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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for controlling a musical medley
function in a television having a karaoke player incorporated therewith,
and more particularly to a method for controlling a musical medley
function wherein the songs are classified into a thematic category and a
formational category, the user may choose one theme and one style from the
respective categories, and the songs with background video, words, and
accompaniment music are played one after another.
Korean Patent Application No. 93-12407 is incorporated herein by reference
for all purposes.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Generally, television receivers are provided with an external signal input
terminal for receiving video signals and audio signals from external
sources. Examples of such external sources include a video cassette
recorder, camcorder, or karaoke player, and the signals supplied from the
external source can be monitored through a cathode ray tube (CRT) and
speakers. The user selects between the television signal or the video
and/or audio signals received via the external signal input terminal by
manipulating an operation button installed on the television receiver or
remote controller. The selected signal is provided to the CRT and the
speakers in the ordinary manner.
A karaoke player is an apparatus provided with a television monitor for
displaying words, accompaniment-music, background video scenes, and allows
the user to input his or her own voice mixed with the accompaniment-music.
There are several categories of karaoke players, including an LD player
system using a laser disc player, a CDG player system using a compact disc
graphic player, and a computerized player system using a memory.
The LD player system has the best video and sound quality of all the
karaoke systems, but the number of songs recorded on a single disc is
restricted to about thirty songs. Thus, a disc exchanging apparatus, such
as a jukebox, is required to play a lot of songs in an LD player system.
Although a CDG player system provides excellent sound quality similar to
that of the laser disc system, it provides only limited number of still
image information recorded on a sub-code channel of the compact disc, so
that the picture and music are barely interrelated to each other.
Moreover, the number of songs recorded on a compact disc is limited to
about fifteen, thereby also requiring a disc exchanging apparatus to play
a large number of songs.
A computerized player system does not provide sound quality on a par with
the laser disc or compact disc player systems. However, a computerized
system has the advantage that accompaniment-music and word information of
about 1,000 to 1,500 songs are provided, and music selection can be
carried out at a high speed. A computerized player system will be briefly
described with reference to FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a computerized karaoke player, which
uses a memory, is connected to a general video monitor and audio
amplifier, and provides a stereophonic accompaniment-music signal and word
information. When a specific song is selected by a command input portion 1
and an accompaniment-music start signal is received, a controller 2
controls an accompaniment-music signal generator 3 to generate the
accompaniment-music signal for the designated song. At the same time, the
controller 2 controls a character signal generator 4 to generate the word
information for the designated song.
An audio signal, such as one representing the users voice, is received
through an audio input portion 5, mixed with the accompaniment-music
signal in a mixer 6 and supplied to the audio amplifier via an audio
output terminal. Also, an output from the character signal generator 4 is
supplied to the monitor to allow the user to sing the selected song in
time with and in tune with the accompaniment music.
However, the above-described computerized karaoke player requires a
separate monitor for effectively monitoring the accompaniment-music signal
and word signal, and an amplifier is also required. In other words, the
user must purchase at least two kinds of apparatus. Furthermore, since the
computerized karaoke player system has its own command input portion, the
user separately manipulates the television receiver along with the
manipulation of the karaoke player system, resulting in inconvenience when
using it.
In order to solve the inconvenience due to the separated computerized
karaoke player system and the television receiver, it has been proposed
that the computerized karaoke player be accommodated in the television set
by including the video/accompaniment-music signal generating portion,
thereby allowing the output of the karaoke player system to be processed
and output to the conventional television monitor and the amplifier.
However, the above proposed device still has the disadvantage that the menu
provided to the user for his selection cannot be varied and, therefore,
the present invention is directed to a method for providing a more varied
menu to the user through the television set accommodating the computerized
karaoke player system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is devised to solve the above-described problems.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method
for controlling a musical medley function in a television having a karaoke
player incorporated therewith, wherein the medley function is added to a
video function accompanied with music to promote user's interests, and the
selectable menu of songs ranges over various fields.
To achieve the above object of the present invention, there is provided a
method for controlling a musical medley function in a television
incorporated with a karaoke player including the steps of: displaying
thematic items when a medley function key is actuated; confirming an input
of a numerical key for selecting any one of several displayed thematic
items, determining a number of the numerical key input, and displaying
classified items per form of a song corresponding to the selected
numerical key; determining a number of the numerical key for selecting any
one among the displayed form items, and displaying the title of a first
song corresponding to the selected numerical key; and successively playing
all songs from the first to the last song when a start key is received.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above objects and other advantages of the present invention will become
more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred
embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a prior art computerized
karaoke player;
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a television incorporated with
a karaoke player according to the present invention;
FIGS. 3A and 3B, taken together, is a flow chart of the process for
performing a medley function in a television incorporated with a karaoke
player according to the present invention;
FIGS. 4A and 4B show the characteristic part of the screen displayed in
accordance with FIGS. 3A and 3B;
FIG. 5A is a front view showing a remote controller for use with the
present invention; and
FIG. 5B is a partially cut-away front view showing a built-in command input
portion of a television for use with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 2, which schematically shows a television incorporated
with a karaoke player, the television is divided broadly into a
video-related system and audio-related system. In considering the
operation of the system as a television and as a karaoke system, the
functions for overall control of control terminals, such as channel
selection, video selection, and volume adjustment, are carried out. Also,
in connection with the operation as a karaoke player, the functions,
including the selection of a song, tune and speed control, and
preprogramming reservation, are carried out.
In a video mode accompanied with music, an audio signal is supplied only by
means of the karaoke player, but a video signal may be supplied by a
broadcasting signal from a selected channel, by an externally supplied
signal, or by a graphic signal from a video/accompaniment-music signal
generating portion to supply a live picture corresponding to the content
of a song.
Referring to FIG. 2, a tuner 12 converts a broadcast signal, which is a
radio frequency (RF) signal received via an antenna 10, into an
intermediate frequency (IF) signal which is applied to a demodulator 14.
The demodulator 14 demodulates the IF signal from the tuner 12 by
separating the signal into a composite video signal CVS and L/R audio
signals and applies these signals to a television signal selector 16. The
television signal selector 16 also receives externally supplied signals,
i.e., signals V1 and V2 from first and second video signal sources (not
shown) and a signal S-V from a super VHS signal source (not shown).
The television signal selector 16 selects any one of the received plurality
of video signals, CVS, V1, V2, or SVHS, and supplies the selected signal
to a luma/chroma signal separator 18, which separates the selected video
signal into a luma signal Y+S, having a composite sync signal, and a
chroma signal C. The luma signal Y+S is supplied to one input terminal of
a first selector 20, and the chroma signal C is supplied to a color
demodulator 22. The other input terminal of the first selector 20 is
supplied with a pseudo sync signal PS generated from a
video/accompaniment-music signal generating portion 24. The signal Y+S or
PS selected by the first selector 20 is supplied to the color demodulator
22.
On the other hand, if the super VHS signal S-V is selected in the
television signal selector 16, the super VHS signal S-V is directly
supplied to the color demodulator 22 and the first selector 20 without
passing through the luma/chroma signal separator 18.
The first selector 20 is controlled by a graphic mode signal G generated
from the video/accompaniment-music signal generating portion 24. Here,
when the graphic mode signal G is in a "high" state, the pseudo sync
signal PS supplied from the video/accompaniment-music signal generating
portion 24 is selected as an output, while the video signal supplied from
the television signal selector 16 is selected in case of a "low" state of
the graphic mode signal G.
The chroma signal C and luma signal Y+S having the composite sync signal
supplied to the color demodulator 22 are demodulated as color difference
signals R-Y, B-Y, G-Y, -Y to be supplied to a video signal mixer 26. A
sync signal H/V detected from the luma signal Y+S having the composite
sync signal is supplied to the video/accompaniment-music signal generating
portion 24 and a microcomputer 28.
An on-screen display (hereinafter simply referred to as "OSD") signal
supplied from the microcomputer 28 to the color demodulator 22 is mixed
with the demodulated color difference signal to be supplied to the video
signal mixer 26.
Another input of the video signal mixer 26 is supplied with the graphic
signal and character signal from the video/accompaniment-music signal
generating portion 24 in the form of R,G,B and BLK to be mixed with the
color difference signal from the color demodulator 22, and the result of
the mixing is supplied to a cathode ray tube (CRT) drive 30. The video
signal mixer 26 is provided with a blanking signal BLK.sub.-- OSD from the
microcomputer 28 and a blanking signal BLK from the
video/accompaniment-music signal generating portion 24. By the output of
these signals BLK OSD,BLK, the signals are set in the order of the OSD
signal from the microcomputer 28, the graphic signal and character signal
from the video/accompaniment-music signal generating portion 24, and then
the signal from the television signal selector 16.
In the audio-related system, an audio signal TV, V1, V2 or S-V selected by
the television signal selector 16 is supplied to a second selector 32.
When a television mode is selected by the microcomputer 28, the second
selector 32 selects the audio signal supplied from the television signal
selector 16. Whereas, when a video mode accompanied with music is
selected, the second selector 32 selects the accompaniment-music signal
supplied from the video/accompaniment-music-signal generating portion 24
to output the selected signal to an audio output apparatus. In more
detail, the signal from the second selector 32 is supplied to a
reverberant sound processor 34 to be subjected to reverberant sound
processing and equalization, and then is supplied to an amplifier 36. The
signal amplified in the amplifier 36 is provided as an audio output by
speakers L, R and woofer.
An audio mixer 38 mixes a voice received through a microphone with the
accompaniment-music signal from the video/accompaniment-music signal
generating portion 24 to supply the result to the second selector 32.
The video/accompaniment-music signal generating portion 24 includes a
graphic/character signal generator 242 for generating the
graphic/character signal, and an accompaniment-music signal generator 244
for generating accompaniment music. Furthermore, a karaoke controller 246
controls the graphic/character signal generator 242 and
accompaniment-music signal generator 244, and generates a pseudo sync
signal, and an external interface (not shown) receives externally
available graphic/character information and sound source information to
supply the input to the graphic/character signal generator 242 and the
accompaniment-music signal generator 244.
The graphic/character signal generator 242 has unshown constituents, such
as a graphic memory, for storing graphic information, a character memory
for storing character information, a graphic/character processor for
combining the graphic information from the graphic memory with the
character information read out from the character memory, and a
digital-to-analog converter for processing an output of the
graphic/character processor via a digital-to-analog conversion and then
outputting the result of the conversion.
The accompaniment-music signal generator 244 has unshown constituents, such
as a sound source memory, for storing sound source information, a sound
source information processor for receiving the sound source information
read out from the sound source memory and converting the received sound
source information into the accompaniment-music signal, and a
digital-to-analog converter for converting an output signal of the sound
source information processor to output the result. Here, the sound source
information stored on the sound source memory is MIDI-information.
Meanwhile, the karaoke controller 246 has unshown constituents including a
processor for controlling the graphic/character signal generator 242 by
performing an inherent program. In addition to the processor, an interface
performs a remotely-controlled command from a remote controller (refer to
FIG. 5A) or directly-controlled command from a built-in command input
portion (refer to FIG. 5B) and supplies the command to the processor, and
a sync signal generator generates a pseudo sync signal which is the same
as the sync signal of the television signal.
A preamplifier 40 interfaces the control command supplied from the remote
controller shown in FIG. 5A to the microcomputer 28. As shown in FIG. 5B,
the command input portion 42 is provided on the television set. Both the
remote controller of FIG. 5A and the command input portion of FIG. 5B
include similar control buttons or keys, such as a mode selection key for
selecting either the television mode or the video mode accompanied with
music, a screen selection key for selecting the video signal to be
displayed along with the accompaniment music, a numerical pad for
selecting a song, a start/cancel key, a reservation key, a tune adjustment
key, and a speed-control key. Such a karaoke player is integrally formed
within the television for convenience of the user.
The method of performing the medley function in the television incorporated
with the karaoke player according to the present invention will be
described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. The microcomputer 28
determines whether the medley function is selected or not (S1). In the
example described it is assumed that the songs available are grouped in
two categories of thematic item (or theme) and formational item (or
style). For example, referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, song themes may include
popular songs, folk songs, operatic arias, etc. Song styles may include
fox trot, disco, gogo, etc. In the method of the present invention, the
themes and the styles are provided to the display and the operator selects
one of each. In the specific example disclosed herein, when the medley
function is chosen, the screen of the TV displays the list of themes. The
operator selects a theme, and the system then displays those styles
applicable for the selected theme. The operator then selects a preferred
style. Thereafter, the songs which fall o in the category of selected
theme and selected style are provided for playing.
If the medley function is determined to be selected, the microcomputer 28
controls the video/accompaniment-music signal generating portion 24 to
output initial screen information which is in turn supplied to the CRT to
be displayed (S2). The initial screen information includes a list of
themes or thematic items for groups of songs. For example, as shown in
FIG. 4A, the initial screen information includes a No. 1 group
corresponding to popular songs, a second group corresponding to folk
songs, a third group corresponding to arias, etc.
The user then selects a theme and actuates the numerical key on the remote
controller (shown in FIG. 5A) or on the command input portion (shown in
FIG. 5B) corresponding to the selected theme. A control signal
corresponding to the selected numerical key is supplied to the
microcomputer 28 via the preamplifier 40 in case of using the remote
controller or supplied directly to the microcomputer 28 in case of
manipulating the command input portion 42. The microcomputer 28 determines
whether the selected numerical key is received or not (S3). In step S3, if
it is determined that a numerical key input has been received, the
microcomputer 28 determines a number corresponding to the numerical key
which has been actuated. (See steps S4, S6, and S8.)
When the number corresponding to the numerical key is determined, the
microcomputer 28 searches formational lists of the songs suitable for the
selected theme, and outputs a control signal to the
video/accompaniment-music signal generating portion 24 to display the
classified formational items of the searched song theme on the CRT (S5,
S7, S9). For example, if popular songs is the theme selected in step S5,
the microcomputer 28 controls information causing the display of a list
shown in FIG. 4B. This list includes the formational items, or in this
case types of music styles, that have songs according to the selected
theme. For example, popular songs may be in the fox trot style (item 1.),
the disco style (item 2.), the gogo style (item 3.), etc. This information
is supplied by the video/accompaniment-music signal generating portion 24
to the CRT and displayed on the screen.
The user selects a formational item, or style, by actuating a corresponding
numerical key on the key pad of the remote controller or the command input
portion. A control signal corresponding to the actuated numerical key is
supplied to the microcomputer 28, which detects the control signal to
determine the number of the numerical key input. (See steps S10, S12, and
S14.) It will be appreciated that although the method of FIGS. 3A and 3B
includes steps for the case where there are only three thematic items and
three formational items, the number of thematic items and formational
items may be larger than three. For, example, the number of each is five
in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Further, it will be apparent that the number of
formational items need not be the same as the number of thematic items,
and in fact will vary depending upon the particular thematic item chosen.
After determining the formational item selected by confirming the number of
the numerical key received by the user's input, the microcomputer 28
supplies a control signal to the video/accompaniment-music signal
generating portion 24, thereby controlling the video/accompaniment-music
signal generating portion 24 to cause a display of the title of the first
song among the group of songs that corresponds to the selected theme and
the selected style.
The microcomputer 28 next determines whether a performance start command
has been received or not (S16). A performance start command is received if
the user actuates the start key on the remote controller or the command
unit. If a start command is not received, the microcomputer 28 determines
whether or not a specific key has been actuated by the user (S17). If a
specific key has been actuated, the microcomputer 28 outputs the control
signal to carry out the corresponding command of the designated key, and
cancels the medley function (S18).
If a performance start command is received, the microcomputer 28 supplies a
control signal to the video/accompaniment-music signal generating portion
24, which in turn supplies word information, background picture
information, and accompaniment-music information of the selected group of
songs to the CRT and speakers L, R and woofer in the order from the first
song. As a result, all of the songs falling in the group having the
selected theme and the selected style will be played one after another.
The microcomputer 28 supplies the control signal to the
video/accompaniment-music signal generating portion 24 to automatically
play the next song upon completing the performance of a piece of music
(S19).
As a further example of the invention, when the user selects the medley
function key on the key pads of the remote controller or command input
portion, a control signal corresponding to the medley function key is
supplied to the microcomputer 28, which in turn determines whether the
medley function key is received or not. If the medley function key is
received, the microcomputer 28 supplies a control signal to the
video/accompaniment-music signal generating portion 24, which supplies the
information about the thematic items of the music to the CRT, which then
displays the list of themes as shown in FIG. 4A.
If the user presses key number one to select popular songs from among the
thematic items displayed on the CRT, a control signal corresponding to key
number one is supplied to the preamplifier 40 or the command input portion
42, and then is transmitted to the microcomputer 28. The microcomputer 28
supplies the control signal to the video/accompaniment-music signal
generating portion 24. The video/accompaniment-music signal generation
portion 24 outputs the information about the classified formational items
of the songs, and the CRT displays the information as shown in FIG. 4B.
If the user selects the style "fox trot" by pressing key number, a control
signal corresponding to key number one is supplied to the preamplifier 40
or the command input portion 42, and then transmitted to the microcomputer
28. The microcomputer 28 supplies the control signal to the
video/accompaniment-music signal generating portion 24, which outputs the
information about the title of the first popular music song with a fox
trot style to the CRT, and the CRT displays the information from the
video/accompaniment-music signal generating portion 24.
Thereafter, the microcomputer 28 determines whether the performance start
key has been actuated or not. If so, the microcomputer 28 supplies a
control signal to the video/accompaniment-music signal generating portion
24 to output the accompaniment-music signal of the corresponding song. The
video signal from the video/accompaniment-music signal generating portion
24 is finally supplied to the CRT to display the background picture and
word information corresponding m the first song, while the
accompaniment-music signal is finally supplied to the speakers L, R and
woofer to provide the accompaniment-music information of the first song.
At this time, when the first song is completely played, the microcomputer
28 supplies a control signal to the video/accompaniment-music signal
generating portion 24 to successively play the second song. As a result,
all of the songs gathered by being classified as popular songs of the fox
trot style are played.
If the performance start key is not received, the microcomputer 28
determines whether a specific key designating a different type of
operation has been actuated. If so, the medley function is cancelled, and
the command responsive to the selected specific key is carried out.
According to the above method, a medley function is added to the video
function in a television with karaoke player. The medley function permits
the user to select themes and styles, and thereafter the songs having the
selected theme and style are played one after another. It will be
appreciated that although the two categories mentioned above are theme and
style, the invention is not limited to these categories, but could include
different categories for classifying music.
While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with
reference to a particular embodiment thereof, it will be understood by
those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be
effected therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
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