JP4112932B2 - Karaoke equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a karaoke apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Currently, some karaoke devices installed in karaoke stores, etc., use vacant time during which a customer selects a karaoke song (between karaoke performance songs; hereinafter simply referred to as “between songs”). Some have a function of displaying inter-song CMs such as new song information and concert guidance on a monitor.
As a CM file for displaying the CM between the songs on the monitor, the song name and song code of the new song is displayed on the monitor, and the new song CM file for prompting the customer to request, the contents of the concert, the date, the place, etc. are monitored. There is a concert CM file etc. for prompting the customer to visit by displaying it.
[0003]
Such a CM file is distributed together with (or separately from) the karaoke file corresponding to the new song from the center station to each karaoke device, for example, and the distributed CM file is stored in the hard disk device of each karaoke device. When the karaoke device detects that the above-mentioned song interval has occurred, for example, when the customer selects a karaoke song, the CM file stored in the hard disk device is read out and expanded on a RAM or the like to operate the hard disk. Pause.
[0004]
Here, since the life of the hard disk device is greatly influenced by the rotation time of the disk and the like, if the rotation of the disk is stopped, the life of the hard disk device can be extended accordingly. In the conventional karaoke apparatus, the life of the hard disk apparatus is extended by taking measures such as stopping the rotation of the disk between the above-mentioned songs where karaoke performance is not performed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 11-3089 A (page 1-2)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in recent years, there is a demand to use not only new karaoke song information and concert guidance but also promotional videos as inter-song CMs. In order to use the promotion video as the CM between songs, it is necessary to read out the promotion CM file corresponding to the promotion video from the hard disk device. However, the file size of the promotion CM file is different from other CM files (ie, new song CM file, It is much larger than a concert CM file. For this reason, there has been a problem that the CM file read from the hard disk device as described above cannot be expanded in the RAM, and the operation of the hard disk device cannot be paused. In other words, when a promotion video is used as a CM between songs, it is necessary to always read the promotion CM file by accessing the hard disk device even during the idle time, and the operation of the hard disk device cannot be paused. There was a problem.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a karaoke apparatus capable of extending the life of a hard disk device or the like in which a CM file or the like is stored.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problem, the karaoke apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of storage means for storing files each containing video data corresponding to a video to be displayed at the time of karaoke performance between songs, and each karaoke performance between songs. by reading and executing the file stored in the one of the plurality of storage means, one for displaying the image on the display means, and control means for halting the operation of the other storage means by said control means A management table in which the number of times the file is read and a storage unit to which the file is to be read are registered in association with each other, and switching for switching the storage unit to be read from the file according to the contents registered in the management table Means.
[0009]
According to such a configuration, every time karaoke performance is paused, the video data including the video data stored in any of a plurality of storage means (such as a hard disk device) is read and executed, thereby executing the video data. The video (promotion video etc.) corresponding to is displayed on the monitor, while the operation of the other hard disk device etc. is stopped. Then, the hard disk device from which the file is read is switched (for example, switching from the first hard disk device to the second hard disk device) according to the given instruction. As a result, the operations of the plurality of hard disk devices can be efficiently suspended, and as a result, the lifetime of each hard disk device can be extended.
[00010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
[00011]
A. Embodiment (1) Configuration of Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a karaoke apparatus 300 according to this embodiment.
The controller 310 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and centrally controls each unit of the karaoke apparatus 300 by executing various control programs stored in the ROM.
The communication interface 320 includes a modem, a terminal adapter, and the like, and receives a karaoke file, a CM file, and the like distributed from a center station (not shown) via a communication network or the like, while being transmitted to the center station via a public communication network or the like. Send various data.
[0012]
When the communication interface 320 receives a karaoke file, a CM file, or the like distributed from the center station, the communication interface 320 supplies it to the controller 310. The controller 310 stores a karaoke file, a CM file, and the like supplied from the communication interface 320 in the storage unit 330.
[0013]
The storage unit 330 is a means for storing karaoke files, CM files, and the like, and includes a first hard disk device 331 and a second hard disk device 332.
Here, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a storage area provided in each hard disk device.
Each hard disk device is provided with a database ledger storage area DA, a karaoke file storage area KA, and a CM file storage area CA.
[0014]
The database ledger storage area DA stores a database ledger. In the database ledger, file identification information for identifying each file (karaoke file, CM file, etc.) stored in the hard disk device, directory information indicating the storage location of each file, and the like are registered. That is, the database ledger storage area DA of the first hard disk device 331 stores a database ledger relating to the storage contents of the first hard disk device, and the second hard disk device 332 is stored in the database ledger storage area DA of the second hard disk device 332. A database ledger relating to the stored contents is stored.
[0015]
The karaoke file storage area KA is composed of performance data for generating musical sounds, lyric data for displaying lyrics telop, chorus data obtained by ADPCM of the back chorus, background video data for displaying the background video, and the like. Various karaoke files are stored.
[0016]
In the CM file storage area CA, there are various promotions such as a promotion CM file for displaying a promotion video of a new song used as a CM between songs on the monitor 372, a new song CM file, a concert CM file (refer to the section of the related art), etc. A CM file is stored. As described above, various types of CM files are stored in the CM file storage area CA according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, a promotion CM is stored in the CM file storage area CA. Assume that a file is stored.
[0017]
Upon receiving the promotion CM file via the communication interface 320, the controller 310 stores it in the CM file storage area CA of the first hard disk device 331. Thereafter, the controller 310 duplicates the promotional CM file stored in the first hard disk device 331 in accordance with the backup copy timing information indicating the timing to be backed up (described later) stored in the ROM, etc. The file is stored in the CM file storage area 332 of the second hard disk device 332 (ie, backup copy).
[0018]
Regarding the backup copy of the promotional CM file, for example, the backup copy may be executed once a week during the daytime when the karaoke device 300 is not used, but it can be set as appropriate at which timing. It is. As for the backup copy timing, in addition to instructing the timing for the backup copy by the above method, the timing for the backup copy may be instructed from the center station or the like.
[0019]
Here, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of the promotion CM file.
The promotion CM file is composed of CM scripts and promotion video data. The CM script is a script unique to each promotion CM, and defines control contents related to display of a promotion video. The promotion video data is video data for displaying the promotion video on the monitor 372. The promotion CM file may have a configuration including BGM data for generating BGM (background music) in addition to a configuration including a CM script and promotion video data, and includes only the promotion video data. It may be a configuration.
[0020]
Returning to FIG. 1, the remote control device 340 includes various operation keys, an infrared communication function, and the like, and transmits a signal corresponding to a karaoke request number input by a key operation as an infrared signal.
The remote control receiving unit 350 restores the infrared signal transmitted from the remote control device 340 to data representing a request number and supplies the data to the controller 310. The controller 310 searches the database ledger stored in each hard disk device based on the request number received via the remote control receiver 350 and reads the selected karaoke file from the corresponding hard disk device. Then, the controller 310 supplies various data included in the read karaoke file to the musical sound generator 360 and the video decoder 370.
[0021]
The musical sound generation unit 360 includes a sound source that generates an electronic musical sound signal based on performance data supplied from the controller 310, a decoder that decodes the waveform data of the chorus data and demodulates the audio signal, and the like. Sound and back chorus (generally called karaoke performance sounds) are generated.
The audio circuit 361 mixes the karaoke performance sound and the singing sound signal of the user or the like input from the microphone 362 and emits the sound to the outside through an amplifier and a speaker 363 (not shown).
[0022]
The video decoder 370 decodes the lyric data and video data supplied from the controller 310 to generate an internal image such as a lyrics telop and a background image, and supplies them to the display control unit 371. Further, the video decoder 370 decodes the promotional video data by decoding the promotional video data supplied from the controller 310 during the vacant time (ie, between songs) until the karaoke song reservation is interrupted and the next karaoke song is selected. It is generated and supplied to the display control unit 371.
The display control unit 371 combines the internal image and the background image supplied from the video decoder 370 and displays them on the monitor 372, while displaying the promotion video supplied from the video decoder 370 between the songs on the monitor 372. .
[0023]
The operation unit 380 is a panel switch 381 for inputting a karaoke request number or adjusting a pitch or a reproduction tempo, and an operation display panel for displaying a karaoke request number input by operating the panel switch 381. 382 and the like.
The above is the detailed configuration of the karaoke apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment.
[0024]
(2) Operation of Embodiment <CM File Backup Copy Operation>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the backup copy operation of the CM file.
When the controller 310 of the karaoke device 300 receives the promotion CM file from the center station via the public communication network, the communication interface 320, etc. (step S1), it stores it in the CM file storage area CA of the first hard disk device 331 (step S1). Step S2). Then, the controller 310 registers the file identification information and directory information of the promotion CM file in the database ledger stored in the first hard disk device 331, and updates the database ledger (step S3).
[0025]
In step S4, the controller 310 refers to the backup copy timing information stored in the ROM or the like (or an instruction given from the center station), and determines whether or not the timing for backup copy has arrived. When the controller 310 determines that the timing for the backup copy has not yet arrived (step S4; NO), the controller 310 repeatedly executes the process of step S4. On the other hand, if the controller 310 determines that the timing for the backup copy has arrived (step S4; YES), the controller 310 executes the backup copy and stores the duplicated promotional CM file in the CM file recording area CA of the second hard disk device 332. (Step S5). Then, the controller 310 registers the file identification information and directory information of the backup CM file that has been backed up and copied in the database ledger stored in the second hard disk device 332, and updates the database ledger (step S6).
[0026]
<Operation during karaoke performance and between songs>
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation during karaoke performance and between songs. The karaoke performance refers to a state in which karaoke performance is being performed (for example, 10 songs are being performed continuously), and the interval between tunes is the next karaoke song due to interruption of reservation of karaoke songs. It means a state where time is available before is selected.
[0027]
When the controller 310 receives an instruction to select a karaoke song (for example, karaoke song A) from the remote control device 340 via the remote control receiving unit 350 or the like, the controller 310 searches the storage unit 330 in accordance with the selection instruction and reads the corresponding karaoke file. Start.
[0028]
Here, FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the storage states of the first hard disk device 331 and the second hard disk device 332. As shown in FIG. 6, background image data corresponding to the same karaoke song A is stored in the karaoke file storage area KA of the first hard disk device 331 and the second hard disk device 332. More specifically, the karaoke file storage area KA of the first hard disk device 331 stores background image data a, c, e corresponding to the karaoke song A, and the karaoke file storage area KA of the second hard disk device 332 stores Background image data b, d, and f corresponding to karaoke song A are stored.
[0029]
When the karaoke song A is selected, the controller 310 alternately reads background image data corresponding to the karaoke song A between the first hard disk device 331 and the second hard disk device 332. For example, the controller 310 first reads the background image data a from the first hard disk device 331, then reads the background image data b from the second hard disk device 332, and finally the second hard disk device 332. The background image data f is read out from. Then, the controller 310 sequentially supplies the background video data sequentially read in this way to the video decoder 370, thereby causing the monitor 372 to sequentially display the background image corresponding to the karaoke song A.
[0030]
Thus, in this embodiment, background image data is read from both the first hard disk device 331 and the second hard disk device 332 during karaoke performance. In other words, during the karaoke performance, the operation of any of the hard disk devices is not paused (see “operation period” of each hard disk device shown in FIG. 5). In the above description, the background image data corresponding to a certain karaoke song A has been described as an example of being read alternately between the first hard disk device 331 and the second hard disk device 332. The chorus data or the like to be read may be alternately read between the hard disk devices.
[0031]
The controller 310 repeatedly executes the processing described above until it is detected that the reservation of the karaoke song has been interrupted. Thereafter, when the controller 310 detects that the reservation of the karaoke song has been interrupted, the controller 310 starts reading the promotion CM file in order to display a promotion video on the monitor 372 as a CM between songs.
[0032]
Here, FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of displaying the promotion video.
The controller 310 detects whether or not the reservation of the karaoke song is interrupted by checking whether or not the karaoke song to be reproduced next is selected. When the controller 310 detects that the reservation of the karaoke song has been interrupted (step Sa1), the controller 310 determines the hard disk device from which the promotion CM file is to be read (step Sa2). Specifically, the controller 310 determines the hard disk device by referring to the HDD switching management table TA shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, in the HDD switching management table TA, the number of times of reading the promotion CM file and HDD identification information indicating the hard disk device from which the promotion CM file is to be read are registered in association with each other. In the HDD switching management table TA, “HDD1” is registered as HDD identification information representing the first hard disk device 331, and “HDD2” is registered as HDD identification information representing the second hard disk device 332.
[0033]
When the controller 310 determines the hard disk device from which the promotion CM file is to be read with reference to the HDD switching management table TA, the controller 310 accesses the determined hard disk device (here, the second hard disk device 332 is assumed). Then, the controller 310 refers to the database ledger of the second hard disk device 332 and starts reading the promotion CM file (step Sa3). The controller 310 supplies the promotion video data included in the read promotion CM file to the video decoder 370 to display the corresponding promotion video on the monitor 372 (step Sa4).
[0034]
In this way, during the interval between songs, only one of the first hard disk device 331 and the second hard disk device 332 is operated, and the other hard disk device is not operated. For example, in the interval 1 shown in FIG. 5, the operation of the second hard disk device 332 is continued, while the operation of the first hard disk device 331 is stopped, and in the interval 2, the operation of the first hard disk device 331 is performed. On the other hand, the operation of the second hard disk device 332 is suspended, and in the interval 3 the operation of the second hard disk device 332 is continued, while the operation of the first hard disk device 331 is suspended (see FIG. 5). (Refer to "Operation period" and "Suspension period" for each hard disk device shown).
[0035]
While the promotion video is displayed on the monitor 372, the controller 310 detects whether or not the next karaoke song selection operation has been performed (step Sa5). If controller 310 determines that the next karaoke song selection operation has not yet been performed based on an instruction given from remote control receiver 350 or the like (step Sa5; NO), it repeatedly executes the process of step Sa5. On the other hand, when controller 310 determines that the next karaoke song selection operation has been performed based on an instruction given from remote control receiver 350 or the like (step Sa5; YES), it ends the above-described processing and selects the selected karaoke song. Start playing the song. Since the operation of playing the selected karaoke song has been described above, further explanation is omitted.
[0036]
As described above, according to the karaoke apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment, the operation of one of the hard disk devices is continued and the operation of the other hard disk device is suspended during the interval between songs. Here, the hard disk device to continue the operation is sequentially switched according to the contents registered in the HDD switching management table TA (see FIG. 8) for each song. As a result, the lifetime of the two hard disk devices mounted on the karaoke apparatus 300 can be effectively extended.
[0037]
(3) Modifications The embodiment described above is merely an example, and various modifications can be made to this embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. As the contents of the deformation, for example, the following can be considered.
[0038]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the hard disk device to be read from the promotion CM file is switched according to the contents registered in the HDD switching management table TA has been described. The hard disk device to be read may be switched.
[0039]
In this embodiment, the promotion CM file is exemplified as an example of the CM file. However, the present invention can be applied to any CM file such as a new song CM file and a concert CM file. Further, instead of reproducing such a CM file at the time of a song, for example, a predetermined karaoke file may be played at the time of a song. That is, the present invention can be applied to all files that can be read and executed from either the first hard disk device 331 or the second hard disk device 332 during the interval between songs. Of course, there may be a plurality of CM files to be reproduced at the time of the above-mentioned music.
[0040]
In the present embodiment, the case where both the first hard disk device 331 and the second hard disk device 332 are operated during karaoke performance has been described (see FIG. 5), but when either one of the devices is operated. Is also applicable. Moreover, although this embodiment demonstrated the case where two hard disk devices were mounted in the karaoke apparatus 300, this invention is applicable also when three or more hard disk devices are mounted.
[0041]
Further, in the present embodiment, the aspect in which the karaoke file and the CM file are supplied from the center station to the karaoke apparatus 300 via the public communication network or the like has been described. It is applicable also to the aspect supplied to the karaoke apparatus 300 from various storage media.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the lifetime of a hard disk device or the like in which a CM file or the like is stored can be extended.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a karaoke apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a storage area provided in each hard disk device according to the embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a view showing a configuration of a promotion CM file according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a CM file backup copy operation according to the embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a view for explaining operations during karaoke performance and between songs according to the embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a storage state of each hard disk device according to the embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of displaying a promotion video according to the embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an HDD switching management table according to the embodiment;
[Explanation of symbols]
300 ... Karaoke device, 310 ... Controller, 320 ... Communication interface, 330 ... Storage unit, 331 ... First hard disk device, 332 ... Second hard disk device, DA ... Database Ledger storage area, KA ... karaoke file storage area, CA ... CM file storage area, TA ... HDD switching management table, 340 ... remote control device, 350 ... remote control receiver, 360 ... Musical sound generating unit, 370... Video decoder, 380.

Claims (2)

A plurality of storage means for storing files each containing video data corresponding to video to be displayed at the time of karaoke performance;
Control means for reading out and executing the file stored in any of the plurality of storage means for each karaoke performance song, and displaying the video on the display means while suspending the operation of the other storage means When,
A management table in which the number of times the file is read by the control means and a storage means from which the file is to be read are associated and registered;
A karaoke apparatus comprising: switching means for switching the storage means to be read out of the file according to the contents registered in the management table . Storage control means for storing the input file in any of the plurality of storage means;
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a duplicating unit that duplicates the file stored in any of a plurality of storage units by the storage control unit and stores the duplicated file in another storage unit. Karaoke apparatus as described in 1.

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