JP2003084902A - Device and method for processing information, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the reproduction of contents group by group by only operating a rotary pressurization type operation element. SOLUTION: The information obtained by operating a jog remote controller 6 is supplied to a jog dial server 122 through a jog remote controller device control part 125 and a jog remote controller plug-in 123. The jog dial server 122 makes a jog dial processing part 121 read out the play list ID corresponding to a music management part 104, makes a file retrieval part 106 and a database 107 read out the contents which belong to the play list from a music file storage part 108, and makes a contents management processing part 102 and a PC plug-in 109 output the read out contents as speech from a voice output part 110.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, and a program, and more particularly, to an information processing apparatus and method and a program capable of reproducing stored contents by a rotary pressing type operation element in group units. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, with the spread of digital technology,
Various contents (data) such as music data and image data have been digitally recorded or reproduced on a recording medium. With such digitization, HDD (Hard Disc Drive) of personal computer
As the storage capacity has increased, users are now able to manage enormous amounts of content with personal computers.

[0003] For example, a typical example is software that allows a personal computer to have a function of playing a large number of music contents, which is generally called a jukebox, and plays back music contents recorded in an HDD or the like. .

With this jukebox software, desired music contents can be searched for and reproduced based on predetermined conditions. For example, if the user
When you operate the keyboard or mouse and enter "Bossa Nova" as a search condition, only the music contents stored in the HDD whose genre is registered as "Bossa Nova" are selected and played. By doing so, the user can easily reproduce the music content of the desired genre without searching for each of the many contents stored in the HDD one by one.

[0005]

By the way, since the above-mentioned software can be installed in a notebook personal computer, the software can be installed and the headphones can be connected to carry the notebook personal computer. However, it can be used to enjoy contents recorded on a personal computer.

However, in the above-mentioned configuration, the information required for the search needs to be input by a mouse or a keyboard, and therefore, for example, a notebook personal computer in which the software as described above is installed. When the user wears headphones with a computer and enjoys contents consisting of music data to be played, for example, when he / she wants to listen to different contents in a specific group unit, the user opens the notebook personal computer each time. However, there is a problem in that it is necessary to input information required for a search using a mouse or a keyboard, and the operation is troublesome to use when carrying.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and the recorded music contents can be designated in various group units by the rotary pressing type operation element without operating the notebook type personal computer by expanding it. And to allow playback.

[0008]

An information processing apparatus of the present invention comprises a storage means for storing a plurality of contents, a grouping management means for managing a plurality of contents in a group, and a rotary pressing type operation element. The present invention is characterized by comprising selection means for selecting contents in group units, and reproduction means for reproducing contents in groups selected by the selection means.

The contents may be music data.

It is possible to further provide a grouping means for grouping the contents having a common predetermined condition among the plurality of contents, and the group is selected from the contents having the predetermined condition by the grouping means. It is possible to include the following grouped groups.

The predetermined condition may include the artist name, genre name, album name, and usage history of music data.

According to the information processing method of the present invention, contents are grouped based on a storage step of storing a plurality of contents, a grouping management step of managing a plurality of contents by grouping, and an operation of a rotary pressing type operating element. It is characterized by including a selection step of selecting in units and a reproduction step of reproducing the content in units of groups selected in the processing of the selection step.

A program of the present invention is based on a storage control step for controlling storage of a plurality of contents, a grouping management control step for controlling management of a plurality of contents by grouping, and an operation of a rotary push type operation element. ,
It is characterized in that the computer is caused to execute a selection control step for controlling selection of contents in group units and a reproduction control step for controlling reproduction of contents in groups selected in the processing of the selection control step.

In the information processing apparatus and method and the program of the present invention, a plurality of contents are stored,
A plurality of contents are grouped and managed, the rotary pressing type operation element selects the contents in group units, and the contents are reproduced in selected group units.

[0015]

1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a content data management system according to the present invention. The personal computer 1 is connected to a network 2 including a local area network or the Internet. The personal computer 1
Musical sound data (hereinafter referred to as content) received from an EMD (Electronic Music Distribution) server 3 or read from a CD (Compact Disc) is recorded as it is, or a predetermined encoding method (for example, ATRAC3
(Trademark) and DES (Data Encryption S
tandard) and other encryption methods are used for recording.

The personal computer 1 records right information indicating the usage condition of the content corresponding to the content recorded in plain text or encrypted.

The right information indicates, for example, the number of portable devices (Portable Devices (also referred to as PDs)) that can simultaneously use the content corresponding to the right information (the number of PDs that can be checked out, which will be described later). . Even when the number of contents indicated by the rights information is checked out, the personal computer 1
Can play the content.

The right information indicates whether or not the content can be copied. When content is copied to portable devices 5-1 and 5-2,
The personal computer 1 can reproduce the recorded content. Portable device of contents 5-
The number of times data can be stored in 1, 5-2 may be limited. In this case, the number of times copying is possible does not increase.

Further, the right information indicates whether or not the content can be moved to another personal computer. After moving the contents to the portable devices 5-1, 5-2, the personal computer 1
The content recorded by is no longer usable (the content is deleted or the rights information is changed, making it unusable).

Details of the right information will be described later.

The personal computer 1 records the content that is encrypted and recorded as data related to the content (for example, song name, playlist name (list of song files desired by the user: GUI (Graphical User In
terface)), or playback conditions, etc.) together with a portable device 5-1 connected via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable.
And the right information corresponding to the stored content is updated (hereinafter referred to as checkout) in response to the storage in the portable device 5-1. More specifically, when the checkout is performed, the number of times the personal computer 1 records the right information corresponding to the content that can be checked out is reduced by one. When the number of times check-out is possible is 0, the corresponding content cannot be checked out.

The personal computer 1 stores the encrypted content recorded together with the data related to the content in the portable device 5-2 connected via the USB cable, and at the same time, the portable device 5-2. The right information corresponding to the stored content is updated in response to the stored information.

The personal computer 1 is a USB
The content checked out by the personal computer 1 to the portable device 5-1 connected via the cable is erased (or made unusable) by the portable device 5-1 and corresponds to the erased content. The right information to be updated is updated (hereinafter referred to as check-in). More specifically, when you check in,
The number of times the personal computer 1 can check out the right information of the corresponding content recorded is 1
Will be increased.

The personal computer 1 is connected to a portable device 5-2 via a USB cable.
The content checked out by the personal computer 1 is erased (or made unusable) by the portable device 5-2, and the right information corresponding to the erased content is updated.

As the personal computer 1, another personal computer (not shown) is a portable device 5-1.
Can't check in content checked out to. The personal computer 1 cannot check in the content checked out to the portable device 5-2 by another personal computer.

When the user operates the jog dial remote controller 6 connected via the USB cable to input a predetermined command, the personal computer 1 executes a corresponding process. Also,
The personal computer 1 is connected via the USB cable
Jog dial remote controller 6 connected
On the other hand, when reproducing the music content, the audio data is transmitted and output to the headphone 7 connected to the jog dial remote controller 6.

In response to a request from the personal computer 1, the EMD server 3 sends the content to the personal computer 1 via the network 2 together with the data related to the content (for example, song title, playlist name, or playback restriction). To supply.

The content supplied by the EMD server 3 is encoded by a predetermined encoding method and encrypted by a predetermined encryption method. The EMD server 3 supplies a key for decrypting the content to the personal computer 1.

A WWW (World Wide Web) server 4 responds to a request from the personal computer 1 via a network 2 and reads data corresponding to a CD (for example, an album name of a CD or sales of a CD). (Company etc.) and data corresponding to the content read from the CD (for example, song name, playlist name, composer name, etc.) are supplied to the personal computer 1.

The portable device 5-1 uses the contents (that is, the contents) supplied from the personal computer 1.
The checked-out content and the like) are stored together with data related to the content (for example, a song name, a playlist name, or a reproduction restriction). The portable device 5-1 reproduces the stored content based on the data related to the content and outputs the content to headphones (not shown) or the like.

For example, when an attempt is made to perform reproduction over the number of times of reproduction, which is stored as data related to the content, as the reproduction limit, the portable device 5-1
Stop playing the corresponding content. As the playback restrictions stored as data related to the content,
When the portable device 5-1 tries to reproduce the content after the reproduction time limit has passed, the portable device 5-1 stops the reproduction of the corresponding content.

The user can remove the portable device 5-1 storing the content from the personal computer 1, carry it around, play the stored content, and listen to music or the like corresponding to the content with headphones or the like. .

The portable device 5-2 stores the content supplied from the personal computer 1 together with the data related to the content. Based on the data related to the content, the portable device 5-2
The stored content is reproduced and output to headphones (not shown) or the like. The user can remove the portable device 5-2 storing the content from the personal computer 1, carry it around, play the stored content, and listen to music or the like corresponding to the content with headphones or the like.

The portable devices 5-1 and 5-2 will be described below.
When there is no need to distinguish each of them, they are simply referred to as a portable device 5.

The jog remote controller 6 is a remote controller composed of a rotary pressing type operation element, and is, for example, a jog remote controller (registered trademark) manufactured by Sony Corporation, which is the applicant of the present invention. The jog remote controller 6 can operate the personal computer 1 by operating a rotary pressing type operation element (for example, Jog dial (trademark)). Further, the jog remote controller 6 sends the music content reproduced by the personal computer to the connected headphone 7 and outputs it as sound. The details of the jog remote controller 6 will be described later with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the personal computer 1. CPU (Central Processing Unit)
Reference numeral 11 actually executes various application programs for realizing the functions described later and an OS (Operating System). A ROM (Read-only Memory) 12 generally stores basically fixed data of programs used by the CPU 11 and parameters for calculation. RAM (Ran
The dom-Access Memory) 13 stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 11 and parameters that change appropriately in the execution. These are connected to each other by a host bus 14 including a CPU bus and the like.

The host bus 14 is connected to the PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interfac) via the bridge 15.
e) It is connected to an external bus 16 such as a bus.

The keyboard 18 is operated by the user when inputting various commands to the CPU 11. Mouse 19
Is operated by the user when pointing or selecting points on the screen of the display 20. Display 2
Reference numeral 0 is composed of a liquid crystal display device, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or the like, and displays various kinds of information as text or images. An HDD (Hard Disc Drive) 21 drives hard disks and causes them to record or reproduce programs and information executed by the CPU 11.

The drive 22 reads the data or program recorded in the mounted magnetic disk 41, optical disk 42 (including CD), magneto-optical disk 43, or semiconductor memory 44, and reads the data or program, The data is supplied to the RAM 13 connected via the interface 17, the external bus 16, the bridge 15, and the host bus 14.

The portable device 5-1 is connected to the USB port 23-1 via a USB cable. The USB port 23-1 has an interface 17 and an external bus 1.
6, via bridge 15, or host bus 14, HD
Data supplied from the D21, the CPU 11, or the RAM 13 (for example, content or portable device 5-1
(Including the command of the above) is output to the portable device 5-1.

The portable device 5-2 is connected to the USB port 23-2 via a USB cable. The USB port 23-2 has an interface 17 and an external bus 1.
6, via bridge 15, or host bus 14, HD
Data supplied from the D21, the CPU 11, or the RAM 13 (for example, content or portable device 5-2
(Including the command of the above) is output to the portable device 5-2.

The jog remote controller 6 is connected to the USB port 23-3 via a USB cable. US
The B port 23-3, via the interface 17, the external bus 16, the bridge 15, or the host bus 14,
The data (including, for example, the content or the command of the jog remote controller 6) supplied from the HDD 21, the CPU 11, or the RAM 13 is output to the jog remote controller 6.

The speaker 24 outputs a predetermined sound corresponding to the content based on the sound signal supplied from the interface 17.

These keyboard 18 and speaker 24
Are connected to the interface 17, and the interface 17 is connected to the CPU 11 via the external bus 16, the bridge 15, and the host bus 14.

The communication unit 25 is connected to the network 2 and stores data (for example, a content transmission request) supplied from the CPU 11 or the HDD 21 in a packet of a predetermined method, and via the network 2, The data (for example, contents) stored in the received packet is transmitted via the network 2 while being transmitted.
Output to the CPU 11, RAM 13, or HDD 21.

The communication unit 25 includes the external bus 16 and the bridge 1.
5, and is connected to the CPU 11 via the host bus 14.

Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to individually distinguish the USB ports 23-1 to 23-3, simply use the USB port 23.
Called.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an overview of the jog remote controller 6. Of the jog remote controller 6
The USB terminal 61 is connected to the USB port 23-3. The jog dial 62 is a rotary pressing type operation element, is rotatable in the arrow A direction or the B direction, and when rotated by the user, the LCD 6 corresponds to the rotation angle.
5 and items showing various commands displayed on the display 20 are scrolled. Then, the user selects the desired item by pressing the jog dial 62 in the direction of arrow C. At this time, the command corresponding to the selected item is output to the personal computer 1. The shift button 63 is pressed when the display content is switched to the mode for adjusting the volume.
Further, the back button 64 is pressed to restore the previous operation performed by the user. The headphone 7 is connected via a jack 66, and can be attached to and detached from the main body of the jog remote controller 6 by inserting and removing the jack 66.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the jog remote controller 6. The control unit 71 includes a CPU, a ROM, and
It is a so-called microcomputer composed of RAM and controls the entire operation of the jog remote controller 6. In response to the signal input from the operation unit 72, the control unit 71 displays, for example, an image on the LCD 65 or outputs audio data corresponding to music content transmitted from the personal computer 1 via the USB terminal 61. The sound is output to the headphone 7 via the sound output unit 73 and output as sound. The operation unit 72 is the jog dial 6
2, a signal corresponding to the operation of the shift button 63 and the back button 64 is output to the control unit 71.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the functions of the personal computer 1 realized by the CPU 11 executing the content management program. GUI (Gra
The phical user interface) section 101 responds to the operation of the keyboard 18, mouse 19, or jog remote controller 6 by the user, and causes the song management section 104 to provide the song name and playlist corresponding to the content desired by the user. The name or the file name of the file in which the content is stored, etc. is supplied, and the database 10
Request registration of data corresponding to the content in 7.

The GUI unit 101 uses data corresponding to contents from the database 107 via the music management unit 104,
For example, data such as an identification ID, a song name, a playlist name, or an artist name is acquired, and the identification ID, song name, playlist name, artist name, or the like is displayed on the display 20. When the reproduction of the content is requested by the operation of the user, the GUI unit 101 supplies the content management processing unit 102 with the identification ID corresponding to the content requested to be reproduced, and also reproduces the content. To request.

When a transfer of contents (check-out, copy, move, etc.) is requested by a user operation, the GUI unit 101 supplies the transfer processing unit 103 with an identification ID corresponding to the requested transfer contents. Along with
The transfer processing unit 103 is requested to transfer the content.

The content management processing unit 102 includes the GUI unit 1
When the reproduction of the content is requested from 01, the music management section 104 is identified by the content corresponding to the reproduction requested.
Supply the ID and request the file name corresponding to the content. When the content management processing unit 102 acquires the file name from the music management unit 104, the music management unit 10
4, file search unit 106, and database 107
Via the music file storage unit 108-1 or 108-
2 stored in the music file 108a-1, or 10
The music file of the content is acquired from 8b-1.

The content management processing unit 102 uses the PC (Protected Content
t) Supply to the plug-in 109-1 or 109-2.

When the content (music file of the content) is supplied from the content management processing unit 102, if the content is not encrypted, the PC plug-in 109-1 decodes the encoded content and outputs the audio. The data is supplied to the audio output unit 110-1. PC plug-in 109-
1 is, when the content is encrypted when the content is supplied from the content management processing unit 102, decrypts the encrypted content into a plaintext, and
The encoded content is decoded and the audio data is supplied to the audio output unit 110-1. Audio output unit 110-
1 produces | generates an audio | voice signal based on audio | voice data, and makes a speaker 24 output an audio | voice.

When the content (the music file of the content) is supplied from the content management processing unit 102, if the content is not encrypted, the PC plug-in 109-2 decodes the encoded content and outputs the audio. The data is supplied to the audio output unit 110-2. PC plug-in 109-
2 is, when the content is encrypted when the content is supplied from the content management processing unit 102, decrypts the encrypted content into plain text, and
The encoded content is decoded and the audio data is supplied to the audio output unit 110-2. Audio output unit 110-
2 generates an audio signal based on the audio data and causes the speaker 24 to output the audio.

The user can additionally install the PC plug-in on the personal computer 1.

Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to individually distinguish the PC plug-in 109-1 or the PC plug-in 109-2,
It is simply referred to as the PC plug-in 109.

When the content transfer is requested from the GUI unit 101, the transfer processing unit 103 supplies the identification ID corresponding to the content requested to be transferred to the music management unit 104, and at the same time, outputs the file name corresponding to the content. Request.
When the transfer processing unit 103 acquires the file name from the music management unit 104, the transfer processing unit 103 and the file search unit 10
6 and the database 107, the music file 108a of the music file storage unit 108-1 or 108-2.
-1 or 108b-1, the music file of the content corresponding to the file name is acquired.

The transfer processing unit 103 supplies the acquired content to the PD plug-in 111-1 or 111-2.

The PD plug-in 111-1 mutually authenticates with the portable device 5-1 when transferring the content (the music file thereof) to the portable device 5-1. When mutual authentication is not performed, the PD plug-in 111-1 does not transfer the content to the portable device 5-1.

The PD plug-in 111-1 is the transfer processing unit 1.
When the content (the music file of the content) is supplied from 03, if the content is encrypted, the content is supplied to the portable device 5-1 together with the data related to the content. When the content is not encrypted when the content is supplied from the transfer processing unit 103, the PD plug-in 111-1 encrypts the content, and the content related to the content is encrypted together with the encrypted content in the portable device 5. Supply to -1.

The mutual authentication process may be executed when the portable device 5-1 is connected to the personal computer 1.

The PD plug-in 111-2 mutually authenticates with the portable device 5-2 when transferring the contents (the music file of the content) to the portable device 5-2. When mutual authentication is not performed, the PD plug-in 111-2 does not transfer the content to the portable device 5-2.

The PD plug-in 111-2 is the transfer processing unit 1
When the content (the music file of the content) is supplied from 03, if the content is encrypted, the content is supplied to the portable device 5-2 together with the data related to the content. When the content is not encrypted when the content is supplied from the transfer processing unit 103, the PD plug-in 111-2 encrypts the content, and the encrypted content together with the data related to the content is transferred to the portable device 5. -2.

The mutual authentication process may be executed when the portable device 5-2 is connected to the personal computer 1.

The user can additionally install the PD plug-in on the personal computer 1.

Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to individually distinguish the PD plug-in 111-1 or the PD plug-in 111-2,
It is simply referred to as PD plug-in 111.

The music management section 104 stores the content stored in the file recorded in the HDD 21 or the content supplied from the content management processing section 102.
The data is stored in a file via the database 107 and recorded in the music file 108a-1 or 108b-1 of the music file storage unit 108-1 or 108-2.

The music management section 104 is provided with a database 107.
In addition to recording data such as a song name or playlist name corresponding to the content and a file name corresponding to the content, the song name, playlist name, or file name is read from the database 107. The song management unit 104 receives the song name, playlist name,
Or when the file name is received, the database 107
To add a record, and record the song name, playlist name, or file name as an item of the record.

In response to a request from the GUI unit 101, the music management unit 104 reads out from the database 107 all the music titles recorded in the database 107, the playlist names, and the identification IDs, and the GUI unit Supply to 101.

When the identification ID is supplied from the content management processing unit 102, the music management unit 104 reads the file name corresponding to the identification ID from the database 107 and supplies the read file name to the content management processing unit 102. . The song management unit 104 receives the identification ID from the transfer processing unit 103.
Is supplied, the file name corresponding to the identification ID is read from the database 107, and the read file name is supplied to the transfer processing unit 103.

The file search unit 106 includes a music management unit 104.
In response to the request of the music file storage unit 108-1 or 1 based on the file name acquired from the database 107
The file (contents are stored) corresponding to the file name is searched from 08-2. File search unit 10
6 supplies the file read from the music file storage unit 108-1 or 108-2 to the music management unit 104, or
Alternatively, the file name of the file is changed, and the file with the changed file name is supplied to the music management unit 104.

The music management section 104 includes a file search section 106.
The content management processing unit 102 or the transfer processing unit 103 stores the file in which the content is supplied from
Supply to.

The database 107 records data relating to contents, for example, identification ID, song name, playlist name, file name, or other attributes. The database 107 is stored in the HDD 21.

The music management unit 104, in response to a request from the jog dial processing unit 121 or the GUI unit 101, via the file search unit 106 and the database 107, the music file storage unit 108-1 or 108. −
2 is recorded as additional information 108b-1 or 108b-2 such as linen notes or lyrics corresponding to each identification ID, and the song file storage unit 108-1,
Alternatively, the additional information 108b-1, such as the linen notes or lyrics stored in 108-2, or 108
b-2 is read and output to the GUI unit 101 or the jog dial processing unit 121.

The music management unit 104 directly accesses the EMD server 3 via the network 2 at the request of the GUI unit 101 or the jog dial processing unit 121, and the identification I
Acquires only the music file of the content corresponding to D and the additional information or the additional information, and outputs it to the GUI unit 101 or the jog dial processing unit 121.
The music file storage unit 108-1 or 108-via the file search unit 106 and the database 107.
Have 2 record.

The jog dial processing section 121 communicates with the jog dial server 122. For example, when the user operates the jog remote controller 6, a signal corresponding to the operation is received from the jog dial server 122, and the received signal is received. In response to this, the music management unit 104 is requested to perform processing such as music reproduction and selection. In addition, the jog dial processing unit 121 is the jog dial server 1
The animation data to be displayed on the LCD 65 or the jog dial GUI 124 displayed on the display 20 from the jog remote controller animation data storage unit 126 based on the request of 22 according to the operation content of the jog remote controller 6 and the reproduction state of the content. Is read and output to the jog dial server 122.

The jog dial server 122 communicates with the jog remote controller device control section 125 via the jog remote controller plug-in 123, and the LCD 6 of the jog remote controller 6
5, or the content to be displayed on the jog dial GUI 124 is determined according to the content reproduction state or the operation content of the jog remote controller 6, and requests the jog dial processing unit 121.

Jog remote controller plug-in 1
Reference numeral 23 transmits the operation of the jog remote controller 6 to the jog dial server 122 and controls the content displayed on the LCD 65 on the jog remote controller 6. The image displayed on the LCD 65 of the jog remote controller 6 is basically the same as that of the jog dial GUI 124 on the display 20, but a different image may be displayed depending on the processing content. The image displayed in this case. Determines whether to display text, still images, or animated images.

Next, referring to FIG. 6, the database 10
The configuration of the database managed in 7 will be described.
Each piece of information is identified by an identification ID. Each information has an identification
Corresponding to the ID, the song name / playlist name, artist name, genre name, song file name, lyrics file name, liner notes file name, and playback count are included. In this case, in the information of the identification ID = 1, "Playlist A" (PlaylistA) is used as the song name / playlist name, "4hero" is used as the artist name, "Rock" is used as the genre name, and the song file name is blank. , The lyrics file name is blank, and the liner notes file name is `` C:
\ Root \ PlaylistA \ Notes.txt "is registered with the number of playbacks set to blank. That is, the information indicated by the identification ID = 1 indicates that it is the playlist A, and only the liner notes data is registered as the additional information.

Further, in the information of the identification ID = 2, "Song-A" is used as the song name / playlist name, "4hero" is used as the artist name, "Rock" is used as the genre name, and "C" is used as the song file name. : \ Root \ Song-A \ track.omg "is the lyrics file name" C: \ Root \ Song-A \ track.omg "and the liner notes file name is" C: \ Root \ Song-A \ track. " .o
"mg" and "10" are registered as the number of reproductions, respectively. That is, the information indicated by the identification ID = 2 is Song
-It is shown that it is the data of the song A.

In the information of the identification ID = 3, "Song-A" is used as the song name / playlist name, "4hero" is used as the artist name, "Rock" is used as the genre name, and "C" is used as the song file name. : \ Root \ Song-B \ track.omg "is the lyrics file name" C: \ Root \ Song-B \ track.omg "and the liner notes file name is" C: \ Root \ Song-B \ track. " .o
"mg" and "32" are registered as the number of times of reproduction, respectively. That is, the information indicated by the identification ID = 3 is Song
-It is shown that it is the data of the song B.

In the information of the identification ID = 4, "Playlist B" (PlaylistB) is used as the song name / playlist name, "Unknown" is used as the artist name, and "P" is used as the genre name.
"ops" has a blank song file name, a blank lyrics file name, and "C: \ R" as the liner notes file name.
“Oot \ PlaylistB \ Notes.txt” is registered with the number of playbacks set to blank. That is, the information indicated by the identification ID = 4 indicates that it is the playlist B, and only the liner notes data is registered as the additional information.

In the information of the identification ID = 5, "Song-C" is used as the song name / playlist name and "Unkn" is used as the artist name.
"own", genre name "Pops", song file name "C: \ Root \ Song-C \ track.omg", lyrics file name "C: \ Root \ Song-C \ track.omg"", But the liner notes file name is" C: \ Root \ Song-C \ track.omg "
However, “6” is registered as the number of reproductions, respectively. That is, it is shown that the information indicated by the identification ID = 5 is song-C song data.

In the information of identification ID = 6, "Playlist C" (PlaylistC) is used as the song name / playlist name, "Unknown" is used as the artist name, and "J" is used as the genre name.
"azz" has a blank song file name, a blank lyrics file name, and "C: \ R" as the liner notes file name.
“Oot \ PlaylistC \ Notes.txt” is registered with a blank play count. That is, the information indicated by the identification ID = 6 indicates that it is the playlist C, and only the liner notes data is registered as the additional information.

In the information of the identification ID = 7, "Song-D" is used as the song name / playlist name, and "Unkn
"own", "Jazz" as the genre name, "C: \ Root \ Song-D \ track.wav" as the song file name, and "C: \ Root \ Song-D \ track.wav" as the lyrics file name. ", But the liner notes file name is" C: \ Root \ Song-D \ track.wav "
However, “2” is registered as the number of reproductions, respectively. That is, it is indicated that the information indicated by the identification ID = 7 is song-D song data.

In the information of the identification ID = 8, "Playlist folder A" (PlaylistFolde
rA), but all others are blank. That is, it is shown that the information indicated by the identification ID = 8 is the playlist folder A.

As described above, the information registered for each identification ID is not uniform. Therefore, it is possible to manage the tree shape data by setting the parent-child relationship of the identification ID so that these can be managed in a hierarchical structure. FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the identification ID and the identification ID of its parent (one-level identification ID on the tree diagram). That is, the identification IDs = 2 and 3 are the parent identification ID = 1, the identification ID = 5 parent identification ID = 4, the identification ID = 7 parent identification ID = 6, and the identification ID = 6 parent identification ID = Is 6, and identified
It is shown that the identification ID of the parent with ID = 4 is 8.

From this parent-child relationship (from the upper and lower relationship on the tree diagram), the relationship of the tree diagram as shown in FIG. 8 is shown. That is, it is indicated that the playlist folder A is a playlist folder including two playlists B and C. Also, play list A
Does not belong to the playlist folder and constitutes a single playlist. Playlist A is Song-A,
Composed of B. Furthermore, playlist B has S
song-D is registered in ong-C, and playlist C is registered in song-D. As for the storage location of each song file, Song-A displays "C: \ R
oot \ Song-A \ track.omg ", Song-B is" C: \ Root \ Song-B \ t
rack.omg ", Song-C is" C: \ Root \ Song-C \ track.omg ",
It is shown that Song-D is stored in "C: \ Root \ Song-D \ track.wav", respectively.

Based on the table shown in FIG. 6 consisting of the information identified by each identification ID in this way, and the table shown in FIG. 7 showing the parent-child relationship of the information identified by each identification ID. The database 7 is configured and manages various data.

Further, a tree structure other than the relationship shown in FIG. 8 can be formed. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the playlist folder A can be configured together with the playlist D in the playlist folder B.
In addition, as shown in the song A-3 shown in FIG.
The play list may belong to any of the B play lists. Furthermore, songs A-1 to A-3 and song B-
1 and B-2 are A-1.omg, A-2.wav, A-3.mp3 and B, respectively.
-1.mp3, B-1.omg, and B-2.omg can handle song files of various formats, but song B-
It is also possible to set up files of two different formats, as indicated by 1.

In the above description, the playlist is
Although it has been explained as a unit for collecting contents, in addition to this, the album name, artist name, which is the attribute of the song,
The same processing is performed with the unit searched for by the genre name or a combination thereof (artist name and album name, genre name and artist name, or genre name, artist name, album name, etc.) as a unit. be able to.

Further, as a unit of the unit, in addition to this, for each format format as the attribute information (OpenMG, MP
3, WAV, Windows (registered trademark) Media, etc., Top 10 most listened songs, Top 1 least listened songs
It is possible to classify 0 songs or the top 10 songs that have been heard recently.

The right information storage unit 105 stores the SDMI (Secure D
rights information corresponding to files conforming to the standard defined by the
Stored in 1 and managed. When the right information storage unit 105 receives the identification ID from the music management unit 104, the right information storage unit 105 searches for one piece of right information corresponding to the identification ID and supplies the searched right information to the music management unit 104.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of right information stored in the right information storage unit 105. The right information includes, for example, a content ID, the number of remaining playbacks, the number of remaining checkouts, a playback start date and time, a playback end date and time, and the like. The right information stored in the right information storage unit 105 is the music file storage unit 108-1 or 108-2.
Corresponds to one file stored in.

Music file storage unit 108-1 or 108
The file stored in -2 is composed of, for example, a header and contents which are musical sound data.

Next, with reference to FIG. 11, a description will be given of a content encryption process, a process of adding right information corresponding to the content, and a process of converting the content encoding system.

For example, when MP3 content is imported (registered in the database 107) and the first setting (set by the operation of the GUI unit 101) is made, right information is not generated. Data (music file) corresponding to the content is registered in the database 107.

[0100] The MP3 format contents that have been imported without the rights information generated are
It is inspected whether the watermark of the specified method is included in the content of the P3 method, and when the watermark of the specified method is not included, the encrypted content that is still in the MP3 method is further generated and checked. The content is output, or ATRAC3 type content is further generated and encrypted, and the encrypted ATRAC3 type content is stored in the music file storage unit 108.

For example, when the second setting is made when MP3 format content is imported, it is checked whether the MP3 format content includes a watermark of a predetermined format, and the predetermined format is checked. When the watermark is not included, the data corresponding to the content is registered in the database 107. In addition, the encoding method of the MP3 content is not changed, and the plaintext remains as it is, and the right information corresponding to the MP3 content is generated. The generated right information is stored in the right information storage unit 105.

Rights information was generated and imported
MP3 format content is MP3 compatible with subsequent operations.
The encrypted content is further generated and checked out, or the ATRAC3 content is further generated and encrypted. The encrypted ATRAC3 content is stored in the music file storage unit 108.

By doing so, the content data management system does not need to duplicately record the encrypted content and the unencrypted content having the same content. It is possible to effectively use the recording area such as the HDD 21.

When the third setting is made when MP3 format contents are imported, it is inspected whether or not the MP3 format content includes a watermark of a predetermined format, and the watermark of the predetermined format is checked. When the mark is not included, the data corresponding to the content is registered in the database 107. Further, the content converted to the ATRAC3 system is generated and the generated content is encrypted, and the ATRAC3 system encrypted content is recorded in the music file storage unit 108, and
Rights information corresponding to C3 content is generated,
The generated right information is stored in the right information storage unit 105.

When the content includes a watermark of a predetermined system, the content is not registered, the encoding system is not changed, it is not encrypted, and it is not checked out.

When the contents recorded on the CD are ripped, the read contents are converted into ATRAC3 system and encrypted, and the contents converted into ATRAC3 system and encrypted are stored in the music file storage unit 108. The rights information corresponding to ATRAC3 content is recorded in the rights information storage unit 10
Stored in 5.

The above-mentioned import processing, predetermined processing after import, or ripping processing is executed for one or more contents.

Next, the operation of the jog remote controller 6 will be described.

The operation of the jog remote controller 6 is as follows.
Of the programs running on the personal computer 1, the processing corresponding to the program displayed on the display 20 and having the corresponding window active is enabled. Here, an example in which the window of the above-described content management program is active on the personal computer 1 will be described.

When the content management program is active, the jog dial GUI displayed as one window on the display 20 and the image displayed on the LCD 65 have the same content. 12 and 13 show display examples on the jog dial GUI 151 and the LCD 65, respectively. As shown in FIG. 12 (A), the jog dial GUI 1
There is an item display column on 51, and selectable items are displayed. In this case, "artist name", "genre name", "return", "artist name", and "genre name" are displayed from the top of the figure. The display of this item scrolls in this order in proportion to the rotation angle of the jog dial 62.

At this time, similar items are displayed on the LCD 65. That is, as shown in FIG.
“Genre name”, “return”, and “artist name” are displayed on the item display field 161, and a selection field 162 is displayed in the center. However, in the jog dial GUI 124 shown in FIG. 12, five items are displayed, whereas on the LCD 65, only three items are displayed due to the display area. Basically, the same content is shown.

The number of items to be displayed may be changed by changing the display area of the LCD 65 or the font size.

In this state, the jog dial 62 moves to the position shown in FIG.
Item display field 15 when rotated in the direction of arrow B
The item displayed in 2, 161 is the jog dial 62.
Scroll according to the rotation angle of
As shown in (B) and FIG. 13 (B), “Return” displayed in the selection fields 153 and 162 respectively scrolls downward in the drawing, that is, in the arrow E direction or the arrow E ′ direction. Then, the “genre name” displayed above “Return” is displayed in the selection fields 153 and 162.

On the contrary, the jog dial 62 is indicated by the arrow in FIG.
When rotated in the A direction, the item display fields 152, 1
Items displayed in 61 scroll according to the rotation angle of the jog dial 62, and, for example, as shown in FIG. 12C and FIG.
"Return" displayed in 62 is scrolled upward in the figure, that is, in the direction of arrow F or arrow F ', and the "artist name" displayed under "Back" is displayed.
Is displayed in the selection fields 153 and 162.

Regarding the part that is not partially displayed in the figure (for example, the artist name in the top row is displayed as "artist"), the characters are moving from the right direction to the left direction in the figure. All characters are displayed by scrolling and displaying.

Next, the state transition of the content management program will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the content management program is activated, its state changes to the player mode 201. At this time, the jog dial GUI 151 displays a screen indicating that the state is the player mode 201, as shown in FIG. In the item display field 152, as a display corresponding to the operation direction of the jog dial 62, “forward” in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing, “next” in the clockwise direction, and “playback, long-length” in the left direction in the drawing. Press and return "is displayed.

In this state, the jog dial 62 (FIG. 3)
When is rotated in the direction A in the figure, the content next to the content currently specified is selected, and when rotated in the direction B in the figure, the content next to the content currently specified is selected. It When the jog dial 62 is pressed in the direction of arrow C, playback of the specified content is started, and when the jog dial 62 is pressed in the direction of arrow C for a long time (the pressed state remains for 1, 2 seconds or more, Then, the state transits to the top menu mode 202.

The screen displayed on the jog dial GUI 151 is the LCD of the jog remote controller 6 at the same time.
Although it is also displayed on the screen 65, the basic display is the same except that the number of items is changed, and therefore the description of the screen displayed on the LCD 65 is omitted in the following description.

In the case of the top menu mode 202, the jog dial GUI 151 displays a screen showing that the state is the top menu mode 202, as shown in FIG. In the item display field 152, "player operation", "fast reverse", "fast forward", "stop", "repeat setting", "shuffle setting", "display setting", "volume setting", "playlist selection" , "Remote control song information",
"Animation ON" / "Animation OFF", "Application Lock", "Application Lock Release",
Five items of "launcher" and "application end" are displayed, and the jog dial 62
It can be selected by operating.

When "player operation" is selected, the state transits to the player mode 201. "Fast rewind",
When "Fast-forward" and "Stop" are selected, the operating state of the content currently specified only while selected (only while the jog dial 62 is pressed in the direction of arrow C). To a corresponding operating state.

When the "repeat mode" is selected, the state transits to the repeat mode 203, and the jog dial GUI 151 displays the repeat setting screen as shown in FIG. At this time, in the item display field 152, “return”, “all song repeat”, “one song repeat”,
Also, "no repeat" is displayed, and each item can be selected by operating the jog dial 62. When “Return” is selected, the state transits to the top menu mode 202. When “all song repeat” is selected, a mode is set to repeat playback of the songs currently selected and included in the playlist or other group, and the state returns to the top menu mode 202. When "1 song repeat" is selected, the mode selected to set the currently selected song to repeat playback is set, and the state returns to the top menu mode 202. When "No repeat" is selected, set to the mode without repeat,
The state returns to the top menu mode 202.

When the "shuffle mode" is selected in the state of FIG. 17, the state changes to the shuffle mode 204, and the jog dial GUI 151 displays the shuffle setting screen as shown in FIG. At this time, "shuffled" and "no shuffled" are displayed in the item display field 152, and the jog dial 6 is displayed.
Each item can be selected by operating 2. When "Shuffle" is selected, the song in the currently selected playlist or other group is set to shuffle play (random play order), and the status is set to the top menu. Return to mode 202. When "No shuffle" is selected, the set shuffle mode is canceled,
The state returns to the top menu mode 202.

When "display setting" is selected in the state of FIG. 17, the state transits to the display selection mode 205, and the jog dial GUI 151 displays the display setting screen as shown in FIG. At this time, "return", "playlist name", "song name", and "time" are displayed in the item display field 152, and the jog dial 6 is displayed.
Each item can be selected by operating 2. When “Return” is selected, the state transits to the top menu mode 202. When "Playlist name" is selected, the playlist name currently selected,
Alternatively, the album name is set to be displayed in the item display field 152, and the state returns to the top menu mode 202. When the "song name" is selected, the currently selected song name is set to be displayed in the item display field 152, and the state returns to the top menu mode 202. "time"
When is selected, the currently selected song title is set to be displayed in the item display field 152, and the state returns to the top menu mode 202.

When "volume setting" is selected in the state of FIG. 17, the state transits to volume setting mode 206, and the jog dial GUI 151 displays the volume setting screen as shown in FIG. At this time, the item display column 15
“Return”, “PC volume setting”, and “remote control volume setting” are displayed on 2, and each item can be selected by operating the jog dial 62. When “Return” is selected in the state of FIG. 21, the state is
Transition to the top menu mode 202. "PC volume setting"
When is selected, the state changes to PC volume setting mode 207.
And the PC volume setting screen as shown in FIG. 22 is displayed. In this state, when the jog dial 62 is rotated in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3, the volume is set higher according to the rotation angle, and when it is rotated in the direction of arrow B, the volume is set lower according to the rotation angle. To be done. When the jog dial 62 is pressed in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 3, the state returns to the volume setting mode 206.

When "remote control volume setting" is selected in the state of FIG. 21, the state transits to the remote controller volume setting mode 208, and the jog dial GUI 151 is selected.
Displays a remote controller volume setting screen as shown in FIG. In this state, when the jog dial 62 is rotated in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3, the volume is set higher according to the rotation angle, and when it is rotated in the direction of arrow B, the volume is set lower according to the rotation angle. To be done. When the jog dial 62 is pressed in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 3, the state returns to the volume setting mode 206.

When "playlist selection" is selected in the state of FIG. 17, that state is the playlist selection mode 2
09, and the jog dial GUI 151 is displayed as shown in FIG.
A playlist selection screen as shown in is displayed. At this time, “return”, “random playlist”, “all playlists”, “group”, “all songs”, and “favorite playlist” are displayed in the item display field 152, and the jog dial 62 is displayed. Each item can be selected by operating. "Return"
When is selected, the status is the top menu mode 20.
Transition to 2. “When a random playlist is selected, the state transits to the random playlist mode 210, the reproduction from the randomly selected playlist is started, and when the reproduction is completed, the state is changed to the top menu mode 202. When "Return" and "Return" are selected in the middle of reproduction, the state returns to the playlist selection mode 209. The processing in the random playlist mode will be described later with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

In the state of FIG. 24, "all playlists"
Is selected, the state transits to all playlist modes 211, all playlists are displayed on the display 20 in a dendrogram form, and a desired playlist by operating the jog dial 62, or , You can select and play a song. Note that this processing will be described later with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

When "group" is selected in the state of FIG. 24, the state transits to the group mode 212, and the jog dial GUI 151 displays the group selection screen as shown in FIG. At this time, “return”, “album name”, “artist name”, and “genre name” are displayed in the item display field 152, and each item can be selected by operating the jog dial 62. . When “Return” is selected in the state of FIG. 25, the state returns to the playlist mode 209.
When the "album name" is selected, the state changes to the album mode 213, the album name is displayed in the item display field 152, and each item can be selected by operating the jog dial 62. . Then, when an album is selected, the content belonging to the selected album name is reproduced, and when the reproduction is completed, the state returns to the player mode 201.

When the artist name is selected in the state of FIG. 25, the state transits to the artist mode 214, the registered artist name and "return" are displayed in the item display field 152, and the jog dial 62 is displayed. Each item can be selected by operating.
For example, if "return" is selected, the state returns to group mode 212. Further, when the desired artist name is selected in this state, the state transits to the artist-album mode 215, and the item display column 1
In 52, the album name belonging to the selected artist name and "return" are displayed. When "Back" is selected,
The state returns to the artist mode 214. Also,
In this state, when the album name is selected, the reproduction of the content belonging to the selected album name is started, and when the reproduction is finished, the state returns to the player mode 201.

When the genre name is selected in the state of FIG. 25, the state transits to the genre mode 216, the registered genre name and "return" are displayed in the item display field 152, and the jog dial 62 is displayed. Each item can be selected by operating. For example,
When “Return” is selected, the state returns to the group mode 212. Further, when a desired genre name is selected in this state, the state transits to the genre-artist mode 217, and the item display field 152 shows the artist name belonging to the selected genre name and "return".
Is displayed. When "Return" is selected, the status is
Return to the genre mode 216. When an artist name is selected in this state, the item display field 152 displays the album name belonging to the selected artist name and “return”, and the jog dial 62 is operated to display each item. You can choose. For example, when “return” is selected, the state returns to the genre mode 216. When the desired album name is selected, the state transits to the genre-artist-album mode 218, and the item display field 152 displays the album name belonging to the selected artist name and "return". To be done. When "Return" is selected, the state returns to the genre-artist mode 217.
Also, when an album name is selected in this state, the playback of the content belonging to the selected album name is started,
When the reproduction is finished, the state is changed to the player mode 201.
Return to.

When "all songs" is selected in the state of FIG. 24, the state transits to all song modes 219,
All the registered music pieces are sequentially reproduced, and the state returns to the player mode 201.

When "favorite playlist" is selected in the state of FIG. 24, a mode is set for reproducing the songs included in the favorite playlist, and the state returns to the player mode 201. At this time, if there is no song that belongs to the "favorite playlist", the display will show
“Disable” is displayed and the state returns to the player mode 201.

When "remote control song information" is selected in the state of FIG. 17, the state transits to the song information display mode 221, and the jog dial GUI 151 displays a song information display setting screen as shown in FIG. Is displayed. At this time, “return”, “song lyrics”, “song liner notes”, “song comment”, “playlist liner notes”, and “playlist comment” are displayed in the item display field 152, and the jog dial 62 is displayed. Each item can be selected by operating. In the state of FIG. 26,
When “Return” is selected, the state transits to the top menu mode 202.

When "song lyrics" is selected in the state of FIG. 26, the state transits to the song information display mode 222, and as shown in FIG. 27, the display of the LCD 65 changes to a text display. Information on the song lyrics of the currently specified content is read out and displayed based on the database described with reference to FIG. 6, for example. In the present case, the LCD 65 displays the song lyrics as "blooming tulip flowers, cherry blossoms and sunflower flowers." Further, at this time, as shown in FIG. 28, a screen for scrolling the song lyrics displayed on the LCD 65 is displayed in the item display field 152, and the jog dial 62 is correspondingly moved to the arrow A. By rotating the direction or the direction B, the lyrics can be scrolled in the corresponding direction. In addition, when the jog dial 62 is pressed in the direction of arrow C in this state, the state is changed to the music display mode 22.
Return to 1.

When "Song Liner Notes" is selected in the state shown in FIG. 26, the state changes to the song liner notes display mode 223, and LCD 6 is displayed as in the state shown in FIG.
The display of 5 is changed to a text display, and the song liner notes of the content currently specified are read and displayed based on the database described with reference to FIG. 6, for example. Similar to the state shown in FIG. 28, a screen for scrolling the music linenato displayed on the LCD 65 is displayed, and in response to this, the jog dial 62 is rotated in the arrow A direction or the B direction. This allows you to scroll the curved linenats in the corresponding direction. In addition, when the jog dial 62 is pressed in the direction of arrow C in this state, the state is changed to the music display mode 22.
Return to 1. The text data of the song liner notes may be input by the user or may be distributed from the EMD server 3 via the network 2.

When "song comment" is selected in the state of FIG. 26, the state transits to the song comment display mode 224, and the display of the LCD 65 is changed to the text display as in the state shown in FIG. Then, the comment about the song of the content currently specified is displayed. The comment information can be arbitrarily set by the user. Similar to the state shown in FIG. 28, a screen for scrolling the song comment displayed on the LCD 65 is displayed, and the jog dial 62 is rotated in the arrow A direction or the B direction corresponding to this. By doing so, the song comment can be scrolled in the corresponding direction. If the jog dial 62 is pressed in the direction of arrow C in this state, the state returns to the music display mode 221.

In the state of FIG. 26, when "PLAYLIST LINEAR NANOTES" is selected, the state transits to the playlist linenato display mode 225, and the display of the LCD 65 is changed to the same as the state shown in FIG. Change to text display,
The play list line contents of the currently specified content is read and displayed based on, for example, the database described with reference to FIG. Similar to the state shown in FIG. 28, the screen for scrolling the playlist linenato displayed on the LCD 65 is displayed, and correspondingly, the jog dial 62 is moved in the arrow A direction or the B direction. By rotating it, the playlist linen notes can be scrolled in the corresponding direction. In addition, when the jog dial 62 is pressed in the direction of arrow C in this state, the state is changed to the music display mode 22.
Return to 1.

When "playlist comment" is selected in the state of FIG. 27, the state transits to the playlist comment display mode 225, and the display of the LCD 65 is displayed in text as in the state shown in FIG. Changes to, and the comment of the playlist of the content currently specified is displayed. The information of the comment of this play list can be arbitrarily set by the user. FIG. 28
A screen for scrolling the playlist comment displayed on the LCD 65 is displayed as in the state shown by, and the jog dial 62 is rotated in the direction of arrow A or B in response to this. You can scroll the playlist comment in the corresponding direction with. If the jog dial 62 is pressed in the direction of arrow C in this state, the state is changed to the music display mode 221.
Return to.

In the state of FIG. 17, if either animation ON or animation OFF is displayed, that state is set in the animation setting mode 22.
Transitioned to 7, the setting was reversed from the displayed state,
The state returns to the top menu mode 202. That is, the state displayed in FIG. 17 is "animation O.
If it is'N ', select this and the animation O
The animation information corresponding to the content currently set to the FF state is read from the jog controller animation storage unit 126 (FIG. 5), and LC
Displayed on D65. Conversely, if "animation is OFF" in the state of FIG. 17, when this is selected, the animation is turned ON.

When "application lock" is selected in the state of FIG. 17, that state is set to the application lock mode 228, and the software (displayed on the display 20) which the jog remote controller 6 is controlling at that time is displayed. Set the software lock state that can only be used by the software corresponding to the active window), and that state is
Return to player mode 201. When the software lock is selected again in this software lock state, the lock state is released.

When "launcher" is selected in the state of FIG. 17, the state changes to the launcher mode 229,
The display shifts to a mode called a launcher mode in which a program other than the content management program can be operated. In this case, when the content management program is selected again (activated), the state returns to the top menu mode 202.

When "end application" is selected in the state of FIG. 17, the content management program ends its processing (the state becomes the end state 230).

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 29, the process of selecting all the playlists will be described.

In step S1, the jog dial server 122 determines whether or not all playlists have been selected, and repeats the processing until it is determined that all playlists have been selected. For example, when the jog dial of the jog remote controller 6 is operated and all the playlists are selected in the state shown in FIG. 24, the information thereof is the jog remote controller device 125,
And the jog remote controller plug-in 123
Is transmitted to the jog dial server 122 via, and in step S1, the jog dial server 122
The fact that all the playlists have been selected is transmitted to the music management unit 104 via the jog dial processing unit 121.

In step S2, the music management unit 104
Is a database 107 via the file search unit 106.
Access the table stored in, and set the current playlist ID to the playlist ID of the top layer.
In step S3, the music management unit 104 reads the information of the playlist corresponding to the current playlist ID and outputs it to the jog dial server 122 via the jog dial processing unit 121.

In step S4, the jog dial server 122 sends the information of the playlist corresponding to the current playlist ID transmitted from the music management unit 104,
Via the jog dial GUI 124, the jog dial controller plug-in 123, and the jog remote controller device control unit 125,
It is displayed on the LCD 65 of the jog remote controller 6.

In step S5, the jog dial server 122 determines whether or not the return is selected by the operation of the jog dial 62 of the jog remote controller 6. For example, if the return is not selected, the item is determined in step S6. If it is determined whether or not the item is selected, and if it is not determined that the item is selected, the process returns to step S5, and the same process is repeated until the item returns or the other item is selected. When it is determined in step S6 that the item has been selected, the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, the jog dial server 122 causes the jog dial processing unit 121 to
The selected ID is transmitted to the music management unit 104. In step S8, the music management unit 104 determines whether or not the acquired ID belongs to a playlist folder. For example, if it is determined that the ID is not a playlist folder, that is, a playlist, the processing is , Step S
Proceed to 9.

In step S9, the music management unit 104
Sends the music files belonging to the playlist corresponding to the content management processing unit 102 in sequence and reproduces them, and transmits this information to the GUI unit 101 to display the selected playlist as shown in FIG. , The jog dial server 122 is made to display it on the jog dial GUI 124, and the processing ends.

In FIG. 30, the tree field 23
The playlist selected for No. 1 is “Untitle”, and the contents display field 232 has contents track1 and track2 belonging to the above-mentioned playlist “Untitle”.
10 to 10 are displayed, indicating that Track 1 is currently being reproduced (actively displayed).

If "Return" is selected in step S5, the information is transmitted from the jog dial server 122 to the music management section 104, and the process proceeds to step S10. In step S10, the music management unit 104 determines whether or not the currently-played playlist is of the highest hierarchy, and for example, in the case of the highest-ranked playlist, the processing ends. In other words, the playlist at the top layer has no layer above it, so the process ends.

In step S10, if the current playlist is not in the highest hierarchy, in step S11, the music management section 104 acquires the identification ID one level higher (the parent identification ID). Identification in step S12
It is determined whether the ID can be acquired, and if it cannot be acquired,
The process ends because an error occurs. If the identification ID can be acquired in step S12, the music management unit 104 sets the acquired identification ID on the first layer to the current ID in step S13. The process returns to step S3, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

If it is determined in step S8 that the acquired identification ID is a playlist folder, a playlist folder under the playlist folder, or
Since a playlist exists, the process proceeds to the process of designating any one of them, so in step S14, the song management section 104 sets the current ID to the ID acquired in the process of step S7, and The process returns to step S3, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

With the above processing, the contents can be reproduced in playlist units only by operating the jog dial 62 of the jog remote controller 6. still,
Regarding the process of selecting “return” in the above description, the back button 64 of the jog remote controller 6
You can also substitute by pressing. Further, although the case where the jog dial 62 of the jog remote controller 6 is operated has been described above, the jog dial 62 may be, for example, the personal computer 1
It may be provided on a part of the main body such as a side surface part, a top surface part, a front surface part, or a part of the keyboard 18.

Next, the processing of the random play list will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step S31, the jog dial server 122 determines whether or not the random play list is selected, and repeats the process until the random play list is selected. In step S31, for example, when it is determined that the random playlist is selected in the state of FIG. 24, the process proceeds to step S32.

At step S32, the jog dial server 122 causes the music management section 104 to read the information of all the playlist IDs. In step S33, the music management unit 104 determines whether or not the number of playlists is 0 or more, and if it is not 0 or more, the process is
finish. That is, since no playlist is registered, it cannot be played back randomly.

When it is determined in step S33 that there is at least one playlist, the music management section 104 generates a random number in step S34.

In step S35, the music management unit 104
Adds 1 to the value that is the remainder of the generated random number divided by the number of playlists, and sets it as the ID value. Step S3
In 6, the song management unit 104 reads the playlist corresponding to the set ID and sequentially plays each song.

With the above processing, it is possible to realize the processing of randomly selecting the play list only by operating the jog remote controller 6.

The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or software. When a series of processes is executed by software, various functions can be executed by installing a computer in which a program configuring the software is incorporated in dedicated hardware or various programs. It is installed from a recording medium into a possible general-purpose personal computer or the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, this recording medium is provided not only for the HDD 21 in which the program is recorded, which is provided to the user in the state where it is pre-installed in the personal computer 1, but also for the user separately from the computer. A magnetic disk 41 (including a flexible disk) on which the program is recorded, which is distributed to provide the program, an optical disk 42 (CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Onl
y Memory), DVD (including Digital Versatile Disk)),
It is composed of a package medium including a magneto-optical disk 43 (including MD (Mini-Disk) (registered trademark) or a semiconductor memory 44 (including Memory Stick).

In the present specification, the steps for writing the program recorded on the recording medium are not limited to the processing performed in time series according to the order described and not necessarily the processing performed in time series. , Which include processes executed in parallel or individually.

In this specification, the system means
It represents the entire apparatus composed of a plurality of devices.

[0166]

According to the information processing apparatus and method and the program of the present invention, a plurality of contents are stored, the plurality of contents are grouped and managed, and the contents are selected in a group unit by the rotary pressing type operation element. Since the content is reproduced in the selected group unit, the content can be reproduced in the group unit by only operating the rotary pressing operation element without performing other operations.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a content data management system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a personal computer.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an appearance of a jog remote controller.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a jog remote controller.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating functions of a personal computer.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of data recorded in a database.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of data indicating a parent-child relationship of IDs.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence between songs and files.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the correspondence between songs and files.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of right information.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a content encryption process, a process of adding right information corresponding to the content, and a process of converting the content encoding method.

12 is a diagram showing a display example of the jog dial GUI in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of the LCD of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing state transitions of a content management program.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state transition of a content management program.

16 is a diagram showing a display example of the jog dial GUI of FIG.

17 is a diagram showing a display example of the jog dial GUI of FIG.

18 is a diagram showing a display example of the jog dial GUI shown in FIG.

19 is a diagram showing a display example of the jog dial GUI of FIG.

20 is a diagram showing a display example of the jog dial GUI of FIG.

21 is a diagram showing a display example of the jog dial GUI of FIG.

22 is a diagram showing a display example of the jog dial GUI of FIG.

23 is a diagram showing a display example of the jog dial GUI shown in FIG.

24 is a diagram showing a display example of the jog dial GUI of FIG.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a display example of the jog dial GUI shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a display example of the jog dial GUI shown in FIG. 5.

27 is a diagram showing a display example of the LCD of FIG.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a display example of the jog dial GUI shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating a process of selecting all playlists.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen displayed on the display.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a random play list.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 personal computer, 2 network,
3 EMD server, 4 WWW server, 5-1 and 5-
2 Portable devices, 11 CPU, 12 RO
M, 13 RAM, 21 HDD, 41 magnetic disk, 42 optical disk, 43 magneto-optical disk,
44 semiconductor memory, 101 GUI unit, 102 content management processing unit, 103 transfer processing unit, 104
Song management unit, 105 right information storage unit, 106 file search unit, 107 database, 108-1 and 108-2 song file storage unit, 108a-1, 10
8a-2 song file, 108b-1, 108b-2
Additional information, 109-1, 109-2 PC plug-in,
110-1, 110-2 audio output unit, 111-1
And 111-2 PD plug-in, 121 jog dial processing unit, 122 jog dial server, 1
23 Jog Remote Controller, 124 Jog Dial GUI, 125 Jog Remote Controller Device Control Section

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A storage unit that stores a plurality of contents, a grouping management unit that manages the plurality of contents by grouping them, and a selection unit that includes the rotary pressing operation element and that selects the contents in the group unit. An information processing apparatus, comprising: and a reproduction unit that reproduces the content in units of the group selected by the selection unit. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content is music data. 3. A grouping unit for grouping contents having a predetermined condition in common among the plurality of contents, wherein the group is made up of contents having a predetermined condition in common by the grouping unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus includes a selected group. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition includes an artist name, a genre name, an album name of the music data, and a usage history. 5. A storage step of storing a plurality of contents, a grouping management step of managing the plurality of contents by grouping, and a selection of the contents in the group unit based on an operation of a rotary pressing operation element. An information processing method, comprising: a selecting step of performing the content, and a reproducing step of reproducing the content in units of the group selected in the process of the selecting step. 6. A storage control step of controlling storage of a plurality of contents, a grouping management control step of controlling management of the plurality of contents by grouping, and the content based on an operation of a rotary push type operation element. A program for causing a computer to execute a selection control step of controlling the selection in units of the groups, and a reproduction control step of controlling the reproduction of the contents in the groups selected in the processing of the selection control step.