Patent ID: 6016295
Filing Date: 2000-01-18
Classification: G11B,H04S

Abstract:
An audio system comprising:transmission means for transmitting a karaoke audio signal, the karaoke audio signal including a karaoke identifier, an accompaniment signal and at least one of a first type of sub-audio signal that is used at normal times and a second type of sub-audio signal that is used at special times, wherein a format of the karaoke audio signal includes:the accompaniment signal assigned to a first channel, the first channel corresponding to a main audio channel under a surround audio format,the first type of sub-audio signal assigned to a second channel, the second channel corresponding to a center audio channel under the surround audio format, andthe second type of sub-audio signal assigned to a third channel, the third channel corresponding to a surround channel under the surround audio format;detecting means for detecting the karaoke identifier, and for setting the system in a karaoke mode when the karaoke identifier is detected;reproducing means, operating in the karaoke mode, for reproducing:the accompaniment signal from the first channel,the first type of sub-audio signal, if present, from the second channel, andthe second type of sub-audio signal, if present, from the third channel;mixing means for outputting an output signal including a mixing of at least one of the accompaniment signal, the first type of sub-audio signal, and the second type of sub-audio signal, wherein, during the normal times, the output signal includes the first type of sub-audio signal if the first type of sub-audio signal is present; andsetting means, operating in response to an external input during the special times, for setting the mixing means so that the output signal does not include the first type of sub-audio signal even if the first type of sub-audio signal is present, or the output signal includes the second type of sub-audio signal if the second type of sub-audio signal is present.