Karaoke system

Abstract

To provide a Karaoke system that improves mutual enjoyment of network chorus regardless of singing parts sung by each user in multiple network-connected karaoke devices.SOLUTION: In a karaoke system, network-connected karaoke devices 3 and 4 are equipped with a control unit 30, a memory unit 31, a performance unit 33, a microphone 21, a communication unit 32, an audio input / output unit 34, and a speaker 22. The control unit 30 functions as a pitch control unit 41. The pitch control unit 41 changes second singing voice signals of other users received by the communication unit 32 in a harmony section of a piece of music during karaoke performance to match a pitch of reference data of a predetermined singing part of the music. The audio input / output unit 34 and the speaker 22 output a Karaoke performance signal output by the performance unit 33, a first singing voice signal acquired by the microphone 21, and the second singing voice signal changed in pitch by the pitch control unit 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a karaoke system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a karaoke system in which a plurality of karaoke devices are connected via a network, there is one in which the same music is played simultaneously by a plurality of karaoke devices. In a karaoke system, even when a plurality of users are remote from each other, by using the plurality of karaoke devices respectively, it is possible to sing in chorus (network chorus) the music played simultaneously.

[0003] For example, according to Patent Document 1, in a duet / chorus karaoke control method, in a wireless / wired communication network of a bidirectional broadband system, a plurality of mobile / fixed music performance communication devices are connected to the communication network, and a communication network environment in which video / audio signals can be mutually transmitted and received is constructed between the music performance communication devices, so that video / audio signals in a multi-site space are shared, and duet and chorus of karaoke between users in remote locations are realized.

[0004] Also, in a karaoke system, a plurality of users using a plurality of karaoke devices respectively may perform duet singing with different keys in accordance with the music played simultaneously.

[0005] For example, according to Patent Document 2, a singing voice pitch matching system in network chorus sets the performance key of a karaoke music for network chorus in each karaoke performance terminal by performance key setting means, and transmits the set performance key to other karaoke performance terminals in each karaoke performance terminal by performance key information transmission means. Then, based on the difference between the performance key set in one karaoke performance terminal and the performance key received from another karaoke performance terminal, the pitch of the singing voice input in one karaoke performance terminal and output in another karaoke performance terminal is changed to match the performance key set in the other karaoke performance terminal.

Prior Art Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-077485 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-167580 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] By the way, in karaoke systems, when multiple users use different karaoke machines to perform a network chorus, one user may want to sing the main melody part and harmonize, and want other users to sing the harmony part along with them. However, if other users have the same idea, there will be no one to sing the harmony part, and the desired chorus cannot be performed by each user. In other words, conventional karaoke systems have the problem that when the singing parts desired by each user overlap, harmony cannot be sung, and therefore, it is not possible to enjoy network chorus.

[0008] The objective of the present invention is to provide a karaoke system that can enhance the enjoyment of network singing among multiple network-connected karaoke devices, regardless of the singing part each user sings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the above problems, the karaoke system of the present invention is a karaoke system in which a plurality of karaoke devices are connected to communicate via a network, and includes a storage unit that stores song data consisting of karaoke performance data and reference data, wherein the reference data includes harmony sections consisting of a plurality of singing parts; a performance unit that reads the song data corresponding to a song registered in a reservation list from the storage unit and performs karaoke performance of the song by outputting a karaoke performance signal based on the karaoke performance data of the song data so that the same song is played synchronously on the plurality of karaoke devices; and the first song of a single user that is input to one karaoke device during karaoke performance. The karaoke system is characterized by comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires a singing voice signal; a transmission unit that transmits the first singing voice signal of one user acquired by the acquisition unit to another karaoke device; a receiving unit that receives a second singing voice signal of another user acquired and transmitted by the other karaoke device during karaoke performance; a pitch control unit that, in the harmony section of the song during karaoke performance, changes the second singing voice signal of the other user received by the receiving unit to match the pitch of the reference data of a predetermined singing part of the song; and an output unit that outputs the karaoke performance signal output by the performance unit, the first singing voice signal acquired by the acquisition unit, and the second singing voice signal whose pitch has been changed by the pitch control unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, in a network-connected karaoke system, the enjoyment of network singing can be enhanced for each user, regardless of the singing part they sing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing a karaoke system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing a karaoke device in a karaoke system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]This flowchart shows an example of operation in the karaoke system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing a karaoke device in a karaoke system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a plan view showing an example of a part setting screen for a karaoke device in a karaoke system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart showing an example of operation in a karaoke system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] [First Embodiment] The following describes a karaoke system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] [Karaoke System] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the karaoke system 1 of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the karaoke system 1 comprises a server device 2 and a plurality of karaoke devices 3 and 4. In the karaoke system 1, the server device 2 and the plurality of karaoke devices 3 and 4 are connected to each other via a network 5 such as the Internet.

[0014] In the karaoke system 1, the songs played by the multiple karaoke devices 3 and 4 include not only regular songs, but also duets and choral songs that have harmony sections in which multiple users sing different vocal parts. In other words, the harmony section consists of multiple vocal parts.

[0015] The karaoke system 1 synchronously plays the same music on a plurality of network-connected karaoke devices 3 and 4, and at this time, by mutually outputting the singing voices input to the plurality of karaoke devices 3 and 4, it enables a chorus (network chorus) of a plurality of users who respectively use the plurality of karaoke devices 3 and 4. In the present embodiment, in particular, the case where network chorus is performed when synchronously playing music such as duet songs or chorus songs having the harmony section as described above will be described.

[0016] [Server device] The server device 2 has a function of transmitting and receiving various data to and from a plurality of karaoke devices 3 and 4 via the network 5, and in particular, has a function of realizing network chorus by mutually transmitting and receiving the singing voice signals of the singing voices input to the plurality of karaoke devices 3 and 4.

[0017] The server device 2 includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 11, and a communication unit 12. The control unit 10 is configured to have a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like and overall controls the server device 2. The storage unit 11 is configured to have storage media such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an HDD (Hard Disc Drive). The communication unit 12 is an interface that is communicably connected to a plurality of karaoke devices 3 and 4.

[0018] The storage unit 11 stores programs and data for controlling each part and each function of the server device 2, and the control unit 10 controls each part and each function by executing arithmetic processing based on the programs and data stored in the storage unit 11.

[0019] The communication unit 12 is controlled by the control unit 10 and transmits and receives various data such as singing voice signals between a plurality of karaoke devices 3 and 4. For example, when the plurality of karaoke devices 3 and 4 perform synchronous performance of a song for network chorus, the communication unit 12 receives the singing voice signal (first singing voice signal) input to one karaoke device 3 from the karaoke device 3 and transmits it to another karaoke device 4, and also receives the singing voice signal (second singing voice signal) input to another karaoke device 4 from the karaoke device 4 and transmits it to one karaoke device 3.

[0020] [Karaoke device] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the karaoke device 3 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the karaoke device 3 includes a karaoke main body 20, a microphone 21, a speaker 22, a display device 23 such as a monitor, and a remote control device 24. The karaoke device 3 is installed, for example, at an installation location such as a karaoke room. Since the plurality of karaoke devices 3 and 4 are similarly configured, hereinafter, the karaoke device 3 will be described, and the description of the karaoke device 4 will be omitted.

[0021] The karaoke main body 20 is connected to the microphone 21, the speaker 22, the display device 23, and the remote control device 24 by wire or wirelessly. The microphone 21 converts the singing voice of one user in the karaoke device 3 into a singing voice signal (first singing voice signal) and inputs it to the karaoke main body 20. In other words, the microphone 21 functions as an acquisition unit that acquires the first singing voice signal of one user input to the karaoke device 3 when the karaoke device 3 performs karaoke performance of a song. The speaker 22 emits the voice of the user and the karaoke performance of the song based on the sound emission signal from the karaoke main body 20. The display device 23 displays various screens based on the video signal and the like from the karaoke main body 20, and for example, displays a lyric caption together with a background video in accordance with the karaoke performance.

[0022] The remote control device 24 is primarily composed of a touch panel. The remote control device 24 displays a GUI with various screens and operation buttons on the touch panel, and accepts login operations and song selection (reservation) operations via the touch panel. The remote control device 24 and the karaoke unit 20 are paired via wireless communication, and various information is sent and received between the remote control device 24 and the karaoke unit 20.

[0023] The remote control device 24 transmits user identification information (user ID) and other information entered by the user in response to the user's login operation to the karaoke unit 20. The remote control device 24 accepts song searches and song selections (reservations) and transmits the song identification information (song ID) of the selected song as reserved song information to the karaoke unit 20 in response to the user's song selection operation.

[0024] Furthermore, in addition to the function of performing karaoke versions of selected songs, the karaoke unit 20 also has a function to enable network singing among multiple karaoke devices 3 and 4. When network singing is performed, the karaoke unit 20 of karaoke device 3 synchronizes performance of the same song with the other karaoke devices 4, receives the singing voice signal transmitted from the other karaoke devices 4 via the server device 2, and emits it through the speaker 22 along with the singing voice signal input to karaoke device 3. In this embodiment, in particular, the karaoke unit 20 of karaoke device 3 has a function to change the singing voice signal (second singing voice signal) received from the other karaoke devices 4 to a different singing part from the singing voice signal (first singing voice signal) input to karaoke device 3 when synchronizing performance of songs such as duets or choral songs that have harmony sections.

[0025] The karaoke unit 20 comprises a control unit 30, a storage unit 31, a communication unit 32, a performance unit 33, and an audio input / output unit 34. The control unit 30 is configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), etc., and provides overall control of the karaoke unit 20. The storage unit 31 is configured with storage media such as ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores programs and data for controlling each part and function of the karaoke device 3.

[0026] For example, the memory unit 31 stores the user ID of each user of the karaoke machine 3 to identify each user. The memory unit 31 also stores basic information such as the song ID, song title, artist name, and genre for each song that the karaoke machine 3 can play. The memory unit 31 also stores song data for each song, and the song data includes karaoke performance data, reference data, and lyrics data. The memory unit 31 also stores a reservation list for sequentially registering the reserved song information of songs reserved by the karaoke machine 3.

[0027] In the music data, the karaoke performance data is MIDI format data that forms the basis of the accompaniment sound for the karaoke performance. The reference data is pitch information used as a standard when evaluating the singer's karaoke performance. The lyrics data is the data that forms the basis of the lyrics displayed on the display device 23.

[0028] In this embodiment, the karaoke device 3 enables karaoke performance of songs such as duets and choral pieces that have harmony sections in which multiple singers each sing a different vocal part. The reference data for the song data of such a song mainly consists of notes from the main melody part, and the harmony section includes notes from multiple vocal parts, for example, notes from harmony parts such as upper harmony parts and lower harmony parts in addition to the main melody part. Here, the upper harmony part is a harmony part with a higher pitch than the main melody part, for example, a note that is a third higher than the main melody, and the lower harmony part is a harmony part with a lower pitch than the main melody part, for example, a note that is a third lower than the main melody. It may also include notes from a fifth harmony part that is a fifth higher than the main melody. Each note consists of a note length such as milliseconds and a pitch such as a cent value.

[0029] The communication unit 32 is controlled by the control unit 30 and transmits and receives various data, such as singing voice signals, to and from other karaoke devices 4 via the server device 2. For example, when multiple karaoke devices 3 and 4 synchronize the playback of a network choral song, the communication unit 32 transmits the singing voice signal (first singing voice signal) input to karaoke device 3 to other karaoke devices 4 via the server device 2, and also receives the singing voice signal (second singing voice signal) input to other karaoke devices 4 from other karaoke devices 4 via the server device 2. In other words, the communication unit 32 functions as a transmitter that transmits the first singing voice signal of one user acquired by karaoke device 3 to other karaoke devices 4, and as a receiver that receives the second singing voice signal of another user acquired and transmitted by other karaoke devices 4 during karaoke playback.

[0030] The performance unit 33 is configured to include a sound source such as a MIDI sound source, and is a karaoke performance means that reads song data corresponding to songs from the storage unit 31 in the order in which the songs reserved in the reservation list of the storage unit 31 are registered, and generates a karaoke performance signal based on the karaoke performance data of the song data. The performance unit 33 outputs the generated karaoke performance signal to the speaker 22 via the audio input / output unit 34. In this embodiment, in particular, when the song to be performed karaoke is the subject of a network chorus, the performance unit 33 is controlled by the control unit 30 to generate and output a karaoke performance signal from the song data of the song so that the song can be played synchronously among multiple karaoke devices 3 and 4 as the same song. In order to play the same song synchronously among multiple karaoke devices 3 and 4, the performance unit 33 can use the prior art disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-167581 and Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-235231.

[0031] The audio input / output unit 34 is connected to the microphone 21 and receives the singing audio signal from the microphone 21. The audio input / output unit 34 is also connected to the speaker 22 and outputs the karaoke performance signal and the singing audio signal to the speaker 22. The audio input / output unit 34 also includes a mixer (digital mixer) and an amplifier, which mix the karaoke performance signal and the singing audio signal, and amplify this mixed signal for output. In other words, the audio input / output unit 34 and the speaker 22 function as output units that output the karaoke performance signal and the singing audio signal.

[0032] The control unit 30 controls each part and function of the karaoke device 3 by performing calculations based on programs and data stored in the storage unit 31. For example, the control unit 30 in this embodiment has the function of realizing network singing by executing a program stored in the storage unit 31 and operating as a specific unit 40, a pitch control unit 41, and an output control unit 42.

[0033] The identification unit 40 identifies the singing part of a single user in karaoke device 3 when a song with a harmony section is played synchronously on multiple karaoke devices 3 and 4 as a network choral piece. For example, in the harmony section of the song being played karaoke, the identification unit 40 compares the pitch of the first singing voice signal of a single user acquired by the microphone 21 with the pitch of the reference data for each of the multiple singing parts of the song, and identifies the singing part of a single user based on the comparison result. At this time, in the harmony section of the song, the identification unit 40 compares the frequency of the first singing voice signal with the frequency of the reference data for each singing part, and identifies the singing part of the reference data with the closest pitch transition as the singing part that the single user is singing.

[0034] The pitch control unit 41 acquires a second vocal audio signal received from another karaoke device 4 via the communication unit 32 when a song with a harmony section is played synchronously by multiple karaoke devices 3 and 4 as a network choral piece, and modifies the second vocal audio signal so that one user of karaoke device 3 can sing in harmony. For example, in the harmony section of a song being played in karaoke, the pitch control unit 41 modifies the pitch of the second vocal audio signal to match the pitch of a reference data for a vocal part that is different from a predetermined vocal part of the song, for example, a vocal part of a vocal part identified by the identification unit 40. The modified pitch of the other user's second vocal audio signal does not need to overlap with the vocal part of the first user, and is automatically selected by each of the karaoke devices 3 and 4. Furthermore, if the vocal part of the first vocal audio signal of one user and the vocal part of the second vocal audio signal of another user are different in the harmony section, the pitch control unit 41 does not need to modify the pitch of the other user's second vocal audio signal, or it may modify it to the pitch of another vocal part.

[0035] Furthermore, the pitch control unit 41 does not perform any control in sections other than the harmony sections of the song being played in karaoke; that is, it does not change the pitch of the second singing voice signal in sections other than the harmony sections of the song being played in karaoke.

[0036] The output control unit 42 controls the output of the karaoke performance signal output from the performance unit 33 and the first singing voice signal input from the microphone 21 to be emitted from the speaker 22 via the audio input / output unit 34 when the karaoke device 3 is playing a song. In this embodiment, in particular, when multiple karaoke devices 3 and 4 are playing a network choral song in synchronous order, the output control unit 42 acquires a second singing voice signal received from another karaoke device 4 by the communication unit 32 and controls the output of the second singing voice signal in addition to the karaoke performance signal and the first singing voice signal to be emitted from the speaker 22 via the audio input / output unit 34. Furthermore, when multiple karaoke devices 3 and 4 are playing a song with a harmony section as a network choral song in synchronous order, the output control unit 42 controls the output of the karaoke performance signal, the first singing voice signal, and the second singing voice signal whose pitch has been changed by the pitch control unit 41 to be emitted from the speaker 22 via the audio input / output unit 34.

[0037] [Example of operation of the first embodiment] Next, an example of operation in the first embodiment in which users U1 and U2 use karaoke devices 3 and 4, respectively, to perform a network chorus of a song X1 that has a harmony section will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the karaoke system 1 in the first embodiment.

[0038] First, in the karaoke system 1, when users U1 and U2 reserve song X1 by operating the remote control devices 24 of karaoke devices 3 and 4 respectively, the control unit 30 registers the reserved song information, including the song ID "ID****X1" of song X1, in the reservation list of the storage unit 31 of the karaoke main unit 20 of karaoke devices 3 and 4 (steps S1, S2). The reference data of song X1's song data includes data for multiple singing parts in the harmony section, namely the main melody part, the upper harmony part, and the lower harmony part.

[0039] Each performance unit 33 of karaoke devices 3 and 4 reads the reserved song information from the reservation list in the order it was registered. When it reads the reserved song information for song X1, it reads the song data for song X1 from the storage unit 31. Then, each performance unit 33 generates a karaoke performance signal for song X1 based on the song data for song X1, and at a predetermined timing, outputs the karaoke performance signal for song X1 to the audio input / output unit 34 to start synchronized performance of song X1 (step S3).

[0040] During the synchronized playback of song X1 started on karaoke devices 3 and 4, karaoke device 3 converts user U1's singing voice into a singing voice signal SS1 (first singing voice signal) via microphone 21 and inputs it to the audio input / output unit 34 (step S4), and karaoke device 4 converts user U2's singing voice into a singing voice signal SS2 (second singing voice signal) via microphone 21 and inputs it to the audio input / output unit 34 (step S5). In this example, it is assumed that user U1 sings the main melody part and user U2 sings the main melody part during the harmony section of song X1. The acquisition of singing voice signals SS1 and SS2 by each microphone 21 is performed continuously during the synchronized playback of song X1.

[0041] Furthermore, during the synchronized playback of song X1, the control unit 30 of karaoke device 3 controls the communication unit 32 to transmit the singing voice signal SS1 of user U1, acquired by microphone 21, to other karaoke devices 4 via server device 2 (step S6). In karaoke device 4, the control unit 30 controls the communication unit 32 to transmit the singing voice signal SS2 of user U2, acquired by microphone 21, to other karaoke devices 3 via server device 2 (step S7). The transmission of singing voice signals SS1 and SS2 by each communication unit 32 is performed continuously during the synchronized playback of song X1.

[0042] Furthermore, during the synchronized playback of song X1, the control unit 30 of karaoke device 3 controls the communication unit 32 to receive the singing voice signal SS2 of user U2 transmitted from another karaoke device 4 via the server device 2 (step S8), and the control unit 30 of karaoke device 4 controls the communication unit 32 to receive the singing voice signal SS1 of user U1 transmitted from another karaoke device 3 via the server device 2 (step S9). The reception of singing voice signals SS1 and SS2 by each communication unit 32 is also performed continuously during the synchronized playback of song X1.

[0043] Furthermore, in the harmony section of the synchronized song X1 (Step S10: Yes), the karaoke device 3's identification unit 40 identifies the singing part of user U1 (Step S12). Also, in the harmony section of the synchronized song X1 (Step S11: Yes), the karaoke device 4's identification unit 40 identifies the singing part of user U2 (Step S13). At this time, the identification unit 40 of the karaoke device 3 compares the frequency of user U1's singing voice signal SS1 with the frequencies of the reference data for each singing part of song X1, and based on the comparison result, detects that the singing part of the reference data with the closest pitch transition is the main melody part, and identifies the singing part that user U1 is singing as the main melody part. Furthermore, the identification unit 40 of the karaoke device 4 compares the frequency of the user U2's singing voice signal SS2 with the frequencies of the reference data for each singing part of the song X1. Based on the comparison result, if it detects that the singing part of the reference data with the closest pitch transition is the main melody part, it identifies the singing part that user U2 is singing as the main melody part.

[0044] In karaoke device 3, once the identification unit 40 identifies the singing part of user U1 as described above, the pitch control unit 41 acquires the singing voice signal SS2 received from another karaoke device 4 via the communication unit 32, and in the harmony section of song X1, changes the pitch of the received singing voice signal SS2 to match the pitch of the reference data of a singing part different from the main melody part, which is the singing part of user U1 that has been identified (for example, the upper harmony part) (step S14). Also, in karaoke device 4, once the identification unit 40 identifies the singing part of user U2 as described above, the pitch control unit 41 acquires the singing voice signal SS1 received from another karaoke device 3 via the communication unit 32, and in the harmony section of song X1, changes the pitch of the received singing voice signal SS1 to match the pitch of the reference data of a singing part different from the main melody part, which is the singing part of user U2 that has been identified (for example, the lower harmony part) (step S15).

[0045] Furthermore, in the karaoke device 3, the output control unit 42 controls the output of the karaoke performance signal of song X1 played by the performance unit 33, the singing voice signal SS1 of user U1 acquired from the microphone 21, and the singing voice signal SS2 received from another karaoke device 4 by the communication unit 32, through the audio input / output unit 34 to the speaker 22 during the synchronized performance of song X1 (step S16). In particular, during the harmony section of song X1, the output control unit 42 controls the output of the karaoke performance signal of song X1, the singing voice signal SS1 of user U1, and the singing voice signal SS2 of user U2, whose pitch has been changed by the pitch control unit 41, through the audio input / output unit 34 to the speaker 22. Furthermore, in the karaoke device 4, the output control unit 42 controls the output of the karaoke performance signal of song X1 played by the performance unit 33, the singing voice signal SS2 of user U2 acquired from the microphone 21, and the singing voice signal SS1 received from another karaoke device 3 by the communication unit 32, through the audio input / output unit 34 to the speaker 22 during the synchronized performance of song X1 (step S17). In particular, during the harmony section of song X1, the output control unit 42 controls the output of the karaoke performance signal of song X1, the singing voice signal SS2 of user U2, and the singing voice signal SS1 of user U1 whose pitch has been changed by the pitch control unit 41, through the audio input / output unit 34 to the speaker 22.

[0046] As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the karaoke system 1 is a karaoke system 1 in which a plurality of karaoke devices 3 and 4 are connected to communicate via a network 5, and each karaoke device 3 and 4 comprises a control unit 30, a storage unit 31, a performance unit 33, a microphone 21 that functions as an acquisition unit, a communication unit 32 that functions as a transmission unit and a reception unit, and an audio input / output unit 34 and a speaker 22 that functions as an output unit, and the control unit 30 functions as a pitch control unit 41. The storage unit 31 stores song data composed of karaoke performance data and reference data, and song data in which a harmony section composed of a plurality of singing parts is included in the reference data. The performance unit 33 reads song data corresponding to a song registered in the reservation list from the storage unit 31 and performs karaoke performance of the song by outputting a karaoke performance signal based on the karaoke performance data of the song data so that the same song is played synchronously on the plurality of karaoke devices 3 and 4. The microphone 21 acquires the first singing voice signal of one user that is input to one karaoke device 3 during karaoke performance. The communication unit 32 transmits the first singing voice signal of one user, acquired by the microphone 21, to another karaoke device 4, and also receives the second singing voice signal of another user, acquired and transmitted by the other karaoke device 4 during karaoke performance. The pitch control unit 41 modifies the second singing voice signal of the other user, received by the communication unit 32, in the harmony section of the song during karaoke performance, to match the pitch of the reference data for a predetermined singing part of the song. The audio input / output unit 34 and speaker 22 output the karaoke performance signal output by the performance unit 33, the first singing voice signal acquired by the microphone 21, and the second singing voice signal whose pitch has been modified by the pitch control unit 41.

[0047] As a result, when multiple karaoke devices 3 and 4 synchronize the playback of a song with a harmony section, and each user of karaoke devices 3 and 4 participates in a network chorus, karaoke device 3 outputs the second vocal signal of other users on other karaoke devices 4 with the pitch shifted, allowing users of karaoke device 3 to enjoy singing in harmony. Furthermore, since other karaoke devices 4 are configured similarly to karaoke device 3, other users of other karaoke devices 4 can also enjoy singing in harmony. Therefore, karaoke system 1 can enhance the enjoyment of network chorus singing for each user of multiple karaoke devices 3 and 4.

[0048] Furthermore, in the karaoke system 1 of the first embodiment, the control unit 30 compares the pitch of the first singing voice signal acquired by the microphone 21 with the pitch of the reference data of each of the multiple singing parts of the song during the harmony section of the song being played in karaoke, and functions as a identification unit 40 that identifies the singing part of one user based on the comparison result. The pitch control unit 41 changes the pitch of the second singing voice signal received by the communication unit 32 during the harmony section of the song being played in karaoke to match the pitch of the reference data of a singing part different from the singing part of one user identified by the identification unit 40.

[0049] As a result, in karaoke device 3, the second singing voice signal of another user in another karaoke device 4 is pitch-shifted and output to a different singing part from the first singing voice signal of one user, allowing users of karaoke device 3 to enjoy singing in harmony more. Also, since the other karaoke devices 4 are configured in the same way as karaoke device 3, other users of the other karaoke devices 4 can also enjoy singing in harmony more. Therefore, karaoke system 1 can further enhance the enjoyment of network singing for each user of the multiple karaoke devices 3 and 4. [Differentiation]

[0050] In the first embodiment, the identification unit 40 was described as identifying a user's singing part by comparing the pitch of a user's first singing voice signal with the pitch of the reference data for each singing part in the harmony section of a song being played in karaoke. However, the present invention is not limited to this example.

[0051] In a modified example, the identification unit 40 may, regardless of whether a user is singing, specify a user's singing part to a predetermined singing part, such as the main melody part, at the start of the karaoke performance of the song. Alternatively, in another example, the identification unit 40 may, regardless of whether a user is singing, specify a user's singing part to a predetermined singing part based on the user's user information at the start of the karaoke performance of the song. For example, if the user is male, it may specify a male singing part, or if the user is female, it may specify a female singing part.

[0052] Then, when a user has finished singing a harmony section, the identification unit 40 compares the pitch of the user's first singing voice signal with the pitch of the reference data for each singing part to re-identify the user's singing part.

[0053] [Second Embodiment] The following describes a karaoke system 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the karaoke system 1 according to the second embodiment. In the description of the second embodiment, components identical to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0054] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the identification unit 40 of multiple karaoke devices 3 and 4 identifies a user's singing part by comparing the pitch of a user's first singing voice signal with the pitch of the reference data for each singing part in the harmony section of a song being played in karaoke. In contrast, in the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the multiple karaoke devices 3 and 4 are configured to include a part setting unit 50 for setting a user's singing part, either in place of the identification unit 40 or together with the identification unit 40. The pitch control unit 41 then changes the pitch of another user's second singing voice signal received by the communication unit 32 in the harmony section of a song being played in karaoke to match the pitch of the reference data for a singing part different from the singing part of the user set by the part setting unit 50.

[0055] The part setting unit 50, for example as shown in Figure 5, displays a part setting screen 51 for setting a vocal part for a user on the touch panel of the remote control device 24. When a network choral song with a harmony section is reserved and the song is identified by the remote control device 24, the part setting unit 50 displays the part setting screen 51 on the touch panel of the remote control device 24. The part setting unit 50 displays all vocal parts included in the song data of the identified song on the part setting screen 51 so that they can be selected, and when the user selects a vocal part to sing, the selected vocal part is set as the vocal part for that user. Then, when the reservation of the identified song is confirmed, the control unit 30 registers the reserved song information, including the song ID of the song and the vocal part identification information (vocal part ID) of the vocal part set by the part setting unit 50, in the reservation list.

[0056] In the second embodiment, if, in the harmony section, the singing part of the first singing voice signal of one user set by the part setting unit 50 is different from the singing part of the second singing voice signal of another user received from another karaoke device 4 by the communication unit 32, the pitch control unit 41 does not need to change the pitch of the second singing voice signal of the other user, or it may change it to the pitch of another singing part.

[0057] [Example of operation of the second embodiment] Next, in the second embodiment, an example of operation in which users U1 and U2 use karaoke devices 3 and 4, respectively, to perform a network chorus of a song X1 that has a harmony section will be described with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the karaoke system 1 in the second embodiment.

[0058] First, in the karaoke system 1, users U1 and U2 operate the respective remote control devices 24 of karaoke devices 3 and 4 to identify the song X1 to be played (steps S21 and S22). Then, the respective part setting units 50 of karaoke devices 3 and 4 display a part setting screen 51 on each remote control device 24, which allows users to select all the vocal parts of the identified song X1: the "main melody part," the "upper harmony part," and the "lower harmony part."

[0059] In karaoke device 3, after user U1 selects "Upper Harmony Part" on the part setting screen 51 (step S23) and confirms the reservation of song X1, the song ID "ID****X1" of song X1 and the singing part ID "ID2" of the "Upper Harmony Part" are transmitted from the remote control device 24 to the karaoke main unit 20. In the karaoke main unit 20, the control unit 30 registers the reserved song information, including the song ID "ID****X1" of song X1 and the singing part ID "ID2" of the "Upper Harmony Part," into the reservation list in the memory unit 31. In karaoke device 4, after user U2 selects "Main Melody Part" on the part setting screen 51 (step S24) and confirms the reservation of song X1, the song ID "ID****X1" of song X1 and the singing part ID "ID1" of the "Main Melody Part" are transmitted from the remote control device 24 to the karaoke main unit 20. In the karaoke unit 20, the control unit 30 registers the reserved song information, including the song ID "ID****X1" of song X1 and the singing part ID "ID1" of the "main melody part," into the reservation list in the memory unit 31.

[0060] Then, in the same manner as steps S3 to S9 of the flowchart in Figure 3 of the first embodiment, in the karaoke devices 3 and 4, each performance unit 33 reads the reserved song information for song X1 from the reservation list and starts synchronous playback of song X1 (step S25), and during the synchronous playback of song X1, each microphone 21 acquires and transmits singing voice signals SS1 and SS2 from users U1 and U2 to each other (steps S26 to S31).

[0061] In karaoke device 3, the pitch control unit 41, in the harmony section of song X1 (step S32: Yes), changes the pitch of the received singing voice signal SS2 of another user U2 to match the pitch of the reference data of a different singing part, for example, the main melody part, which is set in the part setting unit 50 (step S34). In karaoke device 4, the pitch control unit 41, in the harmony section of song X1 (step S33: Yes), changes the pitch of the received singing voice signal SS1 of another user U1 to match the pitch of the reference data of a different singing part, for example, the lower harmony part, which is set in the part setting unit 50 (step S35).

[0062] Then, in the same manner as steps S16 to S17 of the flowchart in Figure 3 of the first embodiment, in the karaoke device 3, the output control unit 42 controls the output of the karaoke performance signal of song X1 played by the performance unit 33, the singing voice signal SS1 of user U1 acquired from the microphone 21, and the singing voice signal SS2 of another user U2, through the audio input / output unit 34 to be emitted from the speaker 22 during the synchronous performance of song X1 (step S36). In the karaoke device 4, the output control unit 42 controls the output of the karaoke performance signal of song X1 played by the performance unit 33, the singing voice signal SS2 of user U2 acquired from the microphone 21, and the singing voice signal SS1 of another user U1, through the audio input / output unit 34 to be emitted from the speaker 22 during the synchronous performance of song X1 (step S37).

[0063] According to the second embodiment, when multiple karaoke devices 3 and 4 synchronize the performance of a song with a harmony section, and each user of karaoke devices 3 and 4 participates in network chorus, karaoke device 3 outputs the second vocal audio signal of another user on another karaoke device 4 with its pitch shifted to a different vocal part than the intended vocal part of the user of karaoke device 3. This allows the user of karaoke device 3 to enjoy harmony singing more. Furthermore, since the other karaoke devices 4 are configured similarly to karaoke device 3, other users of the other karaoke devices 4 can also enjoy harmony singing more. Therefore, the karaoke system 1 can enhance the enjoyment of network chorus singing for each user of the multiple karaoke devices 3 and 4. [Differentiation]

[0064] In the second embodiment, the part setting unit 50 is shown to display the part setting screen 51 on the touch panel of the remote control device 24 when a network choral song having a harmony section is identified for reservation by the remote control device 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. In a modified example, the part setting unit 50 may display the part setting screen 51 on the touch panel of the remote control device 24 to accept the selection of a singing part during karaoke playback of a network choral song having a harmony section.

[0065] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, examples were described in which the karaoke devices 3 and 4 each include a part setting unit 50 instead of the specific unit 40 of the first embodiment. However, the invention is not limited to this example, and the karaoke devices may also include a part setting unit 50 together with the specific unit 40. [Other examples]

[0066] In the first and second embodiments described above, two karaoke devices 3 and 4 are illustrated, but the number of karaoke devices 3 and 4 is not limited to two, and may be three or more. For example, a karaoke system 1 may have three or more karaoke devices, and these three or more karaoke devices may play the same song in sync, with users of each karaoke device participating in a network chorus. In this case, in one karaoke device, the pitch control unit 41 changes the pitch of the second singing voice signals of two or more other users received from two or more other karaoke devices to match the pitch of the reference data of a singing part different from the singing part of one user in one karaoke device, during the harmony section of the song being played. Furthermore, in this case, the pitch control unit 41 changes the pitch of the second singing voice signals of two or more other users to match the pitch of the reference data of different singing parts.

[0067] For example, in one karaoke machine, when one user sings the main melody part in a harmony section, the second vocal audio signals of two other users on two other karaoke machines are modified to match the pitch of the reference data for the upper harmony part and the lower harmony part, respectively.

[0068] As a result, in karaoke system 1, when performing network choral singing using three or more karaoke devices, even if the singing parts sung by each user of the three or more karaoke devices overlap in the harmony section, the singing audio signals can be output at different pitches for each singing part, allowing for the enjoyment of network choral singing with rich harmonies.

[0069] Furthermore, the present invention can be modified as appropriate, as long as it does not contradict the gist or idea of ​​the invention as can be read from the claims and the specification as a whole, and a karaoke system with such modifications is also included in the technical concept of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0070] 1. Karaoke System 2 Server devices 3, 4 Karaoke equipment 4. Karaoke equipment 5 Network 20 Karaoke machine 21 Microphone (acquisition unit) 22 Speaker (Output Section) 24 Remote control device 30 Control Unit 31 Storage section 32. Communication section (transmitter, receiver) 33 Performance Club 34 Audio Input / Output Section (Output Section) 40 Specific section 41 Pitch control unit 50 Part Setting Section

Claims

1. A karaoke system in which multiple karaoke devices are connected to each other via a network in a way that enables communication, A storage unit that stores song data consisting of karaoke performance data and reference data, wherein the reference data includes a harmony section composed of multiple vocal parts, A performance unit reads the song data corresponding to the song registered in the reservation list from the storage unit and outputs a karaoke performance signal based on the karaoke performance data of the song data to perform karaoke performance of the song so that the same song is played synchronously on the multiple karaoke devices, An acquisition unit that acquires the first singing voice signal of one user input to one karaoke machine during karaoke performance, A transmitting unit that transmits the first singing voice signal of one user acquired by the acquisition unit to another karaoke device, A receiving unit that receives a second singing voice signal of another user acquired and transmitted by the other karaoke device during karaoke performance, A pitch control unit that, in the harmony section of the song during karaoke performance, modifies the second singing voice signal of the other user received by the receiving unit to match the pitch of the reference data of a predetermined singing part of the song, An output unit that outputs the karaoke performance signal output by the performance unit, the first singing voice signal acquired by the acquisition unit, and the second singing voice signal whose pitch has been changed by the pitch control unit, Equipped with, Furthermore, the system includes a specification unit that, during the harmony section of the song being played in karaoke, compares the pitch of the first singing voice signal acquired by the acquisition unit with the pitch of the reference data for each of the multiple singing parts of the song, and identifies the singing part of one user based on the comparison result. The identification unit compares the frequency of the first singing voice signal with the frequency of the reference data for each of the plurality of singing parts, and identifies the singing part of the reference data with the closest pitch transition as the singing part of the one user. The karaoke system is characterized in that the pitch control unit changes the second singing voice signal received by the receiving unit in the harmony section of the song during karaoke performance to match the pitch of the reference data of a singing part different from the singing part of the first user identified by the identification unit.

2. The system includes a setting unit for setting the singing part of the first user, The pitch control unit modifies the second singing voice signal received by the receiving unit in the harmony section of the song during karaoke performance to match the pitch of the reference data of a singing part different from the singing part set by the setting unit. The karaoke system according to feature 1.

Images