Karaoke system

Abstract

To enable a user to reliably input an instruction to designate a performance mode of music at a time such as the time of reserving karaoke performance of the music.SOLUTION: A karaoke system 1 includes: a reservation unit 11 that at the time of reserving music, designates the music, and sets a performance mode designation value for the music; a performance unit 12 that performs the music in a performance mode based on the performance mode designation value; a performance mode change unit 13 that changes the performance mode of the music during performance of the music; a performance mode change storage processing unit 14 that in a case where the performance mode of the music is changed during performance, stores performance mode change information indicating that the performance mode has been changed; a history generation unit 36 that generates a performance mode change history by accumulating the performance mode change information; a recommendation determination unit 16 that based on the performance mode change history, determines whether or not there is necessity to recommend setting of the performance mode designation value for a user; and a recommendation execution unit that outputs an image or a character string that recommends setting of the performance mode designation value at a time such as the time of reserving karaoke performance of the music.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a karaoke system including a karaoke device and a server device capable of communicating with each other.

Background Art

[0002] A karaoke device in a karaoke system has a performance mode change function for changing the performance mode of a music piece based on a user's instruction before or during the karaoke performance of the music piece. The performance mode change function includes, for example, a tempo change function for changing the tempo of a music piece based on a user's instruction before or during the karaoke performance of the music piece, and a key change function for changing the key of a music piece based on a user's instruction before or during the karaoke performance of the music piece.

[0003] Some karaoke devices have a guide melody function. The guide melody function is a function of playing the melody line of a music piece over the performance of the accompaniment of the music piece. Some karaoke devices also have a guide vocal function. The guide vocal function is a function of recording and digitizing the singing voice of a music piece by a skilled singer and storing it, and playing the pre-stored singing voice (hereinafter referred to as "guide vocal voice") over the karaoke performance of the music piece. A karaoke device having a guide melody function can switch the on / off of the performance of the melody line of a music piece based on a user's instruction before or during the karaoke performance of the music piece. Similarly, a karaoke device having a guide vocal function can also switch the on / off of the reproduction of the guide vocal voice. Since the switching of the on / off of the performance of the melody line and the switching of the on / off of the reproduction of the guide vocal voice change the performance mode of the music piece, it can be considered that they correspond to the change of the performance mode of the music piece. Therefore, it can be said that the guide melody function and the guide vocal function are each a type of performance mode change function.

[0004] A user of a karaoke device having a performance mode change function can change the performance mode of a song by operating the karaoke device before or during the karaoke performance of the song. When the user performs an operation to change the performance mode of a song before or during the karaoke performance of the song, the karaoke device immediately reflects the change in the karaoke performance of the song. For example, when the user performs an operation to lower the tempo of a song during the karaoke performance of the song, the karaoke device immediately lowers the tempo of the song currently being karaoke-performed.

[0005] Patent Document 1 below describes a karaoke device having functions equivalent to each of a tempo change function, a key change function, a guide melody function, and a guide vocal function.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] Among karaoke devices having a performance mode change function, there are those having a performance mode designation function that designates the performance mode of a song in addition to designating the song for which karaoke performance is to be performed based on an instruction from the user at the time of reserving the karaoke performance of the song. According to this performance mode designation function, the user can reserve a song for karaoke singing and preset the performance mode of the reserved song. When the karaoke device designates a song for which karaoke performance is to be performed and designates the performance mode of the song based on an instruction from the user at the time of reserving the karaoke performance of the song, when the order of the karaoke performance of the song arrives, the karaoke performance of the song is performed in the performance mode designated at the time of reservation.

[0008] For example, when the karaoke device designates Song A and designates to lower the tempo of Song A by one level based on the instruction of user U1 at the time of reserving the karaoke performance of a song, when the order of the karaoke performance of Song A arrives, after lowering the tempo of Song A by one level from its standard value, the karaoke performance of Song A is started. As a result, the karaoke performance of Song A is performed at a tempo that is one level slower than the standard tempo of Song A.

[0009] By the way, a karaoke device having a performance mode change function and a performance mode designation function, or a karaoke system including the karaoke device has the following problems.

[0010] Among a number of songs, there are songs with a tempo that is too fast or too slow, a key that is too high or too low, or a complex melody when the general public performs karaoke singing. If the user performs karaoke singing of such a song without inputting any instruction to the karaoke device to designate the performance mode of the song at the time of reserving the karaoke performance of the song, many users will notice that it is difficult for them to perform karaoke singing after the karaoke performance of the song starts, and will inevitably change the performance mode of the song during the performance of the song. In this case, as a result of temporarily interrupting karaoke singing to perform the operation of changing the performance mode, a situation where the user cannot concentrate on karaoke singing, or a situation where the user cannot sing the beginning part of the singing section because the operation of changing the performance mode is performed during the short prelude section of the song, etc., there is a risk that a situation that spoils the pleasure of the user's karaoke singing will occur.

[0011] The occurrence of such a situation can be suppressed by the user inputting an instruction to specify the performance mode of the music into the karaoke device when making a reservation for the karaoke performance of the music. However, in order to input an instruction to specify the performance mode of the music into the karaoke device when making a reservation for the karaoke performance of the music, the user must recognize, at the time of making a reservation for the karaoke performance of the music, that it is necessary to input an instruction to specify the performance mode of the music, such as that the tempo of the music is too fast for the user and the tempo needs to be lowered, or that the key of the music is too high for the user and the key needs to be lowered. For the user, it may be difficult to have such recognition at the time of making a reservation for the karaoke performance of the music. For example, when the music for which the karaoke performance is reserved is a music that the user sings karaoke for the first time, it is difficult for the user to recognize the necessity of inputting an instruction to specify the performance mode of the music at the time of making a reservation for the karaoke performance of the music. Also, even when the user has a recognition that it is necessary to input an instruction to specify the performance mode of the music, it may happen that the user forgets to input an instruction to specify the performance mode of the music at the time of making a reservation for the karaoke performance of the music.

[0012] The present invention has been made in view of problems such as those described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a karaoke system that enables a user to surely input an instruction to specify the performance mode of music as needed when making a reservation for the karaoke performance of the music or the like.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0013] In order to solve the above problems, the karaoke system of the present invention designates the one piece of music based on an instruction by a user when making a reservation for a karaoke performance of the one piece of music, and sets a performance mode designation value for designating a performance mode of the one piece of music based on an instruction by the user when making a reservation for the karaoke performance of the one piece of music. The system includes a reservation unit, a performance unit, a performance mode change unit, a performance mode change storage processing unit, a history generation unit, a recommendation determination unit, and a recommendation execution unit. The reservation unit designates the one piece of music based on an instruction by the user when making a reservation for a karaoke performance of the one piece of music and sets a performance mode designation value for designating a performance mode of the one piece of music based on an instruction by the user when making a reservation for the karaoke performance of the one piece of music. The performance unit performs the karaoke performance of the one piece of music in a performance mode based on the performance mode designation value. The performance mode change unit changes the performance mode of the one piece of music based on an instruction by the user during the karaoke performance of the one piece of music by the performance unit. The performance mode change storage processing unit stores performance mode change information indicating that the performance mode of the one piece of music has been changed when the performance mode of the one piece of music is changed by the performance mode change unit during the karaoke performance of the one piece of music by the performance unit. The history generation unit generates a performance mode change history indicating a history of changes in the performance mode of the one piece of music by accumulating the performance mode change information stored by the performance mode change storage processing unit. The recommendation determination unit determines whether it is necessary to recommend setting the performance mode designation value to the user based on the performance mode change history generated by the history generation unit when the one piece of music is designated by the reservation unit and the performance mode designation value is not set when making a reservation for the karaoke performance of the one piece of music. The recommendation execution unit outputs an image, a character string, a signal, or a voice recommending setting the performance mode designation value between when the one piece of music is designated by the reservation unit when making a reservation for the karaoke performance of the one piece of music and when the karaoke performance of the one piece of music is started by the performance unit when it is determined by the recommendation determination unit that it is necessary to recommend setting the performance mode designation value to the user. Also, in the karaoke system of the present invention, the performance mode change storage processing unit may store the performance mode change information only when the performance mode of the one piece of music is changed during the karaoke performance in the prelude section of the one piece of music. Also, in the karaoke system of the present invention, when reserving a karaoke performance of the one piece of music, the reservation unit can respectively set a plurality of the performance mode designation values corresponding to a plurality of items of the performance mode of the one piece of music based on an instruction by a user. The performance unit performs a karaoke performance of the one piece of music in a performance mode based on the plurality of performance mode designation values. The performance mode change unit can change each of the plurality of items of the performance mode of the one piece of music based on an instruction by the user during the karaoke performance of the one piece of music by the performance unit. When at least one of the plurality of items of the performance mode of the one piece of music is changed by the performance mode change unit during the karaoke performance of the one piece of music by the performance unit, the performance mode change storage processing unit stores the performance mode change information including item identification information for identifying the changed item. The history generation unit generates the performance mode change history by accumulating the performance mode change information including item identification information for identifying the items of the performance mode of the one piece of music that have been changed during the karaoke performance of the one piece of music. When the one piece of music is designated by the reservation unit and the performance mode designation value is not set at the time of reserving the karaoke performance of the one piece of music, the recommendation determination unit identifies, based on the performance mode change history generated by the history generation unit, the item among the plurality of items of the performance mode of the one piece of music that has the highest frequency of change during the karaoke performance of the one piece of music. The recommendation execution unit may output an image, a character string, a signal, or a voice for recommending setting of the performance mode designation value corresponding to the item of the performance mode of the one piece of music identified by the recommendation determination unit. Also, in the karaoke system of the present invention, when the performance mode change memory processing unit changes the performance mode of the one piece of music by the performance mode change unit during the karaoke performance of the one piece of music by the performance unit, the performance mode change information including the change amount of the changed performance mode is stored, and the history generation unit accumulates the performance mode change information including the change amount of the performance mode of the one piece of music changed during the karaoke performance of the one piece of music to generate the performance mode change history. When the one piece of music is designated by the reservation unit at the time of reservation of the karaoke performance of the one piece of music and the performance mode designation value is not set, the recommended determination unit determines the most frequent value or calculates the average value of the change amount of the performance mode of the one piece of music based on the performance mode change history generated by the history generation unit. The recommended execution unit may output an image, a character string, a signal, or a voice recommending setting the performance mode designation value to the most frequent value determined by the recommended determination unit or the average value calculated by the recommended determination unit.

Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, a user can surely input an instruction to specify the performance mode of a piece of music when making a reservation for the karaoke performance of the music or the like, as necessary.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] (Karaoke System) FIG. 1 shows a karaoke system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the karaoke system 1 is a system including a karaoke device 2 and a server device 31 that can communicate with each other. As means for connecting the karaoke device 2 and the server device 31 so as to be able to communicate with each other, an information communication network 37 such as the Internet is used, for example. The karaoke system 1 includes a plurality of karaoke devices 2 that can communicate with the server device 31. For convenience of explanation, in FIG. 1, one of the plurality of karaoke devices 2 is shown.

[0017] The karaoke device 2 is a device that performs karaoke performance of music. The karaoke device 2 has a performance mode change function for changing the performance mode of the music based on an instruction from the user before or during the start of the karaoke performance of the music. Specifically, the karaoke device 2 has a tempo change function, a key change function, a guide melody function, and a guide vocal function as the performance mode change function. Further, the karaoke device 2 has a performance mode specification function for specifying the performance mode of the music in addition to specifying the music for which the karaoke performance is to be performed based on an instruction from the user at the time of reserving the karaoke performance of the music.

[0018] The karaoke device 2 includes a control unit 3, a storage unit 4, a communication unit 5, an operation unit 6, a sound source 7, a voice input / output circuit 8, and a video control circuit 9. Further, a microphone (microphone) 22, a speaker 23, and a display 24 are connected to the karaoke device 2. Further, a remote control device (remote control device) 21 is wirelessly connected to the karaoke device 2.

[0019] The control unit 3 has, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, and controls the karaoke device 2. The storage unit 4 stores information. The storage unit 4 includes a main storage device composed of a semiconductor memory that temporarily stores information, and an auxiliary storage device that can store information in the long term. An SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) is used as the auxiliary storage device. The communication unit 5 has a communication circuit or the like for communicating with the server device 31. Further, the communication unit 5 has a communication circuit or the like for performing wireless communication with the remote control device 21. The operation unit 6 is a user interface for the user to directly operate the karaoke device 2 without using the remote control device 21. The sound source 7 is a synthesizer that generates sounds such as the accompaniment of a music piece for the karaoke performance of the music piece. The audio input / output circuit 8 mixes the sound collected by the microphone 22 and the sound output from the sound source 7, and outputs the mixed sound from the speaker 23. Also, the audio input / output circuit 8 converts the sound collected by the microphone 22 into a digital signal and inputs it to the control unit 3. The video control circuit 9 is a circuit that controls the display of the background image, lyrics, etc. of the karaoke performance of the music piece on the display 24.

[0020] The control unit 3 of the karaoke device 2 functions as a reservation unit 11, a performance unit 12, a performance mode change unit 13, a performance mode change storage processing unit 14, a communication control unit 15, a recommendation determination unit 16, and a recommendation execution unit 17 by, for example, reading and executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 4.

[0021] When reserving a karaoke performance of a music piece, the reservation unit 11 designates the music piece for which the karaoke performance is to be performed based on an instruction by the user, and sets a performance mode designation value that designates the performance mode of the music piece.

[0022] The performance unit 12 performs a karaoke performance of the music piece reserved by the user. The performance mode change unit 13 immediately changes the performance mode of the music piece based on an instruction by the user before the start of or during the karaoke performance of the music piece.

[0023] During the karaoke performance of the prelude section of a piece by the performance unit 12, when the performance mode of the piece being performed is changed by the performance mode change unit 13, the performance mode change memory processing unit 14 stores performance mode change information indicating that the performance mode of the piece has been changed in the storage unit 4. The communication control unit 15 transmits the performance mode change information stored by the performance mode change memory processing unit 14 to the server device 31. Also, the communication control unit 15 receives the performance mode change history transmitted from the server device 31.

[0024] When the user reserves a karaoke performance of a piece, the recommendation determination unit 16 and the recommendation execution unit 17 recommend to the user, as necessary, setting of a performance mode designation value for the piece designated by the reservation unit 11 based on the user's instruction. Specifically, when a piece is designated by the reservation unit 11 based on the user's instruction during the reservation of a karaoke performance of a piece, but the performance mode designation value for that piece is not set, the recommendation determination unit 16 determines whether it is necessary to recommend to the user setting of the performance mode designation value for that piece based on the performance mode change history received from the server device 31. When the recommendation determination unit 16 determines that it is necessary to recommend to the user setting of the performance mode designation value for a piece designated by the reservation unit 11, the recommendation execution unit 17 outputs an image or a character string recommending setting of the performance mode designation value for that piece between when the piece is designated by the reservation unit 11 and when the reservation of that piece is confirmed.

[0025] The remote control device 21 is a device for remotely operating the karaoke device 2. The remote control device 21 is, for example, a terminal device having functions equivalent to those of a tablet. The remote control device 21 includes a control unit for controlling the remote control device 21, a storage unit for storing information, a communication unit for performing wireless communication with the karaoke device 2, a touch panel for inputting instructions by the user, etc., and a display for displaying various information related to the operation of the karaoke device 2. Note that, instead of the remote control device 21, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone can also be used.

[0026] The server device 31 is a device that comprehensively controls and manages a plurality of karaoke devices 2. The server device 31 has, for example, a CPU, a control unit 32 that controls the server device 31, has, for example, a semiconductor memory and an HDD (or SSD), a storage unit 33 that stores information, and a communication unit 34 that communicates with each karaoke device 2. The control unit 32 of the server device 31 functions as a communication control unit 35 and a history generation unit 36 by reading and executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 33, for example. The communication control unit 35 receives the performance mode change information transmitted from the karaoke device 2. The history generation unit 36 generates a performance mode change history by accumulating the performance mode change information received by the communication control unit 35. Further, the communication control unit 35 transmits the performance mode change history generated by the history generation unit 36 to the karaoke device 2.

[0027] (Karaoke performance of a song) The performance unit 12 of the karaoke device 2 performs a song reserved by a user based on the song data 41, the performance mode setting value 51, and the performance mode designation value 61. FIG. 2 shows the song data 41, the performance mode setting value 51, and the performance mode designation value 61. As shown in FIG. 2, in the storage unit 4 of the karaoke device 2, song data 41 of a plurality of songs are stored for each song.

[0028] The song data of each song includes song identification information 42 which is information for identifying an individual song. Further, the song data 41 of each song includes accompaniment data 43 for controlling the sound source 7 to automatically perform the accompaniment of the song, melody data 44 for controlling the sound source 7 to automatically perform the melody line of the song, and guide vocal data 45 which is voice data of the guide vocal. The guide vocal data is obtained by recording and digitizing the singing voice of a song by a skilled singer. Note that the melody data 44 is data related to the guide melody function, and the guide vocal data is data related to the guide vocal function. Further, the song data 41 of each song includes tempo information 46 indicating the standard tempo of the song.

[0029] In addition, the music data 41 of each piece of music includes section information 47. The section information 47 is information indicating sections in the music, specifically, a prelude section, each singing section (such as the section of the first A melody, the section of the second refrain, etc.), an interlude section, an ending section, and the like. For example, in the section information 47 of the present embodiment, each section of the music is specified using the measure numbers of the music.

[0030] Also, the storage unit 4 of the karaoke device 2 stores a performance mode setting value 51. The performance mode setting value 51 is a value for setting the performance mode of the music to be karaoke-performed by the performance unit 12. In the storage unit 4, as the performance mode setting value 51, a tempo setting value 52, a key setting value 53, a guide melody setting value 54, and a guide vocal setting value 55 are stored.

[0031] The tempo setting value 52 is a value indicating the amount of change in the tempo of the music to be karaoke-performed by the performance unit 12. For example, when the tempo setting value 52 is "0", the performance unit 12 performs the music at the standard tempo indicated by the tempo information 46 included in the music data of the music. When the tempo setting value 52 is "1", the performance unit 12 performs the music at a tempo one level faster than the above-mentioned standard tempo of the music. When the tempo setting value 52 is "-1", the performance unit 12 performs the music at a tempo one level slower than the above-mentioned standard tempo of the music.

[0032] The key setting value 53 is a value indicating the amount of change in the key of the music to be karaoke-performed by the performance unit 12. For example, when the key setting value 53 is "0", the performance unit 12 performs the music without changing the key of the music. When the key setting value 53 is "1", the performance unit 12 performs the music by raising the key of the music by one level. When the key setting value 53 is "-1", the performance unit 12 performs the music by lowering the key of the music by one level.

[0033] The guide melody setting value 54 is a value indicating on / off of the performance of the melody line. When the guide melody setting value 54 is off (for example, "0"), the performance unit 12 does not perform the melody line of the music piece over the performance of the accompaniment of the music piece. Also, when the guide melody setting value 54 is on (for example, "1"), the performance unit 12 performs the melody line of the music piece over the performance of the accompaniment of the music piece.

[0034] The guide vocal setting value 55 is a value indicating on / off of the reproduction of the guide vocal voice. When the guide vocal setting value 55 is off (for example, "0"), the performance unit 12 does not reproduce the guide vocal voice over the performance of the accompaniment of the music piece. Also, when the guide vocal setting value 55 is on (for example, "1"), the performance unit 12 reproduces the guide vocal voice over the performance of the accompaniment of the music piece.

[0035] The initial values of the tempo setting value 52 and the key setting value 53 are both "0". Also, the initial values of the guide melody setting value 54 and the guide vocal setting value 55 are both off.

[0036] On the other hand, the performance mode designation value is a value for storing and holding the designation content of the performance mode for a music piece from when one music piece is reserved until the karaoke performance of that music piece starts. The performance mode designation value will be described in detail later.

[0037] (Change of performance mode during karaoke performance, etc.) The user can change at any time the performance mode of the music piece, specifically, the tempo, key, on / off of the performance of the melody line, and on / off of the reproduction of the guide vocal voice, before or during the start of the performance of the music piece by the performance unit 12.

[0038] Figure 3 shows the remote control screen of the remote control device 21. The user can input an instruction to change the performance mode of the music into the karaoke device 2 by touching a button (button icon image) on the remote control screen as shown in Figure 3. Also, the user can input an instruction to change the performance mode of the music into the karaoke device 2 by operating the operation unit 6 of the karaoke device 2 as well.

[0039] When the user inputs an instruction to change the performance mode of the music to the karaoke device 2 before or during the performance of the music by the performance unit 12, the performance mode changing unit 13 of the karaoke device 2 immediately changes the performance mode setting value based on the user's instruction and immediately changes the performance mode of the music. For example, when the user touches the tempo down button 71 on the remote control screen once before or during the performance of the music by the performance unit 12, the performance mode changing unit 13 immediately decreases the tempo setting value by 1. Also, when the user touches the key up button 72 on the remote control screen once before or during the performance of the music by the performance unit 12, the performance mode changing unit 13 immediately increases the key setting value by 1. Also, when the user touches the guide vocal on button 73 on the remote control screen once before or during the performance of the music by the performance unit 12, the performance mode changing unit 13 immediately changes the guide vocal setting value from off to on.

[0040] When the performance mode change unit 13 changes the tempo setting value, key setting value, guide melody setting value, or guide vocal setting value, the performance unit 12 immediately reflects the change in the karaoke performance of the music. For example, when the user touches the tempo down button 71 on the remote control screen before or during the performance of the music by the performance unit 12, and accordingly, the performance mode change unit 13 decreases the tempo setting value 52 by 1, the performance unit 12 immediately refers to the tempo setting value and slows down the tempo of the music by one level. Also, when the user touches the guide vocal on button 73 on the remote control screen before or during the performance of the music by the performance unit 12, and accordingly, the performance mode change unit 13 changes the guide vocal setting value from off to on, the performance unit 12 immediately refers to the guide vocal setting value and plays the guide vocal sound of the music.

[0041] (Memory of Performance Mode Changes) During the karaoke performance of the prelude section of the music by the performance unit 12, when the performance mode change unit 13 changes the performance mode of the music being performed, the performance mode change memory processing unit 14 of the karaoke device 2 stores performance mode change information indicating that the performance mode of the music has been changed in the storage unit 4.

[0042] Specifically, the performance mode change memory processing unit 14 recognizes the prelude section of the music based on the section information included in the music data of the music.

[0043] Also, the performance mode change memory processing unit 14 determines whether the performance mode setting value has changed before and after the karaoke performance of the prelude section of the music. If the performance mode setting value has changed before and after the karaoke performance of the prelude section of the music, it is determined that the performance mode of the music has been changed. For example, if the tempo setting value has changed before and after the karaoke performance of the prelude section of the music, the performance mode change memory processing unit 14 determines that the tempo of the music has been changed.

[0044] In addition, during the karaoke performance of the prelude section of a piece of music by the performance unit 12, when the performance mode of the piece of music being performed is changed by the performance mode change unit 13, the performance mode change memory processing unit 14 stores in the storage unit 4 performance mode change information including the music identification information of the piece of music, the device identification information of the karaoke device 2 that performed the karaoke performance of the piece of music, the performance date of the karaoke performance of the piece of music, the performance start time of the karaoke performance of the piece of music, the items of the changed performance mode of the piece of music, and the change amount or change content of the changed performance mode of the piece of music.

[0045] In addition, when the performance mode setting value is changed during the karaoke performance of the prelude section of a piece of music, the performance mode change memory processing unit 14 uses the specific value of the performance mode setting value at the time when the karaoke performance of the prelude section of the piece of music ends as the change amount or change content of the changed performance mode of the piece of music. For example, when the tempo setting value is changed during the karaoke performance of the prelude section of a piece of music, the performance mode change memory processing unit 14 uses the specific value of the tempo setting value at the time when the karaoke performance of the prelude section of the piece of music ends as the change amount of the changed tempo of the piece of music. Also, when the guide vocal setting value is changed from off to on during the karaoke performance of the prelude section of a piece of music, the performance mode change memory processing unit 14 uses the specific change content of the guide vocal setting value (i.e., on) at the time when the karaoke performance of the prelude section of the piece of music ends as the change content related to the on / off playback of the changed guide vocal sound of the piece of music.

[0046] To explain in detail with an example, for example, on November 21, 2021, user U1 who is using the karaoke device 2 with the device identification information "xxx" reserved a karaoke performance of piece of music A, and the karaoke performance of piece of music A started at 18:00:30. Assume that user U1 lowered the tempo of piece of music A by one level during the karaoke performance of the prelude section of piece of music A. In this case, when the karaoke performance of the prelude section of piece of music A ends, the performance mode change memory processing unit 14 stores in the storage unit 4 performance mode change information indicating that the performance mode of piece of music A has been changed, for example, as follows.

[0047] First, the performance mode change memory processing unit 14 reads the music identification information "aaa" included in the music data of Music A. Next, it reads the device identification information "xxx" of the karaoke device 2 pre-stored in the memory unit 4. Next, using the history storage function of karaoke performance of the music that the karaoke device 2 has as its basic function, it recognizes the performance date "November 21, 2021" of the karaoke performance of Music A and the start time of the karaoke performance of Music A "18:00:30". Next, based on the fact that the tempo setting value changed before and after the karaoke performance in the prelude section of the music, it determines that the tempo of Music A has been changed. Next, it reads the tempo setting value "-1" at the time when the karaoke performance in the prelude section of the music ends. Then, the performance mode change memory processing unit 14 stores performance mode change information including the music identification information "aaa", the device identification information "xxx", the performance date "November 21, 2021", the start time of performance "18:00:30", the item of the performance mode "1", and the change amount of the performance mode "-1" in the memory unit 4.

[0048] Note that "1" in the item of the performance mode means that the item of the performance mode is the tempo. That is, the performance mode change memory processing unit 14 stores item identification information for specifying the item of the performance mode as the item of the performance mode. For example, the item identification information for the tempo is "1", the item identification information for the key is "2", the item identification information for the on / off of the melody line performance is "3", and the item identification information for the on / off of the playback of the guide vocal voice is "4".

[0049] The performance mode change information stored in the memory unit 4 by the performance mode change memory processing unit 14 is immediately transmitted from the karaoke device 2 to the server device 31 by the communication control unit 15 of the karaoke device 2. After the performance mode change information is transmitted from the karaoke device 2 to the server device 31, the performance mode change information is deleted from the memory unit 4 of the karaoke device 2.

[0050] (Generation of Performance Mode Change History) The performance mode change information transmitted from the karaoke device 2 is received by the communication control unit 35 of the server device 31. The history generation unit 36 of the server device 31 generates a performance mode change history by accumulating the performance mode change information received from the karaoke device 2. Also, as described above, the karaoke system 1 includes a plurality of karaoke devices 2 that can communicate with the server device 31. The communication control unit 35 of the server device 31 receives the performance mode change information transmitted from each of those plurality of karaoke devices 2, and the history generation unit 36 of the server device 31 generates a performance mode change history by accumulating the performance mode change information received from those plurality of karaoke devices 2.

[0051] Also, the history generation unit 36 generates a performance mode history by accumulating the performance mode change information accumulated within a predetermined history generation period. The history generation period is set, for example, to the past one month from the present.

[0052] FIG. 4 shows an example of a performance mode change history. As shown in FIG. 4, the items of the performance mode change history are the same as the items of the performance mode change information, that is, the music identification information of the music whose performance mode was changed during the karaoke performance in the prelude section of the music, the device identification information of the karaoke device 2 that performed the karaoke performance of the music, the performance date of the karaoke performance of the music, the performance start time of the karaoke performance of the music, the item (item specific information) of the changed performance mode of the music, and the amount or content of the change of the changed performance mode of the music.

[0053] In the performance mode change history shown in FIG. 4, "aaa" is the music identification number of music A, "bbb" is the music identification number of music B, and "ccc" is the music identification number of music C. The performance mode change history shown in FIG. 4 is generated by accumulating the performance mode change information for music A, B, and C received from the karaoke device 2 with the device identification information "xxx", the performance mode change information for music A and B received from the karaoke device 2 with the device identification information "yyy", and the performance mode change information for music A and C received from the karaoke device 2 with the device identification information "zzz", etc.

[0054] The performance mode change history generated by the history generation unit 36 is transmitted by the communication control unit 35 from the server device 31 to each karaoke device 2 at predetermined time intervals (for example, once a day, at a predetermined time). The performance mode change history transmitted from the server device 31 is received by the communication control unit 15 of the karaoke device 2. The karaoke device 2 stores the received performance mode change history in the storage unit 4 of the karaoke device 2. When the performance mode change history received in the past is already stored in the storage unit 4, the karaoke device 2 updates the performance mode change history by replacing the already stored performance mode change history with the currently received performance mode change history.

[0055] (Setting of the performance mode designation value at the time of reservation) The reservation unit 11 of the karaoke device 2 reserves a karaoke performance of a music piece based on an instruction by the user. Specifically, the reservation unit 11 designates a music piece for which a karaoke performance is to be performed based on an instruction by the user.

[0056] In addition, when reserving a karaoke performance of a music piece, the reservation unit 11 sets a performance mode designation value for designating the performance mode of the music piece in addition to designating the music piece for which the karaoke performance is to be performed based on an instruction by the user. As described above, the karaoke device 2 has a performance mode designation function. The performance mode designation function designates the performance mode of a music piece in addition to designating the music piece for which a karaoke performance is to be performed based on an instruction by the user at the time of reserving a karaoke performance of the music piece, and when the order of the karaoke performance of the music piece arrives, performs the karaoke performance of the music piece according to the performance mode designated for that music piece at the time of reserving the karaoke performance of the music piece. The performance mode designation value is a value that has the role of storing and holding the designation content of the performance mode for a music piece from the time the music piece is reserved until the karaoke performance of the music piece starts.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 2, the performance mode specification values 61 include a tempo specification value 62, a key specification value 63, a guide melody specification value 64, and a guide vocal specification value 65. These performance mode specification values 61 correspond to a plurality of items of the performance mode setting value 51. The tempo specification value 62 is a value indicating the amount of change in the tempo specified for one piece of music for which karaoke performance has been reserved. The key specification value 63 is a value indicating the amount of change in the key specified for one piece of music for which karaoke performance has been reserved. The guide melody specification value 64 is a value indicating on / off of the performance of the melody line specified for one piece of music for which karaoke performance has been reserved. The guide vocal specification value 65 is a value indicating on / off of the reproduction of the guide vocal sound specified for one piece of music for which karaoke performance has been reserved. The initial values of both the tempo specification value 62 and the key specification value 63 are "0". Also, the initial values of both the guide melody specification value 64 and the guide vocal specification value 65 are off.

[0058] FIG. 5 shows the music reservation screen of the remote control device 21. The reservation unit 11, in cooperation with the remote control device 21, specifies a piece of music and sets the performance mode specification value of that piece of music. In the storage unit of the remote control device 21, music identification information of each piece of music that the karaoke device 2 can perform karaoke on, and each performance mode specification value are stored. The user can input an instruction to specify a piece of music to be reserved to the remote control device 21 by touching a button (button icon image) in the music reservation screen as shown in FIG. 5. Also, the user can input an instruction to set the performance mode specification value for that piece of music to the remote control device 21 by touching a button in the music reservation screen.

[0059] For example, when the user touches the tempo down button 81 in the music reservation screen once, the remote control device 21 sets the tempo specification value to "-1". Also, when the user touches the key up button 82 in the music reservation screen once, the remote control device 21 sets the key specification value to "1". Also, when the user touches the guide vocal on button 83 in the music reservation screen once, the remote control device 21 sets the guide vocal specification value to on.

[0060] After the user inputs an instruction to specify a piece of music to be reserved and an instruction to set a performance mode designation value for that piece of music into the remote control device 21 in this way, the user touches the reservation button 84 on the music reservation screen. In response, the remote control device 21 transmits the music identification information of that piece of music and each performance mode designation value for that piece of music to the karaoke device 2.

[0061] At this time, regardless of whether each performance mode designation value for that piece of music has been set, the remote control device 21 transmits all the performance mode designation values for that piece of music to the karaoke device 2. Therefore, when the user only inputs an instruction to specify a piece of music into the remote control device 21 and touches the reservation button 84 without inputting any instruction to set a performance mode designation value for that piece of music into the remote control device 21, the tempo designation value, key designation value, guide melody designation value, and guide vocal designation value, all of which are initial values, are transmitted from the remote control device 21 to the karaoke device 2.

[0062] Then, the karaoke device 2 receives this music identification information and each performance mode designation value. The reservation unit 11 of the karaoke device 2 stores the music identification information of the received piece of music in the storage unit 4. Further, the reservation unit 11 stores each performance mode designation value for the received piece of music in the storage unit 4 in association with the music identification information of that piece of music. Then, after the processing of the recommended judgment unit 16 and the recommended execution unit 17, which will be described later, is completed, the reservation unit 11 finalizes the reservation of that piece of music. That is, the reservation unit 11 registers the music identification information of that piece of music in the reservation queue. Also, thereby, the setting of each performance mode designation value for that piece of music is finalized. When the karaoke performances of a plurality of pieces of music are continuously reserved and the music identification information of the plurality of pieces of music is respectively registered in the reservation queue, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of sets of performance mode designation values respectively associated with the plurality of pieces of music identification information are stored in the storage unit 4.

[0063] (Karaoke performance based on performance mode designation value) When the reservation of a piece of music is confirmed, when the order of the karaoke performance of that piece of music arrives, the performance unit 12 sets the performance mode designation value for that piece of music to the performance mode setting value, and then starts the karaoke performance of that piece of music. For example, at the time of reserving the karaoke performance of a piece of music, based on the instruction of the user U1, piece of music A is designated, and the tempo designation value for piece of music A is set to "-1", but if the key designation value, guide melody designation value, and guide vocal designation value for piece of music A are not set, when the order of the karaoke performance of piece of music A arrives, the performance unit 12 reads from the storage unit 4 the tempo designation value of "-1" respectively associated with the music identification information of piece of music A, as well as the initial value of the key designation value, guide melody designation value, and guide vocal designation value, sets the "-1" of the tempo designation value to the tempo setting value, sets the initial value of the key designation value to the key setting value, sets the initial value of the guide melody designation value to the guide melody setting value, and sets the initial value of the guide vocal designation value to the guide vocal setting value. After that, the performance unit 12 starts the karaoke performance of piece of music A. As a result, the karaoke performance of piece of music A is performed at a tempo one level slower than the standard tempo of piece of music A.

[0064] (Recommendation for Performance Mode Designation: Judgment of Recommendation Necessity) When the user reserves the karaoke performance of a piece of music, the karaoke system 1 has a performance mode designation recommendation function that recommends to the user, as necessary, the setting of the performance mode designation value for a piece of music designated by the reservation unit 11 based on the user's instruction. Hereinafter, a piece of music designated by the reservation unit 11 based on the user's instruction at the time of reserving the karaoke performance of a piece of music is referred to as the "designated piece of music". The recommendation judgment unit 16 and the recommendation execution unit 17 of the karaoke device 2 perform the processing for realizing this function.

[0065] Specifically, when a karaoke performance of a music piece is reserved, if a single music piece is designated by the reservation unit 11 based on the user's instruction, but the performance mode designation value for that music piece, i.e., the designated music piece, is not set, the recommendation determination unit 16 determines whether it is necessary to recommend to the user to set the performance mode designation value for the designated music piece based on the performance mode change history received from the server device 31 and stored in the storage unit 4. That is, the recommendation determination unit 16 determines whether the performance mode designation value for a music piece is set when a single music piece is designated by the reservation unit 11 at the time of reserving a karaoke performance of the music piece. Specifically, it determines whether an operation to confirm the reservation of the karaoke performance for the designated music piece has been performed without any setting of the performance mode designation value for the designated music piece. Further, as a determination based on the performance mode change history as to whether it is necessary to recommend to the user to set the performance mode designation value for the designated music piece, within the above history generation period, the recommendation determination unit 16 determines whether the number of times any performance mode of the designated music piece (the same music piece as the designated music piece) has been changed by the performance mode change unit 13 during the performance of the prelude section of the designated music piece is equal to or greater than a predetermined determination reference value. This determination reference value is, for example, 50.

[0066] Hereinafter, the condition that an operation is performed to confirm a reservation for karaoke performance of a specified song without setting any performance mode designation value for the specified song is referred to as "recommendation condition 1". Also, within the above history generation period, the condition that the number of times any performance mode of the specified song is changed by the performance mode change unit 13 during the performance of the prelude section of the specified song (a song identical to the specified song) is equal to or greater than the above predetermined judgment reference value is referred to as "recommendation condition 2". The recommendation judgment unit 16 first determines whether recommendation condition 1 is satisfied. If recommendation condition 1 is satisfied, then it determines whether recommendation condition 2 is satisfied. And when both recommendation conditions 1 and 2 are satisfied, the recommendation judgment unit 16 determines that it is necessary to recommend to the user to set the performance mode designation value for the specified song. On the other hand, when recommendation condition 1 is not satisfied, or when recommendation condition 1 is satisfied but recommendation condition 2 is not satisfied, the recommendation judgment unit 16 determines that it is not necessary to recommend to the user to set the performance mode designation value for the specified song.

[0067] The recommendation judgment unit 16 determines whether the above recommendation condition 1 is satisfied as follows.

[0068] In the above recommended condition 1, the operation of finalizing the reservation for the karaoke performance of the designated song specifically refers to touching the reservation button 84 on the song reservation screen of the remote control device 21. As described above, when making a reservation for the karaoke performance of a song, the user touches a button on the song reservation screen of the remote control device 21 to input an instruction to specify a single song to be reserved and an instruction to set a performance mode designation value for that song into the remote control device 21, and then touches the reservation button 84. In response, the remote control device 21 transmits the song identification information of that song and each performance mode designation value for that song to the karaoke device 2. Then, the reservation unit 11 of the karaoke device 2 stores the song identification information of a single song transmitted from the remote control device 21 and received by the karaoke device 2 and each performance mode designation value for that song in the storage unit 4. At this time, the recommended determination unit 16 examines each performance mode designation value received by the karaoke device 2, and when all of the performance mode designation values are initial values, determines that the operation of finalizing the reservation for the designated song has been performed without any setting of the performance mode designation value for the designated song, that is, determines that the recommended condition 1 is satisfied.

[0069] Also, the recommended determination unit 16 determines whether or not the above recommended condition 2 is satisfied as follows based on the performance mode change history stored in the storage unit 4.

[0070] As described above, the performance mode change history is generated by the server device 31 receiving and accumulating the performance mode change information transmitted from each of the plurality of karaoke devices 2 included in the karaoke system 1 during the history generation period. The performance mode change history is a list of the songs in which any performance mode was changed by the performance mode change unit 13 during the performance of the prelude section among the songs for which karaoke performances were performed by the performance unit 12 of each karaoke device 2 during the history generation period. Note that, in the present embodiment, "any performance mode was changed" means that any one of the tempo, key, on / off of the performance of the melody line, and on / off of the reproduction of the guide vocal voice was changed. Hereinafter, among the songs for which karaoke performances were performed by the performance unit 12 of each karaoke device 2 during the history generation period, a song in which any performance mode was changed by the performance mode change unit 13 during the performance of the prelude section is referred to as a "performance mode change song".

[0071] As shown in FIG. 4, the performance mode change history includes the song identification information of each performance mode change song. First, when the user touches the reservation button 84 at the time of reservation of the karaoke performance of a song, the recommended determination unit 16 recognizes the song identification information of the designated song based on the song identification information transmitted from the remote control device 21 and received by the karaoke device 2.

[0072] Next, the recommended determination unit 16 determines whether there is a performance mode change song having the same song identification information as the song identification information of the designated song in the performance mode change history, and if there is a performance mode change song having the same song identification information as the song identification information of the designated song in the performance mode change history, the recommended determination unit 16 counts the number in the performance mode change history of the performance mode change song. The number in the performance mode change history of the performance mode change song having the same song identification information as the song identification information of the designated song is equal to the number of times that the karaoke performance of the designated song (the song identical to the designated song) was performed in each of the karaoke devices 2 included in the karaoke system 1 and any performance mode of the song was changed by the performance mode change unit 13 during the performance of the prelude section of the song.

[0073] Next, the recommendation determination unit 16 determines whether the number in the performance mode change history of the performance mode change music having the same music identification information as the music identification information of the designated music is equal to or greater than the determination reference value in the above recommendation condition 2. Then, when the number in the performance mode change history of the performance mode change music having the same music identification information as the music identification information of the designated music is equal to or greater than the determination reference value, the recommendation determination unit 16 determines that the above recommendation condition 2 is satisfied.

[0074] (Recommendation for performance mode designation: Identification of performance mode items) When it is necessary to recommend to the user the setting of the performance mode designation value for the designated music, the recommendation determination unit, based on the performance mode change history, among the plurality of items of the performance mode of the music, that is, tempo, key, on / off of the performance of the melody line, and on / off of the playback of the guide vocal voice, identifies the item with the highest frequency of change by the performance mode change unit 13 during the karaoke performance in the prelude section of the designated music (the music identical to the designated music). Hereinafter, the item of the performance mode with the highest frequency of change by the performance mode change unit 13 during the karaoke performance in the prelude section of the music is referred to as the "most frequently changed item".

[0075] The recommendation determination unit 16 identifies the most frequently changed item of the performance mode of the designated music by, for example, the following method.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 4, the performance mode change history includes, for each performance mode change piece, the item (item identification information) of the changed performance mode. First, the recommendation determination unit 16, in the performance mode change history, classifies a plurality of performance mode change pieces having the same piece identification information as the piece identification information of the designated piece into performance mode change pieces in which the item of the changed performance mode is tempo, performance mode change pieces in which the item of the changed performance mode is key, performance mode change pieces in which the item of the changed performance mode is on / off of the melody line performance, and performance mode change pieces in which the item of the changed performance mode is on / off of the playback of the guide vocal voice. Next, the recommendation determination unit 16 counts the number of each of these four types of performance mode change pieces, and among these four types of performance mode change pieces, identifies the item of the changed performance mode of the performance mode change piece with the largest number as the most frequently changed item of the performance mode of the designated piece.

[0077] (Recommendation for Performance Mode Designation: Determination of Specific Values) Also, when it is necessary to recommend to the user the setting of the performance mode designation value for the designated piece, the recommendation determination unit 16 determines the most frequent change value of the amount or content of the changed performance mode changed by the performance mode change unit 13 during the karaoke performance in the prelude section of the designated piece (the same piece as the designated piece) based on the performance mode change history. Hereinafter, the most frequent change value of the amount or content of the changed performance mode changed by the performance mode change unit 13 during the karaoke performance in the prelude section of the piece is referred to as the "most frequent change value".

[0078] The recommendation determination unit 16 identifies the most frequent change value of the most frequently changed item of the performance mode of the designated piece by the following method.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 4, the performance mode change history includes, for each performance mode change piece, the amount or content of the change in the changed performance mode. First, the recommendation determination unit 16 identifies, from among the performance mode change pieces having the same piece identification information as the piece identification information of the designated piece in the performance mode change history, the performance mode change pieces in which the item of the changed performance mode is the most frequently changed item. Next, the recommendation determination unit 16 examines the amount or content of the changed performance mode of the identified performance mode change pieces, and determines the most frequent value among those amounts or contents as the most frequent change value of the most frequently changed item of the performance mode of the designated piece.

[0080] (Recommendation for Performance Mode Designation: Execution of Recommendation) When the recommendation determination unit 16 determines that it is necessary to recommend to the user the setting of the performance mode designation value for the designated piece, the recommendation execution unit 17 outputs an image or a character string that recommends setting the performance mode designation value corresponding to the most frequently changed item of the performance mode of the designated piece to the most frequent change value of the most frequently changed item of the performance mode of the designated piece, from when the designated piece is designated in the reservation unit 11 until the reservation of the designated piece is confirmed.

[0081] For example, when user U1 operates the remote control device 21 to make a reservation for a karaoke performance of a music piece, designates music piece A, and then touches the reservation button 84 without setting any performance mode designation values for music piece A. As a result, assume that the music piece identification information of music piece A, and the initial value tempo designation value, key designation value, guide melody designation value, and guide vocal designation value for music piece A are transmitted from the remote control device 21 to the karaoke device 2. And assume that the reservation unit 11 stores the music piece identification information of music piece A, and the initial value tempo designation value, key designation value, guide melody designation value, and guide vocal designation value for music piece A in the storage unit 4. Also assume that the number in the performance mode change history of the performance mode change music piece having the same music piece identification information as the music piece identification information of music piece A is equal to or greater than the judgment reference value in the above recommended condition 2. In such a case, since both of the above recommended conditions 1 and 2 are satisfied, it is determined by the recommended judgment unit 16 that it is necessary to recommend to user U1 to set the performance mode designation value for music piece A. Furthermore, assume that the most frequently changed item of the performance mode of music piece A is tempo, and the most frequently changed value is "-1".

[0082] In the above case, the recommendation execution unit 17 immediately displays on the display of the remote control device 21 an image or a character string that recommends setting the tempo designation value for music piece A to "-1". For example, a recommendation message such as "In music piece A, the tempo is often set to -1. Is it okay to keep the tempo setting like this?" is displayed on the display of the remote control device 21.

[0083] (Recommendation for Performance Mode Designation: Processing after Recommendation Execution) Suppose that, in response to the recommended message, user U1 operates the remote control device 21 to set the tempo designation value for music piece A to "-1", and then touches the reservation button 84 again. In this case, the music piece identification information of music piece A, the tempo designation value of "-1" for music piece A, and the key designation value, guide melody designation value, and guide vocal designation value of the initial value are transmitted from the remote control device 21 to the karaoke device 2. Then, before the display of the recommended message (when the reservation button 84 is touched for the first time), the reservation unit 11 replaces the music piece identification information of music piece A received from the remote control device 21 and stored in the storage unit 4, and the tempo designation value, key designation value, guide melody designation value, and guide vocal designation value of the initial value for music piece A with the music piece identification information of music piece A received from the remote control device 21 after the display of the recommended message (when the reservation button 84 is touched for the second time), the tempo designation value of "-1" for music piece A, and the key designation value, guide melody designation value, and guide vocal designation value of the initial value. Although some of the information to be replaced and the information to replace it are the same, for the sake of simplicity of processing, the processing is performed in this way. After that, the reservation unit 11 finalizes the reservation of this music piece A.

[0084] On the other hand, if, after the recommended message is displayed, user U1 touches the reservation button 84 again without setting any performance mode specification values for music piece A, the music piece identification information of music piece A, and the initial value tempo specification value, key specification value, guide melody specification value, and guide vocal specification value for music piece A are transmitted again from the remote control device 21 to the karaoke device 2. Then, the reservation unit 11 replaces the music piece identification information of music piece A, and the initial value tempo specification value, key specification value, guide melody specification value, and guide vocal specification value for music piece A that were received from the remote control device 21 and stored in the storage unit 4 before the display of the recommended message (when the reservation button 84 was touched for the first time) with the music piece identification information of music piece A, and the initial value tempo specification value, key specification value, guide melody specification value, and guide vocal specification value for music piece A that were received from the remote control device 21 after the display of the recommended message (when the reservation button 84 was touched for the second time). Although the information to be replaced and the information for replacement are the same, for the sake of simplicity of processing, the processing is performed in this way. After that, the reservation unit 11 finalizes the reservation of this music piece A.

[0085] (Overall flow of the process) FIG. 6 shows the flow of the process related to the performance mode specification recommendation function of the karaoke system 1. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6, the overall flow of the process related to the performance mode specification recommendation function of the karaoke system 1 will be specifically described by taking two cases as examples. Case 1 is a case where user U1 sings music piece C, which is a new song that has just been added to the karaoke system 1, for the first time. Case 2 is a case where user U3 sings music piece C for the first time after about one month has passed since music piece C was added to the karaoke system 1.

[0086] [Case 1] Music piece C was released by a famous artist. Music piece C is a piece with a fast tempo and difficult to sing karaoke to. User U1, who is enjoying karaoke using the karaoke device 2 with the device identification information "xxx", input an instruction to specify music piece C into the remote control device 21 in order to reserve the karaoke singing of that music piece C. Since User U1 is singing karaoke to music piece C for the first time, they do not have a clear recognition that the tempo of music piece C is fast and it is difficult to sing karaoke to it. Therefore, after inputting the instruction to specify music piece C, User U1 touched the reservation button 84 of the remote control device 21 without inputting any instruction to change the performance mode specification value, such as lowering the tempo specification value, into the remote control device 21.

[0087] In this case, the reservation unit 11 of the remote control device 21 and the karaoke device 2 performs processing such as specifying music piece C in order to reserve the karaoke performance of music piece C (step S1). That is, the remote control device 21 specifies music piece C and transmits the music piece identification information "ccc" of that music piece C, that is, the specified music piece C, and the initial value tempo specification value, key specification value, guide melody specification value, and guide vocal specification value for the specified music piece C to the karaoke device. The reservation unit 11 stores the music piece identification information "ccc" of the specified music piece C received from the remote control device 21 and the initial value tempo specification value, key specification value, guide melody specification value, and guide vocal specification value for the specified music piece C in the storage unit 4.

[0088] Subsequently, the recommended judgment unit 16 of the karaoke device 2 determines whether it is necessary to recommend to the user to set the performance mode specification value for the specified music piece C based on the performance mode change history (step S2). In Case 1, since the reservation button 84 of the remote control device 21 has been touched without any setting of the performance mode specification value for the specified music piece C, the above recommended condition 1 is satisfied. The recommended judgment unit 16 recognizes that the recommended condition 1 is satisfied based on the tempo specification value, key specification value, guide melody specification value, and guide vocal specification value for the specified music piece C received from the remote control device 21 to the karaoke device 2.

[0089] However, music piece C is a newly added song to karaoke system 1, and only a few days have passed since karaoke singing of music piece C became possible in karaoke system 1. Also, there were only a few users who had performed karaoke singing of music piece C. In this case, during the karaoke performance of the prelude section of music piece C, the number of times any performance mode of that music piece C was changed by performance mode change unit 13 was less than the judgment reference value in the above-mentioned recommended condition 2, and recommended condition 2 was not satisfied. Recommendation judgment unit 16 recognizes, based on the performance mode change history, that recommended condition 2 is not satisfied. And, since recommended condition 2 is not satisfied, recommendation judgment unit 16 determines that there is no need to recommend to the user the setting of the performance mode designation value for designated music piece C.

[0090] When recommendation judgment unit 16 determines that there is no need to recommend to the user the setting of the performance mode designation value for designated music piece C (step S2: NO), reservation unit 11 immediately finalizes the reservation for designated music piece C (step S7).

[0091] After that, when the order of the karaoke performance of designated music piece C for which the reservation has been finalized arrives, performance unit 12 of karaoke device 2 starts the karaoke performance of designated music piece C (step S8). The karaoke performance of designated music piece C started at 15:30:15 on October 27, 2021.

[0092] Subsequently, when the karaoke performance of the prelude section of designated music piece C ends, performance mode change storage processing unit 14 of karaoke device 2 determines whether the performance mode of designated music piece C was changed by performance mode change unit 13 during the karaoke performance of the prelude section of designated music piece C (step S9). Since music piece C is a song with a fast tempo and difficult karaoke singing, user U1 operated remote control device 21 to lower the tempo of the performing designated music piece C by one level while the karaoke performance of the prelude section of designated music piece C was being performed in order to make the karaoke singing of designated music piece C easier. In this case, in step S9, performance mode change storage processing unit 14 determines that the performance mode of designated music piece C was changed by performance mode change unit 13 during the karaoke performance of the prelude section of designated music piece C (step S9: YES).

[0093] Subsequently, the performance mode change memory processing unit 14 stores the performance mode change information for the designated music piece C in the storage unit 4 (step S10). Specifically, the performance mode change memory processing unit 14 stores in the storage unit 4 the performance mode change information including the music piece identification information "ccc", the device identification information "xxx", the performance date "October 27, 2021", the performance start time "15:30:15", the item of the performance mode "1", and the change amount of the performance mode "-1".

[0094] The performance mode change information for the designated music piece C stored in the storage unit 4 is transmitted from the karaoke device 2 to the server device 31. The history generation unit 36 of the server device 31 receives, in addition to the performance mode change information for the designated music piece C transmitted from this karaoke device 2, the performance mode change information for the music piece C or other music pieces transmitted from other karaoke devices 2 included in the karaoke system 1, and generates a performance mode change history by accumulating the performance mode change information of these multiple music pieces (step S11). As described above, the performance mode change history generated by the history generation unit 36 is transmitted from the server device 31 to each karaoke device 2 at a predetermined time, for example, once a day.

[0095] Now, user U1 lowered the tempo of music piece C by one level during the karaoke performance of the prelude section of the designated music piece C, and then performed karaoke singing of the designated music piece C. With the end of the karaoke performance of the designated music piece C, the processing regarding the performance mode designation recommendation function of the karaoke system 1 ends. This processing is restarted by the user operating the remote control device 21 to reserve the karaoke performance of the music piece.

[0096] [Case 2] Approximately one month has passed since music C was added to the karaoke system 1. User U3, who is enjoying karaoke using the karaoke device 2 with device identification information "zzz", input an instruction to specify music C into the remote control device 21 in order to reserve a karaoke performance of that music C. Although approximately one month has passed since music C was released, user U3 is singing karaoke to music C for the first time, and therefore does not clearly recognize that the tempo of music C is fast and that karaoke singing is difficult. Therefore, after inputting the instruction to specify music C, user U3 touched the reservation button 84 of the remote control device 21 without inputting any instructions to change the performance mode specification value, such as lowering the tempo specification value, into the remote control device 21.

[0097] In this case, the reservation unit 11 of the remote control device 21 and the karaoke device 2 performs processing such as specifying music C in order to reserve a karaoke performance of music C (step S1). That is, the remote control device 21 specifies music C and transmits the music identification information "ccc" of that music C, that is, the specified music C, and the initial value tempo specification value, key specification value, guide melody specification value, and guide vocal specification value for the specified music C to the karaoke device. The reservation unit 11 stores the music identification information "ccc" of the specified music C received from the remote control device 21 and the initial value tempo specification value, key specification value, guide melody specification value, and guide vocal specification value for the specified music C in the storage unit 4.

[0098] Subsequently, the recommended judgment unit 16 of the karaoke device 2 determines whether it is necessary to recommend to the user to set the performance mode specification value for the specified music C based on the performance mode change history (step S2). Also in case 2, since the reservation button 84 of the remote control device 21 was touched without any setting of the performance mode specification value for the specified music C being performed, similar to case 1, the above recommended condition 1 is satisfied. The recommended judgment unit 16 recognizes that the recommended condition 1 is satisfied based on the tempo specification value, key specification value, guide melody specification value, and guide vocal specification value for the specified music C received from the remote control device 21 to the karaoke device 2.

[0099] Also, within about one month after music C was added to the karaoke system 1, a large number of users who used the karaoke system 1 performed karaoke singing of music C. Since music C has a fast tempo and is difficult to sing karaoke, many of the users who performed karaoke singing of music C lowered the tempo during the karaoke performance in the prelude section of music C. In such a situation, the number of times any performance mode of music C was changed by the performance mode change unit 13 during the karaoke performance in the prelude section of music C is equal to or greater than the judgment reference value in the above recommended condition 2, and recommended condition 2 is satisfied. The recommendation judgment unit 16 recognizes that recommended condition 2 is satisfied based on the performance mode change history. Then, since both recommended conditions 1 and 2 are satisfied, the recommendation judgment unit 16 determines that it is necessary to recommend to the user to set the performance mode designation value for the designated music C.

[0100] When it is determined that it is necessary to recommend to the user to set the performance mode designation value for the designated music C (step S2: YES), subsequently, the recommendation judgment unit 16 identifies the most frequently changed item of the performance mode of music C based on the performance mode change history (step S3). Subsequently, the recommendation judgment unit 16 determines the most frequently changed value of the most frequently changed item of the performance mode of music C based on the performance mode change history (step S4). The item of the performance mode that was most frequently changed during the karaoke performance in the prelude section of music C was the tempo. Also, the most frequent value of the tempo change amount changed during the karaoke performance in the prelude section of music C was "-1". In this case, the most frequently changed item of the performance mode of music C identified by the recommendation judgment unit 16 is the tempo, and the most frequently changed value of the tempo of music C determined by the recommendation judgment unit 16 is "-1".

[0101] Subsequently, the recommendation execution unit 17 of the karaoke device 2 outputs an image or a character string that recommends to the user to set the performance mode designation value corresponding to the most frequently set item of the performance mode of the designated music C to the most frequently changed value of the most frequently set item of the performance mode of the designated music C (step S5). Specifically, the recommendation execution unit 17 causes a recommendation message that recommends setting the tempo designation value for the designated music C to "-1" to be displayed on the display of the remote control device 21.

[0102] User U3 checks the recommended message, touches the tempo down button 81 on the music reservation screen of the remote control device 21 according to the recommended message to lower the tempo specified value by one level, and then touches the reservation button 84. In this case, the remote control device 21 and the reservation unit 11 perform a process of setting the tempo specified value for the designated music C to "-1" based on the instruction by user U3 (step S6). That is, the remote control device 21 transmits the music identification information "ccc" of the designated music C, the tempo specified value of "-1" for the designated music C, and the key specified value, guide melody specified value, and guide vocal specified value of the initial value to the karaoke device. The reservation unit 11 replaces the music identification information "ccc" stored in the storage unit 4 in step S1, and the tempo specified value, key specified value, guide melody specified value, and guide vocal specified value of the initial value for the designated music C with the music identification information "ccc" of the designated music C transmitted from the remote control device 21 after step S5 and received by the karaoke device 2, the tempo specified value of "-1" for the designated music C, and the key specified value, guide melody specified value, and guide vocal specified value of the initial value. After that, the reservation unit 11 finalizes the reservation for this designated music C (step S7).

[0103] After that, when the order of the karaoke performance of the designated music C arrives, the performance unit 12 sets the tempo specified value, key specified value, guide melody specified value, and guide vocal specified value for the designated music C stored in the storage unit 4 to the tempo setting value, key setting value, guide melody setting value, and guide vocal setting value respectively, and then starts the karaoke performance of the designated music C (step S8). Thereby, the karaoke performance of the designated music C is performed at a tempo one level slower than the standard tempo of the designated music C.

[0104] User U3 performed karaoke singing of the designated song C with a tempo one level slower without further changing the performance mode of the designated song C. That is, during the karaoke performance of the prelude section of the designated song C, the performance mode of the designated song C was not changed by the performance mode change unit 13. In this case, the performance mode change storage processing unit 14 determines that the performance mode of the designated song C has not been changed by the performance mode change unit 13 during the karaoke performance of the prelude section of the designated song C (step S9: NO). As a result, the process of storing the performance mode change information for the designated song C in the storage unit 4 is not performed.

[0105] After that, with the end of the karaoke performance of the designated song C, the process regarding the performance mode designation recommendation function of the karaoke system 1 ends. This process is restarted by the user operating the remote control device 21 to reserve the karaoke performance of a song.

[0106] As described above, the karaoke system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a recommendation determination unit 16 that determines whether it is necessary to recommend to the user the setting of the performance mode designation value for the song designated at the time of reserving the karaoke performance, that is, the designated song, based on the performance mode change history, and a recommendation execution unit 17 that outputs an image or a character string that recommends the setting of the performance mode designation value for the designated song at the time of reserving the karaoke performance of the song. With this configuration, the user can surely designate the performance mode of the song as needed by checking the image or the character string that recommends the setting of the performance mode designation value for the designated song at the time of reserving the karaoke performance of the song.

[0107] In addition, when the performance mode of a song is changed by the performance mode change unit 13 during the karaoke performance of the prelude section of the song in the karaoke system 1 of the present embodiment, the performance mode change storage processing unit 14 that stores the performance mode change information and the history generation unit 36 that generates a performance mode change history by accumulating the performance mode change information are provided. With this configuration, for a song, the frequency of performance mode changes during the karaoke performance of the prelude section, the item of the performance mode with the highest frequency of change during the karaoke performance of the prelude section, and the most frequent value of the amount of change for the item of the performance mode with the highest frequency of change during the karaoke performance of the prelude section can be used as data for determining the performance mode change information, which can be generated with high precision and easily. As a result, it is possible to accurately determine the necessity of recommending the setting of the performance mode designation value for the designated song, identify the item of the performance mode designation value for which the setting is recommended, and determine the specific value of the performance mode designation value for which the setting is recommended.

[0108] In addition, the performance mode change storage processing unit 14 of the karaoke system 1 of the present embodiment stores the performance mode change information only when the performance mode of the song is changed during the karaoke performance of the prelude section of the song. As a result, it is possible to generate a performance mode change history that accumulates the performance mode change information indicating that the performance mode of the prelude section of the song has been changed. The change in the performance mode by the user during the karaoke performance of the prelude section of the song is a change in the performance mode that the user is forced to make when actually singing the song in karaoke. Therefore, it is often an appropriate and important change in the performance mode. Therefore, based on the performance mode change history that accumulates the performance mode change information indicating that the performance mode of the prelude section of the song has been changed, it is possible to determine the necessity of recommending the setting of the performance mode designation value for the song designated at the time of karaoke performance reservation, identify the item of the performance mode designation value for which the setting is recommended, and determine the specific value of the performance mode designation value for which the setting is recommended, thereby improving the accuracy of these determinations, identifications, and decisions respectively.

[0109] In addition, the karaoke system 1 of the present embodiment outputs not only an image or a character string that recommends setting a performance mode designation value for a designated song, but also an image or a character string indicating an item of the performance mode designation value for which the setting is recommended, and an image or a character string indicating a specific value of the performance mode designation value for which the setting is recommended. Thereby, for the designated song, not only the necessity of setting the performance mode designation value but also the item of the performance mode designation value that requires setting and the specific value to be set for that item can be recognized by the user. Therefore, the user can appropriately set the performance mode designation value for that song.

[0110] In addition, in the karaoke system 1 of the present embodiment, when the user inputs an instruction to the remote control device 21 to specify one song for which karaoke singing is to be performed at the time of reserving the karaoke performance of the song, but does not input any instruction to the remote control device 21 to set the performance mode designation value for that song, an image or a character string that recommends setting the performance mode designation value for that song is output. That is, when the user inputs an instruction to set any performance mode designation value for the designated song at the time of reserving the karaoke performance of the song, an image or a character string that recommends setting the performance mode designation value for that designated song is not output. Therefore, when the user inputs an instruction to set the performance mode designation value for the designated song, the user can smoothly complete the song reservation operation.

[0111] Note that in the above embodiment, one of the recommendation conditions 2 for determining the necessity of recommending to the user to set the performance mode designation value for the designated song is that within the history generation period, the number of times any performance mode of the designated song is changed by the performance mode changing unit 13 during the performance of the prelude section of the designated song is equal to or more than a predetermined determination reference value. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The recommendation condition 2 may be that the ratio of the number of times any performance mode of the designated song is changed by the performance mode changing unit 13 during the performance of the prelude section of the designated song to the number of times of the karaoke performance of the designated song is equal to or more than a predetermined ratio.

[0112] Also, the above recommended condition 2 may be that, in the performance mode change history, the number of the most frequently changed items of the performance mode of the performance mode change music having the same music identification information as the music identification information of the designated music is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. In this case, the recommendation determination unit 16 first identifies the most frequently changed item of the performance mode of the performance mode change music having the same music identification information as the music identification information of the designated music in the performance mode change history, and then determines whether the number of the performance mode change music that has the same music identification information as the music identification information of the designated music and the item of the changed performance mode is the identified most frequently changed item is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. When the number of the performance mode change music that has the same music identification information as the music identification information of the designated music and the item of the changed performance mode is the identified most frequently changed item is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, it is determined that the recommended condition 2 is satisfied.

[0113] Also, in the above embodiment, for the designated music, as the specific value of the performance mode designated value for which the setting is recommended, the most frequent value of the change amount of the item of the performance mode that has the highest frequency of being changed by the performance mode change unit 13 during the karaoke performance in the prelude section of the music is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For the designated music, as the specific value of the performance mode designated value for which the setting is recommended, the average value of the change amount of the item of the performance mode that has the highest frequency of being changed by the performance mode change unit 13 during the karaoke performance in the prelude section of the music may be used.

[0114] Also, in the above embodiment, for the designated music, an image or character string that recommends setting the performance mode designated value, an image or character string that indicates the specific item of the performance mode designated value for which the setting is recommended, and an image or character string that indicates the specific value of the performance mode designated value for which the setting is recommended are output. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For the designated music, only an image or character string that recommends setting the performance mode designated value and an image or character string that indicates the specific item of the performance mode designated value for which the setting is recommended may be output. Also, for the designated music, without showing the specific item of the performance mode designated value nor the specific value of the performance mode designated value, only an image or character string that simply recommends setting the performance mode designated value may be output.

[0115] Alternatively, instead of or in addition to outputting an image or a character string that recommends the setting of the performance mode specified value, presents specific items of the performance mode specified value for which the setting is recommended, and presents specific values of the performance mode specified value for which the setting is recommended, a voice or a signal that performs these recommendations and presentations may be output. Output of a signal means, for example, blinking a lamp or the like.

[0116] Also, the timing for outputting an image or the like that performs these recommendations and presentations is not limited to the time of reservation of the karaoke performance of the music, and may also be between the reservation of the karaoke performance of the music and the start of the karaoke performance of that music.

[0117] Also, in the above embodiment, the performance mode change information is stored only when the performance mode of the music is changed during the karaoke performance of the prelude section of the music. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Even when the performance mode of the music is changed during the karaoke performance of the interlude section of the music, the performance mode change information may be stored, or without limiting the section, when the performance mode of the music is changed at any point from the start to the end of the karaoke performance of the music, the performance mode change information may be stored.

[0118] Also, the performance mode specified value is not limited to the tempo specified value, the key specified value, the guide melody specified value, and the guide vocal specified value. The same applies to the performance mode setting. Also, it is not always necessary to provide a performance mode specified value corresponding to each of all items of the performance mode of the music. A performance mode specified value corresponding to some of a plurality of items of the performance mode of the music may be provided, or a performance mode specified value corresponding to one item of a plurality of items of the performance mode of the music may be provided. Also, when providing a performance mode specified value corresponding to one item of a plurality of items of the performance mode of the music, the item of the changed performance mode can be excluded from the performance mode change information and the performance mode change history, and the process of specifying the most frequently changed item of the performance mode change music having the same music identification information as the music identification information of the specified music becomes unnecessary.

[0119] In the above-described embodiment, the server device 31 generates a performance mode change history. However, the karaoke device 2 may generate the performance mode change history.

[0120] Note that the present invention can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist or idea of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and a karaoke system involving such modifications is also included in the technical idea of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0121] 1 Karaoke system 2 Karaoke device 11 Reservation unit 12 Performance unit 13 Performance mode change unit 14 Performance mode change storage processing unit 16 Recommendation determination unit 17 Recommendation execution unit 31 Server device 36 History generation unit 61 Performance mode designation value 62 Tempo designation value 63 Key designation value 64 Guide melody designation value 65 Guide vocal designation value

Claims

1. A reservation unit that, when reserving a karaoke performance of a piece of music, designates the piece of music based on an instruction by a user, and sets a performance mode designation value for designating a performance mode of the piece of music based on an instruction by the user when reserving the karaoke performance of the piece of music; A performance unit that performs a karaoke performance of the piece of music in a performance mode based on the performance mode designation value; A performance mode change unit that changes the performance mode of the piece of music based on an instruction by the user during the karaoke performance of the piece of music by the performance unit; A performance mode change storage processing unit that stores performance mode change information indicating that the performance mode of the piece of music has been changed when the performance mode of the piece of music is changed by the performance mode change unit during the karaoke performance of the piece of music by the performance unit; A history generation unit that generates a performance mode change history indicating a history of changes in the performance mode of the piece of music by accumulating the performance mode change information stored by the performance mode change storage processing unit; A recommendation determination unit that determines whether it is necessary to recommend setting of the performance mode designation value to the user based on the performance mode change history generated by the history generation unit when the piece of music is designated by the reservation unit and the performance mode designation value is not set when reserving the karaoke performance of the piece of music; A karaoke system comprising: a recommendation execution unit that outputs an image, a character string, a signal, or a voice recommending setting of the performance mode designation value between when the piece of music is designated by the reservation unit and when the karaoke performance of the piece of music is started by the performance unit when it is determined by the recommendation determination unit that it is necessary to recommend setting of the performance mode designation value to the user.

2. The karaoke system according to claim 1, wherein the performance mode change storage processing unit stores the performance mode change information only when the performance mode of the piece of music is changed during the karaoke performance in the prelude section of the piece of music.

3. The reservation unit can set a plurality of the performance mode designation values respectively corresponding to a plurality of items of the performance mode of the piece of music based on an instruction by the user when reserving the karaoke performance of the piece of music, and the performance unit performs a karaoke performance of the piece of music in a performance mode based on the plurality of performance mode designation values. The performance mode change unit can change each of the plurality of items of the performance mode of the one piece of music based on a user's instruction during the karaoke performance of the one piece of music by the performance unit, When at least one of the plurality of items of the performance mode of the one piece of music is changed by the performance mode change unit during the karaoke performance of the one piece of music by the performance unit, the performance mode change storage processing unit stores the performance mode change information including item identification information for identifying the changed item, The history generation unit generates the performance mode change history by accumulating the performance mode change information including item identification information for identifying the items of the performance mode of the one piece of music that have been changed during the karaoke performance of the one piece of music, When the one piece of music is designated by the reservation unit at the time of reservation of the karaoke performance of the one piece of music and the performance mode designated value is not set, the recommendation determination unit identifies, based on the performance mode change history generated by the history generation unit, the item among the plurality of items of the performance mode of the one piece of music that has been changed most frequently during the karaoke performance of the one piece of music, The karaoke system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the recommended execution unit outputs an image, a character string, a signal, or a voice recommending setting of the performance mode designated value corresponding to the item of the performance mode of the one piece of music identified by the recommendation determination unit.

4. When the performance mode of the one piece of music is changed by the performance mode change unit during the karaoke performance of the one piece of music by the performance unit, the performance mode change storage processing unit stores the performance mode change information including the amount of change of the changed performance mode, The history generation unit generates the performance mode change history by accumulating the performance mode change information including the amount of change of the performance mode of the one piece of music that has been changed during the karaoke performance of the one piece of music, When the one piece of music is designated by the reservation unit at the time of reservation of the karaoke performance of the one piece of music and the performance mode designated value is not set, the recommendation determination unit determines the most frequent value or calculates the average value of the amount of change of the performance mode of the one piece of music based on the performance mode change history generated by the history generation unit, The recommended execution unit outputs an image, a character string, a signal, or a voice that recommends setting the performance mode specified value to the most frequent value determined by the recommended determination unit or the average value calculated by the recommended determination unit. The karaoke system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that.

Images