Abstract: The reproducing of the MP3 part is started from a first reproducing start position that is positioned prior to a second pointed reproducing start position. In this case, this MP3 part is mute-reproduced in a period that extends from the first reproducing start position to a timing corresponding to the second reproducing start position. Then, the mute is canceled when progress of the MP3 part arrives at a timing corresponding to the second reproducing start position, and at the same time the reproducing of the MIDI part is started.

Abstract: The reproducing of the MP3 part is started from a first reproducing start position that is positioned prior to a second pointed reproducing start position. In this case, this MP3 part is mute-reproduced in a period that extends from the first reproducing start position to a timing corresponding to the second reproducing start position. Then, the mute is canceled when progress of the MP3 part arrives at a timing corresponding to the second reproducing start position, and at the same time the reproducing of the MIDI part is started.

Abstract: A karaoke apparatus is provided in which a plurality of singers can sing at a time and superiority/inferiority of singing voices can be matched. One karaoke music piece is performed, and two persons sing the music piece at a time by using different microphones. Singing voice signals input through the two microphones are respectively scored, and characters displayed on a screen are caused to fight based on the score results. If the point of the singer having microphone is higher, an animation in which character attacks character is displayed. If the singing point of microphone is higher, animation in which character attacks character is displayed.

Abstract: A karaoke online system distributes karaoke data blocks having identification codes from a center station to a plurality of karaoke terminals through a broadcast network. In the center station, a transmitter broadcasts the karaoke data blocks with the identification codes to the broadcast network. In the karaoke terminal, a receiver receives the karaoke data blocks with the identification codes from the center station through the broadcast network. A buffer memory temporarily memorizes each of the karaoke data blocks received by the receiver. A storage device stores the karaoke data blocks after each of the karaoke data blocks is temporarily memorized in the buffer memory. A controller discriminates the karaoke data blocks while each of the karaoke data blocks stays in the buffer memory according to the identification codes attached to the karaoke data blocks for judging as to whether each of the karaoke data blocks should be transferred from the buffer memory to the storage device.

Abstract: A storing unit of a communication karaoke apparatus has a newly released music file storing area, an information file storing area, a necessary information file list storing area, and the like. Information files are used for displaying information such as concert information, and advertisements of stores and goods. The information files are displayed during an intermission of karaoke performances due to music-piece files. When a new release file is downloaded, a necessary information file list is simultaneously downloaded. Based on the necessary information file list, unnecessary information files are deleted from the information file storing area, and only necessary information files among the downloaded information files are written into the information file storing area. Accordingly, only necessary information files can be always stored.

Abstract: A karaoke network system includes a host computer and a plurality of karaoke stations connected to the host computer via a communication line. When a new karaoke station is added to the karaoke network system or when a system program to be used by each of the karaoke stations is upgraded, a new system program is distributed from the host computer to the specified karaoke stations, Each of the karaoke stations has a first storage device for storing the new system program received from the host computer, and a second storage device that stores a system program currently executed to operate each of the karaoke stations. After rebooting each of the karaoke stations and thereafter, each of the karaoke stations is operated with the newest system program.

Abstract: A host apparatus stores all of music-piece files and information files, and also stores lists information files (information file lists) required for a plurality of areas where communication karaoke apparatuses are located. When music-piece files are downloaded to a communication karaoke apparatus, information files are simultaneously downloaded. Information files required for the area are determined based on the area where the communication karaoke apparatus is located, and only the necessary information files are downloaded together with the music-piece files. As a result, the operation efficiency and the communication efficiency can be enhanced. At this time, a list of information files stored in the communication karaoke apparatus is requested, and only difference information files are downloaded so that the efficiencies can be further enhanced.

Abstract: The karaoke apparatus is constructed for accompanying a karaoke music on a singer according to music information. In the karaoke apparatus, a providing device provides the music information containing accompaniment data and at least first reference data and second reference data, respectively, corresponding to a first part and a second part of the karaoke music. A generating device generates the karaoke music according to the accompaniment data while a first singer sings the first part along with the karaoke music and a second singer sings the second part along with the karaoke music. A collecting device collects a first singing voice of the first singer and a second singing voice of the second singer during progression of the karaoke music.

Abstract: In a network karaoke system, a center station transmits song data, and a plurality of karaoke terminals communicate with the center station to receive therefrom the song data so that each karaoke terminal can provide a karaoke service based on the received song data. The center station has a first transmitter that broadcasts the song data to transmit the same simultaneously to all of the karaoke terminals, and a second transmitter that responds to a request from each karaoke terminal to individually transmit the song data to each karaoke terminal. Each karaoke terminal has a first receiver that is capable of receiving the song data broadcasted by the center station, a detector that detects when the first receiver has failed to receive the broadcasted song data for communicating with the center station to notify thereto the request for re-transmission of the song data, and a second receiver that receives the song data re-transmitted from the second transmitter of the center station in response to the request.

Abstract: In a multi-access local area network, a plurality of stations employing a predetermined protocol (e.g., a protocol based on a CSMA/CD system) are linked together by a bus. In order to transmit MIDI data in the multi-access local area network, another station employing a certain protocol which is suitable for transmitting the MIDI data is further provided and is designed to perform a frequency modulation by a unit of word. The protocol employed by another station defines a specific frame form which is based on a start-stop system. The specific frame form contains a sequence of a preamble, a start bit, a data portion and a stop bit. An optimum bit pattern which is suitable for the transmission of the MIDI data is selected for the preamble.

Abstract: In a token-ring-type local area network (LAN), a plurality of communication nodes are linked together into a ring by a transmission path, onto which a token used for obtaining a transmission right is circulating through and a frame carrying data is transferred through. Herein, the token has a first memory area for memorizing a ring priority, while the frame has a second memory area for memorizing a reservation priority corresponding to a data priority of the data owned by each communication node. When a current communication node receives the token, the frame is generated and transmitted therefrom without transmitting the token if the data priority is higher than the reservation priority. When the current communication node receives the frame, the data priority of the current communication node is written into the second memory area of the frame if the data priority is higher than the reservation priority.

Abstract: In a ring-type LAN, in the decoder of a communication station, a symbol series is decoded from a signal transmitted through the medium of a transmission path and then a synchronization symbol is detected and a first symbol series is synchronized with the synchronization symbol and outputted. Next, in the plurality of dividers of the communication station, only the specific symbols which are used in the LANs of the different protocols are extracted from the first symbol series and a second symbol series are created and outputted. Then, in the plurality of LAN connectors, the second symbol series are inputted and the processing and replacement of the second symbol series is conducted by means of predetermined protocols and new symbol series are outputted. Next, in the combiner, the plurality of symbol series are combined and a new symbol series is outputted.

Abstract: A musical tone generator includes first and second tone generator units respectively having a plurality of musical tone generation channels, a designating device for designating tone colors of musical tones, and a CPU for enabling respective tone generation channels to be selectively assigned with different tone colors. The usage of the plural tone generator units is also controlled by discriminating whether or not the input performance data can be processed by the first tone generator unit. When the CPU determines that the input performance data can be processed by the first tone generator unit, it controls musical tone production in the first tone generator unit based on the performance data. When the CPU determines that the input performance data cannot be processed by the first tone generator unit, it controls musical tone production in the second tone generator unit based on the performance data.