Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
21 75961
The present invention relates a portable wireless
accompaniment apparatus, and more particularly to a
wireless accompaniment apparatus in which all functions
of the accompaniment apparatus are included in the body
of a microphone so that an individual external
apparatus except the microphone is not required to
transmit lyrics, accompanying sound (background sound)
and the like to a television receiver or a radio
receiver in a wireless manner.
In general, a conventional accompaniment
apparatus, known as a "karaoke" machine, comprises a
body of the apparatus and a microphone. The microphone
is, in a wired or wireless manner, connected to the
body of the apparatus. The body of the apparatus is
connected to a display apparatus through a connection
cable in a wired manner. The body of the apparatus
includes a storage medium, such as an optical disk.
The storage medium stores accompanying sound data and
lyrics data for each tune. Data read from the storage
medium and corresponding to a selected tune is,
together with a vocal sound input through the
microphone, transmitted from the body of the apparatus
to the display device. Thus, the caption is displayed
on the display apparatus, and the vocal sound with the
accompanying sound is transmitted from a loudspeaker.
A "karaoke~ machine must deal with a plurality of
tunes and, thus, has a necessity of providing a storage
21 75961
medium having a large capacity. Therefore, the size
of the body of the apparatus is in a trend of being
enlarged. The enlargement of the size of the apparatus
causes problems to arise in that the place in which
the apparatus is installed is limited, the operation
becomes too complicated and the cost cannot be reduced.
Therefore, an apparatus of the foregoing type cannot
substantially be used at home. Since the body of the
apparatus and the display device are connected to each
other in a wired manner, the apparatus cannot be used
in an arbitrary place, such as in an automobile, that
is, portability is unsatisfactory.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a wireless accompaniment apparatus
exhibiting reduced size, light weight, low cost and
satisfactory portability.
According to the present invention, a body of the
apparatus capable of transmitting a background image
signal, a lyrics signal and an accompanying sound
signal is included in a wireless microphone.
Therefore, only a conventional television receiver or
radio receiver is required to play "karaoke" by using
only one microphone without a necessity of using
a special external apparatus individually separated
from the wireless microphone. Therefore, a wireless
accompaniment apparatus exhibiting reduced size, light
weight, low cost and satisfactory portability can be
2 1 7596 1
provided.
This invention can be more fully understood from
the following detailed description when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front view of a wireless accompaniment
apparatus according to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a portion of an
image, caption, and accompaniment control apparatus
according to the first embodiment; and
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another portion
of the image, caption, and accompaniment control
apparatus according to the first embodiment.
A preferred embodiment of a wireless accompaniment
apparatus according to the present invention will now
be described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing the portable
wireless accompaniment apparatus according to a first
embodiment. The accompaniment apparatus has a function
of displaying a caption representing lyrics on a
display while being accompanied with accompanying sound
as well as mixing accompanying sound with a vocal
sound. Although the caption may be displayed on a
plain screen, the caption is, in this embodiment,
displayed while being superimposed on a predetermined
background image (although it is preferable that
21 75~61
-- 4
a kinetic image be employed, a still image may be
employed) corresponding to the tune. It is to be noted
that the present invention is not limited to the video-
output accompaniment apparatus. The present invention
may be applied to a simple accompaniment apparatus
that does not output an image but only outputs an
accompanying sound. If the accompaniment apparatus is
able to output an image, it acts as an accompaniment
apparatus for outputting only an accompaniment sound if
a receiver is a radio receiver in place of the
television receiver.
As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus according to
this embodiment has a shape of a conventional wireless
microphone comprising a microphone 11 and a microphone
body 10. The microphone body 10 is provided with a
liquid crystal display device 41 for displaying the
number indicating a tune, a state of reservation of
tunes and a state of appointment, an operation panel 9
with which a selected tune is appointed, operation
switches SW1 to SW5, connection terminals (jack
switches) JACKl to JACK5 and antennas ANTl and ANT2.
The operation switch SW1 is a power source switch.
The operation switch SW2 is a microphone switch for
setting an operation mode, such as whether or not echo
effect is used. The operation switch SW3 is a sound
volume adjustment switch. The operation switch SW4 is
a switch for switching the input/output of the jack
2 1 75961
switch JACK4 (to be described later). The operation
switch SW5 is an earphone volume switch.
The jack switch JACK1 is a jack switch to which
the earphone is connected. The jack switch JACK2 is an
output jack switch to which a wired jack of an external
audio apparatus is connected. The jack switch JACK3 is
a jack switch to which a DC power source is connected.
The jack switch JACK4 is an input/output jack switch to
which a wired jack of the external video apparatus is
connected. The jack switch JACK5 is a jack switch to
which an auxiliary microphone is connected.
The antenna ANT1 is an antenna for transmitting a
video signal as a television signal. The antenna ANT2
is an antenna for transmitting an audio signal as an FM
signal.
The microphone body 10, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,
includes a video, caption, and accompaniment control
unit. The video, caption, and accompaniment control
unit is operated when a function button of the
operation panel 9 provided at the microphone body 10 is
operated so as to transmit a background image, lyrics
and an accompanying sound to a television receiver, an
FM radio receiver or the like.
A program memory (ROM) 21 for storing a control
program for controlling the overall apparatus and
various data is connected to an MPU (microprocessor
unit) 22. The program memory 21 and the MPU 22 form
21 75~61
-- 6
a control unit 20. The control unit 20 is formed in
one package or on one chip. The MPU 22 receives the
program and data from the program memory 21 to perform
a variety of control operations.
A video/audio control memory 30 is connected to
the control unit 20. The video/audio control memory 30
comprises a program logic circuit 32 comprising an IC
called TC3042; and a data memory (ROM) 31. The program
logic circuit 32 and the data memory 31 are formed in
one package or on one chip. Also the liquid crystal
display (LCD) device 41 for displaying selection,
reservation and appointment states of tune is connected
to the program logic circuit 32. The program logic
circuit 32 includes hundreds of various logic circuits
so that internal circuits are connected in accordance
with a user program so as to form one or a plurality of
complicated logic circuits. The program logic circuit
32 does not include a program ROM. The data memory
(external memory) 31 stores program data. Although the
description has been made that the program logic
circuit 32 uses an external ROM, the program logic
circuit 32 may be changed to a mask type circuit or an
order made type circuit including a ROM to reduce the
cost and simplify the manufacturing process in a case
where the program logic circuits 32 are mass-produced.
The video/audio control memory 30 reads background
image data and lyrics data from the image/lyrics memory
2 1 7 5~ 6 1
40 in accordance with a command supplied from the
operation panel 9 so as to supply read background image
data and lyrics data to a video processor 70. The
image/lyrics memory 40 comprises a semiconductor memory
(ROM) which stores lyrics data of hundreds to thousands
of tunes which is image data formed by lyrics
superimposed on a background image. Moreover, the
video/audio control memory 30 reads sound data
(accompanying sound data) from a sound data memory 45
in accordance with a command supplied from the
operation panel 9 so as to supply read sound data to a
sound source circuit 50.
The sound source circuit 50 is controlled by the
program logic circuit 32 and comprises a MIDI (Music
Instrument Digital Interface) interface 52, a digital
signal processor 51, and a PCM (Pulse Coded Modulation)
data memory 53. The sound source circuit 50 reproduces
an accompanying sound signal (digital stereo sound
signal) by using the PCM data supplied from the PCM
data memory 53 in accordance with accompanying data
read from the sound data memory 45 and supplies the
reproduced signal to an audio mixer 80 through a D/A
converter ~ pre-amplifier 55. Also the sound data
memory 45 comprises a semiconductor memory (ROM) which
stores accompanying data of hundreds to thousands of
tunes. The MIDI interface 52 is a CPU interface under
control of the MPU 22 so as to control all of the
21 75961
-- 8
functions of the sound source circuit 50. The PCM data
memory 53 stores PCM data.
The video processor 70 comprises a video data
processor chip, a 256 KB video RAM for expanding
compressed data and temporarily storing data, and a
video signal synchronization separation circuit (each
of which is omitted from illustration). The video
processor 70 is controlled by the program logic circuit
32 which is controlled by the MPU 22 to read the
background image data and the lyrics data from the
image/lyrics memory 40, the read data being then
transmitted to a video capture board 71 as a video
signal formed of RGB signals and a synchronization
signal. The video processor 70 is adaptable to both
NTSC standard and the PAL standard. Also an external
video input terminal ( JACK4) 62 is connected to the
video processor 70 so that a video signal is supplied
from an external video apparatus, such as a video tape
recorder, through an external video control circuit 61.
If no external video apparatus is connected to the
external video input terminal 62, the video capture
board 71 transmits, to an RF mixer 90, the RGB signal
(the signal supplied from the image/lyrics memory 40)
supplied from the video processor 70. As a result, a
caption image for each tune (an image formed by lyrics
of a tune superimposed on a background image) stored in
the image/lyrics memory 40 is transmitted from the
2 1 75q6 1
- 9
antenna ANTl. If an external video apparatus is
connected to the external video input terminal 62, the
video capture board 71 turns off the background image
stored in the image/lyrics memory 40 and converts an
external video signal (an NTSC signal) supplied from
the external video apparatus into an RGB signal. As a
result, the video capture board 71 uses the external
image selected arbitrarily by a user so that a video
signal is transmitted from the antenna ANTl in such a
manner that the lyrics are moved as the tune proceeds.
The video signal transmitted from the video
capture board 71 is, in the RF mixer 90, mixed with the
audio data transmitted from the audio mixer 80. A
stereo audio signal transmitted from the audio mixer 80
is, in a monaural mixer 88, processed such that R and L
channels are synthesized so as to be formed into a
monaural voice signal, followed by being supplied to
the RF mixer 90 through a modulator 89 of 4.5 MHz so as
to be mixed with the video signal. The video signal,
transmitted from the RF mixer 90 and in the form in
which the lyrics are superimposed on the background
image, and a sound signal (monaural sound signal)
indicating the accompanying sound are transmitted to a
video receiving terminal unit, such as a television
receiver or a monitor unit having a receiver from the
TV transmission antenna ANT1 through an RF power
amplifier 92 capable of multiplying the level by two
2 1 7596 1
-- 10
times. The transmission frequency from the antenna
ANT1 is set to a channel in which the television
broadcasting wave is empty.
On the other hand, a vocal sound supplied through
the microphone 11 is supplied to the audio mixer 80
through an equalizer amplifier & voice detector 60 and
an echo system 81. Though the accompanying sound
transmitted from the sound source circuit 50 is
a stereo sound and the input vocal sound is a monaural
sound, the accompanying sound is not converted into a
monaural sound but the same is synthesized in the
stereo state as it is in the audio mixer 80. Thus, the
monaural vocal sound is synthesized with the R and L
channel accompanying sounds. The audio mixer 80
synthesizes the vocal sound transmitted from the echo
system 81 and the accompanying sound transmitted from
the sound source circuit 50 with each other so as to
transmit stereo sound signals R and L to a stereo
modulator 84 and an earphone power amplifier 82. The
output from the stereo modulator 84 is further
transmitted to an audio receiver terminal unit, such as
an FM radio receiver, from the FM transmission antenna
ANT2 through the FM modulator 85, an RF amplifier 86
capable of amplifying the level by four times, and an
RF amplifier 87 capable of amplifying the level by
three times. The transmission frequency of the antenna
ANT2 is set to an empty frequency of the FM radio
21 75961
11 --
broadcasting wave.
Also a microphone auxiliary jack (JACK5) is
connected to the equalizer amplifier & voice detector
60 to enable duet to be enjoyed. The equalizer
amplifier & voice detector 60 comprises an amplifier
(an equalizer amplifier) for correcting the frequency
characteristic and a voice detector. The voice
detector detects whether or not voice exists in the
input sound from the microphone 11 so as to supply
voice data to the microprocessor 22. The microprocessor
22 subjects accompanying data and voice data to a
comparison so as to calculate the score of the singing
skill and display the score.
The operation of the present embodiment will now
be described.
When a portable wireless accompaniment apparatus
of the present embodiment is used by a user, the user
holds the upper portion of the microphone body 10 with
the hand, followed by switching the power switch SWl
on. Then, the microphone switch SW2 is brought to an
echo microphone position, and then the volume
adjustment switch SW3 is operated to appropriately
adjust the synthesis ratio (the level) of the vocal
sound input through the microphone and the accompanying
sound. On the other hand, the output switch SW4 is
operated to select whether only an audio sound is
enjoyed or whether only a video image is watched or
21 75~61
- 12
whether both an audio sound and a video image are used.
The foregoing selection is performed depending upon
whether the wireless receiving terminal apparatus to be
used with the apparatus according to the present
invention is a television receiver or a radio receiver.
When the output switch SW4 has been set to a position
for both the television receiver/radio receiver, both
the background image and the caption are displayed on
the screen of the television receiver while the vocal
sound and the accompanying sound being output from the
speaker of the television receiver. Moreover, the
vocal sound and the accompanying sound are simul-
taneously output through the speaker of the radio
recelver.
When a user sings a song while holding the
microphone 11, the user is enabled to easily and
skillfully sing the song thanks to the guide caption
and the accompanying sound. The level of the vocal
sound supplied through the microphone 11 is automati-
cally adjusted and amplified by the equalizer amplifier
& voice detector 60. Moreover, the echo effect is
given to the vocal sound through the echo system 81.
Note that tune selection is performed by using a
switch disposed on the operation panel 9 of the
microphone body 10. The name of the selected tune is
displayed on the liquid crystal display 41 in the form
of the corresponding number. After a tune has been
21 75~61
- 13
selected by using the operation panel 9, the program
logic circuit 32 transfers, to the sound source circuit
50 and the video processor 70, the background image
data, lyrics data and accompanying sound data corre-
sponding to the tune and selected from data of a
plurality of tunes stored in the image/lyrics memory 40
and the sound data memory 45. The sound source circuit
50 converts the accompanying data into music sound so
as to transmit the accompanying sound to the audio
mixer 80. The video processor 70 transmits the
background image and superimposes caption images on the
background image to be adaptable to the progress of the
music sound.
When a connection jack of the external audio
apparatus is connected to the jack switch JACK1, supply
of electric power to the FM transmission system (to the
stereo modulator 84, the FM modulator 85, and the RF
amplifiers 86 and 87) is interrupted so that the FM
wireless transmission of the vocal sound signal through
the antenna ANT2 is interrupted. As an alternative to
this, electric power is supplied to a wired output
system (the earphone power amplifier 82) so that an
audio signal composed of an accompanying sound signal
and a vocal sound signal is transmitted to the
external audio apparatus. As a result, the operation
which has been performed by a conventional and usual
wired accompaniment apparatus is performed. When the
2 1 75q6 1
_ 14
earphone is inserted into the jack switch JACK1 in
place of the external audio apparatus, the audio signal
composed of an accompanying sound signal and a vocal
sound signal can be transmitted through the earphone
due to the stereo operation of the earphone power
amplifier 82. As a result, a user is able to solely
and silently practice singing or enjoy listening of
stereo music.
As described above, according to the present
embodiment, the apparatus capable of simultaneously
transmitting a background image, lyrics and
accompanying sound in a wireless manner is included in
the body of the microphone having a small size. Thus,
the necessity of providing an individual apparatus can
be eliminated to allow a user to sing a song to follow
the guide caption while watching the background image
by using only one microphone if a usual television
receiver or an FM radio receiver is provided.
Therefore, portability of the accompaniment apparatus
can be improved and the "karaoke" machine can be
enjoyed without limitation when used. Thus, anyone is
allowed to play singing in any place, such as home, in
an automobile or outdoor. Moreover, the apparatus
according to the present embodiment is able to transmit
an audio signal through the earphone as well as
transmitting the same in the wireless manner, a user is
able to practice singing or enjoy only the accompanying
21 75961
sound while watching the caption.
The present invention is not limited to the
foregoing embodiment and a various modifications may be
permitted. For example, although the description has
been made that the memory for storing the accompanying
sound and lyrics for tunes is fixedly provided for the
apparatus, a card-like memory may be employed so as
to form a changeable structure. If change is not
permitted, a nonvolatile memory may be employed to
enable information to be rewritten. A mini disk or the
like may be employed in place of the semiconductor
memory.
Although the video output and audio output are
constituted by individual transmission systems, the FM
transmission system for transmitting sound may be
omitted because the sound signal is included in the
television signal to be transmitted. In the foregoing
case, it is preferable that the television signal is
provided with stereo sound signal. A structure
provided with only an audio output system without the
video output system may be employed. In the foregoing
case, the sound signal is not limited to the stereo
sound signal but the monaural sound signal may be
employed.
As described above, according to the present
invention, the wireless accompaniment apparatus
exhibiting excellent portability, small size, light
2 1 7596 1
_ 16
weight and low cost can be provided.
Although only a few exemplary embodiments of the
present invention have been described in detail above,
those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that
many modifications are possible in the exemplary
embodiments without materially departing from the novel
teachings and advantages of the present invention.
Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the present invention as
defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-
plus-function clause are intended to cover the
structures described herein as performing the recited
function and not only structural equivalents but also
equivalent structures.
