JP2004118929A - Content reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a contents reproducing device in which the inter-music blank is not unnecessarily long even when contents having license and contents having no license are coexistent. <P>SOLUTION: The contents recording/reproducing device 10 includes a memory card 12 to reproduce a plurality of music data recorded on this memory card 12. For instance, the presence/no presence of the license and its validity are decided for all music data at the supply of a main power. The music having no license or the music having the license which is invalid is shifted to the end of a reproduction list, i.e. the pieces of music having the valid license are brought together to the top of the reproduction list. Since the pieces of music having the valid license are brought together, the identification of the license performed at the reproduction of each music can be made in a short period of time even when the pieces of music having no valid license are coexistent. Consequently, no discomfort is given to the user since the inter-music blank is not unnecessarily long. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to a content reproducing apparatus, and particularly to a content reproducing apparatus that reproduces content such as music and images recorded on a recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When a user inputs a reproduction instruction, this type of conventional content reproduction apparatus reproduces music data specified from content data such as a plurality of music data recorded on a recording medium. Until the user instructs to stop the reproduction, a plurality of music data are continuously reproduced according to the order of recording on the recording medium or the order rearranged by the user.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in this prior art content reproducing apparatus, in order to protect the copyright of the music data, the presence or absence of the reproduction authority (license) is determined prior to the reproduction of each music data. Therefore, when music data without a valid license is continuous, only the authentication process is continuously performed, but the music data is not reproduced, so that there is a problem that a blank between songs becomes unnecessarily long. Was.
[0004]
Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a content reproducing apparatus in which a blank between songs does not become unnecessarily long even when a licensed content and a non-licensed content are mixed. .
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, in a content reproducing apparatus for reproducing a plurality of contents recorded on a recording medium, it is possible to determine whether each of the plurality of contents is a first content having a license or a second content not having a license. A content reproducing apparatus comprising: a first determining unit; an assigning unit that assigns an identification number to a first content in preference to a second content; and a reproducing unit that reproduces a plurality of contents in an order according to the identification number.
[0006]
[Action]
The content reproduction device reproduces a plurality of contents recorded on a recording medium. An identification number is assigned to the first content having a license in preference to the second content having no license. At the time of reproduction, the contents are reproduced in the order according to the identification numbers. That is, the first content having the license is continuously reproduced.
[0007]
For example, even if the user has a license, the content cannot be reproduced if the license is invalidated due to restrictions such as the number of times of reproduction and a reproduction period. That is, the presence or absence of the license is determined, and if the license is present, the validity of the license is further determined. Therefore, an identification number is assigned to the first content having a valid license in preference to the second content having no license and the first content having no valid license.
[0008]
Further, when the user changes the order of reproduction, the presence or absence of a license of the content to be changed and its validity are determined. If the content is the second content or the first content without a valid license, the order is changed. Ban. It is possible to prevent a non-reproducible content from being included in a group of reproducible contents.
[0009]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the content having the license is continuously reproduced, so that the authentication process can be completed in a short time. In other words, even when content having a license and content not having a license are mixed, the inter-song blank does not become unnecessarily long.
[0010]
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
【Example】
With reference to FIG. 1, a content recording / reproducing apparatus (hereinafter, simply referred to as “recording / reproducing apparatus”) 10 of this embodiment includes a memory card 12, and this memory card 12 is detachable from the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 (removable). ). The memory card 12 is inserted into a slot 14 provided in the recording / reproducing device 10 and connected to a CPU 18 via a memory interface (I / F) 16.
[0012]
In the memory card 12, content data (music data in this embodiment) is recorded for a plurality of music pieces in a compressed state. The music data is compressed according to an arbitrary format such as MP3, and is compressed at an arbitrary compression rate (bit rate). The memory card 12 also records decoding software (decoding program) for expanding (demodulating) each music data.
[0013]
Note that the music data may be compressed and modulated in accordance with another arbitrary compression format such as WMA (Windows Media (registered trademark) Audio) or AAC.
[0014]
Such music data can be reproduced when free reproduction is not permitted for copyright protection and the user has a valid reproduction right (license) for the music data. Therefore, if the user has a license for reproducing music data and the license satisfies the restrictions on the number of reproductions and the reproduction period, that is, if the license is a valid license (valid license), the music data is reproduced. Is done. On the other hand, if there is no license, the music data cannot be reproduced. Even if the user has a license, the music data cannot be reproduced if the restrictions on the number of reproductions and the reproduction period are not satisfied, that is, if the license is invalid (invalid license).
[0015]
However, music data that is not protected by copyright can be freely reproduced regardless of the presence or absence of a license.
[0016]
Returning to FIG. 1, an operation key 20 is connected to the CPU 18, and by operating the operation key 20, a mode is switched, a menu is selected, and recording (recording), playback, stop, and forward (FF) are performed. ), Return (RW), volume adjustment, and the like, and input a song order, add a song, or delete a song.
[0017]
Further, a USB terminal 24 is connected to the CPU 18 via an external I / F 22. A computer such as a personal computer (not shown) can be connected to the USB terminal 24. Therefore, music data downloaded from an arbitrary site on the Internet using a computer or music data recorded on a CD-ROM mounted on the computer can be provided to the CPU 18 via the USB terminal 24 and the external I / F 22. it can. Then, the music data is encoded (compression / modulation processing) according to a predetermined format such as MP3 by the processing of the DSP 30 under the instruction of the CPU 18, and then transferred to the memory card 12 via the memory I / F 16.
[0018]
However, music data downloaded by a computer and previously subjected to compression / modulation processing in a format such as MP3 is directly transferred to the memory card 12 via the memory I / F 16.
[0019]
A liquid crystal display 26 is connected to the CPU 18 via a liquid crystal driver (not shown). The display 26 shows a current time (calendar), a current mode, an operation state at the time of reproduction (playback, stop, FF or RW, etc.), a remaining battery level, a volume, a play list, a title of a track being played back, and information related thereto ( For example, an artist name or an album name) is displayed.
[0020]
Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the play list displays the song names and the artist names of the music data in the order in which they are played, based on management information described later stored in the memory card 12. That is, as can be seen from FIG. 2, in the reproduction list, the artist name is described corresponding to the song title, and a number is assigned to each song. Usually, music data is reproduced in the order according to this number.
[0021]
For example, when the user operates a mode key included in the operation keys 20, the sound quality of the music to be recorded / reproduced can be set, and the display method of the display 26 can be set. At this time, the user can determine what setting has been made (current mode) by looking at the display on the display 26. In setting, various keys (not shown) such as a jog dial and a volume key included in the operation keys 20 are operated.
[0022]
When playing music, a cursor for selecting a play list and music (song) as described above is displayed on the display 26. Note that, depending on the size of the display screen of the display 26, since the playlist includes a large number of songs, a portion of the playlist is displayed on the display 26, and the other portion is displayed on the display 26 by scrolling. .
[0023]
Here, when the user rotates the jog dial included in the operation keys 20 to either one, the cursor is scrolled up and down on the screen of the display 26, so that a desired song can be selected. Next, when the jog dial is pressed (turned on), that is, when a reproduction instruction is input, the reproduction processing of the music pointed to by the cursor is started.
[0024]
In this way, the CPU 18 starts the reproduction process. Before starting the reproduction of the music, the presence or absence of a valid license and the validity of the license for the reproduced music (music data) are determined. Management information on music data as shown in FIG. 3 is recorded on the memory card 12, and by referring to this management information, the CPU 18 determines whether or not there is a license. Further, if the user has a license, the validity of the license is determined with reference to the content of the license similarly recorded on the memory card 12.
[0025]
Referring to FIG. 3, the management information describes header information including information on the total number of songs (N) at the beginning. Also, the header information includes information of a start address in which each of the music information (1), music information (2),..., Music information (N) corresponding to each music (music data) is described. Subsequent to the header information, the music information (1) to (N) are described in the order to be reproduced. In this embodiment, the music information includes a content ID, a music title, an artist name, an album name, a file name, a reproduction time (performance time), and information on whether or not a license exists.
[0026]
Therefore, the CPU 18 obtains information on the presence / absence of a license included in the music information of the music (music data) for which the reproduction instruction has been given. If there is no license, the music data is not allowed to be reproduced, and the display 26 indicates that the music data is not licensed and cannot be reproduced. That is, it is warned that reproduction cannot be performed.
[0027]
On the other hand, if there is a license, it is further determined whether the license is a valid license or an invalid license. If the license is a valid license, the music data is read from the memory card 12 and the decoding software for the music data is read and given to the DSP 30. . Then, a reproduction instruction is given to the DSP 30.
[0028]
Then, the DSP 30 decodes (expands) the music data in accordance with the MP3 format using the decoding software. The decoded music data is converted by a D / A converter 32 into an analog music signal. The converted music signal is amplified by an audio amplifier (AMP) 34 and then input from an output terminal (jack terminal) 36 to a headphone 38. This allows the user to listen to the song whose reproduction has been instructed.
[0029]
However, if the license is invalid, the license is invalid, and a message indicating that the license is invalid and cannot be reproduced is displayed on the display 26 as in the case where there is no license.
[0030]
During playback of music data, when the jog dial is rotated in one direction, fast forward playback is performed or the next song is sent. On the other hand, when the jog dial is rotated in the opposite direction, rewind playback or return to the previous song is performed. Further, by operating a volume key included in the operation keys 20, the volume of the music being reproduced can be reduced or increased. Then, when the stop key included in the operation keys 20 is operated, the reproduction of the music can be stopped (terminated).
[0031]
However, if the reproduction of the music is not ended, the reproduction of the next music indicated by the reproduction list is executed when the reproduction of the music specified by the user is ended. At this time, the license authentication processing as described above is also performed for the next song.
[0032]
Specifically, the CPU 18 executes the reproduction process according to the flowchart shown in FIG. When playing back a song, a play list is displayed on the display 26 as described above, and the CPU 18 determines whether or not there is a play instruction in step S1. If “NO” in the step S1, that is, if there is no reproduction instruction, the process returns to the step S1.
[0033]
Although illustration is omitted, at this time, a desired song is selected by the user, and accordingly, a process of moving a cursor and scrolling a play list is executed.
[0034]
On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S1, that is, if there is a reproduction instruction, the license of the music designated in the step S3, that is, the music to be reproduced is checked. That is, the CPU 18 refers to the music information of the music to be reproduced from the management information recorded on the memory card 12 and checks the presence or absence of the license, and also checks the validity of the license.
[0035]
In a succeeding step S5, it is determined whether or not there is a valid license. If “NO” in the step S5, that is, if there is no valid license, a warning is issued in the step S9 that the reproduction cannot be performed. That is, since there is no license on the display 26 (because it is invalid), a warning message that the reproduction cannot be performed is issued. Is displayed and the process proceeds to step S13.
[0036]
On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S5, that is, if there is a valid license, the music reproducing process instructed in the step S7 is executed. That is, the music data corresponding to the instructed music and the decoder software of the music data are read out from the memory card 12 and given to the DSP 30 and instruct the DSP 30 to reproduce.
[0037]
Then, in a step S11, it is determined whether or not the reproduction of the music is completed. If “NO” in the step S11, that is, if the reproduction of the music is not completed, the process returns to the step S11 as it is. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S11, that is, if the reproduction of the music is finished, it is determined in a step S13 whether or not the next music exists. That is, it is determined whether or not there is a song to which the next number is assigned by referring to the playlist.
[0038]
If "NO" in the step S13, that is, if there is no next music, the reproduction processing is ended as it is. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S13, that is, if there is a next song, a license of the next song is checked in a step S15, and the process returns to the step S5.
[0039]
Although omitted in this flowchart, the reproduction of the music is also terminated when the user inputs an instruction to stop the reproduction, and in this case, the reproduction processing is terminated as it is.
[0040]
The reproduction process is performed as described above. However, as shown in FIG. 5A, when music (music data) not having a valid license is mixed with music data having a valid license, license authentication is performed. There is a problem that the blank between songs becomes longer than necessary due to the time for processing and the time for displaying the warning message. In particular, when there are a plurality of songs without a license or songs without a valid license, a considerable time is required until the next song is reproduced.
[0041]
In order to avoid such a problem, in this embodiment, the reproduction list is rearranged to change the reproduction order. More specifically, priorities are given to a song without a license or a song with an invalid license, and a lower number in the playlist is assigned to a song with a valid license. In other words, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), the music having the valid license is roughly classified into the music other than the music having the valid license, and the music having the valid license is put in the music order. Although illustration is omitted, in the case of rearranging the playlist, in this embodiment, after all the numbers, song titles, and artist names have been moved (sorted), they are to be moved upward from the top of the playlist. The numbers are changed to be consecutive.
[0042]
However, when changing the order of the songs, the numbers in the playlist may be fixed, and the song names and the artist names may be sorted.
[0043]
Specifically, the CPU 18 executes the playlist sorting process according to the flowchart shown in FIG. For example, the CPU 18 starts the rearrangement process when the main power of the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 is turned on, and determines whether or not the memory card 12 is valid in a step S21. That is, it is determined whether the memory card 12 is mounted, the memory card 12 is damaged, or the data (music data or the like) recorded on the memory card 12 is damaged.
[0044]
If “NO” in the step S21, that is, if the memory card 12 is not mounted or the memory card 12 itself or data recorded on the memory card 12 is damaged, the memory card 12 is invalid. Is determined, and the process of rearranging the playlist is returned as it is.
[0045]
On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S21, that is, if the memory card 12 is inserted and the memory card 12 itself and data recorded on the memory card 12 are not damaged, it is determined that the memory card 12 is valid. Then, it is determined whether or not the play list has been edited in step S23. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the edited flag of the playlist is on. If “YES” in the step S23, that is, if the edited flag is turned on, the reproduction list rearrangement processing is returned as it is.
[0046]
However, if “NO” in the step S23, that is, if the edited flag is turned off, it is confirmed in the step S25 whether or not the licenses exist for all the songs. That is, the presence / absence of the license is confirmed by referring to the music information included in the management information recorded on the memory card 12. In a succeeding step S27, the validity of the license is confirmed. In other words, based on the result of the confirmation in step S25, for all the licensed songs, the substance of the license is confirmed with reference to the memory card 12, and it is determined whether the license is valid or invalid.
[0047]
Subsequently, in step S29, songs without a license and songs with an invalid license are moved to the end of the playlist. After that, in step S31, the numbers are changed so that they are consecutive in the order of ascending power from the top of the playlist to the bottom. Conversely, songs with a valid license are moved to the top of the playlist. That is, the lower number of the playlist is assigned. Then, in step S33, the edit flag of the playlist is turned on, and the process of rearranging the playlist is returned.
[0048]
Although illustration is omitted, when the reproduction list is rearranged, the management information recorded on the memory card 12 is also rearranged in accordance with the rearranged music order.
[0049]
When the user operates the operation keys 20 to select the edit processing of the playlist from the menu, the CPU 18 starts the edit processing of the playlist, as shown in FIG. Judge whether or not. That is, it is determined whether or not a song (music data) has been added to the memory card 12. If “NO” in the step S41, that is, if no music is added, the process directly proceeds to a step S47.
[0050]
On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S41, a number is assigned to the music added in the step S43, and the number is added to the end of the reproduction list. Specifically, the CPU 18 detects the last number of the current play list recorded on the memory card 12, and also detects the music information of the added music (music data) included in the management information recorded on the memory card 12. Get song name and artist name from. Then, a number next to the final number is assigned to the acquired song name and artist name, and the number is added to the playlist. Then, in step S45, the edit flag of the playlist is turned off, and the process of editing the playlist is returned.
[0051]
In the step S47, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to change the music order. That is, it is determined whether the user has operated the operation keys 20 and instructed to change the reproduction order of the desired music. If “NO” in the step S47, that is, if there is no instruction to change the music order, the process directly proceeds to a step S57.
[0052]
On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S47, that is, if there is an instruction to change the music order, it is determined in a step S49 whether or not the user has a valid license for the music instructed. If “YES” is determined in the step S49, that is, if the tune instructed to change the tune order has a valid license, the tune is moved to a designated position in the play list in a step S51. That is, the management information is rearranged according to the user's instruction. At this time, the song information number is also changed. Therefore, the playlist based on the management information is also rearranged, and the designated song number, song title, and artist name are moved. Then, in step S53, the number is changed so as to be continuous in ascending order from the top to the bottom of the playlist, and the playlist editing process is returned.
[0053]
However, if “NO” in the step S49, that is, if there is no license or an invalid license for the song instructed to change the song order, a warning is issued in a step S55 that the song cannot be moved to the designated position, The process of editing the playlist is returned. That is, the CPU 18 drives the liquid crystal driver and displays a warning message on the display 26 such as "The song cannot be moved because the license is invalid." That is, the change of the music order is prohibited.
[0054]
In this embodiment, for songs without a valid license, the order of the songs is not allowed to be moved at all. However, only when the user tries to move to a group of songs with a valid license, the songs are moved. A warning message to the effect that it cannot be displayed may be displayed.
[0055]
In the step S57, it is determined whether or not the music is to be deleted. If “NO” in the step S57, that is, if the song is not deleted, it is determined that no instruction is input from the user, and the process of editing the playlist is returned as it is. On the other hand, if “YES” is determined in the step S57, that is, if an instruction to delete a music is instructed, in step S59, the entity (music data) of the instructed music is deleted from the memory card 12, and The song information of the song is deleted from the management information. Therefore, the song (number, song title, and artist name) is deleted from the playlist based on the management information. Then, in step S61, the playlist number is changed, and the playlist editing process is returned.
[0056]
For example, in step S61, for the song whose deletion has been instructed, the playlist number, song title, and artist name are deleted, and then the playlist should be moved upward from the top so that the numbers are not missing. The number changes. However, after the playlist number is fixed and the song name and artist name of the song designated to be deleted are deleted, the deleted items (song name and artist name) are deleted so that the song name and artist name are not missing. All lower items may be sorted upward.
[0057]
Although illustration and the like are omitted, in the process of editing the playlist, when a song is added, the order of the songs is changed, or the songs are deleted, the display on the display 26 is changed accordingly.
[0058]
According to this embodiment, songs that do not have a valid license are moved to the end of the playlist, so that songs with a valid license and songs that do not have a valid license can be roughly classified. Even when a song is reproduced, the time required for license authentication can be reduced. That is, the blank between songs does not become unnecessarily long, so that the user is not uncomfortable.
[0059]
Also, when the order of the songs is changed by the user's editing, the change of the order of the songs is prohibited based on the presence or absence of the license of the song to be moved and its validity. Unlicensed songs are not moved.
[0060]
In this embodiment, only music data has been described as content data, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the content data includes various data protected by copyright, such as image (video) data, map data, and document data. When reproducing such image (video) data, map data, and document data, the image (video), map, and document are respectively displayed on a display.
[0061]
In this embodiment, music data and the like are recorded on a removable recording medium. However, a built-in recording medium may be used.
[0062]
Further, in this embodiment, only the recording / reproducing apparatus having no communication function or the like has been described, but a recording / reproducing apparatus having a communication function, a call function, or both functions may be configured. When a communication function is provided, music data can be directly downloaded as described in the embodiment.
[0063]
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the recording / reproducing apparatus for music data or the like has been described, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to an apparatus having only a reproducing function.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an illustrative view showing an electric configuration of a recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an illustrative view showing a playlist based on management information shown in FIG. 1 embodiment;
FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing management information of music data recorded on the memory card shown in FIG. 1 embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a reproduction process of a CPU shown in FIG. 1 embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an illustrative view showing a change in the playlist when the playlist recorded in the EEPROM shown in FIG. 1 is rearranged;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of rearranging a playlist by the CPU shown in FIG. 1 embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process of editing a playlist by the CPU shown in FIG. 1 embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Recording / reproducing device 12 Memory card 18 CPU
20 ... operation keys 26 ... display 28 ... EEPROM
30 ... DSP

Claims (3)

In a content reproducing apparatus that reproduces a plurality of contents recorded on a recording medium,
First determining means for determining whether each of the plurality of contents is a first content having a license or a second content having no license;
A content reproducing apparatus, comprising: allocating means for assigning an identification number to the first content prior to the second content; and reproducing means for reproducing the plurality of contents in an order according to the identification number. A second determining unit configured to determine validity of the license for the first content;
2. The content reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the assigning unit assigns the identification number to the first content having the valid license in preference to the first content not having the valid license. 3. When the order is changed, detecting means for detecting at least one of the presence or absence of the license and validity of the license for the content to be changed, and the second content or the valid license based on a detection result of the detecting means. 3. The content reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a prohibition unit that prohibits a change in the order when the first content is determined not to be present.

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