US5895876A — Sound reproducing apparatus which utilizes data s…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 255 words

A recording medium reproducing apparatus for reproducing a recording medium on which at least sound data of a plurality of music pieces have been recorded, said apparatus comprising: means for generating a selection music piece command to select at least one particular music piece of said plurality of music pieces; playing means for playing said recording medium with respect to said at least one particular music piece according to said selection music piece command; a memory for storing music title name information of at least one of said music pieces recorded on said recording medium; means for reading said music title name information corresponding to said selection music piece command from said memory when said selection music piece command is generated; and display means for displaying said music title name information read from said memory, wherein said means for generating a selection music piece command comprises: memory means for storing music piece classification information for said music pieces recorded on said recording medium, said music piece classification information representing at least one characteristic of said plurality of music pieces and comprising a plurality of different items; selection means for selecting at least one item from among said items of said music piece classification information in accordance with a selection operation and for selecting at least one selected music piece which corresponds to said at least one item; and command generating means for generating said selection music piece command to select said at least one particular music piece from said at least one selected music piece.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 255 words

A recording medium reproducing apparatus for reproducing a recording medium on which at least sound data of a plurality of music pieces have been recorded, said apparatus comprising: means for generating a selection music piece command to select at least one particular music piece of said plurality of music pieces; playing means for playing said recording medium with respect to said at least one particular music piece according to said selection music piece command; a memory for storing music title name information of at least one of said music pieces recorded on said recording medium; means for reading said music title name information corresponding to said selection music piece command from said memory when said selection music piece command is generated; and display means for displaying said music title name information read from said memory, wherein said means for generating a selection music piece command comprises: memory means for storing music piece classification information for said music pieces recorded on said recording medium, said music piece classification information representing at least one characteristic of said plurality of music pieces and comprising a plurality of different items; selection means for selecting at least one item from among said items of said music piece classification information in accordance with a selection operation and for selecting at least one selected music piece which corresponds to said at least one item; and command generating means for generating said selection music piece command to select said at least one particular music piece from said at least one selected music piece.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 41 words

A recording medium reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said music title name information has been recorded on said recording medium, and wherein said music title name information is read from said recording medium and stored in said memory.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 255 words

A karaoke reproducing apparatus for reproducing a recording medium on which at least karaoke playing sounds of a plurality of music pieces have been recorded, said apparatus comprising: means for generating a selection music piece command to select at least one particular music piece of said plurality of music pieces; playing means for playing said recording medium with respect to said at least one particular music piece according to said selection music piece command; a memory for storing music title name information of at least one of said music pieces recorded on said recording medium; means for reading said music title name information corresponding to said selection music piece command from said memory when said selection music piece command is generated; and display means for displaying said music title name information read from said memory, wherein said means for generating a selection music piece command comprises: memory means for storing music piece classification information for said music pieces recorded on said recording medium, said music piece classification information representing at least one characteristic of said plurality of music pieces and comprising a plurality of different items; selection means for selecting at least one item from among said items of said music piece classification information in accordance with a selection operation and for selecting at least one selected music piece which corresponds to said at least one item; and command generating means for generating said selection music piece command to select said at least one particular music piece from said at least one selected music piece.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 255 words

A karaoke reproducing apparatus for reproducing a recording medium on which at least karaoke playing sounds of a plurality of music pieces have been recorded, said apparatus comprising: means for generating a selection music piece command to select at least one particular music piece of said plurality of music pieces; playing means for playing said recording medium with respect to said at least one particular music piece according to said selection music piece command; a memory for storing music title name information of at least one of said music pieces recorded on said recording medium; means for reading said music title name information corresponding to said selection music piece command from said memory when said selection music piece command is generated; and display means for displaying said music title name information read from said memory, wherein said means for generating a selection music piece command comprises: memory means for storing music piece classification information for said music pieces recorded on said recording medium, said music piece classification information representing at least one characteristic of said plurality of music pieces and comprising a plurality of different items; selection means for selecting at least one item from among said items of said music piece classification information in accordance with a selection operation and for selecting at least one selected music piece which corresponds to said at least one item; and command generating means for generating said selection music piece command to select said at least one particular music piece from said at least one selected music piece.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 40 words

An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said music title name information, which has been recorded on said recording medium, is previously read from the recording medium and recorded into said memory before said selection music piece command is generated.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 172 words

A recording medium for playing in a recording medium reproducing apparatus which comprises means for generating a selection music piece command to select one music piece of a plurality of music pieces in accordance with a selection operation and playing means for playing said one music piece according to said selection music piece command, said recording medium comprising: at least an information area in which information relating to music pieces are recorded on said recording medium, said information relating to music pieces including music title name information and music classification information; and at least a data area in which at least sound data of said music pieces recorded on said recording medium is recorded, wherein said information area and said data area together constitute an information recording area of said recording medium, wherein said music title name information and said music classification information constitute search criteria which are evaluated during said selection operation to enable said recording medium reproducing apparatus to select said one music piece of said plurality of music pieces.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 172 words

A recording medium for playing in a recording medium reproducing apparatus which comprises means for generating a selection music piece command to select one music piece of a plurality of music pieces in accordance with a selection operation and playing means for playing said one music piece according to said selection music piece command, said recording medium comprising: at least an information area in which information relating to music pieces are recorded on said recording medium, said information relating to music pieces including music title name information and music classification information; and at least a data area in which at least sound data of said music pieces recorded on said recording medium is recorded, wherein said information area and said data area together constitute an information recording area of said recording medium, wherein said music title name information and said music classification information constitute search criteria which are evaluated during said selection operation to enable said recording medium reproducing apparatus to select said one music piece of said plurality of music pieces.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 29 words

A recording medium as claimed in claim 5, wherein said music classification information comprises theme information for said music pieces which corresponds to the themes of said music pieces.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 28 words

A recording medium as claimed in claim 5, wherein said music classification information comprises situation information for said music pieces which corresponds to situations of said music pieces.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 28 words

A recording medium as claimed in claim 5, wherein said music classification information comprises genre information for said music pieces which corresponds to genres of said music pieces.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 37 words

A recording medium as claimed in claim 5, wherein said music classification information comprises control information for said music pieces which indicates an external apparatus which can be controlled by control data recorded on said recording medium.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 133 words

A recording medium reproducing apparatus for reproducing a recording medium on which at least sound data of a plurality of music pieces have been recorded, wherein said apparatus comprises: memory means for storing music piece classification information for said music pieces recorded on said recording medium, wherein said music piece classification information represents at least one characteristic of said plurality of music pieces and comprises a plurality of different items; selection means for selecting at least one item of said items of said music piece classification information in accordance with a selection operation and for selecting at least one selected music piece which corresponds to said at least one item; and searching means for searching said memory means for at least one particular music piece from said at least one selected music piece.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 133 words

A recording medium reproducing apparatus for reproducing a recording medium on which at least sound data of a plurality of music pieces have been recorded, wherein said apparatus comprises: memory means for storing music piece classification information for said music pieces recorded on said recording medium, wherein said music piece classification information represents at least one characteristic of said plurality of music pieces and comprises a plurality of different items; selection means for selecting at least one item of said items of said music piece classification information in accordance with a selection operation and for selecting at least one selected music piece which corresponds to said at least one item; and searching means for searching said memory means for at least one particular music piece from said at least one selected music piece.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 52 words

An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said music piece classification information of said music pieces is recorded on said recording medium, and wherein the music piece classification information of said music pieces is previously read from said recording medium and stored in said memory means before said selection operation is performed.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 28 words

A recording medium reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said music piece classification information is recorded on said recording medium in the form of code data.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 24 words

An apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising display means for displaying a music title name of said at least one particular music piece.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 19 words

An apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising playing means for reproducing said at least one particular music piece.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 168 words

A recording medium reproducing apparatus for reproducing a recording medium on which at least sound data of a plurality of music pieces have been recorded, wherein said apparatus comprises: memory means for storing music piece classification information for said music pieces recorded on said recording medium, wherein said music piece classification information represents at least one characteristic of said plurality of music pieces and comprises a plurality of different items; selection means for generating an item content selection command to select at least one item of said items of said music piece classification information in accordance with a selection operation; and searching means for searching said memory means for at least one particular music piece corresponding to said at least one item selected by said item content selection command, wherein said selection means generates said item content selection command based on a plurality of selection operations, wherein said plurality of selection operations respectively select at least two items among said different items in said music piece classification information.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 168 words

A recording medium reproducing apparatus for reproducing a recording medium on which at least sound data of a plurality of music pieces have been recorded, wherein said apparatus comprises: memory means for storing music piece classification information for said music pieces recorded on said recording medium, wherein said music piece classification information represents at least one characteristic of said plurality of music pieces and comprises a plurality of different items; selection means for generating an item content selection command to select at least one item of said items of said music piece classification information in accordance with a selection operation; and searching means for searching said memory means for at least one particular music piece corresponding to said at least one item selected by said item content selection command, wherein said selection means generates said item content selection command based on a plurality of selection operations, wherein said plurality of selection operations respectively select at least two items among said different items in said music piece classification information.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 165 words

A recording medium reproducing apparatus for reproducing a recording medium on which at least sound data of a plurality of music pieces have been recorded, wherein said apparatus comprises: memory means for storing music piece classification information for said music pieces recorded on said recording medium, wherein said music piece classification information represents at least one characteristic of said plurality of music pieces and comprises a plurality of different items; selection means for generating an item content selection command to select at least one item of said items of said music piece classification information in accordance with a selection operation; and searching means for searching said memory means for at least one particular music piece corresponding to said at least one item selected by said item content selection command, wherein said selection means generates said item content selection command based on a selection item which represents a classification of said music pieces that is different from said items contained in the music piece classification information.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 165 words

A recording medium reproducing apparatus for reproducing a recording medium on which at least sound data of a plurality of music pieces have been recorded, wherein said apparatus comprises: memory means for storing music piece classification information for said music pieces recorded on said recording medium, wherein said music piece classification information represents at least one characteristic of said plurality of music pieces and comprises a plurality of different items; selection means for generating an item content selection command to select at least one item of said items of said music piece classification information in accordance with a selection operation; and searching means for searching said memory means for at least one particular music piece corresponding to said at least one item selected by said item content selection command, wherein said selection means generates said item content selection command based on a selection item which represents a classification of said music pieces that is different from said items contained in the music piece classification information.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 41 words

An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said selection means makes a determination regarding which of said items contained in said music piece classification information correspond to said selection item and generates said item content selection command based on said determination.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 148 words

A recording medium reproducing apparatus which can generate data to control an external apparatus simultaneously with the reproduction of a sound, comprising: a recording medium on which at least sound data of a plurality of music pieces, control set information of said external apparatus, and real-time data for said plurality of music pieces have been recorded; means for generating a selection music piece command to indicate one music piece of said plurality of music pieces in accordance with a selection operation; playing means for playing said recording medium with respect to said one music piece according to said selection music piece command; and means for reading said control set information according to said selection music piece command before said playing means begins playing said recording medium and for setting the external apparatus into a set state corresponding to said control set information read by said means for reading.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 148 words

A recording medium reproducing apparatus which can generate data to control an external apparatus simultaneously with the reproduction of a sound, comprising: a recording medium on which at least sound data of a plurality of music pieces, control set information of said external apparatus, and real-time data for said plurality of music pieces have been recorded; means for generating a selection music piece command to indicate one music piece of said plurality of music pieces in accordance with a selection operation; playing means for playing said recording medium with respect to said one music piece according to said selection music piece command; and means for reading said control set information according to said selection music piece command before said playing means begins playing said recording medium and for setting the external apparatus into a set state corresponding to said control set information read by said means for reading.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 30 words

An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said control set information is control device information indicative of an ability of said external apparatus to be controlled by said real-time data.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 85 words

An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said external apparatus is a background video image apparatus for generating a background signal indicative of a background video image of a character image which is displayed on a display, wherein said control set information is background video image information indicative of a kind of said background signal to be generated by said background video image apparatus, and wherein said kind of said background signal represents a type of background video image to be displayed on said display.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 35 words

An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said external apparatus is a DSP for processing audio data and said control set information is DSP mode information used to set an operating mode of said DSP.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 214 words

A recording medium reproducing apparatus which can control an external apparatus simultaneously with the reproduction of a sound, comprising: a recording medium on which at least sound data of a plurality of music pieces, portions of video data, and portions of real-time data are recorded, wherein said portions of real-time data correspond to said plurality of music pieces such that said portions of real-time data change when one music piece of said plurality of music pieces is played and wherein said portions of video data correspond to said plurality of music pieces; means for generating a selection music piece command to indicate a selected music piece of said plurality of music pieces in accordance with a selection operation; playing means for playing said recording medium with respect to said selected music piece according to said selection music piece command and for outputting one portion of said portions of real-time data simultaneously with the reproduction of said sound data; means for outputting at least one of said portions of video data to a display when said playing means plays said recording medium; and converting means for converting said one portion of real-time data output from said playing means into converted data and for supplying said converted data to said external apparatus as a control signal.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 214 words

A recording medium reproducing apparatus which can control an external apparatus simultaneously with the reproduction of a sound, comprising: a recording medium on which at least sound data of a plurality of music pieces, portions of video data, and portions of real-time data are recorded, wherein said portions of real-time data correspond to said plurality of music pieces such that said portions of real-time data change when one music piece of said plurality of music pieces is played and wherein said portions of video data correspond to said plurality of music pieces; means for generating a selection music piece command to indicate a selected music piece of said plurality of music pieces in accordance with a selection operation; playing means for playing said recording medium with respect to said selected music piece according to said selection music piece command and for outputting one portion of said portions of real-time data simultaneously with the reproduction of said sound data; means for outputting at least one of said portions of video data to a display when said playing means plays said recording medium; and converting means for converting said one portion of real-time data output from said playing means into converted data and for supplying said converted data to said external apparatus as a control signal.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 75 words

An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein control information has been recorded in a head portion of said recording medium for each of said plurality of music pieces, wherein said playing means reads the control information from said recording medium before the reproduction of the sound data according to said selection music piece command, and wherein said converting means converts the portion of real-time data according to the control information read from said recording medium.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 162 words

A recording medium for playing in a recording medium reproducing apparatus which comprises means for generating a selection music piece command to select one music piece of a plurality of music pieces in accordance with a selection operation and playing means for playing said one music piece according to said selection music piece command, said recording medium comprising: at least an information area in which information relating to music pieces are recorded on said recording medium, said information relating to music pieces including music classification information; and at least a data area in which at least sound data of said music pieces recorded on said recording medium is recorded, wherein said information area and said data area together constitute an information recording area of said recording medium, wherein said music classification information constitutes a search criteria which is evaluated during said selection operation to enable said recording medium reproducing apparatus to select said one music piece of said plurality of music pieces.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 162 words

A recording medium for playing in a recording medium reproducing apparatus which comprises means for generating a selection music piece command to select one music piece of a plurality of music pieces in accordance with a selection operation and playing means for playing said one music piece according to said selection music piece command, said recording medium comprising: at least an information area in which information relating to music pieces are recorded on said recording medium, said information relating to music pieces including music classification information; and at least a data area in which at least sound data of said music pieces recorded on said recording medium is recorded, wherein said information area and said data area together constitute an information recording area of said recording medium, wherein said music classification information constitutes a search criteria which is evaluated during said selection operation to enable said recording medium reproducing apparatus to select said one music piece of said plurality of music pieces.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 29 words

A recording medium as claimed in claim 24, wherein said music classification information comprises theme information for said music pieces which corresponds to the themes of said music pieces.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 28 words

A recording medium as claimed in claim 24, wherein said music classification information comprises situation information for said music pieces which corresponds to situations of said music pieces.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 28 words

A recording medium as claimed in claim 24, wherein said music classification information comprises genre information for said music pieces which corresponds to genres of said music pieces.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 37 words

A recording medium as claimed in claim 24, wherein said music classification information comprises control information for said music pieces which indicates various external apparatuses which can be controlled by control data recorded on said recording medium.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 143 words

A recording medium for playing in a recording medium reproducing apparatus which comprises means for generating a selection music piece command to select one music piece of a plurality of music pieces in accordance with a selection operation and playing means for playing said one music piece according to said selection music piece command, said recording medium comprising: at least an information area in which information relating to music pieces are recorded on said recording medium, said information including control information for controlling an external apparatus and portions of video information, wherein said portions of video data correspond to said music pieces; and at least a data area in which at least sound data of said music pieces recorded on said recording medium is recorded, wherein said information area and said data area together constitute an information recording area of said recording medium.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 143 words

A recording medium for playing in a recording medium reproducing apparatus which comprises means for generating a selection music piece command to select one music piece of a plurality of music pieces in accordance with a selection operation and playing means for playing said one music piece according to said selection music piece command, said recording medium comprising: at least an information area in which information relating to music pieces are recorded on said recording medium, said information including control information for controlling an external apparatus and portions of video information, wherein said portions of video data correspond to said music pieces; and at least a data area in which at least sound data of said music pieces recorded on said recording medium is recorded, wherein said information area and said data area together constitute an information recording area of said recording medium.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 24 words

A recording medium according to claim 29, wherein said information in said information area further includes music title name information for said music pieces.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 54 words

A recording medium as claimed in claim 29, wherein said external apparatus comprises an illuminating apparatus for illuminating at least one light, and wherein said illuminating apparatus is different from a display on which words relating to said one music piece are displayed when said one music piece is played by said playing means.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 36 words

A recording medium as claimed in claim 29, wherein said external apparatus is a DSP for processing audio data corresponding to said one music piece when said one music piece is played by said playing means.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-04-19	2002-10-19	2003-04-20	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-04-19	2006-10-19	2007-04-20	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-04-19	2010-10-19	2011-04-20	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Sound reproducing apparatus which utilizes data stored on a recording medium to make the apparatus more user friendly and a recording medium used in the apparatus

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag