JPH11260045A - Reproducing system and reproducing terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain various high-degree latest information by reproducing and displaying data file recorded on a recording medium, accessing according to pointer information showing storing positions of associated information, and displaying data loaded from specified information server as associated information of the data files. SOLUTION: A recording-reproducing device 10 at a home 2 communicates with a provider 6 or information center 1 through a communication circuit 3 and communication satellite 4, down-loads and records various data files on a recording medium, reproduces and displaying the data files, locates the storing positions of the associated information according to pointer information, access to the information center 1 or provider 6 to load the associated information, and displays the associated information of the down-loaded data files of music, etc., i.e., music names, artist names, words and pictures. Thus the user obtains diversified and sophisticated, interesting and the latest information, without effort for operation and burden on the apparatus.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a playback system comprising an information server and a playback terminal device capable of communicating with the information server, and to a playback terminal device, and more particularly to a playback terminal device. The present invention relates to a technique for performing a display operation related to a reproduction operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various types of audiovisual devices owned by users have become widespread, and it has become common for individuals to enjoy music software and video software. For example, a medium in which a user owns an audio system using a disk recording medium such as a CD (compact disk) or an MD (mini disk) and purchases and reproduces or records a desired CD or MD. For example, an MD is used to create an original disc based on a selection of a favorite song.

[0003]

By the way, in these devices, when reproducing normal audio data,
Many display something at the same time. For example, the following display operations are performed, but each has a problem.

For example, in most audio devices, a display relating to a reproduction sound such as volume level and tone, a display relating to a reproduction operation state such as play, stop, fast forward, etc.
Alternatively, the display such as the track number and the number of tracks of the CD is performed by characters, simple symbols or symbols, or the like. However, such a display (that is, a guide display for a user related to a reproduction operation) is not a display that appeals to the user visually, such as an image related to music to be reproduced, and lacks interest. There is. That is, the display is merely an auxiliary to the audio reproduction, for example, and it cannot be said that the display ability is effectively used. In addition, there is a case where characters such as a song name and a disc title are displayed at the time of reproduction by inputting a track name and a disc name, such as an MD, but this becomes troublesome for the user. There was a problem that it was often not used.

When audio data recorded on a CD-ROM or the like is reproduced using a personal computer or the like, the reproduction of the audio data is performed together with moving image or still image data recorded on a display or a game. Some displays a screen, an operation screen, and the like. In this case, the content to be displayed can be very diverse and sophisticated, and it is possible to strongly attract the user's interest. For example, in connection with the audio data to be reproduced, an image image of the song or a photograph image of the artist can be displayed. Naturally, character information such as introductions and messages relating to the song or artist can also be displayed. However, the image content displayed in this case is, for example, an image recorded when the CD-ROM or the like is published, and cannot always display the latest information. For example, it is not possible to provide the user with current information such as a photograph image of a recent artist, a message, and an event schedule.

Further, as a means for providing various and up-to-date information to the user, for example, it is conceivable to use information communication such as the Internet. A display operation based on such network information is considered. Which can be executed efficiently according to audio data to be reproduced and the like without putting a burden on the user for operation and a great deal of equipment preparation as necessary equipment, have not been developed.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, according to the present invention, various, sophisticated, interesting and up-to-date information can be displayed corresponding to a data file to be reproduced (for example, audio data such as a song). To do
In addition, with the aim of not putting a burden on the user and a great deal of equipment preparation to achieve this,
A new reproduction system and a reproduction terminal device are provided.

For this purpose, the present invention is configured as follows as a reproduction system including one or a plurality of information servers and a reproduction terminal device capable of performing information communication with the information server. First, in the reproducing terminal device, at least a reproducing means capable of reproducing the data file recorded on the recording medium, a display means provided in the reproducing terminal device and capable of performing a display operation, and a data loading means. Display control means for displaying the read load data as information related to the data file reproduced by the reproduction means by the display means. Further, in response to the data file reproducing operation by the reproducing means, pointer determining means for determining pointer information indicating a storage location of information related to the data file to be reproduced, and access according to the pointer information determined by the pointer determining means. And a data loading means capable of loading data from a predetermined information server to the reproduction terminal device.
The pointer discriminating means and the data loading means are provided in one or both of the reproducing terminal device and the information server. This allows the data related to the data file to be loaded from the information server corresponding to the data file reproduced on the reproduction terminal device to the reproduction terminal device, so that the load data can be displayed. It is. In this case, the displayed load data can be, for example, data of an Internet homepage such as a song artist as a data file to be reproduced, that is, various and latest information can be provided to the user. Of course, in this case, it is possible to avoid imposing a burden on the user on the operation and equipment preparation.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, as an embodiment for realizing a reproducing system and a reproducing terminal device of the present invention, an information distribution system, an information center 1 and a recording / reproducing apparatus which are communicatively connected as a network constituting the information distribution system. 1
0, and a portable device 5 that can be connected to the recording / reproducing device 10
0 will be described. The information server as the playback system of the present invention corresponds to the information center 1 and the provider 6 connected to the network, and the playback terminal device corresponds to the recording and playback device 10.
The description will be made in the following order. 1. 1. Overview of information distribution system 2. Example of external appearance of recording / reproducing device and portable device 3. Internal configuration of recording / reproducing device 4. Internal configuration of portable device 5. File transfer processing 6. File storage format of recording / playback device 7. Information center database 8. Operation when dubbing to HDD Data loading operation I10. Data loading operation II11. Data loading operation III12. Display operation example of recording / reproducing device 13. 13. Other display operation example of recording / reproducing device Data editing

[0010] 1. 1. Outline of Information Distribution System FIG. 1 shows an outline of an information distribution system of the present example. This information distribution system is basically constructed such that a recording / reproducing apparatus 10 used by a general user at home 2 or the like and various information servers can communicate data via a communication line 3. As the information server, for example, the recording / reproducing device 1
The information center 1 has a function as an information service organization related to the use of the information recording device 0 and a function as a data provider, and does not have a function as an information service organization related to the use of the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 but is connected by the communication line 3. The provider 6 can provide various data to the site.

The information center 1, the provider 6, and the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 can communicate various kinds of information using the communication line 3. The communication line 3 may be, for example, a public line network such as an ISDN line or a dedicated line network for the system, and the physical form of the line is not particularly limited. Further, a satellite communication line using a communication satellite 4 or a parabolic antenna 5 installed in each home 2 may be configured to enable information communication between the information center 1 and the recording / reproducing apparatus 10.

[0012] For example, a network is formed by the communication line 3 (or a wireless communication line or the like). The network form is not particularly limited, but in this example,
The Internet shall be used. Each provider 6
The information center 1 and the information center 1 take a form in which data such as a homepage created by a contractor or the like can be provided (downloaded) via the Internet. That is, although described later in detail, the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 can load data such as a homepage and a link page via the communication line 3. Of course, the data to be communicated (that is, data provided on the network) is not limited to a so-called Internet homepage, but in this example, the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 loads the homepage (and link page) data. This will be described as an example.

Recording / reproducing apparatus 10 used by general users
Although described in detail later, a large-capacity data file storage unit (for example, the hard disk drive 15 in FIG. 3)
In addition to having the function of driving package media such as CDs and MDs, the function of inputting data from other devices,
It has a data input function via a communication line, etc.
Audio data played from media purchased by the user, such as D, CD-ROM, CD text, MD,
Video data, other various data, and various data input from other devices or communication lines can be stored as files.

With respect to the stored files (for example, music and the like are stored as one file for each music piece), the user can arbitrarily reproduce the files. So, for example, a user with many CDs,
By storing (dubbing) all songs of all CDs as one file in the recording / reproducing apparatus 10, it is possible to execute reproduction of a desired song or the like without having to select and load a CD or the like. .

The information center 1 can permit dubbing to or from the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 for a fee or free of charge, and can provide various information to, for example, a contracted user. As will be described in detail later, for example, when the user intends to dub music recorded on a CD or the like to a hard disk or the like in the recording / reproducing apparatus 10, the information center 1 communicates with the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 through the information center 1. Set permission / non-permission of dubbing operation,
Further, information related to a CD or the like to be dubbed is transmitted to the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 and provided to the user.

The information relating to music and other files stored in the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 includes text data such as music titles, artist names and lyrics, image data such as music images and artist images, and addresses of artists' Internet homepages. (URL: Uniform Re
source Locator), copyright information, related party names (lyricist, composer, creator, etc.)... For example, the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 can perform various operations such as storing information provided from the information center in association with a song file and using the information for display output. Also, in some cases, the information center 1 stores the audio data itself, that is, the music or the like in the recording / reproducing apparatus 10.
And store it as a file, for example, C
It is also possible to use a bonus track added when dubbing from D or the like, or to construct a sales system for music and the like different from a CD or the like as a so-called package medium, separately from the dubbing operation.

Further, in this embodiment, the information center 1
In addition to the related information prepared by the user, the publicly available data such as the above-mentioned homepage data is transmitted to the recording / reproducing apparatus 10.
The information can be supplied to the recording / reproducing device 10 as related information for the file reproduced in the step (a), and displayed and output.

In this embodiment, as a device used by the user, there is a portable recording / reproducing device 50 (hereinafter, referred to as a portable device) connectable to the recording / reproducing device 10. As will be described later in detail, the portable device 50 includes a data file storage unit (for example, a hard disk drive (or flash memory) 54 in FIG. 4) capable of storing a file such as audio data. Then, when connected to the recording / reproducing device 10, a file (music, etc.) stored in the recording / reproducing device 10 can be copied or moved to a data file storage section in the portable device 50. Of course, conversely, the file stored in the data file storage unit in the portable device 50 can be copied or moved to the data file storage unit in the recording / reproducing device 10.

The user can use the portable device 50 by moving or copying an arbitrary file among the files stored in the recording / reproducing device 10 to the portable device 50. For example, when the portable device 50 is used, by moving a file of a song that the user wants to listen to on that day, it becomes possible to listen to those songs, for example, while away from home.

2. External Example of Recording / Reproducing Apparatus and Portable Apparatus FIG. 2 shows an external example of the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 and the portable apparatus 50. Note that the description here is merely an example, and the appearance of each device, the user interface configuration (configuration for operation and display), the connection mode between the recording / reproducing device 10 and the portable device 50, and the like are various other examples. Can be considered.

As shown in FIG. 2, the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 is a so-called radio-cassette type device suitable for use at home of a user, for example. Of course, it may be a component type. The recording / reproducing apparatus 10 includes operation keys, operation knobs, a rotary push key called a jog dial, and the like on a device front panel as various operation elements Ka for the user to perform various operations. . Further, as an output portion for the user, a speaker 35 for outputting reproduced sound and the like and a display section 24 for displaying and outputting various information are provided. The display unit 24 is formed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel.

In order to play back a CD-type disc (audio CD, CD-ROM, CD text, etc.) owned by the user with the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 or to perform data dubbing or the like on an internal hard disk, which will be described later,
A CD insertion unit 17 for inserting a D-type disc is provided. Similarly, the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 records an MD disk (audio MD, MD data, etc.) owned by the user.
In order to reproduce / reproduce data at 0 or perform data dubbing or the like on an internal hard disk, an MD insertion unit 18 for inserting an MD type disk is provided.

Also, various terminals ta for connection with other devices are prepared. These are parts used for connecting microphones and headphones, and are line connection terminals, optical digital connection terminals, interface connectors, and the like that can be connected to other audiovisual devices, personal computers, and the like.

As a means for inputting a user's operation, a keyboard 90 and a remote commander 91 can be used in addition to the operation element Ka. Keyboard 90
Is connected via a keyboard connector as a terminal ta, or when an infrared transmitting unit is mounted on the keyboard 90, operation information from the keyboard 90 is output by an infrared wireless method, and the light receiving unit 21 It can also be input to the recording / reproducing device 10. The remote commander 91 outputs operation information by, for example, an infrared method. Then, the operation information based on the infrared signal is input from the light receiving unit 21 to the recording / reproducing device 10. Note that the operation information output when the keyboard 90 is a wireless system and the operation information output from the remote commander 91 may use radio waves instead of infrared rays.

Further, a PCMCIA slot 39 is formed in the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 so that data can be exchanged by mounting a PCMCIA card.

The portable device 50 is a small and lightweight device suitable for being carried and used by a user. The mobile device 50 is provided with operation keys and the like as various operators Kb for the user to perform various operations. Although not shown, a jog dial or the like may be provided. Also, as an output part for the user,
A speaker 68 for outputting reproduced sound and the like and a display unit 57 for displaying and outputting various information are provided. The display unit 57 is formed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel.

Further, various terminals tb for connecting to other devices are prepared. These are parts used for connecting microphones and headphones, and are line connection terminals, optical digital connection terminals, interface connectors, and the like that can be connected to other audiovisual devices, personal computers, and the like. For example, when the user listens to music or the like while carrying the device, the user can listen to music or the like using the headphones 92 by connecting the headphones 92 to the headphone terminal of the terminal tb, in addition to reproducing the sound from the speaker 68. it can.

By connecting the recording / reproducing device 10 and the portable device 50, various data communications (actual file data such as audio data, and processing for those communications) are performed between the recording / reproducing device 10 and the portable device 50. Communication of control data and the like). In this example, the recording / reproducing device 10
Is provided with a mounting portion MT having a connector 27, and the two devices are connected by loading the portable device 50 into the mounting portion MT. When the portable device 50 is loaded in the mounting portion MT, the connector 60 provided at the lower portion of the portable device 50 and the connector 27 in the mounting portion MT are connected, and both devices are connected via the connectors 60 and 27. Is performed during the data communication. Note that the connection between the recording / reproducing device 10 and the portable device 50 may be a line connection method using a communication cable or a wireless connection method using infrared rays or the like.

3. Next, an example of an internal configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The recording / reproducing apparatus 10 is provided with a push-type or rotary-type operation element as the panel operation section 20. The operators here correspond to the various operators Ka shown in FIG. That is, these are various operators formed on the device housing. Although not described in FIG. 2, the display unit 24
A touch panel operation element may be formed by displaying operation keys on the display section and providing a touch detection mechanism on the display section 24. In that case, the touch panel operation element is also included in the panel operation section 20 shown in FIG. Becomes When the panel operation unit 20 is operated, an operation signal for executing various operations of the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 is transmitted, and the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 is operated according to the operation signals.

For example, the keyboard 90 and the remote commander 91 can be used as described above to facilitate input of a song name, an artist name, and the like corresponding to recorded audio information.
By connecting the keyboard 90 to the terminal ta6 (serial bus), input from the keyboard 90 becomes possible. That is, an input signal (operation signal) from the keyboard 90 is supplied to the USB driver via the USB terminal ta6, so that the input signal can be taken into the recording / reproducing device 10. In addition,
Each of the terminals ta1 to ta8 in FIG. 3 corresponds to one of the terminals ta shown in FIG.

The operation signal by the infrared rays from the remote commander 91 (and the operation signal when the keyboard 90 outputs the infrared rays) is transmitted to the light receiving unit 2.
1. Infrared interface driver 2 photoelectrically converted by 1
2 so that it can be taken into the recording / reproducing device 10.

The infrared interface driver 2
2, or may be configured to perform data transfer output via the USB driver 23.

The recording / reproducing apparatus 10 includes a RAM 13, a ROM 12,
A flash memory 14 is provided, and the CPU 11 controls the overall operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus 10. Transfer of file data and control data between the blocks is performed via the bus B1.

The ROM 12 stores a program for controlling the operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 in accordance with an input signal (or an input signal from the keyboard 90 or the remote commander 91) input by operating the panel operation section 20. Have been. RAM 13 and flash memory 1
4 temporarily reserves a data area and a task area for executing the program. Alternatively, a program loader is stored in the ROM 12, and the program itself can be loaded into the flash memory 14 by the program loader.

A CD-type optical disk (audio CD, CD-ROM, CD text, etc.) is loaded into the CD-ROM drive 17 from the above-mentioned CD insertion unit 17 and at 1 × or higher speed, for example, 16 × or 32 ×. The information stored on the optical disk is read out by the optical pickup at double speed. The MD drive 17 has an MD optical disk or a magneto-optical disk (audio MD, MD
Data) is loaded from the MD insertion unit 18 and information stored on the disc is read by the optical pickup. Alternatively, information can be recorded on the loaded disc. In this example, the CD-
Although an example in which the ROM drive 17 and the MD drive 18 are provided is given, only one of them is provided, or another medium (for example, a magneto-optical disk called an MO disk or another system) is used as a medium in which information is stored. Optical disk, magnetic disk, memory card, etc.).

As a large-capacity storage means inside the recording / reproducing apparatus 10, a hard disk drive (hard disk drive) for recording / reproducing information on / from a hard disk is used.
HDD 15) is provided. For example, CD
Audio information read from the ROM drive 17 or the MD drive 18 can be stored in the HDD 15 in file units (for example, one song corresponds to one file).

Also, ATRA is used for audio data.
An encoder 28 for performing compression encoding in C2 format (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding 2) and a decoding 29 for decoding audio data with respect to compression in ATRAC2 format are provided. Encoder 28,
The decoder 29 encodes and decodes the supplied audio data under the control of the CPU 11. Further, a buffer memory 16 for temporarily storing audio data to be processed is provided.
Data writing / reading of the buffer memory 16 is performed under the control of the CPU 11.

For example, when the audio data read from the disk by the CD-ROM drive 17 is stored in the HDD 15, the audio data read from the disk is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 16 as a preprocessing for storing the audio data in the HDD 15. At the same time, the audio data is supplied to the encoder 28 and
RAC2 encoding is performed. Further, the data encoded by the encoder 28 is stored in the buffer memory 16.
Is temporarily stored again, and finally the encoded audio information is stored in the HDD 15.

In this embodiment, the encoder 28 uses the AT
The audio data encoded by the RAC2 method is H
The data is stored in the DD15.
Data read from the ROM drive 17 may be stored in the HDD 15 as it is.

The encoder 28 not only encodes data read from a medium mounted on the CD-ROM drive 17, but also encodes an audio signal input via an amplifier 32 from a microphone terminal ta 3 to which a microphone is connected. Alternatively, an audio signal input from a line input terminal ta2 to which a device such as a CD player is connected is input via an A / D converter 31. Data can also be encoded by the encoder 28. Further, data input from an external device (for example, a CD player or the like) connected to the optical digital terminal ta4 is
C958 (International Electrotechnical Commission
958) It is configured to be input to the encoder 28 via the encoder 30, and thus the data input in the optical digital system can also be encoded by the encoder 28.

After the data input from the external device is encoded by the encoder 28 as described above,
The encoded data can be stored in the HDD 15 in file units.

Although ATRAC2 (trademark) is used as the encoding algorithm of the encoder 28, any encoding algorithm that compresses information may be used.
AC (trademark), MPEG (moving picture coding exper
ts group), PASC (precision adaptive sub-band c
oding), TwinVQ ™, RealAudio
(Trademark), LiquidAudio (trademark), or the like.

In the recording / reproducing apparatus 10, the communication line 3 is an external network connected to the communication terminal ta5, such as the Internet, a TEL network, and a cable T.
V, a modem 19 which is an interface connectable to a wireless network or the like. Then, a request signal or media information, user ID, user information, user billing information, and the like mounted on the CD-ROM drive 17 are transmitted to a remote server via the modem 19.

On the server of the external network (a server that can communicate with the communication line 3), a collation process based on the user ID is performed.
Billing process, music additional information from disc information, such as song title, artist name, composer, lyricist, lyrics,
A search for a jacket image or the like is performed, and control is performed so that predetermined information requested by the user is returned to the recording / reproducing device 10 side. Here, an example has been described in which additional information related to music is returned, but song information requested by the user may be directly downloaded from an external network. Further, the music information may be returned in response to the media information, and the bonus track of a predetermined medium may be obtained by distribution.

The audio information stored in the HDD 15 is decoded by the decoder 29 and the D / A converter 3
3. It can be reproduced and output by the speaker 35 via the amplifier 34. Alternatively, by connecting headphones to the headphone terminal ta1, playback can be performed from the headphones. Here, the decoder 29 is ATRAC2
It is assumed that decoding is performed using the encoder 2
8 may be a decoding algorithm corresponding to the encoding algorithm of FIG. Further, the encoding and decoding here may be software processing by the CPU 11 without hardware.

Further, as an interface for a user to manage and control files such as audio data stored in the HDD 15, as shown in FIG.
4 is provided, but the display unit 24 includes a display driver 25.
Is driven for display. The display unit 24 displays necessary characters, symbols, icons, and the like based on the control of the CPU 11.

Further, information such as images and characters as information relating to audio data to be recorded / reproduced is displayed on the display unit 24. Specifically, the related information provided from the information center 1 and the information downloaded from the provider 6 can be stored in the HDD 15 as the related information.
The CPU 11 causes the display unit 24 to display the relevant information. As will be described in detail later, at the time of reproducing a data file from the HDD 15 or at the time of reproducing a CD in the CD-ROM drive 17, the related URL address is determined according to the disk or file to be reproduced. The homepage is accessed to perform data loading, and the downloaded image and text data are displayed on the display unit 24 as related information such as music to be reproduced.

The display unit 24 displays a folder or a jacket image corresponding to an audio file (a file in which audio data such as music is recorded is referred to as an audio file for the sake of explanation) and the like. Panel operation unit 20 such as touching with a finger
The operation by the pointing device corresponding to the above is enabled. For example, an operation can be performed such that an audio file specified by the user on the display is reproduced.

Using the display on the display unit 24, it is also possible to control the deletion of the selected audio file, copying and moving to an external device (for example, the portable device 50), and the like. Alternatively, the display unit 24 displays html (hyper text) as related information retrieved from a WWW (world wide web) site on the Internet based on TOC (table of contents) information of a medium mounted on the CD-ROM drive 17. mark
up laguage) The document is configured to be displayed graphically, and can be used as a normal Internet browser.

When an external monitor device is connected to the video terminal ta8, display data can be supplied to the monitor device via the monitor interface 40. Therefore,
As described above, in the present example, various kinds of information are displayed on the display unit 24, but the same display can be performed on the external monitor device.

In the recording / reproducing apparatus 10, the IEEE 13
Various devices and systems connected to the terminal ta7 via the I / O interface 37 and the IEEE 1394 driver 36, such as an IRD for satellite broadcasting, an MD player, and a DV.
It is configured to take in audio information from a D player, a DV player, or the like. PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card Interna
slot 39 is provided via the PCMCIA driver 38, and a PCMCIA card can be installed. It is easy to expand various peripheral devices such as external storage devices, other media drives, modems, terminal adapters, and capture boards. It is.

Further, as described with reference to FIG. 2, the recording / reproducing device 10 is provided with the connector 27 for connecting to the portable device 50. The connection of the connector 27 and the connector 60 of the portable device 50 enables the CPU 11 to perform various data communications with the portable device 50 via the interface driver 26. For example, an audio file stored in the HDD 15 can be transferred.

When a medium such as a CD or MD is loaded in the CD-ROM drive 17 or the MD drive 18 and the recorded music is dubbed to the HDD 15, high-speed dubbing and normal dubbing can be performed. High-speed dubbing is a process in which a CD or the like is rotated at high speed and data is read at a high rate at regular intervals while a predetermined process (encoder 28
And the like, and store the data in the HDD 15, so that dubbing can be completed in a very short time. Therefore, it is a convenient system when dubbing a large number of CDs is desired. On the other hand, the normal dubbing is a method in which data is read out from a CD or the like at a normal music reproduction rate, and a predetermined process is performed and stored in the HDD 15. In this case, the dubbing operation takes a time corresponding to the playing time of the music or the like, but the user can simultaneously perform the dubbing while enjoying the reproduction of the music, for example.

4. Next, an example of the internal configuration of the mobile device 50 is shown in FIG. The recording / reproducing device 10 and the portable device 50 are electrically connected by connecting the connector 27 and the connector 60. In this state, the interface driver 26 of the recording / reproducing device 10 and the portable device 50 The interface driver 59 is connected to enable data communication between the two devices.

The portable device 50 is provided with a push-type, rotary-type key and the like as a panel operation unit 56. That is, the various operators Kb shown in FIG. 2 correspond to the panel operation unit 56. An operation signal for instructing the operation of the portable device 50 is transmitted to the control bus B2 by operating the operation device Kb as the panel operation unit 56, and the portable device 50 performs an operation according to the operation signal.

As in the case of the recording / reproducing apparatus 10, the portable apparatus 50 also includes a RAM 53 and a ROM 52 which are the configuration of a normal personal computer.
51 controls the entire operation of the portable device 50. Transfer of file data and control data between the blocks is performed via the bus B2.

The ROM 52 stores a program to be executed by the portable device 50 in response to an operation signal input by operating the panel operation unit 56.
A data area and a task area for executing the program are temporarily reserved in M53. Note that the recording / reproducing device 10
Similarly, a flash memory may be mounted, and the bus configuration is not limited.

As a storage means inside the portable device 50, a hard disk drive (HDD) 54 for recording and reproducing information on and from a hard disk is provided.
For example, audio information and the like transferred from the recording / reproducing device 10 can be stored in the HDD 54 in file units (for example, one song is one file). Note that, for example, a flash memory or the like may be used as a storage unit instead of the HDD.

Similarly to the recording / reproducing apparatus 10, the encoder 61 performs ATRAC2 encoding on audio data, and the AT 61 encodes audio data.
A decode 62 for performing RAC2 decoding is provided. The encoder 61 and the decoder 62 encode and decode the supplied audio data under the control of the CPU 51. Further, a buffer memory 55 for temporarily storing audio data to be processed is provided. Data writing / reading of the buffer memory 55 is performed under the control of the CPU 51.

For example, audio data that is not encoded in the ATRAC2 format is supplied from the recording / reproducing device 10 via the interface driver 59, and is supplied to the H
When the data is stored in the DD 54, as preprocessing for storing the audio data in the HDD 54, the audio data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 55, and the audio data is supplied to the encoder 61 to perform ATRAC2 encoding. Further, the encoded data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 55 again, and the encoded audio information is finally stored in the HDD 54.

In this example, it is assumed that the HDD 15 in the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 stores an audio file encoded in the ATRAC2 system, and the audio file stored in the HDD 15 is supplied via the interface driver 59. When the data is stored in the HDD 54 (that is, when a data file such as a song is copied or moved), the processing by the encoder 61 is not necessary. However, the CD-R of the recording / reproducing device 10
Audio data (uncompressed data) read from a medium mounted on the OM drive 17 or the like
May be directly input via the interface driver 59. In such a case, encoding by the encoder 61 is performed as described above as processing for recording audio data in the HDD 54.

In this example, the encoder 61 uses the AT
The audio data encoded by the RAC2 method is H
Although the data is stored in the DD 54, for example, data that has not been subjected to compression processing may be stored in the HDD 54 as it is.

As a part for supplying audio data to the encoder 61 for the compression processing, a microphone terminal tb3, a line input terminal tb2, an optical digital terminal tb4, etc. are provided in addition to the interface driver 59. Note that various terminals tb1 to tb4 in FIG.
Respectively correspond to one of the terminals tb shown in FIG.

In the encoder 61, an audio signal input from a microphone terminal tb3 to which a microphone is connected via an amplifier 65 or an audio signal input from a line input terminal tb2 to which another device such as a CD player is connected. , A / D converter 64, and these input audio data can also be encoded by the encoder 28. Further, data input from an external device (for example, a CD player) connected to the optical digital terminal tb4 is
It is configured to be input to the encoder 61 via the EC958 encoder 63, and thus the data input in the optical digital system can also be encoded by the encoder 61.

After the data input from the external device is encoded by the encoder 61 as described above,
The encoded data can be stored in the HDD 54 in file units.

The encoding algorithm of the encoder 61 is not limited to ATRAC2, but may be other encoding algorithms for information compression, for example, ATRAC, MPE
G, PASC, TwinVQ, RealAudio, L
It may be liquidAudio or the like.

The audio information stored in the HDD 54 is decoded by the decoder 62 and the D / A converter 6
6. It can be reproduced and output by the speaker 68 via the amplifier 67. Alternatively, the headphones can be reproduced and output from the headphones by connecting the headphones to the headphone terminal tb1. Here, the decoder 62 is ATRAC2
It is assumed that the decoding of the system is performed.
A decoding algorithm corresponding to one encoding algorithm may be used. Further, the encoding and decoding processing may be software processing by the CPU 51 without hardware.

Further, as an interface for the user to manage and control files such as audio data stored in the HDD 54, as shown in FIG.
7 is provided, but the display unit 57 includes a display driver 58.
Is driven for display. The display unit 57 displays necessary characters, symbols, icons, and the like based on the control of the CPU 51. Further, a folder or a jacket image corresponding to an audio file or the like is displayed on the display unit 57, and operation by a pointing device corresponding to the panel operation unit 20, such as touching with a mouse, a pen, or a user's finger, is possible. May be performed. For example, if the audio file specified by the user on the display is an HDD
An operation of reading from the speaker 54 and reproducing from the speaker 35 or the like is enabled. Using the display on the display unit 57, it is also possible to control deletion of the selected audio file on the HDD 54, copying to an external device (for example, the recording / reproducing device 10), movement, and the like.

As described with reference to FIG.
Can transmit and receive data to and from the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 by being mounted on the mounting section MT of the recording / reproducing apparatus 10. However, a non-contact type interface, for example, IrDA or the like may be used. Although not shown, the recording / reproducing device 10 is provided with a charging current supply unit, which supplies a charging current to the portable device 50 to be mounted, and serves as an operation power source of the portable device 50. May be configured to be charged.

5. File moving process The recording / reproducing device 10 and the portable device 5 configured as described above
In the case of 0, the stored files (audio data such as music pieces) can be mutually copied (copied) or moved (moved). That is, H of the recording / reproducing device 10
The file stored in the DD 15 is stored in the H of the portable device 50.
The HDD 54 of the portable device 50 copies or moves a file to or from the DD 54,
0 HDD 15 can be copied or moved.

Here, the term “copying” refers to a process in which files are coexistent in the copy source HDD and the copy destination HDD when copying is performed, ie, a state in which the files can be reproduced by both the recording / reproducing device 10 and the portable device 50. , While moving means
This refers to a process of making reproduction impossible from the copy source HDD. In this example, the audio file is stored in the HDD 15
And the HDD 54 can be mutually moved.

The file specified in the HDD 15 of the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 is transferred to the HDD of the portable apparatus 50.
The process of moving to step 54 will be described with reference to FIG. This is a CPU
11 is executed.

In step F101, the CPU 11 detects whether or not the portable device 50 is mounted on the mounting portion MT of the recording / reproducing device 10. In this case, as the detecting means, the loaded state may be detected by a mechanical switch mechanism, or the connection may be detected by transmitting / receiving a signal via the connectors 27 and 60 or the like.

If it is determined that the portable device 50 is connected to the recording / reproducing device 10, the program proceeds to step F102,
That is, it is determined whether or not a request to move the audio file to the portable device 50 has been issued by the user (or as an execution request by an operation program). For example, specifically, among the folders indicating the audio files displayed on the display unit 24, the audio file selected by the user with a predetermined pointing device is further instructed by the user to move to the portable device 50. Thus, the process of moving to the portable device 50 is performed.

If it is determined that there is a music movement request by such an operation or the like, then the size of the audio file specified in step F103 is detected. Next, in step F104, the free space in the HDD 54 of the portable device 50 is detected and compared with the size of the audio file requested to be moved to the portable device 50. HDD54
Is determined by communication with the CPU 51.
For example, a configuration in which the CPU 11 can directly access the HDD 54 may be adopted.
By enabling the operation control and file management of the CPU 54 to be executed by the CPU 11, the CPU 11 can directly determine the free space of the HDD 54.

If it is determined that there is not enough free space in the HDD 54 for the audio file to be moved and it is impossible to move the audio file, the audio file stored in the HDD 54 is deleted. This processing is also performed by the CPU 11
It may be executed via the PU 51 or may be directly executed by the CPU 11. How to delete audio files from HDD 54 (select files to delete)
As a method, for example, a method of erasing ones with a small number of times of reproduction by the user, or erasing the ones with a recorded date with an old date first can be considered. In addition, a file important to the user may be erased by erasing without such user's permission at the time of such automatic erasure. Therefore, a warning is displayed on the display unit 24 and the display unit 57. Alternatively, the user's confirmation may be obtained.

If it is determined in step F104 that the file can be moved, or if it is determined that the file cannot be moved and the process of step F105 is performed, the process proceeds to step F106 to perform a file transfer process. That is, a predetermined audio file is transferred from the HDD 15 to the HDD 54 via the interface drivers 26 and 59 and recorded.

Since the movement processing is further performed, step F1 is executed.
At 07, a reproduction prohibition flag is set in the HDD 15 for the audio file to be moved,
In 5, the file is handled as a file which is recorded but cannot be reproduced. Note that the audio file to be moved in step F107 is actually
You may delete from D15.

Since the reproduction prohibition flag is set in step F107, a predetermined audio file is virtually moved from the recording / reproduction device 10 to the portable device 50, so that only one audio file is managed at all times. This has the effect of preventing unauthorized copying. In addition, since the data is moved between the high-speed access media from the HDD 15 to the HDD 54, and the encoding / decoding process such as ATRAC2 is unnecessary, the moving process can be completed instantaneously. Processing to move audio files can be completed in a very short time.

By performing the processing of FIG. 5, the HD
File transfer from D15 to HDD 54 is realized.
By such a process, for example, the user can store his / her music (that is, the file stored in the HDD 15).
Among them, it is possible to select a song that the user wants to listen to, move it to the portable device 50 side, and enjoy playing it on the go.

In the case where copying is to be performed, step F10
It is sufficient that the process of No. 7 is not executed. Also, when a file is moved (or copied) from the HDD 54 to the HDD 15, substantially the same processing may be performed by the CPU 51, but in such a case, the CPU 11 can also perform the processing mainly.

6. FIG. 6 shows an example of a file storage format in the HDD 15 in the recording / reproducing device 10. For example, the user loads his / her own CD into the CD-ROM drive 17 and records (ie, dubs) each recorded song as a file on the HDD 15. For example, assuming that storage is performed in units of media such as the CD, a management file is formed in units of media such as a dubbed CD, and each piece of music or the like is stored as one audio file.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which n CDs have been dubbed to the HDD 15, and management files AL (AL1 to AL (n)) are formed corresponding to each CD. The music recorded on each CD is stored as an audio file in a state corresponding to the management file AL. In FIG. 6, each file indicated by one line is shown as a file dubbed from one CD. For example, dubbing data (each song) from a certain CD corresponds to an audio file AL1 corresponding to the management file AL1.
-M1, AL1-M2, AL1-M3 ... The dubbing data (each song) from another CD corresponds to the management file AL2 and the audio files AL2-M1, AL2-M2, AL2-M3,.
Stored as That is, these are the actual data such as music. Thus, when dubbing from one CD is performed, audio files for the number of music pieces dubbed are formed together with one management file.

When dubbing a CD or the like, the user can input data or receive related information on the CD from the information center 1 for a fee or free of charge. Such information is stored as a related information file. You. For example, a related information file AL1ad is formed corresponding to the management file AL1. Of course, for example, a plurality of related information files may be formed corresponding to a certain CD.

Data supplied from the information center 1 as data stored as the related information file AL (*) ad includes text data such as song titles, artist names and lyrics, song images and artist images as described above. Image data, artist's Internet homepage address (URL), copyright information,
Information such as the names of related persons (lyric writer, composer, creator, etc.). Of course, various information such as image information and text information downloaded from another information server (provider 6) such as an Internet homepage can be stored as the related information file AL (*) ad.
Further, information input by the user to the recording / reproducing device 10 by himself / herself can be stored in a state corresponding to a CD, music, or the like as the related information file AL (*) ad.

The management file has various management information related to one or a plurality of corresponding audio files and related information files, and is used when reproducing, moving, copying, and editing each audio file and related information file. It will be something that can be done. For example, the management file AL1 is
With respect to a group of files dubbed and stored from a medium such as a certain CD, management information of the entirety, audio files AL1-M1, AL1-M2, AL1-M3,.
Management information, and related information file AL1a
Management information on d is recorded.

FIG. 7 shows an example of data of management information recorded in the management file. For example, as the album information serving as management information of the entire group of files dubbed and stored from a medium such as a CD, a file type, the number of files, an album title, a data size, date and time information of dubbing, a related person name (album creator) , Songwriters, performers, etc.), copyright information, album ID, and other various management information. The album ID is an identification code uniquely assigned to each album as a medium such as a CD.

In the management file, file information (# 1) to file information (#m) are recorded as management information individually corresponding to each corresponding audio file, and the file information includes the file of the corresponding file. Type, address pointer indicating the recording position of the corresponding file on the HDD 15, data size of the file, title (such as song title), date and time information of dubbing, related person names (songwriter, performer, etc.), copyright Rights information, song ID,
A reproduction inhibition flag and other various management information are recorded.
The song ID is an identification code uniquely assigned to the song in the case of a song file. The reproduction prohibition flag is the reproduction prohibition flag described in the moving process of FIG.

Further, in the management file, related file information is recorded as management information for managing the corresponding related information file. The related file information includes the file type and the number of the corresponding related information file, the corresponding related information file, and the like. An address pointer indicating the recording position of the file on the HDD 15, the data size of the related information file,
Information on the date and time at which the recording was performed, the names of related parties, copyright information, related information file IDs, and other various management information are recorded.

By recording such management information in the management file, for example, the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 can perform various processes such as reproduction, movement, copying, and editing of a specific music.
Further, it becomes possible to output an image or text as related information in accordance with an operation such as reproduction of music.

Note that the contents of the management information shown in FIG. 7 are merely examples, and the file storage form in FIG. 6 is also an example. Actually, a file storage mode and a management mode suitable for various processes of an audio file serving as actual data to be stored may be adopted. Also, in this example, an audio file such as a song will be described as an example of a file according to the embodiment. Of course, it is also conceivable to store the information as an independent file, not as a related information file.

7. Information Center Database As can be seen from the above description, the user dubs music or the like from the CD or the like owned by the user to the HDD 15 in the recording / reproducing apparatus 10, thereby using the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 as a personal music server. Available. That is, it is possible to select and play an arbitrary file as a file stored in the HDD 15, or to move the file to the portable device 50 and play it. However,
In this case, if music such as CDs sold as so-called package media can be dubbed to the HDD 15 without limitation, it is preferable from the viewpoint of copyright protection, for example, to provide a convenient device for creating a pirated copy. There is no state.

Therefore, in this example, regarding the dubbing operation from the CD or the like to the HDD 15, in particular, when the user executes the high-speed dubbing, the permission from the information center 1 is required. The system has been constructed so that the user pays the required dubbing fee according to the dubbing (depending on the intention of the copyright holder). In addition, the information center 1 can provide the information related to the dubbed CD or the like to the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 as described above. However, the provision of the related information can be charged (of course, it is free). In that case, the related information provision fee is charged to the user along with the dubbing fee.

When the user performs normal dubbing, as in the case of high-speed dubbing, the information center 1 is used.
However, in this example, it is assumed that the user can freely execute normal dubbing. That is, ordinary dubbing, which requires a long dubbing operation, is interpreted as an operation performed by the user for personal enjoyment only and does not infringe the copyright. Communication with the information center 1 is not required.

The information center 1 further includes a recording / reproducing device 30
Indicates information related to the audio data (album or individual song) to be reproduced when reproducing an audio file stored in the HDD 15 or reproducing a CD loaded in a CD-ROM drive. An operation of determining a URL as a pointer can also be performed. This determination operation is performed in response to the identification information of the audio data to be reproduced from the recording / reproducing device 30 being transmitted. Then, the information center 1 accesses the home page based on the determined URL, and records the data of the home page and the link page in the recording / reproducing apparatus 10.
To the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 by transmitting the URL to the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 or transmitting the determined URL to the recording / reproducing apparatus 10.
0 accesses the homepage and can download the data of the homepage and the link page.

As described above, the information center 1 is provided with the information center 1 as shown in FIG. 8 in order to perform the above-described processing for charging processing and permission setting at the time of high-speed dubbing, and for determining pointer information such as URL. Disk registration database and Fig. 9
Is provided. First, the disk registration database shown in FIG. 8 stores information necessary for billing and the like and information related to the CDs and the like for a huge number of disks generally sold / provided on package media such as CDs and MDs. What to store. Needless to say, necessary information may be stored in units of music or the like recorded on the disc. Here, for the sake of simplicity of description, “disc” is targeted, but as a means for selling music and the like, media other than discs such as digital audio tapes may be used, and in practice, they are also included. . In addition, it is also possible to include a case where the user does not own the media itself, such as when selling / providing music or the like (not as package media) via a communication network or the like. That is, the disc registration database is intended for a music album that can be dubbed by the user in the recording / reproducing apparatus 10, and each music recorded in the album.

For example, in the disk registration database, C
As shown in FIG. 8, necessary information is stored for each of the huge music albums distributed around the world in the form of D or the like. For example, disc title TI (x), disc identification information ID (x), related party information PS (x), copyright information CP (x), charging information FE (x), related information AD
(X) and other various information VR (x).

The disc title TI (x) and the disc identification information ID (x) are information for identifying a music album. For example, a specific code is individually set to the music album as the disc identification information ID (x). Is what it is. This code may be, for example, a code number set for each album by any method, or a code unique to a CD or the like created from TOC information such as a CD. For example, TOC of CD
The information includes the total playing time, the number of recorded tracks, the playing time of each song, the absolute time of the start position of each song, etc. If these values are combined in a predetermined method, the album-specific code You can get a number. Therefore, it may be used as the disk identification information ID (x). Also, C
If it is a D-ROM, a CD text, or the like in which ID information is recorded, it may be used.

The related person information PS (x) is, for example, information of a player, a composer, a lyric writer, an arranger, a creator, and the like. The copyright information CP (x) is information on a right holder such as a copyright holder or a publishing right holder, or information on a contract with the right holder. The billing information FE (x) is information for payment to the right holder or the like, and is a billing amount set for dubbing or the like, whether pay / free, due date information when free, and the like. The related information AD (x) is information provided to the user in connection with the disc, and includes the above-described related text data such as the title, song title, and artist name, image data, and other various data. In particular, pointer information such as the URL of the artist's homepage is recorded as the related information AD (x).

The user registration database shown in FIG. 9 stores information registered in advance by a user who wants to execute paid high-speed dubbing in the recording / reproducing apparatus 10. For example, a user who has purchased the recording / reproducing device 10 applies for registration to the information center 1 by mailing an application form, telephone, or online communication. In the registration, for example, the user conveys necessary information for billing, such as a bank account for debit, a credit card number, and a password for use. Then, according to the application, required data is stored in the user registration database corresponding to each user. The content is updated as needed.

For example, user information NA (x), user identification information UID (x), device identification information SID (x), charging method information FH (x), history information CR (x), and other various information UVR (x) Is stored corresponding to each user (registrant).

The user information NA (x) corresponds to, for example, the user's name, address, country, telephone number and the like. The user identification information UID (x) is an ID number given to a registered user, a password set by the user, and the like. The device identification information SID (x) is an ID number uniquely assigned to the recording / reproducing device 10 purchased by the user, and for example, the serial number of the recording / reproducing device 10 is used. The billing method information FH (x) is information such as a bank account number and a credit card number as a user's billing method. As the history information CR (x), for example, when a user performs a high-speed dubbing operation, the dubbing operation target (such as a disc identification code of a CD) and the date and time are additionally recorded.

8. Operation when Dubbing to HDD In the system of this example, the user
An operation example will be described as an operation when performing high-speed dubbing from a CD or the like by using. When a user performs high-speed dubbing, permission from the information center 1 is first required. Then, the high-speed dubbing operation in the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 is executed only when the permission is given. Basically, if permission is given, it is also possible to receive related information from the information center 1 (however, provision of the related information from the information center 1 is not necessarily limited to the permission of high-speed dubbing /
Do not rely on disapproval).

The communication operation between the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 and the information center 1 when the high-speed dubbing operation is performed will be described with reference to FIG. When the user loads, for example, a certain CD into the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 and performs an operation for executing high-speed dubbing to the HDD 15, the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 first performs communication S1 as a communication line And a request for permission for high-speed dubbing. Upon receiving the communication S1, the information center 1 establishes a communication line connection in response to the communication S1 and requests the recording and reproducing apparatus 10 for user authentication data as the communication S2.

When receiving the communication S2, the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 transmits the user authentication data requested as the communication S3 to the information center 1. The user authentication data is, for example, information of a user's registration number, password, and device ID (such as a serial number) of the recording / reproducing device 10. Upon receiving such user authentication data, the information center 1 makes an authentication determination. That is, the received user authentication data is collated with the data on the user registration database of FIG. 9 described above, and it is determined whether or not the user is a registered proper user and is not an unauthorized use or the like. Will do. If the authentication determination result is N
If it is G, the communication is disconnected and the process is terminated. That is, in this case, high-speed dubbing is not permitted, and the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 cannot execute high-speed dubbing. On the other hand, if the result of the authentication determination is OK, the information center 1 transmits a message indicating that the authentication is OK to the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 as communication S4.

Upon receiving the result of the authentication OK, the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 subsequently transmits the disc identification information as communication S5. The disc identification information is information necessary for disc discrimination, such as a disc ID and TOC data of a disc or the like that is to be dubbed (loaded in the CD-ROM drive 17 or MD drive 18) at that time.
This corresponds to the disk identification information ID (x) in the disk registration database of FIG. Upon receiving the disk identification information, the information center 1 searches the disk registration database based on the disk identification information, and determines whether the disk is a registered disk.

If the disc is a registered disc,
The information center 1 notifies the recording / reproducing device 10 that the disk is a registered disk as communication S6, and transmits key data to the recording / reproducing device 10 as communication S7. The key data is substantially high-speed dubbing permission data from the information center 1 side. Corresponding to the key data, lock data is prepared in the operation program of the CPU 11 of the recording / reproducing device 10. When the key data is received, the recording / reproducing device 10 checks the key data against the lock data. . If the comparison between the key data and the lock data is OK, high-speed dubbing is permitted. On the other hand, when the transmitted key data and the lock data held have a verification NG, when the key data is not transmitted from the information center 1, or when the communication is disconnected, etc. Means that high-speed dubbing is not permitted. If the key data has been transmitted, but the result of collation with the lock data is NG, the communication is cut off and the process ends.

If the collation of the key data and the lock data is OK and high-speed dubbing is permitted, the recording / reproducing device 10
As 8, a message indicating that the verification is OK is transmitted to the information center 1. Then, the information center 1 transmits, to the recording / reproducing apparatus 10, the related information corresponding to the disc to be dubbed, as communication S9. The recording / reproducing device 10 performs necessary processing on the received related information, such as displaying it on the display unit 24 and presenting it to the user, or storing it in the HDD 15 as a related information file AL (x) ad as shown in FIG. At the same time, an actual high-speed dubbing operation is executed.

When the high-speed dubbing is completed, the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 reports an operation completion as communication S10. Upon receiving the operation completion report, the information center 1 performs a billing process corresponding to the high-speed dubbing operation. In other words, depending on the disc that was dubbed, the required processing such as performing data processing to allow a predetermined right holder to pay a predetermined fee from the user or adding history information to a user registration database is performed. Do.

As described above, when the information center 1 receives the disk identification information as the communication S5,
The disc registration database is searched based on the disc identification information to determine whether or not the disc is a registered disc. However, there may be a case where no registration is found as a search result. That is, all Cs generally sold / provided
This is because it is impossible to always register all of D and the like. In this case, whether or not high-speed dubbing is permitted depends on the operational convenience of the system, and a predetermined unregistered corresponding process is performed accordingly. As an example, high-speed dubbing is permitted, but information about the unregistered disk is uploaded from the recording / reproducing device 10 and stored, and a process of utilizing the information for later charging processing and updating of the disk registration database is considered. Can be

In the example of FIG. 10, the information center 1
Is transmitted at the stage when high-speed dubbing is permitted (communication S9). In other words, this is the time after the verification of the key data and the lock data is OK. However, the provision of related information and the permission / non-permission of high-speed dubbing do not necessarily have to have a relationship. For example, when user authentication is OK (including when dubbing is subsequently prohibited), The related information may be provided to the recording / reproducing device 10.

In the case where the user performs normal dubbing, unlike the case of high-speed dubbing, it is not necessary to request permission from the information center 1. In other words, it is not necessary for the recording / reproducing device 10 to perform communication with the information center 1 for permission and accounting. Therefore, for example, even when high-speed dubbing is attempted and, as a result, high-speed dubbing is not permitted, the user can perform dubbing from a CD or the like to the HDD 15 by performing normal dubbing.

9. Data Loading Operation I The related information provided from the information center 1 to the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 at the time of the high-speed dubbing or the like is information prepared by the information center 1 to the last. In addition, in the case of the present example, the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 performs, for example, when reproducing the HDD 15 or the loaded CD or the like, as audio information related to the reproducing operation as information on a homepage or the like provided on the Internet. Information related to (album or individual music) can be loaded, and the load data can be displayed on the display unit 24 during the reproduction. Hereinafter, a homepage address (URL) in which related information is recorded is determined corresponding to an audio file (including a reproduction track such as a CD) reproduced by the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 as described above, and access via a network is performed. Is performed to load data serving as related information, and a process relating to a display operation of the load data will be described. As an example of the data loading operation, three operation examples will be given. First, the operation as the data loading operation I will be described with reference to FIG.

In the data loading operation I, when the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 performs the reproducing operation, the information center 1 determines the URL of the related homepage, and further executes the processing of downloading the homepage data to the recording / reproducing apparatus 10. Is what you do. At the time of downloading, not only the data as the homepage of the determined URL (depending on circumstances such as the amount of data and required communication time),
It is preferable that data of a page linked on the homepage (a link page that can be transferred by a click operation on the homepage) be simultaneously performed. The same applies to each operation example described later.

In this case, when the user performs an operation of instructing the HDD 15 or the CD-ROM drive 17 to perform a reproduction operation on the recording / reproducing apparatus 10, a predetermined audio file is reproduced in accordance with the instruction. FIG.
As shown in (1), the CPU 11 of the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 starts the reproducing operation and transmits the identification information of the audio data (disc / album or music unit) to be reproduced to the information center 1.

Then, the information center 1 searches the above-mentioned disc registration database in accordance with the received identification information, and determines the URL registered corresponding to the identification information. Then, the user accesses the homepage stored by the predetermined provider 6 based on the URL,
Load the homepage data. At this time, access and data loading may be performed on the linked page as described above. After loading the homepage data, the information center 1 transmits it to the recording / reproducing apparatus 10.
In such a procedure, homepage data related to the album or song being played is taken into the recording / playback device 10. Then, the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 performs processing for storing the loaded load data as a related information file in the HDD 15 or displaying the load data on the display unit 24.

That is, in the recording / reproducing apparatus 10, the home page data can be obtained through the information center 1 without the user performing any operation other than the reproducing operation.
The user can see the latest information related to the currently reproduced music and the like, which is information such as images and texts that can be enjoyed variously and visually. In the case of this operation example, the URL determination processing and the homepage access processing do not need to be executed on the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 side. Alternatively, the software configuration can be simplified. Further, the fact that the URL determination is performed in the information center 1 means that a good data load operation can always be realized if the information center 1 responds to changes in URLs as needed.

10. Data Loading Operation II Next, the data loading operation II will be described with reference to FIG. This data loading operation II is performed when the information center 1 performs a reproduction operation in the recording / reproduction device 10.
L is determined, but the access to the homepage is executed from the recording / reproducing apparatus 10.

In this case, when the user performs an operation of instructing the HDD 15 or the CD-ROM drive 17 to perform a reproduction operation on the recording / reproducing apparatus 10, a predetermined audio file is reproduced in accordance with the instruction. FIG.
As shown in (1), the CPU 11 of the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 starts the reproducing operation and transmits the identification information of the audio data (disc / album or music unit) to be reproduced to the information center 1.

Then, the information center 1 searches the above-mentioned disc registration database according to the received identification information, and determines the URL registered corresponding to the identification information. Subsequently, the information center 1 transmits the determined UR
L is transmitted to the recording / reproducing device 10. In response to the transmission of the URL, the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 responds to the URL.
The homepage stored by the predetermined provider 6 is accessed based on the URL, and the homepage data (and the link page data) are loaded.

According to such a procedure, the recording / reproducing apparatus 10
Home page data related to the album or song being played is captured. Then, the recording / reproducing device 10 uses the read load data as a related information file on the HDD.
15 and a process of displaying on the display unit 24.

Also in this case, on the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 side, the user does not need to perform any operation other than the reproducing operation.
Homepage data can be obtained through the information center 1, and various kinds of information such as images and texts that can be enjoyed visually and visually, and the latest information related to the currently reproduced music and the like can be seen. Also in this operation example, the UR
Since the L discrimination is performed in the information center 1, if the information center 1 responds to changes in URLs as needed, a favorable data loading operation can always be realized.

Further, in the case of this operation example, access to the homepage may not be required in some cases. That is, the determined URL is the UR for which data was loaded in the past.
If the load data is L and the load data is stored in the HDD 15, the recording / reproducing device 10 determines that access is unnecessary, and can provide the stored load data for display processing. Further, for example, even when the user performs an operation that makes it unnecessary to display and output the load data, access can be made unnecessary. Even if the load data has been obtained in the past, if the load execution time is old, the access can be performed again. For example, as described above, the access and data loading operations are performed by the recording / reproducing apparatus 10.
It can be flexibly executed according to the convenience of the playback operation (for example, the storage state of the load data as the related information of the audio data to be played back) and the convenience of the operation.

11. Data Loading Operation III Next, the data loading operation III will be described with reference to FIG. The data loading operation III is an example in which the information center 1 does not particularly intervene as a process when the recording / reproducing device 10 performs a reproducing operation.

In this case, when the user performs an operation of instructing the HDD 15 or the CD-ROM drive 17 to perform a reproducing operation on the recording / reproducing apparatus 10, a predetermined audio file is reproduced in accordance with the instruction. FIG.
As shown in (1), the CPU 11 of the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 starts a reproducing operation and determines a URL corresponding to audio data to be reproduced as relevant information. For example, the related information file corresponding to the audio file reproduced from the HDD 15 is confirmed, and the URL recorded therein is obtained. Alternatively, in the case of reproducing a CD, if the CD has been dubbed to the HDD 15 in the past, the URL can be determined by confirming the related information file similarly. If the corresponding URL is not found from the related information file in the HDD 15, access and download cannot be automatically performed basically. However, for example, when the user inputs the URL, it is possible.

If the URL can be determined, the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 accesses the homepage stored by the predetermined provider 6 based on the URL and loads the homepage data (and the link page data). I do. When the homepage data related to the album or the song being played is loaded into the recording / playback device 10 in such a procedure, the recording / playback device 10 stores the loaded load data in the HDD 15 as a related information file. , Can be displayed on the display unit 24.

Also in this case, the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 has a UR
If L is stored as a related information file, the user can obtain homepage data via the information center 1 without performing any operation other than the reproduction operation, and can enjoy various and visually enjoyable images. Information such as text, which is the latest information related to the currently reproduced music or the like can be viewed. Data loading operation II
As in the case of (1), the access and data loading operations can be flexibly executed according to the convenience of the playback operation or the operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus 10.

12. Display Operation Example of Recording / Reproducing Apparatus In a communication mode such as the above-described various data loading operations, the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 can obtain homepage data related to audio data to be reproduced and display it. The processing of the CPU 11 as an example of the display processing will be described with reference to FIG.

In the recording / reproducing device 10, when the user
Audio file or CD stored in D15
When an operation for instructing a reproduction operation on the disk loaded in the ROM drive 17 is performed, the CPU 11 first starts reproduction of a predetermined audio file according to the instruction in step F201. Subsequently, in step F202, an operation as the above-described various data loading operation is performed, and load data is loaded from the home page (in some cases, already stored load data is read from the HDD 15).

As the processing in step F202, various processing examples as shown in FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C, FIGS. 16 and 17, for example, can be considered. FIG.
The processing example shown in (a) performs the operation control as the data loading operation I. In other words, the processing of the CPU 11 is a processing of transmitting the identification information to the information center 1 and a processing of taking in the load data transmitted through the information center 1. The processing example shown in FIG. 15B performs operation control as the data loading operation II. That is, the processing of the CPU 11 includes a process of transmitting the identification information to the information center 1, a process of capturing the determined URL transmitted from the information center 1, a process of accessing the home page based on the captured URL, and a process of accessing from the home page. The data download process is executed. The processing example shown in FIG. 15C is for performing operation control as the data loading operation III. In this case C
As the processing of the PU 11, processing of determining a URL corresponding to audio data to be reproduced, processing of accessing a homepage based on the determined URL, and processing of downloading data from the homepage are executed.

The processing example of FIG. 16 is a processing for selectively executing the data loading operations I to III. That is, CPU1
As the first process, first, as step F202a, a process of determining a URL corresponding to audio data to be reproduced is performed. That is, in the related information file corresponding to the audio data (audio file) to be reproduced,
It is determined whether RL is recorded. If the URL can be determined, it is not necessary to request the information center 1 to determine the URL, and the process proceeds to step F202b to perform operation control as the data load operation III. That is, a homepage access process based on the determined URL and a data download process from the homepage are executed. On the other hand, if the URL cannot be determined, step F202
Proceeding to step c, operation control as data loading operation I or II is performed. When the data load operation I is performed, a process of transmitting the identification information to the information center 1 and a process of capturing the load data transmitted via the information center 1 are performed.
When the data load operation II is executed, a process of transmitting the identification information to the information center 1, a process of capturing the determined URL transmitted from the information center 1, a process of accessing the home page based on the captured URL, and the like. Execute the data download process from the homepage.

The processing example of FIG. 17 is also a processing for selectively executing the data loading operations I to III. That is, CPU1
In the first process, first, in step F202d, it is determined whether or not there is load data previously loaded from the homepage and stored in the HDD 15 as a related information file corresponding to the audio data to be reproduced. If there is, in step F202e, it is determined whether or not the load data needs to be reloaded in consideration of the possibility that the load data has been updated. For example, when the date and time when the previous load was performed is different from the current date and time, it is determined that the load data is not the latest information and it is necessary to reload. If it is determined that there is no need to reload, the process proceeds to step F202f, where the HDD
15 is read. In other words, homepage access is not performed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step F202d that there is no data loaded in the past from the home page, or if it is determined in step F202e that reloading is necessary, the process proceeds to step F202g, where UR
L determination processing is performed. That is, it is determined whether or not the URL is recorded in the related information file corresponding to the audio data (audio file) to be reproduced.

If the URL can be determined, the information center 1
Since there is no need to request the URL determination from the
Proceeding to 202h, operation control as data load operation III is performed. That is, a homepage access process based on the determined URL and a data download process from the homepage are executed. On the other hand, if the URL cannot be determined, the process proceeds to step F202i to perform operation control as the data loading operation I or II. Data loading operation I
Is performed, a process of transmitting the identification information to the information center 1 and a process of capturing the load data transmitted via the information center 1 are performed. When the data load operation II is executed, a process of transmitting the identification information to the information center 1, a process of capturing the determined URL transmitted from the information center 1, a process of accessing the home page based on the captured URL, and the like. Execute the data download process from the homepage.

As the processing of step F202 in FIG. 14,
By executing any one of FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, and FIGS. 16 and 17, the load data from the home page is taken in (or read from the HDD 15). Then, the processing of the CPU 11 proceeds to step F.
In step 203, the first page as the load data is set as display data. For example, it is set in a display data area set in the RAM 13 (although a display memory may be provided separately from the RAM 13).

In step F204, the data set for display is sent to the display driver 25 and displayed on the display unit 24. As a result, when the audio data is reproduced, the home page data of the artist playing the music, for example, is displayed to the user.

While displaying the load data from the homepage, the CPU 11 executes steps F205 and F20.
6, the respective monitoring processes of F207 and F208 are performed. In step F205, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a transition operation to the link page (such as clicking on the screen) for displaying the home page. In step F206,
The display continuation time of the image of a certain page is monitored, and whether or not the display continuation time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time is monitored. In step F207, it is monitored whether the audio file (CD track) being reproduced from the HDD 15 or the CD has changed, that is, whether or not the reproduced music has shifted to the next music. In step F208, the HDD 15 or the CD-ROM drive 17 responds to the stop operation of the user or the completion of the reproduction of all the songs of the album instructed to reproduce.
It is monitored whether or not the reproduction operation in is completed.

If an operation to shift to a link page is detected in step F205, the CPU 11 first determines in step F209 whether or not a download is necessary to display the link page to be shifted, that is, the link It is determined whether or not page data has already been captured. For example, when the homepage data is downloaded in step F202, if a link page is also downloaded to some extent,
Here, it is often unnecessary to download again, and in that case, the process proceeds to step F211 to set the data of the designated link page for display, and then proceeds to step F204. Therefore, the link page desired by the user is displayed on the display screen. On the other hand, if the link page data has not been loaded, step F21
0, access and data loading are performed to obtain the data of the linked page, and steps F211, F204
The link page is displayed in the processing of. The processing in step F210 is performed, for example, in the data loading operation III.
However, if the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 does not have the Internet browser function, the data may be loaded via the information center 1 as in the data loading operation I.

By the processing of steps F205 to F211, the user can see desired page data as related information while listening to music or the like to be reproduced.

In step F206, it is determined whether or not a certain page image is continuously displayed for a long time. That is, the state in which the link page operation or the like is not performed in step F205 is continued, and if the same image is displayed for a long time, the display device is adversely affected (for example, the liquid crystal panel of the display unit 24 or the terminal ta8 is connected). In this case, the process proceeds to step F212 to activate the screen saver and switch to the screen display as the screen saver. ing.

While the image of the screen saver is being displayed, steps F213, F214, F215
Are monitored for any operation by the user, changes in the audio file (CD track) being reproduced (transition to the next song), and completion of reproduction. Step F2
If any operation is detected in step 13, the CPU 11 executes a process corresponding to the operation, but the display process proceeds to step F204 to return to the display state before the screen saver was activated. By switching to such a screen saver screen, it is possible to protect the display device and to improve the interest of the display image being reproduced. In this example, a screen saver is used. However, a process in which a landscape image or the like which is not particularly related to the music being reproduced is prepared, and the image is switched to such an image when the same screen state continues for a long time. Good.

Step F207 or step F2
When it is detected in step 14 that the song to be reproduced has shifted to the next song, the process proceeds to step F216 to determine the corresponding status of the home page as the related information. For example, if the album being played is a so-called omnibus disc, or an audio file that has been instructed to be played continuously,
In the case where the album spans a plurality of albums, or in the case of an edited album or the like, which will be described later, songs of different artists may be continuously reproduced.

Therefore, for example, when the homepage of a certain artist is used as the load data, when the music is transferred, the homepage displayed at that time may not be related information of the music to be reproduced. Therefore, for example, in the case of a file change, step F21
In step 6, the correspondence between the reproduced music and the display data at that time is determined as related information. If it is determined that it is better to display different homepage data, the process proceeds to step F202, and the above-described process is performed. The data loading operation is performed as follows. Therefore, for example, when the song changes and the artist changes, the display image is switched to the artist's homepage of the song. That is, by this processing, a homepage display as related information is appropriately performed according to the music to be reproduced.

If the correspondence as the related information is not broken even if there is a file change, the process proceeds from step F216 to F217, and it is determined whether or not the display switching is set. The display switching setting is provided as a mode to be set when, for example, the user wants to execute the display switching in accordance with the timing at which the reproduced music changes. If the user has previously performed the mode setting operation as the display switching setting, step F21
In step F8, a certain page (such as an arbitrary link page) as load data or certain image data recorded in the HDD 15 as a related information file corresponding to the reproduced music is set as display data.
Proceed to 204. Therefore, the image display as the related information can be switched according to the change of the music, and the mood given to the user by the display can be changed as the reproduction progresses. In this case, the image content to be switched may be limited to an image as information related to the music, or may be changed to an image unrelated to the music (for example, a landscape image). If the display switching has not been set, the process returns to step F204. That is, the switching of the display image is not performed with the file change as a trigger.

Step F208 or step F21
If it is determined in step 5 that the reproduction has been completed, the process proceeds to step F219, and the display operation is terminated when the reproduction of the music or the like is completed.
A series of display processing ends. However, here, it is determined that the various displays as the related information of the reproduced music are ended, and after the end of the reproduction, an arbitrary image which is not particularly relevant information may be displayed on the display unit 24.
For example, one or a plurality of image data to be displayed in a stopped state are prepared in advance, stored in the HDD 15 or the flash memory 14, and are displayed.

By performing the processing of FIG. 14, the user can see the home page data and the link page data as the related information while the audio file or the like is being reproduced. It is also possible to see desired information. Further, by switching to a screen saver image (or an irrelevant image) when the display is not changed for a long time, or by performing display switching in response to a file change, it is possible to realize various displays that will not bore the user.

13. Another Display Operation Example of Recording / Reproducing Apparatus Next, another display processing example will be described with reference to FIG. In addition,
The same steps as those in FIG. 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In this display operation example, the display of a homepage or the like as load data is switched at regular intervals, not by a user operation. Since it is assumed that the display is switched every time, steps F206 to F2 in the process of FIG.
Fifteen screensaver processing is unfamiliar,
In FIG. 18, this processing is not performed. The data loading and display processing in steps F201 to F204, the processing at the time of file change in steps F207 and F216 to F218, the processing at the end of reproduction in steps F208 and F219, and the possible modified examples of these processings are shown in the above figure. Same as 14.

In the process of FIG. 18, step F204
Is displayed, in step F230, it is monitored whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the display was started. Then, when the display of certain display data (load data) has elapsed for a predetermined time, the process proceeds to step F231, and it is determined whether there is a next page (link page or the like) for switching the display. For example, when switching to a certain link page, it is determined whether or not the data of the link page has already been captured. If the display to be switched is not limited to the load data, it is checked whether or not image data and text data appropriate as display contents exist as a related information file.

If necessary, for example, if link page data does not exist, the data is loaded in step F232 to obtain the required data, and step F233 is performed.
Then, the data to be displayed next is set for display, and the flow proceeds to step F204. That is, by such a process, the display is switched at regular time intervals even if the user does not perform any operation during the reproduction of the music or the like. For example, home page data and link page data related to the music being played back are presented one after another, and a very interesting display can be realized.

At the time of the display switching, not only the display content is selected from the load data as the related information or the data stored in the related information file, but also an unrelated image such as a landscape image is displayed. A switching system that is inserted is also conceivable. That is, the selection of the image content to be switched and displayed is not limited to only the related information, and thereby a more various display operation can be realized.

14. Data Editing As described above, in this example, various related information is displayed corresponding to an audio file to be reproduced, and the user edits an audio file to be reproduced from the HDD 15 in advance. Thus, reproduction according to the editing can be executed. As an example of the editing operation, for example, it is conceivable that the user selects a plurality of audio files to form a file group as one album. For example, as described with reference to FIG. 6, a large number of audio files dubbed from a CD or the like are stored in the HDD 15, and an example in which the user collects favorite music among the audio files and constructs one album. Is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 19, the edited albums E1, E2
Shows a new file group formed as a result of editing. For example, in the edited album E1, the audio file AL2-M2 is the audio file EAL1-M1 and the audio file AL1-M as the first song.
1 is the audio file EAL1-M as the second song
2. The audio file AL2-M3 has been edited as an audio file EAL1-M3,. It is assumed that the related information file AL3ad is selected as the related information file EAL1ad corresponding to the edited album E1. further,
According to this editing, the management file EA of the edited album E1
L1 is created and stored by the CPU 11.

In this case, when the edited album E1 is reproduced, the image data recorded in the related information file EAL1ad (the original related information file AL3ad)
Text data, data such as a homepage loaded based on the URL recorded there, and further,
Each audio file EAL1-M1, EAL1-M
2. For example, data such as a home page loaded based on the URL determined by the information center 1 (or the CPU 11) based on the respective identification codes of EAL1-M3... Are switched by a predetermined operation or timing. Will be displayed.

That is, even when the user arbitrarily edits, various related information corresponding to the music to be played back is displayed, so that the effective provision of information to the user and the interestingness of the display screen are made. Will be realized. In addition, it is possible for the user to dare to display an image that is not related to the music or the like to be reproduced.

The system configuration and operation examples as the embodiments have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples, and it can be said that various configurations and processing procedures of devices can be considered. Not even. For example, the apparatus is not limited to a device mainly for music reproduction, such as the recording / reproducing device 10,
The operation as the reproduction terminal device of the present invention can be realized in a personal computer, a television device, or the like.

In the embodiment, the load processing and display processing for audio data in particular during reproduction have been described. However, for example, when the main reproduction information is image data or text data, the loading of related information and Display is possible.

In the display processing example, the display of load data from a home page has been particularly described. However, similar display processing can be performed for other load data and related information provided by the information center 1. Further, when audio data or the like is reproduced, an operation state, a file number (track number), and the like are usually displayed. However, it is also conceivable that these displays are combined with the load data and displayed.

[0158]

As will be understood from the above description, the following effects can be obtained according to the present invention. According to the first or twelfth aspect of the present invention, data related to the data file is loaded from a certain information server to the reproduction terminal device in accordance with the data file reproduced by the reproduction terminal device, and the load data is loaded. Is displayed and presented to the user. Therefore, the information to be displayed is information related to music and the like as a data file to be reproduced, for example, data of an Internet homepage of an artist or the like, that is, it can be diverse, advanced, and latest information. There is an effect that the user can be provided with high added value and great pleasure according to the reproduction of the data file. In addition, the user does not need to perform any particular operation for access, and the user can perform various operations only by instructing reproduction of a desired data file, thereby displaying various information. The system can be easily used. Also, the user who owns the playback terminal device (recording and playback device 10) does not need to prepare other peripheral devices,
There is no burden of equipment preparation.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the pointer determining means and the data loading means are provided in a specific information server (information center 1). On the side, a function of transmitting the identification information of the data file reproduced by the reproducing means and a function of receiving the load data are sufficient, so that the hardware or software configuration can be simplified. For this reason, it is possible to promote downsizing and price reduction of the device purchased by the user. Further, since the pointer discriminating means is provided on the information server side, it is possible to systematically cope with, for example, a change in a homepage address, and a good data loading operation can always be realized.

According to the invention of claim 3 or claim 13,
The pointer discriminating means is provided in a specific information server (information center 1), and the data loading means is provided in the reproducing terminal device (recording / reproducing apparatus 10). In addition to being able to cope systematically, access and data loading by the data loading means can be flexibly executed according to the playback operation and operational convenience of the playback terminal device.

According to the invention of claim 4 or claim 14,
Since the pointer discriminating means and the data loading means are provided in the reproducing terminal device (recording / reproducing apparatus 10), the information server does not need to perform pointer discrimination and data loading processing. In other words, a server such as the information center 1 can be eliminated, and a system can be constructed with existing information servers such as a large number of providers.
This has the effect of facilitating system realization. Of course, execution of data loading processing and the like can be flexibly executed according to the convenience of the reproduction terminal device.

According to the invention of claim 5 or claim 15,
Since the load data can be stored in the playback terminal device, the load data can be effectively used even at a later time. For example, at the time of subsequent reproduction, various information displays can be executed without loading data.

According to the invention of claim 6 or claim 16,
The playback terminal device can arbitrarily edit the stored data file and load data, so that the user can perform a playback operation according to his preference and display output according to the playback, thereby expanding the enjoyment of use. be able to.

According to the invention of claim 7 or claim 17,
The display contents of the load data are switched in accordance with the reproduction operation status of the reproduction means, so that the user can view various information without performing any operation related to the display.

According to the invention of claim 8 or claim 18,
Regarding the display operation of the load data, the display content is switched according to the display continuation time. Therefore, also in this case, the user can view various information without performing any operation related to the display.

According to the ninth or nineteenth aspect,
Regarding the display operation of the load data, the display content is switched in accordance with the operation related to the display operation or the reproduction operation, so that the user's preference and information desired at that time are displayed, that is, interactive information provision. Can be displayed, or information can be displayed according to the situation of the user recognized as an operation related to the reproduction operation.

Further, according to the tenth or twentieth aspect of the present invention, when an operation related to a display operation or a reproduction operation is not performed for a predetermined time or more, the display content is switched to a specific display. It is also possible to realize an interesting display by switching the screens even if it is unnecessary, or to prevent the display means from burning by setting the specific display to a screen display as a so-called screen saver. .

According to the eleventh or twenty-first aspect of the present invention, related information is displayed at the time of reproducing audio data, so that the audio device has high added value while maintaining easy operability. There is an effect that the system can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an information distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a recording / reproducing device as a terminal device and a portable device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the portable device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a file transfer process from the recording / reproducing device to the portable device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a file storage form in a hard disk of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of contents of a management file in a hard disk of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a disk registration database of the information center according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a user registration database of the information center according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an operation at the time of high-speed dubbing of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a data load operation I according to the embodiment;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a data load operation II according to the embodiment;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a data load operation III according to the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a display process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a data load process in the display process of the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a data load process in the display process of the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a data load process in the display process of the embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of another display process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a data file editing operation of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 information center, 3 communication lines, 6 providers, 10
Recording / playback device, 11 CPU, 12 ROM, 13 R
AM, 14 flash memory, 15 HDD, 16
Buffer memory, 17 CD-ROM drive, 18
MD drive, 19 modem, 20 panel operation unit, 2
2 infrared interface driver, 23 USB driver, 24 display unit, 25 display driver, 26 interface driver, 27 connector, 28 encoder, 29 decoder, 30IEC958 encoder, 31 A / D converter, 32 microphone amplifier, 33D
/ A converter, 34 amplifier, 35 speaker, 36 I
IEEE 1394 driver, 37 IEEE 1394 interface, 38 PCMCIA driver, 39 P
CMCIA slot, 40 monitor interface,
51 CPU, 52 ROM, 53 RAM, 54H
DD, 55 buffer memory, 56 panel operation unit, 5
7 display unit, 58 display driver, 59 interface driver, 60 connector, 61 encoder, 6
2 decoder, 63 IEC958 encoder, 64
A / D converter, 65 microphone amplifier, 66 D / A converter, 67 amplifier, 68 speaker

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A reproduction system comprising one or a plurality of information servers and a reproduction terminal device capable of performing information communication with the information server, wherein the data is provided in the reproduction terminal device and recorded on a recording medium. A reproducing unit capable of reproducing a file, a display unit provided in the reproducing terminal device and capable of performing a display operation, and a data file reproducing operation performed by the reproducing unit.
Pointer discriminating means for discriminating pointer information indicating a storage location of information relating to the data file to be reproduced; and performing access according to the pointer information discriminated by the pointer discriminating means, and transferring data from a predetermined information server to the reproduction terminal. Data loading means that can be loaded into a device; and the display means provided in the playback terminal device, wherein the load data loaded by the data loading means is information related to a data file being played back by the playback means. And a display control means capable of displaying by the following. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pointer discriminating means and the data loading means are provided in a specific information server. The pointer discriminating means identifies a data file reproduced by the reproducing means from the reproducing terminal device. In response to obtaining the information, determining the pointer information corresponding to the identification information, the data loading means, according to the determined pointer information, the data held by the information server or another information server, The reproduction system according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction system is loaded on a reproduction terminal device. 3. The pointer discriminating means is provided in a specific information server, the data loading means is provided in the reproducing terminal device, and the pointer discriminating means is provided from the reproducing terminal device by the reproducing means. In response to obtaining the identification information of the data file to be reproduced, the pointer information corresponding to the identification information is determined, and the determined pointer information is transmitted to the reproduction terminal device. 2. The reproducing system according to claim 1, wherein an access is made in accordance with the pointer information and data is loaded from a predetermined information server. 4. The pointer discriminating means and the data loading means are provided in the reproducing terminal device, and the pointer discriminating means stores the pointer stored in correspondence with a data file reproduced by the reproducing means. 2. The reproduction system according to claim 1, wherein information is determined, and said data loading means is configured to access according to the determined pointer information and load data from a predetermined information server. . 5. The reproduction system according to claim 1, wherein said reproduction terminal device is provided with storage means for storing load data loaded by said data load means. 6. The playback terminal device includes a storage unit capable of storing a data file to be played back by the playback unit and load data loaded by the data loading unit. Editing means for editing the data file and load data stored in the storage means is provided. The reproducing means and the display means output the data file and the load data after being edited by the editing means. The reproduction system according to claim 1, wherein the operation is executable. 7. When a certain data file is being played back by the playback unit, the display control unit determines whether or not the display operation of the load data on the display unit is to be performed by the playback unit. The reproduction system according to claim 1, wherein the display content is switched in response to the change. 8. When a certain data file is being reproduced by the reproducing means, the display control means switches display contents of the load data display operation of the display means in accordance with a display continuation time. 2. The playback system according to claim 1, wherein 9. When a certain data file is being played back by the playback unit, the display control unit responds to an operation related to a display operation or a playback operation with respect to a display operation of the load data on the display unit. 2. The reproduction system according to claim 1, wherein the display contents are switched by performing the switching. 10. The display control means switches the display content on the display means to a specific display when an operation related to the display operation or the reproduction operation is not performed for a predetermined time or more. Item 10. A reproduction system according to Item 9. 11. The reproduction system according to claim 1, wherein the data file reproduced by the reproduction means is audio data. 12. A reproducing terminal device capable of communicating information with one or more information servers, comprising: reproducing means capable of reproducing a data file recorded on a recording medium; and performing a display operation. Display means capable of loading the data loaded from the information server during a playback operation of a data file by the playback means.
A display control means for displaying the information related to the data file being reproduced by the display means. 13. When pointer information indicating a storage location of information related to a data file to be reproduced is transmitted from a certain information server in response to a data file reproducing operation by said reproducing means, 13. The reproduction terminal device according to claim 12, further comprising data loading means for performing access according to the pointer information and loading data from a predetermined information server. 14. A pointer discriminating means for discriminating pointer information indicating a storage location of information related to a data file to be reproduced in response to a data file reproducing operation by said reproducing means, and discriminating by said pointer discriminating means. 13. The reproduction terminal device according to claim 12, further comprising: data loading means for performing an access according to the pointer information and loading data from a predetermined information server. 15. The reproduction terminal device according to claim 12, further comprising storage means for storing load data loaded from said information server. 16. A storage device capable of storing a data file to be reproduced by the reproduction device and load data loaded from the information server, and a data file stored in the storage device. And an editing unit capable of editing the load data. The reproducing unit and the display unit are capable of executing an output operation on the data file and the load data edited by the editing unit. 13. The reproduction terminal device according to claim 12, wherein: 17. When a certain data file is being played back by the playback means, the display control means:
13. The reproduction terminal device according to claim 12, wherein a display content switching is performed according to a reproduction operation state of the reproduction unit with respect to a display operation of the load data in the display unit. 18. When a certain data file is being reproduced by the reproducing means, the display control means:
13. The reproduction terminal device according to claim 12, wherein a display content switching is performed according to a display continuation time with respect to a display operation of the load data in the display unit. 19. When a certain data file is being reproduced by the reproducing means, the display control means:
13. The display device according to claim 12, wherein a display content switching operation is performed in response to an operation relating to a display operation or a reproduction operation in the display operation of the load data in the display unit.
A playback terminal device according to claim 1. 20. The display control device according to claim 11, wherein the display control unit switches the display content on the display unit to a specific display when an operation related to the display operation or the reproduction operation is not performed for a predetermined time or more. Item 20. The reproduction terminal device according to item 19. 21. The reproduction terminal device according to claim 12, wherein the data file reproduced by the reproduction means is audio data.