Karaoke equipment

Abstract

To provide a Karaoke device that can reduce a waiting time until duet singing when duet singing is performed with a user of another Karaoke device connected via a network.SOLUTION: A Karaoke device includes: a first identification unit that, when duet singing is selected when a certain piece of music is selected, identifies a first piece of music; a second identification unit that identifies a second piece of music; a third identification unit that identifies unperformed music; a modification unit that modifies performance tempo of the identified unperformed music so that end time of a performance of the first piece of music and end time of a performance of the second piece of music coincide; a reservation processing unit that causes one Karaoke device to reserve a certain piece of music following the first piece of music and another Karaoke device to reserve a certain piece of music following the second piece of music; and a performance control unit that controls performance means to synchronize a Karaoke performance to be performed by the one Karaoke device with a Karaoke performance of a certain piece of music to be performed by another Karaoke device to perform the Karaoke performance of the certain piece of music.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A karaoke system has been proposed in which a plurality of karaoke devices are communicatively connected via a network, allowing users at different locations to enjoy singing duets together.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for providing a duet karaoke control method at multiple locations, which allows users at multiple remote locations to share video and audio signals in both spaces.

[0004] Also, a karaoke system has been proposed in which the order of reservation of karaoke pieces for network singing at each karaoke performance terminal is adjusted and the performance of karaoke pieces is started simultaneously at each karaoke performance terminal, thereby enabling efficient network singing.

[0005] For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a technology in which, when a karaoke song designated by a user for network singing is registered in a reservation queue, the karaoke song for network singing is registered next to the reserved song for which the difference between the total performance time obtained by sequentially adding up the performance times of each reserved song managed by the user's own karaoke performance terminal and the total performance time obtained by sequentially adding up the performance times of each reserved song managed by another karaoke performance terminal is less than a predetermined reference value. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-077485 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2014-199373 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a novel karaoke device that can reduce the waiting time until a duet can be sung with a user of another karaoke device connected via a network. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One invention for achieving the above object includes a karaoke device communicably connected to another karaoke device, and when duet singing is selected when selecting a song, a first specifying unit specifies, as a first song, an unplayed song that has been reserved on the karaoke device and the other karaoke device and whose performance end time will arrive earliest from the time of selection; a second specifying unit specifies, as a second song, a song that is being played or a reserved unplayed song on a karaoke device other than the one karaoke device on which the first song is reserved, whose performance end time is closest to the performance end time of the first song; and a second specifying unit specifies, as a second song, a song that has been reserved on the one karaoke device and whose performance end time will arrive nearest to the performance end time of the first song, among the unplayed songs that have been reserved on the one karaoke device. a third identification unit which identifies an unplayed song whose performance end time will arrive before the end of performance of the second song, among the unplayed songs reserved in the other karaoke device; a change unit which changes the performance tempo of the identified unplayed song so that the performance end time of the first song and the performance end time of the second song approximately coincide with each other; a reservation processing unit which causes the one karaoke device to reserve the certain song after the first song, and causes the other karaoke device to reserve the certain song after the second song; and a performance control unit which controls a performance means to perform a karaoke performance of the certain song in synchronization with a karaoke performance of the certain song performed in the other karaoke device. Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification and drawings. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, when singing a duet with another user of a karaoke device connected via a network, the waiting time until the duet can be sung can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a plurality of karaoke devices according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram showing a karaoke device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram showing a karaoke main body of a karaoke device according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a reservation list stored in the karaoke device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a reservation list stored in the karaoke device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6A] 2 is a diagram showing songs registered in a reservation list of the karaoke device according to the embodiment; FIG. [Figure 6B] 2 is a diagram showing songs registered in a reservation list of the karaoke device according to the embodiment; FIG. [Figure 6C] 2 is a diagram showing songs registered in a reservation list of the karaoke device according to the embodiment; FIG. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing a process of the karaoke device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing songs registered in a reservation list of a karaoke device according to a modified example. [Figure 8B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing songs registered in a reservation list of a karaoke device according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] <Embodiment> The karaoke device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, karaoke device K1 and karaoke device K2 are connected via a network N so as to be able to communicate with each other, for example, by a P2P method.

[0013] The karaoke machines have functions for playing and singing karaoke songs. Each karaoke machine is installed in a different karaoke store or in a different karaoke room in the same karaoke store. In this embodiment, the karaoke machine K2 corresponds to the "other karaoke machine."

[0014] 1, a user U1 is a user who uses the karaoke device K1, and a user U2 is a user who uses the karaoke device K2. Note that the number of users of each karaoke device is not limited to one.

[0015] ==Karaoke Equipment== Since the karaoke device K1 and the karaoke device K2 have the same configuration, the following description will be given taking the karaoke device K1 as an example.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the karaoke device K1 includes a karaoke main unit 10, a speaker 20, a display device 30, a microphone 40, a remote control device 50, and an image capturing means 60.

[0017] The karaoke main unit 10 performs various controls related to karaoke performance and singing, such as karaoke performance control of the selected song, display control of lyrics and background images, and processing of audio signals input through the microphone 40. The speaker 20 is configured to emit sound based on a sound emission signal from the karaoke main unit 10. The display device 30 is configured to display videos and images on a display screen based on a signal from the karaoke main unit 10. The microphone 40 is configured to collect the singing voice of the user singing karaoke, convert it into an analog audio signal, and input it to the karaoke main unit 10. The remote control device 50 is a device for performing various operations on the karaoke main unit 10.

[0018] The image capturing means 60 is a camera capable of capturing an image of the user. A karaoke device transmits an image of the user captured by the camera to another karaoke device connected thereto so as to be able to communicate with the user.

[0019] In this embodiment, the karaoke device K1 transmits an image of the user U1 to the karaoke device K2. The karaoke device K2 can display the received image on the display screen of the display device 30. Similarly, the karaoke device K2 transmits an image of the user U2 to the karaoke device K1. The karaoke device K1 can display the received image on the display screen of the display device 30.

[0020] 3, the karaoke machine 10 according to this embodiment includes a storage means 10a, a communication means 10b, an input means 10c, a performance means 10d, and a control means 10e. Each of these components is connected to a bus B via an interface (not shown).

[0021] [Storage means] The storage means 10a is a large-capacity storage device for storing various data, such as a hard disk drive, etc. The storage means 10a stores music data.

[0022] The song data is provided with song identification information for identifying each song. The song identification information is information unique to each song, such as a song ID for identifying the song. The song data includes accompaniment data, reference data, etc. The accompaniment data is data that is the source of the karaoke performance sound. The reference data is data that indicates the main melody of the song performed as karaoke. The storage means 10a also stores background image data such as background images displayed on the display device 30 during karaoke performance, and song attribute information (singer name, genre, etc.).

[0023] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the storage means 10a includes tempo information for each piece of music. The tempo information is information indicating a tempo (hereinafter, "reference tempo") that is a reference for playing the piece of music as karaoke. The reference tempo is preset to a single value for each piece of music, such as 80 BPM, 120 BPM, etc.

[0024] [Communication means / input means] The communication means 10b provides an interface for communication with the karaoke device K2 and the remote control device 50. The input means 10c is configured to allow the user to input various instructions. The input means 10c is a button or the like provided on the karaoke main unit 10. Alternatively, the remote control device 50 may function as the input means 10c.

[0025] [Means of performance] Based on the control of the control means 10e, the performance means 10d performs karaoke performance of music pieces and processes audio signals input through the microphone 40. The performance means 10d includes a sound source, a mixer, an amplifier, etc. (none of which are shown).

[0026] [Control Means] The control means 10e performs various controls on the karaoke device K1. The control means 10e includes a CPU and a memory (neither of which are shown in the figures). The CPU executes programs stored in the memory to realize various functions.

[0027] In this embodiment, the CPU of the karaoke device K1 executes a program stored in the memory, causing the control means 10e to function as a first identification unit 100, a second identification unit 200, a third identification unit 300, a change unit 400, a reservation processing unit 500, and a performance control unit 600.

[0028] (First specific part) When duet singing is selected when selecting a song, a first identification unit 100 identifies, as the first song, the unplayed song whose performance end time comes earliest from the time of selection among the unplayed songs reserved on the karaoke device K1 and the karaoke device K2.

[0029] Duet singing is karaoke singing performed by two or more users together. Duet singing can be performed, for example, by a user selecting a duet mode provided in the karaoke device via remote control device 50. The duet mode is a mode for performing duet singing with a user of another karaoke device. In the duet mode, not only video images but also singing voices are transmitted to the other karaoke devices. Moreover, not only video images but also singing voices are received from the other karaoke devices.

[0030] The reserved but unplayed songs are songs registered in the reservation list of the karaoke device, excluding songs that are being played at the time a certain song is selected.

[0031] The first piece of music is identified by comparing the performance end times of reserved but unplayed pieces of music in each karaoke device.

[0032] Specifically, the first determination unit 100 determines the performance end time of the reserved, unplayed song based on the remaining performance time of the song being played on the karaoke device K1 and the performance time of the song registered next to the song. The first determination unit 100 also determines the performance end time of the reserved, unplayed song based on the remaining performance time of the song being played on the karaoke device K2 and the performance time of the song registered next to the song. The first determination unit 100 compares the two determined performance end times and determines the unplayed song whose performance end time comes earliest from the time of selection as the first song.

[0033] For example, it is assumed that karaoke device K1 stores the reservation list shown in FIG. 4, and karaoke device K2 stores the reservation list shown in FIG.

[0034] Here, let us assume that a user U1 using the karaoke device K1 selects a song X5 and also selects the "Duet mode" via the remote control device 50. The song X5 corresponds to a "certain song." At this time, let us assume that the karaoke device K1 is performing the karaoke version of the song X1, and the karaoke device K2 is performing the karaoke version of the song Y1.

[0035] In this case, the first determination unit 100 determines the performance end time T1 of the reserved but unplayed song X2 based on the remaining performance time of song X1 (15 seconds) and the performance time of song X2 registered next to song X1 (4 minutes 30 seconds) (see FIG. 6A). Similarly, the first determination unit 100 determines the performance end time T2 of the reserved but unplayed song Y2 based on the remaining performance time of song Y1 (4 minutes 25 seconds) and the performance time of song Y2 registered next to song Y1 (4 minutes 10 seconds) (see FIG. 6A).

[0036] The first determination unit 100 compares the determined performance end times T1 and T2. As shown in Fig. 6A, the performance end time T1 is 4 minutes 45 seconds after the song X5 is selected, and the performance end time T2 is 8 minutes 35 seconds after the song X5 is selected.

[0037] Therefore, the first identification unit 100 identifies the unplayed song X2, which is the song that ends the performance earliest from the time of selection (4 minutes and 45 seconds later), as the first song.

[0038] (Second specific part) The second identification unit 200 identifies, as the second song, a song that is being played on a karaoke device other than the one karaoke device on which the first song is reserved, or a reserved but unplayed song, the performance end time of which is closest to the performance end time of the first song.

[0039] The second piece of music is specified by comparing the performance end time of a piece of music being played in another karaoke device or a reserved piece of music that has not yet been played with the performance end time of the first piece of music.

[0040] Specifically, the second identification unit 200 obtains the performance end time of the piece being played on another device and the performance end time of the piece registered next to the piece being played. The second identification unit 200 compares the two performance end times obtained with the performance end time of the first piece, and identifies the piece whose performance end time is closest to the performance end time of the first piece as the second piece.

[0041] For example, assume that song X2 is specified as the first song as described above. The performance of song X2 ends 4 minutes and 45 seconds after song X5 is selected.

[0042] In this case, the second determination unit 200 determines the performance end time T3 based on the remaining performance time (4 minutes 25 seconds) of the song Y1 being played on the karaoke device K2 other than the karaoke device K1 where the song X2 is reserved (see FIG. 6B).The second determination unit 200 also determines the performance end time T4 of the song Y2, which is a reserved but unplayed song, based on the performance time (4 minutes 10 seconds) of the song Y2 registered next to the song Y1 (see FIG. 6B).

[0043] The second determination unit 200 compares the determined performance end times T3 and T4 with the performance end time T1 of song X2. As is clear from Fig. 6B, the performance end time T3 (4 minutes 25 seconds after song X5 is selected) is closer to the performance time T1 (4 minutes 45 seconds after song X5 is selected) than the performance time T4 (8 minutes 35 seconds after song X5 is selected).

[0044] Therefore, the second identification unit 200 identifies the song Y1, whose performance end time is closest to the performance end time T1 of the song X2, as the second song (see FIG. 6C). In this example, the karaoke device K1 corresponds to "one karaoke device" and the karaoke device K2 corresponds to "another karaoke device."

[0045] (Third specific part) A third identifying section 300 identifies unplayed songs that will finish playing before the end of the first song among the unplayed songs reserved on one karaoke device, and identifies unplayed songs that will finish playing before the end of the second song among the unplayed songs reserved on another karaoke device.

[0046] Specifically, when a first song is identified, the third identifying unit 300 refers to the reservation list of one karaoke device, compares the performance end time of the first song with the performance end time of reserved, unplayed songs (time from the time the certain song was selected), and identifies unplayed songs whose performance end time will arrive before the performance of the first song ends. Similarly, when a second song is identified, the third identifying unit 300 refers to the reservation list of another karaoke device, compares the performance end time of the second song with the performance end time of reserved, unplayed songs (time from the time the certain song was selected), and identifies unplayed songs whose performance end time will arrive before the performance of the second song ends.

[0047] For example, assume that song X2 is identified as the first song as described above. The performance end time T1 of song X2 is 4 minutes and 45 seconds after song X5 is selected.

[0048] In this case, the third identifying unit 300 refers to the reservation list of the karaoke device K1 and compares the performance end time T1 of the musical piece X2 with the performance end times of the reserved, unplayed musical pieces X2 to X4. Here, as shown in Fig. 4, the musical pieces X3 and X4 are reserved after the musical piece X2. Therefore, the third identifying unit 300 identifies only the musical piece X2 as an unplayed musical piece whose performance end time will arrive before the performance of the musical piece X2 ends.

[0049] Also, assume that song Y1 is identified as the second song as described above. The performance of song Y1 ends 4 minutes and 25 seconds after song X5 is selected.

[0050] In this case, the third identifying unit 300 refers to the reservation list of the karaoke device K2 and compares the performance end time T3 of the musical piece Y1 with the performance end times of the reserved but unplayed musical pieces Y2 to Y4. Here, as shown in Fig. 5, the musical pieces Y2 to Y4 are reserved after the musical piece Y1. Therefore, the third identifying unit 300 determines that there are no unplayed musical pieces whose performance end times will arrive before the performance of the musical piece Y1 ends.

[0051] (Changes) The change section 400 changes the playing tempo of the identified unplayed music piece so that the performance end time of the first music piece and the performance end time of the second music piece are approximately the same.

[0052] Specifically, the modification unit 400 adjusts the standard tempo of the identified unplayed music piece to lengthen or shorten the playing time of the unplayed music piece, thereby making the playing end time of the first music piece approximately coincident with the playing end time of the second music piece. When there are multiple identified unplayed music pieces, the modification unit 400 adjusts the standard tempo of each unplayed music piece to make the playing end time of the first music piece approximately coincident with the playing end time of the second music piece. The approximately coincident includes cases where the playing end times are completely the same and cases where there is a difference of about several seconds.

[0053] For example, suppose that song X2 is identified as an unplayed song as described above. Also assume that the performance end time T1 of song X2, which is the first song, is 4 minutes 45 seconds later, and the performance end time T3 of song Y1, which is the second song, is 4 minutes 25 seconds later.

[0054] In this case, by shortening the performance time of the identified unplayed piece of music X2 by 20 seconds, it is possible to make the performance end times of the piece of music X2 and the piece of music Y1 approximately coincident with each other.

[0055] Therefore, the change unit 400 changes the standard tempo of music piece X2. For example, if the standard tempo of music piece X2 is 120 BPM, and the performance time of music piece X2 is 4 minutes 30 seconds, the total number of beats of music piece X2 is 540. Therefore, in order to shorten the performance time of music piece X2 by 20 seconds, the performance tempo should be changed to about 130 BPM. The change unit 400 changes the performance tempo of music piece X2 from 120 BPM to 130 BPM. The change unit 400 stores the changed performance tempo in association with the music ID of music piece X2 registered in the reservation list.

[0056] Here, an example has been described in which the performance tempo of a song registered in the reservation list of the karaoke device K1 is changed. On the other hand, a song registered in the reservation list of the karaoke device K2 may become a "specified unplayed song." In this case, the change unit 400 transmits the changed value of the performance tempo to the karaoke device K2. The karaoke device K2 stores the received value of the performance tempo in association with the song ID of the specified unplayed song registered in the reservation list.

[0057] The change unit 400 may also determine whether the performance tempo of the identified unplayed music piece can be changed based on a predetermined condition. Only when it is determined that the performance tempo of the identified unplayed music piece can be changed based on the predetermined condition, the change unit 400 changes the performance tempo of the identified unplayed music piece.

[0058] The predetermined condition indicates a criterion for changing the performance tempo of an unplayed piece of music. For example, the predetermined condition is within a predetermined range based on a performance tempo that is preset for the identified unplayed piece of music. The predetermined range can be expressed, for example, as a percentage such as "within ±10% of the reference tempo" or a numerical value such as "within ±10 BPM of the reference tempo."

[0059] When the specified condition is within a specified range based on a performance tempo that is preset for the identified unplayed musical piece, the change section 400 judges whether or not the performance tempo of the identified unplayed musical piece can be changed within the specified range.

[0060] For example, suppose the predetermined condition is "within ±10% of the reference tempo." Here, as described above, it is assumed that the change unit 400 has determined that the performance end times of the music piece X2 and the music piece Y1 can be made to approximately coincide by changing the reference tempo (120 BPM) of the music piece X2 to 130 BPM. In this case, the change unit 400 determines whether the value of the BPM to be changed satisfies the predetermined condition. When the reference tempo is 120 BPM, the predetermined range is 108 BPM to 132 BPM. On the other hand, the value of the BPM to be changed is "130", and therefore falls within the predetermined range. Therefore, the change unit 400 changes the performance tempo of the music piece X2 from 120 BPM to 130 BPM.

[0061] In addition, the specified range may be set to a predetermined value for each performance tempo, such as "within ±5%" for a reference tempo less than 80 BPM, and "within ±10%" for a reference tempo between 110 BPM and 130 BPM.

[0062] (Reservation processing unit) The reservation processing unit 500 allows one karaoke device to reserve a certain song after a first song, and allows another karaoke device to reserve a certain song after a second song.

[0063] For example, let us say that song X2 is specified as the first song and song Y1 is specified as the second song as described above. In this case, the reservation processing unit 500 reserves song X5 selected by user U1 after song X2 in the reservation list of karaoke device K1. The reservation processing unit 500 also notifies karaoke device K2 to reserve song X5 after song Y1 currently being played. Based on the notification, karaoke device K2 reserves song X5 after song Y1 in the reservation list.

[0064] (Performance control unit) The performance control unit 600 controls the performance means 10d to perform a karaoke performance of a certain song in synchronization with the karaoke performance of the certain song performed by the karaoke device K2. A known method can be used for the karaoke performance synchronization process.

[0065] For example, assume that the song X5 has been reserved on the karaoke device K1 and the karaoke device K2 as described above.

[0066] When the turn of the song X5 to be performed as a karaoke piece comes, the performance control unit 600 reads out the song data of the song X5 from the storage means 10a. Then, the performance control unit 600 controls the performance means 10d to start the karaoke performance of the song X5 in synchronization with the karaoke performance of the song X5 performed by the karaoke device K2.

[0067] The user U1 sings karaoke along with the karaoke performance of the song X5 through the microphone 40. The karaoke device K1 transmits a singing voice based on the karaoke singing along with the karaoke performance of the song X5 to the karaoke device K2. The karaoke device K2 can mix the received singing voice with karaoke performance sounds and emit the mixed voice from the speaker 20. The performance control unit 600 of the karaoke device K1 can also mix the singing voice of the user U2 with the karaoke performance sounds and emit the mixed voice from the speaker 20 by a similar process. In this way, the users U1 and U2 can enjoy singing a duet. As described above, the karaoke device K1 can transmit the video of the user U1 obtained by photographing the user U1 to the karaoke device K2, and can display the video of the user U2 received from the karaoke device K2 on the display screen of the display device 30.

[0068] ==About the operation of the karaoke machine== Next, a specific example of the operation of the karaoke device K1 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation of the karaoke device K1. The karaoke device K1 is connected to a karaoke device K2 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0069] Assume that a user of the karaoke device K1 selects a certain song and also selects the "duet mode" via the remote control device 50 (selecting duet singing when selecting a certain song; step 10).

[0070] The first identifying unit 100 identifies, among the unplayed songs reserved on the karaoke devices K1 and K2, the unplayed song whose performance end time comes earliest from the time of selection as the first song (identifying the first song; step 11).

[0071] The second identification unit 200 identifies as the second song a song that is being played or a reserved but unplayed song, the performance end time of which is closest to the performance end time of the first song, on a karaoke device other than the one karaoke device on which the first song identified in step 11 is reserved (identifying the second song; step 12).

[0072] The third identification unit 300 identifies unplayed songs that have been reserved on one karaoke device and will finish playing before the performance of the first song ends, and identifies unplayed songs that have been reserved on another karaoke device and will finish playing before the performance of the second song ends (identifying unplayed songs; step 13).

[0073] The change unit 400 changes the playing tempo of the unplayed music piece identified in step 13 so that the performance end time of the first music piece and the performance end time of the second music piece are approximately the same (changing the playing tempo of the identified unplayed music piece; step 14).

[0074] The reservation processing unit 500 causes one karaoke device to reserve a certain song after the first song, and causes another karaoke device to reserve a certain song after the second song (reserving the selected song for each karaoke device; step 15).

[0075] The performance control unit 600 controls the performance means 10d to perform a karaoke performance of a certain song in synchronization with a karaoke performance of the certain song performed on another karaoke device (performing a karaoke performance of a certain song in synchronization with a karaoke performance of the other karaoke device; step 16).

[0076] As is clear from the above, the karaoke device K1 according to this embodiment is connected to the karaoke device K2 so as to be able to communicate with each other. When duet singing is selected when selecting a certain song, the karaoke device K1 has a first specifying unit 100 for specifying, as a first song, an unplayed song whose performance end time will arrive the earliest from the time of selection among unplayed songs reserved in the karaoke devices K1 and K2, a second specifying unit 200 for specifying, as a second song, a song whose performance end time is closest to the performance end time of the first song among songs being played or reserved unplayed songs in a karaoke device other than the one karaoke device where the first song is reserved, and a second specifying unit 201 for specifying, as a second song, an unplayed song whose performance end time will arrive before the performance of the first song ends among unplayed songs reserved in the one karaoke device. the third identification unit 300 which identifies unplayed songs which will finish playing before the end of the performance of the second song, among the unplayed songs which have been reserved in another karaoke device; a change unit 400 which changes the playing tempo of the identified unplayed songs so that the playing end time of the first song and the playing end time of the second song are approximately the same; a reservation processing unit 500 which causes one karaoke device to reserve the song which follows the first song, and causes another karaoke device to reserve the song which follows the second song; and a performance control unit 600 which controls the performance means 10d to perform a karaoke performance of a certain song in synchronization with a karaoke performance of the certain song performed in the karaoke device K2.

[0077] According to such a karaoke device K1, by changing the playing tempo of an unplayed piece of music, a user can quickly reserve a piece of music that he / she wishes to sing as a duet on both the karaoke device K1 and the karaoke device K2. That is, according to the karaoke device K1 of this embodiment, when singing a duet with a user of another karaoke device connected via a network, the waiting time until the duet can be sung can be reduced.

[0078] In addition, in the karaoke device K1 according to the present embodiment, the change unit 400 can change the performance tempo of the identified unplayed music piece based on a predetermined condition. By changing the performance tempo based on the predetermined condition, it is possible to reduce the sense of discomfort felt by the user when singing the unplayed music piece.

[0079] More specifically, the predetermined condition is within a predetermined range based on a performance tempo that is preset for the identified unplayed piece of music, and the change unit 400 determines whether the performance tempo of the identified unplayed piece of music can be changed within the predetermined range. By changing the performance tempo of the identified unplayed piece of music within the predetermined range, it is possible to reduce the sense of discomfort felt by the user when singing the unplayed piece of music at karaoke.

[0080] The predetermined range may be set to a predetermined value for each performance tempo. For example, in the case of a piece of music with an extremely fast or slow performance tempo, even a slight change in the performance tempo can cause the user to feel uncomfortable. Therefore, by setting an appropriate value for each performance tempo, the user's feeling of discomfort can be further reduced.

[0081] <Modification> In the above embodiment, when changing the performance tempo of the identified unplayed music piece based on the predetermined condition, it may be determined that the tempo cannot be changed (the predetermined condition is not satisfied). In this case, the first identifying unit 100 identifies, as the new first music piece, the unplayed music piece that has the next earliest performance end time after the first music piece among the unplayed music pieces reserved in the karaoke device and the other karaoke devices.

[0082] For example, suppose that the reservation list for karaoke device K1 has songs X10, X11, and X12 reserved in that order, and the reservation list for karaoke device K2 has songs Y10, Y11, and Y13 reserved in that order. Also, suppose that at the time when user U1 selects song X20 to sing in duet on karaoke device K1, song X10 is being played on karaoke device K1 (remaining performance time is 15 seconds), and song Y10 is being played on karaoke device K2 (remaining performance time is 4 minutes 20 seconds) (see FIG. 8A).

[0083] 8A, it is assumed that song X11 is identified as the first song (the performance end time is 4 minutes 45 seconds later), song Y10 is identified as the second song (the performance end time is 4 minutes 20 seconds later), and song X11 is identified as an unplayed song. In this case, the change unit 400 changes the playing tempo of song X11, which is the identified unplayed song, based on a predetermined condition so that the performance end times of song X11 and song Y10 are approximately the same.

[0084] Here, if the reference tempo of the first piece of music, piece X11, is 100 BPM, and the performance time of piece X11 is 4 minutes 30 seconds, the total number of beats of piece X11 is 450. Therefore, in order to shorten the performance time of piece X11 by 25 seconds and make the performance end times of piece X11 and piece Y10 approximately coincident, the performance tempo should be changed to about 110 BPM.

[0085] On the other hand, suppose the predetermined condition is "within ±8% of the reference tempo." In this case, the predetermined range within which the reference tempo of 100 BPM can be changed is 92 BPM to 108 BPM. However, the BPM to be changed is "110," which is not included in the predetermined range. Therefore, the change section 400 does not change the performance tempo of music piece X11 from 100 BPM to 110 BPM.

[0086] In this case, the first identification unit 100 identifies, among the unplayed songs reserved on the karaoke device K1 and the karaoke device K2, the unplayed song whose performance end time comes earliest after the first song X11, as the new first song.

[0087] As shown in Fig. 8A, the unplayed song whose performance end time comes earliest after song X11 is song X12 (whose performance end time is 8 minutes 23 seconds later). Therefore, the first identification unit 100 identifies song X12 as the new first song (see Fig. 8B).

[0088] After the new first piece of music is identified, the second identification unit 200 and the like repeat the same processing as in the embodiment.

[0089] For example, the second identification unit 200 identifies, as the second song, song Y11 (8 minutes 35 seconds after the performance end time) whose performance end time is closest to the performance end time of song X12 (8 minutes 23 seconds after) among songs being played on a karaoke device K2 other than the karaoke device K1 on which song X12 is reserved or reserved songs that have not yet been played (see FIG. 8B).

[0090] The third identification unit 300 identifies songs X11 and X12 as unplayed songs whose performance end time will arrive before the performance of song X12 ends among the unplayed songs reserved on the karaoke device K1, and identifies song Y11 as an unplayed song whose performance end time will arrive before the performance of song Y12 ends among the unplayed songs reserved on the karaoke device K2.

[0091] The change unit 400 changes the playing tempo of the identified unplayed music piece based on a predetermined condition so that the performance end time of the music piece X12 (after 8 minutes and 23 seconds) and the performance end time of the music piece Y11 (after 8 minutes and 35 seconds) are approximately the same. For example, the change unit 400 decreases the values ​​of the playing tempo of the music pieces X11 and X12 within a predetermined range and increases the value of the playing tempo of the music piece Y11 within a predetermined range, thereby approximately matching the performance end time of the music piece X12 and the performance end time of the music piece Y11. The karaoke device K1 repeats the above process until the performance end time of the first music piece and the performance end time of the second music piece are approximately the same.

[0092] As is clear from the above, in the karaoke device K1 according to this modification, when it is determined that the performance tempo of the identified unplayed piece of music cannot be changed based on the predetermined condition, the first identification unit 100 can identify, as a new first piece of music, the unplayed piece of music that has the next earliest performance end time after the first piece of music among the unplayed pieces of music reserved in the karaoke devices K1 and K2. With such a karaoke device, the first piece of music can be reliably identified.

[0093] <Other> The above embodiment is presented as an example, and does not limit the scope of the invention. The above configurations can be implemented in appropriate combinations, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. The above embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims, as well as the scope and gist of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 100 First Specific Part 200 Second Specific Part 300 Third Specific Part 400 Changes 500 Reservation Processing Unit 600 Performance control section K1, K2 Karaoke equipment

Claims

1. A karaoke machine communicably connected to another karaoke machine, a first specifying unit that, when a duet singing is selected when selecting a certain song, specifies, as a first song, an unplayed song that has an earliest performance end time from the time of selection among unplayed songs reserved on the karaoke device and the other karaoke device; a second identification unit that identifies, as a second song, a song that is being played or a reserved but unplayed song in a karaoke device other than the one karaoke device on which the first song is reserved, and that has a performance end time closest to a performance end time of the first song; a third specifying unit for specifying unplayed songs that will finish playing before the end of the first song among the unplayed songs reserved in the first karaoke device, and unplayed songs that will finish playing before the end of the second song among the unplayed songs reserved in the other karaoke device; a change unit that changes a performance tempo of the identified unplayed piece of music so that a performance end time of the first piece of music and a performance end time of the second piece of music are substantially the same; a reservation processing unit for causing the one karaoke device to reserve the certain song next to the first song, and for causing the other karaoke device to reserve the certain song next to the second song; a performance control unit that controls a performance means to perform a karaoke performance of the certain song in synchronization with a karaoke performance of the certain song performed in the other karaoke device; A karaoke device having the above configuration.

2. 2. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the change unit determines whether or not the performance tempo of the identified unplayed piece of music can be changed based on a predetermined condition.

3. 3. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, when it is determined that the performance tempo of the identified unplayed piece of music cannot be changed based on the predetermined condition, the first specifying unit specifies, as a new first piece of music, an unplayed piece of music that has a performance end time next to the first piece of music among the unplayed pieces of music reserved in the karaoke apparatus and the other karaoke apparatus.

4. the predetermined condition is within a predetermined range based on a performance tempo that is preset for the identified unplayed musical piece, 4. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the change unit determines whether or not the playing tempo of the identified unplayed piece of music can be changed within the predetermined range.

5. 5. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined range has a predetermined value set for each performance tempo.

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