Karaoke equipment

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The dual OS configuration in karaoke devices optimizes resource utilization by separating processing tasks between a first and second OS, enhancing performance and enabling advanced functionalities while maintaining smooth operation.

JP7736028B2Active Publication Date: 2025-09-09XING INC

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Patent Information

Application Number: JP2023054930
Authority / Receiving Office: JP · JP
Patent Type: Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date: 2023-03-30
Publication Date: 2025-09-09
Estimated Expiration: 2043-03-30

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional karaoke machines face challenges in handling advanced processing demands due to increased processing loads, leading to potential functional deterioration and decreased customer value.

Method used

A karaoke device employs a dual OS configuration, with a first control process operating on a first OS and a second control process on a second OS, allowing parallel execution of music playback and application processes, optimizing resource utilization and enhancing performance.

Benefits of technology

The dual OS approach improves the karaoke device's performance by enabling advanced processing and high-quality effects, ensuring smooth operation and efficient resource allocation.

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Abstract

To provide a karaoke device which has improved performance including realizing various different functions.SOLUTION: A karaoke device according to the present invention executes first control processing operated on the basis of a first OS (Operating System) and second control processing operated on the basis of the second OS in parallel. The first control processing includes: reproduction processing of controlling reproduction of music; and reproduction-related information sending processing of sending reproduction-related information related to reproduction processing to the second control processing during the reproduction processing. The second control processing includes activation processing of activating an application program for executing a presentation and reproduction-related control processing of controlling a presentation on the basis of the received reproduction-related information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a karaoke device that performs music for singing. [Background technology]

[0002] Karaoke machines are known that allow users to enjoy singing along with the accompanying music. Karaoke machines are designed to enhance entertainment value by providing various functions in addition to singing.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a karaoke machine that displays animations during performance and scoring results when a scoring application for the karaoke machine is executed. The karaoke machine of Patent Document 1 is capable of outputting both the animations during performance and the animations for the results by reducing the time until the output of the song starts. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-218135 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As shown in Patent Document 1, in conventional karaoke machines, an application program related to the performance is executed in synchronization with the karaoke performance, and for example, animations are output in synchronization with the performance. In recent years, karaoke machines have also been required to have more advanced processing control, such as higher quality graphic effects and smooth compatibility between the performance and effects.

[0006] Controlling advanced processing in karaoke machines is likely to lead to an increase in the processing load on the karaoke machines. When controlling advanced processing, if the karaoke machine's configuration is insufficient, it may not be possible to fully realize the functions based on the advanced processing. If we try to forcefully satisfy these functional requirements with the current configuration, the functional quality will deteriorate, resulting in a decrease in customer value.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and is directed to a karaoke device in which a first control process operated based on a first OS (Operating System) and a second control process operated based on a second OS are linked together to perform mutually linked processing. One object of the present invention is to improve the performance of the karaoke device and enable the use of advanced processing and high-quality performance by executing applications and processing taking into consideration the processing strengths of the first OS and the second OS. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] Therefore, the karaoke apparatus according to the present invention employs the following configuration. A karaoke device that executes, in parallel, a first control process that is operated based on a first OS (Operating System) and a second control process that is operated based on a second OS, The first control process includes: a playback process that controls the playback of music; a playback-related information transmission process for transmitting playback-related information related to the playback process to the second control process during the playback process; and a termination-related information transmission process for transmitting termination-related information to the second control process after the music playback ends, The second control process includes: A startup process for starting an application program for executing the performance; a playback-related control process for controlling the performance based on the received playback-related information; Based on the received end-related information, an image formation effect is performed as the effect. ofA termination control process that performs and outputs the a notification process for transmitting notification information to the first control process after the termination of the termination control process; The first control process executes the following process upon receiving the notification information.

[0009] Furthermore, the karaoke device of this embodiment: A first CPU and a second CPU are provided, the first control process is executed by the first CPU; The second control process is executed by the second CPU.

[0010] Furthermore, in the karaoke device of this embodiment, the first control process includes a start-up information transmission process of transmitting start-up information instructing the start-up of the application program to the second control process; The start-up process starts up the application program based on the received start-up instruction information.

[0011] Furthermore, in the karaoke device of this embodiment, The first control process includes: A reservation process for reserving songs to be played; a reservation-related information transmission process for transmitting reservation-related information related to the reserved music piece to the second control process, The second control process performs an image formation effect as the effect based on the received reservation-related information. of and a reservation-related control process for performing and outputting the reservation-related control process. the notification process transmits notification information to the first control process after the reservation-related control process is completed; The first control process executes a reproduction process by receiving the notification information.

[0015] Furthermore, in the karaoke device of this embodiment, the first control process includes a singing evaluation process that is executed in synchronization with the playback process and evaluates a singing voice, The playback-related information is based on the singing evaluation process. For each section of the songCalculated singing score Price Includes. Furthermore, in the karaoke device of this embodiment, The end-related information includes the singing evaluation result calculated based on the singing evaluation process.

[0016] Furthermore, in the karaoke device of this embodiment, The playback-related control process includes: Received section singing review Price a determination process for determining whether the value satisfies a predetermined criterion; a first effect process for executing a first effect when a predetermined criterion is satisfied; and second performance processing for executing a second performance when a predetermined standard is not met.

[0017] Furthermore, in the karaoke device of this embodiment, The reproduction-related information transmission process transmits reproduction-related information at a predetermined timing based on the progress of reproduction during the reproduction process. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, in a karaoke device, while a song is being played, a first control process operated based on a first OS (Operating System) and a second control process operated based on a second OS are linked together to perform processing. With this configuration, when a performance process is performed on the first OS, processing is performed on the second OS using an application program and playback-related information, making it possible to execute processes and functions that are suitable for the second OS, thereby improving the performance of the karaoke device and expanding the processes and functions available to the karaoke device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a karaoke system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A functional block diagram showing the functions of a control unit of this embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a control process executed by a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] A functional block diagram showing the functions of a control unit according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a karaoke system according to this embodiment. The karaoke system according to this embodiment includes a karaoke device 2 (sometimes called a commander) and a remote control device 1. The karaoke device 2 and the remote control device 1 are communicatively connected to form a network via a LAN 100 and an access point 130.

[0021] The karaoke device 2 installed in a store such as a karaoke booth includes an audio control unit 25 as a sound reproduction unit for playing music. The karaoke device 2 also includes a control unit 30 for controlling the karaoke device 2. The control unit 30 is connected to a monitor 41 that outputs images, the audio control unit 25 that plays music, and an interface 27. The control unit 30 will be described in detail later.

[0022] Various components are connected to the control unit 30 via an interface 27. The operation unit 21 functions as a user interface that accepts various inputs from the user. The karaoke device 2 includes a hard disk 32 as a storage unit that stores various information. The karaoke device 2 includes a LAN communication unit 24a as communication means that connects to the LAN 100 to connect to the network. The karaoke device 2 of this embodiment also includes a wireless LAN communication unit 24b, and instead of a wired network connection using the LAN communication unit 24a, it is also possible to establish a wireless network connection using the wireless LAN communication unit 24b.

[0023] Furthermore, in this karaoke device 2, various information can be displayed on the touch panel monitor 33 in addition to the externally connected monitor 41. The touch panel monitor 33 functions as a display unit that displays images formed by the control unit 30 and as a user interface that transmits touch input positions to the control unit 30. The touch panel monitor 33 is disposed on the front of the housing of the karaoke device 2, and functions as an input unit similar to the operation unit 21 of the karaoke device 2 or the touch panel monitor 11 of the remote control device 1. By selecting a song on the touch panel monitor 33, the user can directly reserve a song on the karaoke device 2 and perform various operations on the karaoke device 2.

[0024] With this configuration, the karaoke device 2 executes various processes, but its main functions include song reservation processing and song playback processing. The song reservation processing is a process for specifying and reserving a song based on input from the user, and is executed in cooperation with the remote control device 1. Song reservation data formed by the song selection processing of the remote control device 1 is sent to the karaoke device 2. The karaoke device 2 registers the received song reservation data in a reservation list. The song playback processing is a process for playing back a reserved song, and is a process in which a performance processing, a lyric display processing, and a video playback processing are executed synchronously.

[0025] The performance process is a process in which the audio control unit 25 performs a performance based on performance sound data included in the music data. The music performed by the audio control unit 25 is output from the speaker 42 together with singing voices input from the microphones 43a and 43b. The lyrics display process is a process in which a lyrics video based on the lyrics data included in the music data is displayed on the monitor 41 to provide singing assistance. A video playback process may be executed in which a background video is superimposed on the lyrics video displayed in this lyrics display process.

[0026] Meanwhile, the remote control device 1 is capable of performing a song selection process, searching for songs based on instructions from the user and transmitting song reservation data for the song instructed to be played to the karaoke device 2. The remote control device 1 is also capable of receiving various information from the karaoke device 2 or a server device 5 connected to the Internet and performing various processes. In this embodiment, the remote control device 1 is provided with an operation unit 17 and a touch panel monitor 11 as a user interface for receiving various instructions from the user. The touch panel monitor 11 is configured with a display unit 11a and a touch panel 11b, and displays various information on the display unit 11a and is capable of receiving touch inputs from the user.

[0027] Furthermore, the remote control device 1 is equipped with a memory 14 as a storage unit for storing databases required for music selection processing, various programs, and various information generated as the programs are executed, and a remote control control unit for controlling these components in an integrated manner. The remote control control unit includes a CPU 15, an image control unit 13 that forms images to be displayed on the touch panel monitor 11, a video RAM 12 that temporarily stores image data for the images to be displayed, and an operation processing unit 18 that interprets inputs from the touch panel monitor 11 or the operation unit 17 and transmits them to the CPU 15.

[0028] The remote control device 1 is connected to the network formed by the LAN 100 by wirelessly connecting to the access point 130 via the wireless LAN communication unit 16. Each remote control device 1 is pre-associated with a specific karaoke device 2. Various commands output from the remote control device 1 are received by the associated karaoke device 2.

[0029] With this configuration of the remote control device 1, various inputs from the user can be received from the touch panel monitor 11 or the operation unit 17, and various information can be provided by displaying it on the touch panel monitor 11, making it possible to perform various processes such as song selection processing, which transmits song reservation data to be output to the karaoke device 2.

[0030] 2 is a functional block diagram showing the functions of the control unit 30 of this embodiment. The control unit 30 of this embodiment is configured to include a first OS (Operating System) 30a and a second OS (Operating System) 30b. The process executed based on the first OS may be called the first control process, and the process executed based on the second OS may be called the second control process.

[0031] The first OS 30a and the second OS 30b are different types of OS (Operating Systems). For example, the first OS 30a is an OS that has been used in conventional karaoke machines 2. By using an existing OS for the first OS 30a, it is possible to use existing resources for existing functions without making major changes. On the other hand, an OS that is good at video processing or an OS that can handle new functions is used for the second OS. By using two OSs in this way, it is possible to assign each OS the processing that it is good at, which improves the performance of the karaoke machine 2 and also makes it easier to develop the karaoke machine 2.

[0032] The control unit 30 may be configured with separate CPUs for controlling each OS, such as a first CPU for executing the first OS 30a and a second CPU for executing the second OS 30b. In this case, the first CPU and the second CPU may be mounted on the same board or on different boards. The first CPU and the second CPU communicate with each other using a predetermined communication protocol (communication standard) and perform processing in cooperation with each other.

[0033] In addition to this configuration, the first OS 30a and the second OS 30b may be executed by the same CPU. For example, in a multi-core or multi-threaded CPU, the first control process of the first OS 30a and the second control process of the second OS 30b may be executed simultaneously.

[0034] The first OS 30a of this embodiment mainly has an overall management function B10 of the karaoke device 2, functions related to music playback and applications (B11 to B15), and a second OS application control function B16. In addition to these functions, the first OS 30a also has a video output function B19 and a video synthesis function B18.

[0035] The overall management function B10 corresponds to a function for managing the karaoke device 2. Therefore, it issues various instructions to a song interval management function B11, a reservation content management function B12, a karaoke playback management function B13, and an immediate execution application management function B14, which are functions related to song playback and applications.

[0036] First, the operation of playing songs in karaoke will be described. The overall management function B10 sequentially stores song reservation data indicating songs reserved through operations of various user interfaces, such as the touch panel monitor 11 of the remote control device 1 and the operation unit 21 of the karaoke device 2, in a reservation list managed by the reservation content management function B12. Based on the song reservation data in the reservation list, the reservation content management function B12 sequentially plays songs using the karaoke playback function B15 via the karaoke playback management function B13. The karaoke playback function B15 performs song performance processing and scoring processing (singing evaluation processing).

[0037] In this embodiment, depending on the type of app, it is possible to manage the app in a reservation list in the same way as songs. When an app is reserved through the operation of various user interfaces, the reservation content management function B12 sequentially stores app reservation data indicating the reserved app in the reservation list. The reservation content management function B12 sequentially extracts song reservation data or app reservation data from the reservation list. When song reservation data is extracted, the karaoke playback function B15 plays the song. When app reservation data is extracted, the second OS application control function B16 sends an instruction to launch the app indicated by the app reservation data to the second OS 30b.

[0038] The launch instruction based on the application reservation data is transmitted, for example, when playback of a previously reserved song ends or when execution of a previously reserved application is completed. In this case, the timing when playback of a previously reserved song ends may be determined based on the performance processing of the first OS 30a. The timing when execution of a previously reserved application is completed may be determined based on the processing status of the first to third applications B22a to B22c transmitted from an application management function B21 of the second OS 30b (described later). Furthermore, the applications may include not only applications executed by the second OS 30b but also applications executed by the first OS 30a.

[0039] In this way, the karaoke device 2 of this embodiment handles both music reservation data and application reservation data in the reservation list, making it possible to sequentially play music and process a game or the like using an application.

[0040] The video output function B19 executes lyric display processing and video playback processing, and generates a lyric video based on the music whose playback is managed by the karaoke playback management function B13, a simple background video, etc. In this embodiment, the video generated by the video output function B19 and the video transmitted from the video output function of the second OS 30b are combined by the video combination function B18 of the first OS 30a, and displayed on the monitor 41. The video output function B19 may also generate a message video indicating that the app is about to be launched.

[0041] The above has described the operation of the first OS 30a during music playback. In this embodiment, the second OS 30b is made to perform effect processing in accordance with the progress of scoring during the scoring process during music playback. In this embodiment, in response to a scoring instruction operation on the user interface, scoring processing is performed for songs reserved after the scoring instruction. Therefore, in order to perform effect processing associated with the scoring process, the karaoke playback management function B13 executes various instructions related to the effect processing associated with the scoring process to the second OS 30b via the second OS application control function B16.

[0042] The karaoke device 2 of this embodiment is also capable of executing an instant scoring process, which differs from the normal scoring process. The instant scoring process is a process performed when a scoring instruction is given to a song being played back while it is still playing. When an instant scoring instruction is given to the user interface, the instant execution app management function B14 outputs and receives various information related to the scoring process from the karaoke playback function B15. Since the karaoke playback function B15 internally executes the scoring process even when no scoring instruction is given, when an instant scoring instruction is given, it is possible to output information related to the scoring process from the start of song playback. Furthermore, the instant execution app management function B14 sends an instruction to the second OS 30b via the second OS application control function B16 to execute a performance process for the instant scoring process to the second OS 30b.

[0043] Additionally, as a function related to music playback, the first OS 30a includes an interval management function B11. The interval management function B11 sends an instruction to launch the interval application B22d to the second OS 30b via the second OS application control function B16 during a period when a music piece is not being played as detected by the karaoke playback management function B13.

[0044] As described above, in this embodiment, the first OS 30a has functions related to music playback and application management, and executes various processes related to these functions. Meanwhile, the second OS 30b executes applications and executes processes related to various effects, such as game processing and video playback. In this way, in this embodiment, the video playback function, which is the specialty of the second OS 30b, is utilized to perform effects, etc., thereby improving the performance of the karaoke device 2. Furthermore, appropriate processing coordination is possible between the first OS 30a and the second OS 30b.

[0045] The second OS 30b is configured with an application management function B21, first to third applications B22a to B22c that perform various processes, an inter-song application B22d, and a video output function B23. The application management function B21 launches the first to third applications B22a to B22c and the inter-song application B22d in accordance with instructions from the first OS 30a. It is also possible to send various information obtained from the first OS 30a to the first to third applications B22a to B22c and the inter-song application B22d that are currently running. It is also possible to send the processing status of the first to third applications B22a to B22c and the inter-song application B22d to the first OS 30a.

[0046] The first to third applications B22a to B22c are applications (application programs) that execute various processes such as effects, games, etc. In this embodiment, three applications, the first to third applications B22a to B22c, are installed, but it is possible to install further applications from the server device 5 or the like according to the required functions and processes.

[0047] The inter-song app B22d is launched based on a launch instruction received from the first OS 30a while no music is being played. The inter-song app B22d may, for example, display various information such as advertising videos or videos of food and drink menus at a karaoke bar on the monitor 41. In this embodiment, the inter-song app B22d is provided in the second OS 30b, but may also be provided in the first OS 30a.

[0048] The video output function B23 generates video based on the processing of the first to third applications B22a to B22c and the inter-song application B22d. In this embodiment, the video generated by the video output function B23 is, for example, a background video with sophisticated effects, a game video by an application, or the like. In this embodiment, the video output function B23 transmits the generated video to the first OS 30a. The transmitted video is synthesized by the video synthesis function B18 of the first OS 30a and output to the monitor 41. In the karaoke device 2 of this embodiment, for example, a video in which a lyric video is superimposed on a background video with effects based on a singing evaluation is output.

[0049] The control unit 30 of this embodiment is also configured to have a function of controlling an external device. An example of an external device is a camera 43. Other examples of external devices include a control device for connecting an external musical instrument such as a guitar and controlling the sound effects, or various devices such as an external amplifier that are connected to the karaoke device 2 and can be controlled by the control unit 30.

[0050] In an environment where the first OS 30a and the second OS 30b are used as in this embodiment, a situation in which the control of an external device by both the first OS 30a and the second OS 30b conflicts can be considered. Therefore, in this embodiment, a selector switch SW is provided to switch the control of the external device, and the second OS application control function B16 switches the selector switch SW depending on the usage situation, etc., so that the external device is controlled by either the first OS 30a or the second OS 30b. Note that a selector switch SW can be provided for each external device, and control by the first OS 30a or the second OS 30b can be switched for each external device.

[0051] The switching control of the changeover switch SW can be performed, for example, as follows. (1) Control by OS priority In the second OS 30b, when any of the first to third applications B22a to B22c that use an external device is started, the changeover switch SW is forcibly switched to the second OS 30b side. (2) Control by prioritizing apps In the application priority mode, priorities are set for applications, and when an application is launched, the external device is switched to the application with the higher priority. For example, when an application using an external device is launched on the second OS 30b, if an application with a higher priority is launched on the first OS 30a, the changeover switch SW is switched to the first OS 30a side. (3) Control by optional data Optional data indicating whether or not an external device is used is set in each of the first to third applications B22a to B22c, and when the application is launched, the optional data is referenced and the changeover switch SW is switched. For example, if optional data indicating "external device used" is set in the first application B22a, the changeover switch SW is switched to the second OS30b side when the first application B22a is launched by the second OS30b. If optional data indicating "external device not used" is set in the first application B22a, the changeover switch SW is not switched. The optional data may be expressed as binary data, such as "0" for "external device not used" and "1" for "external device used."

[0052] In this manner, in this embodiment, it is possible to appropriately control the external devices connected to the karaoke device 2 under the control of two OSs.

[0053] 3 is a flow diagram showing a control process executed by the control unit 30 of the karaoke device 2. Here, the control process will be described using an example of an application (for example, the first application B 22a) that performs a performance based on a singing evaluation in the second OS 30b.

[0054] First, a startup process is executed to start the application of the second OS 30b. The startup process is executed in response to an instruction (starting of the singing evaluation process) given to the user interface. The second OS application control function B16 of the first OS 30a sends an application startup instruction to the second OS 30b (S201).

[0055] The second OS 30a receives the application start instruction and starts an application corresponding to the application start instruction (for example, the first application B 22a that performs a performance based on the singing evaluation) (S101). The started application starts a communication connection with the first OS 30a (S102) and sends a notification to the first OS 30a indicating that the application has started normally (S103).

[0056] When the startup process is complete, the control unit 30 starts a pre-playback effect process. The pre-playback effect process of this embodiment is a process that is executed when a song is reserved, and is a process that displays various information indicating that the song has been reserved (song title, artist name, name of the user who made the reservation, etc.) on the monitor 41. Note that the timing of the pre-playback effect process may be appropriately executed after the song has been reserved and before the song is played, instead of when the song is reserved. When a game app is executed, the pre-playback effect process may display advance information such as the difficulty level of the game.

[0057] When the first OS 30a detects that a song has been reserved (S202), the second OS application control function B16 transmits a pre-playback performance start notification to the second OS 30b (S203). This pre-playback performance start notification may include pre-playback related information related to the reserved song (song name, artist name, name of user who made the reservation, etc.).

[0058] The application management function B21 on the second OS 30b side, which has received the pre-playback performance start notification, executes pre-playback performance processing using the first application B22a based on the pre-playback related information included in the pre-playback performance start notification (S104). The pre-playback performance processing (S104) in this embodiment is a performance using video output executed by the first application B22a, and the performance video is displayed and output to the monitor 41 by the video output function B23 via the video synthesis function B18.

[0059] The pre-playback performance process (S104) is a process that is executed for a predetermined period of time, and after the process is completed, a completion notification is sent to the first OS 30a (S105). By receiving this completion notification, the first OS 30a can confirm the execution status of the pre-playback performance process in the second OS 30b (in this case, the completion of the process). For example, until the pre-playback performance process (S104) is completed, the first OS 30a can perform control such as not performing other processes or suspending them.

[0060] The during-playback processing is processing executed while the song is being played. In this embodiment, the during-playback effect processing (S106) associated with the singing evaluation processing is executed on the second OS 30b side. While the song is being played, the first OS 30a transmits playback-related information related to the song playback to the second OS 30b. The playback-related information may be transmitted at predetermined time intervals during song playback, or may be transmitted at timings based on the progress of the song playback (every measure, at the start of an interlude or chorus, etc.). The during-playback effect processing (S106) executed by the first application B22a of the second OS 30b executes effecting by forming an image based on the received playback-related information, and causes the image to be output by the video output function B23.

[0061] When the first OS 30a starts playing a song (S204), the first OS 30a transmits a playback effect processing start notification to the second OS 30b (S205). Upon receiving the playback effect processing start notification, the second OS 30b starts the playback effect processing (S106). In this embodiment, during song playback, the first OS 30a transmits playback progress status (S206), section singing evaluation (S207), and interlude notification (S208) as playback-related information. The playback progress status is information indicating the playback time from the start of playback or the current playback position relative to the total playback time. The playback effect processing can perform various effects based on the playback progress status. For example, different effects may be performed depending on whether the playback position is the beginning, middle, or end of the song. Even when the playback time from the start of playback is transmitted as playback-related information, it is possible to determine the relative playback position, such as the beginning, middle, or end, by transmitting the playback duration of the song immediately after playback begins.

[0062] The section singing evaluation is information regarding the singing evaluation for each predetermined section in the singing evaluation process executed by the first OS 30a, such as the section scoring result or information indicating the degree to which singing techniques (vibrato, jabbering, etc.) were performed in each section. In the playback effect process (S106), the evaluation for each section can be expressed visually (e.g., visualized using a graph) based on the section singing evaluation. The playback effect process may also determine whether the section scoring result meets a predetermined criterion and determine the effect to be performed. For example, in a game app, if the section scoring result meets the predetermined criterion, an effect may be performed in which an enemy character is defeated, and if the section scoring result does not meet the predetermined criterion, an effect may be performed in which the player's character is damaged.

[0063] The interlude notification is information that is output during interlude playback, and the playback performance process receives the interlude notification to perform various video effects during the interlude.

[0064] As described above, in the playback effect processing (S106) of this embodiment, the second OS 30b receives playback-related information from the first OS 30a during the playback of the music, and thereby can perform various effects based on the playback-related information. Note that, in this embodiment, the playback effect processing (S106) performs an effect using video, but the effect may also be performed using sound in addition to video. In this case, the sound signal generated by the second OS 30b is mixed with other sound signals in the sound control unit 25 and output to the speaker 42. The playback-related information may also include the pitch, volume, lyrics, etc. of the singing voice.

[0065] When the playback of the song ends, the post-playback performance process begins. When the playback of the song ends (S209: Yes), the first OS 30a sends a post-playback performance start notification to the second OS 30b (S210). In this embodiment, the post-playback performance start notification includes post-playback related information. The post-playback related information in this embodiment includes the singing evaluation results (singing evaluation points, evaluation levels for each technique, etc.) calculated in the singing evaluation process.

[0066] The second OS 30b, which has received the post-playback performance start notification, executes post-playback performance processing (S107). The post-playback performance processing of this embodiment is processing for forming an image based on the post-playback related information, classifying the post-playback related information into levels based on thresholds, and outputting different images at each level.

[0067] Here, the first OS 30a does not know the execution status of the post-playback performance process (S107) executed by the second OS 30b. Therefore, if the first OS 30a executes another process while the second OS 30b is executing the post-playback performance process (S107), a conflict between the processes may occur. Therefore, when the second OS 30b completes the execution of the post-playback performance process (S107), it sends a completion notification (S108) to the first OS 30a. Until the completion notification is received, the first OS 30a suspends or puts on hold other processes, for example, processes that may conflict with the post-playback performance process (S107). Then, upon receiving the completion notification (S211: Yes), the first OS 30a starts the next process to be executed.

[0068] In this way, in this embodiment, the second OS 30b transmits the execution status of a predetermined process (for example, post-playback performance process (S107)) to the first OS 30a, thereby avoiding processing conflicts between the two OSs and enabling the two OSs to perform processing in an appropriate cooperative manner. Note that in this embodiment, a completion notification is transmitted as the execution status, but alternatively, information indicating the status of the app executed by the second OS 30b may be transmitted, and the first OS 30a may perform processing based on that status.

[0069] The karaoke device 2 of this embodiment has been described above. In the karaoke device 2 of this embodiment, the control unit 30 performs a first control process that is operated based on the first OS 30a and a second control process that is operated based on the second OS 30b, thereby making it possible to divide the processing that the first OS 30a and the second OS 30b are good at, thereby improving the performance of the karaoke device 2 and making it easier to develop.

[0070] [First Modification] Next, various modified examples of the karaoke device 2 according to other embodiments will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the functions of the control unit 30 in the first modified example. The first modified example differs from the functional block diagram described in FIG. 2 in the functions within the second OS 30b. Note that the other functions are the same as those described in FIG. 2.

[0071] The first modified example differs from the previous embodiment in the management and control of the first to third applications B22a to B21c and the inter-song application B22d. In the previous embodiment, the application management function B21 directly manages and controls the first to third applications B22a to B22c and the inter-song application B22d, but the first modified example differs in that it controls them via the default application B20.

[0072] The default application B20 is an application program similar to the first to third applications B22a to B22c and the inter-song application B22d, and is activated when the first to third applications B22a to B22c and the inter-song application B22d are not running. For example, when the first application B22a is started and then stopped, the default application B20 is activated. The same applies to the second application B22b, the third application B22c, and the inter-song application B22d; when any of the first to third applications B22a to B22c and the inter-song application B22d are not running, the default application B20 is activated. The application management function B21 monitors the running status of the default application B20, thereby making it possible to check the running status of the first to third applications B22a to B22c and the inter-song application B22d.

[0073] In the above-described embodiment, the first to third applications B22a to B22c and the inter-song application B22d were required to notify the application management function B21 of their termination when they were activated. In contrast, in the first modified example, the first to third applications B22a to B22c and the inter-song application B22d are not required to notify the application management function B21 of their termination, and only need to monitor the activation status of the default application B20. Even if the first application B22a crashes due to a malfunction during activation, for example, the default application B20 is activated, thereby ensuring that the activation status of the application is notified to the application management function B21 and the first OS 30a. This prevents malfunctions such as freezing of the karaoke device 2, and allows the entire karaoke device 2 to operate smoothly.

[0074] In the first modified example described above, the first to third applications B22a to B22c and the inter-song application B22d are controlled by the default application B20, but the inter-song application B22d may be configured to be directly controlled by the application management function B21 or the inter-song management function B11 of the first OS 30a. Unlike the first to third applications B22a to B22c, which require control and management, the inter-song application B22d is often a simple application such as an advertisement display function, and therefore, even if a malfunction occurs, the impact on the user is small. In this case, the processing of the entire karaoke device 2 can be performed more smoothly.

[0075] [Second Modification] In the above-described embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 3, the first OS 30a transmits an application launch instruction to the second OS 30b (S201). In this case, the second OS 30b receives the launch instruction regardless of its current state. For example, the second OS 30b may be executing another process and may not be able to launch the application based on the launch instruction.

[0076] Therefore, the first OS 30a may determine the status of the second OS 30b before transmitting the application launch instruction (S201). In this case, the first OS 30a communicates with the first OS 30a before transmitting the application launch instruction, and receives status-related information from the second OS 30b regarding the status. Then, the first OS 30a performs a determination process to determine whether the application to be launched can be launched based on the received status-related information. If it is determined that the application can be launched on the second OS 30b, the first OS 30a transmits an application launch instruction to the second OS 30b, and launches the application on the second OS 30b.

[0077] In this way, by acquiring and determining the status of the second OS 30b before transmitting an application start instruction, it is possible to reliably start the application in the second OS 30b.

[0078] Some of the applications may be run by the first OS 30a. When such an application is reserved, there is no need to send an application launch instruction to the second OS 30b. The first OS 30a may be configured to determine whether the reserved application is run by the first OS 30a or the second OS 30b. In this case, if it is determined that the application is run by the second OS 30b, the first OS 30a may send an application launch instruction (S201).

[0079] In this way, by determining whether the reserved application is an application that runs on the first OS 30a or the second OS 30b, it is possible to appropriately run an application that is appropriate for each OS. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1: Remote control device 33: Touch panel monitor 2: Karaoke equipment 41: Monitor 5: Server device 42: Speaker 11: Touch panel monitor 43: Camera 11a: Display unit 43a: Microphone 11b: Touch panel 43b: Microphone 12: Video RAM 130: Access Point 13: Video control unit B10: Overall management function 14: Memory B11: Song management function 15:CPU B12:Reservation content management function 16: Wireless LAN communication unit B13: Karaoke playback management function 17: Operation section B14: Instant execution application management function 18: Operation processing section B15: Karaoke playback function 21: Operation section B16: Second OS application control function 24a: LAN communication unit B18: Video composition function 24b: Wireless LAN communication unit B19: Video output function 25: Sound control unit B20: Default application 27: Interface B21: App management function 30: Control unit B22a to B22c: First to third applications 30a: 1st OS B22d: Inter-song app 30b: Second OS B23: Video output function 32: Hard disk SW: Changeover switch

Claims

1. A karaoke apparatus that executes, in parallel, a first control process that is operated based on a first OS (Operating System) and a second control process that is operated based on a second OS, The first control process includes: a playback process that controls the playback of music; a reproduction-related information transmission process for transmitting reproduction-related information related to the reproduction process to the second control process during the reproduction process; an end-related information transmission process for transmitting end-related information to the second control process after the music playback ends, The second control process includes: A startup process for starting an application program for executing the performance; a playback-related control process for controlling the performance based on the received playback-related information; A termination control process for performing and outputting an image formation effect as the effect based on the received termination-related information; a notification process for transmitting notification information to the first control process after the termination of the termination control process; The first control process executes the following process upon receiving the notification information. Karaoke equipment.

2. A first CPU and a second CPU are provided, the first control process is executed by the first CPU, The second control process is executed by the second CPU.