JP2007180818A - Video title reproducing apparatus and video title reproduction system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video title reproducing apparatus and a video title reproduction system capable of realizing a simple operation to a title in the middle of viewing even when reproducing a title in a different terminal without forcing troublesome operations to a user when utilizing a resume function. <P>SOLUTION: A resume point for a video title reproduced on the video title reproduction system in a storage part 302 is unitarily managed together with the video title, so that the resume point to a viewed part is managed in the latest state at all times in a resume management part 301A whether it is reproduction in a video title storage server or the reproduction of a reproduction client. Thus, no matter when and from which terminal the user restarts the reproduction of the video title, viewing is easily restarted from a part not viewed yet. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a video title playback apparatus and a video title playback system, and in particular, for a title that is being viewed even when the title is played back on a different terminal without forcing the user to perform a troublesome operation when using the resume function. The present invention relates to a video title playback apparatus and a video title playback system that can realize simple operations.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, playback devices that can store digital content on a TV device or the like by storing content such as moving images or music files in a recording unit such as a hard disk drive and playing back the same have become widespread. Digital content has the advantage that there is almost no deterioration of data due to aging and excellent random accessibility.

  Some of these playback apparatuses are equipped with a resume function that increases the convenience of the user by utilizing the random accessibility of content. The resume function is a function that allows the title to be continuously played from the point where the playback is stopped when the user instructs playback again after temporarily stopping playback during playback of the title (content) recorded on the media. It is.

  In addition, the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) has been proposed to connect digital AV devices including the above-described playback devices to each other in the home.

  According to this DLNA, if the connection conditions such as the transmission standard and communication protocol proposed by the server that provides the title and the client that reproduces the title are met, the interconnection is possible without any special setting. Can be shared. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently operate titles shared in the home by utilizing the resume function described above.

Regarding the operation of content using the resume function, a playback device that allows multiple users to view the titles recorded on the shared media and that can easily resume playback from the playback interrupt location based on the resume function for each user is proposed (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-129093 A

  However, according to the invention described in Patent Document 1, since the resume management is performed in an environment in which a plurality of users access the shared media title, a setting operation for the resume function is necessary for each user, and the user There is a problem in that convenience is reduced due to an increase in the burden.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a video title reproduction that does not require a troublesome operation for the user when using the resume function, and can realize a simple operation on a title being viewed even when the title is reproduced on a different terminal. An apparatus and a video title reproduction system are provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a storage unit for recording a video title, a title playback unit for playing back the video title recorded in the storage unit, and transmitting the played video title to a home network. A network interface unit configured to set a resume point based on the playback interruption of the video title, and a control unit configured to play the video title from the resume point based on the playback request of the video title after the resume point is set A video title playback device is provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a storage unit for recording a video title, a title playback unit for playing back a video title recorded in the storage unit, and the video played back by the title playback unit. A display for displaying a video based on the title, a network interface for transmitting the reproduced video title to a home network, a resume point based on the interruption of playback of the video title, and the video after the resume point is set There is provided a video title playback device including a control unit that plays back the video title from the resume point based on a title playback request.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a storage unit for recording a video title, a title playback unit for playing back a video title recorded in the storage unit, and the video played back by the title playback unit. A display for displaying a video based on the title, a network interface for transmitting the reproduced video title to a home network, a resume point based on the interruption of playback of the video title, and the video after the resume point is set Control for playing back the video title from the resume point based on the playback request of the title and transmitting a playback signal based on the played video title to the other playback terminal that has output the playback request via the network interface unit Video title playback device To provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention also provides a storage unit that holds a video title, a title playback unit that plays back the video title held in the storage unit, and the played back video title in a home network. A network interface unit that transmits to the network, a control unit that sets a resume point based on the playback interruption of the video title, and that plays back the video title from the resume point based on the playback request of the video title after the resume point is set And a playback client that outputs a playback request to the video title stored in the storage unit of the video title storage server and displays a playback signal of the video title based on the playback request on a screen Video title playback system with That.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a simple operation with respect to a content being viewed even when the content is played back on a different terminal without forcing the user to perform a troublesome operation when using the resume function.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a home network according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

(Home network configuration)
The home network includes a PC main body 30, a display 31, a keyboard 32, and a mouse 33, and a PC device 300 that is a video title playback device including a storage unit that stores a plurality of contents (video titles) as a video title storage server. And a TV apparatus 10 or 20 as a playback client is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 40 to constitute a video title playback system. Connection to the LAN 40 is performed via a NIC (Network Interface Card) provided in each device. Here, the TV devices 10 and 20 and the PC device 300 are installed in different rooms.

  The PC device 300 has a playback client function for playing back video titles stored in the storage unit, and enables viewing on the display 31 as well as the TV devices 10 and 20 that have requested viewing via the LAN 40. The requested video title is reproduced and transmitted via the LAN 40. The video title is compressed by the MPEG2 system and stored in the storage unit.

  When playback by the user is stopped in the middle of a video title, the PC device 300 stores a playback interruption point (resume point) of the video title. The stored resume point is updated during the next playback by the internal playback client and the playback by the external playback client.

  When the TV devices 10 and 20 make a video title playback request to the PC device 300, the TV devices 10 and 20 transmit the video from the resume point stored in the PC device 300. When the TV devices 10 and 20 are stopped, the PC device 300 updates the resume point to the corresponding stop position.

(Configuration of each part)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a PC device serving as a video title storage server. The PC device 300 includes a control unit 301 having a resume management unit 301A for managing resume points, a storage unit 302 composed of a hard disk drive, a memory 303 for temporarily storing and working data, and an audio signal of a video title. An audio decoding unit 304 that performs processing, an audio output unit 305 that performs D / A conversion on the decoded audio signal and outputs the result to a speaker, an MPEG decoding unit 306 that performs processing on a video signal of a video title, An NTSC encoding unit 307 that encodes a video signal into an NTSC signal and outputs it to a display, and a network interface unit 308 for connecting to a network (LAN) are connected via an internal bus 309, and an audio Decoding part 04, an audio output unit 305, MPEG decoding section 306, and constitutes the NTSC encoder 307 by the title reproduction unit, each unit of the operation signal is performed by an input operation unit 310 including a mouse and a keyboard.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a TV apparatus that serves as a reproduction client. The TV apparatus 10 includes a control unit 101 that controls each part of the TV apparatus, software such as firmware necessary for the operation of the TV apparatus 10 and a memory 102 that stores various data, and processing for audio signals of video titles. An audio decoding unit 103 that performs D / A conversion of the decoded audio signal and outputs the result to a speaker, an MPEG decoding unit 105 that performs processing on the video signal of the video title, and a decoded video An NTSC encoding unit 106 that encodes a signal into an NTSC signal and outputs it to a display, and a network interface unit 107 for connecting to a network (LAN) are connected via an internal bus 108, and an audio decoding Unit 103, audio output unit 104, MPEG An input operation unit such as a switch including a light receiving unit that receives a signal light transmitted in response to an operation of a remote controller (not shown), wherein the title reproduction unit 105 and the NTSC encoding unit 106 constitute a title reproduction unit. 109. Note that the TV device 20 has the same configuration as the TV device 10, and thus a duplicate description is omitted.

  The operation of the video title playback system according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, playback of a video title by the same user will be described.

  FIG. 4 is an operation schematic diagram showing the playback of the video title in the first embodiment. First, it is assumed that the user views a video title on the PC device 300 and interrupts it for convenience during the process. At this time, management data including resume information of the video title is created in the storage unit 302 of the PC device 300, and the resume point A of the video title is recorded in the management data together with the elapsed time.

  Next, the user operates a remote controller (not shown) on the TV device 10 installed in a room different from the room in which the PC device 300 is provided, and inputs a playback request for a video title whose playback has been interrupted by the PC device 300. . This reproduction request signal is transmitted to the PC device 300 via the LAN 40, and the PC device 300 resumes the reproduction of the video title based on the reproduction request signal.

  The resume management unit 301A of the PC device 300 confirms whether or not the management data including the resume information of the video title exists in the storage unit 302, and when the management data exists, from the resume point based on the resume information. Resume playback. Here, since the management data for viewing the video title up to resume point A in the PC device 300 exists in the storage unit 302, the resume management unit 301A instructs the control unit 301 to play from the resume point A.

  Next, it is assumed that the user views a video title from the resume point A on the TV device 10 and interrupts the viewing in the middle of the video title and goes to bed. At this time, the resume point B of the video title is recorded together with the elapsed time in the management data stored in the storage unit 302 of the PC device 300.

  On the next day, the user operates a remote controller (not shown) on the TV device 20 installed in a room different from the room where the PC device 300 and the TV device 10 are provided, and requests to play a video title that has been interrupted by the TV device 10. Enter. This reproduction request signal is transmitted to the PC device 300 via the LAN 40, and the PC device 300 resumes the reproduction of the video title based on the reproduction request signal.

  The resume management unit 301 </ b> A of the PC device 300 confirms whether or not the management data including the resume information of the video title exists in the storage unit 302. Here, since the management data for viewing the video title up to resume point B on the TV device 10 exists in the storage unit 302, the resume management unit 301A instructs the control unit 301 to play from the resume point B. When the user views the video title from the resume point B to the end (END) and stops playback after the end, the resume point END is recorded in the management data in the storage unit 302.

(Effects of the first embodiment)
According to the first embodiment described above, the resume point for the video title played back on the video title playback system is centrally managed by the storage unit 302 together with the video title, so that playback and playback on the video title storage server are performed. Regardless of the reproduction of the client, the resume point up to the viewing portion is always managed in the latest state by the resume management unit 301A. Therefore, even when the user resumes playback of the video title from any terminal, viewing can be easily resumed from an unviewed portion.

  When the video title is played back on each terminal, a screen for selecting whether playback from the resume point based on the management data described above or playback from the beginning without using the resume point is displayed. Here, when playback that does not depend on the resume point is designated, the video title can be played back from the beginning. For example, when different users desire to view the same video title, normal playback independent of the resume point can be performed.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a home network according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

(Home network configuration)
This home network constitutes a video title playback system by connecting the PC device 300 described in the first embodiment and the TV devices 10 and 20 as playback clients to a LAN (Local Area Network). Although common in point, it is different from the first embodiment in that identification information for identifying the playback device is recorded in the management data together with the resume point information. In FIG. 5, a resume point P001 for the video title by the PC device 300 with the terminal ID001, a resume point P002 for the video title by the TV device 10 with the terminal ID002, and a resume point P003 for the video title by the TV device 20 with the terminal ID003 are shown. The state recorded in the management data is shown.

  In this embodiment, the MAC (Media Access Control) address of the network interface unit provided in each terminal as identification information is recorded in the management data together with the resume point of the video title.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a display screen of management data displayed on the display of the PC device. The display screen 320 showing management data includes a title name display unit 321, a resume point display unit 322 as resume point information, and a resume point time 323. The resume point display unit 322 displays the MAC address of the playback device. Corresponding names “P001”, “P002”, and “P003” are given. Note that the MAC address notation may be used as it is in the resume point display unit 322.

(Effect of the second embodiment)
According to the second embodiment described above, in addition to the preferable effects of the first embodiment, the resume point for each video title can be managed for each playback device, and the LAN connection can be performed without increasing the number of user operations. Resume playback can be realized for each client device. For example, it is possible to manage resume points separately for a user who is viewing a video title on the TV device 10 and a user who is viewing a video title on the TV device 20.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a home network including a video title reproduction apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

(Home network configuration)
This home network includes a device group 1 including the PC device 300 described in the first embodiment, a device group 2 including TV devices 10A and 10B as playback clients, and a device group 3 including TV devices 20A and 20B. Are connected to a LAN (Local Area Network), and the resume point is managed for each device group. The device group setting is recorded in the management data described in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a display screen in the group setting of management data displayed on the display of the PC device. The display screen 320 showing the group setting includes a group name display unit 324, a group display unit 325, and a MAC address display unit 326 that displays the MAC addresses of playback devices belonging to the group. In FIG. "Device group", and each group is classified and registered as "1", "2", "3". Note that, for example, a playback device installed in the same room is assumed as the definition of the device group.

  In such a configuration, for example, if the resume point of the video title is set by the TV device 10A of the device group 2, the resume point becomes the resume point for the device group 2, and if the playback device is the same device group 2, The video title can be played from the set resume point.

  When receiving the playback request from the TV device 10B of the device group 2, the PC device 300 refers to the management data and determines whether the resume playback point is stored based on the MAC address information of the playback client. Here, since the TV devices 10A and 10B belong to the device group 2, the video device can be resumed from the same point even in the TV device 10B of the same group. In FIG. 8, although two playback devices in the same device group have been described, the present invention is not limited to this.

(Effect of the third embodiment)
According to the third embodiment described above, in addition to the preferable effects of the first and second embodiments, one resume point is shared by a certain device group. When the device is determined, the playback device can play the video title using the resume point of the device group, and any loss in the same device group can be achieved without deteriorating the convenience of resume playback of this embodiment. A video title can be viewed by selecting a playback device.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various combinations and modifications can be made without departing from or changing the technical idea of the present invention.

It is a schematic block diagram of the home network which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of PC apparatus used as a video title storage server. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of TV apparatus used as a reproduction | regeneration client. FIG. 10 is an operation schematic diagram showing playback of a video title in the first embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the home network which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the display screen of the management data displayed on the display of PC apparatus. It is a schematic block diagram of the home network containing the video title reproduction apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the display screen in the group setting of the management data displayed on the display of PC apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... TV apparatus, 10A, 10B ... TV apparatus, 20A, 20B ... TV apparatus, 30 ... Main body, 31 ... Display, 32 ... Keyboard, 33 ... Mouse, 101 ... Control part, 102 ... Memory, 103 ... Audio decoding part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 104 ... Audio | voice output part, 105 ... MPEG decoding part, 106 ... NTSC encoding part, 107 ... Network interface part, 108 ... Internal bus, 109 ... Input operation part, 300 ... PC apparatus, 301 ... Control part, 301A ... Resume management part , 302 ... Storage section, 303 ... Memory, 304 ... Audio decoding section, 305 ... Audio output section, 306 ... MPEG decoding section, 307 ... NTSC encoding section, 308 ... Network interface section, 309 ... Internal bus, 310 ... Input operation section 320 ... Display screen 321 ... Title name Radical 113, 322 ... resume point display unit, 323 ... resume point time, 324 ... group name display section, 325 ... group display unit, 326 ... address display unit

Claims (8)

A storage unit for recording video titles;
A title reproduction unit for reproducing the video title recorded in the storage unit;
A network interface unit for transmitting the reproduced video title to a home network;
A control unit configured to set a resume point based on the playback interruption of the video title, and to play the video title from the resume point based on the playback request of the video title after the resume point is set. Title playback device. A storage unit for recording video titles;
A title reproduction unit for reproducing the video title recorded in the storage unit;
A display for displaying a video based on the video title reproduced by the title reproduction unit;
A network interface unit for transmitting the reproduced video title to a home network;
A control unit configured to set a resume point based on the playback interruption of the video title, and to play the video title from the resume point based on the playback request of the video title after the resume point is set. Title playback device. A storage unit for recording video titles;
A title reproduction unit for reproducing the video title recorded in the storage unit;
A display for displaying a video based on the video title reproduced by the title reproduction unit;
A network interface unit for transmitting the reproduced video title to a home network;
A playback signal based on the video title that is played back while the video title is played back from the resume point based on the playback request of the video title after the resume point is set, and a resume point based on the playback interruption of the video title is set And a control unit that transmits the playback request to another playback terminal that has output the playback request via the network interface unit.   The control unit forms management data based on the generation of the resume point in the storage unit, and reproduces the video title from the resume point recorded in the management data based on the reproduction request after the resume point generation The video title reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a resume management unit that executes A storage unit that holds a video title, a title playback unit that plays back the video title held in the storage unit, a network interface unit that transmits the played video title to a home network, and a playback interruption of the video title A video title storage server having a control point for setting a resume point based on the video title and playing back the video title from the resume point based on a playback request for the video title after the resume point is set;
And a playback client that outputs a playback request for the video title stored in the storage unit of the video title storage server and displays a playback signal of the video title based on the playback request on a screen. Video title playback system.   6. The video title playback system according to claim 5, wherein the playback client displays on the screen a playback signal based on the video title played back from a resume point provided by the video title storage server or another playback client.   6. The video title playback system according to claim 5, wherein the video title storage server manages the resume point for each identification information about a playback device capable of outputting a playback signal of the video title.   6. The video title playback system according to claim 5, wherein the video title storage server manages the resume point shared for each group having a plurality of playback devices.

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