JP2015041930A - Image reproducer and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology for efficiently acquiring and displaying data on an image between an image to be reproduced after skip and an image during reproduction.SOLUTION: An image reproducer includes: a reproduction control section for reproducing an image when a reproduction instruction is received and skip-reproducing an image in a prescribed time position with a time position of an image reproduced when a skip reproduction instruction is received as reference; a network control section for acquiring data on the image for being reproduced by the reproduction control section from a server, pre-reading data on the image displayed until the reproduction control section starts skip reproduction when the skip reproduction instruction is given, and acquiring the data from the server; and a pre-reading image determination section for determining a pre-reading image acquired by being pre-read by the network control section on the basis of the time position of the image which the reproduction control section reproduces when the skip reproduction instruction is received and the time position of the image which is skip-reproduced and an order for acquiring data on the pre-reading image irrespective of the time position of the pre-reading image.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reproduction apparatus and program used for a video on demand system.

Conventionally, a video on demand (VOD: Video On Demand) that connects a server that stores video content and a user terminal (such as a TV) via a network and provides a video from the server to the user terminal in response to a user request. In the system, a technique for appropriately performing skip (jump) reproduction has been proposed.
For example, the playback device described in Patent Document 1 is configured as follows. That is, the terminal receives the stream data transmitted from the server, plays it with buffering, but has a plurality of buffers, and jump destination positions that may be jumped during jump playback The content data is previously buffered in the plurality of buffers.
In addition, the apparatus described in Patent Document 2 downloads, buffers, and buffers all parts of a media file existing between a user's current viewing position and another position earlier or later in the program. Techniques are provided that allow a simulated fast forward and rewind operation of a streaming media file without causing the processor to ring and display. The still image is then prepared and stored before the time to play the streaming media file, and is delivered to the playback device when the program is selected for viewing. It is also possible to select one from a library of audiovisual programs or an episode of a series audiovisual program.

Republished 2007-148777 Special table 2011-508521 gazette

Even in a video-on-demand system that downloads (acquires) content from a server on the Internet, it is desirable that skip playback can be performed while grasping the content of the moving image content. If sufficient moving image data is acquired and stored in advance, skip playback can be performed while grasping the contents of the moving image content, but a large-capacity storage area is required. In video-on-demand systems, image data for playback must be constantly received, so a large amount of image data necessary for grasping the contents of video content is acquired separately from image data for playback. It is difficult to do.
An object of the present invention is to provide an image reproducing apparatus and program capable of efficiently acquiring and displaying image data between an image reproduced after skipping and an image being reproduced.

The present invention that achieves the above object reproduces an image when receiving a reproduction instruction, and at the same time based on the time position of the image being reproduced when the instruction is received when a skip reproduction instruction is received. A playback unit that skips and reproduces an image at a time position, a first acquisition unit that acquires image data for playback by the playback unit from a server, and the playback unit that skips when the skip playback instruction is received. Second acquisition means for prefetching image data to be displayed before starting reproduction and obtaining it from the server, and time of the image being reproduced by the reproduction means when the skip reproduction instruction is received Based on the position and the time position of the image to be skip-played, the second acquisition means pre-reads and acquires the pre-read image and the order of acquiring the data of the pre-read image Determining means for determining regardless of the time position of the read image,
An image reproducing apparatus comprising:

Here, when the playback means receives the skip playback instruction, the playback means skips playback of the image at the start position of the next section to which the image being played back at the time of receiving the instruction, and the determination means May be determined as the image from which the data of the center of the start position of the segment to which the image being reproduced at the time of receiving the skip playback instruction belongs and the start position of the next segment is acquired first. .
In addition, the determination means stores second image data of a center between a start position of a section to which an image being reproduced at the time of receiving the skip reproduction instruction and a time position of the first acquired image. It is better to determine the image to be acquired second.
In addition, the determination unit is configured to obtain a central image between a start position of a section next to a section to which an image being reproduced at the time when the skip reproduction instruction is received and a time position of the first acquired image. The image may be determined as the third image to be acquired.

The reproduction storage area for storing the data acquired by the first acquisition means, the data acquired by the first acquisition means are stored in the reproduction storage area, and the image data reproduced by the reproduction means is stored. Storage control means for erasing, and the second acquisition means may acquire the data of the prefetched image when data of a predetermined amount or more is stored in the reproduction storage area.
A pre-read storage area for storing data acquired by the second acquisition means; and the storage control means stores the data of the pre-read image acquired by the second acquisition means in the pre-read storage area. Even if the prefetched image is displayed, it may be stored without being erased.

  From another point of view, the present invention reproduces an image when a computer receives a reproduction instruction, and also reproduces the time of the image reproduced at the time when the instruction is received when a skip reproduction instruction is received. When there is a playback function for skipping playback of an image at a predetermined time position based on a position, a first acquisition function for acquiring image data for playback by the playback function from a server, and the skip playback instruction A second acquisition function for prefetching image data to be displayed before the playback function starts the skip playback and acquiring from the server, and the playback function at the time when the skip playback instruction is received A prefetched image acquired by prefetching the second acquisition function based on the time position of the image being reproduced and the time position of the image being skip-reproduced, and the prefetched image The order of acquiring the data a program for realizing the a function of determined regardless of the time position of the pre-read image.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently acquire and display image data between an image reproduced after skipping and an image being reproduced.

It is a schematic block diagram of the video on demand system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the image reproduction apparatus main body which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structural example of the image reproduction apparatus main body which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the order in which a prefetch image determination part acquires a prefetch image and a prefetch image. It is a figure which shows the example of the prefetch image displayed on the display part. (A) And (b) is a figure which shows the prefetch image displayed when the skip button for fast-forwarding is pressed when all the prefetch images which divide | segment into 8 between chapters are not acquired. It is a figure which shows the aspect in which a prefetch image determination part determines a prefetch image, when the time between chapters is 2 minutes (120 seconds). (A) And (b) is a figure which shows the example of the prefetch image displayed on a display part, when the time between chapters is 2 minutes. It is a figure which shows the example of the prefetch image displayed on a display part, when the skip button for rewinding of a remote control is pushed. It is a figure which shows an example of the thumbnail displayed on a display part. (A)-(d) is a figure which shows the aspect in the case of acquiring a prefetch image in 1 session.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a video on demand (VOD) system 1 (hereinafter referred to as “VOD system 1”) according to the present embodiment.
The VOD system 1 includes an image reproduction device 10, a server 20, and a network 30 such as the Internet that connects the image reproduction device 10 and the server 20.

  The image reproducing device 10 can be exemplified as a television, a PC, a DVD recorder, or a Blu-ray disc recorder. The image reproduction device 10 includes an image reproduction device main body 11 and a remote controller 12 operated by a user. The image reproduction device main body 11 operates in response to a command signal from the remote control 12. The remote controller 12 is provided with a playback button 12a, a fast-forward skip button 12b, a rewind skip button 12c, a left button 12d, a right button 12e, and an enter button 12f. A specific configuration of the image reproducing apparatus main body 11 will be described in detail later.

  The server 20 stores image data of various moving image contents, and distributes the moving image content according to the request from the user to the image reproducing apparatus 10 operated by the user via the network 30. In the following, description will be made on the assumption that, for example, HTTP, which is a request-response type protocol that supports a Range header, is used as a communication protocol, and MPEG data is handled as moving image data. When the moving image data is in MPEG format, the moving image data is divided in GOP (Group Of Picture) units. This GOP is composed of three types of frame image data of I picture, P picture, and B picture. Of these, only the I picture can be displayed independently from the preceding and following frame image data. The data is represented by difference information from the previous and subsequent frame image data. Therefore, a GOP always includes at least one I picture, and the top of the GOP is an I picture.

<Configuration of image playback device main body>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the image reproduction device main body 11 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the image playback device main body 11 includes a CPU 13, a storage unit 14, a reception unit 15, a transmission unit 16, a display unit 17, an encoder 18, and a decoder 19.
The storage unit 14 includes an internal memory such as a ROM and a RAM, and an external memory such as a hard disk and a memory card. The storage unit 14 includes, in the RAM, a reproduction storage area 14a that stores image data of an image to be reproduced, and a prefetch storage area 14b that stores image data of a prefetched prefetched image. The storage unit 14 also has a storage area (not shown) for storing a CPC file of MPEG moving image data in the RAM.

The receiving unit 15 receives information related to an operation performed by the user using the remote controller 12 (see FIG. 1) and image data sent from the server 20.
The transmission unit 16 transmits information related to the moving image content selected by the user to the server 20 based on the user operation information.
The display unit 17 includes a display screen such as a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays information and status such as time, day of the week, recording, or reproduction in addition to the image.
The encoder 18 converts an input analog signal into an MPEG encoded digital signal.
The decoder 19 decodes the MPEG encoded data. The decoder 19 may decode the MPEG-encoded data received from the server 20 and store it in the storage unit 14, or decode the MPEG-encoded data read from the storage unit 14 to display the display unit 17 may be displayed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the image reproduction device main body 11 according to the present embodiment.
When the user presses the playback button 12a of the remote controller 12, the image playback apparatus main body 11 plays the moving image content selected by the user, and the user skips the fast-forward skip button 12b or the rewind skip button. When 12c is pressed (when a skip reproduction instruction is received), an image at a predetermined time position based on the time position of the currently reproduced image is determined from the currently reproduced image. Skips to the image at the specified time position and plays back. Then, the image playback apparatus main body 11 displays images existing between the currently played back image and the skipped image until the skipped image starts to be played back. For this purpose, the image reproduction apparatus main body 11 displays images existing between the currently reproduced image and the image after skipping before the user presses the skip button 12b for fast-forwarding or the skip button 12c for rewinding by the user. Are prefetched and acquired and stored in the storage unit 14. Hereinafter, an image obtained by prefetching is referred to as a “prefetch image”.

  In order to realize the above-described functions, the image playback device main body 11 has a network control unit 131 that controls transmission / reception of data to / from the server 20 and storage of data in the storage unit 14 as shown in FIG. A storage control unit 132 as an example of a storage control unit that controls data erasure, and an operation control unit 133 that controls each part according to the operation content of the remote controller 12 are provided. The image playback apparatus main body 11 also includes a playback control unit 134 as an example of a playback unit that controls playback of an image, and a prefetch as an example of a determination unit that determines which image is acquired as a prefetch image and the order of acquisition. An image determination unit 135 and a prefetch image display control unit 136 that controls display of the prefetch image on the display unit 17 are provided. The network control unit 131, the storage control unit 132, the operation control unit 133, the reproduction control unit 134, the prefetch image determination unit 135, and the prefetch image display control unit 136 are executed by the CPU 13 executing software stored in the storage unit 14. Realized.

  When the user uses VOD, the network control unit 131 is connected to the server 20 via the transmission unit 16, and sends information related to the moving image content selected by the user to the server 20 via the transmission unit 16. In addition, the network control unit 131 acquires image data of an image to be reproduced by the reproduction control unit 134 from the server 20 via the reception unit 15. The network control unit 131 requests image data of the prefetched image determined by the prefetched image determining unit 135 as described later from the server 20 via the transmission unit 16 and from the server 20 via the reception unit 15. get. As described above, the network control unit 131 functions as a first acquisition unit that acquires image data to be reproduced by the reproduction control unit 134 from the server 20, and the reproduction control unit 134 performs a skip reproduction instruction when there is a skip reproduction instruction. It functions as a second acquisition unit that pre-reads and acquires from the server 20 image data to be displayed before skip reproduction is started.

  The storage control unit 132 controls which part of the RAM of the storage unit 14 stores the image data acquired from the server 20. The storage control unit 132 stores the image data of the reproduction image in the reproduction storage area 14a, and stores the image data of the prefetch image in the prefetch storage area 14b. The storage control unit 132 deletes the image data that has been stored in the playback storage area 14a and has been played back. On the other hand, even if the image data of the prefetched image stored in the prefetch storage area 14b has been displayed, the image data of the prefetched image is not deleted.

  When the operation control unit 133 acquires the operation content of the remote controller 12 via the reception unit 15, the operation control unit 133 outputs a command signal corresponding to the operation content to each part. For example, when the user presses the playback button 12 a of the remote controller 12, a command signal indicating that an image should be played is sent to the playback control unit 134. For example, when the user presses the fast-forward skip button 12b or the rewind skip button 12c of the remote controller 12, the operation control unit 133 acquires image data to be reproduced after skipping to the network control unit 131. A command signal indicating that the skipped image should be reproduced and a command signal indicating that the skipped image should be reproduced are transmitted to the reproduction control unit 134. In addition, a command signal indicating that the prefetched image should be displayed before the reproduction control unit 134 starts reproducing the skipped image is sent to the prefetched image display control unit 136.

  When the user presses the playback button 12 a of the remote controller 12, the playback control unit 134 plays back an image based on the image data stored in the playback storage area 14 a of the storage unit 14. Also, for example, when the user presses the fast-forward skip button 12b or the rewind skip button 12c of the remote controller 12, the playback control unit 134 skips and plays back any part of the image in the content. And the image of the part is reproduced. Note that the reproduction control unit 134 sets the first image of the chapter next to the chapter to which the currently reproduced image belongs as the reproduction position after skipping. Information on the chapter to which the currently reproduced image belongs and information on the next chapter can be grasped based on the chapter information described in the CPC file stored in the storage unit 14.

The prefetch image determination unit 135 determines an image to be prefetched and an order in which images to be prefetched are acquired.
When the user presses the fast-forward skip button 12b or the rewind skip button 12c of the remote controller 12, the pre-read image display control unit 136 is a period until the playback control unit 134 starts playback of the skipped image. An image that exists between the time position of the currently reproduced image and the time position of the reproduced image after skipping, and that is stored in the prefetch storage area 14b of the storage unit 14 is displayed on the display unit 17. Display.
Hereinafter, a method determined by the prefetch image determining unit 135 and a method displayed by the prefetch image display control unit 136 will be described in detail.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the order in which the prefetch image determination unit 135 acquires the prefetch image and the prefetch image.
The pre-read image determining unit 135 first starts a chapter start position to which the currently reproduced image belongs (hereinafter referred to as “current chapter start position”) and a next chapter start position (hereinafter referred to as “next chapter start position”). Is determined as the prefetched image to be acquired first. Then, the prefetch image determining unit 135 determines the image at the center of the current chapter start position and the start position of the first prefetch image to be acquired as the prefetch image to be acquired second, and the prefetch image to be acquired first. The image at the center position between the start position and the next chapter start position is determined as the prefetch image to be acquired third. Then, the prefetch image determining unit 135 determines the image at the center of the current chapter start position and the start position of the second prefetch image to be acquired as the prefetch image to be acquired fourth, and the third prefetch image to be acquired. The image at the center position between the start position and the next chapter start position is determined as the prefetch image to be acquired fifth. Then, the prefetch image determination unit 135 determines the first prefetch image acquired first and the center image of the start position of the prefetch image acquired second as the prefetch image to be acquired sixth, and is acquired first. The center image of the start position of the prefetch image to be acquired and the start position of the prefetch image to be acquired third is determined as the prefetch image to be acquired seventh.

That is, the start position of the prefetched image acquired first is the current chapter start position + the time between the current chapter start position and the next chapter start position × ½. When the time between the current chapter start position and the next chapter start position is hereinafter referred to as “inter-chapter time”, the start position of the prefetch image acquired second to seventh is as follows.
Second acquisition start position of prefetched image = current chapter start position + interchapter time × 1/4
Third acquisition start position of prefetched image = current chapter start position + interchapter time × 3/4
Fourth start position of prefetched image acquired = current chapter start position + interchapter time × 1/8
5th start position of prefetched image acquired = current chapter start position + interchapter time × 7/8
6th start position of prefetched image acquired = current chapter start position + interchapter time × 3/8
7th start position of prefetched image acquired = current chapter start position + interchapter time × 5/8

The image data acquired by prefetching can be exemplified by two GOPs, but is not particularly limited. Image data for three or five GOPs may be prefetched and acquired. In addition, it is desirable to acquire a prefetch image in a range in which one chapter is divided into eight at most. Moreover, it is preferable that the time interval of the start position of a prefetch image is 30 seconds or more. Therefore, when the time between chapters is 4 minutes, it is desirable to acquire seven prefetched images (2GOP) at 30 second intervals.
The network controller 131 requests the server 20 via the transmitter 16 and the server 20 via the receiver 15 to obtain the prefetched images determined by the prefetch image determination unit 135 as described above. . Then, the storage control unit 132 stores the prefetch image acquired by the network control unit 131 in the prefetch storage area 14b.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the prefetched image displayed on the display unit 17.
As shown in FIG. 5, when the user presses the skip button for fast-forwarding on the remote controller 12, the pre-read image display control unit 136 waits until the playback control unit 134 starts playback of the skipped image (the image is displayed). The pre-read image stored between the position of the currently reproduced image and the position of the reproduced image after skipping and stored in the pre-read storage area 14b of the storage unit 14 until switching) Is displayed on the display unit 17. At that time, the prefetch image display control unit 136 displays the prefetch images at the time positions close to the time position of the currently reproduced image in order, for example, at intervals of 0.3 seconds. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, when a prefetch image that divides the chapter into eight is acquired, the prefetch image acquired fourth, the prefetch image acquired second, the prefetch image acquired sixth. The prefetched image acquired first, the prefetched image acquired seventh, the prefetched image acquired third, the prefetched image acquired fifth, are displayed in this order.
Note that the prefetch image display control unit 136 may display only the I picture of the first GOP in the data of 2 GOP acquired as the prefetch image, or the moving image of 1 GOP of 2 GOP or all the 2 GOPs. You may make it display.

  In the VOD system 1 configured as described above, image data between an image reproduced after skipping and an image being reproduced can be efficiently acquired and displayed on the display unit 17. Therefore, the user can perform skip reproduction while grasping the details of the moving image content.

If the skip button 12b for fast-forwarding of the remote controller 12 is pressed when all of the pre-read images that divide the chapter into eight are not acquired, the pre-read image display control unit 136 acquires the pre-read that has been acquired. It is good to display only the image.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams showing prefetch images that are displayed when the skip button 12b for fast-forwarding is pressed when all the prefetch images that divide the chapter into eight are not acquired. .
As shown in FIG. 6A, when the prefetch image to be acquired third is acquired and the skip button 12b for fast-forwarding of the remote controller 12 is pressed before starting to acquire the prefetch image to be acquired fourth. As shown in FIG. 6B, the first to third prefetched images that have been obtained until the fast-forward skip button 12b of the remote controller 12 is pressed are secondly acquired. The acquired pre-read image, the first acquired pre-read image, and the third acquired pre-read image are displayed in this order.

  In this way, images between chapters are acquired as pre-read images regardless of the time positions of the images, so when all the pre-read images that divide between chapters have not been acquired, the skip button for fast-forwarding on the remote controller 12 Even if 12b is pressed, it is easy to acquire a prefetched image that makes it easy to grasp the details of the moving image content between chapters. For example, if the prefetched images are acquired in the order from the time position of the currently reproduced image, the fast-forward skip button 12b may be pressed before the preread image close to the time position of the next chapter is acquired. is there. In such a case, even if all of the prefetched images acquired during that time are displayed, the prefetched image close to the next chapter image is not displayed, making it difficult to grasp the contents of the portion close to the next chapter image. On the other hand, in the image reproduction apparatus main body 11 according to the present embodiment, the order in which the prefetched images are acquired is determined regardless of the time position of the prefetched images, and is acquired in that order. That is, instead of acquiring images in the order of early time positions of the pre-read images, even images having a late time position of the pre-read images are acquired in the order earlier than the images having the earlier time positions. Therefore, the contents between chapters can be easily grasped regardless of their time positions.

<Aspect when the time between chapters is short>
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a mode in which the prefetch image determination unit 135 determines the prefetch image when the time between chapters is 2 minutes (120 seconds).
As described above, since the time interval of the start position of the prefetch image is preferably 30 seconds or more, the prefetch image determination unit 135 determines that the time between chapters is 2 minutes (120 seconds). It is preferable to acquire three prefetched images so that the chapters are divided into four (= 120/30). This is because, when divided into 8, the time interval of the start position of the prefetched image is 15 seconds (= 120/8), which is less than 30 seconds. At that time, prefetched images may be acquired in the order shown in FIG. That means
First read-ahead image start position = current chapter start position + interchapter time × 1/2
Second acquisition start position of prefetched image = current chapter start position + interchapter time × 1/4
Third acquisition start position of prefetched image = current chapter start position + interchapter time × 3/4
It is.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, when the prefetch image between the current chapter start position and the next chapter start position has been acquired, the image data of the next chapter start position is prefetched next (fourth). Acquired for an image, and then between the start position of the next chapter and the start position of the next chapter of the next chapter (hereinafter referred to as “next chapter”) (hereinafter referred to as “between next chapter”). Some image data may be acquired for a pre-read image. At that time, prefetched images may be acquired in the order shown in FIG. That means
5th start position of prefetch image acquired = next chapter start position + time between next chapters × 1/2
6th start position of prefetch image acquired = next chapter start position + time between next chapters × 1/4
7th start position of prefetched image acquired = next chapter start position + time between next chapters × 3/4
It is.
Note that image data after the next chapter start position in this order may be acquired as a prefetched image.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating examples of prefetched images displayed on the display unit 17 when the time between chapters is 2 minutes.
When the time between chapters is 2 minutes and seven prefetched images are acquired as shown in FIG. 7, when the fast-forward skip button 12b of the remote controller 12 is pressed, the prefetched image display control unit As shown in FIG. 8A, 136 indicates the first acquired prefetched image, which is the prefetched image up to the next chapter start position, the second acquired prefetched image, the first acquired prefetched image, The prefetched images acquired in the third order are displayed in order. When the fast-forward skip button 12b of the remote controller 12 is pressed twice in succession, as shown in FIG. 8B, the first to seventh prefetched images up to the next chapter start position are displayed. The acquired prefetched image is the second acquired prefetched image, the first acquired prefetched image, the third acquired prefetched image, the fourth acquired prefetched image, the sixth acquired prefetched image, and the fifth acquired The prefetched image and the seventh prefetched image are displayed in this order.

  As described above, when the time between chapters is short, the prefetch image determining unit 135 determines the image data at the next chapter start position as the prefetch image to be acquired fourth, and the image data at the next chapter start position is prefetched. As a result, the skip image can be quickly reproduced when the fast-forward skip button 12b of the remote controller 12 is pressed. That is, the prefetched image already acquired by the prefetched image display control unit 136 is displayed before the network control unit 131 acquires the image data of the next chapter after the skip button 12b for fast-forwarding is pressed. It is because it can be made.

<Mode when skipping rewind>
The storage control unit 132 desirably stores the pre-read images between chapters without deleting them even after the pre-read image display control unit 136 causes the display unit 17 to display them. When the user presses the rewind skip button (chapter back button) 12c of the remote controller 12, the prefetch image display control unit 136 displays the prefetch images in order from the image at the later time position.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pre-read image displayed on the display unit 17 when the rewind skip button 12c of the remote controller 12 is pressed.
When the time between chapters is 2 minutes and seven prefetched images are acquired as shown in FIG. 7, when the image immediately after the next chapter start position as viewed in FIG. When the rewind skip button 12c of the remote controller 12 is pressed, the pre-read image display control unit 136 until the image at the next chapter start position as viewed in FIG. 7 is reproduced as shown in FIG. In the meantime, the seventh prefetched image, the fifth prefetched image, and the sixth prefetched image are displayed in this order.
Thereby, even when the skip button 12c for rewinding is pressed, skip reproduction can be performed so that the content of the moving image content can be grasped.

<Thumbnail mode>
The remote control 12 is provided with a thumbnail button (not shown), and when the user presses the thumbnail button, the prefetch image display control unit 136 displays a thumbnail of the prefetch image that has already been acquired. Also good.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of thumbnails displayed on the display unit 17.
For example, when the time between chapters is 2 minutes and seven prefetched images are acquired as shown in FIG. 7, the playback control unit 134 plays back the image immediately after the next chapter start position. When the user presses the thumbnail button, the prefetched image that has already been acquired is displayed as a thumbnail, centering on the time position of the currently reproduced image. At this time, the pre-read image whose time position is close to the time position of the currently reproduced image is displayed at a close position on the screen with the time position of the currently reproduced image as the center. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the prefetched image acquired third, the prefetched image acquired first, the second prefetched image, from the center to the left end, centering on the time position of the currently reproduced image. The acquired prefetched images are displayed in order, and on the right side, from the center to the right end, the sixth prefetched image, the fifth prefetched image, and the seventh prefetched image are displayed in this order.

Then, when the user presses the left button 12d or the right button 12e of the cross button (key) provided on the remote controller 12, the pre-read image displayed on the display unit 17 is selected and can be determined with the determination button 12f. . Then, when any pre-read image is selected / determined, it is preferable to reproduce from the position of the pre-read image selected / determined.
By doing in this way, even when the skipped destination is deviated from the desired image position, the image can be reproduced from the desired position, and the convenience for the user can be improved. Further, since the pre-read image is stored, the image can be reproduced more quickly.

<Mode in one session>
When the server 20 allows a plurality of connections to the image playback apparatus 10 at the same time, and the image playback apparatus 10 and the server 20 are connected to a plurality of connections at the same time, the network control unit 131 Since it is possible to acquire a pre-read image while acquiring image data, even if the pre-read image is acquired as described above, it does not adversely affect acquisition of image data for reproduction.
However, when the server 20 does not allow a plurality of connections with the image playback device 10 at the same time, the image playback device 10 and the server 20 are in one session, and the network control unit 131 stores the image data for playback. A prefetch image cannot be acquired while acquiring. Therefore, in order to acquire a prefetch image in one session, it is preferable to perform the following.

Fig.11 (a)-FIG.11 (d) are figures which show the aspect in the case of acquiring a prefetch image in 1 session.
The image data for reproduction is sufficiently buffered (stored) so as not to hinder the image reproduction, and the pre-read image is acquired while the image data is consumed by reproducing the image. For example, a pre-read image is acquired while image data is stored in an area that is more than half of the reproduction storage area 14a for storing image data for reproduction. When the image data is not stored in more than half of the reproduction storage area 14a (when the stored area is less than half of the reproduction storage area 14a), the acquisition of the prefetched image is interrupted. Then, the acquisition of the image data for reproduction is resumed. For example, when 10 seconds of moving image data can be stored in the playback storage area 14a of the storage unit 14, the prefetched image is stored while moving image data of 5 seconds or longer is stored in the playback storage area 14a. To get. When the image data stored in the reproduction storage area 14a becomes less than 5 seconds, the acquisition of the pre-read image is interrupted and the image data of the reproduction image is stored in the reproduction storage area 14a. Resume.

More specifically, reproduction image data is stored in all areas of the reproduction storage area 14a, and acquisition of a pre-read image is started (see FIG. 11A), which is stored in the reproduction storage area 14a. While the image data for reproduction is more than half of the reproduction storage area 14a, the acquisition of the prefetched image is continued (see FIG. 11B). Then, when the reproduction image data stored in the reproduction storage area 14a becomes less than half of the reproduction storage area 14a, the storage of the reproduction image data in the reproduction storage area 14a is resumed (FIG. 11C). )reference). Then, after the reproduction image data is stored in all the areas of the reproduction storage area 14a, the prefetched image is acquired again (see FIG. 11D).
The storage control unit 132 sequentially grasps the capacity of the image data stored in the reproduction storage area 14a and notifies the network control unit 131 of the information. Then, the network control unit 131 controls the acquisition of the image data of the reproduction image and the acquisition of the image data of the prefetch image according to the capacity of the image data stored in the reproduction storage area 14a.
Thereby, even when the server 20 and the image reproducing apparatus 10 are not simultaneously connected, it is possible to perform skip reproduction while grasping the contents of the moving image content.

  In the above-described embodiment, the description has been made on the assumption that the image data is in the MPEG format, but the format of the image data is not limited to the MPEG format. If the format of the image data is not MPEG and the chapter information cannot be acquired in advance, or if the content has no chapter, the content is divided at a predetermined interval (for example, every 4 minutes), and the divided portion is determined as a chapter. Can be recognized.

  The pre-read storage area 14b of the storage unit 14 may store the MPEG encoded data received from the server 20, or after decoding the MPEG encoded data received from the server 20. Data may be stored. If the former, more prefetched images can be stored in the prefetch storage area 14b. In the latter case, the prefetch image display control unit 136 can display the prefetch image faster. Further, even when an image is reproduced from the position of the selected pre-read image, the image can be reproduced more quickly.

  As described above, the storage unit 14 of the image reproduction apparatus main body 11 according to the present embodiment reproduces an image when a reproduction instruction is received from the image reproduction apparatus main body 11 as an example of a computer, and skips the image. When a playback instruction is received, a playback function for skipping playback of an image at a predetermined time position based on the time position of the image being played back when the instruction is received, and image data for playback by the playback function A first acquisition function for acquiring image data from the server, and when there is a skip reproduction instruction, the image data to be displayed before the reproduction function starts the skip reproduction is prefetched and acquired from the server. Based on the second acquisition function to be performed, the time position of the image being reproduced by the reproduction function at the time when the skip reproduction instruction is received, and the time position of the image to be skip-reproduced. A program for realizing the prefetched image acquired by prefetching the second obtaining function and the function of determining the order of obtaining the data of the prefetched image regardless of the time position of the prefetched image. ing. From this program, the image reproduction apparatus main body 11 can efficiently acquire and display image data between an image reproduced after skipping and an image being reproduced.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Video on demand system, 10 ... Image reproduction apparatus, 11 ... Image reproduction apparatus main body, 12 ... Remote control, 13 ... CPU, 14 ... Memory | storage part, 17 ... Display part, 20 ... Server, 30 ... Network, 131 ... Network control , 132 ... Storage controller, 133 ... Operation controller, 134 ... Playback controller, 135 ... Prefetched image determination unit, 136 ... Prefetched image display controller

Claims (7)

Playback that plays an image when a playback instruction is received, and skips playback of an image at a predetermined time position based on the time position of the image being played back when the instruction is received when a skip playback instruction is received Means,
First acquisition means for acquiring image data for reproduction by the reproduction means from a server;
Second acquisition means for prefetching and acquiring from the server image data to be displayed before the playback means starts the skip playback when the skip playback instruction is given;
A prefetched image obtained by prefetching the second obtaining unit based on the time position of the image being reproduced by the reproducing unit and the time position of the image to be skipped reproduced when the skip reproduction instruction is received, and the prefetching Determining means for determining the order of acquiring image data regardless of the time position of the prefetched image;
An image reproducing apparatus comprising: When the playback means receives the skip playback instruction, the playback means skips and plays back the image at the start position of the section next to the section to which the image being played back at the time of receiving the instruction,
The determining means includes a first image data for obtaining the data of the center of the start position of the section to which the image being played back at the time of receiving the skip playback instruction and the start position of the next section; The image reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination is made. The determination means sets the second image data of the center between the start position of the section to which the image being reproduced at the time of receiving the skip reproduction instruction and the time position of the first acquired image. The image reproduction apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image reproduction apparatus determines an image to be acquired. The determination means obtains the data of the center image between the start position of the next segment to which the image being reproduced at the time of receiving the skip reproduction instruction and the time position of the first image to be acquired. The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image is determined as a third image to be acquired. A reproduction storage area for storing data acquired by the first acquisition means;
Storing the data acquired by the first acquisition means in the storage area for reproduction, and storage control means for erasing the image data reproduced by the reproduction means,
The said 2nd acquisition means acquires the data of the said prefetch image, when the data more than the predetermined amount are memorize | stored in the said storage area for reproduction | regeneration, The any one of Claim 1 to 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. The image reproducing device described in 1. A prefetch storage area for storing data acquired by the second acquisition means;
The storage control means stores the data of the prefetch image acquired by the second acquisition means in the prefetch storage area, and keeps storing the prefetch image without being erased even if the prefetch image is displayed. The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 5. On the computer,
Playback that plays an image when a playback instruction is received, and skips playback of an image at a predetermined time position based on the time position of the image being played back when the instruction is received when a skip playback instruction is received Function and
A first acquisition function for acquiring image data to be reproduced by the reproduction function from a server;
A second acquisition function for prefetching and acquiring from the server image data to be displayed before the playback function starts the skip playback when the skip playback instruction is given;
A prefetched image obtained by prefetching the second obtaining function based on a time position of an image being reproduced by the reproduction function and a time position of the image to be reproduced by skipping when the skip reproduction instruction is received; A function of determining the order of acquiring the data of the prefetched image regardless of the time position of the prefetched image;
A program to realize

Images