Karaoke apparatus with visual assistance in physical vocalism

• US 5,499,921 A
• Filed: 09/29/1993
• Issued: 03/19/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
• Inventors: Sone, Takurou
• Primary Examiner(s): CHENG, JOE H
• Application Number:
  US08/128,883
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 434/307 R, 434/307 A, 434/308, 434/309, 434/318, 434/365, 84/601, 84/645, 84/609, 84/477 R, 84/ 454, 84/615, 369/50, 369/32, 369/48, 360/77.01, 360/33.1, 360/32, 358/342, 358/335, 358/310, 395/154, 395/160, 345/141, 345/147, 348/571, 348/595, 348/738, 348/478, 348/484
• US Class Current: 434/307.00A
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 15/00 Teaching music metronomes G04F5/02
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/361 Recording/reproducing of accompaniment for use with an external source, e.g. karaoke systems

Abstract

A Karaoke apparatus reproduces an automatic instrumental accompaniment of a selected song during the course of a physical vocal performance of the selected song by a singer. A memory registers a prescribed text data of a selected song, containing accompaniment information and word information composed of a sequence of characters. A musical sound synthesizer reproduces an automatic instrumental accompaniment according to the registered accompaniment information. A graphic generator modifies a graphic pattern of each registered character in association with a predetermined practical manner of the physical vocal performance. A display unit displays a sequence of the characters in the modified graphic patterns concurrently with the reproduction of the automatic instrumental accompaniment so as to visually teach the singer the practical manner during the physical vocal performance.

Claims

1. A Karaoke apparatus for reproducing an automatic instrumental accompaniment of a selected song during the course of a physical vocal performance of the selected song by a singer, the Karaoke apparatus comprising:

register means for registering a prescribed text data of a selected song, containing accompaniment information and word information composed of a sequence of characters;

sound means for reproducing an automatic instrumental accompaniment according to the registered accompaniment information;

graphic means for modifying a graphic shape of plural registered characters in association with a predetermined practical manner of the physical vocal performance; and

display means for displaying a sequence of the characters in the modified graphic shapes concurrently with the reproduction of the automatic instrumental accompaniment so as to visually teach the singer the practical manner during the physical vocal performance.

2. A Karaoke apparatus according to claim 1;

wherein the graphic means includes means for varying a graphic shape of registered characters in association with a predetermined vocalism including at least one of volume, groan, falsetto, vibrato and grace.

3. A Karaoke apparatus according to claim 1;

wherein the graphic means includes means for sequentially changing a graphic shape of registered characters in association with a predetermined voice timing of each respective character.

4. A Karaoke apparatus according to claim 1;

wherein the graphic means includes means for modifying a size of the graphic shapes of registered characters.

5. A Karaoke apparatus according to claim 1;

wherein the graphic means includes means for modifying a style of the graphic shapes of registered characters.