Karaoke device and karaoke system

Abstract

To address a change in form in which users located at places separate from one another enjoy karaoke together to enable switching between a state in which the users share a voice output from karaoke devices installed at their respective places and a state in which the voice is not shared.SOLUTION: A karaoke device A includes: a voice communication unit 25 that transmits voice data corresponding to a performance voice signal and a sound collection voice signal to a karaoke device B; a state determination unit 27 that determines whether or not the karaoke devices A and B are in a state of performing karaoke performance; and a voice transmission control unit 28 that in the case where the karaoke devices A and B are in the state of performing karaoke performance, prohibits transmission of voice data by the voice communication unit 25 from the karaoke device A to the karaoke device B, and in the case where the karaoke devices A and B are not performing karaoke performance, permits transmission of voice data by the voice communication unit 25 from the karaoke device A to the karaoke device B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a karaoke machine capable of communicating with other karaoke machines, and to a karaoke system including a plurality of karaoke machines capable of communicating with each other. [Background technology]

[0002] A technique is known in the past that allows multiple users in different locations to play together in real time by transmitting and receiving audio data output from the instruments owned by the users via a communication network such as the Internet, as described in the following Patent Document 1. With this technique, for example, users U1 and U2 who are in different locations can each simultaneously listen to the audio from the instrument of user U1 and the audio from the instrument of user U2. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-242560 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, by using the above-mentioned technology, it is possible to realize a karaoke system in which karaoke machines installed in different locations transmit and receive audio data of karaoke performances and singing over a communication network, allowing multiple users in different locations to enjoy karaoke together in real time. However, there are the following problems in realizing such a karaoke system.

[0005] For example, when multiple users U1 and U2 who are in different locations use the above technology to play musical instruments together, the objective is for users U1 and U2 to play the same piece of music together, so it is considered sufficient to continuously create a state in which each of users U1 and U2 can hear both the sound from user U1's instrument and the sound from user U2's instrument at the same time, that is, a state in which users U1 and U2 share the sound from each instrument.

[0006] However, for example, when two groups G1 and G2, each consisting of multiple users, enter separate karaoke rooms separated from each other and enjoy karaoke together using the above-mentioned technology, it is desirable to be able to easily switch between a state in which groups G1 and G2 share the audio from the karaoke device used by group G1 and the audio from the karaoke device used by group G2, and a state in which they do not share the audio.

[0007] That is, the manner in which users belonging to groups G1 and G2 enjoy karaoke together may include, for example, a manner in which a user belonging to group G1 and a user belonging to group G2 chat with each other, and a manner in which one user belonging to group G1 and one user belonging to group G2 sing karaoke of different songs separately in parallel temporarily. In the manner in which a user belonging to group G1 and a user belonging to group G2 chat with each other, it is desirable to create a state in which the sound from each karaoke device is shared between group G1 and group G2. On the other hand, in the manner in which one user belonging to group G1 and one user belonging to group G2 sing karaoke of different songs separately in parallel temporarily, it is desirable to create a state in which the sound from each karaoke device is not shared between group G1 and group G2. Furthermore, while users belonging to groups G1 and G2 enjoy karaoke together, the above two manners may be switched many times. Each user can manually switch on / off the communication of sound data between the karaoke devices by operating each karaoke device. However, it is troublesome to perform such a manual operation every time the above two modes are switched.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems such as those described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a karaoke device and a karaoke system that can easily switch between a state in which multiple users, who are in different locations, share the sound output from the karaoke devices installed in their respective locations and a state in which they do not share the sound, in accordance with changes in the manner in which the multiple users, who are in different locations, enjoy karaoke together. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, a first karaoke device of the present invention is a karaoke device capable of communicating with another karaoke device, comprising: a karaoke performance section which performs karaoke performance and outputs an audio signal of the karaoke performance as a performance audio signal; a sound collection section which collects audio and outputs the signal of the collected audio as a collected audio signal; an audio transmission section which transmits to the other karaoke device audio data corresponding to the performance audio signal output from the karaoke performance section and the collected audio signal output from the sound collection section; an information transmission section which, when a karaoke performance by the karaoke performance section starts, transmits to the other karaoke device self-performance start information indicating that a karaoke performance by the karaoke performance section has started, and, when a karaoke performance by the karaoke performance section ends, transmits to the other karaoke device self-performance end information indicating that a karaoke performance by the karaoke performance section has ended; the other karaoke device is provided with an information receiving unit which receives from the other karaoke device other-device performance end information indicating that the karaoke performance by the other karaoke device has ended; an other-device state determining unit which determines whether the other karaoke device is performing karaoke based on the other-device performance start information and the other-device performance end information received by the information receiving unit; and an audio transmission control unit which, when the karaoke performance unit is performing karaoke and the other-device state determining unit determines that the other karaoke device is performing karaoke, prohibits the audio transmission unit from transmitting the audio data to the other karaoke device, and, when the karaoke performance unit is not performing karaoke and the other-device state determining unit determines that the other karaoke device is not performing karaoke, allows the audio transmission unit to transmit the audio data to the other karaoke device.

[0010] In addition, in the first karaoke device of the present invention, when the karaoke performance unit is not performing karaoke and the other machine state judgment unit determines that the other karaoke device is performing karaoke, the audio transmission control unit may prohibit the audio transmission unit from transmitting the audio data to the other karaoke device, and when the karaoke performance unit is performing karaoke and the other machine state judgment unit determines that the other karaoke device is not performing karaoke, the audio transmission control unit may allow the audio transmission unit to transmit the audio data to the other karaoke device.

[0011] In addition, in the first karaoke device of the present invention, a simultaneous performance control unit is provided which controls the karaoke performance unit and the other karaoke device to perform karaoke of the same song simultaneously, and the audio transmission control unit may, when the karaoke performance unit and the other karaoke device perform karaoke of the same song simultaneously under the control of the simultaneous performance control unit, prohibit the audio transmission unit from transmitting audio data corresponding to the performance audio signal to the other karaoke device, and permit the audio transmission unit to transmit audio data corresponding to the collected audio signal to the other karaoke device.

[0012] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a second karaoke device of the present invention is a karaoke device capable of communicating with another karaoke device, comprising: a karaoke performance section which performs a karaoke performance and outputs an audio signal of the karaoke performance as a performance audio signal; a sound collection section which collects audio and outputs the signal of the collected audio as a collected audio signal; an audio receiving section which receives from the other karaoke device other-device audio data corresponding to the audio signal of the karaoke performance performed by the other karaoke device and the audio signal of the audio collected by the other karaoke device; a sound emitting section which emits audio corresponding to the performance audio signal output from the karaoke performance section, audio corresponding to the collected audio signal output from the sound collection section, and audio corresponding to the other-device audio data received by the audio receiving section; and when a karaoke performance by the karaoke performance section starts, it transmits own-device performance start information indicating that a karaoke performance by the karaoke performance section has started to the other karaoke device, and when a karaoke performance by the karaoke performance section ends, it transmits own-device performance end information indicating that the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance section has ended. an information transmitting unit which transmits information to the other karaoke device; an information receiving unit which receives from the other karaoke device other-device performance start information indicating that a karaoke performance by the other karaoke device has started and receives from the other karaoke device other-device performance end information indicating that a karaoke performance by the other karaoke device has ended; an other-device state determining unit which determines whether the other karaoke device is performing karaoke based on the other-device performance start information and the other-device performance end information received by the information receiving unit; and a sound emission control unit which, when the karaoke performance unit is performing karaoke and the other-device state determining unit determines that the other karaoke device is performing karaoke, prohibits the sound emitting unit from emitting sound corresponding to the other-device audio data, and, when the karaoke performance unit is not performing karaoke and the other-device state determining unit determines that the other karaoke device is not performing karaoke, allows the sound emitting unit to emit sound corresponding to the other-device audio data.

[0013] Furthermore, in the second karaoke device of the present invention, when the sound emission control unit switches the emission of the sound corresponding to the other device audio data from prohibited to permitted, and the sound emission unit accordingly starts or resumes emitting the sound corresponding to the other device audio data, the sound emission control unit or the sound emission unit may fade in the sound corresponding to the other device audio data.

[0014] In order to achieve the above object, a karaoke system of the present invention includes a plurality of the first karaoke devices of the present invention capable of communicating with each other, or a plurality of the second karaoke devices of the present invention capable of communicating with each other. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, in response to changes in the manner in which multiple users in distant locations enjoy karaoke together, multiple users can easily switch between a state in which they share the sound output from karaoke devices installed in their respective locations and a state in which they do not share the sound. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke system including a karaoke device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart showing processing related to setting of own status information and other device status information and transmission of audio data in the karaoke device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart showing a voice transmission control process in the karaoke device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 4 is a table showing the relationship between the states of two karaoke devices constituting the karaoke system and the inhibition / permission of audio transmission in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a voice transmission control process in the karaoke device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 13 is a table showing the relationship between the states of two karaoke devices constituting a karaoke system and the inhibition / permission of audio transmission in the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a voice transmission control process in the karaoke device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing a voice transmission control process in the karaoke device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] (First embodiment) [Karaoke system] FIG. 1 shows a karaoke system 1 to which a karaoke device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the karaoke system 1 includes two karaoke devices A and B, a video communication server device 2, and a communication network 3, such as the Internet, that connects the karaoke devices A and B and the video communication server device 2 so that they can communicate with each other. The two karaoke devices A and B are provided at locations separate from each other. For example, the karaoke devices A and B are provided in separate karaoke rooms. The karaoke devices A and B communicate with each other to exchange audio data, video data, and other information. The other information includes performance start information, performance end information, and the like, which will be described later. The karaoke devices A and B communicate with each other to exchange audio data and other information in a peer-to-peer manner, and communicate with each other to exchange video data via the video communication server device 2 in a server-client manner.

[0018] [Karaoke equipment configuration] The two karaoke machines A and B have the same configuration, and each is a karaoke machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the karaoke machine A will be described below.

[0019] Fig. 2 shows the configuration of the karaoke device A. As shown in Fig. 2, the karaoke device A includes a karaoke performance section 11, a sound collection section 12, a sound emission section 16, an imaging section 19, a display section 20, a communication connection control circuit 21, a storage section 22, and a control section 23.

[0020] The karaoke performance unit 11 includes a synthesizer and performs karaoke based on music data conforming to standards such as MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface). The karaoke performance unit 11 outputs a digital audio signal of the karaoke performance as a performance audio signal to the sound emitting unit 16 and the control unit 23.

[0021] The sound collection unit 12 includes a singing microphone 13, an ambient sound collection microphone 14, and a voice input circuit 15. The singing microphone 13 is a microphone that collects the karaoke singing of a user (singer). The ambient sound collection microphone 14 is a microphone that collects, for example, sounds in a karaoke room in which the karaoke device A is installed, specifically, the conversation voices of multiple users in the karaoke room. The voice input circuit 15 has a function of converting the analog voice signal of the voice collected by the singing microphone 13 and the analog voice signal of the voice collected by the ambient sound collection microphone 14 into a digital voice signal and then mixing them. In addition, the sound collection unit 12 outputs the digital voice signal of the voice of the user singing karaoke and the conversation, etc., collected by the singing microphone 13 and the ambient sound collection microphone 14 to the sound emission unit 16 and the control unit 23 as a collected voice signal.

[0022] The sound emitting unit 16 includes an audio output circuit 17 and a speaker 18. The audio output circuit 17 has a function of converting a digital audio signal into an analog audio signal and outputting the converted analog audio signal to the speaker 18. The sound emitting unit 16 emits, into the karaoke room in which the karaoke device A is installed, audio corresponding to the performance audio signal output from the karaoke performance unit 11, audio corresponding to the collected audio signal output from the sound collection unit 12, and audio corresponding to audio data transmitted from the karaoke device B and received by the audio communication unit 25 of the karaoke device A.

[0023] The photographing unit 19 is, for example, a camera. The photographing unit 19 photographs a user singing karaoke using the karaoke device A, and outputs the video signal to the control unit 23. The display unit 20 is, for example, a display device having a large screen. The display unit 20 displays the video photographed by the photographing unit 19, the lyrics of the song, and a video corresponding to the video data transmitted from the karaoke device B and received by the video communication unit 30.

[0024] The communication connection control circuit 21 is a circuit that connects the karaoke device A to the communication network 3 so that the karaoke device A can communicate with the karaoke device B and the video communication server device 2, and is, for example, a modem or an optical line terminal.

[0025] The storage unit 22 is a device that stores various types of information, data, programs, etc., and is, for example, a semiconductor memory or a hard disk drive.

[0026] The control unit 23 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a main memory, etc., and performs various controls on the karaoke device A. The karaoke performance unit 11, the sound collection unit 12, the sound emission unit 16, the image capture unit 19, the display unit 20, the communication connection control circuit 21, and the storage unit 22 are connected to the control unit 23. The control unit 23 also functions as a general control unit 24, an audio communication unit 25, an information communication unit 26, a state determination unit 27, an audio transmission control unit 28, an image control unit 29, and an image communication unit 30 by, for example, reading and executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 22.

[0027] The general control unit 24 has functions of managing processes in the karaoke device A, constructing and controlling the user interface, and managing information and data handled by the karaoke device A.

[0028] The audio communication unit 25 has a function of transmitting audio data corresponding to the performance audio signal output from the karaoke performance unit 11 and the collected audio signal output from the sound collection unit 12 to the karaoke device B. More specifically, in the karaoke device A, when the karaoke performance unit 11 is performing karaoke, the performance audio signal is output from the karaoke performance unit 11. Also, when a user is singing karaoke, the collected audio signal is output from the sound collection unit 12. Also, the conversation voices of users in the karaoke room in which the karaoke device A is installed are output from the sound collection unit 12 as collected audio signals. The audio communication unit 25 receives the performance audio signal output from the karaoke performance unit 11 and the collected audio signal output from the sound collection unit 12, and transmits audio data including the performance audio signal and the collected audio signal to the karaoke device B via the communication connection control circuit 21 and the communication network 3.

[0029] The audio communication unit 25 also has a function of receiving audio data (other device audio data) transmitted from the karaoke device B. More specifically, the karaoke device B, which has the same configuration as the karaoke device A, transmits audio data corresponding to a performance audio signal of a karaoke performance performed by the karaoke device B and a collected audio signal of audio collected by the karaoke device B from the karaoke device B to the karaoke device A. The audio communication unit 25 of the karaoke device A receives the audio data transmitted from the karaoke device B via the communication network 3 and the communication connection control circuit 21. Then, the audio communication unit 25 outputs the performance audio signal and the collected audio signal included in the received audio data to the sound emitting unit 16. The sound emitting unit 16 emits the audio corresponding to the performance audio signal and the collected audio signal output from the audio communication unit 25 into the karaoke room in which the karaoke device A is installed. As a result, the sound of the karaoke performance performed by karaoke device B, the sound of the karaoke singing collected by karaoke device B, and the sound of conversation in the karaoke room in which karaoke device B is installed are emitted from sound emitting unit 16 of karaoke device A into the karaoke room in which karaoke device A is installed. Note that audio communication unit 25 is a specific example of an audio transmitting unit and an audio receiving unit.

[0030] When the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance unit 11 starts, the information communication unit 26 transmits performance start information (own performance start information) indicating that the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance unit 11 has started, i.e., that the karaoke performance by the karaoke device A has started, to the karaoke device B via the communication connection control circuit 21 and the communication network 3. In addition, when the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance unit 11 ends, the information communication unit 26 transmits performance end information (own performance end information) indicating that the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance unit 11 has ended, i.e., that the karaoke performance by the karaoke device A has ended, to the karaoke device B via the communication connection control circuit 21 and the communication network 3.

[0031] Furthermore, the information communication unit 26 receives performance start information (other device performance start information) and performance end information (other device performance end information) transmitted from the karaoke device B. That is, the karaoke device B, which has the same configuration as the karaoke device A, transmits performance start information indicating that the karaoke performance by the karaoke device B has started to the karaoke device A when the karaoke performance by the karaoke device B starts, and transmits performance end information indicating that the karaoke performance by the karaoke device B has ended to the karaoke device A when the karaoke performance by the karaoke device B ends. The information communication unit 26 receives the performance start information and performance end information via the communication network 3 and the communication connection control circuit 21. The information communication unit 26 is a specific example of an information transmitting unit and an information receiving unit.

[0032] The state determination unit 27 determines whether the karaoke device A is in a state where karaoke performance is being performed or is not in a state where karaoke performance is being performed based on whether the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance unit 11 has started or has ended. Hereinafter, the state where karaoke performance is being performed is referred to as a "performance state", and the state where karaoke performance is not being performed is referred to as a "performance stop state". More specifically, the state determination unit 27 recognizes whether karaoke performance by the karaoke performance unit 11 has started or not based on the control status of the karaoke performance unit 11 by the control unit 23 or the operation of the karaoke performance unit 11, and determines that the karaoke device A is in a performance state when the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance unit 11 has started. The state determination unit 27 also recognizes whether karaoke performance by the karaoke performance unit 11 has ended or not based on the control status of the karaoke performance unit 11 by the control unit 23 or the operation of the karaoke performance unit 11, and determines that the karaoke device A is in a performance stop state when the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance unit 11 has ended.

[0033] The state determination unit 27 also determines whether the karaoke device B is in a playing state or a performance stop state based on the performance start information and performance end information transmitted from the karaoke device B and received by the information communication unit 26. Specifically, the state determination unit 27 determines that the karaoke device B is in a playing state when the performance start information is transmitted from the karaoke device B and received by the information communication unit 26. The state determination unit 27 also determines that the karaoke device B is in a performance stop state when the performance end information is transmitted from the karaoke device B and received by the information communication unit 26.

[0034] The storage unit 22 also stores self-status information indicating whether the karaoke device A is in a playing state or a performance-stopped state, and other-status information indicating whether the karaoke device B is in a playing state or a performance-stopped state. When the state determination unit 27 determines that the karaoke device A is in a playing state, it sets the self-status information to "playing state", and when it determines that the karaoke device A is in a performance-stopped state, it sets the self-status information to "performance-stopped state". When the state determination unit 27 determines that the karaoke device B is in a playing state, it sets the other-status information to "playing state", and when it determines that the karaoke device B is in a performance-stopped state, it sets the other-status information to "performance-stopped state".

[0035] The voice transmission control unit 28 judges whether the karaoke device A is in a playing state or a performance-stopped state and whether the karaoke device B is in a playing state or a performance-stopped state based on the self-device status information and the other-device status information stored in the storage unit 22, and decides whether to permit or prohibit the voice communication unit 25 from transmitting voice data from the karaoke device A to the karaoke device B based on the judgment result. Specifically, when the karaoke device A is in a playing state and the karaoke device B is in a playing state, the voice transmission control unit 28 prohibits the voice communication unit 25 from transmitting voice data from the karaoke device A to the karaoke device B. Also, when the karaoke device A is in a playing state and the karaoke device B is in a performance-stopped state, the voice transmission control unit 28 permits the voice communication unit 25 to transmit voice data from the karaoke device A to the karaoke device B. Also, when the karaoke device A is in a performance-stopped state and the karaoke device B is in a playing ... In addition, when karaoke device A is in a performance-stopped state and karaoke device B is in a performance-stopped state, the voice transmission control unit 28 permits the voice communication unit 25 to transmit voice data from karaoke device A to karaoke device B.

[0036] The video control unit 29 performs a process of superimposing the video of the user captured by the imaging unit 19, the lyrics of the song, and a video corresponding to the video data transmitted from the karaoke device B and received by the video communication unit 30, or a process of switching between these videos, in order to display these on the screen of the display unit 20. The video communication unit 30 transmits the video data corresponding to the video of the user captured by the imaging unit 19 to the karaoke device B, and also receives the video data transmitted from the karaoke device B. The video control unit 29 and the video communication unit 30 cause the video corresponding to the video data transmitted from the karaoke device B to be displayed on the display unit 20 of the karaoke device A. As a result, for example, a user of the karaoke device A can see other users singing karaoke in the karaoke room where the karaoke device B is installed, in the karaoke room where the karaoke device A is installed.

[0037] [Processing in Karaoke Equipment] Fig. 3 shows a main routine (hereinafter referred to as "main processing") for processing related to setting the self-device status information and other-device status information and transmitting audio data in karaoke device A. Fig. 4 shows an audio transmission control process, which is a subroutine executed in the main processing. Note that in Figs. 3 and 4, and later Fig. 5, "device A" refers to karaoke device A, and "device B" refers to karaoke device B.

[0038] The main process is executed when both karaoke devices A and B are in operation. For example, when multiple users belonging to group G1 enter a karaoke room where karaoke device A is installed and start using karaoke device A, and multiple users belonging to group G2 enter a karaoke room where karaoke device B is installed and start using karaoke device B, the main process shown in Fig. 3 is started in both karaoke devices A and B.

[0039] When the main process is started in each of the karaoke devices A and B, in FIG. 3, first, communication is started between the karaoke devices A and B (step S1).

[0040] The following description focuses on the main process in karaoke device A. After communication is started between karaoke device A and karaoke device B, the state determination unit 27 of karaoke device A sets both its own status information and other device status information to "playing stopped state" (step S2). Then, the audio communication unit 25 starts transmitting audio data from karaoke device A to karaoke device B (step S3).

[0041] Next, the state determination unit 27 determines whether or not the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance unit 11 has started (step S4). When the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance unit 11 has started (step S4: YES), the state determination unit 27 determines that the karaoke device A has entered a performance state, and sets the self-status information to "performance state" (step S5). When the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance unit 11 has started, the information communication unit 26 transmits performance start information indicating that the karaoke performance by the karaoke device A has started to the karaoke device B (step S6). Furthermore, after the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance unit 11 has started and the self-status information has been set to "performance state" by the state determination unit 27, the voice transmission control unit 28 and the voice communication unit 25 execute a voice transmission control process (step S7).

[0042] The voice transmission control process will now be described with reference to Fig. 4. The voice transmission control process is a process in which the voice transmission control unit 28 determines whether to permit or prohibit the transmission of voice data from the karaoke device A to the karaoke device B based on whether the karaoke device A is in a playing state or a performance-stopped state and whether the karaoke device B is in a playing state or a performance-stopped state, and controls the voice communication unit 25 to start or resume the transmission of voice data from the karaoke device A to the karaoke device B when the transmission of voice data from the karaoke device A to the karaoke device B is permitted, and controls the voice communication unit 25 to stop the transmission of voice data from the karaoke device A to the karaoke device B when the transmission of voice data from the karaoke device A to the karaoke device B is prohibited.

[0043] Specifically, in FIG. 4, the audio transmission control unit 28 refers to the own device status information and the other device status information stored in the memory unit 22, and if the own device status information is "playing state" and the other device status information is "playing state" (step S21: YES and step S22: YES), it controls the audio communication unit 25 to stop the transmission of audio data from karaoke device A to karaoke device B (or to continue the stop if it has already been stopped) (step S23).

[0044] On the other hand, if the self-device status information is not "playing state" or the other-device status information is not "playing state" (step S21: NO or step S22: NO), the audio transmission control unit 28 controls the audio communication unit 25 to start or resume transmission of audio data from karaoke device A to karaoke device B (to continue transmission if transmission is already in progress) (step S24).

[0045] On the other hand, in step S4 in FIG. 3, when the state judgment unit 27 judges whether or not karaoke performance by the karaoke performance unit 11 has started and it turns out that karaoke performance by the karaoke performance unit 11 has not started (step S4: NO), the overall control unit 24 transitions the process directly from step S4 to step S8 without executing steps S5, S6 and S7.

[0046] Next, the state determination unit 27 determines whether the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance unit 11 has ended (step S8). When the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance unit 11 has ended (step S8: YES), the state determination unit 27 determines that the karaoke device A has entered a performance stop state, and sets the self-status information to a "performance stop state" (step S9). When the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance unit 11 has ended, the information communication unit 26 transmits performance end information indicating that the karaoke performance by the karaoke device A has ended to the karaoke device B (step S10). Furthermore, after the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance unit 11 has ended and the self-status information has been set to a "performance stop state" by the state determination unit 27, the voice transmission control unit 28 and the voice communication unit 25 execute the voice transmission control process shown in FIG. 4 (step S11).

[0047] On the other hand, in step S8 in FIG. 3, when the state judgment unit 27 judges whether the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance unit 11 has finished or not and finds that the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance unit 11 has not finished (step S8: NO), the overall control unit 24 transitions the process directly from step S8 to step S12 without executing steps S9, S10 and S11.

[0048] Next, the state determination unit 27 determines whether or not the performance start information is transmitted from the karaoke device B and received by the information communication unit 26 (step S12). When the performance start information is received by the information communication unit 26 (step S12: YES), the state determination unit 27 determines that the karaoke device B has entered a performance start state, and sets the other device status information to "performance state" (step S13). Then, after the other device status information is set to "performance state" by the state determination unit 27, the voice transmission control unit 28 and the voice communication unit 25 execute the voice transmission control process shown in FIG. 4 (step S14).

[0049] On the other hand, in step S12 in FIG. 3, when it is determined whether or not the performance start information has been received by the information communication unit 26, and it is found that the performance start information has not been received by the information communication unit 26 (step S12: NO), the overall control unit 24 transitions the process directly from step S12 to step S15 without executing steps S13 and S14.

[0050] Next, the state determination unit 27 determines whether or not the performance end information is transmitted from the karaoke device B and received by the information communication unit 26 (step S15). When the performance end information is received by the information communication unit 26 (step S15: YES), the state determination unit 27 determines that the karaoke device B has entered a performance stop state, and sets the other device status information to "performance stop state" (step S16). Then, after the other device status information is set to "performance stop state" by the state determination unit 27, the voice transmission control unit 28 and the voice communication unit 25 execute the voice transmission control process shown in FIG. 4 (step S17).

[0051] 3, if the performance end information has not been received by the information communication unit 26 (step S15: NO), the overall control unit 24 skips steps S16 and S17 and shifts the process from step S15 to step S4. The above main process continues while the karaoke device A and the karaoke device B are operating.

[0052] As described above, the karaoke device A of the first embodiment of the present invention includes an information communication unit 26 which transmits performance start information from the karaoke device A to the karaoke device B when the karaoke performance by the karaoke device A starts, transmits performance end information from the karaoke device A to the karaoke device B when the karaoke performance by the karaoke device A ends, and receives the performance start information and performance end information transmitted from the karaoke device B; a status determination unit 27 which determines whether the karaoke device A is in a playing state or a performance stop state based on the start and end of the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance unit 11, and determines whether the karaoke device B is in a playing state or a performance stop state based on the performance start information and the performance end information transmitted from the karaoke device B; and a voice transmission control unit 28 which determines whether the karaoke device A is in a playing state or a performance stop state and the karaoke device B is in a playing state or a performance stop state based on the own device status information and the other device status information indicating the judgment result by the status determination unit 27, and decides whether to permit or prohibit the transmission of voice data from the karaoke device A to the karaoke device B by the voice communication unit 25 based on the judgment result.

[0053] Similarly, the karaoke device B of the first embodiment of the present invention includes an information communication unit 26 which transmits performance start information from the karaoke device B to the karaoke device A when the karaoke performance by the karaoke device B starts and transmits performance end information from the karaoke device B to the karaoke device A when the karaoke performance by the karaoke device B ends, and receives the performance start information and performance end information transmitted from the karaoke device A; a status determination unit 27 which determines whether the karaoke device B is in a playing state or a performance stop state based on the start and end of the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance unit 11, and determines whether the karaoke device A is in a playing state or a performance stop state based on the performance start information and the performance end information transmitted from the karaoke device A; and a voice transmission control unit 28 which determines whether the karaoke device B is in a playing state or a performance stop state and the karaoke device A is in a playing state or a performance stop state based on the own device status information and the other device status information indicating the judgment result by the status determination unit 27, and decides whether to permit or prohibit the transmission of voice data from the karaoke device B to the karaoke device A by the voice communication unit 25 based on the judgment result.

[0054] With the karaoke devices A and B of this embodiment having such a configuration, it is possible to automatically switch between a state in which the multiple users, who are in different locations, share the sound output from the karaoke devices A and B installed in their respective locations and a state in which the multiple users do not share the sound, depending on changes in the way in which the multiple users enjoy karaoke together at different locations.

[0055] The effects of the karaoke devices A and B of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. For example, suppose that karaoke room R1 in which karaoke device A is installed and karaoke room R2 in which karaoke device B is installed are located apart from each other, and multiple users Pa, Pb, ... belonging to group G1 enter karaoke room R1, and multiple users Qa, Qb, ... belonging to group G2 enter karaoke room R2, and the multiple users Pa, Pb, ... belonging to group G1 and the multiple users Qa, Qb, ... belonging to group G2 enjoy karaoke together. In this case, for example, the following is a mode in which users belonging to groups G1 and G2 respectively enjoy karaoke together: (I) A situation in which users belonging to groups G1 and G2, respectively, chat with each other across karaoke rooms R1 and R2 during breaks in singing karaoke, (II) In a karaoke room R1, one user Pa belonging to a group G1 sings karaoke, and other users belonging to the group G1 in the karaoke room R1 and all users belonging to the group G2 in the karaoke room R2 listen to the user Pa's karaoke singing. (III) In karaoke room R2, one user Qa belonging to group G2 sings karaoke, and other users belonging to group G2 in karaoke room R2 and all users belonging to group G1 in karaoke room R1 listen to the user Qa's karaoke singing. (IV) In karaoke room R1, one user Pb belonging to group G1 sings karaoke, and at the same time, in karaoke room R2, one user Qb belonging to group G2 sings karaoke of a different song than the song sung by user Pa.

[0056] First, in the mode (I), the users belonging to the groups G1 and G2 chat with each other during breaks in singing karaoke, so that no karaoke singing is taking place in either karaoke room. Therefore, in this mode, both the karaoke devices A and B are in a stopped state. At this time, as shown in (I) in FIG. 5, the voice transmission control unit 28 of the karaoke device A permits the transmission of voice data from the karaoke device A to the karaoke device B, and the voice transmission control unit 28 of the karaoke device B permits the transmission of voice data from the karaoke device B to the karaoke device A. Therefore, the transmission of voice data from the karaoke device A to the karaoke device B and the transmission of voice data from the karaoke device B to the karaoke device A are both automatically started. As a result, the conversation voices of the users belonging to the group G2 in the karaoke room R2 are emitted by the karaoke device A into the karaoke room R1, and the conversation voices of the users belonging to the group G1 in the karaoke room R1 are emitted by the karaoke device B into the karaoke room R2. Therefore, the users belonging to the groups G1 and G2 can easily chat across the karaoke rooms R1 and R2.

[0057] Next, in the case of (II), the user Pa is singing karaoke in the karaoke room R1, and no one is singing karaoke in the karaoke room R2, so the karaoke device A is in a playing state, and the karaoke device B is in a stopped state. At this time, as shown in (II) in FIG. 5, the voice transmission control unit 28 of the karaoke device A allows the transmission of voice data from the karaoke device A to the karaoke device B, and the voice transmission control unit 28 of the karaoke device B allows the transmission of voice data from the karaoke device B to the karaoke device A. Therefore, the transmission of voice data from the karaoke device A to the karaoke device B and the transmission of voice data from the karaoke device B to the karaoke device A are both automatically started. As a result, the voice of the user Pa singing karaoke in the karaoke room R1 and the voice of the karaoke performance by the karaoke device A are emitted into the karaoke room R1 by the karaoke device A, and into the karaoke room R2 by the karaoke device B. Furthermore, the voices of the other hand of each user belonging to the group G2 in the karaoke room R2 are emitted into the karaoke room R1 by the karaoke device A. Therefore, user Pa can have his / her karaoke singing heard not only by users in karaoke room R1 but also by users in karaoke room R2, and not only by users in karaoke room R1 but also by users in karaoke room R2, who can appreciate user Pa's karaoke singing or join in on it.

[0058] Next, in the case of (III), no one is singing karaoke in the karaoke room R1, and the user Qa is singing karaoke in the karaoke room R2, so that the karaoke device A is in a stopped state and the karaoke device B is in a playing state. At this time, as shown in (III) in FIG. 5, the voice transmission control unit 28 of the karaoke device A allows the transmission of voice data from the karaoke device A to the karaoke device B, and the voice transmission control unit 28 of the karaoke device B allows the transmission of voice data from the karaoke device B to the karaoke device A. Therefore, the transmission of voice data from the karaoke device A to the karaoke device B and the transmission of voice data from the karaoke device B to the karaoke device A are both automatically started. As a result, the voice of the user Qa singing karaoke in the karaoke room R2 and the voice of the karaoke performance by the karaoke device B are emitted into the karaoke room R2 by the karaoke device B, and into the karaoke room R1 by the karaoke device A. Furthermore, the voices of the other hand of each user belonging to the group G1 in the karaoke room R1 are emitted into the karaoke room R2 by the karaoke device B. Therefore, user Qa can have his / her karaoke singing heard not only by users in karaoke room R2 but also by users in karaoke room R1, and not only by users in karaoke room R2 but also by users in karaoke room R1 can appreciate user Qa's karaoke singing or join in on it.

[0059] Next, in the case of (IV), a user Pb sings karaoke in the karaoke room R1, and at the same time, a user Qb sings a different song from the song that the user Pb is singing in the karaoke room R2, so that both the karaoke device A and the karaoke device B are in a performance state. At this time, as shown in (IV) in FIG. 5, the audio transmission control unit 28 of the karaoke device A prohibits the transmission of audio data from the karaoke device A to the karaoke device B, and the audio transmission control unit 28 of the karaoke device B prohibits the transmission of audio data from the karaoke device B to the karaoke device A. Therefore, the transmission of audio data from the karaoke device A to the karaoke device B and the transmission of audio data from the karaoke device B to the karaoke device A are both automatically stopped. As a result, the voice of the user Pb singing karaoke in the karaoke room R1, the voice of the karaoke performance by the karaoke device A, and the voices of the users in the karaoke room R1 singing together and talking with each other are not emitted into the karaoke room R2. At the same time, the sound of user Qb singing karaoke in karaoke room R2, the sound of the karaoke performance by karaoke device B, and the sounds of the users in karaoke room R2 singing along or talking are not emitted into karaoke room R1. Therefore, user Pb can concentrate on singing karaoke in karaoke room R1 without being disturbed by the sounds in karaoke room R2, and user Qb can concentrate on singing karaoke in karaoke room R2 without being disturbed by the sounds in karaoke room R1.

[0060] Second Embodiment The karaoke system of the second embodiment of the present invention includes two karaoke devices A and B connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network, similar to the karaoke system 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention described above. However, the karaoke device A of the second embodiment differs from the karaoke device A of the first embodiment in the content of the process performed by the audio transmission control unit. Specifically, the audio transmission control unit 28 of the karaoke device A of the first embodiment allows the audio communication unit 25 to transmit audio data from the karaoke device A to the karaoke device B when the karaoke device A is in a performance-stopped state and the karaoke device B is in a performance state. In contrast, the audio transmission control unit of the karaoke device A of the second embodiment prohibits the audio communication unit from transmitting audio data from the karaoke device A to the karaoke device B when the karaoke device A is in a performance-stopped state and the karaoke device B is in a performance state.

[0061] Fig. 6 shows a voice transmission control process executed by the voice transmission control unit of the karaoke device A of the second embodiment. In Fig. 6, when the self-device status information is "playing state" and the other-device status information is "playing state" (step S31: YES and step S32: YES), the voice transmission control unit of the karaoke device A of the second embodiment controls the voice communication unit (step S34) to stop the transmission of voice data from the karaoke device A to the karaoke device B (or to continue the stop if the transmission has already been stopped).

[0062] In addition, in the second embodiment, the audio transmission control unit of karaoke device A controls the audio communication unit (step S35) to start or resume transmission of audio data from karaoke device A to karaoke device B (or to continue transmission if transmission is already in progress) when the self-device status information is "playing state" and the other device status information is not "playing state" (step S31: YES and step S32: NO).

[0063] In addition, in the second embodiment, the audio transmission control unit of karaoke device A controls the audio communication unit (step S36) to stop the transmission of audio data from karaoke device A to karaoke device B (or to continue the stoppage if the transmission has already been stopped) when the self-device status information is not "playing state" and the other device status information is "playing state" (step S31: NO and step S33: YES).

[0064] In addition, in the second embodiment, the audio transmission control unit of karaoke device A controls the audio communication unit (step S37) to start or resume transmission of audio data from karaoke device A to karaoke device B (to continue transmission if transmission has already been performed) when the self-device status information is not "playing state" and the other device status information is not "playing state" (step S31: NO and step S33: NO).

[0065] Also, the karaoke device B of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the karaoke device A of the second embodiment. Therefore, the audio transmission control unit of the karaoke device B of the second embodiment prohibits the audio communication unit from transmitting audio data from the karaoke device B to the karaoke device A when the karaoke device B is in a performance stop state and the karaoke device A is in a performance state.

[0066] According to the karaoke devices A and B of the second embodiment having such a configuration, in the mode (II) exemplified in the first embodiment, that is, in the mode in which one user Pa belonging to group G1 sings karaoke in karaoke room R1, and other users belonging to group G1 in karaoke room R1 and all users belonging to group G2 in karaoke room R2 listen to the user Pa's karaoke singing, as shown in (II) of Fig. 7, karaoke device A is in a playing state and karaoke device B is in a stopped state, so that the audio transmission control unit of karaoke device A permits the transmission of audio data from karaoke device A to karaoke device B, and the audio transmission control unit of karaoke device B prohibits the transmission of audio data from karaoke device B to karaoke device A. Therefore, the transmission of audio data from karaoke device A to karaoke device B is automatically started, and at the same time, the transmission of audio data from karaoke device B to karaoke device A is automatically stopped. As a result, the voice of user Pa singing karaoke in karaoke room R1 and the voice of karaoke performance by karaoke device A are emitted into karaoke room R1 by karaoke device A, and into karaoke room R2 by karaoke device B. However, the voice in karaoke room R2 is not emitted into karaoke room R1. Therefore, user Pa can let his karaoke singing be heard not only by users in karaoke room R1, but also by users in karaoke room R2. Furthermore, user Pa can concentrate on singing karaoke in karaoke room R1 without being disturbed by the voice in karaoke room R2.

[0067] In the case of the (III) example shown in the first embodiment, that is, in the case where one user Qa belonging to group G2 sings karaoke in karaoke room R2, and other users belonging to group G2 in karaoke room R2 and all users belonging to group G1 in karaoke room R1 listen to the user Qa's karaoke singing, as shown in (III) of FIG. 7, karaoke device A is in a stopped state and karaoke device B is in a playing state, so the audio transmission control unit of karaoke device A prohibits the transmission of audio data from karaoke device A to karaoke device B, and the audio transmission control unit of karaoke device B permits the transmission of audio data from karaoke device B to karaoke device A. Therefore, the transmission of audio data from karaoke device A to karaoke device B is automatically stopped, and at the same time, the transmission of audio data from karaoke device B to karaoke device A is automatically started. As a result, the voice of user Qa singing karaoke in karaoke room R2 and the voice of karaoke performance by karaoke device B are emitted by karaoke device B into karaoke room R2 and by karaoke device A into karaoke room R1. However, the sound in karaoke room R1 is not emitted to karaoke room R2. Therefore, user Qa can have his / her karaoke singing heard not only by users in karaoke room R2, but also by users in karaoke room R1. User Qa can concentrate on singing karaoke in karaoke room R2 without being disturbed by the sound in karaoke room R1.

[0068] (Third embodiment) The karaoke system of the third embodiment of the present invention includes two karaoke devices C and D connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via a communication network. The two karaoke devices C and D have the same configuration. Fig. 8 shows the configuration of the karaoke device C of the third embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 8, the same components as those of the karaoke device A of the first embodiment of the present invention described above are given the same reference numerals. In the karaoke device C of the third embodiment, the same components as those of the karaoke device A of the first embodiment will not be described.

[0069] As shown in Fig. 8, karaoke device C is equipped with a simultaneous performance control unit 35. Karaoke device D is also equipped with a simultaneous performance control unit 35. The simultaneous performance control unit 35 controls karaoke device C and karaoke device D to simultaneously perform karaoke of the same song. With this control, one of two users can use karaoke device C and the other can use karaoke device D to sing a duet of the same song.

[0070] Specifically, the time on the clock of the control unit 23 of the karaoke device C and the time on the clock of the control unit 23 of the karaoke device D are exactly the same. First, the user of the karaoke device C switches the operation mode of the karaoke device C to the duet mode, and the user of the karaoke device D switches the operation mode of the karaoke device D to the duet mode. Next, for example, the user of the karaoke device C reserves a song. In response to this, the simultaneous performance control unit 35 of the karaoke device C transmits song identification information of the reserved song and time information indicating the time to start playing the song to the karaoke device D. The simultaneous performance control unit 35 of the karaoke device D reserves the song based on the song identification information and time information transmitted from the karaoke device C. Then, when the time indicated by the time information arrives, the karaoke devices C and D simultaneously start karaoke performance of the same reserved song.

[0071] When karaoke device C is in a performance state, karaoke device D is in a performance state, and the operating mode of karaoke device C is in duet mode, the audio transmission control unit 36 ​​of karaoke device C prohibits the audio communication unit 25 from transmitting audio data corresponding to the performance audio signal from karaoke device C to karaoke device D, and allows the audio communication unit 25 to transmit audio data corresponding to the collected audio signal from karaoke device C to karaoke device D.

[0072] Fig. 9 shows a voice transmission control process executed by the voice transmission control unit 36 ​​of the karaoke device C. In Fig. 9, when the self-device status information is "playing state", the other-device status information is "playing state" and the duet mode is selected (step S41: YES, step S42: YES, and step S43: YES), the voice transmission control unit 36 ​​of the karaoke device C controls the voice communication unit 25 to stop transmission of voice data corresponding to the performance voice signal from the karaoke device C to the karaoke device D (to continue the stop if the transmission has already been stopped) and to start or resume transmission of voice data corresponding to the collected voice signal from the karaoke device C to the karaoke device D (to continue the transmission if the transmission has already been started) (step S44).

[0073] In addition, when the own device status information is "playing state" and the other device status information is "playing state" and not in duet mode (step S41: YES, step S42: YES, and step S43: NO), the audio transmission control unit 36 ​​controls the audio communication unit 25 to stop transmitting audio data corresponding to the performance audio signal and audio data corresponding to the collected audio signal from karaoke device C to karaoke device D (or to continue the stop if the transmission has already been stopped) (step S45).

[0074] In addition, if the status information of the own device is not "playing state" or if the status information of the other device is not "playing state" (step S41: NO or step S42: NO), the audio transmission control unit 36 ​​controls the audio communication unit 25 to start or resume transmission of audio data corresponding to the performance audio signal and audio data corresponding to the collected audio signal from karaoke device C to karaoke device D (to continue transmission if transmission has already been performed) (step S46).

[0075] Moreover, karaoke device D has the same configuration as karaoke device C. Therefore, when karaoke device D is in a performance state, karaoke device C is in a performance state, and the operation mode of karaoke device D is the duet mode, the voice transmission control unit 36 ​​of karaoke device D prohibits the voice communication unit 25 from transmitting voice data corresponding to the performance voice signal from karaoke device D to karaoke device C, and permits the voice communication unit 25 to transmit voice data corresponding to the collected voice signal from karaoke device D to karaoke device C.

[0076] With karaoke devices C and D of this embodiment having such a configuration, for example, in a situation where karaoke rooms R3 and R4 are located apart from each other, karaoke device C is installed in karaoke room R3 and karaoke device D is installed in karaoke room R4, and a user Pa who sings karaoke using karaoke device C in karaoke room R3 and a user Qa who sings karaoke using karaoke device D in karaoke room R4 sing a duet of the same song, karaoke devices C and D operate as follows.

[0077] When the time to simultaneously start playing the music arrives under the control of the simultaneous performance control unit 35 of the karaoke devices C and D, the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance unit 11 of the karaoke device C starts, and at the same time, the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance unit 11 of the karaoke device D starts. At this time, the status determination unit 27 of the karaoke device C sets its own status information to "playing state", and the status determination unit 27 of the karaoke device D sets its own status information to "playing state" (see step S5 in FIG. 3). Then, the information communication unit 26 of the karaoke device C transmits the performance start information to the karaoke device D, and the information communication unit 26 of the karaoke device D transmits the performance start information to the karaoke device C (see step S6 in FIG. 3). Then, when the karaoke device C receives the performance start information transmitted from the karaoke device D, the status determination unit 27 of the karaoke device C sets the other device status information to "playing state". Also, when the karaoke device D receives the performance start information transmitted from the karaoke device C, the status determination unit 27 of the karaoke device D sets the other device status information to "playing state" (see step S13 in FIG. 3). Thereafter, the voice transmission control unit 36 ​​of the karaoke device C executes the voice transmission control process shown in Fig. 9, and the voice transmission control unit 36 ​​of the karaoke device D executes the voice transmission control process shown in Fig. 9 (see step S14 in Fig. 3). At this point, in the karaoke device C, both the own device status information and the other device status information are set to "performance state" and the karaoke device C is in the duet mode, so the voice transmission control unit 36 ​​of the karaoke device C controls the voice communication unit 25 to stop transmitting voice data corresponding to the performance voice signal from the karaoke device C to the karaoke device D and to start or resume transmitting voice data corresponding to the collected voice signal from the karaoke device C to the karaoke device D (see step S44 in Fig. 9).At this time, both the self-status information and the other-status information of the karaoke device D are set to "playing state" and in the duet mode, so the audio transmission control unit 36 ​​of the karaoke device D stops the transmission of audio data corresponding to the performance audio signal from the karaoke device D to the karaoke device C, and controls the audio communication unit 25 to start or resume the transmission of audio data corresponding to the collected audio signal from the karaoke device D to the karaoke device C (see step S44 in FIG. 9). As a result, the voice of the user Pa singing karaoke in the karaoke room R3 is emitted by the karaoke device C into the karaoke room R3, and is also emitted by the karaoke device D into the karaoke room R4. At the same time, the voice of the user Qa singing karaoke in the karaoke room R4 is emitted by the karaoke device D into the karaoke room R4, and is also emitted by the karaoke device C into the karaoke room R3. However, the voice of the karaoke performance by the karaoke device C is emitted into the karaoke room R3, but not into the karaoke room R4. Also, the sound of the karaoke performance by the karaoke device D is emitted in the karaoke room R4 but not in the karaoke room R3. Therefore, the user Pa can listen to the sound of the karaoke singing by the user Qa and the sound of the karaoke performance by the karaoke device C in the karaoke room R3, and the user Qa can listen to the sound of the karaoke singing by the user Pa and the sound of the karaoke performance by the karaoke device D in the karaoke room R4. In this way, the users Pa and Qa can enjoy karaoke singing with a sense of realism as if they were singing a duet with their duet partner in the same karaoke room while listening to the singing of their duet partner in real time. Also, in both the karaoke room R3 and the karaoke room R4, the sound of the karaoke performance by the karaoke device C and the sound of the karaoke device D do not overlap, so the users Pa and Qa can clearly listen to the karaoke performance of each song.

[0078] (Fourth embodiment) The karaoke system of the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes two karaoke machines E and F connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network. The two karaoke machines E and F have the same configuration. Fig. 10 shows the configuration of the karaoke machine E of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 10, the same components as those of the karaoke machine A of the first embodiment of the present invention described above are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the karaoke machine E of the fourth embodiment, the same components as those of the karaoke machine A of the first embodiment will not be described.

[0079] As shown in Fig. 10, the karaoke device E does not include a sound transmission control unit, but instead includes a sound emission control unit 41. The sound emission control unit 41 judges whether the karaoke device E is in a playing state or a performance stop state and whether the karaoke device F is in a playing state or a performance stop state based on the self-device status information and the other-device status information stored in the storage unit 22, and determines whether to permit or prohibit the sound corresponding to the sound data transmitted from the karaoke device F from being emitted from the sound emission unit 16 of the karaoke device E based on the judgment result. Specifically, when the karaoke device E is in a playing state and the karaoke device F is in a playing state, the sound emission control unit 41 prohibits the sound corresponding to the sound data transmitted from the karaoke device F from being emitted from the sound emission unit 16 of the karaoke device E. Also, when the karaoke device E is in a playing state and the karaoke device F is in a performance stop state, the sound emission control unit 41 permits the sound corresponding to the sound data transmitted from the karaoke device F to be emitted from the sound emission unit 16 of the karaoke device E. Furthermore, when the karaoke device E is in a performance-stopped state and the karaoke device F is in a performance state, the sound emission control unit 41 permits the sound corresponding to the audio data transmitted from the karaoke device F to be emitted from the sound emission unit 16 of the karaoke device E. Furthermore, when the karaoke device E is in a performance-stopped state and the karaoke device F is in a performance-stopped state, the sound emission control unit 41 permits the sound corresponding to the audio data transmitted from the karaoke device F to be emitted from the sound emission unit 16 of the karaoke device E.

[0080] Fig. 11 shows a sound emission control process executed by the sound emission control unit 41 of the karaoke device E. As shown in Fig. 11, when the self-device status information is "playing state" and the other-device status information is "playing state" (step S51: YES and step S52: YES), the sound emission control unit 41 controls the sound output circuit 17 of the sound emission unit 16 of the karaoke device E to stop emitting sound corresponding to the audio data transmitted from the karaoke device F from the sound emission unit 16 (to continue the stop if the sound emission has already been stopped) (step S53).

[0081] On the other hand, if the status information of the own device is not "playing state" or the status information of the other device is not "playing state" (step S51: NO or step S52: NO), the sound emission control unit 41 controls the audio output circuit 17 of the sound emission unit 16 of the karaoke device E to start or resume emitting sound corresponding to the audio data transmitted from the karaoke device F from the sound emission unit 16 of the karaoke device E (to continue emitting sound if sound is already being emitted) (step S54).

[0082] The karaoke machines E and F of the fourth embodiment of the present invention having such a configuration can also provide the same effects as the karaoke machines A and B of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] Furthermore, in the karaoke device E of the fourth embodiment, when the sound emission control unit 41 switches the emission of the sound corresponding to the sound data transmitted from the karaoke device F from prohibited to permitted and the sound emission unit 16 accordingly starts or resumes emitting the sound corresponding to the sound data transmitted from the karaoke device F, the sound emission control unit 41 may control the sound output circuit 17 of the sound emission unit 16 to gradually increase the volume of the sound corresponding to the sound data transmitted from the karaoke device F from zero to a predetermined value, thereby fading in the sound corresponding to the sound data transmitted from the karaoke device F. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, the sound of the karaoke performance by the karaoke device F from being suddenly emitted from the sound emission unit 16 of the karaoke device E as soon as the karaoke performance by the karaoke device E ends. Regarding the fade-in of the sound, instead of the above configuration, when the sound emitting unit 16 receives an instruction from the sound emission control unit 41 to start or resume emitting the sound corresponding to the sound data transmitted from the karaoke device F, the sound output circuit 17 of the sound emitting unit 16 may spontaneously fade in the sound corresponding to the sound data transmitted from the karaoke device F. Regarding the fade-in of the sound, the karaoke device F is configured in the same way as the karaoke device E.

[0084] The second embodiment may be applied to the fourth embodiment, and the sound emission control unit 41 of the karaoke device E may prohibit the sound corresponding to the sound data transmitted from the karaoke device F from being emitted from the sound emission unit 16 of the karaoke device E when the karaoke device E is in a playing state and the karaoke device F is in a stopped state. In this case, the karaoke device F has the same configuration as the karaoke device E, and the sound emission control unit 41 of the karaoke device F prohibits the sound corresponding to the sound data transmitted from the karaoke device E from being emitted from the sound emission unit 16 of the karaoke device F when the karaoke device F is in a playing state and the karaoke device E is in a stopped state.

[0085] The present invention can also be applied to a karaoke system that includes three or more karaoke machines that can communicate with each other, allowing users in three or more locations where the three or more karaoke machines are installed to sing karaoke together.

[0086] For example, in a karaoke system having three or more karaoke devices according to the first embodiment, when two or more karaoke devices are in a playing state, all karaoke devices are prohibited from transmitting audio data. When only one karaoke device is in a playing state or when all karaoke devices are in a stopped state, all karaoke devices are permitted to transmit audio data. This provides the same effect as the first embodiment.

[0087] In the karaoke system of the second embodiment having three or more karaoke devices, when two or more karaoke devices are in a playing state, all karaoke devices are prohibited from transmitting audio data. When only one karaoke device is in a playing state, the karaoke device in the playing state is permitted to transmit audio data, and the karaoke device in the stopped state is prohibited from transmitting audio data. When all karaoke devices are in a stopped state, all karaoke devices are permitted to transmit audio data. This provides the same effects as the second embodiment.

[0088] In the karaoke system having three or more karaoke devices of the third embodiment, when at least all karaoke devices are in a playing state and in a duet mode, all karaoke devices are prohibited from transmitting audio data corresponding to the performance audio signal, and are permitted to transmit audio data corresponding to the collected sound signal. When none of the karaoke devices are in a duet mode and two or more karaoke devices are in a playing state, all karaoke devices are prohibited from transmitting audio data corresponding to the performance audio signal and the collected sound signal. When only one karaoke device is in a playing state or when all karaoke devices are in a stopped state, all karaoke devices are permitted to transmit audio data corresponding to the performance audio signal and the collected sound signal. This provides the same effect as the third embodiment.

[0089] Furthermore, the present invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope that does not deviate from the gist or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and karaoke devices and karaoke systems involving such modifications are also included in the technical concept of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1 Karaoke system 3. Communication Network A~F Karaoke equipment 11 Karaoke Club 12 Sound collection section 16 Sound emitting part 23 Control Unit 25 Voice communication unit (voice transmission unit, voice reception unit) 26 Information and Communication Department (Information Transmission Department, Information Reception Department) 27 Status determination unit (other device status determination unit) 28, 36 Audio transmission control section 35 Simultaneous performance control section 41 Sound emission control section

Claims

1. A karaoke machine capable of communicating with other karaoke machines, a karaoke performance unit that performs karaoke and outputs an audio signal of the karaoke performance as a performance audio signal; A sound collection unit that collects sound and outputs a signal of the collected sound as a collected sound signal; a sound transmitting section for transmitting sound data corresponding to the performance sound signal output from the karaoke playing section and the sound collected sound signal output from the sound collecting section to the other karaoke device; an information transmitting section for transmitting, when the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance section is started, a self-performance start information indicating that the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance section has started to the other karaoke device, and for transmitting, when the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance section is ended, a self-performance end information indicating that the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance section has ended to the other karaoke device; an information receiving unit for receiving from the other karaoke device other-device performance start information indicating that a karaoke performance by the other karaoke device has started and receiving from the other karaoke device other-device performance end information indicating that a karaoke performance by the other karaoke device has ended; an other-machine state determination unit that determines whether the other karaoke machine is performing karaoke based on the other-machine performance start information and the other-machine performance end information received by the information receiving unit; a voice transmission control unit which, when the karaoke performance unit is performing karaoke and the other-unit state determination unit determines that the other karaoke unit is performing karaoke, prohibits the voice transmission unit from transmitting the voice data to the other karaoke unit, and, when the karaoke performance unit is not performing karaoke and the other-unit state determination unit determines that the other karaoke unit is not performing karaoke, permits the voice transmission unit to transmit the voice data to the other karaoke unit.

2. The karaoke device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the karaoke performance unit is not performing karaoke and the other machine state judgment unit determines that the other karaoke device is performing karaoke, the voice transmission control unit prohibits the voice transmission unit from transmitting the voice data to the other karaoke device, and when the karaoke performance unit is performing karaoke and the other machine state judgment unit determines that the other karaoke device is not performing karaoke, the voice transmission control unit allows the voice transmission unit to transmit the voice data to the other karaoke device.

3. a simultaneous performance control unit for controlling the karaoke performance unit and the other karaoke device to simultaneously perform karaoke of the same piece of music; The karaoke device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when the karaoke performance unit and the other karaoke device perform karaoke of the same song simultaneously under the control of the simultaneous performance control unit, the voice transmission control unit prohibits the voice transmission unit from transmitting voice data corresponding to the performance voice signal to the other karaoke device, and allows the voice transmission unit to transmit voice data corresponding to the collected voice signal to the other karaoke device.

4. A karaoke machine capable of communicating with other karaoke machines, a karaoke performance unit that performs karaoke and outputs an audio signal of the karaoke performance as a performance audio signal; A sound collection unit that collects sound and outputs a signal of the collected sound as a collected sound signal; a voice receiving section for receiving from the other karaoke device voice data corresponding to a voice signal of a karaoke performance performed by the other karaoke device and a voice signal of a voice collected by the other karaoke device; a sound emitting unit that emits a sound corresponding to the performance sound signal output from the karaoke playing unit, a sound corresponding to the collected sound signal output from the sound collecting unit, and a sound corresponding to the other device sound data received by the sound receiving unit; an information transmitting section for transmitting, when the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance section is started, a self-performance start information indicating that the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance section has started to the other karaoke device, and for transmitting, when the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance section is ended, a self-performance end information indicating that the karaoke performance by the karaoke performance section has ended to the other karaoke device; an information receiving unit for receiving from the other karaoke device other-device performance start information indicating that a karaoke performance by the other karaoke device has started and receiving from the other karaoke device other-device performance end information indicating that a karaoke performance by the other karaoke device has ended; an other-machine state determination unit that determines whether the other karaoke machine is performing karaoke based on the other-machine performance start information and the other-machine performance end information received by the information receiving unit; a sound emission control unit which, when the karaoke performance unit is performing karaoke and the other-machine state determination unit determines that the other karaoke device is performing karaoke, prohibits the sound emission unit from emitting sound corresponding to the other-machine audio data, and, when the karaoke performance unit is not performing karaoke and the other-machine state determination unit determines that the other karaoke device is not performing karaoke, permits the sound emission unit to emit sound corresponding to the other-machine audio data.

5. The karaoke device according to claim 4, characterized in that when the sound emission control unit switches the emission of the sound corresponding to the other device audio data from prohibited to permitted, and the sound emission unit accordingly starts or resumes emitting the sound corresponding to the other device audio data, the sound emission control unit or the sound emission unit fades in the sound corresponding to the other device audio data.

6. A karaoke system comprising: a plurality of karaoke devices according to claim 1 connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other; or a plurality of karaoke devices according to claim 4 connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other.

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