JP2009303074A - Multimedia server - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multimedia server that allows a user to easily find a desired multimedia file and is easy for the user to use. <P>SOLUTION: The multimedia server 11 includes a directory structure detecting means 41 of detecting a specified directory structure in an external device when connection to the external device is recognized, a file display means 42 of directly displaying a list of multimedia files in a predetermined folder of the specified directory structure when the specified directory structure is detected, a file importing means 43 of importing a multimedia file selected from the file list displayed by the file display means 42, a storage means 44 of storing the imported multimedia file, a file playback means 45 of playback multimedia files stored in the storage means 44, and a database 46 which manages the files stored in the storage means 44. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a multimedia server, and more particularly, to a small-sized multimedia server with high operability specialized for reproduction and management of moving images, still images, and music.

  In recent years, with the spread of digital content, it has become an era in which individuals own and manage a large amount of digital content. Normally, management of these digital contents is performed by a personal computer. However, while a personal computer is extremely versatile, management of digital content cannot be easily performed.

Regarding management of digital content using a personal computer, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, by sharing storage, even if access is concentrated on the same content, a shared storage type distributed multi-service that can be serviced with minimal copying A media server system has been proposed. Further, Patent Document 2 includes a plurality of disk drives, and by distributing and storing data in each of these disk drives (a storage medium attached to the disk drives), parallel access is possible, and access speed is increased. A disk array device for multimedia servers has been developed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-134485 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-133828

  By the way, in an external device such as a video camera or a digital still camera, multimedia such as moving images and still images are stored in a predetermined folder, and the folders have a directory hierarchy. When such an external device is handled on a personal computer, folders are displayed in the order of directory hierarchy. However, in the case of a multimedia server used in a general home, there is a problem that when a directory hierarchy is displayed, handling is confused, and it takes time to arrive at a desired file. In particular, there is a problem that a person who does not have much knowledge of a personal computer cannot determine which folder in the directory hierarchy display has a file to be viewed and is extremely difficult to use.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multimedia server that can easily find a desired multimedia file and is easy to use for a user.

  In order to solve the above problems, a multimedia server according to the present invention is a multimedia server that can be connected to a digital television, and includes a directory structure detection means for detecting a specific directory structure in an external device, and a specific directory structure. And a file display means for displaying a list of multimedia files in a predetermined folder of the directory structure when detected.

  Here, the multimedia file is a moving image file, a still image file, a music file, or a composite file thereof, and the file format is not particularly limited. If it is a moving image, an mpg file, an avi file, and the like can be given. For a still image, a bmp file, a jpg file, a gif file, and the like can be given. For a music file, a wav file, an mp3 file, an aac file, an ogg file, and a mid file can be given.

  According to the present invention, when a specific directory structure of a digital video camera or a digital still camera conforming to a predetermined standard is detected, a predetermined folder in which the multimedia in the directory structure is stored is directly accessed, Since the list of multimedia files is displayed, the user does not need to search for a folder for saving the multimedia files. Therefore, it is possible to provide a multimedia server that is easy to operate and highly convenient.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the directory structure detecting means detects the specific directory structure when the connection of the external device is recognized. This makes it possible to automatically recognize the directory structure and open a predetermined folder in the folder structure without giving a special instruction from the user.

  The multimedia server according to the present invention includes a file import unit that imports at least one multimedia file selected on the file display unit, a storage unit that stores the imported multimedia file, and a multi-media stored in the storage unit. It is preferable to further include file playback means for playing back the media file. According to this, a multimedia server capable of importing, storing, and playing back several multimedia files selected from a list of multimedia files in a predetermined folder of a specific directory structure is provided. be able to.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a list of multimedia files in a predetermined folder is directly displayed without sequentially displaying a directory structure in a specific external device, so that a user-friendly multimedia server is provided. can do.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of a multimedia server system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multimedia server system 10 includes a multimedia server 11 that plays and manages digital contents, and a tank server 14 that is connected to the multimedia server 11 via a home LAN 13. Yes. The multimedia server 11 has a function of connecting to the digital high-definition television 12. The function may be, for example, a terminal to which an HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) cable can be connected or a wireless LAN. In the case of a wireless LAN, it may be IEEE802.11a / b / g or IEEE802.11n, and may be a WHDI (Wireless High-Definition Interface) capable of sending data without compression. The home LAN 13 is connected to the Internet 16 via a home gateway such as a broadband router 15. On the Internet 16, there are a support center 17 that provides firmware and application programs in the multimedia server 11, a content provider 18 that provides digital content itself or tag information of the digital content, and the like. Usually, a personal computer 19 is connected to the home LAN 13, but it is also possible to access the multimedia server 11 and the tank server 14 from this personal computer 19. The home LAN may be a cable connection, but can also be configured with a wireless LAN such as IEEE802.11a / b / g, IEEE802.11n.

  2A and 2B are views showing an external structure of the multimedia server 11 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 2A is a perspective view on the front panel side, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view on the back panel side.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the multimedia server 11 has a horizontal box type small and simple structure. Therefore, it can be installed in a small space around the large digital high-definition television 12.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, a power switch button 21, an infrared light receiving panel 23, a memory card slot 24, and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal 25a are provided on the front panel of the multimedia server 11. . The power switch button 21 constitutes an LED display unit, and the power-on state and the operating state can be confirmed by the LED point-off state. The multimedia server 11 is attached with an infrared remote controller 26, and the infrared light receiving panel 23 can receive a command signal from the remote controller 26. The memory card slot 24 is a dedicated slot for various memory cards such as an SD card (registered trademark). The USB terminal 25a can be connected to a USB device (external device) such as a digital camera or a digital video camera via a USB cable.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the back panel of the multimedia server 11 has a main power switch 22, a LAN port 27, an HDMI terminal 28, a composite video terminal 29a, a stereo audio terminal 29b, and an S-Video terminal 29c. Various terminals such as a SPDIF terminal 29d and a USB terminal 25b are provided. The multimedia server 11 can be connected to the LAN 13 via the LAN port 27. The multimedia server 11 can be connected to the digital high-definition television 12 via an HDMI cable 28a (see FIG. 1) connected to the HDMI terminal 28.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the internal configuration of the multimedia server 11.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the multimedia server 11 includes a CPU 31, a memory 32, a graphic processor 33, an audio processor 34, a hard disk drive 35, a network interface 36, a wireless network interface 37, a USB interface 38, and a memory card slot 39. Yes. Since a dedicated OS is used in the multimedia server 11, the load on the CPU 31 is small, and thus a CPU with a lower specification than that of a personal computer can be used.

  In addition to storing multimedia files, the hard disk drive 35 also stores a database 46 for managing the multimedia files. Further, firmware such as an OS necessary for the operation of the multimedia server 11 is also recorded in the hard disk drive 35, and these are loaded when the power is turned on. The hard disk drive 35 is preferably as large as possible, and has a recording capacity of about 300 to 500 GB, for example. Since the multimedia server 11 of the present embodiment has not only a wired network interface 36 but also a wireless network interface 37, wireless LAN connection is possible in addition to network connection via a wired LAN. In particular, when a digital camera or a digital video camera is compatible with a wireless LAN, data can be transferred via the wireless LAN.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the multimedia server 11.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the multimedia server 11 includes a directory structure detecting unit 41 for detecting a specific directory structure in the external device, and a specific directory structure by cooperation of the hardware and software shown in FIG. Is detected, a file display means 42 for directly displaying a list of multimedia files in a predetermined folder of the directory structure, and a multimedia file selected from the list of multimedia files by the file display means 42 are imported. File importing means 43 for storing, storage means 44 for storing the imported multimedia files, file playback means 45 for playing back the multimedia files stored in the storage means 44, and managing the files stored in the storage means 44. Constitute a database 46. The directory structure detection by the directory structure detection unit 41 is started when an external device connection is recognized, but may be started in other cases.

  The multimedia files handled by the multimedia server system 10 of the present embodiment are mainly three types: moving images, still images (photos), and music. These file sizes are usually very large, but have the property of becoming larger as the quality becomes higher. The multimedia server 11 has a database 46 for managing these multimedia files. Information on multimedia files managed in the database is extracted from the content at the time of content import, obtained by accessing the content provider 18 on the Internet 16, or obtained by direct input by the user. Is.

  FIG. 5 is a table showing information on multimedia files managed by the database 46.

  As shown in FIG. 5, multimedia file information can be roughly divided into four types. “Import information” 51, “Content information” 52, “Reproduction information” 53, and “Additional information” 54. Among them, “import information” 51 is information obtained when importing a multimedia file, “file name” 51 a indicating an actual file name, multimedia file in the multimedia server 11 (or in the tank server 14). The “storage location” 51b indicating the storage location of the file, the “size” 51c indicating the actual file size, and the “import date” 51d indicating the date and time when the multimedia file was imported.

  The “content information” 52 includes “content type” 52 a, “profile” 52 b, “resolution” 52 c, “length” 52 d, “bit rate” 52 e, “title name” 52 f, “artist name” 52 g, “album” Name ”52h,“ Genre ”52i, and“ Production date ”52j. The “content type” 52a is information indicating any of moving images, still images, or music, and the “profile” 52b is information indicating file format information (MP3, WMA, WMV, etc.). The “resolution” 42g is quality information for moving images and still images, the “length” 52c is time information for moving images and music, and the “bit rate” 52d is quality information for moving images and music. Further, “title name” 52e, “artist name” 52f, “album name” 52g, “genre” 52h, and “production year” 52i are tag information of so-called multimedia files.

  Examples of the “reproduction information” 53 include “reproduction count” 53a and “reproduction start position” 53b. “Number of reproductions” 53a indicates the number of times the user has reproduced the content, and “reproduction start position” 53b is reproduction position information on the time axis when reproduction is interrupted during the previous reproduction. That is, it is reproduction resume time position information used in the resume function, and is mainly used in moving images.

  As the “additional information” 54, a “favorite ranking” 54a can be cited. The “favorite ranking” 54a shows the content evaluation by the user in, for example, five levels, and is an item that the user can arbitrarily set.

  These pieces of information are information to be managed for each multimedia file, and are recorded in the database 46 and updated as needed.

  6A and 6B are tables showing an example of the directory structure of the external device.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (a), in an external device conforming to the AVCHD standard such as a handy cam, a folder named “PRIVATE” is provided in the root directory, and an “AVCHD” folder is provided in the lower layer. In the lower layer, an “AVCHDTN” folder and a “BDMV” folder are provided. The moving image files (FILE1, 2,...) Are stored in the “BDMV” folder.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, in an external device such as a digital camera standardized by JEIDA, a folder called “DCIM” is provided in the root directory, and “100CDPFP” (“CDPFP”, for example, is provided below the “DCIM” folder. A folder named “is different for each external device” is provided, and still image files (FILE1, 2,...) Are stored in the “100CDPFP” folder.

  Thus, there are certain rules in the directory structure of the external device, but the rules differ depending on the type of external device. Therefore, in this embodiment, a specific directory structure of the external device is detected, and a list of multimedia files in a predetermined folder in the specific directory structure is directly displayed. That is, in the case of an external device compliant with the AVCHD standard, the moving image file list in the “BDMV” folder is displayed, and in the case of an external device compliant with the JEIDA standard, the still image file list in the “100CDPFP” folder is displayed. To display.

  Next, the operation of the multimedia server 11 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when an external device such as a video camera is connected to the multimedia server 11 (step S11Y), the multimedia server 11 becomes active and an “import method selection screen” is displayed on the display (step S12).

  On the import method selection screen, “automatic import” or “manual import” can be selected. If “automatic import” is selected (step S13Y), the file in the external device is compared with the file stored in the multimedia server 11, and the multimedia file that has not yet been imported is automatically selected. Selected (step S14). On the other hand, when “manual import” is selected (step S13N), a list of multimedia files in the external device is displayed (steps S17 to S20), and the user freely selects a file to be imported. be able to.

  At this time, the multimedia server 11 directly displays a list of multimedia files in a predetermined folder without sequentially displaying the directory structure in the external device. Specifically, it is determined whether the directory structure conforms to the AVCHD standard (step S15). If this is the case, a list of moving image files in the “BDMV” folder is directly displayed (steps S15Y and S16). Next, it is determined whether or not the external device conforms to the JEIDA standard (step S15N, step S17). If applicable, a list of still image files in the “100CDPFP” folder is displayed (S17Y, S18). Further, if none of the standards is applicable, the folders and files in the root directory are displayed (step S17N, step S19).

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a file list screen.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the file list screen 80 displays a file icon image 81, a file name 82, a file creation date 83, and the like. When the user selects one or a plurality of files from these, and clicks the “import” button 84, the import is started. When the “Cancel” button 85 is clicked, the import is stopped. The directory display portion 86 displays the name of the folder that is currently open. In this case, it can be seen that the “BDV” folder is open.

  When a file to be imported is selected from the file list screen 80 displayed in this way (steps S20 and S21), the file is imported (step S22), and the multimedia file in the external device is a multi-file. It is accumulated in the storage means 44 in the media server 11. When importing, the content may be imported while being reproduced, or the content may not be reproduced and only the import may be performed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the list of multimedia files in a predetermined folder is displayed directly without sequentially displaying the directory structure, so that the user can enter the hierarchy level of the multimedia file in the directory structure. There is no need to be aware of whether or not there is a system that is highly convenient.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on the preferable embodiment, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It cannot be overemphasized that various changes may be added within the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention. .

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, two types of the AVCHD standard and the JEIDA standard are given as specific directory structure types in the external device. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and various directory structures can be used. And can detect all those directory structures.

  In the above embodiment, USB is exemplified as an external interface for connecting to an external device such as a digital camera. However, the present invention is not limited to USB, and various interfaces can be used. it can.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the hard disk drive 35 is used as the storage means. However, a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory may be used, and an optical disk device such as a DVD or a Blu-ray disk is used. These storage means may be used in combination.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of a multimedia server system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 2A and 2B are views showing an external structure of the multimedia server 11 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 2A is a perspective view on the front panel side, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view on the back panel side. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the internal configuration of the multimedia server 11. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the multimedia server 11. FIG. 5 is a table showing information on multimedia files managed in the database. 6A and 6B are tables showing examples of multimedia file directory structures, where FIG. 6A shows an external device compliant with the AVCHD standard, and FIG. 6B shows an external device compliant with the JEIDA standard. Is. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the multimedia server 11. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a file list screen.

Explanation of symbols

10 Multimedia Server System 11 Multimedia Server 12 Digital High-Definition Television 13 LAN
14 Tank server 15 Broadband router 16 Internet 17 Support center 18 Content provider 19 PC 21 Power switch button 22 Main power switch 23 Infrared light receiving panel 24 Memory card slot 25a, 25b USB terminal 26 Infrared remote control 27 LAN port 28 HDMI terminal 28a HDMI cable 29a Composite video terminal 29b Stereo audio terminal 29c S-Video terminal 29d SPDIF terminal 32 Memory 33 Graphic processor 34 Audio processor 35 Hard disk drive 36 Network interface 37 Wireless network interface 38 Interface 39 Memory card slot 41 Directory structure detection means 42 File display means 43 File Import hand 44 Storage unit 45 file reproducing means 46 database 51 import information 52 contents information 53 reproduced information 54 additional information 80 file list screen 81 icon image 82 filename 83 creation date 84 import button 85 cancel button 86 directory display unit

Claims (3)

A multimedia server that can be connected to a digital TV,
Directory structure detection means for detecting a specific directory structure in the external device;
A multimedia server, comprising: a file display means for displaying a list of multimedia files in a predetermined folder of the directory structure when the specific directory structure is detected.   2. The multimedia server according to claim 1, wherein the directory structure detection unit detects the specific directory structure when the connection of the external device is recognized. 3. File import means for importing at least one multimedia file selected on the file display means;
Storage means for storing the imported multimedia files;
The multimedia server according to claim 1, further comprising: a file reproducing unit that reproduces the multimedia file stored in the storage unit.

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