Apparatus and method for performing auto-playing in synchronism with reproduction of audio data

• US 5,189,237 A
• Filed: 12/10/1990
• Issued: 02/23/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Casio Computer Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Casio Computer Company Limited
• Inventors: Koguchi, Satoru
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoop, Jr., William M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DONELS, JEFFREY
• Application Number:
  US07/625,309
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 84/601-603, 84/609, 84/610, 84/645, 369/30, 369/70
• US Class Current: 84/609
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/26 for automatically producing a series of tones
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/363 using optical disks, e.g. CD, CD-ROM, to store accompaniment information in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/011 Lyrics displays, e.g. for karaoke applications

Abstract

Audio data of a predetermined piece of music is recorded on a compact disc. A sequence of musical tone data is stored in an auto-play memory. Also stored in this auto-play memory are a time control command, an access command and a play command. An instrument controller reads out these commands to surely control the auto-playing and reproduction of data from the compact disc in synchronism.

Claims

1. An auto-playing apparatus which employs a recording medium that stored audio data and first position data representing a recording position of the audio data such that the audio data and the first position data are associated with each other, and in which the audio data and the auto-play data can be reproduced in synchronism with each other, said auto-playing apparatus comprising:

reproducing means for reproducing the audio data and the first position data from the recording medium by playing the recording medium;

storing means for storing (a) a series of auto-play data items which are to be reproduced in synchronism with the audio data recorded on the recording medium, and (b) second position data corresponding to the first position data and which represents at the same reproduction timing as that of the auto-play data,

auto-playing means, coupled to the storing means, for reading the auto-play data from the storing means and for sequentially generating corresponding tone signals to execute auto-playing;

setting means for setting conditions under which synchronous reproduction of the audio data and auto-play data is performed, said setting means including means for selecting a reproduction start point, and means for determining a second position data corresponding to the selected reproduction start point from among the second position data stored in the storing means;

retrieving means, coupled to the reproducing means, for detecting the second position data stored in the storing means in accordance with the setting of the setting means and for retrieving the first position data corresponding to the detected second position data from among the first position data stored in the recording medium; and

control means, coupled to the setting means, to the auto-playing means, to the retrieving means, and to the reproducing means, for performing control to start auto-playing from the position which the setting means selects as the reproduction start point, and to play the recording medium from the audio data corresponding to the first position data retrieved by the retrieving means, and wherein when the reproduction start point is an intermediate position, intermediate a beginning and an end of the audio data, auto-play starts without delay.

2. An auto-playing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second position data is stored in correspondence to one of:

a single auto-play data item, auto-play data items within a predetermined time period, and auto-play data items representative of a predetermined command.

3. An auto-playing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said setting means further selects one auto-play data item used as a reproduction end point from among the auto-play data items stored in the storing means; and

said control means performs control such that auto-playing is started from the auto-play data item which the setting means selects as the reproduction start point and such that the recording medium is played from the audio data corresponding to the first position data retrieved by the retrieving means, in synchronism with the start of the auto-playing, and further performs control such that the auto-playing and the play of the recording medium are simultaneously stopped when the auto-playing based on the auto-play data item selected by the setting means as the reproduction end point has just been performed.

4. An auto-playing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:

said setting means further sets the number of times the auto-playing data between the reproduction start point and the reproduction end point is to be repeated; and

said control means performs control such that auto-playing is started from the auto-play data item which the setting means selects as the reproduction start point and such that the recording medium is played from the audio data corresponding to the first position data retrieved by the retrieving means, in synchronism with the start of the auto-playing, and further performs control such that the auto-playing and the play of the recording medium are simultaneously stopped when the auto-playing based on the auto-play data item selected by the setting means as the reproduction end point has just been performed and such that the auto-playing is repeated the number of times set by the setting means.

5. An auto-playing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the auto-play data items stored in the storing means includes sounding start data indicating the start of the sounding of a tone, and data representing a tone pitch, said second position data being stored in correspondence to the sounding start data.

6. An auto-playing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

input means for sequentially inputting auto-play data items in accordance with audio data being reproduced, when the recording medium is being played by the reproducing means; and

detecting means, coupled to both the reproducing means and to the input means, for detecting the first position data corresponding to the audio data which is being reproduced when the auto-play data is input, said first position data being detected in correspondence to one of;

auto-play data items inputted at one time, auto-play data items within a predetermined time period, and auto-play data items representative of a predetermined command;

said storing means being coupled to both the input means and to the detection means and sequentially storing the auto-play data items input by the input means, said storing means further storing second position data which is associated with the first position data detected by the detecting means, said second position data being stored in correspondence to one of;

one auto-play data item input by the input means, auto-play data items within a predetermined time period, and auto-play data items representative of a predetermined command.

7. An auto-playing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means sequentially compares the second position data corresponding to the auto-play data which is presently reproduced with the first position data corresponding to the audio data which is presently reproduced, while the recording medium is being played and auto-playing is being performed, and, upon detection of non-coincidence, controls the reproduction timing of the recording medium so as to allow the second position data to correspond to the first position data.

10. An auto-playing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein:

said setting means further specifies a reproduction end point by use of the audio data recorded on the recording medium; and

said control means performs control such that the recording medium is played from the reproduction start point specified by the setting means and such that the auto-playing is started from the auto-play data item corresponding to the second position data retrieved by the retrieving means, and further performs control such that the play of the recording medium and the auto-playing are simultaneously stopped when the audio data item corresponding to the reproduction end point specified by the setting means has just been reproduced.

11. An auto-playing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein:

said setting means further sets the number of times the play between the reproduction start point and the reproduction end point is to be repeated; and

said control means performs control such that the recording medium is played from the reproduction start point specified by the setting means and such that the auto-playing is started from the auto-play data item corresponding to the second position data retrieved by the retrieving means, and further performs control such that the play of the recording medium and the auto-playing are simultaneously stopped when the audio data item corresponding to the reproduction end point specified by the setting means has just been reproduced and such that the play of the recording medium is repeated the number of times set by the setting means.

13. An auto-playing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising:

input means for sequentially inputting auto-play data items in accordance with audio data being reproduced, when the recording medium is being played by the reproducing means; and

detecting means, coupled to both the reproducing means and to the input means, for detecting the first position data corresponding to the audio data which is being reproduced when the auto-play data is input, said first position data being detected in correspondence to one of;

auto-play data items inputted at one time, auto-play data items within a predetermined time period, and auto-play data items representative of a predetermined command;

said storing means being coupled to both the input means and to the detection means and sequentially storing the auto-play data items input by the input means, said storing means further storing second position data which is associated with the first position data detected by the detecting means, said second position data being stored in correspondence to one of;

one auto-play data item input by the input means, auto-play data items within a predetermined time period, and auto-play data items representative of a predetermined command.

8. An auto-playing apparatus which employs a recording medium that stored audio data and first position data representing a recording position of the audio data such that the audio data and the first position data are associated with each other, and in which the audio data and the auto-play data can be reproduced in synchronism with each other, said auto-playing apparatus comprising:

reproducing means for reproducing the audio data and the first position data from the recording medium by playing the recording medium;

storing means for storing (a) a series of auto-play data items which are to be reproduced in synchronism with the audio data recorded on the recording medium, and (b) second position data which is associated with the first position data and represents at the same reproduction timing as that of the auto-play data;

auto-playing means, coupled to the storing means, for reading the auto-play data from the storing means and for sequentially generating corresponding tone signals to execute auto-playing;

setting means for setting conditions under which synchronous reproduction of the audio data and auto-play data is performed, said setting means including means for specifying a reproduction start point by use of the audio data recorded on the recording medium;

retrieving means, coupled to the reproducing means, for detecting the first position data which is recorded on the recording medium in correspondence to the reproduction start point specified by the setting means, and for retrieving the second position data corresponding to the detected first position data from among the second position data stored in the storing means; and

control means, coupled to the setting means, to the auto-playing means, to the retrieving means, and to the reproducing means, for performing control to start the play of the recording medium from the reproduction start point specified by the setting means and to start the auto-playing from the auto-play data corresponding to the second position data retrieved by the retrieving means, and wherein when the reproduction start point is an intermediate position, intermediate a beginning and an end of the audio data, auto-play starts without delay.

9. An auto-playing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said second position data is stored in correspondence to one of:

a single auto-play data item, auto-play data items within a predetermined time period, and auto-play data representative of a predetermined command.

12. An auto-playing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the auto-play data items stored in the storing means includes sounding start data indicating the start of the sounding of a tone, and data representing a tone height, said second position data being stored in correspondence to the sounding start data.

14. An auto-playing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said control means sequentially compares the second position data corresponding to the auto-play data which is presently reproduced with the first position data corresponding to the audio data which is presently reproduced, while the recording medium is being played and auto-playing is being performed, and, upon detection of non-coincidence, controls the reproduction timing of the recording medium so as to allow the second position data to correspond to the first position data.

15. A reproduction method for reproducing audio data and auto-play data in synchronism with each other, which method employs:

a recording medium that stores the audio data and first position data representing a recording position of the audio data such that the audio data and the first position data are associated with each other; and

storing means for storing (a) a series of auto-play data items which are to be reproduced in synchronism with the audio data recorded on the recording medium, and (b) second position data which is associated with the first position data and represents a recording position of the audio data that is to be reproduced at the same reproduction timing as that of the auto-play data;

said reproduction method comprising;

a first step of selecting one auto-play data item used as a reproduction start point from among the auto-play data items stored in the storing means;

a second step of detecting the second position data stored in the storing means in accordance with the auto-play data item which is selected as the reproduction start point in said first step;

a third step of retrieving the first position data corresponding to the second position data detected in said second step, from among the first position data stored in the recording medium; and

a fourth step of performing control such that auto-playing is started from the auto-play data item which is selected in said first step as the reproduction start point, and such that the recording medium is played from the audio data corresponding to the first position data retrieved in said third step.

16. A reproduction method according to claim 15, wherein said second position data is stored in correspondence to one a single auto-play data item, auto-play data items within a predetermined time period, and auto-play data items representative of a predetermined command.

17. A reproduction method according to claim 15, wherein:

said first step includes a substep of selecting one auto-play data item used as a reproduction end point from among the auto-play data items stored in the storing means; and

said fourth step includes a substep of performing control such that auto-playing is started from the auto-play data item which is selected as the reproduction start point in said first step and such that the recording medium is played from the audio data corresponding to the first position data retrieved in said third step, in synchronism with the start of the auto-playing, and further performing control such that the auto-playing and the play of the recording medium are simultaneously stopped when the auto-playing based on the auto-play data item which is selected as the reproduction end point in said first step has just been performed.

18. A reproduction method according to claim 17, wherein:

said first step includes a substep of further setting the number of times the auto-playing between the reproduction start point and the reproduction end point is to be repeated; and

said fourth step includes a substep of performing control such that auto-playing is started from the auto-play data item which is selected as the reproduction start point in said first step and such that the recording medium is played from the audio data corresponding to the first position data retrieved in said third step, in synchronism with the start of the auto-playing, and further performing control such that the auto-playing and the play of the recording medium are simultaneously stopped when the auto-playing based on the auto-play data item which is selected as the reproduction end point in said first step has just been performed and such that the auto-playing is repeated the number of times set by the setting means.

19. A reproduction method for reproducing audio data and auto-play data in synchronism with each other, in a system which includes:

a recording medium that stores the audio data and first position data representing a recording position of the audio data such that the audio data and the first position data are associated with each other; and

storing means for storing (a) a series of auto-play data items which are to be reproduced in synchronism with the audio data recorded on the recording medium, and (b) second position data which is associated with the first position data and represents a recording position of the audio data that is to be reproduced at the same reproduction timing as that of the auto-play data;

said reproduction method comprising;

a first step of specifying a reproduction start point by use of the auto-play data items stored in the storing means;

a second step of detecting the first position data stored in the storing means in accordance with the reproduction start point specified in said first step;

a third step of retrieving the second position data corresponding to the first position data detected in said second step, from among the second position data stored in the storing means; and

a fourth step of performing control such that the recording medium is played from the reproduction start point specified in said first step and such that auto-playing is started from the auto-play data item corresponding to the second position data retrieved in said third step.

20. A reproduction method according to claim 19, comprising storing said second position data in correspondence to one of:

a single auto-play data item, auto-play data items within a predetermined time period, and auto-play data items representative of a predetermined command.

21. A reproduction method according to claim 19, wherein:

said third step includes a substep of sequentially comparing the first position data detected in said second step with the second position data stored in the storing means and retrieving a minimum-value second position data item from among second position data items whose values are larger than those of the first position data; and

said fourth step includes a substep of playing the recording medium from the reproduction start point specified in said first step, comparing values of the first position data reproduced from the recording medium with those of the second position data retrieved in said third step, and, upon detection of coincidence in value, executing auto-playing from the auto-play data corresponding to the second position data retrieved in said third step.

22. A reproduction method according to claim 21, wherein:

said first step includes a substep of specifying a reproduction start point and a reproduction end point by use of the audio data recorded on the recording medium;

said fourth step includes a substep of performing control such that the recording medium is played from the reproduction start point specified in said first step and such that auto-playing is started from the auto-play data item corresponding to the second position data retrieved in said third step, and further performing control such that the auto-playing and the play of the recording medium are simultaneously stopped when the reproduction of the audio data item corresponding to the reproduction end point specified in said first step has just been performed.

23. A reproduction method according to claim 22, wherein:

said first step includes a substep of further setting the number of times the auto-playing between the reproduction start point and the reproduction end point is to be repeated; and

said fourth step includes a substep of performing control such that the auto-playing is started from the reproduction start point specified in said first step and such that the recording medium is played from the audio data corresponding to the first position data retrieved in said third step, and further performing control such that the auto-playing and the play of the recording medium are simultaneously stopped when the audio data corresponding to the reproduction end point specified in said first step has just been reproduced and such that the auto-playing is repeated the number of times set in said first step.

24. A reproduction method for reproducing audio data and auto-play data in synchronism with each other, in a system which includes:

a recording medium that stores the audio data and first position data representing a recording position of the audio data such that the audio data and the first position data are associated with each other; and

storing means for storing (a) a series of auto-play data items which are to be reproduced in synchronism with the audio data recorded on the recording medium, and (b) second position data which is associated with the first position data and represents a recording position of the audio data that is to be reproduced at the same reproduction timing as that of the auto-play data, said second position data being stored in correspondence to one a single auto-play data item, auto-play data items within a predetermined period, and auto-play data items representative of a predetermined command;

said reproduction method comprising;

a first step of sequentially inputting auto-play data items in accordance with audio data being reproduced, when the recording medium is being played;

a second step of detecting the first position data corresponding to the audio data which is being reproduced when the auto-play data is input, said first position data being detected in correspondence to one of;

auto-play data items inputted at one time, auto-play data items within a predetermined time period, and auto-play data items representative of a predetermined command;

a third step of causing the storing means to sequentially store the auto-play data items input in said first step and to store second position data which is associated with the first position data detected in said second step, said second position data being stored in correspondence to one of;

one auto-play data item input by the input means, auto-play data items within a predetermined time period, and auto-play data items representative of a predetermined command;

a fourth step of selecting a reproduction start point from among the auto-play data items stored in the storing means;

a fifth step of detecting the second position data stored in the storing means in accordance with the selected reproduction start point selected in said fourth step;

a sixth step of retrieving the first position data corresponding to the second position data detected in said second step, from among the first position data recorded on the recording medium; and

a seventh step of performing control such that the auto-playing is started from the auto-play data item which is selected as the reproduction start point in said fourth step and such that the recording medium is played from the audio data corresponding to the first position data retrieved in said third step.

25. A reproduction method according to claim 24, wherein:

said fourth step includes a substep of selecting auto-play data items used as a reproduction start point and a reproduction end point, respectively, from among the auto-play data items stored in the storing means; and

said seventh step includes a substep of performing control such that auto-playing is started from the auto-play data item which is selected as the reproduction start point in said fourth step and such that the recording medium is played from the audio data corresponding to the first position data retrieved in said sixth step, in synchronism with the start of the auto-playing and the play of the recording medium are simultaneously stopped when the auto-playing based on the auto-play data item which is selected as the reproduction end point in said fourth step has just been performed.

26. A reproduction method according to claim 25, wherein:

said fourth step includes a substep of further setting the number of times the auto-playing between the reproduction start point and the reproduction end point is to be repeated; and

said seventh step includes a substep of performing control such that auto-playing is started from the auto-play data item which is selected as the reproduction start point in said fourth step and such that the recording medium is played from the audio data corresponding to the first position data retrieved in said sixth step, in synchronism with the start of the auto-playing, and further performing control such that the auto-playing and the play of the recording medium are simultaneously stopped when the auto-playing based on the auto-play data item which is selected as the reproduction end point in said fourth step has just been performed and such that the auto-playing is repeated the number of times set by the second means.

27. A reproduction method for reproducing audio data and auto-play data in synchronism with each other in a system which includes:

a recording medium that stores the audio data and first position data representing a recording position of the audio data such that the audio data and the first position data are associated with each other; and

storing means for storing (a) a series of auto-play data items which are to be reproduced in synchronism with the audio data recorded on the recording medium, and (b) second position data which is associated with the first position data and represents a recording position of the audio data that is to be reproduced at the same reproduction timing as that of the auto-play data, said second position data being stored in correspondence to one of;

a single auto-play data item, auto-play data items within a predetermined period, and auto-play data items representative of a predetermined command;

said reproduction method comprising;

a first step of sequentially inputting auto-play data items in accordance with audio data being reproduced, when the recording medium is being played;

a second step of detecting the first position data corresponding to the audio data which is being reproduced when the auto-play data is input, said first position data being detected in correspondence to one of;

auto-play data items inputted in said first step, auto-play data items within a predetermined time period, and auto-play data items representative of a predetermined command;

a third step of causing the storing means to sequentially store the auto-play data items input in said first step and to store second position data which is associated with the first position data detected in said second step, said second position data being stored in correspondence to one of;

one auto-play data item input by the input means, auto-play data items within a predetermined time period, and auto-play data items representative of a predetermined command;

a fourth step of selecting a reproduction start point by use of the audio data recorded on the recording medium;

a fifth step of detecting the first position data recorded on the recording medium in accordance with the reproduction start point specified in said fourth step;

a sixth step of retrieving the second position data corresponding to the detected first position data, from among the second position data stored in the storing means; and

a seventh step of performing control such that the recording medium is played from the reproduction start point specified in said fourth step and such that the auto-playing is started from the auto-play data item corresponding to the second position data retrieved in said sixth step.

28. A reproduction method according to claim 27, wherein:

said sixth step includes a substep of sequentially comparing the first position data detected in said fifth step with the second position data stored in the storing means and retrieving a minimum-value second position data item from among second position data items whose values are larger than those of the first position data; and

said seventh step includes a substep of playing the recording medium from the reproduction start point specified in said fourth step, comparing values of the first position data reproduced from the recording medium with those of the second position data retrieved in said sixth step, and, upon detection of coincidence in value, executing auto-playing from the auto-play data corresponding to the second position data retrieved in said sixth step.

29. A reproduction method according to claim 27, wherein:

said fourth step includes a substep of specifying a reproduction start point and a reproduction end point by use of the audio data recorded on the recording medium; and

said seventh step includes a substep of performing control such that recording medium is played from the reproduction start point specified in said fourth step and such that auto-playing is started from the auto-play data item corresponding to the second position data retrieved in said sixth step, and further performing control such that the play of the recording medium and the auto-playing are simultaneously stopped when the audio data corresponding to the reproduction end point specified in said fourth step has just been reproduced.

30. A reproduction method according to claim 29, wherein:

said fourth step includes a substep of further setting the number of times the auto-playing between the reproduction start point and the reproduction end point is to be repeated; and

said seventh step includes a substep of performing control such that the auto-playing is started from the reproduction start point specified in said first step and such that the recording medium is played from the audio data corresponding to the first position data retrieved in said sixth step, and further performing control such that the auto-playing and the play of the recording medium are simultaneously stopped when the audio data corresponding to the reproduction end point specified in said fourth step has just been reproduced and such that the auto-playing is repeated the number of times set in said fourth step.