JP2007102982A - Terminal apparatus, information management system, and information management method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a terminal apparatus, an information management system, and an information management method in which rank of music can be known easily. <P>SOLUTION: The method is the information management method having a content storing step in which a plurality of sound contents including music are stored in a content memory, a rank storing step in which rank information given to each sound contents stored in the content memory is stored in a rank memory, a sound selecting step in which at least one of the sound contents stored in the content memory is selected based on the rank information stored in the rank memory, and a rank informing step in which when the selected sound contents is reproduced, the rank of the sound contents is informed with a voice. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a terminal device, an information management system, and an information management method capable of easily knowing the rank of music.

Existing jukebox applications and portable music players for playing recorded songs have a function that automatically creates playlists based on the rank (favorite level) assigned to each song. Yes.
Patent Document 1 discloses a method for automatically ranking each music piece.
In this method, information such as the number of reproductions, the number of fast-forwards, and the number of repetitions is stored for each artist for a predetermined period and the rank is calculated.
JP 2003-317451 A

  By the way, the ranking operation is performed by operating on a personal computer or a player, and the current rank value and the changed rank value can be confirmed on the screen of the personal computer or player. However, it is common for portable music players to use the phone while it is in a bag or pocket.

Accordingly, it is troublesome to take out the main body in order to check the rank of the music being viewed and the rank value, or to change and set the rank. Even if the rank is confirmed on the screen of the remote controller, it is not easy to use because the line of sight needs to be directed to the remote controller. These are one of the factors that the rank function is not used effectively.
In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the favorite degree is automatically calculated. However, there is no mention or suggestion about the notification method of the obtained favorite degree.
Furthermore, there is no description about a method that can change and set the rank without looking at the screen of the portable player.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, a terminal device that can easily know the rank of a song and can change and set the rank without looking at the screen of the portable player, an information management system, And an information management method.

  In order to solve the above problems, the terminal device according to claim 1 according to the present invention includes a content memory for storing a plurality of audio contents including music, and an audio reproduction for reproducing the audio contents stored in the content memory. Means, communication means for transmitting / receiving information to / from an external device, rank memory for storing rank information assigned to each audio content stored in the content memory, and updating rank information assigned to each audio content Rank update means, audio selection means for selecting at least one audio content stored in the content memory based on rank information stored in the rank memory, and audio playback of the selected audio content And rank notification means for notifying the rank of the audio content by voice when played by the means. The

  The terminal device according to claim 2 of the present invention further includes rank receiving means for receiving rank information of each audio content from the external device via the communication means in the terminal device according to the invention described above. The rank updating unit updates rank information of each audio content stored in the rank memory based on the rank information of each audio content received by the rank receiving unit.

  Moreover, the terminal device according to claim 3 of the present invention further includes rank voice setting means for setting rank voice to be notified by the rank notification means for each rank in the terminal apparatus according to the invention described above. .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the terminal device according to the above-mentioned invention, wherein the communication means includes rank voice setting information for setting rank voice for notification by the rank notification means for each rank. Rank voice information receiving means for receiving from an external device via

  The terminal device according to claim 5 of the present invention is the terminal device according to the above-described invention, further comprising volume setting means for setting a volume for reproducing the rank sound by the sound reproduction means, The setting means sets the volume of the rank sound independently of the content sound.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information management system comprising: a terminal device that reproduces music content including music; and an information management device that manages the content stored in the terminal device. The information management device includes a first communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from the terminal device, and a rank update unit that assigns a rank to each content stored in the terminal device or updates a rank of each content. And rank information transmission means for transmitting rank information of the content assigned or updated by the rank update means to the terminal device, wherein the terminal device is a content memory for storing a plurality of audio contents including music; Audio reproducing means for reproducing the audio content stored in the content memory; and second information for transmitting / receiving information to / from the information management device. Communication means, a rank memory for storing rank information assigned to each audio content, and rank information of each audio content stored in the content memory from the external device via the communication means, Rank acquisition means stored in a memory; audio selection means for selecting at least one audio content stored in the content memory based on rank information stored in the rank memory; and the selected audio content And rank notification means for notifying the rank of the audio content by sound when the sound is reproduced by the sound reproduction means.

  Further, the information management system according to claim 7 of the present invention is the information management system according to the above-described invention, wherein the information management device outputs a rank voice for notifying the rank in the terminal device for each rank. And the terminal device further comprises rank voice information receiving means for receiving the rank voice set by the rank voice setting means from the information management device via the communication means.

  An information management method according to claim 8 of the present invention includes a content storage step of storing a plurality of audio contents including music in a content memory, and rank information given to each audio content stored in the content memory. A rank storage step of storing in the rank memory, an audio selection step of selecting at least one audio content stored in the content memory based on the rank information stored in the rank memory, and the selected A rank notification step of notifying the rank of the audio content by voice when the audio content is reproduced.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information management system comprising: a terminal device that reproduces audio content including music; and an information management device that manages the content stored in the terminal device. The terminal device includes a content storage step of storing a plurality of audio contents including music in a content memory, an audio playback step of reproducing the audio content stored in the content memory, and each audio content. A rank storage step of storing the rank information in a rank memory, and the information management device assigns a rank to each audio content stored in the terminal device or updates a rank of each audio content; , Rank information of the audio content given or updated in the rank update step A rank information transmission step for transmitting to the terminal device, wherein the terminal device receives rank information of each audio content stored in the content memory from the information management device and stores the rank information in the rank memory. An acquisition step; an audio selection step for selecting at least one audio content stored in the content memory based on rank information stored in the rank memory; and an audio reproduction step for the selected audio content. And a rank notification step of notifying the rank of the audio content by voice.

  According to the present invention, the rank of music can be easily known, and the rank can be changed and set without looking at the screen of the portable player.

[First Embodiment]
The information management method according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to an information management apparatus that manages content such as music and a player that receives the content from the information management apparatus and reproduces the content.
The user executes content management using a content management screen displayed on the display unit of the information management apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a content management screen.
The content management screen 1 is provided with a toolbar area 2, a library area 3, a playlist area 4, a music list area 5, and a control area 6.

The tool bar area 2 includes a transfer button 2a for the player, an acquisition button 2b for the player, and an end button 2c.
When the player operates the transfer button 2a, the music file or the like is transferred to the player, which is an external terminal device that reproduces the music. When the acquisition button 2b is operated from the player, management data on the player can be acquired.

The library area 3 is provided with a library switching button 3a, a library display area 3b, and a library registration button 3c.
When the library switching button 3a is operated, the contents displayed in the library display area 3b can be switched. When a specific item is selected from the list displayed in the library display area 3b, a list of songs belonging to the item is displayed in the song list area 5. When the library registration button 3c is operated, a new musical piece can be registered in the library of the information management apparatus.

The playlist area 4 is provided with a playlist display area 4a, a playlist creation button 4b, and a playlist deletion button 4c.
In the playlist display area 4a, a group of playlists created by the information management device is displayed. When a specific playlist is selected from the list displayed in the playlist display area 4a, a list of songs belonging to the playlist is displayed in the song list area 5. When the playlist creation button 4b is operated, a new playlist is created. When the play list delete button 4c is operated, the selected play list can be deleted.

The music list area 5 includes a music header area 5a, a music display area 5b, and a rank area 5c.
In the music header area 5a, header information indicating the attributes of the music, “title”, “time”, “artist”, “album”, and “rank” are displayed.
“Title” is the name of the song. “Time” is the performance time of the music. “Artist” is the name of the music performer. “Album” is the name of the album containing the music.
In “Rank”, the rank (favorite degree) set by the user is displayed. The user can manually enter a rank value in the rank area 5c. The number of black circles represents the rank. That is, the higher the number of black circles, the higher the rank.

In the music display area 5b, a list of attribute information is displayed for the music belonging to the item specified in the library area 3 or belonging to the playlist specified in the playlist area 4.
The control area 6 includes a play / pause button 6a, a stop button 6b, a previous song button 6c, a next song button 6d, a mute button 6e, a volume slider 6f, a rank confirmation button 6j, a rank setting button 6k, and an option setting button. 7 is provided.
When the play / pause button 6a is operated, music can be played alternately and paused. When the stop button 6b is operated, the reproduction of music can be stopped. By operating the previous song button 6c, the previous song can be selected. When the next song button 6d is operated, the next song can be selected.
When the mute button 6e is operated, the sound can be muted. By operating the volume slider 6f, the volume of the sound can be adjusted. When the rank confirmation button 6j is operated, the rank of the music being reproduced can be known by sound. By operating the rank setting button 6k, the rank of the music being played can be set. When the option setting button 7 is operated, various operations related to rank notification can be set.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the switching operation of the library area 3.
As shown in (1) of FIG. 2, when "all" is selected with the library switching button 3a, the library display area 3b is left blank, and a list of all songs stored in the information management apparatus is displayed in the music display area 5b. Is displayed.
As shown in (2) of FIG. 2, when “genre” is selected with the library switching button 3a, a list of genres stored in the information management apparatus is displayed in the library display area 3b. When the user selects one of the displayed genres, a list of songs included in the genre is displayed in the music display area 5b.

As shown in (3) of FIG. 2, when “Artist” is selected by the library switching button 3a, a list of artists stored in the information management apparatus is displayed in the library display area 3b. When the user selects one of the displayed artists, a list of songs having that artist as a performer is displayed in the song display area 5b.
As shown in (4) of FIG. 2, when “album” is selected by the library switching button 3a, a list of albums stored in the information management apparatus is displayed in the library display area 3b. When the user selects one of the displayed albums, a list of songs included in the album is displayed in the music display area 5b.

Next, the option setting function will be described.
When the user operates the option setting button 7 in the control area 6, an option setting screen 13 shown in FIG. 3 is displayed.
When the user checks the “Enable rank notification sound” radio button 13a, an input to the “Notification sound type” column 13b becomes possible.
A notification sound for each rank can be designated by setting and inputting it in the “notification sound type” column 13b. When the “standard” radio button 13c is checked, the rank can be notified by the number of intermittent sounds. When the “designate” radio button 13c is checked, a sound for notifying the rank can be designated. That is, the file specified in the “notification sound storage destination” column 13e is reproduced as the notification sound.
The loudness of the notification sound can be designated by operating the notification sound volume slider 13f.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the player 30.
The player 30 is provided with a display screen 15, operation switches 16, input / output terminals 17a, and operation buttons 18.
The operation switch 16 includes a power switch 16a, a rank confirmation switch 16j, a rank setting switch 16k, and a volume change switch 16d. When the rank confirmation switch 16j is operated, a notification sound that informs the rank of the music being reproduced is reproduced. By operating the rank setting switch 16k, the rank of the music being played can be set.

The input / output terminal 17a is a terminal for exchanging signals with the remote controller 50.
The operation button 18 is provided with a play / pause button 18a, a stop button 18b, a previous song button 18c, and a next song button 18d. When the play / pause button 18a is operated, music can be played back alternately and paused. When the stop button 18b is operated, the reproduction of music can be stopped. By operating the previous song button 18c, the previous song can be selected. When the next song button 18d is operated, the next song can be selected.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the remote controller.
The remote controller 50 is provided with a display screen 55, operation switches 56, terminals 57 and operation buttons 58.
The operation switch 56 includes a rank confirmation switch 56j, a rank setting switch 56k, and a volume change switch 56d. When the rank confirmation switch 56j is operated, a notification sound that informs the rank of the music being reproduced is reproduced. By operating the rank setting switch 56k, the rank of the music being played can be set.

The input / output terminal 57 a is a terminal for exchanging signals with the player 30. The audio output terminal 57b is a terminal for outputting an audio signal to an earphone (not shown) or the like.
The operation button 58 is provided with a play / pause button 58a, a stop button 58b, a previous song button 58c, and a next song button 58d. When the play / pause button 58a is operated, music can be played alternately and paused. When the stop button 58b is operated, the reproduction of music can be stopped. By operating the previous song button 58c, the previous song can be selected. When the next song button 58d is operated, the next song can be selected.

Next, the configuration of an information management system to which the above-described information management method is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. The information management system includes a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 20, a player 30, and a remote controller 50. The PC 20 corresponds to the information management device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and the player 30 corresponds to the terminal device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The PC 20 stores and manages the music and plays the music. The player 30 saves and plays back the music received from the PC 20. The remote controller 50 is an operation terminal for remotely controlling the operation of the player 30.

The PC 20 includes an operation input unit 21, a display unit 22, an audio output unit 23, a communication interface 24, a processing unit 25, a program memory 26, a hard disk 27, and a data memory 28.
The operation input unit 21 is an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse for receiving an operation instruction input from a user. The display unit 22 is a CRT or TFT liquid crystal display that displays an information management screen.
The audio output unit 23 converts the reproduced music into an audio signal and outputs it. The communication interface 24 is an interface for exchanging information such as music with the player 30 through communication. The processing unit 25 comprehensively controls the operation of the PC 20. The program memory 26 stores a program that controls each function of the PC 20. The hard disk 27 is a storage medium that stores music and information for managing music. The data memory 28 is a buffer memory that temporarily stores information necessary for information management processing.

The player 30 includes an operation input unit 31, a display unit 32, an audio output unit 33, a communication interface 34, a processing unit 35, a program memory 36, a hard disk 37, and a data memory 38.
The operation input unit 31 is an operation member such as an operation switch or an operation button for receiving an operation instruction input from a user. The display unit 32 is a display such as a liquid crystal or an organic EL.
The audio output unit 33 converts the reproduced music into an audio signal and outputs it. The communication interface 34 is an interface for exchanging information such as music with the PC 20 by communication. The processing unit 35 comprehensively controls the operation of the player 30. The program memory 36 stores a program that controls each function of the player 30. The hard disk 37 is a storage medium that stores music and information for managing the music. The data memory 38 is a buffer memory that temporarily stores information necessary for information management processing.

The remote controller 50 includes an operation input unit 61, a display unit 62, an audio output unit 63, a communication interface 64, a processing unit 65, and a program memory 66.
The operation input unit 61 is an operation member such as an operation switch or an operation button for receiving an operation instruction input from a user. The display unit 62 is a display such as a liquid crystal or an organic EL.
The audio output unit 63 converts the reproduced music into an audio signal and outputs it. The communication interface 64 is an interface for exchanging information such as music with the player 30 by communication. The processing unit 65 comprehensively controls the operation of the remote controller 50. The program memory 66 stores a program that controls each function of the remote controller 50.

Next, files and data used for information management will be described.
The hard disk 27 of the PC 20 stores a music management file 27a, a music file 27b, a notification sound setting file 27f, and a notification sound audio file 27g.

FIG. 8 shows the contents of the music management file 27a.
In the music management file 27a, a plurality of music information 41 and a plurality of playlist information 42 are recorded. In the music information 41, index information related to the music stored in the PC 20 is recorded, and in the playlist information 42, information for specifying the music constituting the playlist is recorded.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the contents of the music information 41. The music information 41 is created for each music. The contents of the music information 41 are displayed in the music display area 5b of the content management screen 1.
The “music number” is a unique number assigned to each music, and is commonly used to specify the music in the information management system. “Title” is the name of the song. “Genre name” is the name of the field to which the song belongs. "Artist name" is the name of the music performer.
"Album name" is the name of the album that contains the music. “Reproduction time” is the performance time of the music. The “music storage destination” is a path name of the music file 27b in which the music is stored. In the “rank value”, a rank value set by the user is stored.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the contents of the playlist information 42. The playlist information 42 is generated every time a user newly creates a playlist.
“Playlist name” is a name input by the user. The “music number” is a unique number assigned to each music, and is commonly used to specify the music in the information management system.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the contents of the notification sound setting file 27f. In the notification sound setting file 27f, information related to the rank notification operation currently set in the PC 20 is recorded.
This information corresponds to the setting items on the option setting screen shown in FIG.
“Presence / absence of rank notification sound” is information indicating whether or not a rank notification sound is generated. As shown in FIG. 12, “notification sound designation information” 45 describes “notification sound type” for each rank. In this “notification sound type”, information on whether a standard sound or an audio file is adopted as the notification sound is described. When the user designates the audio file 27g as the notification sound, the address of the file is described in “notification sound storage location”.
“Volume of notification sound” describes the volume of the notification sound.

In the data memory 28 of the PC 20, status information 28a and a music information list 28c are stored.
FIG. 13 shows the contents of the status information 28a. In the status information 28a, the operation state of the music in the music list area 5 and the control area 6 of the content management screen 1 is recorded.

  The “music number being selected” describes the music number of the music that is selected and highlighted in the music display area 5b. The “music number being reproduced” describes the music number of the music currently being reproduced. In “Sort Item Name”, the item name clicked in the header area 5a is described. “Sort type” describes whether the sort item is displayed in ascending order, descending order, or none.

The hard disk 37 of the player 30 stores a music management file 37a, a music file 37b, a notification sound setting file 37f, and a notification sound audio file 37g. The contents of the music management file 37a, the music file 37b, the notification sound setting file 37f, and the notification sound / audio file 37g are the same as those of the PC 20, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
Status data 38 a is stored in the data memory 38 of the player 30.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the contents of the status information 38a. In the status information 38a, the current operation state of the player 30 is recorded.
In “selected music number”, the music number of the selected and highlighted music is described. The “music number being reproduced” describes the music number of the music currently being reproduced.

  Next, an outline procedure of information management processing for realizing the above-described information management method in the PC 20 and the player 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 33. Note that the processing described below is processing related to main functions of the information management processing function. Therefore, even if the function is not described in the following description, the function described in the description of FIGS. 1 to 14 is included in the information management processing function.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an overall flow of information management processing in the PC 20.
When the user starts the information management processing program, the processing unit 25 displays the content management screen 1 on the display unit 22 in step S01.
Then, it waits for the next user operation input.

When the user performs an operation in the library area 3, a library operation process (FIGS. 16 and 17) shown in step S02 is executed.
In FIG. 16, when the user operates the “all” button of the library switching button 3a, the processing unit 25 detects pressing of the “all” button in steps T01 and T02. In step T03, the library display area 3b is cleared to be blank.
Subsequently, in step T04, all music information 41 included in the music management file 27a is extracted and stored in the music information list 28c of the data memory 28. Then, a music list list redisplay process (FIG. 18) shown in step T05 is executed.

The processing of steps P01 to P03 in FIG. 18 will be described later.
In step P04, the processing unit 25 displays the contents of the music information list 28c in the music list display area 5b. At this time, the set rank value is also displayed.
Then, the library operation process is terminated and the next user operation input is awaited.

In FIG. 16, when the user operates the “genre” button of the library switching button 3a, the processing unit 25 detects pressing of the “genre” button in step T07.
In step T08, all music information 41 included in the music management file 27a is searched to extract a “genre name” to generate a list of genres. Subsequently, in step T09, a list of genres is displayed in the library display area 3b.

  Then, the library operation process is terminated and the next user operation input is awaited.

In FIG. 16, when the user operates the “Artist” button of the library switching button 3a, the processing unit 25 detects the pressing of the “Artist” button in Step T11.
In step T12, all music information 41 included in the music management file 27a is searched to extract an “artist name” to generate a list of artists. Subsequently, in step T13, a list of artists is displayed in the library display area 3b.
Then, the library operation process is terminated and the next user operation input is awaited.

In FIG. 16, when the user operates the “album” button of the library switching button 3a, in step T15, the processing unit 25 detects pressing of the “album” button.
In step T16, all music information 41 included in the music management file 27a is searched to extract an “album name” to generate a list of albums. Subsequently, in step T17, a list of albums is displayed in the library display area 3b.
Then, the library operation process is terminated and the next user operation input is awaited.

In FIG. 17, when the user selects a library from a list such as “genre”, “artist”, “album” displayed in the library display area 3b, the processing unit 25 performs a music management file 27a in steps T20 to T21. The music information 41 belonging to the selected library is extracted from all the music information 41 included in. Then, the extracted music information 41 is stored in the music information list 28c, and the music list list redisplay process (FIG. 18) shown in step T22 is executed to display a list of music belonging to the selected item. Since the music list list redisplay process has already been described, the description thereof will be omitted.
Then, the library operation process is terminated and the next user operation input is awaited.

In FIG. 17, when the user operates the library registration button 3c, in steps T25 to T26, the processing unit 25 searches for unregistered music files and displays them as a list on a music file selection screen (not shown).
When the user designates a music file, in step T27, the processing unit 25 creates music information 41 based on the designated music file and registers it in the music management file 27a. In the music information 41, a default value is written in the “rank value”.
Then, the library operation process is terminated and the next user operation input is awaited.

Returning to FIG. 15, when the user performs an operation on the playlist area 4, the playlist operation processing (FIG. 19) shown in step S03 is executed.
In FIG. 19, when the user operates the playlist creation button 4b, in steps T31 to T32, the processing unit 25 displays a playlist name input screen (not shown).
When the user inputs a playlist name, in step T33, playlist information 42 having the input playlist name is created and registered in the music management file 27a. In step T34, a new playlist name is additionally displayed in the playlist display area 4a.
Then, the playlist operation process is terminated, and the next user operation input is awaited.

In FIG. 19, when the user drags and drops a song selected from the song list displayed in the song display area 5b onto an arbitrary playlist in the playlist display area 4a, the processing unit 25 in steps T35 to T37, The selected music file and the destination playlist name are detected.
In step T38, the music number of the selected music file is added to the playlist information 42 at the drop destination.
Then, the playlist operation process is terminated, and the next user operation input is awaited.

In FIG. 19, when the user selects an arbitrary playlist displayed in the playlist display area 4a and operates the playlist deletion button 4c, in steps T41 to T42, the processing unit 25 displays the selected playlist name. To detect.
In steps T43 to T44, the playlist selected from the playlist display area 4a is deleted, and the corresponding playlist information 42 is deleted from the music management file 27a.
Then, the playlist operation process is terminated, and the next user operation input is awaited.

In FIG. 19, when the user double-clicks an arbitrary playlist displayed in the playlist display area 4a, the processing unit 25 detects the selected playlist name in step T46.
In step T47, the music management file 27a is searched and the playlist information 42 is specified from the selected playlist name. Next, music information 41 is extracted based on the music number registered in the playlist information 42. And the content of the music information 41 is preserve | saved at the music information list 28c, and the music list list redisplay process (FIG. 18) shown to step T48 is performed. Since the details of the music list list redisplay process have already been described, the description thereof will be omitted. Then, the playlist operation process is terminated, and the next user operation input is awaited.

Returning to FIG. 15, when the user performs an operation in the music list area 5, the music list operation processing (FIGS. 20 and 21) shown in step S <b> 04 is executed.
In FIG. 20, when the user performs a click operation in the music display area 5b, the processing unit 25 examines the clicked part in steps T51 to T52.

  If the clicked part is in the rank area 5c, the user has set the rank. Therefore, in steps T53 to T54, the processing unit 25 is selected according to the clicked position. The “rank value” in the music information 41 of the music is changed. Then, the rank of the music list display area 5b is updated and displayed.

  On the other hand, if the clicked portion is an area other than the rank area 5c, this is a case where the user has selected a music piece. Therefore, in steps T57 to T58, the “selected” of the status information 28a in the data memory 28 is selected. Enter the song number of the selected song in “No. And the selection state of the music of the music list display area 5b is updated and displayed. Then, the music list operation process is terminated, and the next user operation input is waited.

  In FIG. 21, when the user performs a click operation in the header area 5a, the processing unit 25 checks the clicked item in the header area 5a in steps T61 to T62.

If the clicked item in the header area 5a is the same as the “sort item name” in the status information 28a, the same item name is clicked continuously. Get the type.
In step T64, when the sort type immediately before is “ascending order”, “descending order” is entered in “sort type”. In step T65, if the last sort type is “descending order”, “none” is entered in “sort type”. In step T66, when the sort type immediately before is “none”, “ascending order” is entered in “sort type”.

On the other hand, if the item of the clicked header area 5a is different from the “sort item name” of the status information 28a in the data memory 28, enter the clicked item name in “sort item name” in steps T67 to T68. Then, enter “ascending order” in “sort type”.
Then, the music list list redisplay process (FIG. 18) shown in step T69 is executed.

  In steps P01 to P02 in FIG. 18, the “sort item name” and “sort type” of the status information 28a in the data memory 28 are acquired. In step P03, the acquired “sort item name” and “sort type” are acquired. Accordingly, the contents of the music information list 28c in the data memory 28 are rearranged. In steps P04 to P05, the contents of the music display area 5b are updated and displayed as described above. Then, the music list operation process is terminated, and the next user operation input is waited.

Returning to FIG. 15, when the user operates each button for controlling music in the control area 6 or when the music operation is in a predetermined state, the music control processing shown in step S05 (FIG. 22, FIG. 23) is executed.
In FIG. 22, when the user clicks the play / pause button 6a in the control area 6, the processing unit 25 checks whether or not the playback is currently being performed in steps T71 to T72.

  If Yes in step T72, that is, if the music is currently being played, in step T73, the "music number being played" in the status information 28a is acquired, and playback of the music with that music number is paused. Then, the music control process is ended, and the next user's operation input is awaited.

If No in step T72, that is, if the music is not currently being reproduced, it is checked in step T74 whether there is a music being selected in the music display area 5b.
In the case of Yes in step T74, that is, when there is a selected music in the music display area 5b, this corresponds to the case where the music is specified and the reproduction operation is performed, so “music number being reproduced” in the status information 28a. Enter "Selected song number" in

  On the other hand, in the case of No in step T74, that is, when there is no music being selected in the music display area 5b, this does not correspond to the case where the music is designated and the reproduction operation is performed. Enter the song number of the first song in “Song Number Playing”.

  Subsequently, rank notification sound reproduction processing (FIG. 24) shown in step T86 is executed.

In step P51 in FIG. 24, it is checked whether or not “the presence / absence of rank notification sound” is present (ON) in the notification sound setting file 27f.
In the case of No in Step P51, that is, when “Presence / absence of rank notification sound” is absent (OFF), the rank notification sound reproduction process is terminated. On the other hand, in the case of Yes in step P51, that is, if “presence / absence of rank notification sound” is present (ON), “music number being played” in the status information 38a is acquired in step P52. Then, the “rank value” of the music having the music number is extracted from the music information 41.

In step P53, the notification sound designation information 45 corresponding to the “rank value” is acquired, and it is checked whether “notification sound type” is designated as a standard sound or an audio file.
If “standard sound” is designated, in step S54, the standard notification sound is reproduced with the “notification sound volume” set in the notification sound setting file 27f.
If “voice file” is designated, the voice file designated by “save destination of notice sound” of the notice sound designation information 45 is read in step S55. In step S56, the sound file is reproduced with the "notification sound volume" set in the notification sound setting file 27f.

  Returning to FIG. 22, in step T87, the music having the music number described in the “music number being played” in the status information 28a is played. Then, the music control process is ended, and the next user's operation input is awaited.

In FIG. 22, when the music being reproduced has been reproduced to the end, the reproduction of the music of the music number described in the “music number being reproduced” of the status information 28a is stopped in steps T81 to T82.
In step T84, it is checked whether there is a song to be reproduced next.
If No in step T84, that is, if there is no song to be played next, the song control process is terminated and the next user operation input is awaited.

If Yes in step T84, that is, if there is a song to be reproduced next, in step T85, the song to be reproduced next is entered in the “music number being reproduced” of the status information 28a.
And the rank notification sound reproduction | regeneration processing (FIG. 24) shown to step T86 is performed. Since the rank notification sound reproduction process has already been described, the description thereof will be omitted. In step T87, the music of the music number described in “music number being played” in the status information 28a is played. Then, the music control process is ended, and the next user's operation input is awaited.

In FIG. 22, when the user operates the next music button 6d, the operation is detected in step T92, and in step T93, it is checked whether or not the music is being reproduced.
In the case of No in step T93, that is, when the music is not being reproduced, the operation is invalid, so the music control process is terminated and the next user's operation input is waited.

If Yes in step T93, that is, if a song is being played, playback of the song with the song number described in “Song number being played” in the status information 28a is stopped in step T82.
In step T84, it is checked whether there is a song to be reproduced next.
If No in step T84, that is, if there is no song to be played next, the song control process is terminated and the next user operation input is awaited.

If Yes in step T84, that is, if there is a song to be reproduced next, in step T85, the song to be reproduced next is entered in the “music number being reproduced” of the status information 28a.
And the rank notification sound reproduction | regeneration processing (FIG. 24) shown to step T86 is performed. Since the rank notification sound reproduction process has already been described, the description thereof will be omitted. In step T87, the music of the music number described in “music number being played” in the status information 28a is played. Then, the music control process is ended, and the next user's operation input is awaited.

In FIG. 22, when the user operates the previous music button 6c, the operation is detected in step T95, and it is checked in step T96 whether the music is being reproduced.
In the case of No in step T96, that is, when the music is not being played back, the operation is invalid, so the music control process is terminated and the next user operation input is awaited.

If Yes in step T96, that is, if the music is being reproduced, reproduction of the music with the music number described in “music number being reproduced” in the status information 28a is stopped in step T97.
In step T98, the music number of the previous music is entered in "music number being played" in the status information 28a.
And the rank notification sound reproduction | regeneration processing (FIG. 24) shown to step T86 is performed. Since the rank notification sound reproduction process has already been described, the description thereof will be omitted. In step T87, the music of the music number described in “music number being played” in the status information 28a is played. Then, the music control process is ended, and the next user's operation input is awaited.

In FIG. 23, when the user operates the stop button 6b, the operation is detected in step T101, and it is checked in step T102 whether the music is being reproduced.
In the case of No in step T102, that is, when the music is not being reproduced, the operation is invalid, and the music control process is terminated and the next user's operation input is waited.

  If Yes in step T102, that is, if a song is being played back, playback of the song with the song number described in “Song number being played” in the status information 28a is stopped in step T103. Then, the music control process is ended, and the next user's operation input is awaited.

In FIG. 23, when the user operates the rank confirmation button 6j, the operation is detected in step T111, and it is checked in step T112 whether or not the music is being reproduced.
In the case of No in step T112, that is, when the music is not being played back, the operation is invalid, so the music control process is terminated and the next user operation input is awaited.

  If Yes in step T112, that is, if a music piece is being played back, rank notification sound playback processing (FIG. 24) shown in step T113 is executed in step T113. Since the rank notification sound reproduction process has already been described, the description thereof will be omitted. Then, the music control process is ended, and the next user's operation input is awaited.

In FIG. 23, when the user operates the rank setting button 6k, the operation is detected in step T115, and it is checked in step T116 whether the music is being reproduced.
In the case of No in step T116, that is, when the music is not being played back, the operation is invalid, so the music control process is terminated and the next user's operation input is waited.

  If Yes in step T116, that is, if a song is being played back, in step T117, the “rank value” of the song information 41 is set in accordance with the number of times the rank setting button 6k has been pressed and the length of time the button has been pressed. Update. Then, the music control process is ended, and the next user's operation input is awaited.

Returning to FIG. 15, when the user operates the option setting button 7 in the control area 6, the option setting process (FIGS. 25 and 26) shown in step S06 is executed.
In steps T121 to T122 of FIG. 25, when detecting the pressing of the option setting button 7, the processing unit 25 displays the option setting screen 13 shown in FIG. 3 and waits for the next user operation input.

  When the user operates the “Enable rank notification sound” radio button 13a on the option setting screen 13, the processing unit 25 selects the “Enable rank notification sound” radio button 13a in steps T125 to T126 of FIG. The state is acquired, and in step T127, the ON / OFF status described in “Presence / absence of rank notification sound” of the option setting information 27f is updated. Then, it waits for the next user operation input.

  When the user clicks one of the radio buttons in the “notification sound type” column 13b of the option setting screen 13, the processing unit 25 selects the “standard” radio button in steps T131 to T132 in FIG. It is checked whether the button 13c or the “designate” radio button 13d.

  If the “standard” radio button 13c is checked, in step T133, “notification sound type” of the notification sound designation information 45 corresponding to the checked rank is described as “standard sound designation”.

When the “designation” radio button 13d is checked, in step T135, “notification sound type” of the notification sound designation information 45 corresponding to the checked rank is described as “audio file designation”.
Subsequently, in step T136, the file name specified in “save destination of notification sound” of the notification sound specifying information 45 is described. Then, it waits for the next user operation input.

  When the user operates the notification sound volume slider 13f on the option setting screen 13, the processing unit 25 detects the position of the slider in steps T141 to T142 in FIG. The “notification sound volume” of the notification sound setting file 27f is changed. Then, it waits for the next user operation input.

  When the user operates the OK button 13g on the option setting screen 13, the processing unit 25 detects the pressing of the OK button 13g in step T151 in FIG. 26, ends the option setting process, returns to FIG. Wait for the operation.

Next, an information processing method of the player 30 will be described. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an overall flow of information management processing in the player 30.
When the user turns on the player 30, the processing unit 35 displays a content management screen (not shown) on the screen 15 in step R01.
Then, it waits for the next user operation input.

When the user performs an operation to control the music using the operation switch or operation button provided on the player 30, or when the music operation is in a predetermined state, the player 30 performs the music control process shown in step R02. (FIGS. 28 and 29) are executed. In the following music control process, it is assumed that necessary files are acquired from the PC 20 by communication. The acquisition process by this communication will be described in detail later.
In FIG. 28, when the user clicks on the play / pause button 18a on the player surface, in steps R11 to R12, the processing unit 35 checks whether or not it is currently being played.

  If Yes in step R1, that is, if the music is currently being played, in step R13, the "music number being played" in the status information 38a is acquired, and playback of the music with that music number is paused. Then, the music control process is ended, and the next user's operation input is awaited.

If No in step R12, that is, if the music is not currently being reproduced, it is checked in step R14 if there is a music being selected in the display screen 15.
In the case of Yes in step R14, that is, when there is a music piece being selected in the display screen 15, this corresponds to the case where a music piece is designated and a reproduction operation is performed, so “music number being reproduced” in the status information 38a. Enter "Selected song number" in

  On the other hand, in the case of No in step R14, that is, when there is no music piece being selected in the display screen 15, this does not correspond to the case where the reproduction operation is performed by designating the music piece. Enter the song number of the first song in “Song Number Playing”.

  Subsequently, rank notification sound reproduction processing (FIG. 24) shown in step R26 is executed. Since this process has already been described, the description thereof will be omitted.

  Returning to FIG. 28, in step R27, the music of the music number described in the “music number being reproduced” of the status information 38a is reproduced. Then, the music control process is ended, and the next user's operation input is awaited.

In FIG. 28, when the music being reproduced has been reproduced to the end, in steps R21 to R22, the reproduction of the music having the music number described in the “music number being reproduced” of the status information 38a is stopped.
In step R24, it is checked whether there is a song to be reproduced next.
In the case of No in step R24, that is, when there is no music to be reproduced next, the music control process is ended and the next user's operation input is waited.

If Yes in step R24, that is, if there is a song to be played next, in step R25, the song to be played next is written in “Song number being played” in the status information 38a.
And the rank notification sound reproduction | regeneration processing (FIG. 24) shown in step R26 is performed. Since the rank notification sound reproduction process has already been described, the description thereof will be omitted. In step R27, the music of the music number described in “music number being played” in the status information 38a is played. Then, the music control process is ended, and the next user's operation input is awaited.

In FIG. 28, when the user operates the next music button 18d, the operation is detected in step R32, and it is checked in step R33 whether the music is being reproduced.
In the case of No in step R33, that is, when the music is not being reproduced, the operation is invalid, so the music control process is terminated and the next user's operation input is awaited.

If Yes in step R33, that is, if a song is being played, playback of the song with the song number described in “Song number being played” in the status information 38a is stopped in step R22.
In step R24, it is checked whether there is a song to be reproduced next.
In the case of No in step R24, that is, when there is no music to be reproduced next, the music control process is ended and the next user's operation input is waited.

If Yes in step R24, that is, if there is a song to be played next, in step R25, the song number of the song to be played next is entered in the “music number being played” in the status information 38a.
And the rank notification sound reproduction | regeneration processing (FIG. 24) shown in step R26 is performed. Since the rank notification sound reproduction process has already been described, the description thereof will be omitted. In step R27, the music of the music number described in “music number being played” in the status information 38a is played. Then, the music control process is ended, and the next user's operation input is awaited.

In FIG. 28, when the user operates the previous music button 18c, the operation is detected in step R35, and it is checked in step R36 whether the music is being reproduced.
In the case of No in step R36, that is, when the music is not being played back, the music control process is terminated because the operation is invalid, and the next user's operation input is awaited.

If Yes in step R36, that is, if a song is being played, playback of the song with the song number described in “Song number being played” in the status information 38a is stopped in step R37.
In step R38, the music number of the previous music is entered in “music number being played” in the status information 38a.
And the rank notification sound reproduction | regeneration processing (FIG. 24) shown in step R26 is performed. Since the rank notification sound reproduction process has already been described, the description thereof will be omitted. In step R27, the music of the music number described in “music number being played” in the status information 38a is played. Then, the music control process is ended, and the next user's operation input is awaited.

In FIG. 29, when the user operates the stop button 18b, the operation is detected in step R41, and it is checked in step R42 whether the music is being reproduced.
In the case of No in step R42, that is, when the music is not being reproduced, the operation is invalid, so the music control process is terminated and the next user operation input is awaited.

  If Yes in step R42, that is, if a song is being played, in step R43, the playback of the song with the song number described in “Song number being played” in the status information 38a is stopped. Then, the music control process is ended, and the next user's operation input is awaited.

In FIG. 29, when the user operates the rank confirmation switch 16j, the operation is detected in step R51, and it is checked in step R52 whether the music is being reproduced.
In the case of No in step R52, that is, when the music is not being played back, it is an invalid operation, so the music control process is terminated and the next user operation input is awaited.

  In the case of Yes in step R52, that is, when the music is being reproduced, the rank notification sound reproduction process (FIG. 24) shown in step R53 is executed. Since the rank notification sound reproduction process has already been described, the description thereof will be omitted. Then, the music control process is ended, and the next user's operation input is awaited.

In FIG. 29, when the user operates the rank setting switch 16k, the operation is detected in step R55, and it is checked in step R56 whether the music is being reproduced.
In the case of No in step R56, that is, when the music is not being played back, it is an invalid operation, so the music control process is terminated and the next user operation input is awaited.

  In the case of Yes in step R56, that is, when the music is being played back, in step R57, the "rank value" of the music information 41 is set according to the number of times the rank setting switch 16k has been pressed and the length of time that it has been pressed. Update. Then, the music control process is ended, and the next user's operation input is awaited.

  Next, a method for exchanging information between the PC 20 and the player 30 will be described.

In FIG. 15, when the user operates the “transfer to player” button 2a in the toolbar area 2 of the content management screen 1, the player transfer / acquisition process (FIG. 30) shown in step S07 is executed.
In steps T155 to T156 in FIG. 30, the processing unit 25 detects the operation of the “transfer to player” button 2 a and transfers the music management file 27 a to the player 30. In addition, the rank value is described in the music management file 27a to be transferred. In step T157, the music file 27b registered in the music management file 27a is transferred to the player 30. Further, in steps T158 to T159, the notification sound setting file 27f and the notification sound audio file 27g are transferred to the player 30.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the information acquisition processing procedure in the player.
In the player, in steps R61 to R62, the processing unit 35 updates its music management file 37a based on the music management file 27a transferred. Further, in steps R63 to R64, the transferred music file 27b is stored as its own music file 37b. In steps R65 to R66, the transferred notification sound setting file 27f and notification sound / audio file 27g are stored as a notification sound setting file 37f and a notification sound / audio file 37g, respectively.

In FIG. 15, when the user operates the “acquire from player” button 2b in the toolbar area 2 of the content management screen 1, player transfer / acquisition processing (FIG. 32) shown in step S07 is executed.
In steps T161 to T162 in FIG. 32, the processing unit 25 detects an operation of the “acquire from player” button 2b and transmits a command requesting a music management file to the player 30.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the information transmission processing procedure in the player.
In steps R71 to R72, the processing unit 35 transmits the music management file 37a in response to the music management file request from the PC 20.

  In step T163 of FIG. 32, when the processing unit 25 receives the music management file 37a from the player 30, the processing unit 25 rewrites its own music management file 27a.

  Returning to FIG. 15, when the user presses the end button 2c, in step S08, the processing unit 25 detects that the end button 2c has been pressed, and ends the information management process.

  Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and can be configured in various variations.

In creating the playlist, the music is registered in the playlist by dragging and dropping the music list, but the music may be registered in the playlist based on the rank.
For example, a high-ranked (favorite) song can be extracted and registered in a playlist.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the music management file and the like are exchanged by operating the transfer button 2a on the player and the acquisition button 2b from the player on the content management screen 1, but the PC and the player are connected. The information may be exchanged at any time or at an arbitrary timing.

[Effect of the embodiment]
The information management apparatus according to the present embodiment has the following characteristic functions.

In the present embodiment, the presence or absence of the rank of the music and the rank value are notified by voice, so that the user can easily know the rank value.
For example, the presence / absence of a rank and the rank value are notified by voice immediately before the reproduction of the music is started. In the case of rank 3, there is a voice “beep”, and in the case of rank 0 there is no voice.
Further, when the “rank confirmation button” (player main body or remote control) is pressed, the rank value of the music being played is notified by voice.

Furthermore, the presence / absence of rank notification by voice can be changed by setting.
For example, by pressing a “rank setting button” provided on the player main body or the remote controller, the rank value of the music can be changed during reproduction.
For example, “Rank 4” is set when the button is pressed four times in succession, and “Rank 0” is set when the button is pressed for a long time.

Notification sound can also be set.
For example, presence / absence of notification sound (ON / OFF), notification sound volume, and notification sound type can be selected.

  Therefore, it is possible to easily change the rank value without looking at the screen.

  Each function described in the above embodiment may be configured using hardware, or may be realized by reading a program describing each function into a computer using software. Each function may be configured by appropriately selecting either software or hardware.

  Furthermore, each function can be realized by causing a computer to read a program stored in a recording medium (not shown). Here, as long as the recording medium in the present embodiment can record a program and can be read by a computer, the recording format may be any form.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine suitably the component covering different embodiment.

The figure which shows the structure of a content management screen. The figure explaining switching operation of a library area. The figure which shows an option setting screen. The figure which shows the external appearance structure of a player. The figure which shows the external appearance structure of a remote control. The figure which shows the structure of an information management system. The figure which shows the structure of an information management system. The figure which shows the content of a music management file. The figure which shows the content of music information. The figure which shows the content of play list information. The figure which shows a notification sound setting file. The figure which shows the designation | designated information of notification sound. The figure which shows status information. The figure which shows status information. The figure which shows the whole flow of the information management process in PC. The flowchart which shows the procedure of a library operation process. The flowchart which shows the procedure of a library operation process. The flowchart which shows the procedure of a music list list redisplay process. The flowchart which shows the procedure of a playlist operation process. The flowchart which shows the procedure of a music list operation process. The flowchart which shows the procedure of a music list operation process. The flowchart which shows the procedure of a music control process. The flowchart which shows the procedure of a music control process. The flowchart which shows the procedure of rank notification sound reproduction | regeneration processing. The flowchart which shows the procedure of an option setting process. The flowchart which shows the procedure of an option setting process. The figure which shows the whole flow of the information management process in a player. The flowchart which shows the procedure of a music control process. The flowchart which shows the procedure of a music control process. The flowchart which shows the procedure of a player transfer / acquisition process. The flowchart which shows the information acquisition process procedure in a player. The flowchart which shows the procedure of a player transfer / acquisition process. The flowchart which shows the information transmission process procedure in a player.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Content management screen, 2 ... Toolbar area, 3 ... Library area, 4 ... Playlist area, 5 ... Music list area, 5b ... Music display area, 5c ... Rank area, 6 ... Control area, 6j ... Rank confirmation button, 6k ... Rank setting button, 7 ... Option setting button, 13 ... Option setting screen, 16j ... Rank confirmation switch, 16k ... Rank setting switch, 15 ... Screen, 20 ... PC, 22 ... Display section, 24 ... Communication interface, 25 ... Processing unit, 27a ... music management file, 27b ... music file, 27f ... notification sound setting file, 27g ... notification sound audio file, 28a ... status information, 30 ... player, 32 ... display unit, 34 ... communication interface, 35 ... processing , 37a ... music management file, 37b ... music file, 37f ... notification sound Constant file, 37g ... notification sound audio file, 41 ... music information, 42 ... playlist information, 45 ... notification sound specified information.

Claims (9)

A content memory for storing a plurality of audio contents including music;
Audio reproduction means for reproducing audio content stored in the content memory;
A communication means for transmitting / receiving information to / from an external device;
A rank memory for storing rank information given to each audio content stored in the content memory;
Rank update means for updating rank information given to each audio content;
Audio selection means for selecting at least one audio content stored in the content memory based on the rank information stored in the rank memory;
Rank notification means for notifying the rank of the audio content by voice when the selected audio content is reproduced by the audio reproduction means;
The terminal device characterized by having. Rank receiving means for receiving rank information of each audio content from the external device via the communication means;
The rank update means includes
2. The terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rank information of each audio content stored in the rank memory is updated based on the rank information of each audio content received by the rank receiving unit.   The terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising rank voice setting means for setting rank voice for notification by the rank notification means for each rank.   2. The rank voice information receiving means for receiving rank voice setting information for setting rank voice to be notified by the rank notification means for each rank from an external device via the communication means. Or the terminal device of 2. Volume setting means for setting a volume for reproducing the rank sound by the sound reproduction means,
5. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the sound volume setting unit sets the sound volume of the rank sound independently of the content sound. 6. An information management system including a terminal device that reproduces audio content including music and an information management device that manages the content stored in the terminal device,
The information management device includes:
First communication means for transmitting and receiving information to and from the terminal device;
Rank update means for assigning a rank to each audio content stored in the terminal device or updating the rank of each audio content;
Rank information transmission means for transmitting rank information of the content given or updated by the rank update means to the terminal device;
The terminal device
A content memory for storing a plurality of audio contents including music;
Audio reproduction means for reproducing audio content stored in the content memory;
A second communication means for transmitting and receiving information to and from the information management device;
A rank memory for storing rank information assigned to each audio content;
Rank acquisition means for receiving rank information of each audio content stored in the content memory from an external device via the communication means and storing the rank information in the rank memory;
Audio selection means for selecting at least one audio content stored in the content memory based on the rank information stored in the rank memory;
Rank notification means for notifying the rank of the audio content by voice when the selected audio content is reproduced by the audio reproduction means;
An information management system comprising: The information management device includes:
Rank voice setting means for setting rank voice for notifying the rank in the terminal device for each rank;
The terminal device
7. The information management system according to claim 6, further comprising rank voice information receiving means for receiving the rank voice set by the rank voice setting means from the information management device via the communication means. A content storage step of storing a plurality of audio contents including music in a content memory;
A rank storage step of storing rank information assigned to each audio content stored in the content memory in a rank memory;
An audio selection step for selecting at least one audio content stored in the content memory based on the rank information stored in the rank memory;
And a rank notification step of notifying the rank of the audio content by voice when the selected audio content is reproduced. An information management system including a terminal device that reproduces audio content including music and an information management device that manages the content stored in the terminal device,
The terminal device
A content storage step of storing a plurality of audio contents including music in a content memory;
An audio playback step of playing back audio content stored in the content memory;
A rank storage step of storing rank information assigned to each audio content in a rank memory;
The information management device includes:
A rank update step of assigning a rank to each audio content stored in the terminal device or updating the rank of each audio content;
A rank information transmission step of transmitting rank information of the audio content given or updated in the rank update step to the terminal device;
The terminal device
A rank acquisition step of receiving rank information of each audio content stored in the content memory from the information management device and storing the rank information in the rank memory;
An audio selection step for selecting at least one audio content stored in the content memory based on the rank information stored in the rank memory;
A rank notification step of notifying the rank of the audio content by voice when the selected audio content is reproduced in the audio reproduction step;
An information management method characterized by comprising:

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