Karaoke device, karaoke program, and karaoke playback method

Abstract

During gaps between songs when reserved content is not playing, the content will play appropriately. [Solution] If there is content to be played in the reservation list, a first playback process is performed to play the content; a content list storage process is performed to store a content list that instructs the playback of multiple inter-track contents; if there is no content to be played in the reservation list, a second playback process is performed to play inter-track contents based on the content list. The second playback process can perform a first mode in which inter-track contents included in the content list are played, and a second mode in which at least one of the inter-track contents included in the content list is not played. If there is no content to be played in the reservation list, the first mode is performed, and if predetermined conditions are met, the process transitions from the first mode to the second mode and is executed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to karaoke in which a user sings along with a reproduced music piece, and relates to a karaoke device, a karaoke program for realizing the functions of the karaoke device on an information processing device, and a karaoke reproduction method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, karaoke, where people enjoy singing along with accompaniment, has been practiced in social settings and the like. In a karaoke device, normally, a music piece requested by a user is reproduced by the karaoke device, and singing is performed along with the reproduction. Various proposals have been made for such karaoke devices, taking into account the period between songs (inter-song interval) during which no music piece is requested by the user. Patent Document 1 discloses that a large number of karaoke music pieces abundantly prepared in a karaoke device can be played as BGM during inter-song intervals as desired, which is useful for creating the mood and atmosphere of a store.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Incidentally, in karaoke devices, copyright fees are incurred by reproducing music pieces. The application of copyright fees is not limited to the reproduction of music pieces requested by users, and may also apply to the reproduction of BGM during inter-song intervals. For example, the rooms of a karaoke box are not always in use, and may be unoccupied (unmanned) in some cases. In such a situation, if the inter-song BGM is reproduced, copyright fees will be incurred even though no one is listening to it.

[0005] This invention takes such circumstances into consideration and aims, for example, to reduce the occurrence of copyright fees associated with the playback of content (music, etc.) between songs by appropriately playing the content played between songs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Therefore, the karaoke device according to the present invention is A reservation acceptance process that receives instructions to reserve content, Based on the received reservation instructions, a reservation list formation process is performed to create a reservation list, If there is content to be played in the reservation list, the first playback process plays that content, A content list storage process that stores a content list that instructs the playback of multiple inter-song contents, If there is no content to play in the reservation list, a second playback process is performed to play inter-track content based on the content list. The second playback process is: The first mode plays the inter-track content included in the content list, A second mode is available in which at least one of the inter-track content included in the content list is not played. If there is no content to play in the reservation list, the first mode is executed. If the predetermined conditions are met, the system switches from the first mode to the second mode and executes the second mode.

[0007] Furthermore, in the dish device according to the present invention, The second playback process, in the second mode, does not play inter-track content included in the content list. Interlude content has a specific type of interlude content, The second playback process, in the second mode, plays back inter-track content from the content list, excluding inter-track content of a specific type.

[0008] Furthermore, in the dish device according to the present invention, If no content to be played is found in the reservation list for a predetermined period of time, a first display process is performed, which displays a first screen containing a message regarding the execution of the first mode on the display unit. The system executes an operation acceptance process that accepts various operations, The second playback process is: If a specific operation is received between the display of the first screen and the elapsed of the second predetermined time, the execution of the first mode is maintained. If the first specified operation is not accepted within the second predetermined time elapsed after the first screen is displayed, or if the second specified operation is accepted and the predetermined conditions are met, the system will transition from the first mode to the second mode and execute.

[0009] Furthermore, in the dish device according to the present invention, The second playback process, in the second mode, plays alternative inter-track content instead of the inter-track content that is not played.

[0010] Furthermore, the karaoke device according to the present invention is The system executes an alternative settings storage process to store the setting for whether or not to play alternative content. The second playback process is performed in the second mode. If the setting is to not play alternative content, the system will not play the alternative content between tracks instead of the interlude content that would normally not be played. If the setting is to play alternative content, the alternative content will be played instead of the interlude content that is not played.

[0011] Furthermore, the karaoke device according to the present invention is In the second mode, a second display process is executed to display a second screen prompting a third specific operation on the display unit.

[0012] Furthermore, in the device according to the present invention, The second playback process is: If the third specific operation is performed, the system will switch from mode 2 to mode 1 and execute the operation.

[0013] Furthermore, the karaoke program according to the present invention is a reservation acceptance process for accepting a content reservation instruction, a reservation list creation process for creating a reservation list based on the accepted reservation instruction, a first playback process for playing back the content when there is content to be played back in the reservation list, a content list storage process for storing a content list that instructs playback of a plurality of inter-song contents, and a second playback process for playing back inter-song content based on the content list when there is no content to be played back in the reservation list, are executed by an information processing apparatus, the second playback process is capable of executing a first mode for playing back the inter-song contents included in the content list, and a second mode in which at least one inter-song content among the inter-song contents included in the content list is not played back, wherein when there is no content to be played back in the reservation list, the first mode is executed, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the process transitions from the first mode to the second mode for execution.

[0014] Further, a karaoke playback method according to the present invention includes: a reservation acceptance process for accepting a content reservation instruction, a reservation list creation process for creating a reservation list based on the accepted reservation instruction, a first playback process for playing back the content when there is content to be played back in the reservation list, a content list storage process for storing a content list that instructs playback of a plurality of inter-song contents, and a second playback process for playing back inter-song content based on the content list when there is no content to be played back in the reservation list, are executed, the second playback process is capable of executing a first mode for playing back the inter-song contents included in the content list, and a second mode in which at least one inter-song content among the inter-song contents included in the content list is not played back, If there is no content to play in the reservation list, the first mode is executed. If the predetermined conditions are met, the system switches from the first mode to the second mode and executes the second mode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the karaoke device, karaoke program, and karaoke playback method of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately play content during the gaps between songs when reserved content is not being played. By appropriately playing the content, for example, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of copyright fees associated with content playback between songs. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] Diagram showing the configuration of the karaoke system of this embodiment. [Figure 2] Flowchart showing the music playback process of the first embodiment [Figure 3] Diagram showing the interval setting screen of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows the screen for changing the inter-track playlist settings in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] Diagram showing the inter-track playlist of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] Flowchart showing the inter-curve processing (part 1) of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] Flowchart showing the inter-curve processing (part 2) of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure showing the first screen of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure showing the second screen of the first embodiment. [Figure 10] Diagram showing the inter-track playlist of the second embodiment. [Figure 11] Flowchart showing the inter-curve processing (part 2) of the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] Figure 1 shows the configuration of the karaoke system of this embodiment. The karaoke system in this embodiment consists of 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 communicated together to form a network using a LAN 100 and an access point 130.

[0018] The karaoke device 2 includes an audio control unit 25 as a sound playback unit for playing songs. The karaoke device 2 also includes an operation unit 21 that receives various inputs from the user. The karaoke device 2 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 includes a LAN communication unit 24a as a communication means for network communication by connecting to the LAN 100. Furthermore, the karaoke device 2 of this embodiment also includes a wireless LAN communication unit 24b, and it is possible to perform a wireless network connection using the wireless LAN communication unit 24b instead of a wired network connection using the LAN communication unit 24a.

[0019] Furthermore, the karaoke device 2 includes a video playback unit that displays lyrics and background images on the monitor 41. This video playback unit comprises a video forming unit 29 that plays back images based on video data, a video RAM 28 that temporarily stores the images to be played back, and a video control unit 31 that superimposes lyrics onto the played back images and applies video effects. In this embodiment, the background image is a video, but the other images can be either videos or still images.

[0020] Furthermore, in addition to the externally connected monitor 41, the karaoke machine 2 is also capable of displaying various information on a touch panel monitor 33. The touch panel monitor 33 is composed of a display unit 35 that displays video input from the video control unit 31 and a touch panel 34 that outputs the touch input position to the operation processing unit 22. This touch panel monitor 33 is located on the front of the karaoke machine 2's casing and functions as an input unit, similar to the operation unit 21 of the karaoke machine 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 directly reserve a song on the karaoke machine 2 and perform various operations on the karaoke machine 2.

[0021] Furthermore, the karaoke device 2 is configured to include a control unit that includes a CPU 30 for overall control of each component and a memory 27 for temporarily storing information necessary for executing various programs.

[0022] In this configuration, the karaoke device 2 performs various processes, but its main functions include song reservation processing and song playback processing. Song reservation processing is the process of selecting and reserving a song based on the user's specifications, and is performed in cooperation with the remote control device 1. The reservation information formed by the song selection process of the remote control device 1 is sent to the karaoke device 2. The karaoke device 2 registers the received reservation information in the reservation list in memory 27. Song playback processing is the process of playing a song based on the reservation information registered in the reservation list, and is a process in which the performance processing, lyrics display processing, and video playback processing are executed synchronously.

[0023] The performance process involves instructing the sound control unit 25 to perform a performance based on the performance data included in the music data. The music performed by the sound control unit 25 is emitted from the speaker 42 along with the singing voice input from microphones 43a and 43b. The lyrics display process assists singing by displaying a lyric video based on the lyric data included in the music data on the monitor 41. Alternatively, a background video display process may be performed to superimpose the lyric video displayed in this lyrics display process onto a background video.

[0024] Meanwhile, the remote control device 1 is capable of performing song selection processing, which involves searching for songs based on user instructions and sending reservation information, including the song ID (identification information), to the karaoke device 2 for the requested song. The remote control device 1 is also capable of receiving various information from the karaoke device 2 or a server device 5 connected to the internet and performing various processes. In this embodiment, the user interface for receiving various instructions from the user includes an operation unit 17 and a touch panel monitor 11. The touch panel monitor 11 is configured to have a display unit 11a and a touch panel 11b, and displays various information on the display unit 11a while also being capable of receiving touch input from the user.

[0025] Furthermore, the remote control device 1 is configured to include a memory 14 as a storage unit for storing a database, various programs, and various information generated in conjunction with program execution, which are necessary for the music selection process, and a remote control unit for comprehensively controlling these components. The remote control unit includes a CPU 15, a video control unit 13 that forms the image to be displayed on the touch panel monitor 11, a video RAM 12 that temporarily stores the video data of the image to be displayed, and an operation processing unit 18 that interprets input from the touch panel monitor 11 or the operation unit 17 and transmits it to the CPU 15.

[0026] The remote control device 1 is connected to the network configured by the LAN 100 by wirelessly connecting to the access point 130 via the wireless LAN communication unit 16. Each remote control device 1 is pre-associated with a specific karaoke machine 2. Various commands output from the remote control device 1 are received by the associated karaoke machine 2.

[0027] With this configuration of the remote control device 1, various inputs from the user are received from the touch panel monitor 11 or the operation unit 17, and various information is provided through the display on the touch panel monitor 11, enabling various processes such as song selection, which sends reservation information to the karaoke machine 2.

[0028] [First Embodiment] In the karaoke machine 2, when no content such as songs is reserved by the user and there is no content to be played in the reservation list (between songs), various contents are automatically played based on a content list that instructs the playback of multiple inter-song contents. The present invention relates to the processing performed between songs (inter-song processing) in the karaoke machine 2, and will be explained here using two embodiments (first and second embodiments) as examples.

[0029] Inter-song processing may include content such as various advertisements, ranking displays, and songs by artists, which may generate copyright fees upon playback. Since inter-song processing is performed when there is no content to be played in the reservation list of the karaoke machine 2, it may be performed automatically even when, for example, a karaoke room is not in use (unoccupied). In such cases, copyright fees may be generated because content is played even though the room is unoccupied. Such copyright fee generation can be a significant burden for operators such as karaoke boxes. This embodiment takes this situation into consideration and aims to reduce the cost burden on operators by controlling the content during inter-song processing.

[0030] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the music playback process of the first embodiment. In the music playback process executed by the karaoke device 2, first the reservation list is checked, and then it is checked whether there is a song (content) to be played (S101). If there is a song to be played next (S102: Yes), the corresponding song data is read and music playback starts (S103). When music playback is completed (S104: Yes), the process returns to checking the reservation list again (S101). On the other hand, if there is no song to be played next (S102: No), inter-song processing (S200) is executed.

[0031] In this embodiment, an employee or other administrator of the karaoke machine 2 can make various settings related to inter-song processing (S200) by displaying the inter-song setting screen. The inter-song setting screen is displayed on monitor 41 by using administrator privileges (such as entering a password or performing a predetermined operation). The inter-song setting screen may be displayed on at least one of monitor 41, touch panel monitor 11, and touch panel monitor 33. Figure 3 shows the inter-song setting screen of the first embodiment. On the inter-song setting screen, it is possible to set the type of content to be played between songs and to set its details. In the inter-song setting screen of this embodiment, it is possible to set playback settings for four items: inter-song playlist, store video advertisement, scoring ranking, and performance ranking.

[0032] Each of these four items has playback setting buttons 101a to 104a and setting change buttons 101b to 104b. By operating the playback setting buttons 101a to 104a, you can set each item to "play" (ON state) or "do not play" (OFF state). In addition, the setting change buttons 101b to 104b allow you to change the details of each item.

[0033] When the inter-track playlist setting change button 101b is operated, the inter-track playlist setting change screen is displayed on the monitor 41. The inter-track playlist setting change screen may be displayed on at least one of the monitor 41, the touch panel monitor 11, and the touch panel monitor 33. Figure 4 shows the inter-track playlist setting change screen of the first embodiment. The inter-track playlist setting change screen is provided with a playback setting button 106, a time setting button 107, and an alternative video setting button 108. The playback setting button 106 has the same function as the playback setting button 101a and is an operator that can change whether or not to play the inter-track playlist.

[0034] The time setting button 107 is an operator that sets the time until playback of the inter-track playlist stops when there is a continuous gap between tracks. In this embodiment, it is possible to select from "2 hours", "4 hours", and "8 hours". Note that the time may be other than 2, 4, or 8 hours, and it is also possible that there is no time selection at all. Furthermore, there are not limited to three selectable time options; there may be any number of two or more options.

[0035] The alternative video setting button 108 is an operator that determines whether or not to play an alternative video when there is no other content to play after playback of the inter-song playlist has stopped (i.e., no playback settings have been made for items other than the inter-song playlist). The content played when the alternative video playback setting is enabled may be predetermined content, content determined by the administrator of the karaoke machine 2 (such as an employee), or content obtained from an external device such as a server. The content played when the alternative video playback setting is enabled is content that does not incur copyright fees. It may also be content with lower copyright fees compared to the content included in the inter-song playlist.

[0036] Figure 5 shows the inter-song playlist of the first embodiment. The inter-song playlist is composed of song IDs (identification information) of the songs to be played and corresponds to the "content list" of the present invention. This inter-song playlist may be distributed from the server device 5 to the karaoke device 2, or the inter-song playlist may be editable by the administrator. When playback of the inter-song playlist is specified, during the inter-song interval, song data (content) corresponding to the song ID described in the inter-song playlist is read and played. The content to be played in the inter-song playlist is not limited to karaoke song data, but can also include various types of content such as song data with vocals, or artist promotional videos with video.

[0037] Figures 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the inter-track processing (S200) of the first embodiment. In Figures 6 and 7, circles 1, 2, and 3 indicate the transitions between processes. As explained in the music playback process in Figure 2, if there is no music (content) to be played next in the reservation list (S102: No), this inter-track processing (S200) is started. In the inter-track processing (S200), it is first determined whether the inter-track playlist setting is ON or OFF (whether the playback setting button 101a, as explained in Figure 3, is set to "play" or "do not play") (S201). Note that the inter-track playlist setting being ON can be rephrased as the state in which the playback setting button 101a is set to "play". Conversely, when the inter-track playlist setting is OFF, it can be rephrased as the state in which the playback setting button 101a is set to "do not play".

[0038] If the inter-song playlist is OFF (S201: No), it is determined whether there are any ON items other than the inter-song playlist (store advertising videos, scoring rankings, or performance rankings) (S209). If there are no ON items (S209: No), the karaoke machine 2 does not play any content, and the monitor 41 displays a black screen (S210). The touch panel monitor 33 may display the same screen as the monitor 41, or a different screen. The same applies to the black screen from here on.

[0039] On the other hand, if there are items set to ON (S209: Yes), the karaoke device 2 plays content for the items set to ON (S212). When content is played and there is video to be played in that content, the video is displayed on at least one of the monitor 41 and the touch panel monitor 33. Note that the same video may be displayed on the monitor 41 and the touch panel monitor 33, or different videos may be displayed. The same applies to content playback thereafter. Note that the playback of items set to ON can take various forms, such as repeatedly playing the items set to ON in order in the inter-song setting screen shown in Figure 3, or playing the items set to ON randomly. The playback order of the items may also be set on the inter-song setting screen.

[0040] While playback is stopped (S210) and content for an ON item is playing (S212), the karaoke device 2 monitors whether the conditions for ending the inter-song mode are met (S211, S213). The conditions for ending the inter-song mode are met when a song is reserved (a song ID is registered in the reservation list), the power button of the karaoke device 2 is operated, the reboot button of the karaoke device 2 is operated, etc. If it is determined that the inter-song mode has ended in this way (S211, S213: Yes), the inter-song processing (S200) is terminated. If it is not determined that the inter-song mode has ended (S211: No), the process returns to S210. Also, if it is not determined that the inter-song mode has ended (S213: No), the process returns to S212.

[0041] Next, we will explain the inter-track processing that includes the inter-track playlist item. If the inter-track playlist item is set to ON (S201:Yes), playback of the content of each item, including the inter-track playlist that is set to ON, will be executed on the inter-track settings screen (S202). In this case as with S211 and S213, monitoring is performed to see if the conditions for ending the inter-track mode are met (S203), and if it is determined that the conditions for ending the inter-track mode are met (S203:Yes), the inter-track processing will end. If it is determined that the conditions for ending the inter-track mode are not met (S203:No), the process will proceed to S204.

[0042] If a first predetermined time (the time set by the time setting button 107 in Figure 4) has elapsed while inter-track content for an item set to ON is being played (S204: Yes), it is determined (S205) whether there is a specific type of inter-track content (in this embodiment, content for which copyright fees are incurred) in the inter-track playlist. Note that the process in S205 may be omitted. If the process in S205 is omitted, after the first predetermined time has elapsed (S204: Yes), the process may proceed to S206 regardless of whether there is a specific type of inter-track content. If there is no specific type of inter-track content (S205: No), playback of the inter-track content for the ON item (S202) continues. On the other hand, if the first predetermined time has elapsed (S204: Yes) and there is a specific type of inter-track content in the inter-track playlist (S205: Yes), the first screen is displayed on the monitor 41 (S206). Note that it may be displayed on at least one of the monitor 41, the touch panel monitor 11, and the touch panel monitor 33.

[0043] Figure 8 shows the first screen of the first embodiment. The first screen is a screen that notifies the user that playback of the inter-track playlist will stop, and the first screen displays a message asking the user, "Do you want to continue playback of the inter-track playlist?" If the second predetermined time (10 minutes in this embodiment) elapses after the first screen is displayed (S206) without the A button described later being operated (S207: Yes), the setting of the inter-track playlist that is currently playing is changed to the OFF state (S214), and playback of the inter-track playlist is stopped (Figure 7: S214). In this embodiment, the state in which the inter-track playlist is ON corresponds to the "first mode" according to the present invention, and the state in which the inter-track playlist is OFF corresponds to the "second mode" according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the first screen is displayed after the first predetermined time has elapsed, but the first screen may be displayed before the first predetermined time has elapsed. For example, the first screen may be displayed before the second predetermined time, which is before the first predetermined time has elapsed.

[0044] In this embodiment, while the first screen is displayed, the user can continue playing the playlist by operating the system. In other words, while the first screen is displayed, the user can also cancel the change in the inter-song playlist setting from ON to OFF by operating the system. For this reason, the message "Press button A to continue" is displayed on the first screen. The A button can be any button. If the A button (located on the operation unit 21 of the karaoke device 2, the touch panel monitor 33, the touch panel monitor 11 of the remote control device 1, etc.) is not operated (S208: No) and the second predetermined time elapses (S207: Yes), the playback of the inter-song playlist that is currently playing is stopped (Figure 7: S214). If the A button is operated (S208: Yes) before the second predetermined time elapses, the process proceeds to S202.

[0045] In this embodiment, the first screen displays a message prompting the user to press a button if they wish to continue playback, but various forms can be adopted. For example, if the user wishes to interrupt playback, a message prompting the user to press a button may be displayed. In this case, if the user presses a button, the process proceeds to S214 in Figure 7, regardless of whether the second predetermined time has elapsed. Furthermore, the first screen may display different messages prompting the user to press a button depending on whether they wish to continue playback of the inter-track playlist that is currently being played or to interrupt playback of the inter-track playlist that is currently being played.

[0046] While the setting for the inter-song playlist currently being played is OFF (second mode), the karaoke device 2 displays the second screen on the monitor 41 (S215). This screen may be displayed on at least one of the monitor 41, touch panel monitor 11, and touch panel monitor 33. Figure 9 shows the second screen of the first embodiment. The second screen displays the message "Inter-song playlist stopped" indicating that the inter-song playlist is not currently being played. During the period when playback of the inter-song playlist is stopped due to the setting of the inter-song playlist being changed from ON to OFF, it is determined whether items other than the inter-song playlist are ON or OFF (S216). If items other than the inter-song playlist are ON (S216: Yes), playback of the content of the items set to ON is performed (S217).

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, while the second screen is displayed, the user can resume playback of the inter-song playlist through user operation. Therefore, the message "Press button B to resume" is displayed on the second screen. The B button can be any button, and it can be the same button as the A button or a different button. When the B button (located on the operation unit 21 of the karaoke device 2, the touch panel monitor 33, the touch panel monitor 11 of the remote control device 1, etc.) is operated according to the display on the second screen (S218: Yes), the setting of the inter-song playlist is changed from OFF to ON, and playback of inter-song content based on the inter-song playlist is resumed (S219, change from second mode to first mode). Then, content of the ON items, including the inter-song playlist, is played (Figure 6: S202).

[0048] Furthermore, during the period when playback of content for an item set to ON is being performed, if it is determined that the conditions for ending the inter-track mode are met (S220: Yes), similar to S203, the inter-track playlist setting is changed from OFF to ON (S219, change from second mode to first mode), and the inter-track processing (S200) is terminated. If the conditions for ending the inter-track mode are not met (S220: No), the process proceeds to S215.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if items other than the inter-song playlist are set to OFF (S216: No), the playback settings for alternative content are checked (S222). The playback settings for alternative content (alternative video) can be set using the alternative video setting button 108, as explained in the inter-song playlist setting change screen in Figure 4. If the playback settings for alternative video are not set (S222: No), there is no content to play, so playback is stopped and no content is played (S223). In this case, since the alternative video is also not played, the screen of the monitor 41 becomes a black screen except for the display of the second screen.

[0050] If the B button is pressed while playback is stopped (S224: Yes), the inter-track playlist setting is changed from OFF to ON, and playback of inter-track content based on the inter-track playlist is resumed (S219, change from second mode to first mode). Then, content of items that are ON, including the inter-track playlist, is played (Figure 6: S202). Also, if it is determined that the conditions for ending the inter-track mode are met during the playback stopped state (S223) (S225: Yes), the inter-track playlist setting is changed from OFF to ON (S229, change from second mode to first mode), and the inter-track processing (S200) is terminated. If the conditions for ending the inter-track mode are not met (S225: No), the process proceeds to S223.

[0051] On the other hand, if the setting for playing alternative video is enabled (S222: Yes), the pre-configured alternative video will be played (S226). Therefore, if only the inter-song playlist item is set to ON, even if the playback of inter-song content based on the inter-song playlist is stopped, it is possible to avoid a state where no content is played by playing alternative content (alternative video in this embodiment). Furthermore, since the alternative content does not involve copyright fees, or has low copyright fees, it contributes to reducing the operating company's cost burden.

[0052] If the B button is pressed during the playback of the alternative video (S226) (S227: Yes), the setting for the inter-track playlist is changed from OFF to ON, and playback of inter-track content based on the inter-track playlist is resumed (S219, change from second mode to first mode). Then, content of the ON items, including the inter-track playlist, is played (Figure 7: S202). Also, if it is determined that the conditions for ending the inter-track mode are met during the playback of the alternative video (S226) (S228: Yes), the setting for the inter-track playlist is changed from OFF to ON (S229, change from second mode to first mode), and the inter-track processing (S200) is terminated. If the conditions for ending the inter-track mode are not met (S228: No), the process proceeds to S226.

[0053] [Second Embodiment] The karaoke device 2 of the present invention has been described above using the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, playback of the inter-song playlist (entire) that may incur copyright fees by playing inter-song content was stopped. However, it is conceivable that some inter-song content specified in the inter-song playlist does not involve copyright fees. In the second embodiment, when such an inter-song playlist is used, instead of stopping playback of the entire inter-song playlist as in the first embodiment, playback of some of the inter-song content (specific types of inter-song content) in the inter-song playlist is not performed.

[0054] Figure 10(A) shows the inter-track playlist of the second embodiment. The inter-track playlist of this embodiment is a list consisting of song IDs (identification information) of songs to be played, similar to the one described in Figure 5 of the first embodiment. However, it is possible to identify whether or not an inter-track content is of a specific type within the inter-track playlist. Whether or not an inter-track content is of a specific type can be identified by the identification information listed in the inter-track playlist, or it can be identified by referring to a separate list. In Figure 10(A), songs (content) with an asterisk * at the end correspond to inter-track content of a specific type.

[0055] In the second embodiment, the inter-song playback process (S200) is performed taking into consideration this specific type of inter-song content. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the inter-song processing (part 2) of the second embodiment. Note that matters common to the first embodiment (music playback processing in Figure 2, inter-song processing (part 1) in Figure 6, etc.) will not be explained here. If the second predetermined time elapses (Figure 6: S207: Yes) without the A button being operated (Figure 6: S208: No) during the period when the first screen is displayed on the karaoke device 2 (Figure 6: S206), the specific type of inter-song content is removed from the inter-song playlist (S251).

[0056] Figure 10(B) shows an inter-track playlist from which the IDs of specific inter-track content have been removed. Compared to the inter-track playlist shown in Figure 10(A), it can be seen that the IDs indicating specific inter-track content (songs) marked with an asterisk * have been removed. In S254, inter-track content is played based on this inter-track playlist from which the IDs of specific inter-track content have been removed (corresponding to the "second mode" according to the present invention). Note that the state in which inter-track content is played based on the assumption that specific inter-track content has not been removed corresponds to the "first mode" according to the present invention. Furthermore, in this embodiment, in order to restore the deleted specific inter-track content, the inter-track playlist of the deleted specific inter-track content is stored (S252), as shown in Figure 10(C).

[0057] After a specific type of inter-track content is removed from the inter-track playlist, inter-track content is played based on that playlist (S254). Inter-track content is played not only from the inter-track playlist but also from any inter-track content whose items are set to ON (S254). During the playback period of the items that are set to ON, the second screen (Figure 9) is displayed, as in the first embodiment.

[0058] If the B button is pressed during the playback period of an ON item (S254) (S255: Yes), the inter-track playlist shown in Figure 10(A) is restored (S256, change from second mode to first mode) by returning the specific type of inter-track content ID of the inter-track playlist shown in Figure 10(C) to the inter-track playlist currently playing (S256). After restoring the inter-track playlist, playback based on the restored inter-track playlist is resumed (Figure 6: S219, change from second mode to first mode). Then, the content of the ON item, including the inter-track playlist, is played (Figure 6: S202).

[0059] Furthermore, if the conditions for ending the inter-track mode are met during the playback period of an item set to ON (S254) (S257: Yes), the inter-track playlist is restored to the state shown in Figure 10(A), similar to S256, and the inter-track processing (S200) is terminated. If the conditions for ending the inter-track mode are not met (S257: No), the process proceeds to S253.

[0060] The inter-track processing of the second embodiment has been described above. In the inter-track processing of the second embodiment, playback of specific type inter-track content can be stopped by deleting the ID of a specific type of inter-track content from the inter-track playlist, thereby preventing, for example, the inadvertent generation of copyright fees. In the second embodiment described here, playback of specific type inter-track content is stopped by deleting the ID (identification information) that identifies the specific type of inter-track content from the inter-track playlist. However, in addition to this form, various forms can be adopted to stop playback of specific type inter-track content, such as playing the inter-track content excluding the ID of the specific type of inter-track content without deleting the ID of the specific type of inter-track content from the inter-track playlist.

[0061] The above description has been based on the karaoke device 2 that performs the inter-song processing of this embodiment as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the form applied to the karaoke device 2, but also includes karaoke programs that can be executed in various information processing devices, and karaoke playback methods also fall within its scope. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] 1: Remote control device 27: Memory 2: Karaoke machine 28: Video RAM 5: Server equipment 29: Image forming unit 11: Touchscreen monitor 30: CPU 11a: Display unit 31: Video control unit 11b: Touch panel 32: Hard disk 12: Video RAM 33: Touchscreen monitor 13: Video control unit 34: Touch panel 14: Memory 35: Display Unit 15:CPU 41:Monitor 16: Wireless LAN communication unit 42: Speaker 17: Control panel 43a, 43b: Microphone 18: Operation Processing Unit 101a~104a: Playback Settings Button 21: Control panel 101b~104b: Setting change buttons 22: Operation Processing Unit 106: Playback Settings Button 24a: LAN communication unit 107: Time setting button 24b: Wireless LAN communication unit 108: Alternate video setting button 25: Acoustic control unit 130: Access point

Claims

1. A reservation acceptance process that receives instructions to reserve content, Based on the received reservation instructions, a reservation list formation process is performed to create a reservation list, If there is content to be played in the reservation list, the first playback process plays that content, A content list storage process that stores a content list that instructs the playback of multiple inter-song contents, If there is no content to play in the reservation list, a second playback process is performed to play inter-track content based on the content list. The second playback process is: The first mode plays the inter-track content included in the content list, A second mode is available in which at least one of the inter-track content included in the content list is not played. If there is no content to play in the reservation list, the first mode is executed. If the predetermined conditions are met, it switches from the first mode to the second mode and executes the content. Karaoke machine.

2. The second playback process, in the second mode, does not play the inter-track content included in the content list. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1.

3. Interlude content has a specific type of interlude content, The second playback process, in the second mode, plays back inter-track content from the content list, excluding inter-track content of a specific type. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1.

4. If no content to be played is found in the reservation list for a predetermined period of time, a first display process is performed, which displays a first screen containing a message regarding the execution of the first mode on the display unit. The system executes an operation acceptance process that accepts various operations, The second playback process is: If a specific operation is received between the display of the first screen and the elapsed of the second predetermined time, the execution of the first mode is maintained. If the first specific operation is not accepted within the second predetermined time elapsed after the first screen is displayed, or if the second specific operation is accepted and the predetermined conditions are met, the system will transition from the first mode to the second mode and execute. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The second playback process, in the second mode, plays alternative inter-track content instead of the inter-track content that is not played. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The system executes an alternative settings storage process to store the setting for whether or not to play alternative content. The second playback process is performed in the second mode. If the setting is to not play alternative content, the interlude content will not be played instead of the interlude content that would normally not be played. If the setting is to play alternative content, the alternative content will be played instead of the interlude content that is not played. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1.

7. In the second mode, a second display process is executed, which displays a second screen prompting a third specific operation on the display unit. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1.

8. The second playback process is: When the third specific operation is performed, the system switches from the second mode to the first mode and executes the operation. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 7.

9. A reservation acceptance process that receives instructions to reserve content, Based on the received reservation instructions, a reservation list formation process is performed to create a reservation list, If there is content to be played in the reservation list, the first playback process plays that content, A content list storage process that stores a content list that instructs the playback of multiple inter-song contents, If there is no content to play in the reservation list, the information processing device is instructed to perform a second playback process, which plays inter-track content based on the content list. The second playback process is: The first mode plays the inter-track content included in the content list, A second mode is available in which at least one of the inter-track content included in the content list is not played. If there is no content to play in the reservation list, the first mode is executed. If the predetermined conditions are met, it switches from the first mode to the second mode and executes the content. A program for karaoke.

10. A reservation acceptance process that receives instructions to reserve content, Based on the received reservation instructions, a reservation list formation process is performed to create a reservation list, If there is content to be played in the reservation list, the first playback process plays that content, A content list storage process that stores a content list that instructs the playback of multiple inter-song contents, If there is no content to play in the reservation list, a second playback process is performed to play inter-track content based on the content list. The second playback process is: The first mode plays the inter-track content included in the content list, A second mode is available in which at least one of the inter-track content included in the content list is not played. If there is no content to play in the reservation list, the first mode is executed. If the predetermined conditions are met, it switches from the first mode to the second mode and executes the content. How to play karaoke.

Images