Karaoke system

Abstract

This system provides a karaoke system that makes the remote control device's operation screen easier to view. [Solution] The karaoke system 1, which includes a remote control device R and a karaoke device K, has an acquisition unit that acquires the brightness of the karaoke room KR, a setting unit that sets the screen brightness at predetermined intervals based on the acquired brightness of the karaoke room KR and the video brightness, and a brightness adjustment unit that adjusts the brightness of the operation screen of the remote control device R based on the set screen brightness.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a karaoke system.

Background Art

[0002] A user who performs karaoke singing selects a song or the like using a remote control device. The remote control device is driven by a built-in battery.

[0003] Here, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for commanding to reduce the illuminance of indoor lighting in accordance with a decrease in the voltage value of a battery, and reducing the brightness of the backlight of a touch panel screen in accordance with the indoor illuminance detected by a light sensor mounted on the main body of the remote control device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The operation screen of the remote control device is set to a brightness on the premise that it is used in a bright place.

[0006] By the way, a user who performs karaoke singing may darken the inside of the karaoke room in order to enjoy a background image such as their own video. Here, for example, when a bright background image is displayed in a dark karaoke room, for a user using the remote control device, the light from the operation screen is felt to be slightly dazzling, so the operation screen becomes difficult to see. On the other hand, when a dark background image is displayed in a dark karaoke room, since the inside of the karaoke room is dark in the first place, for a user using the remote control device, the light from the operation screen is felt to be quite dazzling, so the operation screen becomes even more difficult to see.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a karaoke system that makes the operation screen of the remote control device easier to view. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One invention for achieving the above objective is a karaoke system comprising: an acquisition unit for acquiring the brightness of a karaoke room in which a karaoke machine is installed; a setting unit for setting a screen brightness indicating the brightness of the operation screen of a remote control device for each predetermined section based on the acquired brightness of the karaoke room and the video brightness indicating the brightness of each predetermined section of background video corresponding to the song played by the karaoke machine; and a brightness adjustment unit for adjusting the brightness of the operation screen of the remote control device based on the set screen brightness. Other features of the present invention will be revealed in the specification and drawings described below. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the operation screen of the remote control device can be made easier to view. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing a karaoke system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing a karaoke device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing a karaoke machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows the video brightness of the music according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows a table defining the correspondence between video brightness and screen brightness according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows a remote control device according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the karaoke system according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows the screen brightness set according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] <Embodiment> A karaoke system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8.

[0012] ==Karaoke System== A karaoke system is a system for singing karaoke. A karaoke system includes a remote control device and a karaoke machine. The remote control device is used to perform various operations on the karaoke machine. The karaoke machine is used to play karaoke versions of songs.

[0013] The remote control device is paired with the karaoke machine. Known methods can be used for pairing. Once paired, the remote control device can communicate with the karaoke machine. The remote control device is, for example, located in the same karaoke room as the karaoke machine.

[0014] A dimmer is a device used to adjust the brightness of a karaoke room where a karaoke machine and remote control are installed. The dimmer is connected to the karaoke system communicatively by wire or wireless connection. Various configurations of dimmers can be used. For example, a dimmer has an operating handle that can be rotated from the 6 o'clock position to the 4 o'clock position on a clock face. When a light-emitting diode is used as the light source, the dimmer's power supply is at its lower limit when the operating handle is at the 6 o'clock position (dimming level "0"), and at its rated value when the operating handle is at the 4 o'clock position (dimming level "100") (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-186712 for details). Such a dimmer can output a value from 0 to 100 as the dimming level, depending on the operating position of the operating handle. In this embodiment, the dimming level corresponds to the "brightness of the karaoke room".

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the karaoke system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a remote control device R and a karaoke device K. The remote control device R and the karaoke device K are placed in the karaoke room KR. The remote control device R is paired with the karaoke device K. Further, a dimmer D is installed in the karaoke room KR. The dimmer D includes the operation handle as described above, and outputs a dimming level according to the operation position of the operation handle. The dimmer D is communicably connected to the karaoke system 1.

[0016] ==Karaoke Device K== As shown in FIG. 2, the karaoke device K includes a karaoke main body 10, a speaker 20, a display device 30, and a microphone 40.

[0017] The karaoke main body 10 performs various controls related to karaoke performance and karaoke singing, such as karaoke performance control of the selected music, display control of lyrics, background images, etc., and processing of the audio signal input through the microphone 40. The speaker 20 is configured to emit sound based on the sound emission signal from the karaoke main body 10. The display device 30 is configured to display video and images on the screen based on the signal from the karaoke main body 10. The microphone 40 is configured to convert the singing voice of the user's karaoke singing into an analog audio signal and input it to the karaoke main body 10.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the karaoke main body 10 according to the present embodiment includes a storage means 10a, a communication means 10b, an input means 10c, a performance means 10d, and a control means 10e. Each component is connected to the bus B via an interface (not shown).

[0019] [Storage Means] The storage means 10a is a large-capacity storage device that stores various data. The storage means 10a stores music data.

[0020] The song data is accompanied by song identification information. This song identification information is unique to each song, such as a user ID used to identify the song. The song data includes accompaniment data, reference data, etc. The accompaniment data is the data that forms the basis of the karaoke performance sound. The reference data is data that shows the singing melody of the song performed in karaoke, and is used when evaluating the user's karaoke performance.

[0021] The storage means 10a stores lyric data for displaying the lyrics corresponding to each song on the display device 30 in sync with the karaoke performance, background video data such as background images displayed on the display device 30 during karaoke performance, the performance time of the song, and attribute information of the song (song title, artist name, genre, etc.).

[0022] The background video data according to this embodiment includes video luminance, which indicates the brightness of each predetermined section of the background video. The predetermined section is defined based on a pre-set standard. For example, the predetermined section is defined every second, with the start of playback being 0. The video luminance is the average value of the brightness of the video in the predetermined section. For example, if the predetermined section is "1 second", the video luminance is the average value of the brightness of the background video displayed in 1 second. The video luminance can be represented by a value from 0 to 100, for example.

[0023] The video brightness may be included in the background video data, or it may be associated with the song as separate data (i.e., video brightness data). Alternatively, the setting unit 200 (described later) may calculate the video brightness based on the background video data each time karaoke is played.

[0024] Figure 4 shows an example of video brightness for song X. In this example, the predetermined interval is "1 second". Video brightness is represented by a value between 0 and 100. For example, the video brightness 2 seconds after the start of the performance (0 seconds) is "67". In other words, in this example, the average brightness of the background video displayed from 1 second after the start of the performance to 2 seconds is defined as "67".

[0025] Furthermore, the storage means 10a according to this embodiment stores a table that defines the correspondence between video brightness and screen brightness. Screen brightness indicates the brightness of the operation screen of the remote control device. Screen brightness can be represented, for example, by a numerical value from 0 (minimum) to 100 (maximum).

[0026] Figure 5 shows an example of a table. In this example, when the video brightness is "less than 20", the screen brightness is set to "35". On the other hand, when the video brightness is "80 or higher", the screen brightness is set to "70". Note that the screen brightness set in the table is a value smaller than a predetermined value that is pre-set as the screen brightness of the operation screen of the remote control device R, which will be described later.

[0027] [Communication methods / Input methods] Communication means 10b provides an interface for communicating with the remote control device R. Input means 10c is configured for the user to perform various operations. Input means 10c are buttons, etc., provided on the karaoke unit 10.

[0028] [Means of performance] The performance means 10d performs karaoke performance of a song and processes the audio signal input through the microphone 40, based on the control of the control means 10e. The performance means 10d includes a sound source, mixer, amplifier, etc. (none of which are shown in the figure).

[0029] [Control means] The control means 10e performs various controls on the karaoke machine K. The control means 10e includes a CPU and memory (neither of which are shown in the figure). The CPU realizes various functions by executing programs stored in the memory.

[0030] In this embodiment, the control means 10e functions as an acquisition unit 100 and a setting unit 200 by executing a program stored in memory when the CPU is executed.

[0031] (Acquisition Department) The acquisition unit 100 acquires the brightness of the karaoke room where the karaoke equipment is installed.

[0032] For example, when trying to obtain the brightness of karaoke room KR, the acquisition unit 100 requests the dimmer D to transmit the dimming level. The dimmer D outputs the dimming level value at the time requested by the acquisition unit 100 and transmits it to the karaoke device K. The acquisition unit 100 acquires the received dimming level as the brightness of karaoke room KR. If the dimming level is changed by the user after the dimming level value has been transmitted, the dimmer D outputs the new dimming level value and transmits it to the karaoke device K. The acquisition unit 100 acquires the brightness of the karaoke room each time it receives a dimming level from the dimmer D.

[0033] Furthermore, the brightness of the karaoke room is not limited to the dimming level of the dimmer. For example, a light sensor can be provided in the karaoke machine K or the remote control device R to detect the brightness of the karaoke room KR. In this case, the acquisition unit 100 can acquire the brightness of the karaoke room where the karaoke machine K is installed according to the value from the light sensor.

[0034] (Settings section) The setting unit 200 sets the screen brightness, which indicates the brightness of the operation screen of the remote control device, for each predetermined section based on the acquired brightness of the karaoke room and the video brightness, which indicates the brightness of each predetermined section of the background video corresponding to the song played on the karaoke machine.

[0035] Suppose a user operates the remote control device R and selects a song. The setting unit 200 refers to the brightness of the karaoke room, which has been previously acquired by the acquisition unit 100, and the video brightness included in the background video data of the song, for each predetermined section, and sets the screen brightness for each predetermined section. The screen brightness can be set in various ways. For example, the setting unit 200 can set the screen brightness based on a table stored in the storage means 10a that defines the correspondence between video brightness and screen brightness (details will be described later). Alternatively, the setting unit 200 can set the screen brightness by using a trained model stored in the storage means 10a. The trained model is constructed by learning data that associates the brightness of the karaoke room, video brightness, and screen brightness as training data. The trained model outputs an appropriate screen brightness value according to the input brightness of the karaoke room and video brightness. The setting unit 200 transmits the set screen brightness to the remote control device R.

[0036] Furthermore, if the karaoke room is bright, it is unlikely that the remote control's operation screen will become difficult to see, regardless of the brightness of the background image. Therefore, the setting unit 200 can set the screen brightness when the acquired brightness of the karaoke room meets predetermined conditions. One predetermined condition is set in advance according to the brightness value of the karaoke room. For example, if the brightness value of the karaoke room is set as a dimming level from 0 to 100, predetermined conditions such as "the brightness value is less than 40" or "the brightness value is 50 or less" can be set.

[0037] ==Remote Control Device== As shown in Figure 6, the remote control device R comprises a storage means R10, a communication means R11, a display means R12, and a control means R13. Each component is connected to bus B via an interface (not shown).

[0038] [Storage means, communication means, display means] The storage means R10 is a large-capacity storage device that stores various types of data. The storage means R10 stores song identification information and other data for songs that can be played on the karaoke machine K. The communication means R11 provides an interface for connecting the remote control device R and the karaoke machine K. The display means R12 constitutes an operation screen for inputting operations to the remote control device R. The operation screen displays a song search screen, etc. The screen brightness of the operation screen is set to a predetermined value in advance. This predetermined value is greater than the screen brightness value set in the setting unit 200.

[0039] [Control means] The control means R13 performs various controls on the remote control device R. The control means R13 includes a CPU and memory (neither of which are shown in the figure). The CPU implements various functions by executing programs stored in the memory.

[0040] In this embodiment, the control means R13 functions as a brightness adjustment unit 300 by executing a program stored in memory when the CPU executes it.

[0041] (Brightness adjustment section) The brightness adjustment unit 300 adjusts the brightness of the operation screen of the remote control device R based on the set screen brightness.

[0042] Specifically, the brightness adjustment unit 300 adjusts the brightness of the operation screen by controlling the output of the backlight (not shown) of the remote control device R based on the set screen brightness. For example, if the screen brightness is indicated by a value from 0 (minimum) to 100 (maximum), the backlight output is also set to a corresponding value (0 (off) to 100 (rated illumination)). The brightness adjustment unit 300 performs the same process each time the screen brightness is transmitted from the setting unit 200.

[0043] ==Regarding the operation of Karaoke System 1== Next, a specific example of the operation of the karaoke system 1 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 7. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the karaoke system 1. Figure 8 shows an example of the set screen brightness. The screen brightness is shown as a value from 0 (minimum) to 100 (maximum). In this example, it is assumed that multiple users (three users, U1, U2, and U3) use the karaoke device K in the karaoke room KR shown in Figure 1. It is also assumed that the storage means 10a of the karaoke device K stores a table that defines the video brightness of the song X shown in Figure 4, and the correspondence between the video brightness and screen brightness shown in Figure 5. Furthermore, in this example, it is assumed that the brightness of the karaoke room corresponds to the dimming level of the dimmer D (0 (minimum) to 100 (maximum)).

[0044] After entering karaoke room KR, the user operates dimmer switch D to adjust the brightness of karaoke room KR.

[0045] The acquisition unit 100 of the karaoke machine K acquires the brightness of the karaoke room KR (acquires the brightness of the karaoke room. Step 10).

[0046] Subsequently, the user operates the remote control device R to select the song X they wish to sing karaoke. The karaoke device K reserves the karaoke performance of song X (karaoke performance reserved. Step 11).

[0047] The setting unit 200 of the karaoke device K sets the screen brightness, which indicates the brightness of the operation screen of the remote control device R, for each predetermined section based on the brightness of the karaoke room KR acquired in step 10 and the video brightness, which indicates the brightness of each predetermined section of the background video corresponding to song X (set screen brightness for each predetermined section. Step 12). The setting unit 200 transmits the set screen brightness to the remote control device R.

[0048] Karaoke machine K plays karaoke version of song X (karaoke playback starts. Step 13). The user who selected song X sings along to the karaoke playback.

[0049] The brightness adjustment unit 300 of the remote control device R adjusts the brightness of the operation screen of the remote control device R based on the screen brightness set in step 12 (adjusting the brightness of the operation screen; step 14).

[0050] Karaoke system 1, until the end of the karaoke performance (if Y is selected in step 15), repeats the process in step 14 according to the screen brightness for each predetermined interval set in step 12.

[0051] Specifically, user U1, upon entering karaoke room KR, operates dimmer switch D to adjust the brightness of karaoke room KR to its maximum (i.e., dimming level "100").

[0052] The dimmer D outputs a dimming level value of "100" and transmits it to the karaoke machine K. The acquisition unit 100 acquires "100" as the brightness of the karaoke room KR.

[0053] Afterward, user U2 operates the remote control device R to select song X, which they wish to sing karaoke.

[0054] The setting unit 200 determines whether the acquired brightness of the karaoke room KR satisfies a predetermined condition. In this example, the predetermined condition is that "the brightness value is less than 40".

[0055] In this case, the setting unit 200 determines that the predetermined conditions are not met and does not set the screen brightness.

[0056] Subsequently, when user U2 begins singing karaoke version of song X, they operate dimmer switch D to adjust the lighting in karaoke room KR so that they can enjoy the background video along with the singing. As a result, the dimming level is changed from "100" to "30".

[0057] As the dimming level changes, the dimmer D outputs a dimming level value of "30" and transmits it to the karaoke machine K. The acquisition unit 100 newly acquires "30" as the brightness of the karaoke room KR.

[0058] The setting unit 200 determines whether the acquired brightness of the karaoke room KR meets a predetermined condition. As described above, the predetermined condition is "the brightness value is less than 40", so the setting unit 200 determines that the predetermined condition is met. In this case, the setting unit 200 sets the screen brightness.

[0059] The setting unit 200 reads from the storage means 10a the video brightness (see Figure 4) which indicates the brightness of each predetermined section of the background video corresponding to the song X. The setting unit 200 sets the screen brightness for each predetermined section by applying the video brightness for each predetermined section to the table shown in Figure 5. In this example, as shown in Figure 8, for example, the screen brightness is set to "50" in the "5 second" section and to "40" in the "7 second" section.

[0060] Subsequently, the karaoke machine K plays karaoke music for song X. User U2, who selected song X, sings along to the karaoke music.

[0061] The setting unit 200 sequentially transmits the set screen brightness value to the remote control device R at predetermined intervals in conjunction with the karaoke performance of song X. The brightness adjustment unit 300 adjusts the brightness of the operation screen of the remote control device R based on the received screen brightness value.

[0062] For example, suppose the preset screen brightness value is "100". In this case, the brightness adjustment unit 300 adjusts the brightness of the remote control device R's operation screen by changing the screen brightness from "100" to "65" based on the screen brightness of "65" in a predetermined interval of "0 seconds" transmitted in conjunction with the start of karaoke performance of song X. The brightness adjustment unit 300 also adjusts the brightness of the remote control device R's operation screen by changing the screen brightness from "65" to "50" based on the screen brightness of "50" in a predetermined interval of "4 seconds" transmitted in conjunction with the karaoke performance of song X. In other words, when the brightness of the karaoke room (dimming level value "30") is constant, the brightness of the remote control device R's operation screen is adjusted in accordance with the change in the brightness of the background image. Therefore, even if a user other than user U2, such as user U1 or user U3, tries to operate the remote control device R, the operation screen will not become difficult to see.

[0063] In this example, the screen brightness is set before the karaoke performance begins, but the screen brightness may also be set after the karaoke performance has started. For example, if the dimmer D is operated during the karaoke performance, the brightness of the karaoke room KR may meet a predetermined condition. In this case, the karaoke system 1 will then adjust the screen brightness and the brightness of the operation screen of the remote control device R.

[0064] Furthermore, in the example in Figure 8, for example, the screen brightness in the "5-second" interval and the screen brightness in the "6-second" interval are both set to "50". When the same screen brightness is set consecutively in this way, the setting unit 200 can transmit the set screen brightness value to the remote control device R only when the screen brightness value changes. For example, in the example in Figure 8, the setting unit 200 can transmit a screen brightness of "50" in the "4-second" interval and a screen brightness of "40" in the "7-second" interval.

[0065] As is clear from the above, the karaoke system 1 according to this embodiment includes: an acquisition unit 100 that acquires the brightness of the karaoke room KR in which the karaoke device K is installed; a setting unit 200 that sets the screen brightness indicating the brightness of the operation screen of the remote control device R for each predetermined section based on the acquired brightness of the karaoke room KR and the video brightness indicating the brightness of each predetermined section of the background video corresponding to the song played by the karaoke device K; and a brightness adjustment unit 300 that adjusts the brightness of the operation screen of the remote control device R based on the set screen brightness.

[0066] With this karaoke system 1, the brightness of the operation screen of the remote control R can be adjusted according to the brightness of the karaoke room and the brightness of the background image. Therefore, even if the karaoke room is dark, for example, the brightness of the operation screen of the remote control R is adjusted according to the brightness of the background image, so the operation screen does not become difficult to see for the user using the remote control. In other words, with the karaoke system 1 according to this embodiment, the operation screen of the remote control can be made easy to see.

[0067] Furthermore, the setting unit 200 in the karaoke system 1 according to this embodiment can set the screen brightness when the acquired brightness of the karaoke room KR satisfies predetermined conditions. For example, if the karaoke room KR is sufficiently bright, the brightness of the background image is unlikely to affect the visibility of the operation screen of the remote control device R. With such a karaoke system 1, it is possible to decide whether or not to set the screen brightness according to the brightness of the karaoke room KR.

[0068] Furthermore, the setting unit 200 in the karaoke system 1 according to this embodiment can set the screen brightness based on a table that defines the correspondence between video brightness and screen brightness. By using such a table, the screen brightness can be easily set.

[0069] <Variation> When the remote control device is not being operated, the visibility of the remote control device's operation screen is not an issue. Therefore, the brightness adjustment unit 300 may adjust the brightness of the operation screen only when the remote control device is being operated.

[0070] Whether the remote control device is being operated can be determined by various methods. For example, a camera placed near the remote control device's operation screen can take pictures at predetermined intervals. The brightness adjustment unit 300 analyzes the captured images and, if it includes images of a person's face taken from the front (i.e., if there is a high probability that the person is looking at the remote control device's operation screen), it determines that the remote control device is being operated and adjusts the brightness of the operation screen. Alternatively, the brightness adjustment unit 300 detects operations on the operation screen. The brightness adjustment unit 300 determines that the remote control device is being operated for a predetermined period of time (for example, 10 seconds) from the time the last operation was performed and adjusts the brightness of the operation screen. On the other hand, the brightness adjustment unit 300 determines that the remote control device is not being operated after a predetermined period of time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed from the time the last operation was performed and does not adjust the brightness of the operation screen. The process of adjusting the brightness of the operation screen can be performed in the same manner as in the embodiment.

[0071] As is clear from the above, the brightness adjustment unit 300 in the karaoke system 1 according to this modified example adjusts the brightness of the remote control device's operation screen when the remote control device is being operated. With this type of karaoke system 1, the brightness of the operation screen can be adjusted only when the visibility of the remote control device's operation screen becomes an issue.

[0072] <Other> The karaoke system 1 only needs to have the functions of the acquisition unit 100, the setting unit 200, and the brightness adjustment unit 300 according to the embodiment. For example, the karaoke device may have the function of the acquisition unit 100, and the remote control device may have the functions of the setting unit 200 and the brightness adjustment unit 300. Alternatively, the karaoke device or the remote control device alone may have the functions of the acquisition unit 100, the setting unit 200, and the brightness adjustment unit 300. In this case, the karaoke device or the remote control device corresponds to the "karaoke system".

[0073] For example, if the remote control device R has the functions of an acquisition unit 100, a setting unit 200, and a brightness adjustment unit 300, the storage means R10 stores background video data including video brightness, and a table that defines the correspondence between video brightness and screen brightness. Furthermore, when the CPU executes a program stored in memory, the control means R13 functions as the acquisition unit 100, the setting unit 200, and the brightness adjustment unit 300.

[0074] It is also possible to supply the program to a computer using a non-transitory computer-readable medium (with an executable program thereon) on which the above program is stored. 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.

[0075] The above embodiments are presented as examples and do not limit the scope of the invention. The above configurations can be combined as appropriate, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The above embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0076] 1. Karaoke System 100 Acquisition Department 200 Setting section 300 Brightness adjustment section K Karaoke machine R Remote Control Device

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires the brightness of a karaoke room where a karaoke machine is installed, A setting unit sets the screen brightness of the remote control device's operation screen for each predetermined section based on the acquired brightness of the karaoke room and the video brightness indicating the brightness of each predetermined section of the background video corresponding to the song played on the karaoke device. A brightness adjustment unit adjusts the brightness of the operation screen of the remote control device based on the set screen brightness, A karaoke system that has the following features.

2. The karaoke system according to claim 1, characterized in that the setting unit sets the screen brightness when the acquired brightness of the karaoke room satisfies predetermined conditions.

3. The karaoke system according to claim 1, characterized in that the setting unit sets the screen brightness based on a table that defines the correspondence between video brightness and screen brightness.

4. The karaoke system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the brightness adjustment unit adjusts the brightness of the operation screen of the remote control device when the remote control device is being operated.

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