Title of Invention

PORTABLE KARAOKE DEVICE

Abstract A portable Karaoke device is disclosed. An MP3 decoder and/or a communication interface is provided to download an accompaniment of a desired tune from a server and an expandable sound module and download memory is provided to store the accompaniment downloaded by the MP3 decoder and/or communication interface. A video signal received from a video unit by radio or an internally stored video signal is utilized as a background picture. A video signal mixed with a lyrics caption is transmitted by radio to the video unit to that the user can view the background picture and lyrics. In addition to a main microphone over which the user sings while listening toe an accompaniment sound, there is provided an auxiliary microphone for transmitting a signal by radio or through the communication interface. The accompaniment sound is created in such a manner that maximum thirty-tow among one-hundred-twenty-eight musical instrument sounds are simultaneously mixed. While the accompaniment sound is outputted as an mixed musical instrument sound, it is modulated in such a manner that the phase and harmony thereof are varied into a desired phase and harmony. Accordingly, with no necessity for replacing a sound memory in which lyrics and accompaniments of newest songs are previously recorded and a video memory in which background pictures are stored, the user can simply and efficiently use the present system. Furthermore, a plurality of users can utilize the portable Karaoke device of the invention simultaneously. Moreover, the user's song is stored and then listened later of transmitted through the Internet in the form of music letter.
Full Text

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to portable karaoke devices, and more particularly to a portable karaoke device which is capable of allowing the user to sing over a main microphone or auxiliary microphone and listen to his song mixed with an accompaniment sound through an audio unit while viewing a background picture with a lyrics caption through a video unit, of temporarily storing a tune downloaded through a moving picture experts group 2 (MPEG 2) layer 3 (MPS) technique or communication interface in its internal sound module to use the stored tune as an accompaniment sound, and of varying the phase and the harmony of the accompaniment sound to output a modulated accompaniment sound, so that the user can conveniently and simply use the device with no necessity for replacing a sound memory in which lyrics and accompaniments of newest songs are previously recorded and a video memory that provides a background picture, a plurality of users can use the device simultaneously, and the user's song can be stored and then listened later sent through the Internet in the form of a music letter.
BACKGROUND OF THE RELATED ART
As well known in the art, accompaniment devices are adapted to store data about accompaniments of a large number of tunes in their internal memories. If the user selects a desired one of the tunes, then the associated accompaniment device outputs a sound of an accompaniment associated with the selected tune through a speaker at the same time that it inputs a song voice of the user through a microphone and outputs it through the speaker. As a result, people can simply practice singing with the accompaniment devices. However, people have to purchase the above-mentioned accompaniment devices at great expense and cannot use them at any places other than their installed places, because most of the accompaniment devices basically comprise monitor screens mounted integrally therewith and are usually installed within rooms. For these reasons, in order to use the accompaniment devices, people must search

for places where the accompaniment devices have already been installed. In order to overcome the above problems, there has been proposed a portable wireless accompaniment system comprising a plurality of expandable read only memory (ROM) packages for assigning numbers respectively to tunes desired by the user and storing accompaniments of the tunes in the form of digital signals, in the proposed accompaniment system, a microprocessor is operated synchronously with an oscillation frequency from an oscillator and in response to a tune number and other items applied through a key matrix by the user. The microprocessor is adapted to control the entire system operation according to routines stored in a program memory. Further, the microprocessor stores data related to a played tune in a memory and displays the current operation state on a display unit through liquid crystal display (LCD) driver. Further, the microprocessor controls a multiplexer, a D-type flip-flop, a ROM package and other components in the system in response to a tune selection thorough the key matrix by the user. A dual sound controller reproduces a stereo accompaniment sound, which is then amplified by an amplifier. An echo generator is adapted to selectively output an echo sound of mechanical vibration waves. A tone controller controls a tone of the echo sound from the echo generator, which is then mixed with a stereo audio signal from a microphone terminal, A gain controller controls a gain of the mixed signal and an audio amplifier amplifies the resultant audio signal together with the amplified stereo accompaniment sound from the above amplifier. A radio frequency (RF) modulator modulates the amplified audio and accompaniment signals at a predetermined radio frequency. As a result, a synthetic melody signal is obtained by mixing the audio signal and accompaniment signal and then transmitted by radio to an external audio unit through an antenna. As an alternative, there has been proposed a portable wireless video accompaniment system wherein lyrics caption data is outputted to a video unit together with a background video signal at the same time that an accompaniment sound of a selected tune is outputted to an audio unit while being mixed with a voice inputted through a microphone, thereby allowing the user to sing to the accompaniment sound while viewing lyrics on a background picture.

However, the above-mentioned conventional portable wireless accompaniment system and portable wireless video accompaniment system are advantageous in that they can be conveniently carried and used by the user, but have the following disadvantages. Firstly, the existing ROM packages must be replaced with new ones whenever new tunes are added. Secondly, the user cannot personally select a desired background picture and is thus liable to fee! repugnance toward the same background picture being continuously repeated. Thirdly, the user cannot select or reserve a next tune while singing over a microphone of the system body as a result, it requires the user to spend extra time manipulating the controls to select or reserve a next tune. The portable karaoke device of Korean Patent application No. 2000-28847 (registered as Korean Patent No. 336465) filed by the applicant stores accompaniments of songs desired by the user including accompaniments downloaded through an MPS decoder in an extendable sound unit, outputs a video signal mixed with a lyrics caption to a video unit by radio while using a video signal that is transmitted from the video unit by radio as a background picture to allow the user to view the background picture and lyric caption, and includes an auxiliary microphone that radio-transmits signals in addition to a main microphone used for the user to sing a song with the associated accompaniment sound to allow the user to select and input a next song while singing over the auxiliary micropnohe, so that the user can conveniently and efficiently use the device with no necessity for replacing a sound unit in which lyrics and accompaniments of newest songs are previously recorded and a video memory that provides a background picture. However, such a portable karaoke device cannot download desired songs through the Internet and it is difficult for the device to modify accompaniment sounds. Accordingly, there has been a problem in that the device cannot satisfy users who want to use it in various ways.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable wireless

accompaniment system which is capable of allowing the user to sing over a main microphone or auxiliary microphone and listen to his song mixed with an accompaniment sound through an audio unit while viewing a background picture with a lyrics caption through a video unit, of temporarily storing a tune download though an MPS technique or communication interface in its internal sound module to use the tune as an accompaniment sound and of varying the phase and harmony of the accompaniment sound to output a modulated accompaniment sound, so that the user can conveniently and simply use the accompaniment system. In a feature of the present invention, an MPS decoder and/or a communication interface is provided to download an accompaniment of a desired tune from a server, and an external expandable pack or a sound module and a download memory are provided to store the accompaniment downloaded by the MPS decoder and/or the communication interface. A video signal received from a video unit by radio or an internally stored video signal received as a background picture. A video signal mixed with a lyrics caption is transmitted by radio to the video unit so that the user can view the background picture and lyrics. In addition to a main microphone over which the user sings while listening to an accompaniment sound, there is provided an auxiliary microphone for transmitting a signal by radio or through a cable. The user can select and apply a next tune using the auxiliary microphone while singing over it. A song mixed with the accompaniment sound is stored in an internal memory of the device and then outputted directly or through the communication interface. The accompaniment sound is created in such a manner that maximum thirty-two ones among one-hundred-twenty-eight musical instrument sounds are simultaneously mixed. While the accompaniment sound is outputted as a mixed sound, it is modulated in such a manner that the phase and harmony thereof are varied into a desired phase and harmony thereof are varied into a desired phase and harmony. Accordingly, with no necessity for replacing a sound memory in which lyrics and accompaniments of newest songs are previously recorded and a video memory in which background pictures are stored, the user can simply and efficiently use the portable karaoke device of the present invention. Furthermore, a plurality of users can utilize the portable karaoke device

simultaneously. Moreover, the user's song is stored and then listened later or transmitted through the Internet in the form of music letter.
Accordingly the present invention relates to a portable karaoke device
comprising:
a sound mounted in an ASIC 4, an external extension pack 90 and a download memory 2 for assigning arbitrary numbers respectively to given tunes and storing accompaniments of the tunes in the form of digital signals and:
an ASIC 4 including a microprocessor and the sound module 1 that are operated synchronously with an oscillation frequency from an oscillator and in response to a tune number and other items applied through a key matrix 3 by the user, the microprocessor in the ASIC being adapted to control the entire system operation according to routines stored in a storage unit 5, the microprocessor storing data related to a played tune in a RAM 6 and displaying the current operation state on a LCD 7;
A musical instrument sound memory 9 for sampling a plurality of musical instrument sounds, storing the sampled sounds, mixing the sounds and outputting the mixed sound;
A rendering unit 8 for varying the phase and/or harmony of an accompaniment sound of a tune, transmitted from the sound module 1 or download memory 2, to selectively modulate the accompaniment sound according to a musical instrument sound outputted from the musical instrument sound memory 9 and outputting the modulated accompaniment sound when the user selects the tune through the key matrix 3 under the control of the microprocessor of the ASIC 4;
An amplifier/limiter circuit 12 for amplifying an audio signal corresponding to a user's song, transmitted over a main microphone 11,

and limiting the amplitude of the amplified audio signal to a predetermined level;
a mixer 10 for mixing the amplified audio signal with the accompaniment sound modulated by the rendering unit 8;
a loss pass filter 14 for receiving the audio signal mixed with the accompaniment sound transmitted thereto directly or via a flash memory 2a, through an A-D/D-A converter 13 and passing only frequency band components lower than 20KHz to remove noise components higher than 20KHz from the audio signal;
an RF amplifier 16 for receiving the frequency band components lower than 20KHz through an output amplifier 15, modulating it into an RF signal and transmitting the modulated RF signal to an external audio unit by radio through an antenna 17;
a receiver 19 for receiving audio and data signals from an auxiliary microphone 26 through a reception antenna 18 or through a cable 28, separating the receiving signals from each other and transmitting the separated signals to the amplifier/limiter circuit 12;
a data processor for converting the separated data signal from the receiver 19 into a digital signal and transferring the converted digital signal to the ASIC 4, the digital signal including a signal associated with a tune or volume that the user selects or adjusts using the auxiliary microphone 26;
an RGB encoder 21 connected to the ASIC 4 to generate a background video signal on the basis of digital R, G and B signals, a digital color earner signal and digital horizontal and vertical synchronization signals;
an overlay circuit 22 connected to the ASIC 4 to mix a caption video signal with the background video signal from the RGB encoder 21 in an overlay manner to express them as one image;
A synchronization output unit 23 for selectively outputting a main clock signal of 21.47727MHz or 22.168095MHZ according to a NTSC or

PAL broadcasting system in response to an external synchronization signal;
A internal video transmitter/receiver circuit 24 for receiving a caption/backgrdund-mixed video signal from the overlay circuit 22 and transmitting the received video signal as an internal video signal through an internal video transmission/reception antenna 25 at a radio frequency controlled by the user, or receiving a radio frequency signal through the internal video transmission/reception antenna 25, converting the received radio frequency signal into an intermediate frequency signal, detecting an external video signal from the converted intermediate frequency signal and outputting the detected video signal to the ASIC 4;
an external video transmitter/receiver circuit 29 for transmitting or receiving a radio frequency signal to or from the internal video transmission /reception antenna 25 the external video transmitter/receiver circuit receiving a background video signal from a video reproduction unit 30 such as VCD, LDP, or VCR and transmitting the received video signal as the external video signal to the internal video transmitter /receiver circuit 24 through an external video transmission/reception antenna 31 at a radio frequency controller by a frequency controller, the external video transmitter / receiver circuit 29 receiving the radio frequency signal from the internal video transmitter/receiver circuit 24 through the external video transmission /reception antenna 31, converting the received radio frequency signal into an intermediate frequency signal, detecting the internal video signal from the converted intermediate frequency signal and outputting the detected video signal to a TV 32;
a MP3 decoder 33 selectively connected to an personal computer 34 to download data about an accompaniment sound and lyrics of a new tune and store the downloaded data in the download memory 2 under the control of the ASIC 4; and
a communication interface 35 connected to the PC 34 to be selectively linked with a server 37 through a wired/wireless communication network 36 to download data about an accompaniment

sound and lyrics of a new tune and store the downloaded data in the download memory 2 under the control of the ASIC 4, the communication interface 35 transmitting the user's audio signal mixed with the accompaniment sound, stored in the flash memory 2a, to a receiving party through the server 37 in the form of a music letter.
The other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and the detailed description as follows;
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention
will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which;
Fig. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the entire construction of
a portable karaoke device in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the construction of an
application specific integrated circuit in Fig.1;
Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram showing the construction of a video signal
processing circuit including an RGB encoder, overlay circuit and synchronization
output unit in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram showing the construction of an accompaniment
sound output circuit in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram showing the construction of an amplifier/limiter
circuit in Fig. 1;
Fig. 6 is a circuit diagram showing the constructions of an output amplifier and radio frequency amplifier in Fig. 1;
Fig. 7 is a circuit diagram showing the construction of a receiver in Fig, 1; Fig. 8 is a circuit diagram showing the construction of an internal video transmitter/receiver circuit in Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a circuit diagram showing the construction of an external video
transmitter/receiver circuit in Fig. 1;
Fig. 10 is a circuit diagram showing the construction of an auxiliary
microphone in Fig. 1;
Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the construction for
combining the receiver for receiving or transmitting a signal by radio with the
sound module according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
Fig. 12 is a plan view showing the construction of a signal connector for
receiving or transmitting a signal through wire according to another embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Fig. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the entire construction of a portable karaoke device in accordance with the present invention. As shown in this drawing, the karaoke device comprises a sound module 1 mounted in an ASIC 4 for assigning arbitrary numbers respectively to given tunes and storing accompaniments of the tunes and a download memory 2. The sound module 1 has an internal memory la and an extension pack 90. Tunes are stored in the internal memory la and extension pack 90 of the sound module 1 and the download memory 2 in the form of digital signals such that additional tunes can be stored in therein. The karaoke device further comprises an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 4 including the sound module 1 and a microprocessor that are operated synchronously with an oscillation frequency from a crystal oscillator and in response to a tune number and other items applied through a key matrix 3 by the user. The microprocessor 31 in the ASIC 4 is adapted to control the entire system operation according to routines stored in a storage unit 5. Further, the microprocessor 31 stores data related to a played tune in a random access memory (RAM) 6 and displays the current operation state on an LCD 7 through an LCD driver (not shown). The storage unit 5 may preferably include a program memory OS-ROM 5a for storing the routines for the control of the system operation, a character memory FONT-ROM 5b for storing

and outputting characters in the form of digital signals, a tune memory DATA-ROM 5c for compressing, storing and outputting music data in a musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) format, and a video memory GRAPHIC-ROM 5d for storing and outputting a video signal in the form of a digital signal. In response to a tune selection through the key matrix 3 by the user, the microprocessor 31 in the ASIC 4 outputs an accompaniment sound of a corresponding tune stored in the internal sound module 1, the external extension pack 90, or download memory 2 to a rendering unit 8. A musical instrument sound memory 9 samples 128 musical instrument sounds to convert analog audio signals corresponding to the 128 musical instrument sounds into digital audio signals and stores the digital audio signals. The musical instrument memory 9 simultaneously mixes maximum 36 musical instrument sounds among 128 sounds and outputs the mixed sound. The rendering unit 8 varies the phase and/or harmony of an accompaniment sound transmitted from the sound module 1, the external extension pack 90, or download memory 2 to selectively modulate the accompaniment sound according to the musical instrument sound outputted from the musical instrument sound memory 9 and outputs the modulated accompaniment sound. The accompaniment sound modulated by the rendering unit 8 is sent to a mixer 10. A main microphone 11 is adapted to input a users song voice, convert it into an electrical signal and output the resultant audio signal. An amplifier/limiter circuit 12 functions to amplify the audio signal from the main microphone 11 and limit the amplitude of the amplified audio signal to a predetermined level. The amplified audio signal is mixed with an accompaniment sound by the mixer 10 and then selectively stored in a flash memory 2a. The audio signal mixed with the accompaniment sound, which is stored in the flash memory 2a and then read or directly outputted, is transmitted through an A-D/D-A converter 13 to a low pass filter 14, which then passes only frequency band components lower than 20KHz to remove sampling noise components higher than 20KHz from the audio signal. An output amplifier 15 amplifies data of the frequency band components lower than 20 KHz from the low pass filter 14 and transfers the resultant audio signal to an RF amplifier 16, which then modulates the audio signal into an RF signal and transmits the modulated RF signal to an

external audio unit by radio through an antenna 17. An auxiliary microphone 26 is provided separately from the system body A to transmit audio and data signals by radio to the body through a transmission antenna 27. A receiver 19 of the body A is adapted to receive the audio and data signals from the auxiliary microphone 26 through a reception antenna 18 or through a cable 28 and separate the received signals from each other. The separated audio signal from the receiver 19 is transferred to the amplifier/limiter circuit 12 which also receives the audio signal from the main microphone 11. Then, the amplifier/limiter circuit 12 selectively amplifies the audio signal from the receiver 19 and the audio signal from the main microphone 11, and limits the amplitude of the amplified audio signal to the predetermined level as stated previously. A data processor 20 is adapted to convert the separated data signal form the receiver 19 into a digital signal to the ASIC 4 may preferably include a signal associated with a tune or volume that the user selects or adjusts using the auxiliary microphone 26. A red (R) green (G) blue (B) encoder 21 is connected to the ASIC 4 to generate a background video signal on the basis of digital R, G and B signals, a digital color carrier signal and digital horizontal and vertical synchronization signals from the ASIC 4. An oveday circuit 22 is connected to the ASIC 4 to mix a caption video signal from the ASIC 4 with the background video signal from the RGB encoder 21 in an overlay manner to express them as one image. A synchronization output unit 23 is adapted to selectively output a main clock signal of 21.47727MHz or 22.168095MH2 according to a National Television System Committee(NTSC) or phase Alternation Line (PAL) broadcasting system in response to an external synchronization signal. An internal video transmitter/receiver circuit 24 is adapted to receive a caption/background-mixed video signal form the overlay signal through an internal video transmission/reception antenna 25 at a radio frequency controlled by the user. Further, the internal video transmitter/receiver circuit 24 receives a radio frequency signal through the internal video transmission/reception antenna 25, converts the received radio frequency signal into an intermediate frequency signal, detects as external video signal from the converted intermediate frequency signal and outputs the detected video signal to the ASIC 4. An

external video transmitter/receiver circuit 29 is adapted to transmit or receive a radio frequency signal to or from the internal video transmission/reception antenna 25. The external video transmitter/receiver circuit 29 receives a background video signal from a video reproduction unit 30 such as a VCD, LDP or VCR and transmits the received video signal as the external video signal to the internal video transmitter/receiver circuit 24 through an external video transmission/reception antenna 31 at a radio frequency controlled by a frequency controller. Further, the external video transmitter/receiver circuit 29 receives the radio frequency signal form the internal video transmitter/receiver circuit 24 through the external video transmission/reception antenna 31, converts the received radio frequency signal into an intermediate frequency signal, detects the internal video signal form the converted intermediate frequency signal and outputs the detected video signal to a television (TV) 32. An MP3 decoder 33 under the control of the ASIC 4 is selectively connected to a personal computer (PC) 34 to download data about an accompaniment sound and lyrics of a new tune and store the download data in the download memory 2 and then output it.
A communication interface 35 that operates under the control of the ASIC 4 is
connected to the PC 34 to be selectively linked with a sen/er 37 through a
wired/wireless communication network 36 to download data about an
accompaniment sound and lyrics of a new tune and store the downloaded data
in the download memory 2. The communication interface 35 transmits the user's
audio signal mixed with the accompaniment sound, stored in the flash memory
2a, to a receiving party through the server 37 as a music letter. Although not
shown, a power supply is provided to supply a direct current (DC) voltage from a
battery in the karaoke device or an external DC voltage as a system drive
voltage. Fig. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the construction of
the ASIC 3 in Fig.1. As shown in this drawing, the ASIC 4 includes the microprocessor 41 for controlling the entire system operation. A serial port 42 is adapted to input and output data under the control of the microprocessor 41. A clock generator 43 functions to generate a synchronization signal for system

synchronization and other clock signals under the control of the microprocessor 41. The LCD driver 44 displays the current operation state including a tune number selected by the user on the LCD 7 under the control of the microprocessor 41. The key matrix 3 includes a tune selection button having numeral keys of 0 to 9 for selecting a tune number desired by the user, a tempo adjustment button for adjusting a tempo of a played tune, a tone adjustment button for adjusting a tone of the played tune, up/down buttons for adjusting the tempo and tone of the played tune to levels desired by the user after the tempo and tone of the played tune to levels desired by the user after the tempo and tone adjustment buttons are pushed by the user, a reset button for returning the played tune to its normal state when the tune is abnormally played due to a glitch in play tunes continuously with no separate selection. The key matrix 3 further includes a start button for starting a tune selected by the user, a stop button for stopping the play of the selected tune, and a modulation selection button for selecting modulation of the accompaniment sound. The user can listen to an accompaniment of a desired tune by pushing the start button and change the played tune to a different one or select it again by pushing the stop button. The key matrix 3 further includes a power button for powering on the system, an MP3 selection button for downloading a tune through the MP3 decoder 33, and a communication selection button for downloading a tune from the server 37 or transmitting a tune through the communication interface 35. A key matrix controller 45 is adapted to transfer items selected through the key matrix 3 by the user to the microprocessor 41. Input/output ports 46 and 47 under the control of the microprocessor 41. Input/output ports 46 and 47 under, the control of the microprocessor 41 function to output data of accompaniment sound of the external extension oack 90 or download memory 2. A RAM 48 is adapted to temporarily store a video signal from the video reproduction unit, received through the internal video transmission/reception antenna 25, under the control of the microprocessor 41. A video processor 49 processes the video signal stored in the RAM 48 under the control of the microprocessor 41 to generate a background image. A memory decoder 50 performs read/write operations under the control of the microprocessor 41 to read and write data from/into the RAM 6

and the storage unit 5 provided with the program memory OS-ROM 5a for storing the routines for the control of the system operation, the character memory FONT-ROM 5b for storing and outputting characters in the form of digital signals, the tune memory DATA-ROM 5c for compressing, stohng and outputting music data in a MIDI format and the video memory GRAPHIC-ROM 5d for storing and outputting a video signal in the form of a digital signal, as mentioned above. Fig.3 is a circuit diagram showing the construction of a video signal processing circuit including the RGB encoder 21, overlay circuit 22 and synchronization output unit 23 in accordance with the present invention. A synchronization detector 52 is provided to detect the external synchronization signal from the external video signal from the external video transmitter/receiver circuit 29. To this end, the synchronization detector 52 includes a transistor TRI, inventor 12, resistor R4 and capacitor C2. A synchronization discriminator 51 is adapted to compare a synchronization signal from the ASIC 4 with the external synchronization signal detected by the synchronization detector 52. To this end, the synchronization discriminator 51 includes an inverter 11, diodes D1 and D2, resistors R1, R2 and R3 and a capacitor CI. The overlay circuit 22 includes a video switch for receiving the external video signal from the external video transmitter/receiver ciruit 29 or the video signal from the RGB encoder 21 as a background video signal and the caption video signal from the ASIC 4 and alternately selecting the received video signals to mix tem in an overlay manner and express them as one image. The RGB encoder 21 is adapted to generate the background video signal on the basis of the digital R, G and B signals, digital color carrier signal and digital horizontal and vertical synchronization signals from the ASIC 4 and output generator video signal to the overlay circuit 22. A clock generator 53 is adapted to generate a clock signal associated with the external video signal from the external video transmitter/receiver circuit 29 according to whether the external video signal is an NTSC-type broadcasting signal of 3.59745MHz or a PAL-type broadcasting signal of 4.44761 MHz. To this end, the clock generator 53 includes oscillators 0SC1 and 0SC2 and NAND gates N1, N2 and N3. An analog switch 54 is adapted to select one of PAL, NTSC, external video and internal video modes under the control of the ASIC

based on a users selection. The synchronization output unit 23 is adapted to output a synchronization signal to the ASIC 4 according to the mode selected by the analog switch 54. Fig.4 is a circuit diagram showing the construction of an accompaniment sound Output circuit in accordance with the present invention. When the user pushes the modulation selection button to select a modulation mode and then select a modulation type, the microprocessor outputs an accompaniment sound stored in the sound module 1, the extension pack 90 or the download memory 2 to the rendering unit 8. The musical instrument sound memory 9, which samples 128 musical instrument sounds to convert analog audio signals of the musical instrument sounds into digital audio signals, simultaneously mixes maximum 36 musical instrument sounds and outputs the mixed sound to the rendering unit 8 under the control of the microprocessor The rendering unit 8 varies the phase and/or harmony of the accompaniment sound transmitted from the sound module 1, the extension pack 90, or download memory 2 to selectively modulate the accompaniment sound according to a rendering algorithm for changing the phase and/or harmony of the musical instrument sound outputted from the musical instrument sound memory 9 and outputs the modulated accompaniment sound to the mixer 10. The amplifier/limiter circuit 12 is adapted to amplify an audio signal from the main microphone 11 or auxiliary microphone 26 corresponding to a user's song voice and limit the amplitude of the amplified audio signal to predetermined level. The mixer 10 mixes the amplified audio signal with the accompaniment sound. The mixed sound is selectively stored in the flash memory 2a only when the user requests it through the key matrix 3. The A-D/D-A converter 13 functions to separate the audio signal mixed with the accompaniment sound into a left stereo signal L-ST and a right stereo signal R-ST. The low pass filter 14 includes a first filtering part for passing only frequency band components lower than 20KHz to remove sampling noise comJDonents higher than 20Khz from the left stereo signal L-ST from the A-D/D-A converter 13, and a second filtering part for passing only frequency band components lower than 20KHz to remove sampling noise components higher than 20KHz from the right stereo signal R-ST from the A-D/D-A converter 13. The first filtering part is provided with resistors R5 and R6,

capacitors C3 and C4 and an operational amplifier 0P1. and the second filtering part is provided with resistors R7 and R8, capacitors C5 and C6 and an operational amplifier 0P2. The output amplifier 15 includes a first amplification part for amplifying the sampling noise-removed left stereo signal from the low pass filter 14 to a predetermined level and outputting the amplified right stereo signal to the connector 56. The first amplification art is provided with a resistor R9, a capacitor C7 and a negative feedback operational amplifier 0P3, and the second amplification part is provided with a resistor R10, a capacitor C8 and a negative feedback output unit 55 via a cable, A high-voltage breaker 57 acts to break an external DC voltage or a battery DC voltage when the DC voltage is inverted in polarity or has an over voltage level of 10V or more, to this end, the high-voltage breaker 57 includes a bias resistor R11, voltage-dividing resistors R12 and R13 and transistors TR2, TR3 and TR4. A DC-DC converter 58 is provided to convert the Dc voltage passed by the high-voltage breaker 57 into a constant voltage of 4V and supply the converted constant voltage to ASIC 4 and other internal components in the system. A delay circuit 59 is adapted to delay the supply of the external DC voltage or battery DC voltage for a predetermined period of time to prevent a surge noise component from being applied to the left and the right stereo signals at the initial moment that the DC voltage is supplied. To this end, the delay circuit 59 includes resistors R14 and R15, a capacitor C9 and a transistor TR5. Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram showing the construction of the amplifier/limiter circuit 12 in Fig. 1. The amplifier/ limiter circuit 13 includes an operational amplifier 0P5 for receiving and amplifying an audio signal from the main microphone 11, a first noise limiter for limiting a noise component of the audio signal amplified by the operational amplifier 0P5 and feeding the resultant audio signal back to the amplifier 0P5, and a first noise attenuator for attenuating a noise component form the audio signal amplified by the operational amplifier 0P5 and transferring the resultant audio signal to the A-D/D-A converter 13. The first noise limiter is provided with diodes D3 and D4, and the first noise attenuator is provided with diodes D56 and D6, resistors R16 and R17 and an operational amplifier 0P6. The amplifier/limiter circuit 12 further includes an operational amplifier 0P7 for receiving an audio signal from the auxiliary

microphone 26 through the receiver 19 and amplifying the received audio signal, a second noise limiter for limiting a noise component of the audio signal amplified by the operational amplifier 0P7 and feeding the resultant audio signal back to the amplifier 0P7, and a second noise attenuator for attenuating a noise component from the audio signal amplified by the operational amplifier 0P7 and transferring the resultant audio signal to the A-D/D-A converter 13. The second noise limiter is provided with a resistor R18 and a capacitor C10, and the second noise attenuator is provided wfth diodes D7 and D8, resistors R19 and R20 and an operational amplifier 0P8. The amplifier/limiter circuit 12 further includes a signal measurement part for determination whether each of the audio signals from the first and second noise limiters has been inputted from which one of the main and auxiliary microphone 11 and 26 and outputting a signal measurement signal as a result of the determination. To this end, the signal measurement part includes two operational amplifiers 0P9 and 0P10. Fig. 6 is a circuit diagram showing the constructions of the output amplifier 15 and RF amplifier 16 in Fig. 1. The output amplifier 15 includes a first pre-emphasis circuit 60a for enhancing a signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of the left stereo signal L-ST from the low pass filter 14, a second pre-emphasis circuit 60b for enhancing an S/N ratio of the right stereo signal R-ST from the low pass filter 14, and a stereo synthesizer 61 for alternately switching the S/N ratio-enhanced left and right stereo signals L-ST and R-ST from the first and second pre-emphasis circuits 60a and 60b to synthesize them into one audio signal. The first pre-emphasis circuit 60a is provided with a resistor R21 and a capacitor C11, and the second pre-emphasis circuit 60b is provided with a resistor R22 and a capacitor CI2. The output amplifier 15 further includes a phase locl
capacitor C16, a resistor R25, a transistor TR7 and a coil L2. The RF amplifier 16 is adapted to amplify power of the FM signal amplified by the exciter 64 and transmit the resultant RF signal externally through the antenna 17. To this end, the RF amplifier 16 includes a diode D9, a resistor R26, capacitor CI 7 and CI 8, a transistor TR8 and coils L3, L4 and L5. Fig. 7 is a circuit diagram showing the construction of the receiver 19 in Fig. 1. The receiver 19 includes a filter 65 for receiving the audio and data signals from the auxiliary microphone through the reception antenna 18 and filtering the received signals, an amplification IC 66 for amplifying an output signal from the filter 65 to compensate it for a transmission loss, and a local oscillation IC 67 for generating a local oscillating frequency.
A frequency conversion IC 68 converts an output signals from the amplification IC 66 into an intermediate frequency signal of lOJMHz by wired-Oring it with the local oscillating frequency from the local oscillation IC 67. A demodulator 69 is adapted to demodulate the intermediate frequency signal from the frequency conversion IC 68 to separate the original signal from a carrier. To this end, the demodulator 69 includes a resistor R27, a coil L6 and capacitors CI 9 and C20. A separation IC 70 separates the original signal from the demodulator 69 into the original audio signal and data signal. A pair of operational amplifiers 0P11 and OP12 are adapted to amplify the original audio signal from the separation IC 70 and transfer the amplified audio signal to the amplifier/limiter circuit 12, and a pair of operational amplifiers 0P11 and 0P12 are adapted to amplify the original data signal from the separation IC 70 and transfer the amplified data signal to the microprocessor 41 in the ASIC 4 via the data processor 20. Fig. 8 is a circuit diagram showing the construction of the internal video transmitter/receiver circuit 24 in Fig. 1, The internal video transmitter/receiver circuit 24 includes a transmission/reception antenna 25. An amplification circuit functions to amplify the radio frequency signal received by the transmission/reception IC 71. To this end, the amplification circuit is provided with resistors R28 and R29, capacitors C21 and C22, a coil L7 and a transistor TR9. An amplification IC 72 amplifies an output signal from the amplification circuit to compensate it for a transmission

loss, and a local oscillation IC 73 generates a local oscillating frequency. The internal video transmitter/receiver circuit 24 further includes a detection IC 74 for converting an output signal form the amplification IC 72 into an intermediate frequency signal by wired-Oring it with the local oscillating frequency from the local oscillation IC 73, detecting the external video signal from the converted intermediate frequency signal and transferring the detected video signal to the ASIC 4. A frequency generator is adapted to generate a frequency of the caption/background-mixed video signal from the overlay circuit 22 under the control of a frequency controller 75. To this end, the frequency generator includes resistors R30 and R31, coils L8 and L9, capacitors C23 and 024 and a transistor TR10. A stereo IC 76 mixes the separated left and right stereo signals L-ST and R-St from the A-D/D-A converter 13 into a stereo audio signal. A pair of transistors TR11 and TR12 are adapted to two-step amplify the stereo audio signal from the stereo 1076, and a pair of transistors TR13 and TR14 are adapted to two-step amplify the caption/background-mixed video signal with the frequency generated by the frequency generator and wired-OR the amplified video signal with the stereo audio signal amplified by the transistors TR11 and TR12 to mix them. The internal video transmitter/receiver circuit 24 further includes a filtering circuit for filtering the stereo audio/video-mixed signal from the transistors TR13 and TR14 and transmitting the resultant radio frequency signal through the internal video transmission/reception antenna 24. The filtering circuit is provided with capacitors C24a and C25 and coil L10. Fig. 9 is circuit diagram showing the construction of the external video transmitter/receiver circuit 29 in Fig. 1.The external video transmitter/receiver circuit 29 includes a transmission/reception IC77 for receiving the radio frequency signal from the internal video transmitter/receiver circuit 24 through the external video transmission/reception antenna 31, an amplification circuit for amplifying the radio frequency signal received by the transmission/reception IC 77, an amplification IC 78 for amplifying an output signal form the amplification circuit to compensate it for a transmission loss, and a local oscillation IC 79 for generating a local oscillation frequency. The amplification circuit is provided with resistors R32 and R33, capacitors C26 and 027, a coil L11 and a transistor TR15. A

detection IC 80 is adapted to convert an output signal form the amplification IC 78 into an intermediate frequency signal by wired-Oring it with the local oscillating frequency from the local oscillation IC 79 and detect a stereo audio/video-mixed signal from the converted intermediate frequency signal. A demodulation IC 81 functions to demodulate the stereo audio/video-mixed signal detected by the detection IC 70 to separate it into a stereo audio signal and a video signal. The video transmitter/receiver circuit 29 further includes an operational amplifier 0P15 for amplifying a left stereo signal of the stereo audio signal from the demodulation IC 81 and outputting the amplified left stereo signal to the TV 32 through a left audio output terminal AUDIO L, and an operational amplifier 0P16 for amplifying a right stereo signal of the stereo audio signal from the demodulation IC 81 and outputting the amplified right stereo signal to the TV 32 through a right audio output terminal AUDIO R. A video amplification IC 82 is adapted to amplify the video signal from the demodulation IC 81 and output the amplified video signal to the TV 32 through a video output terminal VIDEO OUT. A frequency generator functions to generate a frequency of the background video signal from the video reproduction unit 30 under the control of a frequency controller 83. To this end, the frequency generator includes resistors R34 and R35, coils LI 2 and L13, capacitors C28 and C29 and a transistor TR16. The video transmitter/receiver circuit further includes a pair of transistors TR17 and TR18 for two-step amplifying the video signal with the frequency generated by the frequency generator, and a filtering circuit for filtering the video signal amplified by the transistors TR17 and Tr18 and transmitting the resultant radio frequency signal through the external video transmission/reception antenna 31. The filtering circuit is provided with capacitors C30 and C31 and a transistor TR16. The video transmitter/receiver circuit further includes a pair of transistors TR17 and TR18 for twO-step amplifying the video signal with the frequency generated by the frequency generator, and a filtering circuit for filtering the video signal amplified by the transistors TR17 and TR18 and transmitting the resultant radio frequency signal through the external video transmission/reception antenna 31. The filtering circuit is provided with capacitors C30 and C31 and a coil L14.

Fig. 10 is a circuit diagram showing the construction of the auxiliary
microphone 26 in Fig. 1. The auxiliary microphone 26 includes an input unit
84 for inputting a users song voice and outputting a corresponding audio signal, an operational amplifier OP17 for amplifying the audio signal from the input unit 84, a noise removing circuit for removing a noise component from the audio signal amplified by the operation amplifier 0P17, and a first amplification circuit for amplifying the noise-removed audio signal from the noise removing circuit.
The noise removing circuit is provided with operational amplifiers 0P18 and 0P19, NAND gates NA4, NA5 and NA6, resistors R36-R41 and capacitors C32 and C33, and the first amplification circuit is provided with an inverter 13, a resistor R42 and an oscillator 0SC4. The auxiliary microphone 26 further includes a key matrix 3 having a tune selection button having numeral keys of 0 to 9 for selecting a tune number desired by the user, up/down buttons for adjusting a tempo and tone of a played tune to levels desired by the user, a reset button for returning the played tune to its normal state when the tune is abnormally played due to a glitch in play or a mistake in button operation by the user, a continuous play button for playing tunes selected by the user, and a stop button for stopping the play of the selected tune. The user can listen to an accompaniment of a desired tune by pushing the start button and change the played tune to a different one or select it again by pushing the stop button. The key matrix 3 further has a power button for supplying power from a battery contained in the auxiliary microphone26 to components in the microphone, an MP3 selection button for downloading a tune through the MP3 decoder 33, and a communication selection button for downloading a tune from the server 37 or transmitting a tune through the communication interface 35. A key matrix controller 45 acts to recognize an item selected through the key matrix 3 by the user and generate a corresponding data signal, and a second amplification circuit functions to amplify the data signal from the key matrix controller 45. The this end, the second amplification circuit is provided with an inverter 14, a resistor R43 and an oscillator 0SC5. An audio/data mixer is adapted to mix the audio signal and data signal amplified respectively by the first and second

amplification circuits. To this end, the audio/data mixer includes resistors R44 and R45, a transistor TR19, capacitor C34 and C35 and inverters 15 and 16. A frequency generator is adapted to generate a frequency of the audio/data signal from the audio/data mixer under the control of a frequency controller 85, To this end, the frequency generator includes resistors R46 and R47, coils LI5 and L16, capacitors C36 and C37 and a transistor TR20. A pair of transistors Tr21 and TR22 are adapted to two-step amplify the audio-data-mixed signal with the frequency generated by the frequency generator and transmit the resultant radio frequency signal through the transmission antenna 27. The auxiliary microphone 26 further includes a power supply for supplying the power from the battery 86 as operating power to the above components in the microphone- The power supply includes a low power alarm circuit composed of an inverter 17 and a diode DIG. FIG. 11 shows the construction for combining the receiver that transmits or receives a signal by radio with the sound module according to an embodiment of the present invention. The portable karaoke device having a separable communication module includes a main body 100, a wireless auxiliary microphone receiving module 120 for receiving a radio signal transmitted from the auxiliary microphone 26 provided separately from the body 100 and attached/detached to/from the main body 100 to radio-transmit and audio signal outputted from the portable karaoke device at an FM frequency, and the extension pack 90 detachably set in the main body 100 to additionally store MIDI data about accompaniment sounds and lyrics. The main body 100 of the portable karaoke device has a long shape so that the user can easily grip the device to sing. A main microphone grill 101 is placed at the top of the main body 100. A printed circuit board 102 including a control circuit for operating the portable karaoke device is fixed inside the main body 100. The key matrix 3 including a plurality of key buttons, electrically connected to the printed circuit board 102, is attached to one side of the central portion of the main body 100. A battery case 103 containing the battery for providing the operation power to the device is formed on the other side of the main body 100. An accommodation unit 104 for accommodating the extension packs 90, wireless auxiliary microphone receiving module 120 and FM transmission module 130 is formed under the

battery case 103. A plurality of memory connectors 105 are formed at the bottom of the accommodation unit 104. The memory connectors 105 are partially protruded such that they are easily connected with the extension packs 90 and electrically connected to the printed circuit board 102. The accommodation unit 104 further includes a male connector 106 for connection of the wireless auxiliary microphone receiving module 120 and a male connector 107 for connection of the FM transmission module 130. The male connectors 106 and 107 are partially protruded such that they are easily connected with the modules 120 and 130 respectively. The male connectors 106 and 107 are electrically connected to the printed circuit board 102. A pair of first guide grooves 108 are respectively formed on both inner walls of the accommodation unit 104 to guide the wireless auxiliary microphone receiving module 120 to set it in its regular position. A pair of second guide grooves 109 are respectively formed on both inner walls of the accommodation unit 104 to guide the FiVI transmission module 130 to set it in its regular position. A protrusion 110 having a support groove 111 formed on the top face thereof is formed at the bottom of the main body 100 in such a manner that it is extended from the main body 100. The support groove 111 stably supports a main jack of a signal connecting device. The signal connecting device is connected to an input/output terminal to provide video and audio signals transmitted from the portable karaoke device to an external audio unit or a display. The wireless auxiliary microphone receiving module 120 is fitted in first and second housings 121 and 122 that construct the body of the receiving module 120. A female connector (not shown) for the receiving module -is formed at the bottom side of the second housing 122. The female connector is connected with the male connector 106 for the receiving module to electrically connect the wireless auxiliary microphone receiving module 120 to a signal line of a wireless receiver including a wireless auxiliary microphone receiving circuit that receives a radio signal captured by an antenna wire 112 of the main body from the auxiliary microphone 26, demodulates the radio signal and then separates it into an audio signal and a data signal. A pair of first guide protrusions 123 are respectively formed on both sides of the second housing 122 in the vertical direction. The first guide protrusions 123 are slid into the first guide

grooves 106. The FM transmission module 130 is fixed inside first and second housings 131 and 132 constructing the body thereof. A female connector (not shown) for the transmission module is formed at the bottom side of the second housing 132 to be connected with the male connector 107 for the transmission module. The female connector electrically connects the FM transmission module with a signal line of an FM transmission board including a transmission circuit that modulates an audio signal outputted from the portable karaoke device with a predetermined FM frequency and then radio-transmits the modulated audio signal to an external radio through the antenna wire 112. A pair of second guide protrusions 133 are respectively formed on both sides of the second housing 132 in the vertical direction. The second guide protrusions 133 are slid into the second guide grooves 107. A cover 113 is combined with the main body 100 in such a manner that it covers the battery case 103 and accommodation unit 104 to protect the other side of the main body 100. The cover 103 is provided in such a manner that it opens and closes. Fig. 12 is a plan view showing the construction of the signal connecting device for transmitting or receiving a signal by wire according to another embodiment of the present invention. When the user wants to practice singing using the portable Karaoke device, he/she connects a main jack 201 of the signal connecting device 200 with the input/output terminal 114 of the main body 100, connects signal jacks 211 of the signal connecting device 200 to an external display device, and couples a power jack 213 to a connector of an external power adapter (now shown). In the case that the main body 100 of the portable Karaoke device is connected with the display device and power adapter using the signal connecting device 200. power from the power adapter is supplied to the main body 100 through the power jack 212, main jack 201 and input/output terminal 114 so that the portable Karaoke device can be normally operated. Audio and video signals corresponding to an accompaniment sound and background picture through the input/output terminal 114, main jack 201 and signal jacks 211 so that the user can view the picture and listen to the sound through a speaker. Accordingly, the user can sing to the associated accompaniment sound with his/her hand gripping the main body 100. At this time, the audio signal of the user, inputted through the main microphone

11 of the main body 100, is outputted to the speaker of the display device together with the accompaniment sound of the selected tune. An auxiliary microphone connector 230 connected with the auxiliary microphone the signal connecting device 200 so that the another user can select and input a next song number or sing together with the user who uses the main body 100. That is, an external audio signal outputted from the auxiliary microphone connector 230 of the auxiliary microphone is transmitted to the main body 100 of the device through the auxiliary microphone jack 220, main jack 201 and input/output terminal 114. The main body 100 amplified and filters the external audio signal supplied from the auxiliary microphone jack 220 and outputs the amplified and filtered external audio signal to the speaker of the external display device through the input/output terminal 114, main jack 201 and signal jacks 211. Accordingly, the user who uses the auxiliary microphone and the user who uses the main body 100 can sing together. The main body 100 of the portable Karaoke device can output a background picture in the form of motion picture instead of a still picture that may bore the user, to interest the user. In this case, an external video jack 240 of the signal connecting device 200 is connected to a video input/output terminal 250 of an external video unit. When a tape or disk in which motion picture data is recorded is inserted into the external video unit and then played, a motion-picture signal outputted from a video output terminal of the external video unit is transmitted to the main body 100 of the device through the video input/output terminal 250, external video jack 240, main jack 201 and input/output terminal 144. The main body 100 of the device mixes the motion-picture signal from the external video jack 240, with caption and tempo signals of a tune selected by the user, and outputs the mixed signal to the display device through the input/output terminal 114, main jack 201 and signal jacks 211. Accordingly, the user can sing to the accompaniment sound outputted together with the motion picture with his/her hand gripping the main body 100 of the portable Karaoke device. As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a portable karaoke device comprising an expandable sound module and a download memory for storing an accompaniment of a desired tune download by an MP3 decoder and/or a communication interface from a server. A

video signal is received from a video unit by radio and then utilized as a background picture. A video signal mixed with lyrics caption is transmitted by radio to the video unit so that the user can view the background picture and lyrics. In addition to a main microphone over which the user sings while listening to an accompaniment sound, there is provided an auxiliary microphone for transmitting a signal by radio or through a cable. The user can select and apply a next tune using the auxiliary microphone while singing over it. The tune mixed with the accompaniment sound Is stored in an internal memory and then outputted directly or via communication interface. The device simultaneously mixes maximum 32 musical instrument sounds among available 128 sounds and outputs the mixed sound. The device can vary the phase and harmony of the mixed sound to output a modulated sound. Therefor, with no necessity for replacing a sound memory in which lyrics and accompaniments of newest songs are previously recorded and a video memory that provides a background picture, the user can simply and efficiently use the present device. Furthermore, a plurality of users can simultaneously use the device. Moreover, the user can stores a song he/she sings and then listens to it later or sends the song through the Internet in the form of music letter. Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modification, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.
The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings.
Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments thereof, these embodiments are merely illustrative, and not restrictive of the invention.

In the description herein, numerous specitic details are provided, sucn as examples of components and/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the present invention.
A "processor" or "process" includes any human, hardware and/or software system, mechanism or component that processes data, signals or other information. A processor can include a system with a general-purpose central processing unit, multiple processing units, dedicated circuitry for achieving functionality, or other systems. Processing need not be limited to a geographic location, or have temporal limitations. For example, a processor can perform its functions in "real time," "offline," in a "batch mode," etc. Portions of processing can be performed at different times and at different locations, by different (or the same) processing systems.
It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted in the drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application. It is also within the spirit and scope of the present invention to implement a program or code that can be stored in a machine-readable medium to permit a computer to perform any of the methods described above.
Additionally, any signal arrows in the drawings/Figures should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless othen^/ise specifically noted. Furthermore, the term "or" as used herein is generally intended to mean "and/or" unless otherwise indicated. Combinations of components or steps will also be

considered as being noted, where terminology is foreseen as rendering the ability to separate or combine is unclear.
As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, "a", "an", and "the" includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates otheoA/ise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As indicated, these modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Thus, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances some features of embodiments of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth. Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the present invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular terms used in following claims and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims.






WE CLAIM:
1. A portable karaoke device comprising:
a sound mounted in an ASIC 4, an external extension pack 90 and a download memory 2 for assigning arbitrary numbers respectively to given tunes and storing accompaniments of the tunes in the form of digital
signals and;
an ASIC 4 including a microprocessor and the sound module 1 that are operated synchronously v^ith an oscillation frequency from an oscillator and in response to a tune number and other items applied through a key matrix 3 by the user, the microprocessor in the ASIC being adapted to control the entire system operation according to routines stored in a storage unit 5, the microprocessor storing data related to a played tune in a RAM 6 and displaying the current operation state on a LCD 7;
a musical instrument sound memory 9 for sampling a plurality of musical instrument sounds, storing the sampled sounds, mixing the sounds and outputting the mixed sound;
a rendering unit 8 for varying the phase and/or harmony of an accompaniment sound of a tune, transmitted from the sound module 1 or download memory 2, to selectively modulate the accompaniment sound according to a musical instrument sound outputted from the musical instrument sound memory 9 and outputting the modulated accompaniment sound when the user selects the tune through the key matrix 3 under the control of the microprocessor of the ASIC 4;
an amplifier/limiter circuit 12 for amplifying an audio signal corresponding to a user's song, transmitted over a main microphone 11, and limiting the amplitude of the amplified audio signal to a predetermined level;
a mixer 10 for mixing the amplified audio signal with the accompaniment sound modulated by the rendering unit 8;

a loss pass filter 14 for receiving the audio signal mixed with the accompaniment sound transmitted thereto directly or via a flash memory 2a, through an A-D/D-A converter 13 and passing only frequency band components lower than 20KHz to remove noise components higher than 20KHz from the audio signal;
an RF amplifier 16 for receiving the frequency band components lower than 20KHz through an output amplifier 15, modulating it into an RF signal and transmitting the modulated RF signal to an external audio unit by radio through an antenna 17;
a receiver 19 for receiving audio and data signals from an auxiliary microphone 26 through a reception antenna 18 or through a cable 28, separating the receiving signals from each other and transmitting the separated signals to the amplifier/limiter circuit 12;
a data processor for converting the separated data signal from the receiver 19 into a digital signal and transferring the converted digital signal to the ASIC 4, the digital signal including a signal associated with a tune or volume that the user selects or adjusts using the auxiliary microphone 26;
an RGB encoder 21 connected to the ASIC 4 to generate a background video signal on the basis of digital R, G and B signals, a digital color carrier signal and digital horizontal and vertical synchronization signals;
an overlay circuit 22 connected to the ASIC 4 to mix a caption video signal with the background video signal from the RGB encoder 21 in an overlay manner to express them as one image;
A synchronization output unit 23 for selectively outputting a main clock signal of 21.47727MHz or 22.168095MHZ according to a NTSC or PAL broadcasting system in response to an external synchronization signal;
a internal video transmitter/receiver circuit 24 for receiving a caption/background-mixed video signal from the overlay circuit 22 and transmitting the received video signal as an internal video signal through

an internal video transmission/reception antenna 25 at a radio frequency controlled by the user, or receiving a radio frequency signal through the internal video transmission/reception antenna 25, converting the received radio frequency signal into an intermediate frequency signal, detecting an external video signal from the converted intermediate frequency signal and outputting the detected video signal to the ASIC 4;
an external video transmitter/receiver circuit 29 for transmitting or receiving a radio frequency signal to or from the internal video transmission /reception antenna 25 the external video transmitter/receiver circuit receiving a background video signal from a video reproduction unit 30 such as VCD, LDP, or VCR and transmitting the received video signal as the external video signal to the internal video transmitter /receiver circuit 24 through an external video transmission/reception antenna 31 at a radio frequency controller by a frequency controller, the external video transmitter / receiver circuit 29 receiving the radio frequency signal from the internal video transmitter/receiver circuit 24 through the external video transmission /reception antenna 31, converting the received radio frequency signal into an intermediate frequency signal, detecting the internal video signal from the converted intermediate frequency signal and outputting the detected video signal to a TV 32;
a MP3 decoder 33 selectively connected to an personal computer 34 to download data about an accompaniment sound and lyrics of a new tune and store the downloaded data in the download memory 2 under the control of the ASIC 4; and
a communication interface 35 connected to the PC 34 to be selectively linked with a server 37 through a wired/wireless communication network 36 to download data about an accompaniment sound and lyrics of a new tune and store the downloaded data in the download memory 2 under the control of the ASIC 4, the communication interface 35 transmitting the user's audio signal mixed with the accompaniment sound, stored in the flash memory 2a, to a receiving party through the server 37 in the form of a music letter.

2. The portable Karaoke device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when
the user pushes a modulation selection button of the key matrix 3, the
microprocessor of the ASIC 4 recognizes it as a modulation mode and
outputs an accompaniment sound stored in the sound module 1 having
the internal memory 1a and extension pack 90 or in the download
memory 2 to the rendering unit 8,
the musical instrument sound memory 9, which samples 128 musical instrument sounds to convert analog audio signals of the musical instrument sounds into digital audio signals, simultaneously mixes maximum 36 musical instrument sounds and outputs the mixed sound to the rendering unit 8 under the control of the microprocessor, and
the rendering unit 8 varies the phase and/Or harmony of the accompaniment sound transmitted from the sound module 1 or download memory 2 to selectively modulate the accompaniment sound according to a rendering algorithm for changing the phase and/or harmony of the musical instrument sound outputted from the musical instrument sound memory 9 and outputs the modulated accompaniment sound to the mixer 10.
3. The portable Karaoke device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when
the user pushes a communication selection button of the key matrix 3, the
microprocessor of the ASIC 4 confirms whether or not a current mode is a
music letter mode,
an accompaniment sound from the sound module 1 or download memory 2 is transmitted to the mixer 10 directly or in the modulated form,
the amplifier/limiter circuit 12 amplify an audio signal from the main microphone 11 or auxiliary microphone 26 corresponding to a users song voice and limit the amplitude of the amplified audio signal to a pre determined level, and
the amplified audio signal is mixed with the accompaniment sound by the mixer 10 and then stored in the flash memory 2a so that the user

listens to the stored sound when he/she wants to or connects to the server 37 through the communication interface 35. PC 34 and wired/wireless communication network 36 to send it to a receiving part as a music letter.
4. A portable Karaoke device comprising:
a main microphone grill 101 placed at the top of a main body 100 of the portable Karaoke device;
a phnted circuit board 102 including a control circuit for operating the portable Karaoke device, the printed circuit board being fixed inside the main body 100
an accommodation unit 104 for accommodating a plurality of extension packs 90, a wireless auxiliary microphone receiving module 120 and an FM transmission module 130, the accommodation unit being formed under a battery case 103 that is placed at the centre of the main body.
a plurality of memory connectors 105 formed at the bottom of the accommodation unit 104 and electrically connected to the printed circuit board 102, the memory connectors being partially protruded such that they are easily connected with the extension packs 90;
male connectors 106 and 107 used for being respectively connected with the wireless auxiliary microphone receiving module 120 and FM transmission module 130, and electrically connected to the printed circuit board 102, the male connector 106 and 107 being partially protruded such that they are easily connected with the modules 120 and 130 respectively;
a pair of first guide grooves 108 respectively formed on both inner walls of the accommodation unit 104 to guide the wireless auxiliary microphone receiving module 120 to set it in its regular position, and a pair of second guide grooves 109 respectively formed on both inner walls of the accommodation unit 104 to guide the FM transmission module 130 to set it in its regular position; and

a protrusion 110 having a support groove 111 formed on the top face thereof, the protrusion being formed at the bottom of the main body 100 in such a manner that it is extended from the main body, the support groove 111 stably supporting a main jack of a signal connecting device.
5. The portable Karaoke device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the wireless auxiliary microphone receiving module 120 is fitted in first and second housings 121 and 122 that construct the body thereof, and the FM transmission module 130 is set inside first and second housings 131 and 132 constructing the body thereof,
a female connected for the receiving module is formed at the bottom side of the second housing 122 of the wireless auxiliary microphone module 120 that transmits a radio signal captured by an antenna wire 112 of the main body 100 from an external auxiliary microphone 26,
a pair of first guide protrusions 123 are respectively formed on both sides of the second housing 122 in the vertical direction to be slid into the first guide grooves 106
a female connector for the FM transmission module is formed at the bottom side of the second housing 122 of the wireless auxiliary microphone module 120 that transmits a radio signal captured by an antenna wire 112 of the main body 100 from an external auxiliary microphone 26,
a pair of first guide protrusions 123 are respectively formed on both sides of the second housing 122 in the vertical direction to be slid into the first guide grooves 106,
a female connector for the FIVl transmission module is formed at the bottom side of the second housing 132 to be connected with the antenna wire 112, and
a pair of second guide protrusions 133 are respectively formed on both sides of the second housing 132 in the vertical direction to be slid into the second guide grooves 107.

6. A portable Karaoke device, constructed in such a manner that an
input/output terminal 114 of the main body 100 of the portable Karaoke
device is connected with a main jack 201 of a signal connecting device
200, the main body 100 is provided with power through a power jack 212
of the signal connecting device 200, audio and video signals
corresponding to an accompaniment sound and background picture of a
tune are transmitted from the main body 100 to a display device through
the input/output terminal 114, main jack 201 and signal jack 211, an
auxiliary microphone connector 230 coupled to an auxiliary microphone
26 through a cable 28 is connected with an auxiliary microphone jack 220
of the signal connecting device 200, a motion-picture signal outputted
from a video output terminal of an external video unit is applied to the
main body 100 through a video input/output terminal 250, an external
video jack 240, the main jack 201 and input/output terminal 114, and the
main body 100 mixes the motion-picture signal with caption and tempo
signals to output the mixed signal to the display device through the
input/output terminal 114, main jack 201 and signal jack 211.
7. A portable karaoke device such as herein substantially described
particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings.


Documents:

1054-che-2004-abstract.pdf

1054-che-2004-claims filed.pdf

1054-che-2004-claims grand.pdf

1054-che-2004-correspondnece-others.pdf

1054-che-2004-correspondnece-po.pdf

1054-che-2004-description(complete) filed.pdf

1054-che-2004-description(complete) grand.pdf

1054-che-2004-drawings.pdf

1054-che-2004-form 1.pdf

1054-che-2004-form 19.pdf

1054-che-2004-form 26.pdf


Patent Number 210152
Indian Patent Application Number 1054/CHE/2004
PG Journal Number 50/2007
Publication Date 14-Dec-2007
Grant Date 21-Sep-2007
Date of Filing 12-Oct-2004
Name of Patentee KYUNG HO LEE
Applicant Address 214-101, YOUNG NAM APARTMENTS 1873-2, JUNGWANG-DONG, KYUNGKI-DO
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 LEE HO, KYUNG ENTER TECH CO. LTD, 401-5, HWAGOK-DONG, GANGSEO-GU, SEOUL,
PCT International Classification Number C 07 B 5/06
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA