JP7725142B2 - Karaoke equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a karaoke device.

Some karaoke machines evaluate and score the user's karaoke singing in sync with the karaoke performance of a song. Additionally, karaoke machines that modify the scoring results based on the karaoke singing situation and the user's personal circumstances have also been known.

For example, according to Patent Document 1, a karaoke machine functions as an extraction means that extracts voiceprint data of each user from the collected conversational voice; a determination means that determines the ranking of each voiceprint data based on the collected conversational voice and stores the ranking information linked to each voiceprint data; and a correction means that, when a user sings karaoke, identifies voiceprint data that matches the voiceprint authentication data extracted from the user's singing voice and corrects the scoring results of the user's karaoke singing based on the ranking information linked to the identified voiceprint data.

Furthermore, according to Patent Document 2, the in-car karaoke device has an evaluation unit that obtains an evaluation of the karaoke singing based on the singing voice produced by the karaoke singing, an acquisition unit that acquires driving information corresponding to specific vehicle movements in accordance with the output of the acceleration sensor, and a correction unit that corrects the evaluation based on the driving information.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-034750 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-003662

During an infectious disease outbreak, karaoke stores may voluntarily suspend operations and users may avoid singing karaoke, causing many users to become estranged from singing karaoke. Even when the infectious disease outbreak subsides and users are able to sing karaoke again, it may take some time for users to get into karaoke rhythm because it has been a long time since their last karaoke performance. Therefore, when users use karaoke singing scoring content after a long break and while not in rhythm, their scoring results may be poor, preventing users from enjoying karaoke singing, and as a result, they may again become estranged from singing karaoke.

The object of the present invention is to provide a karaoke device that allows users to enjoy singing karaoke comfortably without the scoring results being poor, even when karaoke singing is scored after a long break.

To solve the above problem, the karaoke device of the present invention is characterized by having an evaluation unit that evaluates the user's karaoke singing in sync with a karaoke performance of a song and outputs a scoring result; an acquisition unit that acquires the user's karaoke singing history; an identification unit that determines the number of days that have passed since the last karaoke singing based on the singing history; and a correction unit that adds points to the scoring result based on the number of days that have passed.

According to the present invention, even when karaoke singing is scored after a long break, the scoring results will not be poor and karaoke singing can be enjoyed comfortably.

1 is a block diagram showing a karaoke apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of evaluating karaoke singing in the karaoke apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a table showing the relationship between the number of days that have passed since the previous karaoke performance and the predetermined number of points to be added in a karaoke device according to a modified example of the present invention. 10 is a table showing the relationship between the period between the most recent fixed number of login dates and the number of days elapsed in a karaoke device according to a modified example of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of evaluating karaoke singing in the karaoke apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of evaluating karaoke singing in the karaoke apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 11 is a table showing the relationship between the scoring results before and after correction for each singing section and each song in the karaoke device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of evaluating karaoke singing in the karaoke apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[First embodiment]
A karaoke device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

[Karaoke equipment]
Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a karaoke machine 1 according to a first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the karaoke machine 1 includes a karaoke machine main unit 2, a microphone 3, a speaker 4, a display device 5 such as a monitor, and a remote control device 6. The karaoke machine 1 is installed in an installation location such as a karaoke room. The karaoke machine 1 is communicably connected to an external server device 7 to form a karaoke system 100.

The karaoke machine main unit 2 is connected by wire or wirelessly to a microphone 3, speaker 4, display device 5, and remote control device 6. The microphone 3 converts the user's singing voice into an audio signal and inputs it into the karaoke machine main unit 2. The speaker 4 emits the user's singing voice along with the karaoke performance of the song based on the sound emission signal from the karaoke machine main unit 2. The display device 5 displays various screens based on the video signal etc. from the karaoke machine main unit 2, for example, displaying lyrics captions along with background images in time with the karaoke performance.

The remote control device 6 is primarily composed of a touch panel. The remote control device 6 displays various screens and operation buttons on the touch panel, and also accepts login operations and song selection (reservation) operations via the touch panel. The remote control device 6 and karaoke machine main unit 2 are paired via wireless communication, allowing various information to be sent and received between the remote control device 6 and the karaoke machine main unit 2.

The remote control device 6 transmits user identification information (user ID) and other information entered in response to the user's login operation to the karaoke unit 2. The remote control device 6 accepts song searches and song selections (reservations), and transmits song identification information (song ID) of songs selected in response to the user's song selection operation to the karaoke unit 2 as reserved song information.

In addition to the function of performing karaoke of the selected song, the karaoke unit 2 also has the function of evaluating the singing voice of the user singing karaoke.

The karaoke machine main unit 2 comprises a control unit 10, a memory unit 11, a sound source 12, and an audio input/output unit 13. The control unit 10 is configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and other components, and provides overall control of the karaoke machine main unit 2. The memory unit 11 is configured with storage media such as ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and HDD (Hard Disc Drive), and stores programs and data for controlling each unit and function of the karaoke machine 1.

For example, the memory unit 11 stores the user ID of each user of the karaoke machine 1 to identify each user. The control unit 10 receives the user ID entered in response to the user's login operation from the remote control device 6 and confirms that the received user ID is stored in the memory unit 11, thereby accepting the user's login. This allows the user to log in to the karaoke machine 1 or to the karaoke system 100 to which the karaoke machine 1 belongs.

The storage unit 11 also stores basic information such as the song ID, song title, singer name, and genre for each song that can be karaoke-played by the karaoke device 1. The storage unit 11 also stores song data for each song, which includes performance data, reference data, and lyric data. The storage unit 11 also stores a reservation list for sequentially registering reserved song information for songs reserved on the karaoke device 1. The storage unit 11 also stores, for each user of the karaoke device 1, the song IDs of songs performed by that user as the user's singing history, in association with the logged-in user ID. The singing history also includes information such as the date of the karaoke performance and the identification information of the karaoke device 1 on which the karaoke performance was performed.

In the song data, performance data is MIDI-format data that serves as the basis for the accompaniment sounds of a karaoke performance. Reference data is pitch information used as a standard for evaluating a user's karaoke singing. Lyric data is data that serves as the basis for the lyric captions displayed on the display device 5. Note that a song performed as karaoke is made up of multiple singing sections, and the song data includes singing section information for each singing section. Note that a song has performance sections (non-singing sections) before and/or after each singing section, and the song data also includes performance section information for each performance section.

The sound source 12 is, for example, a MIDI sound source, and is a karaoke performance means that generates a karaoke performance signal based on the performance data of the song data. When the control unit 10 reads song data corresponding to the songs from the storage unit 11 in the order in which the songs are registered in the reservation list in the storage unit 11, the sound source 12 generates a performance signal based on the performance data of the read song data and outputs it to the audio input/output unit 13.

The audio input/output unit 13 is composed of a mixer (digital mixer), amplifier, etc., and mixes the karaoke performance signal and the karaoke singing audio signal, amplifying this mixed signal to be emitted from the speaker 4. The volume level of the karaoke performance signal and singing audio signal reflects the music volume setting made by the user. For example, the audio input/output unit 13 is connected to the sound source 12 and inputs the performance signal from the sound source 12, and is also connected to the microphone 3 and inputs the audio signal from the microphone 3. The audio input/output unit 13 is connected to the speaker 4 and outputs a mixed signal of the performance signal and audio signal to the speaker 4.

The control unit 10 controls each unit and function of the karaoke device 1 by executing calculations based on the programs and data stored in the memory unit 11. For example, in this embodiment, the control unit 10 executes the programs stored in the memory unit 11 to operate as an evaluation unit 20, acquisition unit 21, identification unit 22, correction unit 23, and notification unit 24, and has the function of evaluating karaoke singing and outputting the scoring results.

The evaluation unit 20 evaluates the singing voice of the user singing karaoke in sync with the karaoke performance of the song, and calculates and outputs the scoring results. Specifically, the evaluation unit 20 acquires the karaoke singing audio signal input from the microphone 3 during the karaoke performance via the audio input/output unit 13. The evaluation unit 20 also uses known technology to compare the karaoke singing audio signal with reference data for the song data stored in the storage unit 11, and calculates the scoring results for the singing voice by evaluating the accuracy of the singing pitch, singing technique, etc. on a scale of 100 points. The evaluation unit 20 may evaluate and score the singing voice for each singing section of the song, and calculate the scoring results for the karaoke singing based on the scoring results for all singing sections (for example, by calculating the average value).

When a user logs in to the karaoke device 1 or the karaoke system 100 by inputting a user ID using the remote control device 6, the acquisition unit 21 acquires the user's past karaoke singing history from the storage unit 11 based on the currently logged-in user ID.

The identification unit 22 determines the number of days that have passed since the user's last karaoke performance and the current karaoke performance based on the user's singing history acquired by the acquisition unit 21. For example, the identification unit 22 determines the number of days that have passed based on the number of days between the date information of the last (most recent) singing history stored during the user's previous login and the date of the current login. Alternatively, the karaoke device 1 may store the login date of each user, and the identification unit 22 may determine the number of days that have passed based on the number of days between the last login date when the user logged in to the karaoke system 100 and performed karaoke and the current login date.

The correction unit 23 corrects the scoring result of the karaoke singing evaluated by the evaluation unit 20 by adding points based on the number of days elapsed since the user's last karaoke singing performance identified by the identification unit 22. For example, the correction unit 23 determines whether the number of days elapsed satisfies a predetermined elapsed condition, and if the predetermined elapsed condition is met, corrects the scoring result of the karaoke singing by adding a predetermined number of points. Here, the predetermined elapsed condition is set to the number of days elapsed being equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold number of days (e.g., six months), and the predetermined number of points is set to a predetermined fixed value (e.g., 10 points). Alternatively, the predetermined number of points may be set using a predetermined coefficient, for example, as the scoring result multiplied by a coefficient (e.g., 0.1). The correction unit 23 similarly corrects the scoring results of other karaoke singing performances performed by the user on the same day by adding points.

It is desirable for the correction unit 23 to add points to the scoring result so that the scoring result after the addition is equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit of points. For example, it is desirable to add points so that the scoring result after the addition is equal to or less than 95.0 points or less than 100 points.

The notification unit 24 notifies the user of the scoring results of the karaoke singing evaluated by the evaluation unit 20. If the correction unit 23 makes a correction to add points to the scoring result, the notification unit 24 notifies the user of the corrected scoring result. The notification unit 24 may display a screen notifying the scoring result on the display device 5 or remote control device 6, or may cause the speaker 4 to emit a synthesized voice notifying the scoring result.

[Evaluation Operation of First Embodiment]
Next, an example of an evaluation operation in which the karaoke machine 1 evaluates the karaoke singing of the song X1 performed by the user U after a predetermined blank period will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the evaluation operation of the karaoke machine 1 of the first embodiment.

In this example, user U logged in to the karaoke system 100 to which karaoke device 1 belongs on May 31, 2021, and performed karaoke using karaoke device 1 to sing karaoke. At this time, karaoke device 1 stores in memory unit 11 a singing history for the song that was performed, including the date information for May 31, 2021.

After that, due to the outbreak of infectious diseases, user U is assumed to have been away from singing karaoke using karaoke device 1 for more than six months. Then, after a blank period of more than six months has passed since the outbreak of infectious diseases subsided, user U enters a karaoke room in which karaoke device 1 is installed on January 5, 2022, and uses remote control device 6 to enter his user ID and log in to karaoke system 100 to which karaoke device 1 belongs.

When user U logs in to the karaoke system 100, the acquisition unit 21 acquires user U's singing history from the storage unit 11 based on user U's user ID (step S101).

The identification unit 22 also identifies the number of days D that have elapsed since the user's last karaoke singing to the current karaoke singing, based on the singing history of user U acquired by the acquisition unit 21 (step S102). In this example, the date information of the most recently stored singing history of user U stored in the memory unit 11 is May 31, 2021, the date when user U last logged into the karaoke system 100, so the identification unit 22 identifies the date of the last karaoke singing as May 31, 2021. Furthermore, the date when user U last logged into the karaoke system 100 is January 5, 2022, so the identification unit 22 identifies the date on which the current karaoke singing will occur as January 5, 2022. The determination unit 22 then determines the number of elapsed days D to be "7 months + 4 days" based on the number of days between the previous karaoke singing on May 31, 2021, and the current karaoke singing on January 5, 2022.

When user U, currently logged into karaoke system 100, reserves song X using remote control device 6, remote control device 6 transmits the song ID of song X to karaoke unit 2 as reserved song information. In karaoke unit 2, control unit 10 registers the song ID of song X included in the received reserved song information in a reservation list in storage unit 11. Control unit 10 also reads the song data of song X registered in the reservation list from storage unit 11, generates a performance signal for song X based on the performance data of this song data using sound source 12, and outputs the performance signal for song X to speaker 4 via audio input/output unit 13 to emit sound, thereby starting the karaoke performance of song X (step S103).

When user U sings karaoke using microphone 3 while song X is being played, user U's singing voice is input to audio input/output unit 13, which then outputs an audio signal of this singing voice to speaker 4, causing the user U's singing voice to be emitted from speaker 4 along with the karaoke performance of song X.

At this time, the evaluation unit 20 compares the audio signal of user U's singing voice output from the audio input/output unit 13 with reference data of the song data of song X, evaluates and scores user U's singing voice based on the comparison results, and outputs the scoring result P (step S104). In this example, the evaluation unit 20 outputs the scoring result P in which user U's karaoke singing of song X is scored as "72.5" points.

The correction unit 23 determines whether the number of days D since the user U's last karaoke performance identified by the identification unit 22 satisfies a predetermined elapsed condition (step S105). In this example, the number of days D, "7 months + 4 days," satisfies the predetermined elapsed condition of 6 months or more (step S105: YES). Therefore, the correction unit 23 corrects the score result P of the user U's karaoke singing of song X evaluated by the evaluation unit 20 by adding a predetermined score P_add (step S106), and outputs the result to the notification unit 24.

In this example, if the predetermined score P_add is a fixed value of 10.0 points, the correction unit 23 adds the predetermined score P_add's 10.0 points to the scoring result P's 72.5 points, thereby correcting the scoring result P to 72.5 + 10.0 = 82.5 points. Alternatively, if the predetermined score P_add is the result of multiplying the original scoring result P by a predetermined coefficient R_add (e.g., 0.10), the correction unit 23 calculates the predetermined score P_add as 72.5 x 0.10 = 7.25 points based on the original scoring result P and the predetermined coefficient R_add, and adds the predetermined score P_add's 7.25 points to the scoring result P's 72.5 points, thereby correcting the scoring result P to 72.5 + 7.25 = 79.75 points.

If the number of days elapsed D does not satisfy the predetermined elapsed condition (step S105: NO), the correction unit 23 outputs the scoring result P to the notification unit 24 without correcting it.

The notification unit 24 notifies the user U of the scoring result P, which has been evaluated by the evaluation unit 20 and corrected by the correction unit 23, of the user U's karaoke singing of song X by displaying or audibly (step S107).

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the karaoke device 1 includes an evaluation unit 20 that evaluates the user's karaoke singing in sync with a karaoke performance of a song and outputs a scoring result, an acquisition unit 21 that acquires the user's karaoke singing history, an identification unit 22 that determines the number of days that have passed since the last karaoke singing based on the singing history, and a correction unit 23 that adds points to the scoring result based on the number of days that have passed.

As a result, even when a user is away from singing karaoke in a karaoke room due to an epidemic or the like and his/her karaoke singing is scored after a long break, the scoring result will not be poor due to the break, and the user can enjoy singing karaoke comfortably.
[Modification]

In the above embodiment, the correction unit 23 sets the predetermined number of points to be added to the scoring result of the user's karaoke singing based on a fixed value or a predetermined coefficient, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As a variant, the correction unit 23 may set the predetermined number of points P_add to be added to the scoring result P depending on the number of days D that have passed since the user's last karaoke singing and the current karaoke singing; for example, the longer the number of days D that have passed, the larger the predetermined number of points P_add is set.

Specifically, the correction unit 23 may calculate a difference value D_dif between the number of elapsed days D and a predetermined threshold number of days (e.g., six months) for a predetermined elapsed condition, and set the predetermined score P_add as a function of the difference value D_dif. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the correction unit 23 may predefine a table that associates the predetermined score P_add with the difference value D_dif and store this in the storage unit 11, and read the predetermined score P_add from the table according to the difference value D_dif.

As a result, even when karaoke singing is scored after a longer break, the scoring results are corrected according to the length of the break, so the score will not be negatively affected by the break, allowing users to enjoy singing karaoke comfortably.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the identification unit 22 determines the period from the user's last karaoke singing to the current karaoke singing as the number of elapsed days, and the correction unit 23 determines that the number of elapsed days is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold number of days (e.g., six months) as the predetermined elapsed condition for adding points to the karaoke singing score, but the present invention is not limited to this example.

As a variant, the identification unit 22 may identify as the number of elapsed days the longest period between the login dates of the most recent fixed number of times (e.g., four times) that the user logged in to the karaoke system 100 and performed karaoke. In this case, if the most recent fixed number of times is four, the identification unit 22 identifies as the number of elapsed days the longest period between the user's third login date and the second login date, between the second login date and the previous (previous) login date, and between the previous login date and the current login date.

For example, as shown in Figure 4, a user logs in on May 7, 2021, May 16, 2021, May 24, 2021, May 31, 2021, January 5, 2022, January 6, 2022, January 8, 2022, and January 11, 2022, and the karaoke device 1 stores each login date in the memory unit 11.

Here, when a user logs in on May 31, 2021, the current login date is May 7, 2021, and therefore the login date three logins ago is May 7, 2021, the identification unit 22 determines the period between the login date three logins ago, May 7, 2021, and the login date two logins ago, May 16, 2021, as 8 days, the period between the login date two logins ago, May 16, 2021, and the previous login date, May 24, 2021, as 7 days, and the period between the previous login date, May 24, 2021, and the current login date, May 31, 2021, as 6 days, and identifies the longest of these, 8 days, as the number of elapsed days. In this case, the number of elapsed days of 8 days is less than the threshold number of 6 months, so the scoring result is not added.

Furthermore, when a user logs in on January 5, 2022, the current login date is January 16, 2021, and therefore the login date three logins ago is May 16, 2021, the identification unit 22 determines the period between the login date three logins ago (May 16, 2021) and the login date two logins ago (May 24, 2021) as 7 days, the period between the login date two logins ago (May 24, 2021) and the previous login date (May 31, 2021) as 6 days, and the period between the previous login date (May 31, 2021) and the current login date (January 5, 2022) as 7 months and 4 days, as shown in FIG. 4, and identifies the longest of these, 7 months and 4 days, as the number of elapsed days. In this case, since the number of elapsed days of 7 months and 4 days is greater than the day threshold of 6 months, the scoring result is added. Similarly, if a user logs in on January 6, 2022 or January 8, 2022, the number of days that have passed will be greater than or equal to the threshold, and the score will be added.

Furthermore, when a user logs in on January 11, 2022, the current login date is January 5, 2022, and therefore the login date three logins ago is January 5, 2022, the identification unit 22 determines the period between the login date three logins ago, January 5, 2022, and the login date two logins ago, January 6, 2022, as 0 days, the period between the login date two logins ago, January 6, 2022, as 1 day, and the period between the login date last, January 8, 2022, and the current login date, January 11, 2022, as 2 days, and identifies the longest of these, 2 days, as the number of elapsed days. In this case, the number of elapsed days of 2 days is less than the threshold number of 6 months, so the scoring result is not added.

In this way, if the number of karaoke songs sung after a break is less than the specified number of times in the immediate future, the identification unit 22 can determine the number of days that have passed by taking into account the number of days since the last karaoke song before the break.If the user sings karaoke several times at short intervals after the break (for example, every few days (1 to 3 days, etc.) or within a few days (1 week, etc.)), the correction unit 23 can determine that the specified elapsed condition is met and add this to the scoring results of the karaoke singing.

This means that even if a user sings karaoke a predetermined number of times after a long break, the scoring results will not be affected by the break, and the user can enjoy singing karaoke comfortably.

In addition, if the user sings karaoke after a break the specified number of times in the most recent past, the determination unit 22 determines the number of days that have passed without taking into account the number of days since the user sang karaoke before the break. Therefore, even if the user sings karaoke at short intervals, the correction unit 23 determines that the specified elapsed condition is not met and does not add this to the karaoke singing score.

Second Embodiment
A karaoke apparatus 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the description of the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the karaoke machine 1 of the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the control unit 10 executes a program stored in the memory unit 11 to operate as the evaluation unit 20, acquisition unit 21, identification unit 22, correction unit 23, and notification unit 24. In the second embodiment, the correction unit 23 is configured to add points to the scoring result for the karaoke singing of only a predetermined number of songs (e.g., three songs) in the order of the karaoke performance. In other words, the correction unit 23 adds points to the scoring result for the karaoke singing of a song only if the order of the songs to be performed is within a predetermined sequence (e.g., number three).

[Evaluation Operation of Second Embodiment]
Next, in the second embodiment, an example of an evaluation operation in which the karaoke device 1 evaluates the karaoke singing of songs X1, X2, X3, X4, and X5 sung by a user U after a predetermined blank period will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the evaluation operation of the karaoke device 1 of the second embodiment.

In this example, user U logs in to the karaoke system 100 to which the karaoke device 1 belongs after "7 months + 4 days" have passed since the last time the user sang karaoke. The acquisition unit 21 acquires user U's singing history from the storage unit 11 based on user U's user ID (step S201), and the identification unit 22 identifies the number of days D that have passed since user U's last karaoke singing and the current karaoke singing as "7 months + 4 days" based on user U's singing history (step S202).

When user U reserves songs X1, X2, X3, X4, and X5 using remote control device 6, the control unit 10 of the karaoke unit 2 sequentially registers the reserved song information for songs X1, X2, X3, X4, and X5 in a reservation list stored in storage unit 11. The control unit 10 also sequentially reads the song data for songs X1, X2, X3, X4, and X5 registered in the reservation list from storage unit 11, and the sound source 12 and audio input/output unit 13 perform karaoke performances of songs X1, X2, X3, X4, and X5 in the order they were reserved (step S203).

First, user U sings karaoke using microphone 3 along with the karaoke performance of song X1, and the evaluation unit 20 evaluates user U's karaoke singing of song X1 and outputs a scoring result P1 that scores him/her 72.5 points (step S204).

The correction unit 23 adds a fixed value of "10.0" points as a predetermined score P_add to the scoring result P1 of user U's karaoke singing of song X1, because the number of days D since user U's last karaoke performance, "7 months + 4 days," satisfies the predetermined elapsed condition of 6 months or more (step S205: YES), and the karaoke performance of song X1 is the first song, i.e., it satisfies the predetermined number of songs (e.g., 3 songs) in the karaoke performance order (step S206: YES). Therefore, the correction unit 23 corrects the scoring result P1 to "72.5 + 10.0 = 82.5" points (step S207).

The notification unit 24 notifies the user U of the score P1 of "82.5" points, which is the score evaluated by the evaluation unit 20 and corrected by the correction unit 23, for the user U's karaoke singing of song X1 (step S208). After the karaoke performance of song X1, reserved songs X2, X3, X4, and X5 remain (step S209: YES), so the karaoke performance of the next song, song X2, begins (step S203).

Next, user U sings karaoke using microphone 3 along with the karaoke performance of song X2, and the evaluation unit 20 evaluates user U's karaoke singing of song X2 and outputs a scoring result P2 that scores him/her 78.0 points (step S204).

The correction unit 23 adds a fixed value of "10.0" points as a predetermined score P_add to the scoring result P2 of user U's karaoke singing of song X2, because the number of days D since user U's last karaoke performance, "7 months + 4 days," satisfies the predetermined elapsed condition of 6 months or more (step S205: YES), and the karaoke performance of song X2 is the second song, i.e., it satisfies the predetermined number of songs (e.g., 3) in the karaoke performance order (step S206: YES). Thus, the correction unit 23 corrects the scoring result P2 to "78.0 + 10.0 = 88.0" points (step S207).

The notification unit 24 notifies the user U of the score P2 of "88.0" points, which is the score evaluated by the evaluation unit 20 and corrected by the correction unit 23, for the user U's karaoke singing of song X2 (step S208). After the karaoke performance of song X2, reserved songs X3, X4, and X5 remain (step S209: YES), so the karaoke performance of the next song, song X3, begins (step S203).

Next, user U sings karaoke using microphone 3 along with the karaoke performance of song X3, and the evaluation unit 20 evaluates user U's karaoke singing of song X3 and outputs a scoring result P3 that scores him/her 81.5 points (step S204).

The correction unit 23 adds a fixed value of "10.0" points as a predetermined score P_add to the scoring result P3 of user U's karaoke singing of song X3, because the number of days D since user U's last karaoke performance, "7 months + 4 days," satisfies the predetermined elapsed condition of 6 months or more (step S205: YES), and song X3 is the third song performed, i.e., the number of songs performed in the karaoke singing order is within the predetermined number (e.g., 3 songs) (step S206: YES). Therefore, the correction unit 23 corrects the scoring result P3 to "81.5 + 10.0 = 91.5" points (step S207).

The notification unit 24 notifies user U of the score P3 of "91.5" points, which is the score evaluated by the evaluation unit 20 and corrected by the correction unit 23, for user U's karaoke singing of song X3 (step S208). After the karaoke performance of song X3, reserved songs X4 and X5 remain (step S209: YES), so the karaoke performance of the next song, X4, begins (step S203).

Next, user U sings karaoke using microphone 3 along with the karaoke performance of song X4, and the evaluation unit 20 evaluates user U's karaoke singing of song X4 and outputs a scoring result P4 that scores him/her 89.5 points (step S204).

The correction unit 23 determines that the number of days D since user U's last karaoke performance, "7 months + 4 days," satisfies the predetermined elapsed condition of 6 months or more (step S205: YES), but because song X4 is the fourth song performed by the karaoke unit, i.e., the karaoke performance does not meet the predetermined number of songs (e.g., 3 songs) in the order of karaoke performance (step S206: NO), it does not make an additional correction to the scoring result P4 of user U's karaoke singing of song X4.

The notification unit 24 notifies user U of "89.5 points," which is the unadjusted score P4 evaluated by the evaluation unit 20 for user U's karaoke performance of song X4 (step S208). After the karaoke performance of song X4, reserved song X5 remains (step S209: YES), so the karaoke performance of the next song, song X5, begins (step S203).

Next, user U sings karaoke using microphone 3 along with the karaoke performance of song X5, and the evaluation unit 20 evaluates user U's karaoke singing of song X5 and outputs a scoring result P5 that scores him/her 90.0 points (step S204).

The correction unit 23 determines that the number of days D since user U's last karaoke performance, "7 months + 4 days," satisfies the predetermined elapsed condition of 6 months or more (step S205: YES), but because song X5 is the fifth song performed by the karaoke unit, i.e., the karaoke performance does not meet the predetermined number of songs (e.g., 3 songs) in the order of karaoke performance (step S206: NO), it does not make an additional correction to the scoring result P5 of user U's karaoke singing of song X5.

The notification unit 24 notifies user U of "90.0", which is the unadjusted score P5 evaluated by the evaluation unit 20 for user U's karaoke singing of song X5 (step S208). After the karaoke performance of song X5, there are no reserved songs remaining (step S209: NO), so operation ends.

When a user starts singing karaoke after a long break, they may feel out of tune at first, but gradually regain their rhythm as they sing a few songs. According to the second embodiment, points are added to the scoring result over the predetermined number of songs it takes for the user to regain their rhythm, so the scoring result will not be adversely affected by the break, allowing the user to enjoy singing karaoke comfortably. Furthermore, once the user has regained their rhythm after singing a predetermined number of karaoke songs, their karaoke singing will be scored as usual, allowing the user to enjoy singing karaoke.

In the second embodiment, the correction unit 23 adds a fixed value of "10.0" points as the predetermined score P_add to each of the songs within the predetermined number of songs in the karaoke performance order, but the present invention is not limited to this example. In another example, the correction unit 23 may set different predetermined scores P_add for each of the songs within the predetermined number of songs depending on the karaoke performance order, and in this case, the predetermined score P_add may be set to a smaller value in the karaoke performance order; in other words, the earlier the karaoke performance order, the larger the predetermined score P_add may be set.

For example, taking the songs X1, X2, and X3 described in the evaluation operation of the karaoke device 1 of the second embodiment above as an example, the correction unit 23 may set the predetermined score P_add1 for the score result P1 of the karaoke singing of the first song X1 to "10.0," the predetermined score P_add2 for the score result P2 of the karaoke singing of the second song X2 to "5.0," and the predetermined score P_add3 for the score result P3 of the karaoke singing of the third song X3 to "2.5."

This allows the scoring results to be adjusted gradually over the course of a set number of songs until the user gradually regains their rhythm, resulting in natural corrections to the scoring results, allowing the user to enjoy singing karaoke in a comfortable environment.

[Third embodiment]
A karaoke apparatus 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the description of the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the karaoke machine 1 of the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the control unit 10 executes a program stored in the memory unit 11 to operate as the evaluation unit 20, acquisition unit 21, identification unit 22, correction unit 23, and notification unit 24. In the third embodiment, the correction unit 23 is particularly configured to add to the scoring result karaoke singing in a specified addition section within the singing section of a song. In this case, the correction unit 23 does not add to the scoring result karaoke singing in singing sections other than the addition section.

The songs that the karaoke device 1 performs karaoke on are made up of multiple singing sections, and the evaluation unit 20 evaluates and scores the singing voice for each singing section of the song, and calculates the karaoke singing score based on the scoring results for all singing sections (for example, by calculating the average value). The song data stored in the storage unit 11 for each song includes singing section information for each singing section and performance section information for performance sections (non-sung sections) before and/or after each singing section. The karaoke device 1 pre-sets predetermined addition sections from the multiple singing sections of the song that will be added to the scoring result.

For example, singing section information may be set to the "first verse verse verse," "second verse bridge," "third verse chorus," etc., or may be set more precisely, for example, to the "first half of the first verse verse" every four bars. Performance section information may be set to the "introduction" before the "first verse verse," the "interlude" between the "second verse chorus" and the "third verse verse," the "postlude" after the "third verse chorus," etc.

[Evaluation Operation of the Third Embodiment]
Next, in the third embodiment, an example of an evaluation operation in which the karaoke machine 1 evaluates the karaoke singing of a piece of music X consisting of singing sections "S1" to "S9" performed by a user U after a predetermined blank period has elapsed will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the evaluation operation of the karaoke machine 1 of the third embodiment.

In this example, user U logs in to the karaoke system 100 to which the karaoke device 1 belongs after "7 months + 4 days" have passed since the last time the user sang karaoke. The acquisition unit 21 acquires user U's singing history from the storage unit 11 based on user U's user ID (step S301), and the identification unit 22 identifies the number of days D that have passed since user U's last karaoke singing and the current karaoke singing as "7 months + 4 days" based on user U's singing history (step S302).

When user U reserves song X using remote control device 6, the control unit 10 of the karaoke unit 2 registers the reserved song information for song X in a reservation list in storage unit 11. The control unit 10 also reads the song data for song X registered in the reservation list from storage unit 11, and the sound source 12 and audio input/output unit 13 perform karaoke performance of song X (step S303).

Here, the song data for song X includes singing section information for each of the singing sections "S1," "S2," and "S3" (verse 1 to chorus), "S4," "S5," and "S6" (verse 2 to chorus), and "S7," "S8," and "S9" (verse 3 to chorus), with singing sections "S1," "S2," and "S3" set as predetermined addition sections. The sound source 12 and audio input/output unit 13 perform karaoke for each singing section based on the performance data corresponding to each singing section "S1" to "S9."

The evaluation unit 20 evaluates the karaoke singing by the user U for each singing section "S1" to "S9" of the song X, outputs scoring results "Q1" to "Q9" for each singing section "S1" to "S9," calculates the average of the scoring results "Q1" to "Q9," and outputs the scoring result P for the song X. The correction unit 23 corrects the scoring result Q for the addition section by adding a predetermined score P_add, where the result obtained by multiplying the original scoring result Q by a predetermined coefficient R_add (e.g., "0.60") is set as the predetermined score P_add to be added to the scoring result Q. An example of the scoring results "Q1" to "Q9" for each singing section "S1" to "S9" is shown in Figure 7. In Figure 7, n indicates the order of the singing section, the singing section is represented as "Sn," and the scoring result is represented as "Qn." The correction unit 23 adds points to the scoring result so that the scoring result after the addition is equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit of points to be added; for example, adding points so that the scoring result after the addition is equal to or less than 95.0 points or less than 100 points.

Specifically, first, user U sings karaoke using microphone 3 along with the karaoke performance of singing section "S1" of song X, and then the evaluation unit 20 evaluates user U's karaoke singing of singing section "S1" and outputs a scoring result Q1 that scores him/her 48.00 points (step S304).

The correction unit 23 determines that the number of days D since user U's last karaoke singing, "7 months + 4 days," meets the specified elapsed condition of 6 months or more (step S305: YES), and that the singing section "S1" is a specified addition section (step S306: YES).Therefore, the correction unit 23 adds the specified score P_add1 "28.80" obtained by multiplying the scoring result Q1 "48.00" of user U's karaoke singing in the singing section "S1" by the specified coefficient R_add "0.60" to the original scoring result Q1, and corrects the scoring result Q1 to "48.00 + 28.80 = 76.80" points (step S307). After scoring the singing section "S1," unscored singing sections "S2" to "S9" remain (step S308: YES), so scoring moves on to the next singing section, "S2" (step S304).

Next, user U sings karaoke using microphone 3 along with the karaoke performance of singing section "S2" of song X, and the evaluation unit 20 evaluates user U's karaoke singing of singing section "S2" and outputs a scoring result Q2 that scores him/her 54.00 points (step S304).

The correction unit 23 finds that the number of days D since user U's last karaoke singing, "7 months + 4 days," meets the specified elapsed condition of 6 months or more (step S305: YES), and that the singing section "S2" is a specified addition section (step S306: YES).Therefore, the correction unit 23 adds the specified score P_add2 "32.40" obtained by multiplying the scoring result Q2 "54.00" of user U's karaoke singing in the singing section "S2" by the specified coefficient R_add "0.60" to the original scoring result Q2, and corrects the scoring result Q2 to "54.00 + 32.40 = 86.40" points (step S307). After scoring the singing section "S2," unscored singing sections "S3" to "S9" remain (step S308: YES), so scoring moves on to the next singing section "S3" (step S304).

Next, user U sings karaoke using microphone 3 along with the karaoke performance of singing section "S3" of song X, and the evaluation unit 20 evaluates user U's karaoke singing of singing section "S3" and outputs a scoring result Q3 that scores him/her 56.00 points (step S304).

The correction unit 23 determines that the number of days D since user U's last karaoke singing, "7 months + 4 days," meets the specified elapsed condition of 6 months or more (step S305: YES), and that the singing section "S3" is a specified addition section (step S306: YES).Therefore, the correction unit 23 adds the specified score P_add3 "33.60" obtained by multiplying the scoring result Q3 "56.00" of user U's karaoke singing in singing section "S3" by the specified coefficient R_add "0.60" to the original scoring result Q3, and corrects the scoring result Q3 to "56.00 + 33.60 = 89.60" points (step S307). After scoring the singing section "S3," there are still unscored singing sections "S4" to "S9" remaining (step S308: YES), so the scoring process moves on to the next singing section "S4" (step S304).

Next, user U sings karaoke using microphone 3 along with the karaoke performance of singing sections "S4," "S5," "S6," "S7," "S8," and "S9" of song X. The evaluation unit 20 evaluates user U's karaoke singing of singing sections "S4," "S5," "S6," "S7," "S8," and "S9" and outputs scoring results Q4 "72.00" points, Q5 "75.00" points, Q6 "78.00" points, Q7 "83.00" points, Q8 "86.00" points, and Q9 "88.00" points, respectively (step S304).

The correction unit 23 determines that the number of days D since user U's last karaoke performance, "7 months + 4 days," satisfies the predetermined elapsed condition of six months or more (step S305: YES). However, because singing section "S4" to "S9" is not a predetermined addition section (step S306: NO), no additional correction is made to the scoring results Q4 to Q9 of user U's karaoke singing for singing section "S4" to "S9." After scoring singing section "S9," there are no unscored singing sections remaining (step S308: NO), so the process moves on to scoring song X (step S309).

When the karaoke performance of song X is completed, the evaluation unit 20 calculates and outputs the score P for the karaoke singing of song X as follows: (76.80 + 86.40 + 89.60 + 72.00 + 75.00 + 78.00 + 83.00 + 86.00 + 88.0) / 9 = 81.64 points, based on the corrected score results Q1 to Q3 for the karaoke singing of the singing sections "S1" to "S3" and the uncorrected score results Q4 to Q9 for the singing sections "S4" to "S9" (step S309).

The notification unit 24 notifies the user U of the score P of "81.64" points, which is the score evaluated by the evaluation unit 20 for the user U's karaoke singing of song X (step S310).

When a user starts singing karaoke after a long break, they may feel out of tune at the beginning of the song, but gradually get back into tune as the song progresses. According to the third embodiment, points are added to the scoring result during a specified addition period, which is the singing period until the user regains their rhythm. This prevents the scoring result from being negatively affected by the break, allowing the user to enjoy singing karaoke comfortably. Furthermore, once the user has regained their rhythm after singing karaoke for the specified addition period, their karaoke singing is scored as usual, allowing the user to enjoy singing karaoke.

In the third embodiment, an example was described in which the correction unit 23 sets the predetermined coefficient R_add for the predetermined score P_add to "0.60" for the singing section, which is the predetermined addition section, but the present invention is not limited to this example. In other examples, the correction unit 23 may set a different predetermined coefficient R_add for each singing section, which is the predetermined addition section, and in this case, the predetermined coefficient R_add may be set to a smaller value in the order of the karaoke performance; in other words, the earlier the karaoke performance, the larger the predetermined coefficient R_add may be set.

For example, taking the singing section "S1" to "S3", which is the predetermined addition section of song X described in the evaluation operation of the karaoke device 1 of the third embodiment above, as an example, the correction unit 23 may correct the karaoke singing score result Q1 for singing section "S1" using the predetermined coefficient R_add1 "0.60", correct the karaoke singing score result Q2 for singing section "S2" using the predetermined coefficient R_add2 "0.40", and correct the karaoke singing score result Q3 for singing section "S3" using the predetermined coefficient R_add3 "0.20".

This allows the scoring results to be adjusted gradually over a specified period until the user gradually recovers, allowing for natural corrections to the scoring results, allowing the user to enjoy singing karaoke comfortably.

[Fourth embodiment]
A karaoke apparatus 1 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the description of the fourth embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the karaoke machine 1 of the fourth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the control unit 10 executes a program stored in the memory unit 11 to operate as the evaluation unit 20, acquisition unit 21, identification unit 22, correction unit 23, and notification unit 24. In particular, in the fourth embodiment, the correction unit 23 is configured to add to the current scoring result based on a comparison between the user's scoring history of past karaoke singing and the scoring result of the current karaoke singing.

In other words, in addition to determining whether the predetermined progress condition is met, the correction unit 23 also determines whether the scoring history of past karaoke singing of the song for which the evaluation unit 20 evaluates karaoke singing (e.g., the average value of past scoring results) and the scoring result of the current karaoke singing of that song meet predetermined reduction conditions, and adds points to the scoring result if both the predetermined progress condition and the predetermined reduction condition are met.

Here, the specified decrease condition is set to the score result of the current karaoke singing being less than a decrease threshold value obtained by multiplying the score history of past karaoke singing (e.g., the average value) by a specified decrease rate (e.g., "90.0%). Note that the decrease rate is set to "90.0%" when the deviation from the average value of past karaoke singing score results is considered to be "10.0%," but it may also be calculated by statistically processing the distribution of past scoring results for each song using other methods. If the score result of the current karaoke singing is less than the decrease threshold value, the correction unit 23 will satisfy the specified decrease condition and add points to the scoring result.

In addition, the karaoke device 1 stores the song IDs of songs performed by each user as part of that user's singing history in the storage unit 11, and also stores the scoring results of the evaluation unit 20 on the karaoke singing of that song as part of the singing history.

[Evaluation Operation of the Fourth Embodiment]
Next, an example of an evaluation operation in which the karaoke machine 1 evaluates the karaoke singing of a song X performed by a user U after a predetermined blank period will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the evaluation operation of the karaoke machine 1 of the fourth embodiment.

In this example, user U sings song X using karaoke device 1 prior to the blank period, and karaoke device 1 stores the scoring results of user U's karaoke singing of song X as part of the singing history in storage unit 11. User U then logs in to karaoke system 100 to which karaoke device 1 belongs after a blank period of "7 months + 4 days" has passed since the last time they sang karaoke.

The acquisition unit 21 acquires user U's singing history from the storage unit 11 based on user U's user ID (step S401), and the identification unit 22 determines, based on user U's singing history, the number of days D that have elapsed since user U's last karaoke singing session to the current karaoke singing session as "7 months + 4 days" (step S402).

When user U reserves song X using remote control device 6, the control unit 10 of the karaoke machine 2 registers the reserved song information for song X in the reservation list in storage unit 11 (step S403). Based on user U's singing history, the correction unit 23 extracts the scoring history of user U's past karaoke singing of song X and calculates "87.5" as the average score P_ave (step S404). The control unit 10 then reads the song data for song X registered in the reservation list from storage unit 11, and song X is played as karaoke by the sound source 12 and audio input/output unit 13 (step S405).

User U sings karaoke using microphone 3 along with the karaoke performance of song X, and the evaluation unit 20 evaluates user U's karaoke singing of song X and outputs a scoring result P that scores him/her 72.5 points (step S406).

The correction unit 23 calculates the decrease threshold as "87.5 x 0.90 = 78.75" based on the average score P_ave of "87.5", which is the scoring history of past karaoke performances of song X, and the predetermined decrease rate of "90.0%". Since the score result P of "72.5" for this karaoke performance of song X is less than the decrease threshold of "78.75", it determines that the predetermined decrease condition is met.

Then, since the number of days D since user U's last karaoke performance, "7 months + 4 days," satisfies the predetermined elapsed condition of 6 months or more (step S407: YES), and the predetermined decrease condition for the karaoke performance of song X1 is met as described above (step S408: YES), the correction unit 23 adds the predetermined score P_add "10.0" to the score result P of user U's current karaoke singing of song X, "72.5," and corrects the score result P to "72.5 + 10.0 = 82.5" (step S409).

The notification unit 24 notifies the user U of the score P of "82.5" for the user U's karaoke singing of song X, which is evaluated by the evaluation unit 20 and corrected by the correction unit 23 (step S409).

For some users, even if there has been a long gap in their singing, their singing ability may not have deteriorated significantly compared to before the gap, for example, by singing karaoke at a home karaoke facility. Based on a comparison of the scoring history of past karaoke singing with the scoring results of the current karaoke singing, if the current scoring result is not poor, it can be determined that the user's singing ability has not deteriorated, allowing the user to enjoy singing karaoke comfortably without adding points to the scoring result. Note that if the correction unit 23 determines that the user's singing ability has not deteriorated for a given song, it may not determine the gap (number of days elapsed) or add the specified points for subsequent songs, or it may determine the gap (number of days elapsed) and add the specified points for each song.

On the other hand, if the current scoring result is poor based on the comparison of the scoring history of past karaoke singing with the current karaoke singing result, it can be determined that the singing ability has deteriorated or that the user has not returned to form. Therefore, according to the fourth embodiment, by adding points to the scoring result, the scoring result will not be poor due to a gap in singing, and the user can enjoy singing karaoke comfortably.

In the above-described embodiments, an example has been described in which a user's singing history is stored in the storage unit 11 of the karaoke machine 1, but the present invention is not limited to this example. In another example, the karaoke machine 1 may be communicably connected to the server device 7 of the karaoke system 100 via a predetermined network, and the singing history of each user may be stored in the server device 7. In this case, when the acquisition unit 21 of the karaoke machine 1 requires the user's singing history, it will access the server device 7 and read out the user's singing history.

In addition, while the first to fourth embodiments have been described separately above, the karaoke machine 1 of the present invention may be configured by appropriately combining the functions of each of the first to fourth embodiments (including modified examples). For example, the karaoke machine 1 may be configured by combining the second and third embodiments, so that karaoke singing in the addition section is added to the scoring result for only a predetermined number of songs in the order of the karaoke performance.

Furthermore, the present invention may be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims and the spirit or concept of the invention as can be read from the entire specification, and karaoke devices incorporating such modifications are also included within the technical concept of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 karaoke device 2 karaoke main body 3 microphone 4 speaker 5 display device 10 control unit 11 storage unit 20 evaluation unit 21 acquisition unit 22 identification unit 23 correction unit 24 notification unit

Claims (4)

an evaluation unit that evaluates the karaoke singing performed by the user in accordance with the karaoke performance of the song and outputs a score;
an acquisition unit that acquires the user's karaoke singing history;
a determination unit that determines the number of days that have passed since the last karaoke singing based on the singing history;
a correction unit that adds points to the scoring result based on the number of days that have passed;
A karaoke device comprising: The karaoke device of claim 1, wherein the correction unit adds to the scoring results the karaoke singing of only a predetermined number of songs in the order of karaoke performance. the evaluation unit evaluates the karaoke singing for each singing section of the song to be karaoke performed,
3. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction unit adds to the scoring result karaoke singing in a predetermined addition section within the singing section. the acquiring unit acquires a scoring history of the user's karaoke singing;
4. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction unit adds to the scoring result based on a comparison between the scoring result and the scoring history.