JP2007004404A - Content reproduction system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem of a conventional music distribution system in which several pieces of music are just listed to be displayed and no information about their melodies can be conveyed though a user can make a selection based on a result of analysis on characteristics, tunes, and the like of music for obtaining desired music. <P>SOLUTION: This content reproduction system is provided with a server device, which transmits symbol image information in association with content identification information to a client device, and the client device outputting the received symbol image information and allowing selection of contents to be reproduced based on the outputted symbol image information. In this way, the symbol image matching a melody or a subject of the contents is displayed without requiring any special operation from the user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a content reproduction system.

Prior art already exists for a music distribution system that allows a user to make a selection based on the analysis results of music characteristics, tunes, etc. in order to obtain favorite music (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-297093 A

  However, in the above music distribution system, the music is only presented in a list, and it is not possible to tell what the tone of each music is.

  In view of such a situation, the present invention relates to a server device that associates symbol image information with content identification information and transmits the symbol image information to a client device, and outputs the received symbol image information and reproduces content to be reproduced based on the output symbol image information. The present invention proposes a content reproduction system having a client device that can be selected. In addition, when content is being played back on the client device, status information that is information indicating the status of playback may be acquired and uploaded to the server device. Furthermore, the image information created by the client device may be acquired and uploaded to the server device.

  Further, the situation information indicating the reproduction situation may be uploaded in association with the client identification information. With the client identification information, it is possible to perform an authentication process that identifies a client device or a user and determines whether or not the user has authority to upload various information. Furthermore, the user can specify the client identification information of a specific celebrity from the client device, and can output a symbol image information transmission command to the server device. Further, the server device can generate billing information based on the client identification information.

  As described above, in the content reproduction system according to any one or more of the present inventions, the content is viewed by outputting the symbol image information transmitted from the server device at the client device. Even if there is not, the image of the content can be visually recognized. Further, since the symbol image information is transmitted from the server device, it can be used even when the client device does not have the symbol image information.

  Also, when content information is reproduced on the client device, the situation information, which is information indicating the status of the reproduction, is acquired and uploaded to the server device. Since it is assumed that the optimum situation for reproducing the image is displayed, the symbol image is accurately acquired. Furthermore, when image information created by the client device is acquired and uploaded to the server device, the image created by the user can be transmitted from the server device to another client device. At this time, by obtaining a large number of image information from a plurality of client devices, it is expected that the variation of the symbol image is widened and the accuracy of the image indicated by the symbol image information is improved.

  The best mode for carrying out each invention will be described below. Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  The first embodiment will mainly describe claims 1 and 9. In the second embodiment, claims 2 to 5 will be mainly described. The third embodiment will mainly describe claim 6 and the like. The fourth embodiment will mainly describe Claim 7 and the like. The fifth embodiment will mainly describe Claim 8 and the like.

  << Embodiment 1 >>

  <Embodiment 1: Overview> Embodiment 1 will be described. This embodiment relates to a server device that associates symbol image information with content identification information and transmits it to a client device, and a client device that can output received symbol image information and select content to be reproduced based on the output symbol image information Is a content reproduction system.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of the concept of this embodiment. The figure shows a part of the display screen of the server device and the client device of the present embodiment. The server device transmits symbol image information to the client device in association with the content identification information. The client device outputs the received symbol image information. For example, as shown in the figure, it is assumed that a symbol image composed of symbol image information is displayed in a thumbnail format. At this time, attribute information such as the title of the content is specified from the content identification information associated with the symbol image, but the attribute information of the content and the symbol image may be displayed in association with each other. By selecting a symbol image or a content title, the selected content is played back.

  <Common to Embodiments: Hardware Configuration> FIG. 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the client device according to the present invention. The constituent element of the present invention is configured by any one of hardware, software, and both hardware and software. For example, as an example for realizing these, hardware configured by a CPU, a memory (DRAM, ROM), a bus, an I / O controller, a peripheral device, and the like, and software executable on these hardware are listed. be able to. Specifically, by sequentially executing the program developed on the memory, the data of the memory and the data input via the I / O controller are processed, stored, output, etc. Function is realized.

  <Embodiment 1: Configuration> FIG. 3 shows an example of functional blocks in the present embodiment. The “content reproduction system” (0300) of this embodiment shown in FIG. 3 includes a “server device” (0310) and a “client device” (0320). The server device (0310) includes a “symbol image information holding unit” (0311) and a “symbol image information transmitting unit” (0312), and the client device (0320) includes a “symbol image information receiving unit” ( 0321), “symbol image information output unit” (0322), “content selection unit” (0323), and “content reproduction unit” (0324).

  The “content reproduction system” (0300) is a system including a server device (0310) and a client device (0320) which will be described later. First, the server device (0310) will be described.

  The “symbol image information holding unit” (0311) holds symbol image information in association with the content identification information. “Symbol image information” is information for constructing a symbol image representing an image of content. The image of the content represented by the symbol image information may include an image representing the emotion of a person generated based on the content. For example, a song that is energetic, a song with a sad atmosphere, a song that is exciting, a relaxing song, Examples include intense songs. In addition, the image of the content represented by the symbol image information may include an image representing a scene that is suitable for the content to be played, such as a song suitable for a sunny day, a song that you want to listen to in the spring, Examples are songs suitable for the morning. At this time, the symbol image information corresponds to a file in a format such as JPG, BMP, GIF, or MPG. Further, the symbol image information may be identification information for specifying a held symbol image. It is assumed that the held symbol image information is written by a general user or a specific expert (eg, DJ, movie critic). Further, the symbol image information is not limited to information for configuring a still image, but may be information for configuring a moving image. “Content identification information” is information for uniquely identifying content. A plurality of symbol image information may be associated with one content (content identification information).

  The symbol image information holding unit is configured by a hard disk, a memory, or the like. Accepts and holds input of symbol image information from the outside via the I / O controller.

  The “symbol image information transmission unit” (0312) transmits the symbol image information held in the symbol image information holding unit (0311) to the client device in association with the content identification information. For example, when an image representing human emotion generated based on the content specified by the content identification information “ID: 074” is “healing”, this is transmitted as symbol image information in association with the content identification information. Note that the transmission may be performed based on a transmission command from the client apparatus, execution of a periodic transmission program of the server apparatus, or when symbol image information is added (updated).

  The symbol image information transmission unit transmits symbol image information to the client device via the I / O controller. At this time, it is assumed that a transmission interface such as an Internet line, a public telephone line, a dedicated line, a wireless (such as mail) line is used.

  The “client device” (0320) corresponds to various devices having a display screen, and includes a mobile terminal device (mobile phone, PDA, etc.), a car navigation system, an audio device, and the like. The configuration of the client device will be described below.

  The “symbol image information receiving unit” (0321) receives symbol image information transmitted from the server apparatus. Since the symbol image information is transmitted in association with the content identification information, the symbol image information is suitable for what kind of emotion the content specified by the content identification information shows or in which scene it is played. Can be recognized.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the client device receives symbol image information associated with the content identification information from the server device via the I / O controller. The received symbol image information is stored in a memory such as a hard disk or DRAM.

  The “symbol image information output unit” (0322) outputs the symbol image information received by the symbol image information reception unit (0321). The output of the symbol image information is assumed to display a symbol image composed of the symbol image information in a thumbnail format. At this time, attribute information such as the title of the content is specified from the content identification information associated with the symbol image, but the attribute information of the content and the symbol image may be displayed in association with each other.

  When a plurality of symbol image information is associated with one content identification information, a symbol image composed of the plurality of symbol image information may be displayed in a slideshow format. The display in the slideshow format is a method of sequentially displaying and outputting the symbol images at predetermined time intervals (for example, 2 seconds) when displaying a plurality of symbol images.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the received symbol image information is temporarily stored in a DRAM or the like and sent to a drawing LSI in accordance with an output command or the like. The drawing LSI draws a symbol image based on the symbol image information, and displays it on the display. At this time, the symbol image information may be processed depending on the hardware specifications.

  The “content selection unit” (0323) performs processing for selecting the content to be reproduced based on the symbol image information output from the symbol image information output unit (0322). The content is selected by operating a button (such as a numeric keypad or a pointing device such as a mouse) on the displayed symbol image or the title portion of the content, or by touching the touch panel.

  When the selection process is executed based on the touch panel selection program, as shown in FIG. 2, when the user selects content by touching the display, a selection process including information on the touched area is selected. The command is transmitted to the CPU via the I / O controller. Content identification information is identified from the touched area information, and a content entity file is executed to reproduce the content.

  The “content playback unit” (0324) performs processing for playing back content. Mainly plays the selected content. When the content is audio, the speaker is activated. When the content is video, the screen and the speaker are activated. When the content is a program, the computer resources are activated.

  Based on the execution of the content entity file, as shown in FIG. 2, the D / A conversion circuit is operated via the I / O controller, and the data converted into analog is amplified by the amplifier and output from the speaker.

  <First Embodiment: Process Flow 1> FIG. 4 shows an example of a process flow of a content reproduction method in the content reproduction system of the first embodiment. First, symbol image information for configuring a symbol image representing an image of content held in the server device is transmitted to the client device in association with the content identification information (symbol image information transmission step S0401). Next, the client device receives the symbol image information transmitted in the symbol image information transmission step (S0401) (symbol image information reception step S0402). Next, the symbol image information received in the symbol image information receiving step (S0402) is output (symbol image information output step S0403). Further, a process for selecting content to be reproduced based on the symbol image information output in the symbol image information output step (S0403) is performed (content selection step S0404). At this time, if no selection has been made, the content selection step (S0404) is repeated. Finally, processing for reproducing the content is performed (content reproduction step S0405).

  The above processing can be executed by a program for causing a computer to execute, and the program can be recorded on a recording medium readable by the computer. (The same applies throughout the specification.)

  <Embodiment 1: Processing Flow 2> FIG. 5 shows an example of the hardware processing flow of the content reproduction system in the display device of the first embodiment. First, the server device transmits symbol image information in association with content identification information to the client device via the I / O controller (symbol image information transmission step S0501). Next, symbol image information associated with the content identification information is received from the server device via the I / O controller (symbol image information receiving step S0502). Next, the received symbol image information is temporarily stored in a memory such as a hard disk or DRAM, and is developed in a drawing memory in accordance with an output command or the like (symbol image information development step S0503). Furthermore, a symbol image is drawn based on the developed symbol image information and displayed on the display (display step S0504).

  It is checked whether content selection such as touching the display has been detected (content selection detection step S0505). When selection of content is detected, a selection command including information on an area touched on the display is transmitted to the CPU via the I / O controller (selection command transmission step S0506). If selection of content is not detected, the content selection detection step (S0505) is repeated. Next, content identification information is specified from the information of the touched area (content identification information specifying step S0507). Finally, the content entity file is executed, and the specified content is reproduced (content reproduction step S0508).

  <Embodiment 1: Effect> In this embodiment, a server device that associates symbol image information with content identification information and transmits the symbol image information to a client device, and outputs the received symbol image information, and reproduces it based on the output symbol image information A content reproduction system having a client device capable of selecting content to be processed. By outputting the symbol image information transmitted from the server device, the content image can be visually recognized even when the content has not been viewed. Further, since the symbol image information is transmitted from the server device, it can be used even when the client device does not have the symbol image information.

  << Embodiment 2 >>

  <Embodiment 2: Overview> Embodiment 2 will be described. The present embodiment is characterized in that when content is played back on the client device, status information that is information indicating the status of playback is acquired and uploaded to the server device. It is a content playback system.

  <Embodiment 2: Configuration> FIG. 6 shows an example of functional blocks in the present embodiment. The “content reproduction system” (0600) of the present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 includes a “server device” (0610) and a “client device” (0620). The server apparatus (0610) includes a “symbol image information holding unit” (0611), a “symbol image information transmission unit” (0612), a “situation information storage unit” (0613), and “symbol image information”. The client device (0620) includes a “symbol image information receiving unit” (0621), a “symbol image information output unit” (0622), and a “content selection unit” (0623). “Content reproduction unit” (0624), “reproduction content identification information acquisition unit” (0625), “situation information acquisition unit” (0626), “situation information holding unit” (0627), “ A situation information upload unit ”(0628).

  The “reproduction content identification information acquisition unit” (0625) displays reproduction content identification information that is content identification information of the content being reproduced when the content reproduction unit (0624) is reproducing the content. get. The content being reproduced can be specified by the reproduced content identification information.

  The “status information acquisition unit” (0626) acquires status information when the content playback unit (0624) is playing back content. The “situation information” is information indicating a situation in which reproduction is performed, and corresponds to time information indicating a reproduction time, geographical information indicating a reproduction place, weather information indicating the weather at the reproduction place, and the like. The time information corresponds to information on date, time, season, and holidays. The time information can be acquired from a clock or the like built in the client device during content reproduction. Further, the geographical information corresponds to information about a position obtained from GPS or the like provided in the client device. Geographic information may be represented by latitude / longitude, address, etc., or it may be a database searched for a category (for example, urban area, coastal area, green area, etc.) to which the location derived from the information belongs. Good. Further, the weather information corresponds to information indicating a situation such as sunny or rain, temperature, and humidity. Weather information is obtained by passing the previous time information and geographical information to a weather server or the like in addition to being acquired from a thermometer or a hygrometer. In addition, when the client device is provided in a vehicle or the like, the situation information may include information indicating whether or not the vehicle is currently moving (running), a moving speed, and the like. The situation information may be automatically acquired for each reproduction content or every predetermined time, or may be acquired in response to a user operation.

  The “situation information holding unit” (0627) holds the situation information acquired by the situation information acquisition unit (0626) in association with the reproduction content identification information acquired by the reproduction content identification information acquisition unit (0625). . It is possible to compare the content being reproduced that can be specified by the reproduced content identification information with the situation in which the reproduction is being performed. For example, it is possible to recognize the relevance that specific content is played back frequently on rainy days. A plurality of situation information may be associated with one piece of reproduction content identification information.

  The “situation information upload unit” (0628) uploads the situation information held in the situation information holding unit (0627) to the server device in association with the reproduction content identification information. The upload may be performed every time new status information is acquired and held, or may be performed every predetermined time or based on a request from the user.

  The “status information storage unit” (0613) stores the status information uploaded from the status information upload unit (0628) of the client device in association with the reproduction content identification information. The status information associated with the playback content identification information is received and stored. Even if the same situation information is accumulated, it may be accumulated redundantly or may be accumulated by being overwritten.

  The “symbol image information adding unit” (0614) adds symbol image information to the symbol image information holding unit (0611) in association with the content identification information based on the situation information stored in the situation information storage unit (0613). . It is assumed that this is realized by generating symbol image information based on the situation information. For example, symbol image information indicating a rain image is generated and added based on the situation information indicating that it is being played on a rainy day. Alternatively, symbol image information indicating a rain image may be retrieved from a symbol image information database or the like and acquired. The addition may be performed only when situation information exceeding a predetermined number is accumulated. In other words, when situation information indicating that a certain number of users are playing back on a rainy day is uploaded for specific content, symbol image information based on the situation information may be added. The symbol image information holding unit may be searched to confirm whether or not the symbol image information to be added is held, and the addition process may be performed only when the symbol image information is not held. The added symbol image information is transmitted to the client device as necessary.

  The processing of each other part is the same as in the first embodiment.

  <Embodiment 2: Process Flow> FIG. 7 shows an example of the process flow of the content reproduction method in the content reproduction system of the second embodiment. First, in the client device, when selection of content is detected on the display of the touch panel, a selection command including information on the touched area is transmitted to the CPU via the I / O controller. The content can be identified from the information of the touched area, and the identified content is reproduced by executing the content entity file (content reproduction step S0701). In order to identify the content, the content identification information is derived from a table associated with the display area information. At this time, when content is being played back, playback content identification information, which is content identification information of the content being played back, is acquired (playback content identification information acquisition step S0702). Furthermore, when content is being played back, status information that is information indicating the status of playback is acquired (situation information acquisition step S0703). This is assumed to be acquired from a clock, GPS, an external server, or the like. Next, the situation information acquired in the situation information acquisition step (S0703) is uploaded to the server device in association with the reproduction content identification information acquired in the reproduction content identification information acquisition step (S0702) (situation information). Upload step S0704).

  On the other hand, in the server device, the symbol image information is added to the symbol image information holding unit in association with the content identification information based on the situation information uploaded in the situation information upload step (S0704) (symbol image information addition step S0705). . Further, the held symbol image information is transmitted to the client device in association with the content identification information (symbol image information transmission step S0706). Thereafter, the client device receives the symbol image information, outputs the received symbol image information, and selects the content to be played back based on the output symbol image information. This is the same as the process flow.

  <Embodiment 2: Effect> In this embodiment, when content is played back on a client device, status information that is information indicating the status of playback is acquired, and the server device is A content reproduction system characterized by uploading. Based on the information indicating the situation in which the client device is being reproduced, the symbol image information is added and held in the server device, so that a symbol image suitable for reproducing the content can be accurately acquired. become. Further, by acquiring a large number of situation information from a plurality of client devices, it is expected that the database will be enhanced and the accuracy of the image indicated by the symbol image information will be improved.

  << Embodiment 3 >>

  <Embodiment 3: Overview> Embodiment 3 will be described. The present embodiment is a content reproduction system characterized by acquiring image information created by a client device and uploading it to a server device.

  <Embodiment 3: Configuration> FIG. 8 shows an example of functional blocks in the present embodiment. The “content reproduction system” (0800) of this embodiment shown in FIG. 8 includes a “server device” (0810) and a “client device” (0820). The server device (0810) includes a “symbol image information holding unit” (0811), a “symbol image information transmission unit” (0812), a “symbol image storage unit” (0813), and “symbol image information”. The client device (0820) includes a “symbol image information receiving unit” (0821), a “symbol image information output unit” (0822), and a “content selection unit” (0814). 0823), “content reproduction unit” (0824), “image information acquisition unit” (0825), “content identification information acquisition unit” (0826), “image information holding unit” (0827), A “symbol image information upload unit” (0828).

  The “image information acquisition unit” (0825) acquires image information. Image information can be acquired by a user or the like creating (photographing) and performing input. Alternatively, it may be obtained from a portable medium (IC memory, DVD, etc.).

  The “content identification information acquisition unit” (0826) acquires content identification information. The content identification information can be acquired by being input by the user in association with the previous image information.

  The “image information holding unit” (0827) holds the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit (0825) in association with the content identification information acquired by the content identification information acquisition unit (0826). A plurality of pieces of image information may be associated with one piece of content identification information.

  The “symbol image information upload unit” (0828) uploads the image information held in the image information holding unit (0827) to the server device as symbol image information associated with content identification information. The upload may be performed every time new image information is acquired and held. By uploading image information as a symbol image, an image created by a user can be transmitted from the server device to another client device.

  The “symbol image storage unit” (0813) stores the symbol image information uploaded from the symbol image upload unit (0828).

  The “symbol image information second adding unit” (0814) associates the content identification information with the symbol image information stored in the symbol image storage unit (0813) and adds it to the symbol image information holding unit (0811). . The added symbol image information is transmitted to the client device as necessary.

  The processing of each other part is the same as in the first embodiment.

  <Third Embodiment: Process Flow> FIG. 9 shows an example of a process flow of a content reproduction method in the content reproduction system of the third embodiment. First, in the client device, image information is acquired (image information acquisition step S0901), and content identification information is acquired (content identification information acquisition S0902). As for the acquisition of image information and content identification information, it is assumed that input from the outside is acquired through an I / O controller. Next, the image information acquired in the image information acquisition step (S0901) is uploaded to the server device as symbol image information associated with the content identification information acquired in the content identification information acquisition step (S0902) ( Symbol image upload step S0903).

  On the other hand, in the server device, the content identification information and the symbol image uploaded from the symbol image uploading step (S0903) are associated and added to the symbol image information holding unit (symbol image information second adding step S0904). Further, the held symbol image information is transmitted to the client device in association with the content identification information (symbol image information transmission step S0905). Thereafter, the client device receives the symbol image information, outputs the received symbol image information, and selects the content to be played back based on the output symbol image information. This is the same as the process flow.

  <Embodiment 3: Effect> This embodiment is a content reproduction system characterized by acquiring image information created by a client device and uploading it to a server device. By uploading image information as a symbol image, an image created by a user can be transmitted from the server device to another client device. It can be expected that the variation of symbol images will spread.

  << Embodiment 4 >>

  <Embodiment 4: Overview> Embodiment 4 will be described. The present embodiment is a content reproduction system characterized in that situation information and the like are uploaded in association with client identification information.

  <Embodiment 4: Configuration> FIG. 10 shows an example of functional blocks in the present embodiment. The “content reproduction system” (1000) of the present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10 includes a “server device” (1010) and a “client device” (1020). The server device (1010) includes a “symbol image information holding unit” (1011), a “symbol image information transmitting unit” (1012), a “situation information storage unit” (1013), and a “symbol image information adding unit” ”(1014), and the client device (1020) includes a“ symbol image information receiving unit ”(1021), a“ symbol image information output unit ”(1022), a“ content selection unit ”(1023), “Content playback unit” (1024), “Situation information acquisition unit” (1025), “Reproduction content identification information acquisition unit” (1026), “Situation information holding unit” (1027), “Situation information upload unit” ”(1028) and“ client identification information holding unit ”(1029). Although this functional block diagram is based on the second embodiment, other components are required when the second embodiment is used as a basis.

  The “client identification information holding unit” (1029) holds client identification information. The client identification information is information for identifying a client device and a user who uses the client device. In the former case, the client identification information corresponds to a MAC address, an IP address, a manufacturing number, a telephone number of a client device or a mobile phone connected thereto, and the like. In the latter case, it is assumed that the client identification information input when the user uses the client device is retained. The client identification information corresponds to a user ID, a password, or the like. The client identification information is preferably stored in the tamper resistant area.

  The “situation information upload unit” (1028) uploads the situation information in association with the client identification information. Since the client device and the user can be specified by the client identification information, an authentication process for determining whether or not the user has the authority to upload the situation information can be performed. At this time, authentication processing may be performed within the client device, or client identification information may be transmitted to an external authentication server or the like that performs authentication processing, and authentication may be performed based on the returned result. Furthermore, it can be recognized that it is situation information from a specific user (for example, DJ, movie critic, etc.). The client device can hold symbol image information based on the situation information associated with the client identification information and transmit it to the server device as necessary. For example, the user can obtain client identification information of a specific celebrity from the client device. The symbol image information transmission command can be output to the server device by designating the symbol image information.

  In addition, when the “symbol image upload unit” is a constituent element based on the third embodiment, the symbol image upload unit uploads the symbol image information in association with the client identification information. Similarly, since the client device and the user can be specified by the client identification information, an authentication process can be performed to determine whether or not the user has the authority to upload the image information created by the user as the symbol image information. Furthermore, it can be recognized that the image information is from a specific user (for example, DJ, movie critic, etc.). In the client device, the symbol image information can be held based on the image information associated with the client identification information and can be transmitted to the server device as necessary. For example, the user can obtain the client identification information of a specific celebrity from the client device. The symbol image information transmission command can be output to the server device by designating the symbol image information.

  The processing of other parts is the same as in the second and third embodiments.

  <Fourth Embodiment: Process Flow> FIG. 11 shows an example of a process flow of a content reproduction method in the content reproduction system of the fourth embodiment. First, in the client device, when selection of content is detected on the display of the touch panel, a selection command including information on the touched area is transmitted to the CPU via the I / O controller. The content can be identified from the information of the touched area, and the identified content is reproduced by executing the content entity file (content reproduction step S1101). At this time, when content is being played back, playback content identification information that is content identification information of the content being played back is acquired (playback content identification information acquisition step S1102). In order to identify the content, the content identification information is derived from a table associated with the display area information. Further, when the content is being played back, status information that is information indicating the status of the playback is acquired (situation information acquisition step S1103). This is assumed to be acquired from a clock, GPS, an external server, or the like. Next, client identification information is acquired (client identification information acquisition step S1104). At this time, it is assumed that the client identification information is acquired from an external input or the like through the I / O controller. The situation information is uploaded to the server device in association with the reproduction content identification information and the client identification information (situation information upload step S1105).

  On the other hand, in the server device, symbol image information is added to the symbol image information holding unit in association with the content identification information based on the situation information uploaded in the situation information upload step (S1105) (symbol image information addition step S1106). . Further, the held symbol image information is transmitted to the client device in association with the content identification information (symbol image information transmission step S1107). Thereafter, the client device receives the symbol image information, outputs the received symbol image information, and selects the content to be played back based on the output symbol image information. This is the same as the process flow.

  <Embodiment 4: Effect> This embodiment is a content reproduction system characterized in that situation information and the like are uploaded in association with client identification information. With the client identification information, it is possible to perform an authentication process that identifies a client device or a user and determines whether or not the user has authority to upload various information. As a result, uploading of unauthorized users can be effectively prohibited, and the content playback system can be used safely.

  Furthermore, the user can specify client identification information of a specific celebrity (for example, DJ, movie critic, etc.) from the client device, and can output a symbol image information transmission command to the server device. Thereby, the symbol image information for reproducing the content under the same situation as the situation where the specific celebrity reproduced the content, or the image information created by the specific celebrity can be acquired as the symbol image information.

  << Embodiment 5 >>

  <Embodiment 5: Overview> Embodiment 5 will be described. The present embodiment is a content reproduction system characterized in that a server device generates billing information based on client identification information.

  <Embodiment 5: Configuration> FIG. 12 shows an example of functional blocks in the present embodiment. The “content reproduction system” (1200) of this embodiment shown in FIG. 12 includes a “server device” (1210) and a “client device” (1220). The server device (1210) includes a “symbol image information holding unit” (1211), a “symbol image information transmission unit” (1212), a “situation information storage unit” (1213), and a “symbol image information addition unit”. ”(1214), a“ client identification information acquisition unit ”(1215), and a“ billing information generation unit ”(1216). The client device (1220) includes a“ symbol image information reception unit ”(1221). ”,“ Symbol image information output unit ”(1222),“ content selection unit ”(1223),“ content playback unit ”(1224),“ situation information acquisition unit ”(1225), and“ playback content identification ” "Information acquisition unit" (1226), "situation information holding unit" (1227), "situation information uploading unit" (1228), and "client identification information holding unit" (1 29) and a. This functional block diagram is based on Embodiments 4 and 2, but other components are required when other embodiments are used as a basis.

  The “client identification information acquisition unit” (1215) acquires client identification information associated with information uploaded from the client device. The situation information uploaded from the client device is associated with the reproduction content identification information and the client identification information. Client identification information is acquired from this status information.

  In addition, based on Embodiment 3, when the “symbol image upload unit” is a constituent element, the client identification information acquisition unit acquires client identification information associated with the symbol image information. The symbol image information uploaded from the client device is associated with the content identification information and the client identification information. Client identification information is acquired from the symbol image information.

  The “billing information generation unit” (1216) generates charging information based on the client identification information acquired by the client identification information acquisition unit (1215). The billing information is information for imposing payment of consideration. Specifically, information for executing bank transfer processing, information for transferring electronic money, information for transferring points representing value, and the like are applicable. It is assumed that the billing information generated in the server device is generally negative billing information. Since symbol image information can be added based on the situation information uploading performed by the client device, a consideration that needs to be paid from the server device to the client device occurs.

  In addition, in the case where the third embodiment is used as a base, symbol image information can be added based on the upload of symbol image information performed by the client device, so that there is a consideration that needs to be paid from the server device to the client device. appear.

  The processing of each other part is the same as in the fourth embodiment.

  <Fifth Embodiment: Process Flow> FIG. 13 shows an example of a process flow of a content reproduction method in the content reproduction system of the fifth embodiment. First, in the client device, when selection of content is detected on the display of the touch panel, a selection command including information on the touched area is transmitted to the CPU via the I / O controller. The content can be identified from the information of the touched area, and the identified content is reproduced by executing the content entity file (content reproduction step S1301). At this time, when content is being played back, playback content identification information that is content identification information of the content being played back is acquired (playback content identification information acquisition step S1302). In order to identify the content, the content identification information is derived from a table associated with the display area information. Furthermore, when content is being played back, status information that is information indicating the status of playback is acquired (situation information acquisition step S1303). This is assumed to be acquired from a clock, GPS, an external server, or the like. Next, client identification information is acquired (client identification information acquisition step S1304). Acquisition of client identification information is assumed to acquire input from the outside through the I / O controller. Furthermore, the situation information is uploaded to the server device in association with the reproduction content identification information and the client identification information (situation information uploading step S1305).

  On the other hand, the server device acquires client identification information associated with the situation information uploaded in the situation information upload step (S1305) (client identification information acquisition step S1306). Further, billing information is generated based on the client identification information acquired in the client identification information acquisition step (S1306) (charging information generation step S1307).

  Thereafter, a symbol image information adding step of adding symbol image information to the symbol image information holding unit in association with the content identification information based on the uploaded situation information, and associating the held symbol image information with the content identification information in the client The symbol image information transmission step to be transmitted to the apparatus is the same as the processing flow of the fourth embodiment. In the client device, the step of receiving symbol image information, the step of outputting the received symbol image information, and the step of selecting content to be played back based on the output symbol image information are described in the first embodiment. This is the same as the process flow.

  <Embodiment 5: Effect> This embodiment is a content reproduction system characterized in that a server device generates billing information based on client identification information. By uploading symbol image information based on the situation information or created image information by the user, the client device can receive a payment of the price, so that an effect of promoting the user's upload can be expected.

Conceptual diagram for explaining the first embodiment Hardware configuration diagram for explaining the present invention Functional block diagram for explaining the first embodiment The figure explaining the flow of processing in Embodiment 1. The figure explaining the flow of the hardware processing in Embodiment 1. Functional block diagram for explaining the second embodiment The figure explaining the flow of processing in Embodiment 2. Functional block diagram for explaining the third embodiment The figure explaining the flow of processing in Embodiment 3. Functional block diagram for explaining the fourth embodiment The figure explaining the flow of processing in Embodiment 4. Functional block diagram for explaining the fifth embodiment The figure explaining the flow of processing in Embodiment 5.

Explanation of symbols

0300 Content playback system 0310 Server device 0311 Symbol image information holding unit 0312 Symbol image information transmission unit 0320 Client device 0321 Symbol image information reception unit 0322 Symbol image information output unit 0323 Content selection unit 0324 Content playback unit

Claims (9)

A symbol image information holding unit for holding symbol image information for constituting a symbol image representing the image of the content in association with the content identification information;
A symbol image information transmission unit that associates the symbol image information held in the symbol image information holding unit with content identification information and transmits it to the client device;
A server device comprising:
A symbol image information receiving unit for receiving symbol image information transmitted from the server device;
A symbol image information output unit for outputting the symbol image information received by the symbol image information receiving unit;
A content selection unit for selecting content to be reproduced based on the symbol image information output from the symbol image information output unit;
A content playback unit for playing back content;
A client device comprising:
A content reproduction system comprising: The client device is
A reproduction content identification information acquisition unit that acquires reproduction content identification information that is content identification information of the content being reproduced when the content reproduction unit is reproducing content;
A situation information acquisition unit that acquires situation information that is information indicating a situation in which reproduction is being performed when the content reproduction unit is performing reproduction of the content;
A situation information holding unit for holding the situation information acquired by the situation information acquisition unit in association with the reproduction content identification information acquired by the reproduction content identification information acquisition unit;
A situation information uploading unit that uploads the situation information held in the situation information holding unit to the server device in association with reproduction content identification information;
Further comprising
The server device
A status information storage unit that stores status information uploaded from the status information upload unit of the client device in association with reproduction content identification information;
A symbol image information adding unit for adding symbol image information to the symbol image information holding unit in association with content identification information based on the situation information stored in the situation information storage unit;
The content reproduction system according to claim 1, further comprising:   The content reproduction system according to claim 2, wherein the situation information acquisition unit acquires time information as the situation information.   The content reproduction system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the situation information acquisition unit acquires geographical information indicating a reproduction place as the situation information.   The content reproduction system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the situation information acquisition unit acquires weather information indicating the weather at the reproduction place as the situation information. The client device is
An image information acquisition unit for acquiring image information;
A content identification information acquisition unit;
An image information holding unit that holds the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit in association with the content identification information acquired by the content identification information acquisition unit;
A symbol image uploading unit that uploads image information held in the image information holding unit to the server device as symbol image information associated with content identification information;
Have
The server device
A symbol image storage unit for storing symbol image information uploaded from a symbol image upload unit of the client device;
A symbol image information second addition unit that associates content identification information with symbol image information stored in the symbol image storage unit and adds the content identification information to the symbol image information holding unit;
The content reproduction system according to claim 1, further comprising: The client device has a client identification information holding unit that holds client identification information;
The content reproduction system according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein each upload unit uploads each piece of information in association with client identification information. The server device includes a client identification information acquisition unit that acquires client identification information associated with information uploaded from the client device;
A billing information generating unit that generates billing information based on the client identification information acquired by the client identification information acquiring unit;
The content reproduction system according to claim 7, further comprising: A symbol image information transmitting step of transmitting symbol image information for constructing a symbol image representing an image of content held in the server device to the client device in association with the content identification information;
A symbol image information receiving step for receiving the symbol image information transmitted in the symbol image information transmitting step;
A symbol image information output step of outputting the symbol image information received in the symbol image information receiving step;
A content selection step for selecting content to be reproduced based on the symbol image information output in the symbol image information output step;
A content playback step for playing back the content;
A content playback method comprising:

Images