermined singing section; step 13).

[0058] When performing karaoke for another singing section, the sound emission processing unit 400 causes the speaker 20 to emit harmony voices based on the training data in time with the karaoke performance of the selected song (emit harmony voices; step 14).

[0059] The scoring processing unit 500 calculates the score values ​​of the other singing sections of the karaoke singing of the song by the user (calculating the score values ​​of the other singing sections; step 15).

[0060] If the score value of the other singing sections relative to the score value of the predetermined singing section does not satisfy the criteria (Y in step 16), the performance processing unit 600 stops the karaoke performance of the song (stop karaoke performance of song; step 17).

[0061] The karaoke device K repeats the processes from step 14 to step 16 until the karaoke performance of the selected piece of music is completed (until Y in step 18).

[0062] Specifically, the user operates remote control device 50 to select song X that the user desires to sing and content "Devil's Harmony" executable on karaoke device K. The performance section of song X is assumed to be an introduction, an A-verse of the first verse, a B-verse of the first verse, the chorus of the first verse, an interlude, an A-verse of the second verse, a B-verse of the second verse, the chorus of the second verse, an interlude, a chorus of the third verse, and an end. That is, the singing section is assumed to be an A-verse of the first verse, a B-verse of the first verse, the chorus of the first verse, an A-verse of the second verse, a B-verse of the second verse, the chorus of the second verse, and the chorus of the third verse. Furthermore, note No. 28 to note No. 41 of song X are included in the A-verse of the second verse of song X, and note No. 42 to note No. 55 are included in the B-verse of the second verse of song X. Furthermore, the scale of song X is assumed to be "C major." The criterion is also assumed to be "the score of a specific singing section is higher than the score of other singing sections."

[0063] The difficulty setting unit 200 determines, according to the section information of the song X, the "first verse A melody," "first verse B melody," and "first verse chorus" as the predetermined singing sections PS, the "second verse A melody" as another singing section SS1, the "second verse B melody" as another singing section SS2, the "second verse chorus" as another singing section SS3, and the "third verse chorus" as another singing section SS4.

[0064] The difficulty level setting unit 200 sets a difficulty level of "1" for the other singing section SS1, a difficulty level of "2" for the other singing section SS2, a difficulty level of "3" for the other singing section SS3, and a difficulty level of "4" for the other singing section SS4 (see FIG. 6), according to the four difficulty levels associated with the scale "C major" in the harmony data (see FIG. 4) stored in the data storage unit 100. In this example, of the multiple other singing sections SS1 to SS4, the difficulty level of the second singing section, which is the singing section that follows the first singing section, is set to be higher than the difficulty level of the first singing section. For example, the difficulty level of "2" for the other singing section SS2 (an example of the second singing section) is higher than the difficulty level of "1" for the other singing section SS1 (an example of the first singing section).

[0065] Next, based on the harmony data stored in the data storage unit 100, the data generating unit 300 sets harmony pitches for each note (note No. 28 to note No. 41) included in the other singing section SS1.

[0066] Here, the scale of the song X is "C major," and the difficulty level of the other singing section SS1 is "1."

[0067] Furthermore, the note name and octave number of note No. 28 are "C4" (see FIG. 3), and the harmony note name associated with the note name "C" of the scale "C major" with a difficulty level of "1" is "E" (see FIG. 4). Therefore, the data generating unit 300 sets a harmony pitch of "E4" for note No. 28.

[0068] Furthermore, the note name and octave number of note No. 29 are "E4" (see FIG. 3), and the harmony note name associated with the note name "E" of the scale "C major" with a difficulty level of "1" is "G" (see FIG. 4). Therefore, the data generating unit 300 sets a harmony pitch of "G4" for note No. 29.

[0069] Similarly, the data generation unit 300 sets the harmony pitch for note No. 30 to "B4", for note No. 31 to "G4", and for note No. 41 to "E4", thereby setting harmony pitches for each note in the other singing sections SS1.

[0070] Next, based on the harmony data stored in the data storage unit 100, the data generating unit 300 sets harmony pitches for each note (note No. 42 to note No. 55) included in the other singing section SS2.

[0071] Here, the scale of the song X is "C major," and the difficulty level of the other singing section SS2 is "2."

[0072] Furthermore, the note name and octave number of note No. 42 are "C4" (see FIG. 3), and the harmony note names associated with the note name "C" in the scale "C major" with a difficulty level of "2" are "E" and "G" (see FIG. 4). Therefore, the data generating unit 300 sets the harmony pitches of "E4" and "G4" for note No. 42.

[0073] Furthermore, the note name and octave number of note No. 43 are "E4" (see FIG. 3), and the harmony note names associated with the note name "E" of the scale "C major" with a difficulty level of "2" are "G" and "B" (see FIG. 4). Therefore, the data generating unit 300 sets the harmony pitches of "G4" and "B4" for note No. 43.

[0074] Similarly, the data generation unit 300 sets harmony pitches of "B4" and "D4" for note No. 44, "B4" and "D4" for note No. 45, and "G4" and "B4" for note No. 55, thereby setting harmony pitches for each note in the other singing sections SS2.

[0075] The data generating unit 300 performs similar processing on the other singing sections SS3 and SS4 to generate training data T (see FIG. 7).

[0076] Thereafter, the performance processing unit 600 starts the karaoke performance of the song X.

[0077] The scoring processor 500 calculates a score for a predetermined singing section PS for the user's karaoke singing of the song X. In this example, it is assumed that a score of "90 points" is calculated for the predetermined singing section PS.

[0078] When performing karaoke for another singing section SS1, the sound emission processing unit 400 causes the speaker 20 to emit harmony voices based on the training data T in time with the karaoke performance of the song X.

[0079] The scoring processor 500 calculates the score of the other singing section SS1 for the user's karaoke singing of the song X. In this example, it is assumed that the score of the other singing section SS1 is calculated to be "91 points."

[0080] In this case, the score values ​​of the other singing sections relative to the score value of the predetermined singing section satisfy the criteria, so the performance processing unit 600 does not stop the karaoke performance of the song X.

[0081] Next, when performing karaoke for another singing section SS2, the sound emission processing unit 400 causes the speaker 20 to emit harmony voices based on the training data T in time with the karaoke performance of the song X.

[0082] The scoring processor 500 calculates the score of the other singing section SS2 for the user's karaoke singing of the song X. In this example, it is assumed that the score of the other singing section SS2 is calculated to be "89 points."

[0083] In this case, the score value of the other singing sections relative to the score value of the predetermined singing section does not satisfy the criteria, so the performance processing unit 600 stops the karaoke performance of the song X.

[0084] 7, the number of harmony pitches, i.e., the number of harmony voices emitted, increases as the singing section of the song X approaches the latter half of the training data T. The greater the number of harmony voices, the more likely the user is to be influenced by the harmony pitches, resulting in a lower score.

[0085] As is clear from the above, the karaoke device K according to this embodiment includes a data storage unit 100 that stores harmony data in which, for each note name included in a scale, a difficulty level indicating the difficulty of training to sing karaoke while emitting harmony voices is associated with at least one harmony note name that is different from the note name; a difficulty level setting unit 200 that sets a difficulty level for singing sections other than a predetermined singing section for a song selected by a user; and a data storage unit 100 that stores harmony data in which, for each note name included in a scale, a difficulty level indicating the difficulty of training to sing karaoke while emitting harmony voices is associated with at least one harmony note name that is different from the note name; The system includes a data generating unit (300) that generates training data for setting harmony pitches indicating the pitch of harmony voices for each note in other singing sections based on the note names and octave numbers of the notes; a sound emission processing unit (400) that emits harmony voices based on the training data from a speaker (20) in time with the karaoke performance of the song; a scoring processing unit (500) that calculates score values ​​for a predetermined singing section and other singing sections when the user sings the song karaoke; and a performance processing unit (600) that stops the karaoke performance of the song when the score value of the other singing sections relative to the score value of the predetermined singing section does not satisfy a standard.

[0086] This karaoke device K can output harmony voices in time with the karaoke performance using training data in which at least one harmony pitch is set for each note. A user can train by singing karaoke while being conscious of not being influenced by the output harmony voices. If a user is influenced by the harmony voices, the score will deviate significantly from the score for the specified singing section (i.e., the score based on karaoke singing without the harmony voices being output). In this case, the karaoke device K will stop the karaoke performance of the song, allowing the user to start training again. In other words, the karaoke device K of this embodiment allows training for good karaoke singing even when the harmony voices are output.

[0087] Furthermore, the difficulty level setting section 200 of the karaoke device K according to this embodiment can set a difficulty level for each of a plurality of other singing sections. With this karaoke device K, training can be carried out for each of the other singing sections.

[0088] Furthermore, the difficulty level setting unit 200 of the karaoke device K according to this embodiment can set the difficulty level of a second singing section, which is a singing section that comes after a first singing section, to be higher than the difficulty level of a first singing section among a plurality of other singing sections. With this karaoke device K, the difficulty level increases as the song progresses, which enhances the game-like nature of training.

[0089] Furthermore, the performance processing unit 600 of the karaoke device K according to this embodiment can stop the karaoke performance of a song if the criteria are not met a predetermined number of times. With this karaoke device K, even if a person is distracted by the harmony voices being emitted, the person can continue training, thereby improving the efficiency of training.

[0090] <Modification> In the example embodiment, if the karaoke performance of a certain song is stopped, the user can resume training by selecting a new song. However, if the difficulty level is not set to suit the user, the efficiency of the training will decrease.

[0091] Therefore, in this modified example, when the karaoke performance of a song is stopped, the difficulty level setting unit 200 can change the difficulty level set for the singing section corresponding to the time when the karaoke performance was stopped to a lower level.

[0092] For example, in the embodiment, suppose that the karaoke performance is stopped during another singing section SS2 of song X. In this case, the difficulty level setting unit 200 can change the difficulty level "2" set for the other singing section SS2 of song X to a lower difficulty level of "1." Note that the change in difficulty level is not limited to one level. For example, if the preset difficulty level is "3," the difficulty level setting unit 200 may change the difficulty level to "1."

[0093] As is clear from the above, in the karaoke device K according to this modification, when the karaoke performance of a song is stopped, the difficulty level setting unit 200 can change the difficulty level set for the singing section corresponding to the point in time when the karaoke performance of the song was stopped to a lower difficulty level. This karaoke device K can further improve the efficiency of training.

[0094] <Other> The program can also be supplied to a computer using a non-transitory computer-readable medium with an executable program stored thereon. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), etc.

[0095] The above-described embodiments are presented as examples and do not limit the scope of the invention. The above configurations can be implemented in appropriate combinations, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The above-described embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 100 Data storage unit 200 Difficulty setting section 300 Data Generation Unit 400 Sound emission processing section 500 Scoring Processing Unit 600 performance processing unit K Karaoke equipment

Claims

1. a data storage unit for storing harmony data in which, for each note name included in one scale, a difficulty level indicating the difficulty of training to sing karaoke while emitting harmony voices is associated with at least one harmony note name that is different from the note name; a difficulty level setting unit that sets a difficulty level for singing sections other than a predetermined singing section for a song selected by a user; a data generating unit that generates training data in which harmony pitches indicating the pitches of harmony voices are set for each note in the other singing sections based on the note names included in the scale of the music piece, the harmony note names associated with the set difficulty level, and the note names and octave numbers of each note included in the reference data of the music piece; a sound emission processing unit that emits harmony sounds based on the training data from a sound emission means in accordance with the karaoke performance of the song; a scoring processing unit that calculates scores for the predetermined singing section and the other singing sections of the karaoke singing of the song by the user; a performance processing unit that stops the karaoke performance of the song when the score value of the other singing section relative to the score value of the predetermined singing section does not satisfy a criterion; A karaoke device having:

2. 2. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the difficulty level setting unit sets a difficulty level for each of the plurality of other singing sections.

3. 3. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the difficulty level setting unit sets the difficulty level of a second singing section, which is a singing section subsequent to a first singing section, to be higher than the difficulty level of a first singing section among the plurality of other singing sections.

4. 3. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the performance processing unit stops the karaoke performance of the song when the criteria are not met a predetermined number of times.

5. 5. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the karaoke performance of the song is stopped, the difficulty level setting unit changes the difficulty level set for the singing section corresponding to the point in time when the karaoke performance of the song is stopped to a lower difficulty level.

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