JP6036373B2 - Content reproduction system, communication apparatus, and content reproduction method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a content reproduction system, a communication apparatus, and a content reproduction method for reproducing content data stored in an information processing apparatus using a communication apparatus.

  Communication devices represented by smartphones are used not only for voice calls using this communication device and access to the Internet, but also for applications such as acquiring content data via the Internet and viewing the content data. . From the viewpoint of portability, there is a strong demand from users for a small and lightweight communication device, so a general communication device does not have a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). Therefore, when a user plays back a large amount of content data on a communication device, the content playback data is acquired by streaming from a content server on the Internet via a communication line and played back on the communication device, or from the content server. It is common to play back content data on a communication device while downloading it via a communication line.

  As described above, since content data is often acquired via a communication line, in order to play and view the content data smoothly, that is, without interruption, it affects the content data reproduction such as the communication speed of the communication line. It is preferable that various parameters of the communication line (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “communication quality”) are good. However, the communication device is not always in an environment where good communication quality can be obtained. For example, when a communication line passes through a mobile communication network, the user can receive content data in a place where the radio wave intensity from the base station is weak. The communication speed of the mobile communication network may be much lower than the maximum communication speed, for example, when an acquisition instruction is issued or when many users are connected to the mobile communication network in the vicinity. Furthermore, it is conceivable that continuous communication is not possible (communication is interrupted instantaneously).

  In such a situation, when the communication device acquires content data via a communication line and reproduces the content data, for example, content reproduction data to be reproduced arrives because content reproduction data cannot be continuously acquired. The communication device may temporarily interrupt the reproduction of the content data until it is in a standby state. When this phenomenon occurs repeatedly, the content data is not reproduced smoothly and continuously, and it appears to the user that the content data is reproduced with frequent stops.

  In view of such a problem, there is a technology for converting content data to be viewed on a communication device into low image quality data with a reduced amount of information and capacity by a method such as performing a compression operation and storing the data in the communication device (Patent Document 1). In addition, a technique for converting data rate converted from a data source based on a request from a mobile communication terminal and distributing the data to the mobile communication terminal and transferring original data to a home server (Patent Document 2). In addition, when moving images are distributed from the server to the client terminal, a technique is proposed in which moving image data is divided into a head portion and a remaining portion and stored at different compression rates (see Patent Document 3). Has been.

JP 2008-33454 A International Publication No. 2005/026967 JP-A-11-355756

  However, even the conventional techniques described above have problems to be solved. First, in the technology for storing low image quality data in the communication device, the user views the low image quality data even if the communication device is under good line quality. If good line quality can be obtained, it is possible to acquire content data from the content server and reproduce it on the communication device. The user can check the line quality at that time each time, and if the line quality is good, it is possible to manually connect to the content server and instruct to acquire the content data to reproduce the content data. Such an operation forces the user to perform an additional operation and is troublesome.

  In addition, even with a technology that converts the data source to a data rate and distributes the data source to the mobile communication terminal or a technology that changes a part of the moving image distributed to the client terminal to a different compression rate, the content data distributed to the communication device as a result The image quality is low, and the user's desire to view high-quality content data with a communication device cannot be sufficiently met.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. When content data stored in an information recording device is reproduced by a communication device via a communication line, the quality is as high as possible according to the communication quality of the communication line. It is an object of the present invention to provide a content reproduction system, a communication device, and a content reproduction method capable of reproducing content data.

  The present invention includes an information processing apparatus having a first communication unit and a first storage unit, and a communication apparatus having a second communication unit and a second storage unit. Is applied to a content reproduction system capable of communicating with each other via the first and second communication units and a communication line between these communication units. Then, the original content data is stored in the first storage unit, and the low-quality content data in which the quality of the original content data stored in the first storage unit is reduced is stored and stored in the second storage unit. Furthermore, when the communication device reproduces the data stored in the second storage unit and the reproduction unit reproduces the low-quality content data, the second communication unit performs the second operation. A reproduction control unit that requests the information processing device to transfer the original content data stored in one storage unit and causes the reproduction unit to reproduce the transferred original content data. When there is a request to transfer content data, a transfer control unit is provided to transfer the original content data from the end to the beginning in order to control playback. When the reproduction part of the low-quality content data by the reproduction unit and the transfer position of the original content data transferred from the information processing apparatus substantially match, the reproduced original content data is reproduced by the reproduction unit, At least one of the problems described above is solved.

  When there is a request for transfer of the original content data from the communication device, the transfer control unit sequentially transfers the original content data from the end to the top, and the playback control unit determines the playback position of the low-quality content data by the playback unit. When the transfer position of the original content data transferred from the information processing apparatus substantially matches, the transferred original content data is played back by the playback unit. Therefore, when the reproduction control unit performs the reproduction switching operation from the low quality content data to the original content data, the data reproduction switching operation can be smoothly performed.

  Here, the low-quality content data may be stored in the first storage unit. In addition, information for accessing the original content data stored in the first storage unit through the communication line is described in the low quality content data, and the playback control unit plays back the low quality content data by the playback unit. It is preferable to access the original content data stored in the first storage unit via the second communication unit.

  The second storage unit stores a time table indicating the relationship between the reproduction position and reproduction time of the original content data and the low quality content data, and the reproduction control unit reproduces the original content data and the low quality content data. When switching, it is preferable to refer to the time table and perform playback switching so as to reduce the difference between the playback time of original content data and the playback time of low-quality content data at the time of playback switching.

  Further, the first storage unit stores the inverted original content data obtained by rearranging the original content data from the end of the data toward the top, and accesses the inverted original content data to the low-quality content data through the communication line. When information is described and the playback control unit plays back low-quality content data by the playback unit, transfer of the inverted original content data stored in the first storage unit via the second communication unit is performed. It is preferable to cause the reproduction unit to reproduce the inverted original content data requested to the information processing apparatus and transferred.

  In addition, the present invention is applied to a communication device that includes a communication unit and a storage unit, and is configured to be able to communicate with an information processing device in which original content data is stored by the communication unit and the communication line. . Then, the storage unit transfers and stores the low-quality content data in which the quality of the original content data stored in the information processing device is lowered, and further reproduces the data stored in the storage unit on the communication device. When the low-quality content data is reproduced by the reproduction unit and the reproduction unit, the information processing device is requested to transfer the original content data via the communication unit, and the transferred original content data is reproduced by the reproduction unit. A reproduction control unit, and when the reproduction control unit substantially matches the reproduction position of the low-quality content data by the reproduction unit and the transfer position of the original content data transferred from the information processing device toward the beginning from the data end, By reproducing the transferred original content data by the reproduction unit, the above-mentioned problems can be reduced. It has solved one also.

  Furthermore, the present invention includes an information processing device having a first storage unit and original communication unit in which original content data is stored, and a communication device having a second communication unit and a second storage unit. The information processing apparatus and the communication apparatus are applied to a content reproduction method in a content reproduction system in which the first and second communication units and the communication line between these communication units can communicate with each other. And the process which transfers the low quality content data which reduced the quality of the original content data stored in the 1st memory | storage part to the 2nd memory | storage part, and stores the low quality content stored in the 2nd memory | storage part A step of reproducing content data, a step of requesting transfer of original content data stored in the first storage unit via the second communication unit when reproducing low-quality content data, and original content When there is a data transfer request, if the process of sequentially transferring the original content data from the end to the head and the playback position of the low-quality content data and the transfer position of the transferred original content data substantially match, A step of reproducing the transferred original content data, thereby providing at least one of the above-mentioned problems. The have solved.

  According to the present invention, when there is a transfer request for original content data from the communication device, the transfer control unit sequentially transfers the original content data from the end to the top, and the playback control unit performs the low quality operation by the playback unit. When the playback position of the content data and the transfer position of the original content data transferred from the information processing apparatus substantially match, the transferred original content data is played back by the playback unit. Therefore, when the content data stored in the information recording device is played back by the communication device via the communication line, the highest possible content according to the communication quality of the communication line without interrupting the playback of the content data as much as possible Data reproduction can be performed easily.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the content reproduction system which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the communication apparatus used for the content reproduction system which is one Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the information processing apparatus used for the content reproduction system which is one Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function structure of the content reproduction system of one Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline of operation | movement of the content reproduction system of one Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of operation | movement of the content reproduction system of one Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the other example of operation | movement of the content reproduction system of one Embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(One embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a content reproduction system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, 1 is a content reproduction system of this embodiment, and this content reproduction system 1 includes a communication device 2, an information processing device 3, and a router 4.

  The communication device 2 is a so-called smartphone or the like, can perform a voice call via the mobile communication network 5, and can be connected to the Internet 6 via the mobile communication network 5. Furthermore, the communication device 2 of the present embodiment is capable of wireless communication with other wireless terminals including the router 4 via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 3 includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) unit, and can communicate with other terminals including the router 4 via a wired or wireless LAN. The router 4 is connected to the Internet 6 as a WAN (Wide Area Network), and relays communication between the communication device 2 or the information processing device 3 and the Internet 6.

(Schematic configuration of communication device)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the communication device 2 used in the content reproduction system 1 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, a communication device 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 21, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 22, a liquid crystal driver 230, a liquid crystal panel 231, a wireless LAN module 240, an antenna 241, and a movement. Body communication module 250, audio interface (I / F) 251, microphone 252, speaker 253, antenna 254, input interface (I / F) 260, touch panel 261, internal storage unit 27, USB (Universal Serial Bus) controller 280 and USB A connector 281 is provided, and the CPU 20, ROM 21, RAM 22, liquid crystal driver 230, wireless LAN module 240, mobile communication module 250, input interface 260, internal storage unit 27, and USB controller 280 are common. Connected by a bus.

  The CPU 20 is executed after a program such as firmware stored in the ROM 21 is expanded in the RAM 22, thereby controlling the operation of the entire communication apparatus 2 and executing the functions shown in the functional units shown in FIG. 4. To do. Each functional unit shown in FIG. 4 will be described later. The ROM 21 stores programs such as the above-described firmware and various setting data. The RAM 22 operates as a work memory of the communication device 2 and temporarily stores various programs and data.

  The liquid crystal panel 231 is provided with its display surface exposed on the surface of the communication device 2. When the data constituting the display screen is supplied from the CPU 20 to the liquid crystal driver 230, the liquid crystal driver 230 drives the liquid crystal panel 231 so as to display a desired display screen on the display surface of the liquid crystal panel 231.

  The wireless LAN module 240 performs wireless communication via the antenna 241 in accordance with, for example, IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 standard. The wireless module 240 can cause the communication device 2 to operate as a client device that performs communication via a wireless LAN access point (relay device).

  The mobile communication module 250 performs mobile wireless communication with the mobile communication network 5 via the antenna 254 in accordance with, for example, the IMT (International Mobile Telecommunication) -2000 standard. That is, the mobile communication module 250 generates an audio signal obtained by decoding the radio wave received from the base station of the mobile communication network 5 from the speaker 253 via the audio interface 251, and transmits the audio signal via the audio interface 251. The sound collected by the microphone 252 is encoded and transmitted as a radio wave to the base station of the mobile communication network 5 via the antenna 254. The mobile communication module 250 performs data communication by transmitting and receiving packetized data to and from the base station of the mobile communication network 5. The standards supported by the mobile communication module 250 include at least one of 3G / HSDPA (3rd Generation / High-Speed Downlink Packet Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), and WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access). It can be done.

  In the present embodiment, the touch panel 261 is provided so as to be superimposed on the upper surface of the display surface of the liquid crystal panel 231, and has substantially the same size as the display surface of the liquid crystal panel 231. When the user touches the surface of the touch panel 261, that is, when a specific position on the surface of the touch panel 261 is touched by the user, the specific position on the surface of the touch panel 261 is detected as a two-dimensional coordinate position, and this coordinate position is input. It is output via the interface 260.

  The internal storage unit 27 includes an internal storage 270 and an internal storage interface (I / F) 271. The internal storage 270 is a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, for example, and stores application programs used in the communication device 2, music / photo / movie data, and the like. In particular, in the internal storage 270 of this embodiment, the amount of information is obtained by performing a compression operation or the like on the inverted original content data 334 obtained by rearranging the original content data from the end of the data toward the top, and the original content data 332. The low-quality content data 333 in which the reduction is reduced, and the original content data 332 and the time seek table 335 of the low-quality content data 333 are stored as appropriate. Details of the original content data 332, the low-quality content data 333, the inverted original content data 334, and the time seek table 335 will be described later. When there is a data read / write command to the internal storage 270, the internal storage interface 271 controls the entire internal storage 270, performs data read / write control, and outputs the read data. . Note that the internal storage 270 may be a removable memory card such as a microSD, and in this case, the internal storage interface 271 further includes a memory card slot in which the memory card is inserted.

  The USB controller 280 transmits and receives data (including content data) to and from a USB device connected via the USB connector 281 in accordance with the USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 standard. The USB connector 281 is a so-called female USB connector (USB receptacle), and both are configured so that a male USB connector (USB plug) of a USB cable (not shown) can be inserted.

(Schematic configuration of information processing device)
Next, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the information processing apparatus 3 used in the content reproduction system 1 of the present embodiment. 3, the information processing apparatus 3 includes a CPU 30, a ROM 31, a RAM 32, an HDD unit 33, a wired LAN module 34, a USB controller 350, and a USB connector 351. The CPU 30, the ROM 31, the RAM 32, the HDD unit 33, the wired LAN module 34, and The USB controllers 350 are connected by a common bus.

  The CPU 30 executes a program such as firmware stored in the ROM 31 after being expanded in the RAM 32, thereby controlling the operation of the entire information processing apparatus 3 and performing the functions shown in the functional units shown in FIG. Run. Each functional unit shown in FIG. 4 will be described later. The ROM 31 stores a program such as the firmware described above. The RAM 32 operates as a work memory of the information processing apparatus 3 and temporarily stores various programs and data.

  The HDD unit 33 includes an HDD 330 and an HDD interface (I / F) 331. The HDD 330 includes a disk that is a recording medium, a rotating unit that rotates the disk, and a head unit that reads / writes data from / to the disk (all not shown). When there is a data read / write command to the HDD 330, the HDD interface 331 controls the entire HDD 330, performs data read / write control, and outputs the read data. In the HDD 330, application programs, music / photo / moving image data, etc., transferred from the information processing apparatus 3 to the communication apparatus 2 and used in the communication apparatus 2 are stored as appropriate.

  In particular, the HDD 330 according to the present embodiment includes original content data 332 that is played back by the communication device 2 and low-quality content data that reduces the amount of information by performing a compression operation on the original content data 332. 333, inverted original content data 334 obtained by rearranging the original content data 332 from the end of the data toward the top, and a time seek table 335 of the original content data 332 and the low quality content data 333 are stored.

  The original content data 332 is content data relating to a moving image, in which at least one of image quality and sound quality is good. The low-quality content data 333 is obtained by reducing the amount of information and thus the capacity by performing a compression operation or the like on the original content data 332. The inverted original content data 334 is data rearranged from the end of the data toward the top while maintaining various parameters that affect the image quality such as the bit rate of the original content data 332. Such inverted original content data 334 can be transferred from the end of the data to the top when the data is transferred by a normal data transfer process. If the information processing apparatus 3 is compatible with a file management system including the original content data 332, the low quality content data 333, and the inverted original content data 334 in the HDD 330, the inverted original content data 334 is set as a so-called hidden file. It is preferable. By setting the inverted original content data 334 as a hidden file, the user directly designates and reproduces the inverted original content data 334 via the communication device 2 or the like, or the inverted original content data 334 is stored. By performing file operation such as moving a folder, the communication device 2 uses the information for accessing the inverted original content data 334 stored in the low-quality content data 333, which will be described later, so that the communication device 2 can perform the inverted original content data. It is possible to prevent a situation in which access is not possible when 334 is accessed.

  When the original content data 332 is digital data, the low quality content data 333 can be obtained by performing a transcoding process that reduces the bit rate of the original content data 332. Further, when the original video signal is encoded, it is also possible to obtain the original content data 332 having a high bit rate and the low quality content data 333 having a low bit rate by performing the encoding process simultaneously. Further, the formats of the original content data 332 and the low quality content data 333 are MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) -2, MPEG-4, H.264, and H.264. In the case of H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC (Advanced Video Coding), it is also possible to obtain the original video signal by encoding the original content data 332 and the low-quality content data 333 with different profiles. . The inverted original content data 334 is, for example, temporarily stored in the RAM 32 and the HDD 330 in the information processing apparatus 3, and the original content data 332 is sequentially read from the end of the data toward the top, It can be obtained by rearranging in the reading order.

  The low quality content data 333 describes information for accessing at least one of the original content data 332 and the inverted original content data 334, preferably the inverted original content data 334, stored in the HDD 330 of the information processing apparatus 3. ing. As a preferred example, this information is information that can specify the storage location of the original content data 332 or the like when accessing the information processing apparatus 3 via the Internet 6, for example, a URL (Unique) of the original content data 332 or the like. Resource Locator). However, in the content reproduction system of the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 3 is connected to the Internet 6 via the router 4, and the router 4 has a network address conversion function, so that information processing connected to the router 4 is performed. Direct access from the Internet 6 to devices including the device 3 is restricted. For this reason, it is preferable that the information described above can realize so-called NAT (Network Address Translation) transmission. Since the NAT transmission technique is well known, the description thereof is omitted here.

  The time seek table 335 is a table describing the relationship between the data positions of the original content data 332 and the low-quality content data 333 and the elapsed time from the start of reproduction. With reference to FIG. 5, an example of the time seek table 335 of the present embodiment will be described. Two types of time seek tables 335 according to the present embodiment are prepared, one accompanying the original content data 332 and one accompanying the low-quality content data 333.

  This time seek table 335 describes an elapsed time region 335a in which the elapsed time from the start of reproduction of each original content data 332 and low-quality content data 333 is described, and the data position of the original content data 332 at each elapsed time. Original content data position area 335b, low quality content data position area 335c describing the data position of low quality content data 333 at each elapsed time, and original content data 332 or low quality content data at each elapsed time 333 includes a scene change area 335d in which a scene change is described. This time seek table 335 is generated simultaneously with the generation of the low quality content data 333, for example.

  The wired LAN module 34 performs wired communication with the router 4 in conformity with, for example, the IEEE 802.3 standard. The USB controller 350 transmits / receives data (including content data) to / from a USB device connected via the USB connector 351 in accordance with the USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 standard. The USB connector 351 is a so-called female USB connector (USB receptacle), and is configured such that a male USB connector (USB plug) of a USB cable (not shown) can be inserted.

(Functional configuration of one embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the content reproduction system of the present embodiment. The content reproduction system of this embodiment includes the communication device 2 and the information processing device 3 as described above.

  The information processing device 3 includes a first communication unit 41, a content conversion unit 42, a first storage unit 43, and a transfer control unit 44. The first communication unit 41 communicates with various devices such as the communication device 2 via a communication line such as the Internet 6. When the original content data 332 is stored in the first storage unit 43, the content conversion unit 42 performs a compression operation or the like on the original content data 332, thereby reducing the amount of information and thus the capacity. Content data 333 is generated. The first storage unit 43 stores various data at least temporarily. The first storage unit 43 stores original content data 332, low-quality content data 333, inverted original content data 334, and a time seek table. 335 is stored.

  When there is a transfer request for the original content data 332 from the communication device 2, the transfer control unit 44 sequentially transfers the original content data 332 from the end toward the top. When the original content data 332 is stored in the first storage unit 43, the transfer control unit 44 rearranges the original content data 332 sequentially from the end of the data to the top, thereby transferring the original content data 332 to the communication device 2. The inverted original content data 334 may be generated in advance and stored in the first storage unit 43, or the original content data 332 transfer request from the communication device 2 may be used as a trigger. The content data 332 may be rearranged from the end of the data toward the top, and the rearranged data may be sequentially transferred to the communication device 2 via the first communication unit 41 as the inverted original content data 334.

  The communication device 2 includes a second communication unit 51, a reproduction control unit 52, a reproduction instruction unit 53, a second storage unit 54, a reproduction unit 55, and an output unit 56. The second communication unit 51 communicates with various devices such as the information processing apparatus 3 via a communication line such as the Internet 6.

  The reproduction control unit 52 instructs the reproduction unit 55 to reproduce the content instructed to be reproduced by the reproduction instruction unit 53. At this time, the reproduction control unit 52 reproduces the reproduction position of the low-quality content data 333 by the reproduction unit 55 and the original content data 332 transferred from the information processing device 3 and sequentially rearranged from the end of the data to the top. Preferably, when the transfer position of the inverted original content data 334 substantially coincides, the transferred inverted original content data 334 is reproduced by the reproducing unit 55. In addition, as will be described later, when the playback switching between the inverted original content data 334 and the low-quality content data 333 is performed, the time seek table 335 is referred to and the playback time of the inverted original content data 334 at the time of playback switching is reduced. Playback switching is performed so that the difference from the playback time of the quality content data 333 is reduced.

  The reproduction instructing unit 53 obtains a list of contents stored in the second storage unit 54, and when the user inputs an instruction for contents desired to be reproduced / viewed while viewing the list of contents, the instruction input is performed. The result is accepted and the result is output to the reproduction control unit 52. The second storage unit 54 stores various data at least temporarily. The second storage unit 54 stores low-quality content data 333, inverted original content data 334, and a time seek table 335 as appropriate. Is done. The reproduction unit 55 reads the content data stored in the second storage unit 54, converts the content data into data in a format that can be viewed by the user, and outputs the data to the output unit 56. Based on the data input from the playback unit 55, the output unit 56 outputs the content data in a state that the user can view.

  In the above configuration, the first communication unit 41 is mainly configured by the wired LAN module 34, the USB controller 350, and the USB connector 351, and the content conversion unit 42 and the transfer control unit 44 are mainly configured by the CPU 30. The storage unit 43 is mainly configured by the RAM 32 and the HDD unit 33, and the second communication unit 51 is mainly configured by the wireless LAN module 240, the mobile communication module 250, the antennas 241 and 254, the USB controller 280, and the USB connector 281. The playback control unit 52 is mainly configured by the CPU 20, the playback instruction unit 53 is mainly configured by the liquid crystal driver 230, the liquid crystal panel 231, the input interface 260, and the touch panel 261, and the second storage unit 54 is mainly configured by the RAM 22 and the internal unit. Consists of storage unit 27 The reproduction unit 55 is mainly composed of the CPU 20, the output unit 56 is mainly composed of the liquid crystal driver 230, the liquid crystal panel 231, the audio interface 251 and the speaker 253, and the communication lines are mainly composed of the mobile communication network 5 and the Internet 6. And a USB cable for connecting the USB connectors 281 and 351.

(Operation of one embodiment)
Next, the operation of the content reproduction system of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of acquiring content data in the content reproduction system of this embodiment.
First, in step S <b> 1 of FIG. 6, the information processing apparatus 3 acquires the original content data 332 and stores the acquired original content data 332 in the first storage unit 43. The original content data 332 may be acquired from the Internet 6 or the like via the first communication unit 41, or a USB external device is connected to the USB connector 351 provided in the information processing apparatus 3, and the USB external device is provided. The original content data 332 may be acquired via the USB connector 351 and the USB interface 350. Further, the wired or wireless LAN is connected to the router 4 via a wired or wireless LAN, such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a recording device, or a DMS (Digital Media Server) according to a digital living network alliance (dlna) standard. The original content data 332 and the like may be acquired via the router 4.

  Next, in step S2, the transfer control unit 44 of the information processing device 3 rearranges the inverted original content data 334 by sequentially rearranging the original content data 332 acquired in step S1 from the data end to the head. Generate.

  Next, in step S3, the content conversion unit 42 of the information processing device 3 performs a compression operation or the like on the original content data 332 acquired in step S1, thereby reducing the amount of information and thus the capacity. Quality content data 333 is generated. At the same time, the content conversion unit 42 describes information for accessing the original content data 332 in the low-quality content data 333 in a state stored in the first storage unit 43 of the information processing device 3. As described above, when the original content data 332 and the low-quality content data 333 can be acquired simultaneously, step S3 is omitted. Alternatively, the content conversion unit 42 may generate the low-quality content data 333 in response to a transfer request for the low-quality content data 333 in step S4 described later.

  Next, in step S <b> 4, the communication device 2 accesses the information processing device 3 via the second communication unit 51 and the communication line, and the low quality content stored in the first storage unit 43 of the information processing device 3. Request transfer of data 333. In step S5, in response to the transfer request for the low quality content data 333 from the communication device 2 in step S4, the information processing device 3 transmits the low quality content data 333 stored in the first storage unit 43 to the first communication. Data is transferred via the unit 41 and the communication line. In addition, the information processing apparatus 3 also transfers the time seek table 335 stored in the first storage unit 43 via the first communication unit 41 and the communication line. The time seek table 335 may be multiplexed and transferred to the low-quality content data 333, or may be transferred by the time seek table 335 alone. In the case of multiplexing, for example, the format of the low quality content data 333 is MPEG-2 TS (Transport Stream), MPEG-4, H.264. In the case of H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC, the time seek table 335 may be included in a part of the transmission packet and transferred. In step S <b> 6, the communication device 2 receives the transferred low quality content data 333 and the time seek table 335 via the communication line and the second communication unit 51 and stores them in the second storage unit 54. .

Next, FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of reproducing content data in the content reproduction system of the present embodiment.
First, in step S10, the reproduction instruction unit 53 of the communication device 2 instructs the reproduction of the low quality content data 333 stored in the second storage unit 54, and in step S11, the low quality content data 333 in step S10. The playback control unit 52 instructs the playback unit 55 to play back the low-quality content data 333 based on the playback instruction, and the playback unit 55 stores the low-quality content data 333 stored in the second storage unit 54. Is output and content reproduction data is output. The content reproduction data output from the reproduction unit 55 is output from the output unit 56.

  Next, in step S12, the playback control unit 52 confirms the access information stored in the low-quality content data 333, and in step S13, the playback control unit 52 receives the information from the information processing apparatus 3 via the second communication unit 51. The inverted original content data 334 stored in the first storage unit 43 is accessed.

  In step S14, the reproduction control unit 52 requests the information processing device 3 to transfer the inverted original content data 334 stored in the first storage unit 43 via the second communication unit 51 and the communication line. The information processing device 3 that has received the transfer request for the inverted original content data 334 from the communication device 2 changes the inverted original content data 334 stored in the first storage unit 43 from the beginning of the data, that is, the original content data 332. Are sequentially transferred to the communication device 2 via the first communication unit 41 and the communication line from the end of the data to the top. The method of transferring the original content data 332 from the information processing device 3 to the communication device 2 is arbitrary, and the file storing the original content data 332 may be transferred as it is, or the information processing device 3 may transfer the original content data 332. May be converted into stream data for streaming delivery.

  In step S15, the inverted original content data 334 transferred from the information processing device 3 is received via the second communication unit 51, and the inverted original content data 334 is temporarily stored in the second storage unit 54. .

  In step S16, the reproduction control unit 52 refers to the time seek table 335 stored in the second storage unit 54, the reproduction position of the low-quality content data 333 being reproduced at that time, and the time point. The transfer position of the inverted original content data 334 transferred to the communication device 2 and stored in the second storage unit 54 is confirmed. More specifically, the playback control unit 52 displays the elapsed time from the start of playback of the low-quality content data 333 being played back at that time as the elapsed time of the time seek table 335 stored in the second storage unit 54. Obtained by referring to the region 335a. In addition, when the inverted original content data 334 transferred and stored at that time is played back, the playback control unit 52 is a time corresponding to the elapsed time from the start of playback of the original content data 332, which is the inverted original The transfer position of the content data 334 is acquired with reference to the original content data position area 335b and the elapsed time area 335a.

  In step S17, the reproduction control unit 52 determines whether the reproduction position of the low quality content data 333 acquired in step S16 matches the transfer position of the inverted original content data 334, and the low quality content data 333 is determined. If it is determined that the reproduction position of the original and the transfer position of the inverted original content data 334 match (YES in step S17), the program proceeds to step S18, where the reproduction position of the low-quality content data 333 and the inverted original content data are inverted. If it is determined that the transfer position of 334 does not match (NO in step S17), the program returns to step S16.

  In step S18, the reproduction control unit 52 instructs the reproduction unit 55 to reproduce the inverted original content data 334 stored in the second storage unit 54 from the data transfer position at that time toward the beginning. The reproduction unit 55 reads the inverted original content data 334 stored in the second storage unit 54 and outputs the content reproduction data. The content reproduction data output from the reproduction unit 55 is output from the output unit 56.

  The reproduction operation in step S18 corresponds to a reproduction operation from the transfer position of the original content data 332 transferred at that time toward the end of the data. Accordingly, in step S18, the content played back by the playback unit 55 is switched from the low-quality content data 333 to the inverted original content data 334. The playback time of the inverted original content data 334 at the time of playback switching and the low-quality content data 333 The difference between the reproduction time and the reproduction time is very small. Preferably, the reproduction control by the reproduction control unit 52 is performed so that the difference between the reproduction time and the user viewing the content data is not visible.

  In particular, the formats of the original content data 332, the low quality content data 333, and the inverted original content data 334 are MPEG-2 TS (Transport Stream), MPEG-4, H.264. In the case of H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC, when playback switching is performed by the playback control unit 52 while the playback unit 55 is playing back an I (Intra-coded) frame of the low-quality content data 333, the playback control unit 52 Even if the switching control by is performed, there is an advantage that the content is reproduced almost seamlessly on the display screen of the output unit 56.

  Therefore, even if it is determined in step S18 that the reproduction position of the low quality content data 333 and the transfer position of the inverted original content data 334 match in step S17, the reproduction control unit 52 continues to reproduce the low quality content data 333. The reproduction unit 55 is instructed to reproduce the inverted original content data 334 at the timing when the reproduction unit 55 reproduces the next I frame data of the low quality content data 333 after the determination in step S17 is affirmed. preferable. In this case, the reproduction position of the inverted original content data 334 is from the transfer position of the inverted original content data 334 at the time when the determination in step S17 is affirmed until the next I frame data of the low quality content data 333 is reproduced. In the original content data 332, that is, in the original content data 332, the position is advanced in the data end direction by the amount of time.

  In step S19, the communication apparatus 2 determines whether or not the reproduction of the inverted original content data 334 being reproduced has been completed. If the reproduction has been completed (YES in step S19), the program is terminated and the reproduction is not performed. If not completed yet (NO in step S19), the process returns to step S14 and the subsequent operations are repeated.

  As described above, according to the content reproduction system of the present embodiment, the low-quality content data 333 is stored in advance in the second storage unit 54 of the communication device 2 when the content data is reproduced in the communication device 2. Next, when the low-quality content data 333 is reproduced by the reproduction unit 55 of the communication device 2, the reproduction control unit 52 instructs the information processing device 3 to transfer the inverted original content data 334. The inverted original content data 334 stored in the first storage unit 43 is transferred, and the reproduction control unit 52 of the communication device 2 stores the transferred inverted original content data 334 in the second storage unit 54. Then, the playback control unit 52 refers to the time seek table 335, the playback position of the low quality content data 333 being played back at that time, and the second storage unit 54 transferred to the communication device 2 at that time. And the transfer position of the inverted original content data 334 stored in. When the playback position of the low quality content data 333 matches the transfer position of the inverted original content data 334, the playback control unit 52 switches the content playback by the playback unit 55 from the low quality content data 333 to the inverted original content data 334. The reproduction unit 55 reads the inverted original content data 334 stored in the second storage unit 54 and outputs the content reproduction data.

  That is, according to the content reproduction system of this embodiment, the low-quality content data 333 is reproduced in the communication device 2, and the inverted original content data 334 in the information processing device 3 is reproduced when the low-quality content data 333 is reproduced. When the transfer position of the low-quality content data 333 and the transfer position of the inverted original content data 334 coincide with each other, the content data being played back on the communication apparatus 2 is transferred from the low-quality content data 333 to the inverted original content data 334. It has been switched to. Therefore, if the quality of the communication line is good, the transfer rate of the inverted original content data 334 from the information processing device 3 to the communication device 2 is high, and therefore the playback switching timing from the low quality content data 333 to the inverted original content data 334 is high. Can be expedited. Further, even when the data transfer speed from the information processing device 3 to the communication device 2 is not high because the quality of the communication line is not so good, the original content data 332 is transferred from the information processing device 3 to the communication device 2. Compared to the case, it is possible to reproduce the inverted original content data 334 without waiting for the entire inverted original content data 334 to be transferred to the communication device 2. As a result, it is possible to perform high-quality content data reproduction as much as possible according to the communication quality of the communication line. Moreover, after switching from low-quality content data 333 to inverted original content data 334, high-quality inverted original content data 334 is reproduced without transferring data from the information processing device 3 to the communication device 2. Therefore, high-quality content data reproduction can be performed without interruption as much as possible regardless of the communication quality of the communication line.

  In addition, in the content reproduction system of this embodiment, the reproduction control unit 52 performs the transfer instruction to the inverted original content data 334 and the reproduction switching from the low quality content data 333 to the high quality inverted original content data 334. Unlike the case where the user confirms the communication quality of the communication line at each time of content data reproduction, determines whether to reproduce the original content data 332 or the low quality content data 333, and reproduces the content data. There is no need to make a selection, and therefore, it is possible to easily reproduce content data with the highest possible quality.

  Further, in the content reproduction system of the present embodiment, after the low quality content data 333 is stored in the communication device 2, the low quality content data 333 is reproduced in the communication device 2, while being transferred from the information processing device 3 to the communication device 2. Therefore, compared with the case where the low-quality content data 333 and the original content data 332 are both transferred from the information processing device 3 to the communication device 2, the inverted original content data 334 is transferred. It is possible to bring about an effect that the reproduction, that is, the reproduction operation of the original content data 332 can be accelerated.

(Modification)
The content reproduction system of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. As an example, after determining that the reproduction position of the low-quality content data 333 and the transfer position of the inverted original content data 334 match in step S <b> 17 of the above-described embodiment, the information processing apparatus 3 transmits the communication apparatus 2 to the communication apparatus 2. The transfer operation of the inverted original content data 334 may be interrupted, or the transfer operation of the inverted original content data 334 from the information processing device 3 to the communication device 2 may be continued.

  When the playback control unit 52 has a fast-forward / rewind function for content, the fast-forwarding of the original content data 332 corresponds to the rewinding operation of the reversed original content data 334, so that the reversed original content data 334 of the portion that has been rewound. Since this transfer operation has already been completed, it can be handled. In addition, the rewinding operation of the original content data 332 corresponds to the fast-forwarding operation of the inverted original content data 334. Therefore, if the transfer operation of the inverted original content data 334 is continued, the inverted original content data 334 at the fast-forwarded location is also updated. Correspondence becomes possible. If the low-quality content data 333 is reproduced immediately before the fast-forward operation, the data reproduction during the fast-forward operation is performed by the low-quality content data 333. Here, even if the fast-forward position is before the transfer position of the inverted original content data 334, that is, even if the fast-forward position has already exceeded the position where reproduction by the inverted original content data 334 is possible, the data reproduction at the time of the fast-forward operation is low-quality content. By performing the data 333 and switching to the reproduction of the inverted original content data 334 during normal reproduction, it is possible to suppress as much as possible that the user notices the switching operation from the low-quality content data 333 to the inverted original content data 334, The operational burden on the communication device 2 side can be reduced.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the reproduction control unit 52 of the communication device 2 determines that the reproduction position of the low-quality content data 333 and the transfer position of the inverted original content data 334 match in step S17 of FIG. In step S18, the content data being reproduced is switched from the low-quality content data 333 to the inverted original content data 334. Therefore, after it is determined in step S17 that the playback position of the low quality content data 333 matches the transfer position of the inverted original content data 334, the playback from the low quality content data 333 to the inverted original content data 334 is actually performed in step S18. There may be some time (time lag) before the switching operation is completed. Accordingly, even if the reproduction position of the low-quality content data 333 to be determined in step S17 and the transfer position of the inverted original content data 334 are preceded by an expected time lag from the actual reproduction position and the transfer position. Good. In this way, it is possible to easily reproduce the optimum content data according to the communication quality of the communication line without further interrupting the reproduction of the content data.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the reproduction control unit 52 is reproduced at that time in the matching determination operation between the reproduction position of the low-quality content data 333 and the transfer position of the inverted original content data 334 in step S17 of FIG. Is obtained by referring to the elapsed time area 335a of the time seek table 335 stored in the second storage unit 54, and then the low quality content data 333 is reproduced. The closest scene change position after the elapsed time from the start of playback is acquired with reference to the scene change area 335d. Further, the playback control unit 52 sets the transfer position of the inverted original content data 334 transferred to the communication device 2 and stored in the second storage unit 54 at that time, the original content data position area 335b and the elapsed time area 335a. Then, the scene change position that is closest from the transfer position of the inverted original content data 334 toward the data head direction of the inverted original content data 334 is acquired with reference to the scene change area 335d. Then, in step S18, the reproduction control unit 52 reproduces the inverted original content data 334 stored in the second storage unit 54 from the position corresponding to the above-described scene change position toward the top. 55 is instructed. In this way, the reproduction switching position between the inverted original content data 334 and the low quality content data 333 is the closest scene after the match determination between the reproduction position of the low quality content data 333 and the transfer position of the inverted original content data 334. The change position can be set, and the reproduction switching of the inverted original content data 334 and the low-quality content data 333 can be performed smoothly and the possibility that the user notices the switching operation can be made as low as possible. The scene change position stored in the scene change area 335d may be, for example, a video shot switching position or a boundary between the main part and the CM. At this scene change position, the low quality content data 333 and Any scene change position may be set as long as playback switching with the inverted original content data 334 is performed smoothly and the user is not as aware of the switching operation as much as possible.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the low-quality content data 333 is obtained by reducing the amount of information and thus the capacity by performing a compression operation or the like on the original content data 332. Normally, when the original content data 332 is moving image data, the compression operation is a compression operation related to video data, specifically, a bit rate conversion operation, but audio data may also be compressed. In addition, if the audio data of the original content data 332 is 5.1 channel surround data, the amount of information can be reduced even if this audio data is converted to 2 channel stereo data. The audio data may be two-channel stereo data.

  In addition, the video data of the low-quality content data 333 is low quality, but the audio data may be data having the same quality as the audio data of the original content data 332. In particular, the format of the original content data 332 is MPEG-2 TS (Transport Stream), MPEG-4, H.264. In the case of H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC, if the low-quality content data 333 is generated by thinning out the frames of the video data of the original content data 332, the video data of the low-quality content data 333 is reduced in quality and the audio data is original. It can be equivalent to the audio data of the content data 332.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, three types of content data, ie, original content data 332, low quality content data 333, and inverted original content data 334, are prepared. At least one type of quality content data may be further prepared, and the playback control unit 52 may determine which content data to transfer and play according to the communication quality of the communication line. That is, when the communication quality of the communication line is good, the reproduction control unit 52 accesses the information processing device 3 via the second communication unit 51 and the communication line, and the first storage unit of the information processing device 3 Instead of requesting the transfer of the low-quality content data 333 stored in 43, the transfer of the medium-quality content data may be requested. Alternatively, when the communication quality of the communication line is not sufficiently good, the reproduction control unit 52 transfers the inverted original content data 334 stored in the first storage unit 43 to the second communication unit 51 and the communication line. Instead of requesting to the information processing device 3 through the reverse, the inverted medium quality is the data rearranged from the end of the data toward the top while maintaining various parameters affecting the image quality such as the bit rate of the medium quality content data. Transfer of content data may be requested.

  Thus, when preparing a plurality of low-quality content data 333 and medium-quality content data in addition to the original content data 332 and the inverted original content data 334, the performance of the communication device 2, for example, the resolution of the liquid crystal panel 231 and the playback unit 55 The content data to be transferred may be selected according to the reproduction speed or the like. As for the performance of the communication device 2, a table in which the model name and performance of the communication device 2 are associated with each other is prepared in the information processing device 3 or a server on the Internet 6, and the information processing device 3 at the time of content data transfer shown in FIG. May acquire the model name of the communication device 2 and refer to the above table to select content data to be transferred to the communication device 2. The method of acquiring the performance of the communication device 2 by the information processing device 3 is arbitrary, but as an example, the information processing device 3 and the communication device 2 are connected to the USB connectors 281 and 351 and the USB when transferring the content data shown in FIG. In this case, when the USB controller 350 of the information processing device 3 authenticates the communication device 2, the communication device 2 requests the model name of the communication device 2, and the communication device 2 sends itself to the information processing device 3. A method of notifying the model name of the. Alternatively, when the content data shown in FIG. 6 is transferred, the communication device 2 may transmit information relating to its performance to the information processing device 3, and when the content data transmission request shown in FIG. Information regarding its own performance may be transmitted to the information processing device 3.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the time seek table 335 is stored in the storage units 43 and 54 of the communication device 2 and the information processing device 3, respectively. The present invention can be realized if the time seek table 335 is held in the storage unit 54. However, by holding the time seek table 335 also in the first storage unit 43 of the information processing device 3, when the original content data 332 transfer request from the communication device 2 is requested, only the elapsed time at that time is processed. The transmission to the apparatus 3 is sufficient, and the operation of confirming the data position of the original content data 332 in the communication apparatus 2 can be omitted, and there is an advantage that the operation on the communication apparatus 2 side can be reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the programs for operating the communication device 2, the information processing device 3 and the like are provided by being stored in the ROMs 21 and 31, but the optical disk drive, the USB connectors 281 and 351, not shown, Using a USB controller 280, 350, etc., a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a USB flash memory device, etc. in which the program is stored is connected, and the program is read from the DVD etc. into the communication device 2 etc. It may be operated. Further, a program is stored in a device on the Internet 6, and the program is read into the communication device 2 through the wireless LAN module 240, the mobile communication module 250, the wired LAN module 34, etc. May be operated. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the communication device 2 and the like are configured by a plurality of hardware elements. However, the CPUs 20 and 30 and the like may realize some operations of these hardware elements by the operation of the program. It is.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Content reproduction system 2 Communication apparatus 3 Information processing apparatus 4 Router 5 Mobile communication network 6 Internet 20, 30 CPU
21, 31 ROM
22, 32 RAM
27 Internal storage unit 33 HDD unit 34 Wired LAN module 41 First communication unit 42 Content conversion unit 43 First storage unit 44 Transfer control unit 51 Second communication unit 52 Playback control unit 53 Playback instruction unit 54 Second storage 55 Playback unit 56 Output unit 230 Liquid crystal driver 231 Liquid crystal panel 240 Wireless LAN module 241 and 254 Antenna 250 Mobile communication module 251 Audio interface 252 Microphone 253 Speaker 260 Input interface 261 Touch panel 270 Internal storage 271 Internal storage interface 280, 350 USB controller 281 and 351 USB connector 330 HDD
331 HDD interface 332 Original content data 333 Low quality content data 334 Inverted original content data 335 Time seek table

Claims (7)

An information processing device having a first communication unit and a first storage unit, and a communication device having a second communication unit and a second storage unit, wherein the information processing device and the communication device are In a content reproduction system capable of communicating with each other via a communication line between the first and second communication units and the communication units,
Original content data is stored in the first storage unit,
The second storage unit is transferred and stored with low quality content data in which the quality of the original content data stored in the first storage unit is reduced,
The communication device
A reproducing unit for reproducing data stored in the second storage unit;
When the low-quality content data is being reproduced by the reproduction unit, the information processing apparatus is requested to transfer the original content data stored in the first storage unit via the second communication unit. A reproduction control unit for reproducing the transferred original content data by a reproduction unit,
The information processing device includes a transfer control unit that sequentially transfers the original content data from the tail toward the head when the communication device requests transfer of the original content data,
When the reproduction position of the low-quality content data by the reproduction unit and the transfer position of the original content data transferred from the information processing apparatus substantially coincide with each other, the reproduction control unit reads the transferred original content data. A content reproduction system characterized by being reproduced by a reproduction unit.   The content reproduction system according to claim 1, wherein the low-quality content data is stored in the first storage unit. In the low-quality content data, information for accessing the original content data stored in the first storage unit through the communication line is described.
The reproduction control unit accesses the original content data stored in the first storage unit via the second communication unit when the reproduction unit reproduces the low-quality content data. The content reproduction system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above-mentioned. The second storage unit stores a time table indicating a relationship between a reproduction position and a reproduction time of the original content data and the low-quality content data,
The playback control unit refers to the time table when switching between playback of the original content data and the low quality content data, and refers to the playback time of the original content data at the time of playback switching and the low quality content data. 4. The content reproduction system according to claim 1, wherein reproduction switching is performed so as to reduce a difference from the reproduction time. The first storage unit stores inverted original content data in which the original content data is rearranged from the end of the data to the top,
In the low-quality content data, information for accessing the inverted original content data through a communication line is described,
The reproduction control unit transfers the inverted original content data stored in the first storage unit via the second communication unit when the reproduction unit reproduces the low-quality content data. 5. The content reproduction system according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction original content data requested and transferred to the information processing apparatus is reproduced by a reproduction unit. A communication device having a communication unit and a storage unit, and configured to be able to communicate with each other with the information processing device storing the original content data by the communication unit and the communication line,
The storage unit is transferred and stored with low-quality content data in which the quality of the original content data stored in the information processing device is reduced,
The communication device
A playback unit for playing back data stored in the storage unit;
When the reproduction unit reproduces the low-quality content data, the information processing device is requested to transfer the original content data via the communication unit, and the transferred original content data is reproduced. And a playback control unit for playback by
The reproduction control unit is transferred when the reproduction position of the low-quality content data by the reproduction unit and the transfer position of the original content data transferred from the end of the data from the information processing device to the top are substantially the same. A communication apparatus, wherein the original content data is reproduced by a reproduction unit. An information processing apparatus including a first storage unit storing original content data and a first communication unit; and a communication apparatus including a second communication unit and a second storage unit, the information processing apparatus And the communication device is a content reproduction method in a content reproduction system capable of communicating with each other via first and second communication units and a communication line between these communication units,
Transferring and storing the low-quality content data in which the quality of the original content data stored in the first storage unit is reduced to the second storage unit;
Reproducing the low-quality content data stored in the second storage unit;
Requesting transfer of original content data stored in the first storage unit via the second communication unit when the low-quality content data is being reproduced;
When there is a transfer request for the original content data, the original content data is sequentially transferred from the end toward the top;
And a step of reproducing the transferred original content data when the transfer position of the low-quality content data and the transfer position of the transferred original content data substantially coincide with each other.

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