Apparatus for reproducing video and audio signals

Abstract

 An apparatus for reproducing pre-recorded music programs is commonly used as a sing-along or karaoke apparatus. The apparatus has a control device that provides a fast and easy way to search for music titles without the aid of music index catalogs. The control device generates signals, according to the movement of a selector knob (3), which instructs the apparatus to display the music titles stored in a ROM cartridge (50). The ratio of the number of signals produced by the control device to the amount of the selector knob (3) movement may be set to a large number so that a large number of music pieces can be searched with a minimum rotation of the selector knob (3). In addition, the apparatus provides a means to select other music programs while another music program is being performed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention relates to an apparatus for reproducing video, audio and accompanying characters which is also known as a sing-along or karaoke apparatus.

Related Art

[0002] When using a conventional sing-along or karaoke apparatus, a pre-recorded program, such as a music piece, is selected from an index catalog that lists the titles of music pieces stored in a storage medium. The number (music piece code) corresponding to a desired music piece is then entered into the karaoke apparatus. The karaoke apparatus uses the music piece code and retrieves the corresponding performance information (either in analog format or in musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) format) to play the selected music piece. Accordingly, one inconvenience of this type of karaoke apparatus is that a desired music piece may not be selected without the aid of the index catalog.

[0003] In a portable karaoke apparatus, music piece titles are displayed on a built-in display device, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), one at a time. The titles shown on the LCD device are sequentially switched and selected by using a control device. Therefore, a music piece may be selected without the aid of the index booklet. However, the search for a specific music piece may be time consuming since only one title is displayed at each time on the LCD device. This limitation is extremely inconvenient when a desired music piece is selected from a large library of music pieces. Moreover, since the LCD device is exclusively used to display the music lyrics during the performance, another music piece cannot be selected during the performance.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] In view of the foregoing, an object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for reproducing pre-recorded program, such as music pieces, with the convenience of easily locating a desired music piece from a large library of music pieces without the aid of an index catalog. It is another objective of the invention to provide an apparatus that permits a user to search and select a music piece during the performance of another music piece.

[0005] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for reproducing music programs and suitable for use as a sing-along apparatus is typically used with an output device, such as a television monitor. The apparatus uses a read-only-memory cartridge which has a performance information area that contains performance information of the music programs, a title information area that contains program titles and a word information area that contains word information of the music programs. The performance information may be in a music instrument digital interface (MIDI) format. The apparatus has a control device that produces a scan signal. The control device has a program selector, a first switch, and an encoder. The encoder produces the scan signal, in accordance with the movement of the program selector, for designating a music program. The apparatus also has a system control unit coupled to the control device and a data processing unit coupled to the system control unit. The system control unit includes a switch for selecting a music program. The data processing unit reads a predetermined number of program titles from the title information area pursuant to the rotation of the selector knob and generates a display signal corresponding to the program titles to the output device. Upon activation of the second switch, the data processing unit retrieves performance information and the word information of the designated music program. In addition, upon activation of the first switch, the data processing unit starts the performance of the designated music program by processing the performance information of the designated music program and generates the display signal corresponding to the word information.

[0006] In the preferred embodiment, the output device displays both the word information and the title information so that a different music program may he selected during the performance of the selected music program. The data processing unit provides the word information to the output device during the performance of the selected music program and provides the title information when the scan signal is received from the control unit. The data control unit recognizes that the sequence of program titles is in a circular manner so that the program subsequent to the last program title is the first program title, and the program preceding the first program title is the last program title in a ROM cartridge.

[0007] In further embodiment, the output device may be a liquid crystal display built into the apparatus. The read-only-memory cartridge may include a sample information area that contains selective portions of the performance information of music programs which are processed and performed by the data processing unit. The sample information area may further contain selective portions of the word information that corresponds to the selective portions of the performance information. Furthermore, the control device includes a plurality of switches for producing the scan signal that comprises an up scan signal and a down scan signal.

[0008] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, various features of embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] A detailed description of embodiments of the invention will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designate corresponding parts in the several figures.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a sing-along or karaoke apparatus which uses a control device according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front external view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a control device;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the control device shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a connection diagram showing the interface between an external output device and a sing-along or karaoke apparatus;

Fig. 6 is a memory map of a ROM cartridge 50 used in a sing-along or karaoke apparatus;

Figs. 7 (a) and (b) are sample displays of a music selection menu on an external output device and a built-in display unit of a sing-along or karaoke apparatus;

Figs. 8 (a) and (b) are sample displays of an external output device and a built-in display unit of a sing-along or karaoke apparatus during a music program performance;

Fig. 9 (a) and (b) are sample displays of an external output device and a built-in display unit of a sing-along or karaoke apparatus showing a music piece selection process during a music program performance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention is typically known as a sing-along or karaoke apparatus. Fig. 2 is a front external view of the apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. A liquid crystal display unit 2 is disposed in the upper portion of the front panel of the body 1. A music selection input unit (the control device) 15 is located below the display unit 2 and has a selector knob 3 for selecting a music piece and a start/stop button (the center portion) 4 for playing or stopping the music. The arrangement of the above components may be changed pursuant to the design requirement of the invention.

[0011] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the music selection input unit 15. A selector knob 3, a first gear 10, a second gear 11, and a rotary encoder 12. The selector knob 3 has a first gear 10 which is axially aligned with the selector knob 3. The first gear 10 is coupled underneath the selector knob 10, thus forming one integrated component. A second gear 11 having a shaft is connected to the rotary encoder 12. The lower end of the shaft is coupled to the rotary encoder 12, and the upper end of the shaft is coupled to a front panel 1a so that the shaft may rotate about its axis. The first gear 10 and the second gear 11 are in close proximity to engage each other. When the selector knob 3 rotates, the rotation force is transferred to the rotary encoder 12 through the first 40 and the second 11 gears. As a result, the rotary encoder 12 produces pulses corresponding to the rotation amount. The number of pulses produced from the rotary encoder 12 corresponding to the rotation amount of the selector knob 3 is determined by the gear ratio of the first 10 and the second 11 gears.

[0012] Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the music selection input unit 15. The selector knob 3 is inserted through a hole formed in the front panel 1a and is mounted to the front panel 1a. The start/stop button 4 has a disk-like head and a pair of legs 4a perpendicularly projecting from the bottom center of the head.

[0013] A guide member 20, which in the lower portion of the selector knob 3, has a substantially cylindrical shape. The legs 4a protrude into a hole formed on the bottom of the guide member 20. The legs 4a, which are disposed inside the guide member 20, move in the axial direction (the vertical direction with respect to the front panel 1a). A spring 21 is disposed inside the selector knob 3 and placed between the upper end of the guide member 20 and the start/stop button 4. The coil spring 21 surrounds the legs 4a so that the start/stop button 4 maintains an un-depressed state. When the start/stop button 4 is depressed, the legs 4b move downward so that the tips of the legs make contact and activate the switch 22. In the preferred embodiment, the signal generated from the switch 22 controls the replay/stop function of the karaoke apparatus. As shown in Fig. 4, it is preferable to mount the rotary encoder 12 and the switch 22 on a board 23. The other components, such as the selector knob 3, the first gear 10, etc., are preferably mounted on the front panel 1a.

[0014] A read-only-memory (ROM) cartridge 50 shown in Fig. 2 contains a ROM for storing performance information (i.e., musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) information), music piece titles, and the like. For example, the ROM cartridge 50 having fifty music pieces has corresponding performance information, titles, etc. for the fifty music pieces. The ROM cartridge 50 is detachably attached to the body 1 so that different cartridges may be plugged into the body 1.

[0015] A next button 30 is a switch that, when activated, skips the preselected music piece and retrieves the next preselected music piece. An entry button 31 is a switch that, when activated, selects and stores preselected information related to a music piece in the karaoke apparatus. A title button 32 is a switch that, when activated, displays the titles stored in the ROM cartridge 50. The ROM cartridge 50 contains displayable information indicative of music titles and other information. A random button 33 is a switch that, when activated, selects music pieces in the ROM cartridge 50 at random. A game button 34 is a switch that, when activated, renders the karaoke apparatus into a game mode for playing such games as naming the title of a music piece, while listening to the music in high-speed, low-speed, or the like.

[0016] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a melody switch 35 is used to either activate or deactivate the display of a music melody for a selected music piece. This function is useful to aid a user of the apparatus who does not remember the melody of the music piece. The melody switch 35 may be activated to display the melody of the music to assist the user. If the user is familiar with the music melody, the melody switch 35 may be deactivated. A sound switch 36 is used to control the sound quality options, such as reverberation and filter characteristics. In the preferred embodiment, there may be two customized sound quality options for playing the karaoke apparatus either in or outside the car. The karaoke apparatus also has a power switch 37 preferably with three options: "Power OFF," "Power ON," and "Power ON and Backlight of liquid crystal display unit ON."

[0017] The reference numerals 40u and 40d designate key control switches for changing the key (i.e., the octave) of each music piece. When the key switch 40u is depressed, a higher key is selected in incremental steps. When the key switch 40d is depressed, a lower key is selected in decremental steps. The reference numerals 41u and 41d designate tempo switches for changing the tempo of each music piece. The tempo increases when the tempo switch 41u is depressed. The tempo decreases when the tempo switch 41d is depressed. A microphone volume knob 45 adjusts the sound level from a microphone. An echo volume knob 46 controls the degree of echo effects added to the microphone signal.

[0018] In Fig. 5, PP1, PP2, and PP3 designate external output terminals of the karaoke apparatus. The terminal PP1 is a video output terminal. The terminals PP2 and PP3 are audio output terminals preferably for left and right channels. The terminals PP1, PP2, and PP3 may be connected to an external output device, such as a television set 60, with a set of connection cable.

[0019] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the karaoke apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. In the apparatus, a system control unit 70 is connected to and controls various circuits. For example, the system control unit 70 controls a performance control unit 72 and a video signal processing circuit 73 in accordance with the pulse signal supplied from the music selection input unit 15 and the signals from various control buttons and switches. The performance control unit 72 reads the data from the ROM cartridge 50 and supplies video information indicative of music piece titles and words, such as song lyrics, to the video signal processing circuit 73. The performance control unit 72 also provides performance information of a selected music piece to an audio signal processing circuit 75. The audio signal processing circuit 75 mixes a voice signal from a microphone 80 with the performance information supplied from the performance control unit 72. The audio signal processing circuit 75 amplifies and produces the mixed signal. The signals produced from the video signal processing circuit 73 and the audio signal processing circuit 75 are supplied to an external output device, such as a television set 60. The output signal of the audio signal processing circuit 75 may also be supplied to an external audio apparatus 81, such as a stereo amplifier.

[0020] Fig. 6 shows a memory map of the ROM cartridge 50. Each row of the memory map represents 4-four areas (i.e., four addresses) and each area (in other words, address) includes 1-byte. Other ROM cartridges with different collections of music pieces may be used. However, it is preferable to use the ROM cartridges with the similar memory format. Addresses 0 to 83 (84 bytes) are preferably used as a fixed area in the ROM cartridge 50 for storing the same kind of data in the same addresses. For example, a text code indicative of the memory size is stored at address 1-4. Addresses 80 to 83 contain a pointer P·FSA indicating the location that stores the start address of the performance data (MIDI data) for a first music piece in the ROM cartridge 50. The start address of the performance data of the first music piece is stored in a 32-bit area from the address indicated by the pointer P·FSA. The end address of the performance data of the first music piece is also stored in the ROM cartridge 50. In the ROM cartridge 50, the end address may be stored in a 32 bit area from the fourth address from the address indicated by the pointer P·FSA. Similarly, the next four-address set contains the start address of performance information for a second music piece and the further next four-address set contains the end address of the preformance information for second music piece. Thus, for example, there are 50 four-address sets in a ROM cartridge containing 25 music pieces.

[0021] Addresses 68 to 71 contain a pointer P·KFN indicating the address that stores the first music piece title. For example, the title information which consists of a certain maximum number of characters, such as 11 full-size characters or less, is stored in a 24-byte area which starts from the address indicated by the pointer P·KFN. The titles of second and subsequent music pieces are similarly stored at every four-address therefrom. The title information is preferably used for the television display and contains codes for specifying alphanumeric and foreign language characters, such as kana/kanji characters.

[0022] Addresses 72 to 75 contain a pointer P·KFNK indicating the start address of an area that contains title information for the liquid crystal display 2 of the karaoke apparatus. Alphanumeric and foreign language characters, such as katakana characters, for the first music piece title consisting of the maximum 11 characters are stored in a 24-byte area which starts from the address indicated by the pointer P·KFNK. The titles of the second and subsequent music pieces are similarly stored at every four-address therefrom.

[0023] Addresses 76 to 79 contain a pointer P·BMF indicating the start address of an area that contains the font data of the bit map. This area contains the font data for special characters used in the title (characters which are not in the font data of the performance control unit 72). The areas for storing performance data and word information are not shown in Fig. 6.

[0024] The operation of the preferred embodiment of the karaoke apparatus will now be described. When the power switch 37 is first turned ON, the performance control unit 72 reads the title information of the first sixth music pieces from the ROM cartridge 50, including the pointer P·KFN. The title information for these music pieces is converted into corresponding text codes. Then, the font data corresponding to the text codes are transferred to the video signal processing circuit 73. The video signal processing circuit 73 displays the font data on the television set 60, as shown in Fig. 7(a). First six lines of the screen are the titles of the music pieces with their respective numbers. In Fig. 7a, the title "While listening to Olivia" bearing the number "001" is initially selected. The selected title is highlighted (displayed brighter than the other titles). The lower part of the television screen has a window for displaying a title for one music piece. The window separately displays the highlighted title of the upper screen. For example, as shown in Fig. 7(a), the lower window displays the title "While listening to Olivia" bearing the music piece number "001." In addition, the performance control unit 72 reads the title information (for the liquid crystal display) of the first music piece, including the pointer P·KFNK. The title information is supplied to the liquid crystal display unit 2. As shown in Fig. 7(b), the liquid crystal display unit 2 displays the number and the title (including foreign characters, such as katakana characters) of the first music piece.

[0025] When a user rotates the selector knob 3, the rotation corresponding to the gear ratio is transferred to the rotary encoder 12. The music selection input unit 15 produces the number of pulse signals corresponding to the rotation amount of the selector knob 3. The pulse signal is then supplied to the system control unit 70. If the selector knob 3 rotates to the right by an amount corresponding to one pulse, the system control unit 70 instructs the performance control unit 72 to select the next music piece. As a result, the performance control unit 72 instructs the video signal processing unit 73 to highlight the second line which shows the number and title of the second music piece (for example, "002 You're My Only Shinin"). The first line containing the number and the title of the first music piece is no longer highlighted. As a result, the line displaying the title of the second music piece is highlighted on the television screen. Concurrently, the lower window of the television screen displays the title of the second music piece. The performance control unit 72 also reads the title information of the second music piece for the liquid crystal display from the ROM cartridge 50 and supplies the information to the liquid crystal display unit 2. As a result, the liquid crystal display unit 2 displays the title of the second music piece.

[0026] The continued rotation of the selector knob 3 further to the right selects a subsequent music piece. The highlighted portion of the television screen and the content of the liquid crystal display unit 2 are changed accordingly. When the seventh music piece is selected by further rotating the selector knob 3, the performance control unit 72 reads the title information of the second through seventh music pieces from the ROM cartridge 50 (for the television display). Accordingly, the titles and corresponding numbers for those music pieces are displayed on the television screen, with the seventh music piece title highlighted. In other words, the screen of the television set 60 scrolls up by one line. The scrolling of the screen corresponds to the rotation speed of the selector knob 3. If the selector knob 3 rotates rapidly, the screen scrolls rapidly. Therefore, even a music piece located near the end of the music library may be easily selected by rapidly rotating the selector knob 3. Conversely, if the selector knob 60 rotates to the left, the line which is highlighted on the television screen sequentially shifts up, thus making the screen to scroll down.

[0027] When the selector knob 3 rotates and selects an m-th music piece, the performance control unit 72 reads the pointer. P·KFN and calculates the address of the title information for television display of the m-th music piece as follows:

The 24-byte data in the above calculated address contains the title of the m-th music piece.

[0028] Similarly, the address for the m-th music piece containing the 24-byte data title information for liquid crystal display is obtained as follows:

[0029] When the music piece subsequent to the last music piece (for example, music piece No. 50) is designated, the performance control unit 72 selects music piece No. 1. When the music piece preceding the first music piece is designated, the performance control unit selects music piece No. 50. In other words, music piece Nos. 1 to 50 constitute a ring structure so that the selection wraps around after the last music piece (for example, music piece No. 50) is selected. Consequently, a desired music piece may be easily and quickly searched by rotating the selector knob 3 to the right or the left.

[0030] When the start/stop button 4 is activated after selecting a desired music piece, the switch 22 produces a signal, such as an ON signal which is fed to the system control unit 70. The system control unit 70 instructs the performance control unit 72 to start the music performance after receiving the ON signal from the switch 22. The performance control unit 72 reads the start and end addresses corresponding to the performance data of the selected music piece at the address specified in pointer P·FSA in the ROM cartridge 50. The performance control unit 72 reads the performance data in the designated area to create performance information. The performance information is then transferred to the audio signal processing circuit 75. In conjunction with the reading of the performance data, the performance control unit 72 reads the word information, such as song lyrics, of the selected music piece and transfers it to the video signal processing unit 73. The video signal processing unit 73 provides the display information, which corresponds to the words of the music piece to the television set 60. The displayed song lyrics change color or are gradually colored as the performance of the music piece proceeds. In other words, the lyrics corresponding to that music portion already played are in different color than the lyrics not yet performed. When the start/stop button 4 is activated after selecting a music piece, such as the first music piece "While listening to Olivia," the words are displayed on the screen of the television set 60, as shown in Fig. 8(a). The letters "K" and "T" in the lower portion of the screen is used for displaying information corresponding to the key and the tempo of the music being performed.

[0031] The performance control unit 72 also reads word information written in alphanumeric or foreign characters, such as katakana characters, from the corresponding area of the ROM cartridge 50 and supplies them to the liquid crystal display unit 2. In the liquid crystal display, a cursor, which is shown under a word in Fig. 8(b), moves according to the progress of the music piece being performed. In Fig. 8(b), for example, the cursor is positioned under letter "i" of the word "favorite."

[0032] In the preferred embodiment, a selected music piece may be performed immediately or a plurality of music pieces may be preselected and stored in any sequence. In the preselection mode, a desired music piece may be selected by operating the selector knob 3 and depressing the entry button 31. When the entry button 31 is depressed, the system control unit 70 issues a preselection command to the performance control unit 72. The performance control unit 72 stores the selected music piece in a predetermined memory space. Other preselected music pieces may be stored in the same manner. When the start/stop button 4 is depressed, the preselected music pieces begin performing in the order of the selection (i.e., the first music piece selected performs first).

[0033] The preselection process may be conducted while a music piece is being performed. During the performance, the music lyric is shown on the screen of the television set 60, as shown in Fig. 8(a). The title of the music piece corresponding to the music lyric is displayed in the lower window of the screen. When the selector knob 3 rotates while a music is being performed, the title shown in the lower window changes in accordance with the rotation amount of the selector knobs. When the title of a desired music piece is displayed in the window, the entry button 31 may be depressed to select and store the music piece information in the performance control unit 72. For example, Fig. 9(a) shows the state where the third music piece entitled "Diamonds" is selected during the performance of another music piece. The triangular symbols displayed below the lower window represents the total number of preselected music pieces. In the illustrated example, ten music pieces are preselected which are represented by ten triangle symbols.

[0034] Fig. 9(b) illustrates the content of the liquid crystal display unit 2 when selecting a music piece while another music piece is being performed. Normally, the liquid crystal display unit 2 displays song lyrics during the performance. When the music selection input unit 15 outputs a pulse signal to cause the system control unit 70 to issue a preselection command, the performance control unit 72 switches the display mode from displaying song lyrics to displaying the titles of selected music pieces. After a predetermined period, the liquid crystal display returns to its normal state by replacing the titles of selected music pieces with the song lyrics of the music piece currently being performed.

[0035] In the preferred embodiment, the activation of the title button 32, shown in Fig. 2, allows the system control unit 70 to instruct the performance control unit 72 to display the music titles. The performance control unit 72 reads the title information stored at address Nos. 4 to 27 of the ROM cartridge 50 and transfers it to the video signal processing unit 73. As a result, the title of the ROM cartridge 50 is displayed on the television set 60. This feature provides a convenient way to identify the ROM cartridge 50 loaded in the karaoke apparatus.

[0036] Since the sequence of music pieces is recognized in the order of addresses where the titles are stored, it is not required to additionally store information relating to the sequence. As required, information relating to the sequence may be stored together with the titles, and the sequence of music pieces may be determined by the information irrespective of the order of the addresses.

[0037] Namely, in the case of RAM cartridge as rewritable, according to an object of this process, when the stored titles are edited (for example, a replace for the sequence of the music pieces or an addition or squeezing new title in the middle of the sequence of the music pieces, the information stored in the cartridge header, which relates to the title is edited by changing the information relating to the sequence of music pieces. More specifically, one music is stored as an information in such a manner that, in cartridge, the sequence of the music piece is stored in 4-byte and the title of the music piece is stored in 28-byte. Thus, totally, 28-byte corresponds to one music information.

[0038] Alternative embodiments of the invention will now be described. In the preferred embodiment, the titles of designated music pieces are displayed on the screen, and a music piece may be designated by rotating the selector knob 3. However, the title of a music piece may not be sufficient to remember the lyrics and melodies of the music piece. To alleviate this problem, certain portions of the music piece, such as the most recognizable portion, the introduction portion, the refrain portion and the like, may be stored in the ROM cartridge 50 in addition to the title information of the music piece. When such information is stored in the MIDI information format, the memory requirement may be minimized. The memory requirement may be further reduced by storing only the melody portions. When a predetermined switch is activated, the above melody information is read and then played. The replay of the recognizable melody of the music piece while displaying the corresponding title may allow the user to remember the music piece.

[0039] In an alternative embodiment, the pulse signal used in the music searching and selecting process may be generated from an up/down switch, a touch panel, or a sliding potentiometer (a variable resister), instead of from the rotary encoder 12. The performance control unit 72 and the system control unit 70 may be implemented by using a microprocessor or other similar devices. In such a case, the two units may be configured into one integral unit. In addition, instead of using a ROM cartridge 50, the karaoke apparatus may be configured to use a CD-ROM, a mini disk (MD), a battery-backed RAM or the like.

[0040] The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

[0041] It should be noted that the objects and advantages of the invention may be attained by means of any compatible combination(s) particularly pointed out in the items of the following summary of the invention and the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0042] 

1. An apparatus for reproducing music programs and suitable for use as a sing-along apparatus, wherein the apparatus is used with an output device, the apparatus comprising:
   a title information area that contains program titles;
   a performance information area that contains performance information of the music programs;
   a control device having a selector knob, a first switch, and a rotation encoder, wherein the rotation encoder produces a scan signal, in accordance with the rotation of the selector knob, which is used to designate a music program;
   a system control unit coupled to the control device; and
   a data processing unit coupled to the system control unit, wherein the data processing unit reads a predetermined number of the program titles from the title information area pursuant to the rotation of the selector knob and generates a display signal corresponding to the program titles to the output device;
   wherein upon activation of the first switch, starts the performance of the designated music program by processing the performance information of the designated music program.

2. An apparatus wherein the title information comprises sequentially listed program titles so that the data processing unit reads the program titles in the sequential order.

3. An apparatus wherein the performance information area and the title information area are in a storage medium.

4. An apparatus wherein the storage medium is a read-only-memory.

5. An apparatus wherein the data processing unit includes a video signal processing unit and a performance control unit, and wherein the data processing unit comprises a microprocessor.

6. An apparatus wherein the output device is a television monitor.

7. An apparatus wherein the performance information comprises music instrument digital interface (MIDI) information.

8. An apparatus wherein the system controll unit includes a second switch for selecting a music program, and upon activation of the second switch, the data processing unit retrieves performance information of the designated music program.

9. An apparatus for reproducing music programs and suitable for use as a sing-along or karaoke apparatus, wherein the apparatus is used with an output device, the apparatus comprising:
   a performance information area that contains performance information of the music programs;
   a title information area that contains program titles;
   a word information area that contains word information of the music programs;
   a control device that produces a scan signal, wherein the control device has a program selector, a first switch, and an encoder in which the encoder produces the scan signal, in accordance with the movement of the program selector, for designating a music program;
   a system control unit coupled to the control device;
   a data processing unit coupled to the system control unit, wherein the data processing unit reads a predetermined number of the program titles from the title information area pursuant to the rotation of the selector knob and generates a display signal corresponding to the program titles to the output device;
   wherein upon activation of the first switch, starts the performance of the designated music program by processing the performance information of the designated music program and generates the display signal corresponding to the word information.

10. An apparatus wherein the output device displays both the word information and the title information so that a different music program may be selected during the performance of the selected music program.

11. An apparatus wherein the output device is a television monitor.

12. An apparatus wherein the data processing unit provides the word information to the output device during the performance of the selected music program and provides the title information when the scan signal is received from the control unit.

13. An apparatus wherein the output device is a liquid crystal display.

14. An apparatus wherein the performance information comprises music instrument digital interface (MIDI) information.

15. An apparatus wherein the performance information area, the title information area and the word information area reside in a storage medium.

16. An apparatus wherein the storage medium includes a sample information area that contains selective portions of the performance information of music programs which are processed and performed by the data processing unit.

17. An apparatus wherein the sample information area further contains selective portions of the word information that corresponds to the selective portions of the performance information.

18. An apparatus wherein the storage medium includes a read only memory.

19. An apparatus wherein the data control unit recognizes the sequence of the program titles in a circular manner such that the first program title is read after the last program title when scanning incrementally, and the last program title is read after the first program title when scanning decrementally.

20. An apparatus wherein the control device includes a plurality of switches for producing the scan signal that comprises an up scan signal and a down scan signal.

21. An apparatus wherein the system controll unit includes a second switch for selecting a music program, and upon activation of the second switch, the data processing unit retrieves performance information and the word information of the designated music program.

22. A method for reproducing music programs and accompanying words on an output device, the method comprising the steps of:
   providing a performance information area that contains performance information of the music programs;
   providing a title information area that contains program titles;
   providing a word information area that contains word information of the music programs;
   generating a scan signal to scan music programs;
   reading a group of program titles from the title information area corresponding to the scan signal;
   displaying the group of program titles on the output device;
   providing a selection switch to designate a music program from the group of program titles;
   reading performance information and word information of the designated music program from the performance information area and the word information area, respectively;
   displaying the word information of the designated music piece on the output device while performing the music program by processing the performance information.

23. A method further comprising the step of selecting another music program while the designated music program is performing.

Claims

1. An apparatus for reproducing music programs and suitable for use as a sing-along apparatus, wherein the apparatus is used with an output device, the apparatus comprising:
   a title information area that contains program titles;
   a performance information area that contains performance information of the music programs;
   a control device having a selector knob, a first switch, and a rotation encoder, wherein the rotation encoder produces a scan signal, in accordance with the rotation of the selector knob, which is used to designate a music program;
   a system control unit coupled to the control device; and
   a data processing unit coupled to the system control unit, wherein the data processing unit reads a predetermined number of the program titles from the title information area pursuant to the rotation of the selector knob and generates a display signal corresponding to the program titles to the output device;
   wherein upon activation of the first switch, starts the performance of the designated music program by processing the performance information of the designated music program.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the title information comprises sequentially listed program titles so that the data processing unit reads the program titles in the sequential order, preferably
   wherein the performance information area and the title information area are in a storage medium, preferably
   wherein the storage medium is a read-only-memory, and preferably
   wherein the data processing unit includes a video signal processing unit and a performance control unit, and wherein the data processing unit comprises a microprocessor.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output device is a television monitor, preferably
   wherein the performance information comprises music instrument digital interface (MIDI) information, and preferably
   wherein the system controll unit includes a second switch for selecting a music program, and upon activation of the second switch, the data processing unit retrieves performance information of the designated music program.

4. An apparatus for reproducing music programs and suitable for use as a sing-along or karaoke apparatus, wherein the apparatus is used with an output device, the apparatus comprising:
   a performance information area that contains performance information of the music programs;
   a title information area that contains program titles;
   a word information area that contains word information of the music programs;
   a control device that produces a scan signal, wherein the control device has a program selector, a first switch, and an encoder in which the encoder produces the scan signal, in accordance with the movement of the program selector, for designating a music program;
   a system control unit coupled to the control device;
   a data processing unit coupled to the system control unit, wherein the data processing unit reads a predetermined number of the program titles from the title information area pursuant to the rotation of the selector knob and generates a display signal corresponding to the program titles to the output device;
   wherein upon activation of the first switch, starts the performance of the designated music program by processing the performance information of the designated music program and generates the display signal corresponding to the word information.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the output device displays both the word information and the title information so that a different music program may be selected during the performance of the selected music program, preferably
   wherein the output device is a television monitor, preferably
   wherein the data processing unit provides the word information to the output device during the performance of the selected music program and provides the title information when the scan signal is received from the control unit, and preferably
   wherein the output device is a liquid crystal display.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the performance information comprises music instrument digital interface (MIDI) information, preferably
   wherein the performance information area, the title information area and the word information area reside in a storage medium, preferably
   wherein the storage medium includes a sample information area that contains selective portions of the performance information of music programs which are processed and performed by the data processing unit, preferably
   wherein the sample information area further contains selective portions of the word information that corresponds to the selective portions of the performance information, and preferably
   wherein the storage medium includes a read only memory.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the data control unit recognizes the sequence of the program titles in a circular manner such that the first program title is read after the last program title when scanning incrementally, and the last program title is read after the first program title when scanning decrementally, preferably
   wherein the control device includes a plurality of switches for producing the scan signal that comprises an up scan signal and a down scan signal, and preferably
   wherein the system controll unit includes a second switch for selecting a music program, and upon activation of the second switch, the data processing unit retrieves performance information and the word information of the designated music program.

8. A method for reproducing music programs and accompanying words on an output device, the method comprising the steps of:
   providing a performance information area that contains performance information of the music programs;
   providing a title information area that contains program titles;
   providing a word information area that contains word information of the music programs;
   generating a scan signal to scan music programs;
   reading a group of program titles from the title information area corresponding to the scan signal;
   displaying the group of program titles on the output device;
   providing a selection switch to designate a music program from the group of program titles;
   reading performance information and word information of the designated music program from the performance information area and the word information area, respectively;
   displaying the word information of the designated music piece on the output device while performing the music program by processing the performance information.

9. A method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of selecting another music program while the designated music program is performing.

10. An apparatus for reproducing music programs and suitable for use as a sing-along apparatus, wherein the apparatus is used with an output device.

Drawing