JP2010093678A - Information processing apparatus, content reproduction method, and, content reproduction program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for comfortably utilizing a plurality of contents. <P>SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus including: an acquisition section for acquiring a reproduction list containing identification information of a plurality of contents and information about an order to reproduce the plurality of contents; a reproduction section for reproducing the contents in accordance with the reproduction order of the contents contained in the reproduction list; a first storage section for storing first content data of the reproduction order on the reproduction list; and a second storage section for storing content data obtained from any other apparatus. The information processing apparatus is characterized in that the acquisition section obtains content data for the other apparatus if the second content data based on the reproduction list are not stored in the second storage section during reproduction of the content data stored in the first storage section on the basis of the reproduction list. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that reproduces content based on a reproduction list, a content reproduction method, and a content reproduction program.

  Music data can be downloaded in a short time as the communication speed of mobile phones increases. In addition, by selecting a communication charge type contracted with a mobile phone company, packet data communication can be used without limitation at a fixed charge.

In connection with this, a user of a mobile phone may try to download and save a lot of music data and video to the mobile phone.
JP 2004-354746 A JP 2007-158477 A

  There is a limit to the capacity that can be recorded on a mobile phone, and it may not be possible to satisfy the demands of users who want to store a lot of music data and video. Therefore, there is a technique for downloading music data from a server and using the music data every time the music data is used without storing the music data in the mobile phone. Furthermore, there is a technique for shortening the waiting time until reproduction by downloading music data from a network by alternately using two buffers on a mobile phone.

  However, when music data or the like is not stored in the mobile phone, the user must wait for a download time before using the first music data. In addition, when the radio wave condition is poor, such as when moving in a public institution, the time for downloading the first music data becomes longer and the time until the first music data can be used becomes longer.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a method for a user to comfortably use content such as music data in an apparatus for reproducing music or the like.

  The embodiment of the disclosure employs the following means in order to solve the above problems.

That is, the first aspect is
An acquisition unit for acquiring a reproduction list including identification information of a plurality of contents and information of a reproduction order of the plurality of contents;
A playback unit for playing back each content according to the playback order of the content included in the playlist;
A first storage for storing content data whose playback order is first in the playlist;
A second storage unit for storing content data acquired from another device;
The acquisition unit is reproducing the content data stored in the first storage unit based on the reproduction list, and second content data based on the reproduction list is stored in the second storage unit. Otherwise, the information processing apparatus is characterized in that content data is obtained from the other apparatus.

The second aspect is
An acquisition unit for acquiring a reproduction list including identification information of a plurality of contents, a reproduction order of the plurality of contents, and data of a content whose reproduction order is first;
A playback unit for playing back each content according to the playback order of the content included in the playlist;
A storage unit for storing content data acquired from another device;
The acquisition unit is in the process of reproducing the first content data stored in the playlist, and content data to be reproduced next based on the playlist is not stored in the storage unit. The information processing apparatus is characterized in that content data is acquired from the apparatus.

The third aspect is
Information processing device
Obtaining a reproduction list including identification information of a plurality of contents and information of a reproduction order of the plurality of contents;
Reproducing each content according to the reproduction order of the content included in the playlist;
Storing content data whose playback order is first in the playlist;
Storing content data obtained from another device;
Based on the playlist, if the content data whose playback order is the first in the stored playlist is being played back and the second content data based on the playlist is not stored, the other Obtaining content data from the device;
The content playback method is executed.

The fourth aspect is
In the information processing device,
Obtaining a reproduction list including identification information of a plurality of contents and information of a reproduction order of the plurality of contents;
Reproducing each content according to the reproduction order of the content included in the playlist;
Storing content data whose playback order is first in the playlist;
Storing content data obtained from another device;
Based on the playlist, if the content data whose playback order is the first in the stored playlist is being played back and the second content data based on the playlist is not stored, the other Obtaining content data from the device;
The content playback program is executed.

  According to an aspect of the disclosure, it is possible to provide a method for a user to comfortably use content such as music data in an apparatus that reproduces music or the like.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The configuration of the embodiment is an exemplification, and is not limited to the configuration of the disclosed embodiment.

Embodiment
(Configuration example)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network configuration according to the present embodiment. The network configuration shown in FIG. 1 includes a content server 200 connected to the network 100, a radio base station 300 connected to the network 100, and a mobile terminal 400 that communicates with the network 100 through the radio base station 300.

  The content server 200 can function as a content server that stores content data such as audio data including music, moving image data, and still image data.

  The radio base station 300 relays communication between the mobile terminal 400 and the network 100.

  The mobile terminal 400 communicates with the radio base station 300 by radio. The mobile terminal 400 can communicate with a device on the network such as the content server 200 via the radio base station 300.

  The network configuration example in FIG. 1 is a configuration example in which the mobile terminal 400 and the content server 200 communicate with each other wirelessly, but the mobile terminal 400 and the content server 200 may communicate with each other by wire.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal 400 in FIG. 2 includes a CPU 410, a memory 420 for implementing a program, a functional block 430, a display screen device 460, a key 470, and a speaker 480. 2 includes a content management unit 432, a content download unit 434, a call control unit 436, a radio control unit 438, a playlist management unit 440, a display screen control unit 442, a key control unit 444, and a playback. A list reproduction unit 448 and a content storage unit 450 are provided. Any number of these processing units may be used as one processing unit. Further, any one of these processing units may perform processing as a plurality of processing units. Each of these processing units can be realized as hardware or software. The same applies to the constituent elements described later.

  The portable terminal 400 may communicate with other devices by other means instead of wirelessly communicating by the wireless control unit 438 or the like.

  The CPU 410 executes each function such as the function block 430. CPU 410 controls each component of portable terminal 400.

  The memory 420 stores a program executed by the CPU 410. The memory 420 can store data used in a program or the like. The memory 420 may be an internal memory of the mobile terminal 400 or an external memory connected to the mobile terminal 400.

  The display screen device 460 displays a play list, a screen for operating the play list, a moving image, a still image, and the like. Display screen device 460 may be an internal device of mobile terminal 400 or an external device connected to mobile terminal 400.

  Key 470 accepts key input by the user. The user can instruct the portable terminal 400 to execute or stop the reproduction list by operating the key 470. The key 470 may be an internal device of the mobile terminal 400 or an external device connected to the mobile terminal 400.

  The speaker 480 outputs sound data such as music. The speaker 480 may be an internal device of the mobile terminal 400 or an external device such as headphones connected to the mobile terminal 400.

  The content management unit 432 instructs the content download unit 434 to download content data necessary for content playback. The content management unit 432 instructs the reproduction list reproduction unit 448 to reproduce the content.

  The content download unit 434 downloads the data of the instructed content from the content server 200 based on the instruction from the content management unit 432. The content download unit 434 stores the downloaded content data in the content storage unit 450.

  The content storage unit 450 stores acoustic data, moving image data, still image data, and the like of content acquired by downloading or the like. The content storage unit 450 has at least three recording areas: an area for storing the content to be reproduced first, a first content download area, and a second content download area. The content storage unit 450 can be realized by an internal memory of the mobile terminal 400 or a recording medium that can be read and written by the mobile terminal 400. The three recording areas of the content storage unit 450 may be realized by different storage units. The area for storing the content to be reproduced first stores the content to be reproduced first on the reproduction list. The area for storing the content that is played back first may store not only the content that is played back first in the playlist, but also the content that is played back after the second. The area for storing the first content to be played back may be integrated with the play list.

  The call control unit 436 controls a call to a communication destination device such as the content server 200.

  The radio control unit 438 controls radio communication between the radio base station 300 and the mobile terminal 400.

  The playlist management unit 440 stores and manages the playlist. The playlist management unit 440 receives key input information by a user operation from the key control unit 444. The play list management unit 440 instructs the display screen control unit 442 to display a play list or the like on the display screen device 460. The playlist management unit 440 can execute the playlist in accordance with an instruction from the user by key input or the like. The playback list management unit 440 instructs the content management unit 432 to download the content necessary for executing the playback list and play back the content. The playlist may be stored in an internal memory of the mobile terminal 400, a recording medium that can be read and written by the mobile terminal 400, or the like. The playlist management unit 440 may read and manage playlists stored in other components.

  The display screen control unit 442 controls the display screen device 460. The display screen control unit 442 can display a reproduction list or the like on the display screen device 460.

  The key control unit 444 receives key input information to the key 470. The key control unit 444 notifies the reproduction list management unit 440 of key input information.

The reproduction list reproduction unit 448 reproduces the content instructed from the content management unit 432. The reproduction list reproduction unit 448 reads the content to be reproduced from the content storage unit 450. When the content to be reproduced is sound data such as music, the play list reproduction unit 448 can cause the speaker 480 to output the sound. When the content to be reproduced is a moving image, a still image, or the like, the playlist reproduction unit 448 outputs sound, displays a moving image, a still image, or the like on the speaker 480, the display screen device 460, etc. necessary for reproduction Can be made.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reproduction list. The reproduction list (play list) is a set of contents that the user desires to reproduce. The reproduction list includes identification information of each content that the user desires to reproduce and information on the reproduction order of the content that the user desires. The reproduction list may have an address of the content provider for each content. The content of the playlist may be played back multiple times in the playlist.

  The reproduction list in FIG. 3 includes identification information of content A, content B, content C, and content D. Further, the reproduction list of FIG. 3 includes information on the order of reproduction of content in which content A is first, content B is second, content C is third, and content D is fourth. .

  The portable terminal 400 can have a plurality of playlists. The play list can include data of content to be played first. When the data of the content to be reproduced first is included in the reproduction list, the data of the content to be reproduced first is read from the reproduction list.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reproduction list and a content storage unit of the mobile terminal.

  The area for storing the first content to be reproduced in the content storage unit 450 of the portable terminal 400 in FIG. 4 stores the content A that is the first content to be reproduced in the reproduction list. The area for storing the first reproduced content in the content storage unit 450 may further store the second reproduced content (content B, content C, etc.) in the reproduction list.

  The first content download area and the second content download area of the content storage unit 450 store data of the content that is downloaded from the content server 200 or the like and is reproduced next, based on the reproduction list.

(Operation example)
5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating an example of an operation flow at the time of executing a playlist. “A1”, “A2”, and “A3” in FIG. 5 are connected to “A1”, “A2”, and “A3” in FIG. 6, respectively.

  The user prepares a reproduction list in the mobile terminal 400 in advance. Further, data of the content that is reproduced first among the contents included in the reproduction list is stored in an area for storing the content that is reproduced first in the content storage unit 450.

  The content data to be reproduced first is prepared in advance by downloading from the content server 200, capturing from a directly connected computer, capturing from a recording medium readable by the portable terminal 400, or the like.

  Here, it is assumed that the reproduction list of FIG. 3 is executed.

The user instructs execution of the playlist by key input to the key 470. The key control unit 444 receives key input information to the key 470. The key control unit 444 notifies the reproduction list management unit 440 of key input information. When receiving the instruction to execute the playlist by key input by the user's operation, the playlist management unit 440 instructs the content management unit 432 to play the content to be played first among the contents of the playlist. The content management unit 452 instructs the reproduction list reproduction unit 448 to reproduce the content that is reproduced first. The playlist reproduction unit 448 reads the data of the instructed content from the area for storing the first content to be reproduced in the content storage unit 450. The playlist reproduction unit 448 outputs the first reproduced content using the speaker 480 or the like (S102).

  The reproduction list management unit 440 checks whether or not the content to be reproduced next is stored in the content storage unit 450 (S104). The reproduction list management unit 440 confirms whether or not the content to be reproduced second is stored in any recording area of the content storage unit 450. When the content to be reproduced second is stored in any recording area of the content storage unit 450 (S106; YES), the process proceeds to step S116. If the content to be reproduced second is not stored in any recording area of the content storage unit 450 (S106; NO), it is confirmed whether or not the content in the recording area is being reproduced (S108). ).

  The content management unit 432 confirms whether or not the content in the first content download area is being reproduced (S110).

  When the content in the first content download area is being reproduced (S110; YES), the content management unit 432 switches the recording area to be confirmed to the second content download area (S112). The content management unit 432 confirms whether or not the content in the second content download area is being played back (S108, S110).

  When the content in the confirmed recording area is not being reproduced (S110; NO), the content management unit 432 instructs the content download unit 434 to download the content to be reproduced next according to the reproduction list. . The content download unit 434 uses the call control unit 436 and the wireless control unit 438 to download data of content to be reproduced next from the content server 200 (S114). The content download unit 434 stores the downloaded content data in the recording area confirmed in step S110.

  The reproduction list management unit 440 confirms whether or not the reproduction of the currently reproduced content has been completed (S116). If the reproduction of the content currently being reproduced has not yet been completed, the reproduction list management unit 440 waits until the reproduction is completed (S116; NO).

  When the reproduction of the currently playing content is completed (S116; YES), the playlist management unit 440 deletes the content that has been reproduced from the content storage unit 450. However, when the content that has been played back is the content stored in the area for storing the content to be played back first, the playlist management unit 440 does not delete the content.

  Next, the playlist management unit 440 instructs the playlist playback unit 448 to play back the content downloaded in step S114. The reproduction list reproduction unit 448 reads out the data of the instructed content from the content storage unit 450. The playlist reproduction unit 448 outputs the read content using the speaker 480 or the like (S118).

Returning to step S104, the playlist management unit 440 checks whether or not the content to be played next is stored in the content storage unit 450 (S104). Less than,
In accordance with the same procedure as described above, the content in the play list is downloaded from the content server 200 and played according to the play list.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a timing chart of content reproduction and download. The horizontal axis in FIG. 7 represents the time axis. The vertical axis in FIG. 7 shows each storage area.

  Here, it is assumed that the reproduction list of FIG. 3 is executed.

  When the user instructs execution of the play list, the data of the content A, which is the content that is played first, is read out from the area for storing the content that is played back first, and the content A is played back. Is done. Further, while the content A is being reproduced, the data of the content B that is reproduced second is downloaded to the first content download area. If the data of the content when the play list was executed last time remains and the data can be used, the data may be used without downloading.

  When the reproduction of the content A is finished, the data of the content B to be reproduced second is read from the first content download area, and the content B is reproduced. Further, while the content B is being reproduced, the data of the content C to be reproduced third is downloaded to the second content download area.

  When the reproduction of the content B is completed, the data of the content C to be reproduced third is read from the second content download area, and the content C is reproduced. Further, the data of content B is deleted from the first content download area. Further, while the content C is being played back, the data of the content D that is played back fourth is downloaded to the first content download area.

  Hereinafter, similarly, downloading, reproduction, and deletion of content data are repeated according to the reproduction list.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the time change of the content reproduction and the content data stored in each storage area. The horizontal axis in FIG. 8 indicates the time axis. The vertical axis | shaft of FIG. 8 shows the data of the content reproduced | regenerated by a portable terminal, and the content stored in each storage area.

  Here, it is assumed that the reproduction list of FIG. 3 is executed.

  When the user instructs execution of the reproduction list, the reproduction of the content A is started immediately. At this time, content A is stored in the area for storing the content to be reproduced first. Content stored in this area is not deleted. In principle, nothing is stored in the first download area and the second download area.

  While the content A is being reproduced, the data of the content B that is reproduced second is downloaded to the first content download area.

  When the reproduction of the content A is finished, the content B is stored in the first content download area. Also, nothing is stored in the second content download area.

While the content B to be reproduced second is being reproduced, the data of the content C to be reproduced third is downloaded to the second content download area.

  When the reproduction of the content B is finished, the data of the content B is stored in the first content download area. Also, data of content C is stored in the second content download area.

  While the content C to be reproduced third is being reproduced, the data of the content B is deleted, and the data of content D to be reproduced fourth is downloaded to the first content download area.

  When the reproduction of the content C is finished, the data of the content D is stored in the first content download area. Also, data of content C is stored in the second content download area.

  Hereinafter, similarly, in the first content download area and the second content download area, downloading, reproduction, and deletion of data of each content are repeated according to the reproduction list.

(Effect of embodiment)
According to the configuration of the present embodiment, when the user performs playback using the playback list, the content in the “area for storing the first played content” is played back with a waiting time of zero. In addition, the portable terminal checks the recording state of the next content and downloads the next content in the playlist while playing the first content to be played. When the reproduction of the content to be reproduced first is completed, the downloaded content is reproduced. Further, the mobile terminal further downloads the next content to a storage area different from the storage area being reproduced.

  According to the configuration of the present embodiment, even when the radio wave condition is poor, such as when traveling in public transportation, the content in the “area for storing the first content to be reproduced” is reproduced with a waiting time of zero. In addition, by downloading the next content in the play list while the first content to be played is played back, all the content can be played back without waiting for the user.

  According to the configuration of the present embodiment, since it is only necessary to store the data of the first content to be played back in the playlist, it is possible to save the storage area as compared with the case of storing the data of all the content in the playlist. Use capacity will be reduced.

  According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the user of the mobile terminal can comfortably reproduce and use the content of the playlist.

[Computer-readable recording medium]
A program for causing a computer or other machine or device (hereinafter, a computer or the like) to realize any of the above functions can be recorded on a recording medium that can be read by the computer or the like. The function can be provided by causing a computer or the like to read and execute the program of the recording medium.

  Here, a computer-readable recording medium is a recording medium that stores information such as data and programs by electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, or chemical action and can be read from a computer or the like. Say. In such a medium, elements constituting a computer such as a CPU and a memory may be provided to cause the CPU to execute a program.

  Examples of such a recording medium that can be removed from a computer or the like include a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R / W, a DVD, a DAT, an 8 mm tape, and a memory card. .

  Moreover, there are a hard disk, a ROM, and the like as a recording medium fixed to a computer or the like.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network configuration. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the mobile terminal. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reproduction list. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reproduction list and a content storage unit of the mobile terminal. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example (1) of the operation flow when executing the playlist. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example (2) of the operation flow at the time of execution of the playlist. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a timing chart of content reproduction and download. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the time change of content reproduction and content data stored in each storage area.

Explanation of symbols

100 network
200 content server
300 radio base station
400 Mobile terminal
410 CPU
420 memory
430 function blocks
432 Content Management Department
434 Content Download Department
436 Call control unit
438 Radio control unit
440 playlist management unit
442 Display screen controller
444 Key control unit
448 Playlist playback section
450 Content storage
460 display screen device
470 key
480 Speaker

Claims (4)

An acquisition unit for acquiring a reproduction list including identification information of a plurality of contents and information of a reproduction order of the plurality of contents;
A playback unit for playing back each content according to the playback order of the content included in the playlist;
A first storage for storing content data whose playback order is first in the playlist;
A second storage unit for storing content data acquired from another device;
The acquisition unit is reproducing the content data stored in the first storage unit based on the reproduction list, and second content data based on the reproduction list is stored in the second storage unit. Otherwise, an information processing apparatus that acquires content data from the other apparatus. An acquisition unit for acquiring a reproduction list including identification information of a plurality of contents, a reproduction order of the plurality of contents, and data of a content whose reproduction order is first;
A playback unit for playing back each content according to the playback order of the content included in the playlist;
A storage unit for storing content data acquired from another device;
The acquisition unit is in the process of reproducing the first content data stored in the playlist, and content data to be reproduced next based on the playlist is not stored in the storage unit. An information processing apparatus that acquires content data from the apparatus. Information processing device
Obtaining a reproduction list including identification information of a plurality of contents and information of a reproduction order of the plurality of contents;
Reproducing each content according to the reproduction order of the content included in the playlist;
Storing content data whose playback order is first in the playlist;
Storing content data obtained from another device;
Based on the playlist, if the content data whose playback order is the first in the stored playlist is being played back and the second content data based on the playlist is not stored, the other Obtaining content data from the device;
Content playback method to execute. In the information processing device,
Obtaining a reproduction list including identification information of a plurality of contents and information of a reproduction order of the plurality of contents;
Reproducing each content according to the reproduction order of the content included in the playlist;
Storing content data whose playback order is first in the playlist;
Storing content data obtained from another device;
Based on the playlist, if the content data whose playback order is the first in the stored playlist is being played back and the second content data based on the playlist is not stored, the other Obtaining content data from the device;
Content playback program that executes

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