JP2001306423A - Information reading device, method for controlling reading of the device and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user to surely inform of a multimedia object attached to digital contents without imposing a burden on user. SOLUTION: The information reading device is provided with a key input part 13 instructing for the reproduction/output of a multimedia object attached to digital contents and a CPU 11 for retrieving the multimedia object attached to the digital contents in accordance with the instruction and allowing a sound output part 21 to reproduce and output the retrieved multimedia object and a corresponding sound object.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is capable of displaying digital contents with multimedia objects attached, such as a personal computer equipped with a Web browser for browsing Web pages on the Internet. The present invention relates to an information browsing device, a browsing control method of the device, and a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, it has been general practice to transmit and receive various information and digital contents such as electronic mails via the Internet using a personal computer, a portable telephone or the like.

[0003] However, for example, the We
b. Digital contents such as page and received e-mail (for example, HTML (Hyper Text Mark)
upLanguage), XML (Extenxibl)
e Markup Language, etc., or an attached file linked to a file in a predetermined format, etc.) in this digital content in association with objects such as ordinary text, etc. along with link objects such as icons and character strings. When a multimedia object (sound object, image object, video object, etc.) is found, the user recognizes the existence of the multimedia object (e.g., sound object), and the icon or character linked to the multimedia object (e.g., sound object). By selecting and specifying a row, for example, by clicking, the corresponding multimedia object (sound object) is reproduced and output (sound output).

[0004]

However, the user does not notice that a multimedia object is linked to an icon or character string attached to digital content such as a Web page or an e-mail, and the icon or character is not recognized. If a column is not selected and specified, it is of course impossible to know the contents of the corresponding multimedia object (for example, a sound object).

As described above, when a multimedia object is linked to a digital content such as a Web page or an e-mail, the existence of the multimedia object cannot always be recognized, and even if it is recognized, the content is known. Operation is complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a sound linked to a digital content such as a Web page or an electronic mail without burdening the user. An object of the present invention is to provide an information browsing apparatus, a browsing control method of the apparatus, and a recording medium that can reliably notify a user of a multimedia object such as an object.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
An information browsing apparatus for browsing digital content to which a link object to a multimedia object is attached, and instructing means for instructing a notification output of a link object attached to the digital content or a multimedia object corresponding to the link object Extracting means for extracting a link object to the multimedia object attached to the digital content in accordance with the instruction from the instruction means; and extracting the link object extracted by the extracting means or the multimedia object corresponding to the link object. Output means for outputting.

With such a configuration, the multimedia object attached to the digital content is automatically searched for and output only by the operation of instructing the notification output of the multimedia object. It is possible to reliably inform the user of the contents of the sound object and other multimedia objects attached to the content.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the output means reproduces and outputs a multimedia object corresponding to the link object extracted by the extracting means.

With this configuration, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, the contents of the multimedia object can be reliably recognized.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the output means converts a portion corresponding to a link object to the multimedia object extracted by the extraction means on the digital content. It is characterized by being displayed separately.

With such a configuration, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, it is possible to visually understand how the multimedia object is described on the digital content.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when there are a plurality of link objects to the multimedia object extracted by the extracting means, a link object to the multimedia object is provided. And sequentially outputting only the link object selected by the sequential selection means or the multimedia object corresponding to the link object. I do.

According to this structure, in addition to the operation of the invention described in any one of the first to third aspects, a plurality of set multimedia objects are sequentially and selectively selected according to the sequential selection means. In particular, when a large number of multimedia objects are set, it is easy to confirm their contents.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the extracting means includes a link object within a display range of the digital content displayed in the display area of the information browsing device. Alternatively, a multimedia object corresponding to the link object is extracted.

According to this structure, in addition to the operation of the first aspect, when a multimedia object is set in a newly displayed range of the digital content, the output is automatically executed. Therefore, the presence of the multimedia object is not overlooked when the display of the digital content is updated, and the content can be reliably recognized.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when there are a plurality of link objects to the multimedia object extracted by the extracting means, the link objects to the multimedia objects are provided. Is further provided, and the output means continuously outputs multimedia objects corresponding to the plurality of link objects selected by the collective selection means.

With such a configuration, in addition to the operation of the invention described in any one of the first to third aspects, by simultaneously reproducing a plurality of multimedia objects collectively, even if many multimedia objects are reproduced, Even if it is set, you can check its contents without fail.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when there are a plurality of link objects to the multimedia object extracted by the extracting means, the link object to the multimedia object is provided. And a batch selecting means for collectively selecting the link objects, wherein the output means outputs the plurality of link objects selected by the collective selecting means at a time.

According to this structure, in addition to the operation of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, by outputting a plurality of multimedia objects at once, even if a large number of multimedia objects are set, In this case, the existence of each multimedia object can be confirmed.

[0021] The invention of claim 8 is a browsing control method of an information browsing apparatus for browsing a digital content to which a link object to a multimedia object is attached, wherein the output of the link object attached to the digital content is performed. An instruction step of instructing, an extraction step of extracting a link object attached to the digital content according to an instruction of the instruction step, and an output step of outputting a multimedia object corresponding to the link object extracted in the extraction step. It is characterized by having.

According to this method, the multimedia object attached to the digital content is automatically searched for and output only by the operation of instructing the notification output of the multimedia object. It is possible to reliably inform the user of the contents of the sound object and other multimedia objects attached to the content.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an instruction step for instructing to output a multimedia object corresponding to a link object attached to digital content described in a markup language, and A control program including instructions for causing a computer to execute an extraction step of extracting a link object attached to digital content and an output step of outputting a multimedia object corresponding to the link object extracted in the extraction step is stored. It is characterized by.

With such storage contents, an operation of only instructing the notification output of the multimedia object can be performed.
Automatically search and output multimedia objects attached to digital content, so that users can be informed of the contents of sound objects and other multimedia objects attached to digital content. Becomes

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a personal computer for browsing a Web page on the Internet will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Configuration) FIG. 1 illustrates the configuration of the entire system for browsing a Web page including a personal computer.
C), and the personal computer 1 uses the ISD
N, through a public line network 2 such as N, makes a dial-up connection with an Internet service provider 3 contracted in advance, and activates an installed Web browser application, so that any publicly available Internet 4 Web pages can be browsed. That is, the browser application
RL (Uniform Resource Locat
(or), a Web page file (for example, a file described in HTML) is acquired and displayed on the screen of the personal computer 1.

FIG. 2 shows a circuit configuration of the personal computer 1. Reference numeral 11 denotes a CPU 11 for controlling the operation of the entire circuit. The display unit 1
2. Key input unit 13, CD-ROM device 14, floppy (registered trademark) disk device (FDD) 15, communication unit 1.
6, ROM 17, RAM 18, hard disk drive (H
DD) 19, an audio input unit 20, and an audio output unit 21 are connected.

The display section 12 is composed of, for example, a matrix type color liquid crystal panel and its driving circuit, a video RAM, a backlight device and the like, and displays and outputs image data developed and stored in the video RAM.

The key input unit 13 includes a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse, for example.
The user designates a URL at the time of connection to the Internet, inputs various data, and instructs a command.

The CD-ROM device 14 reads various programs, data files, and the like from various mounted CD-ROMs.

The floppy disk device 15 writes and reads a data file or the like having a relatively small capacity with respect to the mounted floppy disk.

The communication unit 16 is composed of, for example, a modem device, and connects the provider 3 and the personal computer 1 by being connected to the public line network 2.
A request for connection to the site b is transmitted, and communication including transmission and reception of a document of a Web page of the site is executed.

The ROM 17 fixedly stores a BIOS (basic input / output system) of the personal computer 1 and others.

The RAM 18 forms a work area necessary for the operation of the CPU 11.

The hard disk device 19 stores various application software including an OS (operating system) and a Web browser, and various user data such as image data, sound data, address book data, schedule data, mail data, and the like. In particular, regarding various application software including the Web browser, the CD-ROM
-It may be installed using a recording medium such as a ROM or a floppy disk mounted on the floppy disk device 15, or downloaded and installed from a communication medium via the communication unit 16.

The voice input unit 20 includes a microphone and an A / D
It is composed of a converter, a voice processing circuit and the like, and inputs voice required for voice communication and converts it into digital data.

The audio output section 21 is composed of an audio synthesis circuit, a digital sound source, an amplifier section, a speaker, etc., converts sound data into analog data and emits the sound data from the speaker.

(Operation) Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

Here, as a multimedia object attached to a Web page which is a digital content, a search is carried out by taking a sound object as an example.
Description will be made assuming that reproduction output is performed. Note that the following We
An example using HTML as page b will be described.

(First Operation Example) First, a state in which an arbitrary Web page published on the Internet is being browsed by a Web browser (a Web page is displayed on the display unit 12 of the personal computer 1). A case in which a sound object is displayed as a multimedia object in a divided manner will be described as a first operation example.
Note that the detection of the multimedia object is performed by using a file extension (for example, “.au” or “.wa” for a sound file).
v "," .mp3 ", etc.).

FIG. 7A illustrates a part of a Web page displayed on the display unit 12. In this display screen, images (icons and the like) as shown in FIG.
A sound object is linked to each part indicated by the character string and the image + character string. In addition, at the end of the screen of the display unit 12, as shown in FIG. Button BT1 is displayed.

Then, the "sound object display" button BT1 is changed from the display state of FIG.
When the mouse is clicked and instructed by the mouse, FIG.
As shown in any of (2) to (4), the linked part of the sound object is displayed separately from other character parts.

FIG. 3 shows the contents of processing related to the divisional display of the sound object, particularly corresponding to the input at the key input section 13, where the input from the key input section 13 waits (step A01). When it is determined that an input has been made, the input is then changed to a "display sound object" button B
It is determined whether the operation is performed by the T1 operation (step A02).

Here, a "display sound object" button BT
If it is determined that this is not the case, the details are not described here because they are not directly related to the present invention, but other key input processing corresponding to the input contents is executed (step A10). Then, the process returns to step A01 in preparation for the next input by the key input unit 13 again.

If it is determined in step A02 that the operation is performed by operating the "sound object display" button BT1, it is confirmed that the data constituting the Web page has not been completed (step A03). It is sequentially searched from the top of the page whether a sound object is linked or not (step A04), and it is determined whether there is a sound object (step A05).

Only when it is determined that there is a sound object, the link position of the sound object is stored (step A06), and counted as the number of sound objects existing on this Web page (step A06). A07), and returns to the processing from step A03 again.

In this way, all the data constituting the Web page are searched, and when this is determined in step A03, it is determined whether the final count value in the count operation in step A07 is not "0" or not. It is determined whether or not the sound object has been linked in the Web page (step A08). That is,
Examine the extension of the linked file of the link tag and extract only the file related to the sound file.

Only when it is determined here that at least one sound object link has been set, a special display is performed to separate the sound object portion from other character portions corresponding to the position stored in step A06. Is executed (step A09), and then step A01 is performed.
Return to the processing from.

FIG. 4 is a subroutine exemplifying a first detailed processing content relating to the special display processing of the sound object, in which a background of a portion other than the link of the Web page is displayed dark.

That is, a tag (hereinafter referred to as an object) related to display is searched from the beginning of the currently displayed HTML file until the end of the file is reached (step B01), and the tag is not a link tag to a sound object. Sometimes, an object modification tag (for example, a font tag) is inserted so that the background is displayed dark (steps B02 and B03), and the next tag is searched (step B04).

FIG. 7B illustrates a first display state of a Web page in which only the portion corresponding to the sound object (link) is normally displayed, and the background of the other character portions is displayed dark. , Since the background color of the portion corresponding to the sound object is normally displayed, the portion is clearly displayed in a floating manner compared to the character portion (the portion other than the link) in which the other background color is dark, Therefore, it can be seen that these sound objects are clearly displayed separately from the others.

The operation shown in FIG. 4 and the operation shown in FIG.
Sound object (link object) on the display screen
Of the character object other than the part corresponding to the sound object is displayed differently from the normal display, but the part other than the part corresponding to the sound object is temporarily erased from the screen by operating the "display sound object" button BT1. In such a case, the part where the sound object is linked can be recognized at a glance. It is needless to say that the object modification is not limited to the background color, and any modification is possible as long as it is possible.

FIG. 5 is a subroutine illustrating a second detailed processing content relating to the special display processing of the sound object, which is executed in place of FIG. 4. The subroutine may be superimposed on a Web page. To activate and display the sound object list display window (step C0).
1).

Next, among the sound objects for which link tags are set, the sound object closest to the top of the page is selected and displayed in the list display window (step C0).
2).

After confirming that there is a sound object with the next link tag set (step C0).
3) Returning to step C02, the next sound object is displayed in the list display window in the same manner.

Steps C02 and C03 are repeated in this way, all the sound objects in the page are displayed in the list display window, and when it is determined that there is no next sound object, the processing in FIG. 5 is completed. .

FIG. 7 (3) illustrates a second display state in which the sound object list display window W1 is overlaid on the Web page.

In order to display the sound object list display window W1 thereon so as to cover the original Web page, each sound object in the window W1 is clearly separated from other parts of the page and displayed. be able to.

In this case, when the sound object list display window W1 is displayed, a portion corresponding to the sound object existing on the original page is displayed in the window W1.
Is displayed in such a manner that the part corresponding to the sound object is displayed on the original page, so that the user can easily recognize where the part corresponding to the sound object was displayed on the original page.

FIG. 6 is a subroutine illustrating a third detailed processing content relating to the special display processing of the sound object, which is executed in place of FIGS. 4 and 5, and the special display processing of FIG. In the above, characters other than the sound object as the link are modified, but the sound object as the link may be modified.

That is, a search is made from the beginning of the currently displayed HTML file to a tag (hereinafter referred to as an object) related to the display until the end of the file is reached (step D01). Sometimes, an object modification tag (for example, a blink tag) is inserted so that the object blinks (steps D02 and D03), and the next tag is searched (step D04).

FIG. 7D illustrates a third display state of the Web page in which the frame line of the portion corresponding to the sound object blinks in this manner. The display is performed so as to be surrounded by a frame line FL which is blinked and displayed every time, so that it is clearly displayed from other character parts and the like.

(Second Operation Example) Next, while browsing an arbitrary Web page published on the Internet by a Web browser, sound objects as multimedia objects are sequentially moved while moving the selection position. The case of selectively selecting and reproducing will be described as a second operation example.

FIG. 9A illustrates a part of a Web page displayed on the display unit 12 similar to FIG. 7A. In this display screen, a sound object is linked to each of the parts indicated by the image, character, and image + character also shown in FIG. It is assumed that a “sound object move” button BT2 is displayed in the section as shown in FIG.

Then, from the display state of FIG. 9A, the "sound object move" button BT2 is
Each time the user instructs and clicks with the mouse of FIG.
In the order of (2) to (4), the linked parts of the sound object are sequentially and selectively selected, and are displayed separately from the other character parts and linked. The sound object that is present is reproduced and output by the audio output unit 21.

FIG. 8 shows the processing contents related to the selection display and reproduction output of the sound object corresponding to the input at the key input section 13, and waits for the input from the key input section 13 at that place. At step E01), when it is determined that an input has been made, it is next determined whether or not the input is made by operating the “move sound object” button BT2 (step E02).

Here, the "movement of sound object" button BT
If it is determined that this is not the case, the details are not described here because they are not directly related to the present invention, but other key input processing corresponding to the input content is executed (step E12). Then, the process returns to step E01 in preparation for the next input by the key input unit 13.

If it is determined in step E02 that the sound object is moved by operating the "move sound object" button BT2, it is then determined whether or not the sound object is currently being selected and displayed (step E03). .

Here, since the sound object which is a link object is not currently selected and displayed, it is next searched from the top position whether or not there is a part where the sound object is linked in this Web page. (Step E04) As a result of the search, it is determined whether or not there is at least one portion to which the sound object is linked (Step E05).

Here, if it is determined that there is no portion where the sound object is linked, the instruction operation of the "move sound object" button BT2 is assumed to be invalid, and the processing from step E01 is repeated. Returning to the above, if it is determined that there is at least one sound object, one of the linked portions of the sound object which is closest to the top of the page is selected, and is separated from other portions of the same page. Display the selected state (step E0
6).

FIG. 9 (2) shows a selection display state 1 in which the portion corresponding to the sound object closest to the head is blinked and displayed so as to be surrounded by the frame line FL, and is displayed separately from the other portions. is there.

In addition to the selection and display of the sound object corresponding portion, the data of the sound object linked to the corresponding portion is read out, reproduced and output by the audio output section 21 (step E07), and again in the step E01. And waits for an input operation at the next key input unit 13.

However, when the "sound object move" button BT2 is again instructed and operated from the selection display state 1 shown in FIG. 9 (2) as shown in FIG. 9 (B), first in the processing of FIG. , It is determined in step E02 that the input is made by operating the "moving sound object" button BT2.

If it is determined in the following step E03 that the sound object is currently being selected and displayed, the correspondence of the sound object located next to the corresponding part of the currently displayed sound object on this page is determined. The part is searched (step E08), and it is determined whether there is a corresponding part of the corresponding sound object (step E09).

If it is determined that there is a corresponding portion of the sound object, the selected state is displayed so that the corresponding portion of the sound object is separated from other portions of the same page (step E10).

FIG. 9 (3) shows a selected display state 2 in which the portion corresponding to the second sound object is flashed so as to be newly surrounded by the frame line FL, and is displayed separately from the other portions. It is.

In addition to the selection display of the sound object corresponding portion, the data of the sound object linked to the corresponding portion is read out, reproduced and output by the audio output section 21 (step E11), and again in step E01. And waits for an input operation at the next key input unit 13.

Further, when the “movement of sound object” button BT2 is again operated by instructing the “sound object movement” button BT2 as shown in FIG. 9C from the selection display state 1 shown in FIG. Similarly, steps E01 to E03, E0
The processes of E8 to E11 are executed, and the portion corresponding to the third sound object is blinked and displayed as a new display state 3 as shown in FIG. The data of the sound object that is displayed separately and linked to the corresponding part is read out and reproduced and output by the audio output unit 21.

If the "movement of sound object" button BT2 is further operated from the selection display state 3 shown in FIG. 9D, the steps E01 to E03, E0 are performed.
In step E09, it is determined that there is no longer a corresponding portion to which the sound object is linked at the next position in the same page via the process of step S8.

For this reason, the process proceeds to step E04, where a search is again made for the corresponding portion to which the sound object is linked from the top of the page. As a result, the selected display state 1 shown in FIG. As a result, the sound is reproduced and output.

In this way, every time the "movement of sound object" button BT2 is operated, the selection position of the corresponding portion of the sound object is cyclically moved and selectively displayed one by one, and the sound data is also displayed. It can be played back, and when a large number of sound objects are set in the same Web page, it is easy to confirm the contents with a simple operation.

(Third Example of Operation) Next, while browsing a part of an arbitrary Web page published on the Internet by a Web browser, as a screen object is scrolled, A case where the sound object is automatically reproduced will be described as a third operation example.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the data image of the entire Web page acquired at this time.
It is assumed that a sound object is linked to each part indicated by 2.

First, the contents of the processing at the time of initial display for displaying a part of the acquired Web page on the display side on the display unit 12 will be described with reference to FIG.

In the figure, first, the display unit 12 is displayed using the head data of the Web page by the display capacity of the display unit 12.
Is displayed (step F01), and at the same time, a search is made from the top to see if any sound object has a link set within the range displayed on the screen (step F02).

As a result of this search, it is determined whether or not there is a linked sound object (step F0).
3) If it is determined that the sound object is present, the sound output unit 21 reproduces and outputs the sound object using the data of the sound object to which the link is set (step F03). Is retrieved (step F05), and the process returns to step F03 based on the search result to determine whether or not there is a corresponding sound object again.

In this way, as long as there is a sound object with a link set within the displayed range, the processing of the above steps F03 to F05 is repeatedly executed, whereby all of the sound objects within the display range with the link set are sequentially changed. The audio output unit 21 continuously reproduces and outputs.

After the reproduction and output of the last sound object within the display range is completed, the next sound object is searched for and it is determined in step F03 that there is no more sound object. The process of 10 is ended.

FIG. 13 (1) shows the Web shown in FIG.
This is an example of an initial screen displayed on the display unit 12 when the page data is acquired. Here, since three sound objects are linked in the display screen range,
These three sound objects are continuously output to the audio output unit 21.
Indicates a state of reproducing and outputting.

In this manner, the initial screen is displayed, and the sound objects corresponding to the screen range are sequentially and automatically reproduced continuously. At the same time, as shown in FIG. It is assumed that a "scroll" button BT3 is displayed.

Then, the "sound object move" button BT2 is changed from the display state of FIG.
When the mouse 3 is clicked and instructed, scroll display processing is executed correspondingly.

FIG. 11 shows the contents of processing related to the screen scrolling in particular corresponding to the input at the key input unit 13, where the input from the key input unit 13 is awaited (step G01), and the input is made. Then, it is determined whether or not the input is made by an instruction operation for scrolling the screen up or down (step G).
02).

Here, if it is determined that the input operation is not performed by the instruction operation for scrolling the screen, the details are not described here because they are not directly related to the present invention. The key input process is executed (step G09), and the process returns to step G01 to prepare for the next input by the key input unit 13 again.

When it is determined in step G02 that the screen is scrolled up or down by an instruction operation, it is determined that the screen can be scrolled in the direction corresponding to the instruction operation. After confirming (step G03), a process of actually scrolling the display screen is executed (step G04), and there is a sound object linked from the top of the page within the newly displayed range. A search is made for whether or not there is (Step G05).

As a result of this search, it is determined whether or not there is a linked sound object (step G0).
6) If it is determined that there is a sound object, the sound output unit 21 reproduces and outputs the sound object using the data of the linked sound object (step G07). Is retrieved (step G08), and the process returns to step G06 based on the search result to determine whether there is a corresponding sound object again.

In this manner, as long as there is a sound object with a link set within the range newly displayed as the screen is scrolled, the processing in steps G06 to G08 is repeatedly executed, whereby the new link set with the link is set. The sound output unit 21 reproduces and outputs all the sound objects in the display range sequentially and continuously.

After the reproduction and output of the last sound object within the display range is completed, a search for the next sound object is performed, and if it is determined in step G06 that there is no more sound object, the above processing is performed. The process of FIG. 11 ends.

FIG. 13B shows a screen displayed by scrolling the screen on the display unit 12 when the "single screen scroll" button BT3 is instructed from the display screen shown in FIG. 13A. In this example, too, since three sound objects are linked in the display screen range, the sound output unit 21 continuously reproduces and outputs these three sound objects.

When the "single screen scroll" button BT3 is further operated from the update screen shown in FIG. 13B as shown in FIG. 13B, the processing contents shown in FIG. 11 are executed again in the same manner. Is done.

FIG. 13 (3) shows a screen which is further scrolled and displayed on the display unit 12 when the "single screen scroll" button BT3 is instructed from the display screen shown in FIG. 13 (2). Here, a state is shown in which the sound output unit 21 continuously reproduces and outputs these two sound objects because two more sound objects are linked in the display screen range.

As described above, when the display screen of the Web page is updated and set, and a sound object is linked within the newly displayed range, the sound object is automatically reproduced and output. Therefore, when the display range of the Web page is partially updated by scrolling or the like, it is possible to automatically reproduce and output the sound object within the new display range and make the user surely recognize the existence thereof. it can.

(Fourth Operation Example) Next, in a state where a part of an arbitrary Web page published on the Internet is browsed by a Web browser, the Web browser includes a part which is not displayed at that time. A case where all sound objects as multimedia objects linked to a Web page are automatically and continuously reproduced will be described as a fourth operation example.

Here, assuming that the acquired data image of the entire Web page is the same as that in FIG. 12, the display screen state shown in FIG. 13A is initially displayed.

However, here, it is assumed that the audio objects linked in the display range are not reproduced and output sequentially and continuously with the display of the initial screen.

At this time, assuming that a “continuous playback” button (not shown) is also displayed at the lower end of the screen of the display unit 12, this is indicated by the mouse of the key input unit 13 and clicked. As a result, the processing shown in FIG. 14 is executed.

FIG. 14 shows the contents of the processing related to the instruction operation of the "continuous reproduction" button, particularly corresponding to the input at the key input section 13, and waits for the input from the key input section 13 at that place. In step H01), when it is determined that an input has been made, it is next determined whether or not the input is made by operating the “continuous playback” button (step H02).

If it is determined that the input is not based on the “continuous playback” button, the details are not described here because they are not directly related to the present invention. Execute the process (Step H
13) Then, the process returns to step H01 to prepare for the next input by the key input unit 13 again.

Also, in step H02, "continuous reproduction"
If it is determined that this is due to a button operation, then this W
After confirming that the data constituting the web page has not been completed (step H03), it is sequentially searched from the top of the page whether or not a sound object is linked (step H04). Is determined (step H05).

Only when it is determined that there is a sound object, the linked position of the sound object is stored (step H06), and counted as the number of sound objects present on this Web page (step H06). H07), and returns to the processing from step H03 again.

By repeating the processing of steps H03 to H07 in this manner, all the data making up the Web page is searched. When all the search data is gone, this is determined in step H03. It is determined whether the final count value obtained by the count operation in step H07 is not "0".
It is determined whether a sound object has been linked in the page (step H08).

If it is determined that there is at least one sound object link setting, the one closest to the top of the page is read from the stored contents and set (step H09). The audio output unit 2 uses the data of the set sound object.
1 is reproduced and output (step H10).

Next, the sound object at the position next to the sound object is read out from the stored contents and set again (step H11). After confirming that the sound object is still present (step H12), the process returns to step H10 again. Return and perform the reproduction output.

By repeatedly executing steps H10 to H12 in this manner, for example, the frame line FL2 in FIG.
Are reproduced and output sequentially from the top of the page.

When the reproduction and output of the sound object at the end of the page are completed and there are no more sound objects to be set next, this is determined in step H12, and the process returns to step A01.

Although not described in the processing of FIG. 14, during continuous reproduction of the sound object, the position on the Web page corresponding to the sound object reproduced and output at that time is always displayed. The display screen on the display unit 12 may be scrolled in synchronization with the display unit 12, so that the user can easily determine where the sound object being reproduced and output corresponds on the page. Will be able to understand.

As described above, when a plurality of sound objects are present in a Web page, the sound objects are reproduced continuously in a lump, so that even if a large number of sound objects are set in the page, the user can perform the reproduction. You can check the contents without fail.

In the first to fourth operation examples of the above-described embodiment, in order to simplify the explanation, a link is set (link object) as a multimedia object on a Web page as a multimedia object. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that still image data, moving image data, illustration data, graphic data, animation data, and other various multimedia objects can be linked.

Also, a case has been described in which a Web page on the Internet 4 is browsed as digital content. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various multimedia objects are attached to e-mail or other digital content by linking them. It may be set.

In addition, the present invention can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the gist thereof.

[0120]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a multimedia object attached to digital content is automatically searched and output by an operation of only instructing a multimedia object notification output. Therefore, it is possible to reliably inform the user of the content of the sound object and other multimedia objects attached to the digital content.

According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1, it is possible to reliably recognize the contents of the multimedia object.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first or second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to visually understand how a multimedia object is described on digital content. .

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first to third aspects of the present invention, a plurality of set multimedia objects are sequentially and sequentially selected according to the selecting means. Since it is possible to select and output the contents, it is easy to confirm the contents particularly when a large number of multimedia objects are set.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first aspect of the present invention, when a multimedia object is set in a newly displayed range of digital content, the output is automatically performed. , The presence of the multimedia object is not overlooked when the display of the digital content is updated, and the content can be reliably recognized.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first to third aspects of the present invention, by simultaneously reproducing a plurality of multimedia objects collectively, a large number of multimedia objects can be obtained. Even if an object is set, you can check its contents without fail.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first to third aspects of the present invention, by outputting a plurality of multimedia objects collectively, even a large number of multimedia objects are output. Is set, the existence of each multimedia object can be confirmed.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the multimedia object attached to the digital content is automatically searched and output by the operation of only instructing the notification output of the multimedia object. It is possible to reliably inform the user of the content of the sound object and other multimedia objects attached to the digital content.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, an operation of only instructing the notification output of the multimedia object is performed,
Automatically search and output multimedia objects attached to digital content, so that users can be informed of the contents of sound objects and other multimedia objects attached to digital content. Becomes

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an entire system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the personal computer according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing contents of a first operation example according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a first example of the special display processing of the audio object in FIG. 3;
9 is a flowchart of a subroutine illustrating the processing contents of FIG.

FIG. 5 shows a second example of the special display processing of the audio object in FIG.
9 is a flowchart of a subroutine illustrating the processing content of FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a third example of the special display processing of the audio object shown in FIG. 3;
9 is a flowchart of a subroutine illustrating the processing content of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a change in a display screen in a first operation example according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing contents of a second operation example according to the embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a view showing a change in a display screen in a second operation example according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary flowchart showing processing contents of initial screen display in a third operation example according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing screen scroll processing in a third operation example according to the embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a Web in a third operation example according to the embodiment;
The figure which illustrates a page structure.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a change in a display screen in a third operation example according to the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a process of reproducing a continuous object in a fourth operation example according to the embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Personal computer (PC) 2 ... Public line network 3 ... Internet service provider 4 ... Internet 11 ... CPU 12 ... Display part 13 ... Key input part 14 ... CD-ROM device 15 ... Floppy disk device (FDD) 16 ... Communication part 17 ROM 18 RAM 19 Hard Disk Drive (HDD) 20 Audio Input Unit 21 Audio Output Unit BT1 "Sound Object Display" Button BT2 "Sound Object Move" Button BT3 ... "Single Screen Scroll" Button FL, FL2 … Frame line W1… voice object list display window

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Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An information browsing apparatus for browsing digital content to which a link object to a multimedia object is attached, wherein a notification output of a link object attached to the digital content or a multimedia object corresponding to the link object is provided. Instruction means for instructing the object, extracting means for extracting a link object to the multimedia object attached to the digital content in accordance with the instruction from the instruction means, and link object extracted by the extracting means or corresponding to the link object. An information browsing apparatus, comprising: an output unit that outputs a multimedia object to be read. 2. An information browsing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said output means reproduces and outputs a multimedia object corresponding to the link object extracted by said extraction means. 3. The digital content according to claim 1, wherein the output unit displays a portion corresponding to a link object to the multimedia object extracted by the extraction unit on the digital content. Information browsing device. 4. When there are a plurality of link objects to the multimedia object extracted by the extracting means, the apparatus further comprises a sequential selecting means for sequentially selecting the link objects to the multimedia objects. The information browsing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device sequentially outputs only the link object selected by the sequential selection means or the multimedia object corresponding to the link object. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said extracting means extracts a link object or a multimedia object corresponding to the link object within the display range of the digital content displayed in the display area of the information browsing device. Item 4. The information browsing device according to any one of Items 1 to 3. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a batch selection unit that collectively selects the link objects to the multimedia object when there are a plurality of link objects to the multimedia object extracted by the extraction unit. 4. The information browsing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein multimedia objects corresponding to the plurality of link objects selected by the means are continuously output. 7. When there are a plurality of link objects to the multimedia object extracted by the extracting means, the apparatus further comprises a collective selecting means for collectively selecting the link objects to the multimedia objects, and the output means comprises: 4. The information browsing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of link objects selected by the means are output collectively. 8. A browsing control method of an information browsing apparatus for browsing digital content to which a link object to a multimedia object is attached, comprising: an instruction step of instructing output of a link object attached to the digital content. An extraction step of extracting a link object attached to the digital content according to the instruction in the instruction step; and an output step of outputting a multimedia object corresponding to the link object extracted in the extraction step. A browsing control method of an information browsing device, which is a feature. 9. An instruction step for instructing output of a multimedia object corresponding to a link object attached to digital content described in a markup language, and according to an instruction in the instruction step, attached to the digital content. A control program including instructions for causing a computer to execute an extraction step of extracting a linked object, and an output step of outputting a multimedia object corresponding to the link object extracted in the extraction step. Is a readable recording medium.