WO2008050446A1

WO2008050446A1 - Information processing device, terminal device, information processing method, information processing program, and recording medium

Info

Publication number: WO2008050446A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/321523
Authority: WO
Inventors: Masato Sakamoto
Original assignee: Pioneer Corporation
Priority date: 2006-10-27
Filing date: 2006-10-27
Publication date: 2008-05-02

Abstract

An information processing device (110), which can communicate individually between a regenerative device (130) for regenerating arbitrary ones from contents recorded in a plurality of recording media and a plurality of terminal devices (120) containing the information indicating that a user owning the using right of the regenerative device (130) owns, is used to receive the regeneration request of the arbitrary contents from an arbitrary one of the terminal devices (120) by a receiving unit (111). In this case, the contents, which were sent from the regenerative device (130) in accordance with the regeneration instruction of the arbitrary contents issued to the regenerative device (130), are sent by a sending unit (116) to the arbitrary terminal device (120) having sent the regeneration request.

Description

Specification

Information processing device, terminal device, information processing method, information processing program, and recording medium

Technical field

The present invention relates to an information processing device, a terminal device, an information processing method, an information processing program, and a recording medium. However, use of the present invention is not limited to the information processing device, terminal device, information processing method, information processing program, and recording medium described above.

Background art

Conventionally, for example, any content such as music recorded on a CD or video recorded on a DVD is recorded on a recording medium included in a terminal device having portability, thereby being recorded on the recording medium. There was a technology that made it possible to play back content at any location. Conventionally, it has also been possible to record content such as music and video downloaded from a site on the Internet on a recording medium provided in the terminal device.

[0003] Further, conventionally, for example, a reproducing unit that selects a recording medium to be played and plays the music data using communication means, and a reproducing unit. After receiving the music data transmitted from the mobile phone and converting it to radio waves, the data relay unit that transmits the music data using communication means and the music data of the data relay unit are converted into music information and played back. There has been a technology related to a portable acoustic system including a mobile playback unit that transmits control information for selecting a recording medium to be played back by the unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9 55817

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, in the conventional technology described above, when an excessive impact is applied to the terminal device, such as when a recording medium on which content is recorded or a terminal device including the recording medium is dropped on the ground, the terminal There was a problem that the content recorded on the device was damaged, and the damaged content could no longer be played normally. Damaged content In this case, there is an example of the problem that it is troublesome because the operation of deleting the damaged content or recording the same or new content on the terminal device in place of the damaged content occurs. Furthermore, for example, such a problem becomes more prominent as the number of contents recorded in the terminal device increases.

[0006] In addition, in the above-described conventional technology, if a terminal device that records content downloaded from a site on the Internet is stolen or lost, the terminal device is lost. In spite of the fact that the content cannot be viewed in spite of the fact that the content is obtained in the above manner, and the user who has illegally obtained the content due to theft of the terminal device can view the content, an example is a problem.

[0007] Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, the music data transmitted from the data relay unit to the mobile playback unit is a sound corresponding to the music information for one song being played back by the playback unit. Since it is only music data and different music information cannot be played back at multiple locations regardless of the number of mobile playback units, if there are multiple users with different music to listen to at different locations, An example of this problem is that it is impossible to provide all users with the music they want.

Means for solving the problem

[0008] The information processing apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 is a reproduction apparatus that reproduces arbitrary content from content recorded on a plurality of recording media, and a user who has the right to use the reproduction apparatus. An information processing device capable of communicating with each of a plurality of terminal devices having information indicating possession, and requesting reproduction of the arbitrary content from any of the plurality of terminal devices. The receiving means for receiving, the issuing means for issuing a playback instruction for the arbitrary content to the playback device, and the playback instruction issued by the issuing means in accordance with the playback request received by the receiving means. The playback device power for acquiring the transmitted content and the arbitrary terminal that has transmitted the playback request for the content acquired by the acquiring means. It characterized in that it comprises transmission means for transmitting for a location, a.

[0009] The terminal device according to the invention of claim 6 communicates with an information processing device that causes a predetermined playback device to play back any content from among the content recorded on a plurality of recording media. A terminal device capable of issuing a reproduction request for the arbitrary content to the information processing device, and transmitted from the information processing device in response to the reproduction request issued by the issuing unit An acquisition means for acquiring content, a recording means for recording the content acquired by the acquisition means in a predetermined buffer, and a playback means for playing back the content recorded by the recording means .

[0010] The playback device according to the invention of claim 8 is output from an information processing device capable of communicating between a holding unit that holds a plurality of recording media on which content is recorded and a plurality of terminal devices, A receiving unit that receives a playback instruction for arbitrary content from the content recorded on the recording medium held by the holding unit, and a recording that is held by the holding unit when the playback instruction is received by the receiving unit Using selection means for selecting a recording medium in which the arbitrary content is recorded from among the medium, and a playback mechanism for reproducing the content recorded on the recording medium provided in plural according to the number of the terminal devices, A reproducing unit for reproducing the arbitrary content recorded on the recording medium selected by the selecting unit; and a content reproduced by the reproducing unit. The characterized in that it comprises a transfer means for transferring to the information processing apparatus.

[0011] An information processing method according to the invention of claim 9 includes a playback device that plays back arbitrary content from content recorded on a plurality of recording media, and a user who has the right to use the playback device. An information processing method performed by an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a terminal device having information indicating possession, and receiving a reproduction request for the arbitrary content from the terminal device In accordance with the reproduction request received in the reception step, an issue step for issuing a reproduction instruction for the arbitrary content to the reproduction device according to the reproduction request received in the reception step, and a reproduction instruction issued in the issue step! Therefore, the acquisition step of acquiring the transmitted content described above and the content acquired in the acquisition step are transmitted to the terminal device that has transmitted the reproduction request. Characterized in that it comprises a transmission step of, a.

[0012] An information processing method according to the invention of claim 10 is a terminal capable of communicating with an information processing device that causes a predetermined playback device to play back arbitrary content from content recorded on a plurality of recording media. An information processing method that is performed on a device, the information processing An issuance step for issuing a reproduction request for the arbitrary content to the physical device, and the arbitrary content received from the information processing device in response to the reproduction request issued in the issuance step is recorded in a predetermined buffer. A recording step; and a reproduction step of reproducing the arbitrary content recorded in the predetermined buffer in the recording step.

[0013] An information processing method according to an invention of claim 11 is a reproduction provided with holding means for holding a plurality of recording media on which content is recorded and a plurality of reproduction mechanisms for reproducing the content recorded on the recording medium. An information processing method performed in a playback device comprising: a content output from an information processing device capable of communicating with a plurality of terminal devices and recorded on a recording medium held by the holding unit Receiving a playback instruction for an arbitrary content from among the contents, and when the playback instruction is received in the receiving process, the arbitrary content from the recording medium held by the holding means And a recording step selected in the selection step using a selection step of selecting a recording medium on which the recording medium is recorded and any one of the plurality of reproduction mechanisms. A reproduction step of reproducing the arbitrary content recorded in the body, and feature in that it comprises a transfer step of transferring the contents reproduced by the reproducing process to the information processing apparatus.

[0014] An information processing program according to the invention of claim 12 causes a computer to execute the information processing method according to any one of claims 9 to L1.

A recording medium according to a thirteenth aspect of the invention is characterized in that the information processing program according to the twelfth aspect is recorded.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an information processing system in an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (part 1) of the information processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (part 2) of the information processing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the terminal device.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a system configuration of the content reproduction system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view for explaining a mounted disk table. [FIG. 7-1] FIG. 7-1 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) for explaining the connection method between the player unit and the terminal device.

[FIG. 7-2] FIG. 7-2 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) for explaining the connection method between the player unit and the terminal device.

[FIG. 7-3] FIG. 7-3 is an explanatory diagram (part 3) for explaining the connection method between the player unit and the terminal device.

[FIG. 7-4] FIG. 7-4 is an explanatory diagram (part 4) for explaining the connection method between the player unit and the terminal device.

[FIG. 8-1] FIG. 8-1 is an explanatory diagram (part 5) illustrating the method of connecting the player unit and the terminal device.

[Fig. 8-2] Fig. 8-2 is an explanatory diagram (part 6) for explaining the connection method between the player unit and the terminal device.

[FIG. 8-3] FIG. 8-3 is an explanatory diagram (part 7) for explaining the connection method between the player unit and the terminal device.

[FIG. 8-4] FIG. 8-4 is an explanatory diagram (part 8) illustrating the connection method between the player unit and the terminal device.

[FIG. 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a connection method between a player unit and a terminal device.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (part 1) of the controller.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (part 2) of the controller.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (part 3) of the controller.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the terminal apparatus.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view schematically showing the internal structure of the disc changer player.

Explanation of symbols

110 Information processing equipment

111 Receiver

112 Issuing Department

113 Acquisition Department 114 Multiplexer

115 Encryption section

116 Transmitter

117 Judgment part

118 L | P¾

119 Judgment part

120 terminal equipment

121 Issuing Department

122 Acquisition Department

124 Noffer

126 Playback section

130 Playback device

131 Holding part

132 Reception Department

133 Selector

134 Playback section

135 Transfer section

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0018] Exemplary embodiments of an information processing device, a terminal device, an information processing method, an information processing program, and a recording medium according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] (Functional configuration of information processing system)

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing system according to an embodiment. First, the functional configuration of the information processing system will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, an information processing system 100 according to an embodiment that is useful for the present invention includes an information processing device 110 and an information processing device 110.

The terminal device 120 and the playback device 130 are provided.

[0020] The information processing device 110 is provided so as to be able to communicate with the terminal device 120 and the playback device 130, respectively. The information processing device 110 includes a terminal device 120 or a playback device 130. On the other hand, communication may be enabled by a wired connection, or communication may be enabled by a wireless connection.

The information processing device 110 can communicate with only a specific terminal device 120 in the information processing system 100. There are a plurality of specific terminal devices 120 in the information processing system 100. Specifically, for example, predetermined authentication processing is performed between the information processing device 110 and the terminal device 120, and only the terminal device 120 that has been successfully authenticated can communicate with the information processing device 110. .

[0022] (Functional configuration of information processing apparatus)

Next, the functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 110 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 110 includes a receiving unit 111, an issuing unit 112, an acquiring unit 113, a multiplexing unit 114, an encrypting unit 115, a transmitting unit 116, and a determining unit 117. And a storage unit 118 and a determination unit 119.

The receiving unit 111 receives a playback request for arbitrary content from an arbitrary terminal device 120 among the plurality of terminal devices 120 in the information processing system 100. Here, the reproduction request is information that the terminal apparatus 120 requests the information processing apparatus 110 to transmit information necessary for reproducing arbitrary content in the terminal apparatus 120. The reproduction request includes information for specifying arbitrary content and identification information of the terminal device 120 that has issued the reproduction request.

[0024] The identification information of the terminal device 120 is information unique to each terminal device 120. Specifically, for example, an IP address assigned to each terminal device 120 is associated with the IP address. It may be an e-mail address or a serial number of the terminal device 120. The content is data for providing information to the user, and is recorded on a recording medium held by the playback device 130. Specifically, the content may be, for example, music, an image (moving image or still image), or a video (including audio and image).

[0025] The recording medium in the embodiment records content that causes copyright, such as a CD that records music performed by a specific musician, a DVD that records movies, and is purchased, for example. Other than personal use by authorized users It is a recording medium that is prohibited from being diverted to resale. The number of contents recorded on each recording medium may be singular or plural.

The issuing unit 112 issues a playback instruction for an arbitrary content to the playback device 130 in accordance with the playback request received by the receiving unit 111. Here, the reproduction instruction is information necessary for the terminal device 120 to reproduce an arbitrary content. The reproduction instruction includes information for specifying arbitrary content and a command for requesting transfer of the reproduction device 130 of the arbitrary content to the information processing device 110.

The acquisition unit 113 acquires content transmitted from the playback device 130 according to the playback instruction issued by the issuing unit 112. When there are a plurality of contents acquired by the acquisition unit 113 at a predetermined timing, the multiplexing unit 114 multiplexes the contents by associating each content with the identification information of the arbitrary terminal device 120 that transmitted the reproduction request. Multi-layered content is generated.

Here, the predetermined timing is, for example, timing for transmitting content transmitted from the playback device 130 to the terminal device 120, or information for transmitting a plurality of contents to the terminal device 120. It is the timing to generate. The plurality of contents included in the multiplexed content are, for example, predetermined contents out of contents transmitted from the reproduction apparatus 130 in response to a plurality of reproduction requests issued from the plurality of terminal apparatuses 120 to the information processing apparatus 110. The content was sent within the time.

[0029] The predetermined time is, for example, a time during which certain content is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 110 to an arbitrary terminal apparatus 120. That is, the multiplexing unit 114 transmits a certain content from the information processing device 110 to an arbitrary terminal device 120 and reproduces another content to be transmitted to another terminal device 120 during the transmission! / When acquired from the device 130, the multiplexed content is generated.

[0030] The multiplexing unit 114 is, for example, known as FDM (Frequency Division Multiplex), TDM (Time Division Multiplex), CDM (Code Division Multiplex), etc. Multiplexed content is generated using various multiplexing methods.

[0031] The encryption key unit 115 transmits a playback request for the content acquired by the acquisition unit 113. The terminal device 120 encrypts data using an encryption method that can be decrypted. For example, the encryption unit 115 may encrypt the content using an encryption method unique to the information processing system 100, or may be an encryption key such as a secret key or a public key defined in advance. The content may be encrypted using a known encryption method that performs encryption using.

[0032] When there are a plurality of contents acquired by the acquiring unit 113, the encryption unit 115 may encrypt the multiplexed content generated by the multiplexing unit 114. Encryption by the encryption unit 1 15 is performed on information other than information for specifying the content transmission destination, such as the address of the terminal device 120, and is performed by the terminal device 120 that has issued the reproduction request. It does not prevent content acquisition.

Transmitting section 116 transmits the content acquired by acquiring section 113 to any terminal device 120 that has transmitted the reproduction request. When the multiplexing content is generated by the multiplexing unit 114 described above, the transmission unit 116 transmits the multiplexed content generated by the multiplexing unit 114 to all the terminal devices 120 that transmitted the reproduction request. . When encryption is performed by the encryption unit 115 described above, the transmission unit 116 transmits the content encrypted by the encryption unit 115.

[0034] Judgment unit 117 is a terminal device having information indicating that the reproduction request power received by reception unit 111 is owned by a user who has been registered in advance (hereinafter referred to as "registered terminal device"). It is determined whether or not the reproduction request transmitted from 120 is power. Here, the user is a user who has the right to use the playback device 130. Specifically, for example, the user who purchased the playback device 130, or the playback device 130 purchased by the user. It is the family of the user who uses it.

In more detail, the user indicates, for example, a specific user identified using identification information registered in advance in the information processing apparatus 110. The identification information registered in advance is, for example, the identification information of the registered terminal device 120. Specifically, the determination unit 117, for example, records the identification information of the registered terminal device 120 by intensively recording the information processing device 110, and sends a playback request to the reception unit 111. If received, the identification information of the registered terminal device 120 recorded in advance is received depending on whether or not there is information that matches the identification information of the terminal device 120 included in the received reproduction request. It is determined whether the reproduction request received by the communication unit 111 is a reproduction request transmitted from the registered terminal device 120.

[0036] When the determination by the determination unit 117 is made, the issuing unit 112 described above reproduces an instruction to reproduce any content according to the reproduction request determined by the determination unit 117 to be transmitted from the registered terminal device 120. It may be issued to the device 130. In this case, even when a playback request is issued from the terminal device 120 other than the registered terminal 120 to the information processing device 110, a playback instruction for the playback device 130 is not issued.

Storage unit 118 stores information related to content that can be played back by playback device 130. For example, the storage unit 118 communicates with the playback device 130, and transmits information regarding content that can be played back on the playback device 130 at the time of communication from the playback device 130 to the information processing device 110. The transmitted information is stored as information relating to content that can be played back by the playback device 130.

[0038] Based on the information recorded by storage unit 118, determination unit 119 determines whether or not playback device 130 can play back any content in accordance with the playback request received by reception unit 111. Determine. The issuing unit 112 described above should issue a playback instruction to the playback device 130 when the determination unit 119 determines that playback is possible.

[0039] (Functional configuration of terminal device)

Next, the functional configuration of the terminal device 120 will be described with reference to FIG. The terminal device 120 is owned by the user described above. As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal device 120 includes an issuing unit 121, an acquiring unit 122, a recording unit 123, a buffer 124, a decoding unit 125, a playback unit 126, an input operation unit 127, It has.

The issuing unit 121 issues an arbitrary content reproduction request to the information processing apparatus 110. Specifically, when the issuing unit 121 receives a predetermined input operation via the input operation unit 127, for example, the issuing unit 121 issues a reproduction request for arbitrary content. The input operation unit 127 is a user interface that accepts a user input operation to the terminal device 120.

The acquisition unit 122 is configured to process the information processing apparatus 1 in response to the reproduction request issued by the issuing unit 121. Get the content sent from 10. When the above-described multiplexed content is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 110 in response to the reproduction request issued by the issuing unit 121, the acquiring unit 122 acquires the multiplexed content.

The recording unit 123 records the content acquired by the acquisition unit 122 in a predetermined buffer 124. The predetermined buffer 124 is a recording area for recording content associated with a condition for erasing the recorded content in accordance with the number of times of reproduction and the completion of reproduction. Specifically, for example, in the case of content that is associated with the condition that the content power recorded in the nota 124 “number of playback times = 2”, the second time out of the content recorded in the buffer 124 Content that has been played back is deleted.

When the multiplexed content is acquired by the acquisition unit 122 described above, the recording unit 123 stores the content associated with the identification information of the multiplexed content acquired by the acquisition unit 122 in a predetermined buffer 124. Record. The decryption key unit 125 is content acquired by the acquisition unit 122 (including multiplexed content, hereinafter the same) force encrypted content (hereinafter referred to as “encrypted content”). If so, decrypt the encrypted content. When the content acquired by the acquisition unit 122 is encrypted content, the recording unit 123 records the content decrypted by the decryption unit 125 in a predetermined buffer 124.

[0044] The reproduction unit 126 reproduces the content recorded by the recording unit 123. For example, when the selected content is music content, the reproduction unit 126 reproduces the content by outputting sound according to the content from a speaker or the like. Further, for example, when the selected content is video content, the reproduction unit 126 outputs sound according to the content from a speaker or the like, and displays an image according to the content on a display or the like.

[0045] (Functional configuration of playback device 130)

Next, the functional configuration of the playback device 130 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the playback device 130 includes a holding unit 131, a reception unit 132, a selection unit 133, a playback unit 134, and a transfer unit 135. The holding unit 131 can hold a plurality of the above-described recording media. The accepting unit 132 accepts an instruction to reproduce any content from the content recorded on the recording medium held by the holding unit 131. The accepting unit 132 accepts a playback instruction for arbitrary content by receiving, for example, a playback instruction issued by the information processing apparatus 110. In addition, the receiving unit 132 may receive a reproduction instruction for arbitrary content by receiving a predetermined input operation via a user interface that receives a user input operation on the reproduction device 130, for example.

[0047] The selection unit 133 receives a reproduction instruction from the recording medium held in the holding unit 131 by the receiving unit 132 when the reception unit 132 receives designation of arbitrary content to be played back. A recording medium on which arbitrary content is recorded is selected. The playback unit 134 plays back the content selected by the selection unit 133 among the content recorded on the recording medium held by the holding unit 131.

[0048] In the embodiment, reproduction refers to decoding content into a form according to the output destination of the content. Decoding refers to converting content encoded so that it can be decoded by the playback device 130 into a form that can be decoded by the information processing device 110. That is, the playback unit 134 outputs the content selected by the selection unit 133 and converted into a format that can be decoded by the information processing device 110 to the outside of the playback device 130.

[0049] Further, the reproduction in the reproduction unit 134 may be to decode the content into a form according to the output destination of the content and output the content to the outside of the reproduction device 130. In this case, specifically, for example, when the selected content is music content, the playback unit 134 may play back the content by outputting sound according to the content from a speaker or the like. Specifically, for example, when the selected content is video content, the playback unit 134 outputs sound according to the content from a speaker or the like, and displays an image according to the content on a display or the like. May be.

[0050] When the content to be played back by the playback unit 134 is output to the final output target of the content, such as a user of the terminal device 120, the output of the content is started and the power is also completed. It is content that requires more than a predetermined amount of time until. The content to be played back by the playback unit 134 may be content that can be output instantaneously, such as a still image. [0051] The playback unit 134 includes a playback mechanism (not shown) for enabling the playback described above. A plurality of playback mechanisms in the playback unit 134 are provided according to the number of terminal devices 120 that can communicate with the information processing device 110. For example, the playback mechanism in the playback unit 134 can be added as appropriate according to the number of terminal devices 120 that can communicate with the information processing device 110.

The transfer unit 135 transfers the content played back by the playback unit 134 to the information processing apparatus 110. The transfer unit 135 may transfer the content selected by the selection unit 133 to the information processing apparatus 110 without playing it back.

[0053] (Processing procedure of information processing apparatus (1))

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (part 1) of the information processing apparatus. Next, a processing procedure (part 1) of the information processing apparatus 110 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 110 first waits until the reception unit 111 receives the reproduction request transmitted from the terminal apparatus 120 in the information processing system 100 (step S 201: No), and receives the reception request. If it is determined (step S201: Yes), the determination unit 117 determines whether or not the terminal device 120 that has issued the reproduction request is a registered terminal (step S202). If it is not a registered terminal (step S202: No), the series of processing ends.

[0054] If the terminal device 120 that issued the playback request is a registered terminal in step S202 (step S202: Yes), the content of the content in accordance with the playback request received in step S201: Yes. Then, it is determined by the determination unit 119 whether or not the reproduction apparatus 130 is capable of reproduction (step S203).

[0055] In step S203, using the information stored in storage unit 118, is it possible to play back the content in accordance with the playback request received in step S201: Yes on playback device 130? Determine whether or not. In step S203, when it is impossible to reproduce the content in accordance with the reproduction request received in step S201: Yes in reproduction apparatus 130 (step S203: No), the series of processing ends.

[0056] On the other hand, in step S203, when the playback device 130 can play back the content according to the playback request received in step S201: Yes (step S201). 203: Yes), the playback unit 130 issues a content playback instruction in accordance with the playback request received in step S201: Yes by the issuing unit 112 (step S204), and the series of processing ends. To do.

When the reproduction device 130 receives the reproduction request issued from the information processing device 110 in step S204 shown in FIG. 2 described above, the reception device 130 responds to the received reproduction request. The content is reproduced by the reproduction unit 134 and transmitted to the information processing apparatus 110 by the transfer unit 135.

[0058] (Processing procedure of information processing device (2))

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (part 2) of the information processing apparatus. Next, a processing procedure (part 2) of the information processing apparatus 110 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing apparatus 110 first waits until the content transmitted from the playback apparatus 130 is acquired by the acquisition unit 113 (step S301: No), and if acquired (step S301: In “Yes”, it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of acquired contents (step S302). If the content is singular (step S302: No), the process proceeds to step S304.

[0059] In step S302, when there are a plurality of acquired contents (step S302: Yes), the multiplexed content described above is generated by the multiplexing unit 114 (step S303), and the content to be transmitted to the terminal device 120 Is encrypted (step S 304). In step S304, the multiplexed content is encrypted if it passes through step S303, and the single content is encrypted if it passes through step S302: No.

[0060] The content encrypted in step S304 is transmitted by the transmission unit 116 to the terminal device 120 that has issued the reproduction request received in step S201 shown in FIG. S 305), a series of processing ends.

[0061] (Processing procedure of terminal device)

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the terminal device 120. Next, the processing procedure of the terminal device 120 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, terminal apparatus 120 first waits until there is an input operation for requesting selection of content and reproduction of the content via input operation unit 127 (step S401: No). [0062] In step S401, when there is an input operation for requesting selection of content and playback of the content via the input operation unit 127 (step S401: Yes), input to the information processing apparatus 110 is performed. The reproduction request for the content selected by the operation is issued by the issuing unit 121 (step S402), and the content transmitted from the information processing device 110 in response to the issued reproduction request is acquired by the acquisition unit 122. (Step S403).

[0063] In step S403, when the content transmitted from the information processing apparatus 110 is acquired in response to the reproduction request issued in step S402 (step S403: Yes), the content is acquired in the predetermined buffer 124 described above. The recorded content is recorded by the recording unit 123 (step S404), the recorded content is played back by the playback unit 126 (step S405), and the series of processing ends.

[0064] On the other hand, if the content transmitted from the information processing apparatus 110 is acquired in response to the reproduction request issued in step S403 !! or step S402! In (Step S403: No), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has passed since the reproduction request was issued in Step S402 (Step S406). In (Step S406: No), the process returns to Step S403.

[0065] In step S406, if a predetermined time has elapsed since the reproduction request was issued in step S402 (step S406: Yes), predetermined error processing is performed (step S407), and a series of processing is performed. Exit. In step S407, for example, when the terminal device 120 is a terminal device 120 having a display, a message such as “A communication error has occurred. Playback is interrupted” is displayed on the display. The occurrence of the error is notified to the user of the terminal device 120.

[0066] In step S407, for example, when terminal device 120 is terminal device 120 that does not include a display and outputs only sound, the above-described message may be output from a speaker or the like by sound. Then, the occurrence of an error may be notified to the user of the terminal device 120 by turning on a predetermined error notification lamp.

As described above, according to the information processing apparatus 110 of the embodiment, the reception unit 111 receives a playback request for arbitrary content from an arbitrary terminal apparatus 120 among the plurality of terminal apparatuses 120. When received, the content sent from the playback device 130 in accordance with the playback instruction of the arbitrary content issued to the playback device 130 is sent by the transmission unit 116 to the arbitrary terminal device 120 that has transmitted the playback request. Can be sent.

[0068] Thus, the information processing apparatus 110 can play back the content played back on the playback apparatus 130 regardless of the location of the terminal apparatus 120, as long as the information processing apparatus 110 and the terminal apparatus 120 can communicate with each other. Can be provided to the user of the terminal device 120 via an arbitrary terminal device 120.

[0069] As a result, the user of the information processing apparatus 110 is recorded on a plurality of recording media owned by the user at any location within the communicable area between the information processing apparatus 110 and the terminal device 120. Arbitrary content can be viewed from the content with the same quality as the playback device 130.

[0070] Also, according to the information processing device 100 of the embodiment, when there are a plurality of contents to be transmitted to the terminal device 120 at a predetermined timing, the multiplexed content generated using each content is The reproduction request can be transmitted to any terminal device 120 that has transmitted the reproduction request.

Accordingly, the information processing apparatus 110 is within the communication range between the information processing apparatus 110 and the terminal apparatus 120, regardless of the number of contents transmitted to the terminal apparatus 120 at a predetermined timing. The content reproduced at 130 can be provided to the user of the terminal device 120 via the corresponding terminal device 120.

Accordingly, the user of the information processing apparatus 110 can be connected within the communication range between the information processing apparatus 110 and the terminal apparatus 120 regardless of the number of the terminal apparatuses 120 operating in the information processing system 100. In any place, it is possible to view any content from among the content recorded on a plurality of recording media owned by the player with a quality similar to the quality at the time of playback on the playback device 130.

[0073] Also, according to the information processing apparatus 110 of the embodiment, when a reproduction request is issued from the registered terminal 120, it is transmitted to any terminal apparatus 120 that has transmitted the reproduction request. be able to.

Accordingly, information processing apparatus 110 can communicate with information processing apparatus 110 and terminal apparatus 120. Within the working range, the content played back on the playback device 130 can be provided only to users of registered terminals.

[0075] Then, the user of the information processing apparatus 110 can play back any content from the content recorded on the copyrighted recording medium that has been obtained, for example, by purchase. The device 130 can be viewed with the same quality as the playback quality.

[0076] Furthermore, according to the information processing apparatus 110 of the embodiment, the content encrypted with the encryption that can be decrypted by the terminal apparatus 120 that transmitted the reproduction request is sent to the arbitrary terminal apparatus 120 that transmitted the reproduction request. Can be sent to.

Accordingly, the information processing apparatus 110 leaks the content reproduced by the reproduction apparatus 130 to the outside of the information processing system 100 regardless of the communication method and distance between the information processing apparatus 110 and the terminal apparatus 120. It can be provided to the user of the terminal device 120 via an arbitrary terminal device 120 that is not allowed to be executed.

[0078] As a result, the user of the information processing apparatus 110 is recorded on a plurality of recording media owned by the user at any location within the communicable area between the information processing apparatus 110 and the terminal apparatus 120. Medium power of content Any content can be viewed with the same quality as that of the playback device 130 without worrying about leakage outside the information processing system 100.

[0079] Also, according to the information processing apparatus 110 of the embodiment, the playback apparatus 130 according to a playback instruction issued when playback of any content according to the playback request is possible in the playback apparatus 130. The content transmitted from can be transmitted to any terminal device 120 that has transmitted the reproduction request.

Accordingly, when the information processing apparatus 110 issues a reproduction instruction, the information processing apparatus 110 provides content that can be reliably provided to the user of the terminal apparatus 120 that has issued the reproduction instruction via an arbitrary terminal apparatus 120. Thus, it can be provided to the user of the terminal device 120.

[0081] Then, the user of the information processing device 110 is recorded on a plurality of recording media owned by the user at any location within the communicable area between the information processing device 110 and the terminal device 120. Make sure that the content specified from the content is stored in the playback device 130. It can be viewed with the same quality as the playback quality.

Furthermore, according to the terminal device 120 of the embodiment, when an arbitrary content is designated by the user of the terminal device 120, the arbitrary content is acquired from the playback device 130 via the information processing device 110. The acquired content can be reproduced.

[0083] Thus, the terminal device 120, as long as it is within the communicable area between the information processing device 110 and the terminal device 120, the content played back by the playback device 130, regardless of the location of the own device, It can be provided to the user of the terminal device 120.

[0084] As a result, the user of the terminal device 120 is recorded on a plurality of recording media owned by the user at any location within the communicable area between the information processing device 110 and the terminal device 120. Arbitrary content can be viewed from the content with the same quality as the playback device 130.

Also, according to the playback device 130 of the embodiment, when the reception unit 132 receives a playback instruction for arbitrary content, the transfer unit 135 transmits the arbitrary content played back according to the playback instruction to the information processing device. By transferring to 110, any content can be transmitted to any terminal device 120 that has transmitted the reproduction request.

[0086] Thus, if the terminal device 120 is within a communication range with the information processing device 110, the playback device 130 can arbitrarily select the content played back on the playback device 130 regardless of the location of the terminal device 120. It can be provided to the user of the terminal device 120 via the terminal device 120.

[0087] Then, the user of the information processing device 110 is recorded on a plurality of recording media owned by the user at any location within the communicable area between the information processing device 110 and the terminal device 120. Arbitrary content can be viewed from the content with the same quality as the playback device 130.

[0088] Also, according to the playback device 130 of the embodiment, the content recorded on the recording medium is played back using a plurality of playback mechanisms provided in accordance with the number of terminal devices 120. In the processing system 100, the number of terminal devices 120 that can communicate with the information processing device 110 is increased according to the number of playback devices 120, so that all terminal devices 120 can be connected to each terminal device 120 regardless of the number of terminal devices 120. Play content in response to playback requests issued by can do.

Example

Next, an example that works on the above-described embodiment will be described. The example described below is an example in which the information processing system 100 according to the above-described embodiment is applied to a content reproduction system realized by various devices connected to a communication network such as the Internet.

[0090] (Content playback system)

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a system configuration of the content reproduction system according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the content reproduction system 500 of the embodiment is configured by a disc changer player 510, a plurality of terminal devices 520, a controller 530, and a distribution device 540. In the example, the playback device 130 in the above-described embodiment is realized by the disc changer player 510, and the information processing device 110 in the above-described embodiment is realized by the controller 530 and the distribution device 540.

[0091] The disc changer player 510 and the controller 530 are provided so as to communicate with each other. The controller 530 and the distribution device 540 are provided so as to communicate with each other. The distribution device 540 and the plurality of terminal devices 520 are each connected to a communication network 550 such as the Internet via a wired or wireless connection. The distribution device 540 and the plurality of terminal devices 520 are provided to communicate with each other via the communication network 550.

[0092] (Schematic configuration of disc changer player)

Next, a schematic configuration of the disc changer player 510 will be described. The disc changer player 510 includes a disc server unit and a player unit (see FIG. 14). The disc server unit holds a plurality of discs on which contents are recorded so that the disc server unit can be inserted and removed. The disk in the embodiment is the same as the recording medium described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted here.

[0093] Here, a disc is a disc that has a copyright, such as a CD that records music performed by a specific musician, a DVD that records movies, and the like. It is a disc that is prohibited from being diverted or resold except for personal use by authorized users. In the disc change player of the embodiment, The disk server unit can hold hundreds to thousands of disks.

Force not shown The disk server unit includes detection means for detecting the loading of the disk into the disk server unit or the removal of the disk having the disk server unit force. The detecting means detects whether or not the disk mounted (held) in the disk server unit (hereinafter referred to as “mounted disk”) is changed. When the detection unit detects a change in the mounted disk in the disk server unit, the disk changer player 510 transmits information indicating that the mounted disk has changed to the controller 530.

[0095] The player unit reproduces the content recorded on the disc instructed to be reproduced from among a plurality of discs held by the disc server unit. The reproduction instruction for the player unit is output from the controller 530 via the disc server unit, for example. In addition, a playback instruction to the player can be input by a user operating an operation panel or the like provided on the disc changer player 510.

[0096] The number of player units in the disc changer player 510 may be singular or plural. The disc changer player 510 of the embodiment includes a plurality of player units. Each player unit can play back content recorded on different disks according to the input playback instructions.

[0097] The configuration for allowing the disc to be inserted into and removed from the disc server unit and the configuration for reproducing the content recorded on the disc can be easily realized by using various known techniques. Description is omitted. In the embodiment, the force of reproducing a plurality of discs simultaneously using a plurality of player units is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to play back multiple discs simultaneously by playing back multiple content recorded on multiple discs alternately with one player unit.

Note that the holding unit 131, the receiving unit 13, the selection unit 133, the playback unit 134, and the transfer unit 135 in the playback device 130 shown in FIG. 1 are recorded in the memory of the disc changer player 510 shown in FIG. The CPU executes a predetermined program using the programmed program and data and controls each part in the disc changer player 510 to realize the function. [0099] (Schematic configuration of controller)

Next, a schematic configuration of the controller 530 will be described. The controller 530 can be realized by a computer device such as a personal computer. Since it is a well-known technique, the illustration and explanation of the configuration is omitted. The controller 530 is a CPU that controls each part of the controller 530, various programs executed by the CPU, and data used when executing the program. It has a memory to record, a communication IZF that communicates with external devices such as the disk changer player 510 and the terminal device 520, and the like.

The controller 530 can detect whether or not there is a change in the mounted disk in the disk server unit by communicating with the disk server unit in the disk changer player 510. In addition, when the controller 530 detects that a disc has been newly installed in the disc server unit, the controller 530 detects that the disc has been newly installed, and the player unit (hereinafter referred to as the player unit) By using 512, it is possible to extract disc information such as TOC (Table of Contents) information recorded on the disc by playing the newly installed disc. It is.

[0101] The memory included in the controller 530 stores a registered terminal table that can identify the identification information of the terminal device 520 constituting the content reproduction system 500. The identification information of the terminal device 520 is information unique to each terminal device 520. Specifically, for example, even an IP address assigned to the terminal device 520 or a mail address associated with the IP address may be used. The serial number of the terminal device 520.

[0102] In addition, the memory included in the controller 530 stores a mounted disk table (see FIG. 6) that is generated using the extracted disk information and represents the state of the disk changer player 510. The controller 530 uses the mounted disk table to search for the free player 512 and obtain the number of terminal devices 520 connected to each player unit (hereinafter referred to as “terminal connection number”). To do.

[0103] Further, in the memory provided in the controller 530, a connection number table indicating the connection number of the terminal device 520 with which the communication state with the player unit is established is shown for each player unit. Bull is stored. Here, the connection number is information indicating the order of connection to a player unit when a plurality of terminal devices 520 are connected to a player unit at a certain timing.

For example, when a new terminal device 520 is connected to a player unit to which two terminal devices 520 are already connected, the connection number of the terminal device 520 is “3”. If the connection between one of the two terminal devices 520 and the player unit among the two terminal devices 520 is released, the connection number that was “3” at the time of connection is “ Changed to “2”.

[0105] Further, the memory included in the controller 530 stores a terminal status table that stores the operation state (status) of the terminal device 520, and a player status table that stores the operation state (status) of the player unit. (Refer to reference numerals 71 0 and 720 in FIGS. 7-1 to 7-4 and reference numerals 810 and 820 in FIGS. 8-1 to 8-4). The terminal status table and the player status table are updated as appropriate according to the operating states of the terminal device 520 and the player unit.

[0106] In the terminal status table, information indicating whether the power of each terminal device 520 is on, power ff, is stored for each terminal device 520 as the operating state of the terminal device 520 in the content reproduction system 500. . In the embodiment, the terminal device 520 whose power is on will be described below as being connected to one of the player units.

[0107] In the player status table, as the operation state of the player unit in the content reproduction system 500, information power indicating whether each player unit is on (operating state) force ff (stopped state) is stored for each player unit. Has been.

In addition, the controller 530 includes encryption means for encrypting the content transmitted from the disk changer player 510. Specifically, the encryption means encrypts the content by using, for example, a dedicated encryption circuit or executing an encryption program. The content encryption performed by the encryption means can be realized using various known encryption techniques, and the description thereof is omitted here.

Note that in the information processing apparatus 110 shown in FIG. 1, the receiving unit 111, the issuing unit 112, the obtaining unit 113, the multiplexing unit 114, the encryption unit 115, the transmission unit 116, the determination unit 117, the storage unit 118, Judgment The function of unit 119 is realized by the CPU executing a predetermined program using the program data recorded in the memory of controller 530 shown in FIG. 5 and controlling each unit of controller 530. .

That is, the controller 530 of this embodiment shows the functions provided in the information processing apparatus 110 shown in FIG. 1 by the information processing program recorded in the recording medium in the controller 530 as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. Can be executed in the following procedure.

[0111] (Schematic configuration of terminal device)

Next, a schematic configuration of the terminal device 520 will be described. The terminal device 520 can be realized by, for example, a laptop personal computer, a PDA, a portable AV device, a portable telephone, a powerful audio device, a car navigation device, or the like. The terminal device 520 is not limited to a device having portability, and can be realized by, for example, an AV device installed and used in a home.

[0112] Although illustration and description are omitted because it is a known technique, the terminal device 520 includes a CPU that controls each unit included in the terminal device 520, various programs executed by the CPU, data used when executing the program, and the like. A memory for recording content, a communication IZF for communicating with an external device, a buffer for recording content transmitted from the controller 530, and playback means for playing back the content recorded in the buffer.

[0113] The reproduction means outputs the content transmitted from the controller 530 in a form requested by the user. Specifically, for example, when the content is music, the playback means outputs sound according to the content from a speaker or the like by playing back the content. Specifically, for example, when the content is a video, the playback means outputs the sound according to the content by playing back the content from a speaker or the like, and at the same time the image (video or still image) according to the content. ) May be displayed on the display.

[0114] Therefore, terminal device 520 includes a device for outputting content, such as a speaker, a display, or both a speaker and a display, according to the content to be played. When the content transmitted from the controller 530 is encrypted content, the terminal device 520 decrypts the encrypted content. The decoding key means is provided. Specifically, the decryption means decrypts the encrypted content transmitted from the controller 530 by using a dedicated decryption circuit or executing a decryption program, for example.

[0115] In addition, when the terminal device 520 is a multiplexed content obtained by multiplexing a plurality of contents transmitted from the controller 530, the terminal device 520 displays the content associated with the identification information of the terminal from the multiplexed content. Extraction means for extracting is provided. Specifically, the extraction means extracts content associated with the identification information of the terminal from the multiplexed content by using, for example, a dedicated extraction circuit or executing an extraction program.

[0116] When the content transmitted from the controller 530 is encrypted content, the content decrypted by the decryption means is recorded in the notifier. When the content transmitted from the controller 530 is a multiplexed content, the content recorded in the noffer is a specific content extracted by the medium content extraction means included in the multiplexed content.

[0117] In addition, terminal device 520 includes an input operation unit that receives an input operation by a user. The input operation unit is realized by, for example, a plurality of buttons, a touch panel stacked on an image in which input contents are written, a microphone for inputting voice, a voice recognition module for analyzing the input voice, and the like. The input operation unit may be provided integrally with the terminal device 520, or may be provided separately.

[0118] The user of terminal device 520 designates content to be reproduced by performing an input operation via the input operation unit. When the content is designated, the plurality of terminal devices 520 outputs a reproduction request for requesting reproduction of the designated content to the controller 530 using the communication function. The reproduction request includes identification information for identifying the terminal device 520 that is the output source of the reproduction request.

[0119] The identification information is information unique to each terminal device 520, and specifically, for example, may be an IP address assigned to the terminal device 520 or a mail address associated with the IP address. ! /, And the serial number of the terminal device 520.

Note that in the terminal device 120 shown in FIG. 1, the issuing unit 121, the obtaining unit 122, and the recording unit 123 are provided. The noffer 124, the decryption unit 125, the reproduction unit 126, and the input operation unit 127 use the program and data recorded in the memory in the terminal device 520 shown in FIG. The function is realized by controlling each part in the terminal device 520.

That is, the terminal device 520 of this embodiment uses the information processing program recorded on the recording medium in the terminal device 520 to perform the functions of the terminal device 120 shown in FIG. 1 according to the procedure shown in FIG. Can be executed.

Distribution device 540 has a communication function for transmitting content (including multiplexed content) output from controller 530 or encrypted multiplexed content to each terminal device 520 via communication network 550. Yes. Various known techniques can be used by the distribution apparatus 540 for transmitting content via the communication network 550, and the description thereof is omitted here.

[0123] (Installed disk table)

Next, the mounting disk table described above will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the mounted disk table. As shown in FIG. 6, the mounted disk table 600 is appropriately updated according to the disk mounted on the mounted disk changer player 510. The installed disc table 600 uses the above-described disc information to determine whether or not a disc is installed, the type of disc (media) installed, the type of content stored on the disc, and various types of information such as TOC information. Is a data table for storing each disk storage location in the disk changer player 510.

FIGS. 7-1 to 7-4 are explanatory views ((No. 1) to (No. 4)) for explaining a connection method between the player unit and the terminal device 520. FIG. FIGS. 7-1 to 7-4 show the terminal status table 710 and the player status table 720 described above. Fig. 7-1 shows the initial state of the content playback system 500.

In the state shown in FIG. 7-1, only the terminal device 520 identified as “terminal 3” is turned on. A terminal device 520 identified as “terminal 3” is connected to a player unit identified as “player 3”. At this time, the connection number of the terminal device 520 identified as “terminal 3” to the player unit identified as “player 3” is “1”. The

FIG. 7-2 shows a state in which the terminal device 520 identified as “terminal 1” is turned on from the initial state shown in FIG. 7-1. In the state shown in FIG. 7-2, since the terminal device 520 identified as “terminal 3” and the player unit identified as “player 3” are connected, as shown in FIG. 7-3. In addition, the controller 530 searches for a player unit that is also connected to the terminal device 520 having a V or a deviation from player units other than the player unit identified as “player 3”.

FIG. 7-4 shows a state in which the connection of terminal device 520 identified as “terminal 1” has been established. As shown in FIG. 7-4, the terminal device 520 identified as “Terminal 1” indicates that any terminal device 520 identified as “Terminal 1” is turned on when the terminal device 520 identified as “Terminal 1” is turned on. Among the players that are not connected to each other, the player is connected to the player unit identified as “Player 1” with the smallest identification information power S. At this time, the connection number of the terminal device 520 identified as “terminal 1” to the player unit identified as “player 1” is “1”.

[0128] In the connection method described with reference to Fig. 7-1 to Fig. 7-4, when the terminal device 520 is turned on, the terminal device 520 is also connected to the misaligned terminal device 520. This is not limited to the force described in the case where there is a free player. For example, depending on the number of player units and terminal devices 520 in the disc changer player 510, there is a player unit that can be connected to any terminal device 520 when the power of the terminal device 520 is turned on. There is a case.

FIG. 8-1 to FIG. 8-4 are explanatory diagrams ((No. 5) to (No. 8)) for explaining a connection method between the player unit and the terminal device 520. FIG. FIGS. 8-1 to 8-4 show the terminal status table 810 and the player status table 820 described above. Fig. 8-1 shows the initial state of the content playback system 500, which is different from Fig. 7-1. FIG. 8-1 to FIG. 8-4 show a content reproduction system 500 in which the number of player units is 3 and the number of terminal devices 520 is 4 or more!

[0130] In the state shown in FIG. 8-1, the terminal device 5 20 identified as "terminal 1" to "terminal 3" is turned on, and each terminal device 520 is " Player 1 ”to“ Player 3 ” Is connected to the player unit identified as "." FIG. 8-2 shows a state in which the power supply of the terminal device 520 identified as “terminal N” is turned on from the initial state shown in FIG. 8-1.

[0131] In the state shown in FIG. 8-2, the terminal device 5 20 identified as “terminal 1” to “terminal 3” and the player unit identified as “player 1” to “player 3” respectively. It is connected. At this time, the connection numbers of the terminal devices 520 identified as “terminal 1” to “terminal 3” to the player units identified as “player 1” to “player ₃ ” are “1”, respectively.

[0132] As shown in Fig. 8-3, if the controller 530 searches for a player unit that is not connected to any of the terminal devices 520, the player unit cannot search, as shown in Fig. 8-4. In addition, the terminal device 520 identified as “terminal N” is connected with the connection number “2” assigned to the player unit identified as “player 3”, and is a target player described later.

[0133] The terminal device 520 identified as "terminal N" is assigned the connection number "2", so that the priority of connection to the player unit identified as "player 3" of the terminal device 520 is Next to the terminal device 520 to which the connection number “1” is assigned (the terminal device 520 identified as “terminal 3” in FIG. 8-4), this is the second.

[Data flow in content playback system]

Next, a data flow in the content reproduction system 500 will be described. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a connection method between the player unit and the terminal device 520. Fig. 9 explains the flow of data when a plurality of terminal devices 520 are connected to different player units and the playback requesting power of content recorded on different discs is issued. To do.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 9, when the playback requesting power of content recorded on different discs is issued from each terminal device 520, the player unit connected to each communication terminal respectively has the corresponding content Play. The controller 530 uses the reproduced content to combine the reproduction information indicating the reproduction time of the content and the actual information output to the user to generate data for each player unit. [0136] Next, the controller 530 divides the data for each player unit generated by reproducing the content by each player unit into packet units, and combines the divided packets together. Generate content. In the multiplexed content, data for each of a plurality of player units is mixed in units of packets, and header data for all the mixed packets is associated.

[0137] The header data includes, for example, information related to the content included in the multiplexed content, information related to the terminal device 520 that issued the content reproduction request, and the like. The header data can identify the terminal device 520 that is the transmission destination of the multiplexed content and the content that each terminal device 520 should reproduce.

The controller 530 encrypts the multiplexed content using the encryption means described above, and outputs the encrypted multiplexed content to the distribution apparatus 540. At the time of encryption, the controller 530 encrypts only the content of the terminal device 520 that is the transmission destination of the multiplexed content so that the terminal device 520 that has received the multiplexed content can determine. If there is header data, do not encrypt part of it.

Distribution device 540 transmits the encrypted multiplexed content output from controller 530 to each terminal device 520 via communication network 550. The terminal device 520 that has output the playback request uses the header data in the encrypted multiplexed content output from the controller 530, and the content corresponding to the playback request issued by the device itself is transmitted to the multiplexed content. Determine whether it is included.

[0140] When content corresponding to the playback request issued by the terminal device 520 is included, each terminal device 520 decrypts the content corresponding to the playback request and records the decrypted content in the buffer. The terminal device 520 decrypts all the encrypted multiplexed content output from the controller 530, and then sends only the content corresponding to the playback request issued by itself to the router. Let's record it.

[0141] (Controller processing procedure (1))

Next, the processing procedure (part 1) of the controller 530 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure (part 1) of the controller 530. As shown in FIG. 10, the controller 530 first changes the loaded disc in the disc changer player 510. Wait until it is changed (Step S1001: No).

[0142] If the mounted disk is changed in step S1001 (step S1001: Yes), the mounted disk information is acquired (step S1002). In step S1002, for example, when a new disc is additionally installed, the newly installed disc is played using the free player 512 in the disc changer player 510, and the TOC information of the newly installed disc is displayed. Information is acquired as installed disk information.

[0143] Also, in step S1002, for example, if the disc power that has been installed is removed from the disc changer player 510, the disc that has been removed is identified, and information such as the TOC information for the identified disc is installed. Obtain as information.

Then, in step S1002, the mounted disk table 600 is updated using the mounted disk information acquired in step S1002 (step S1003), and the series of processing ends. In step S 1003, for example, in the above-described step S 1002, when information such as the TOC information of the newly mounted disk is acquired as the mounted disk information, the acquired mounted disk information is stored in the mounted disk table. Add to 600.

[0145] Also, in step S1003, for example, when information such as the TOC information of the removed disk is acquired as the mounted disk information in step S1002, the mounted disk information is deleted from the mounted disk table 600. To do.

[0146] (Controller processing procedure (2))

Next, the processing procedure (part 2) of the controller 530 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure (part 2) of the controller 530. As shown in FIG. 11, the controller 530 first waits until there is a connection request issued from the terminal device 520 that has established a connection with the controller 530 (step S1101: No).

Force not shown The connection between the controller 530 and the terminal device 520 is, for example, transmitted from the terminal device 520 when the power of the terminal device 520 is turned on. It is established when the same identification information as the identification information exists in the registered terminal table described above. It is assumed that the establishment of the connection between the controller 530 and the terminal device 520 is completed before the processing procedure (part 2) of the controller 530 is started.

[0148] In step S1101, if there is a connection request (step S1101: Yes), It is determined whether or not there is a Lee player 512 (step SI 102). If there is a free player 512 (step S 1102: Yes), the process proceeds to step S 1104. If there is no free player 5 12 (step S1102: No), a player (hereinafter referred to as “target player”) that plays back the content in response to the connection request is determined (step S1103), and the process proceeds to step S1104. Transition.

Here, as described with reference to FIGS. 8-1 to 8-4 above, the target player is already connected to the terminal device 520 at the timing when the connection request is issued. This is a player unit to which an additional terminal device 520 is additionally connected. Next, the connection number of the terminal device 520 connected to the target player is set (step S 1104), and the connection table described above is updated (step S 1105) to determine whether or not there is a list request. Yes (Step S 1106).

[0150] If there is a list request in step S1106 (step S1106: Yes), list information is transmitted to terminal device 520 that issued the request (step S1107), and a series of requests are made. The process ends. If there is no list request in step S 1106 (step S 11 06: No), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has passed since it was determined in step S1101: Yes that there was a connection request (step S 1106). 1108).

[0151] In step S1108, when it is determined that the connection request has been made in step S1101: Yes (step S1108: No), the process returns to step S1106. If the predetermined time has elapsed (step S1108: Yes), the series of processing ends. If it is determined that a connection request has been received and there is no list request even after a predetermined time has elapsed, a series of processing is performed after transmitting information that prompts the issuance of the list request to the terminal device 520. You may end.

[0152] (Controller processing procedure (3))

Next, the processing procedure (part 3) of the controller 530 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure (part 3) of the controller 530. As shown in FIG. 12, the controller 530 first waits until there is a reproduction request issued from the terminal device 520 that has established a connection with the controller 530 (step S 1201: No).

[0153] In step S1201, the terminal device with which the connection with the controller 530 has been established. If there is a reproduction request issued from the device 520 (step S1201: Yes), it is determined whether or not the terminal device 520 that issued the reproduction request has the right to request (step S1202). Here, the request right is a right for validating the reproduction request issued to the controller 530.

[0154] The presence / absence of the request right is determined according to the connection number set when the connection with the controller 530 is established. As described with reference to FIGS. 8-1 to 8-4 described above, when a plurality of terminal devices 520 are connected to a single player unit, the connection number of the terminal device 520 connected first is “1”. The connection number of the terminal device 520 connected second is “2”.

[0155] In the embodiment, the connection number power is set so that the terminal device 520 can easily be determined to have a request right with higher priority. Further, in the embodiment, when there is a reproduction request from a plurality of terminal devices 520 having the same connection number, the terminal device 520 with the earlier timing of issuing the reproduction request is more likely to be determined to have the right to request. Is set.

It should be noted that the criteria for determining whether there is a required right is not limited to this. For example, the presence or absence of the required right may be determined according to conditions arbitrarily set by the user or the system administrator of the content reproduction apparatus. Whether or not the requested right is present depends on the capacity of the communication line between the controller 530 and the playback device or between the controller 530 and each terminal device 520 when a plurality of terminal devices 520 are connected to a single player unit. May be determined as appropriate.

[0157] In step S1202, if terminal device 520 that issued the playback request has the right to request (step S 1202: Yes), issue a playback instruction in response to the playback request to disc changer player 510. (Step S1203). Then, the content transmitted from the disc changer player 510 is acquired according to the issued reproduction instruction (step S1204), and the acquired content is encrypted (step S 1205).

[0158] In step S1205, when there are a plurality of contents to be transmitted, the above-described multiplexed contents are encrypted. Finally, the terminal 520 that issued the playback request received in step S1201 is encrypted in step S1205. Content (including multiplexed content) is transmitted (step S 1206), and the series of processing is terminated.

On the other hand, in step S1202, if terminal device 520 that issued the reproduction request does not have the right to request (step S 1202: No), predetermined error processing is performed (step S 12 07), and a series of processing is performed. Exit. In step S1207, for example, information indicating that there is no request right and the reproduction request is invalid is transmitted to terminal device 520 having no request right. Further, for example, it may be determined whether or not the right to request is given again after a predetermined time. In this case, when it is determined that the required right is obtained, the routine can proceed to step 1203 in FIG.

[0160] (Terminal device processing procedure)

Next, the processing procedure of the terminal device 520 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the terminal device 520. The processing procedure shown in FIG. 13 is executed in the terminal device 520 when the processing procedure shown in FIG. 12 is performed in the controller 530 and the content of the controller 530 is also transmitted.

[0161] As shown in FIG. 13, the terminal device 520 first waits until it receives the content output from the controller 530 (step S1301: No), and if received (step SI 301: Yes). Extracts the corresponding content from the received content (step S1302), and records the extracted content in the buffer (step S1303). Force not shown In step S1302, the content specified in accordance with the already issued reproduction request is extracted.

[0162] Next, wait until there is an instruction operation to play back the content recorded in the notifier (Step S1304: No), and if there is an instruction operation (Step S1304: Yes), the instruction is issued. The reproduced content is reproduced (step S 1305), and the series of processes is terminated.

[0163] As described above, according to the embodiment, as long as it is within the communicable area between the controller 530 and the terminal device 520, the content played back in the disc changer player 510 regardless of the location of the terminal device 520. Can be provided to the user of the terminal device 520 via any terminal device 520.

[0164] This allows the user of terminal device 520 to communicate with controller 530. It is possible to view any content from the contents recorded on a plurality of discs owned by the player at an arbitrary location within the working area with a quality comparable to the playback quality of the disc changer player 510.

[0165] Also, according to the embodiment, since the user of terminal device 520 can view the content recorded on the disc without compressing it, the content such as sound and image quality can be compressed by compressing the content. Any content requested by the user without changing the quality of the user can be viewed from the terminal device 520.

[0166] Also, according to the embodiment, as long as the controller 530 and the terminal device 520 are within the communicable range, the disc changer player 510 receives the disc changer player 510 regardless of the number of contents transmitted to the terminal device 520 at a predetermined timing. The content reproduced in this manner can be provided to the user of the terminal device 520 via the corresponding terminal device 520.

Thus, the user of the terminal device 520 can connect the controller 530 and the terminal device 520 regardless of the number of terminal devices 520 whose power is turned on to the content reproduction system 500. Watch any content recorded in multiple recording media owned by you at any location within the communicable area with the same quality as the playback quality on the disc changer player 510. can do.

[0168] Also, according to the embodiment, if the controller 530 and the terminal device 520 are within a communicable range, the content reproduced in the disc changer player 510 is provided only to the user of the registered terminal device 520. Can do.

[0169] Then, the user of the terminal device 520 can use the content of the content recorded on the copyrighted disc that is properly obtained, for example, by purchasing the disc content changer player 510. It is possible to view with the same quality as the playback quality in.

[0170] Also, according to the embodiment, regardless of the communication method and distance between the controller 530 and the terminal device 520, the content played back by the disc changer player 510 is not leaked out of the content playback system 500. It can be provided to the user of the terminal device 520 via an arbitrary terminal device 520.

[0171] Accordingly, the user of the terminal device 520 can recognize the controller 530, the terminal device 520, During playback on a disc changer player 510 in which any content recorded on multiple discs owned by the player is not concerned about leakage outside the content playback system 500 It can be viewed with the same level of quality as

[0172] Also, according to the embodiment, when the terminal device 520 issues a playback instruction to the controller 530, the content that can be reliably provided to the user of the terminal device 520 that has issued the playback instruction. It can be provided to the user of the terminal device 520 via any terminal device 520.

[0173] With this, the user of the terminal device 520 can surely select the content recorded on the plurality of discs owned by the user at any location within the communicable area between the controller 530 and the terminal device 520. It is possible to reliably view the content provided to the disc with the same quality as the playback at the disc changer player 510.

[0174] Also, according to the embodiment, if the communication between the controller 530 and the terminal device 520 is within the communicable range, the content played back on the disc changer player 510 is displayed regardless of the location of the terminal device 520. Can be provided to 520 users.

[0175] With this, the user of the terminal device 520 can select any of the contents recorded on the plurality of discs owned by the user at any location within the communicable area between the controller 530 and the terminal device 520. Content can be viewed with the same quality as when played on the disc changer player 510.

As the disc changer player 510 in the content reproduction system 500 of the above-described embodiment, various known players capable of holding and reproducing a plurality of discs may be used, but are not limited thereto. For example, the disk changer player 510 may be configured as shown below.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the internal structure of the disc changer player 510. FIG. 14 shows an example of the internal structure of the disc changer player 510 in the content reproduction system 500 of the above-described embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, the disk changer player 1400 includes a disk server unit 1410 that holds a plurality of disks, and a plurality (five in FIG. 14) of player units 1421 to 1425. [0178] The disk server unit 1410 has a configuration capable of extracting a disk from the disk server unit 1410 and mounting a disk on the disk server unit 1410. The player units 1421 to 1425 are provided with a configuration that allows a disc mounted on the disc server unit 1410 to be inserted freely.

[0179] The disc server unit 1410 is provided to be freely displaceable with respect to the player units 1421 to 1425 so that an arbitrary disc can be inserted into each of the player units 1421 to 1425. The disc server unit 1410 is displaced with respect to the player units 1421 to 1425 according to the reproduction request issued from the controller 530 so that the corresponding free player 512 can be inserted into and removed from the target player.

In the disc changer player 1400 shown in FIG. 14, the position of the disc server unit 1410 is fixed, and the player units 1421 to 1425 are independently displaced with respect to the disc server unit 1410. Moyo! /

[0181] As described above, according to the information processing device, terminal device 520, information processing method, information processing program, and recording medium of the embodiment, if the controller 530 and the terminal device 520 are within communication ranges, Regardless of the location of the terminal device 520, the content reproduced by the disc changer player 510 can be provided to the user of the terminal device 520 via the arbitrary terminal device 520.

[0182] Thus, according to the information processing apparatus 100, the terminal apparatus 120, the information processing method, the information processing program, and the recording medium of the embodiment, the user of the terminal apparatus 120 is controlled with respect to the controller 530. Any content recorded on a plurality of discs owned by the player can be viewed at an arbitrary location within a communicable area with a quality comparable to that during playback on the disc changer player 510.

Note that the information processing method described in the present embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable disk such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, or a DVD, and is executed when the disk force is also read by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed through a network such as the Internet.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A plurality of terminal devices having a playback device that plays back arbitrary content from content recorded on a plurality of recording media, and information indicating that a user who has the right to use the playback device owns the content And an information processing device capable of communicating with each other, and receiving means for receiving a reproduction request for the arbitrary content from an arbitrary terminal device among the plurality of terminal devices;

Issuing means for issuing a playback instruction for the arbitrary content to the playback device in accordance with the playback request received by the receiving means;

Acquiring means for acquiring the content transmitted by the playback device according to the playback instruction issued by the issuing means;

Transmitting means for transmitting the content acquired by the acquiring means to the arbitrary terminal device that has transmitted the reproduction request;

An information processing apparatus comprising:

[2] When there are a plurality of contents acquired by the acquisition unit, multiplexing is performed to generate multiplexed contents in which each content and the identification information of the arbitrary terminal device that has transmitted the reproduction request are associated with each other and multiplexed. With means,

The transmission means includes

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the multiplexed content generated by the multiplexing unit is transmitted to the arbitrary terminal apparatus that transmitted the reproduction request.

[3] The reproduction request received by the receiving means is a reproduction request transmitted from a terminal device (hereinafter referred to as “registered terminal”) having information indicating that the user is registered in advance. A determination means for determining whether or not there is,

The issuing means includes:

3. The playback instruction for the arbitrary content is issued to the playback device in accordance with a playback request determined to be transmitted from a registered terminal by the determination unit. Information processing device.

[4] The terminal that has transmitted the reproduction request for the content acquired by the acquisition means The device comprises an encryption means for encrypting with a decryptable cipher,

The transmission means includes

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content encrypted by the encryption means is transmitted.

[5] comprising storage means for storing information relating to content that can be played back by the playback device;

The issuing means includes:

Based on the information stored by the storage means, when the playback apparatus can play back the arbitrary content according to the playback request received by the receiving means, the playback instruction is sent to the playback apparatus. 3. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device is issued to the information processing device.

[6] A terminal device capable of communicating with an information processing device that causes a predetermined reproduction device to reproduce arbitrary content from content recorded on a plurality of recording media,

An issuing means for issuing a reproduction request for the arbitrary content to the information processing apparatus;

Obtaining means for obtaining the content transmitted by the information processing apparatus in response to the reproduction request issued by the issuing means;

Recording means for recording the content acquired by the acquisition means in a predetermined buffer;

Playback means for playing back the content recorded by the recording means;

A terminal device comprising:

[7] The acquisition means includes:

The information processing device is transmitted in response to the reproduction request issued by the issuing means, and acquires multiple content that is multiplexed by associating the identification information of the terminal device with each of a plurality of contents,

The recording means includes

The multiplexed content acquired by the acquisition unit is recorded with the content associated with the identification information of the terminal in the predetermined notifier. The terminal device described.

[8] holding means for holding a plurality of recording media on which content is recorded;

Receiving means for receiving an instruction to reproduce any content out of contents output from an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a plurality of terminal apparatuses and recorded on a recording medium held by the holding means;

A selection unit that selects a recording medium in which the arbitrary content is recorded from the recording media held by the holding unit when a reproduction instruction is received by the receiving unit;

Using the reproduction mechanism that reproduces the content recorded on the recording medium provided in plurality according to the number of the terminal devices, the arbitrary content recorded on the recording medium selected by the selection unit is reproduced. Reproduction means;

Transfer means for transferring the content reproduced by the reproduction means to the information processing apparatus;

A playback apparatus comprising:

[9] A playback device that plays back arbitrary content from content recorded on a plurality of recording media, a terminal device that has information indicating that it is owned by a user who has the right to use the playback device, An information processing method performed in an information processing apparatus capable of communicating between

A receiving step of receiving the playback request for the arbitrary content; an issuing step of issuing a playback instruction for the arbitrary content to the playback device according to the playback request received in the receiving step;

An acquisition step of acquiring the content transmitted by the playback device according to the playback instruction issued in the issuing step;

A transmission step of transmitting the content acquired in the acquisition step to the terminal device that has transmitted the reproduction request;

An information processing method comprising:

[10] It is performed in a terminal device capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus that causes a predetermined reproduction device to reproduce arbitrary content from content recorded on a plurality of recording media. An information processing method,

An issuance process for issuing a reproduction request for the arbitrary content to the information processing apparatus;

A recording step of recording the arbitrary content received from the information processing apparatus in a predetermined buffer in response to the reproduction request issued in the issuing step;

A reproduction step of reproducing the arbitrary content recorded in the predetermined buffer in the recording step;

An information processing method comprising:

[11] An information processing method performed in a playback device including a holding unit that holds a plurality of recording media on which content is recorded, and a playback unit that includes a plurality of playback mechanisms that play back the content recorded on the recording medium Because

An accepting step of receiving an instruction to reproduce any content from the content output from an information processing device capable of communicating with a plurality of terminal devices and recorded on a recording medium held by the holding device;

A selection step of selecting a recording medium on which the arbitrary content is recorded from the recording media held by the holding means when a reproduction instruction is received in the reception step;

A reproduction step of reproducing the arbitrary content recorded on the recording medium selected in the selection step using any one of the plurality of reproduction mechanisms; and

A transfer step of transferring the content reproduced by the reproduction step to the information processing device;

An information processing method comprising:

[12] Claim 9-: An information processing program causing a computer to execute the information processing method according to any one of L1.

[13] A recording medium on which the information processing program according to claim 12 is recorded.