JP2005321909A - Information processing system, information processing device and method, information provision device and method, recording medium, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display contents suitable for a display device without an increase in load on a server side and with less processing on a device side, even if the device side is diversified. <P>SOLUTION: A content structure definition list storage module 252 determines whether it received in the past the content structure definition of content to be acquired from a server 11. When the content structure definition was received in the past, a content acquisition module 251 receives the content from the server 11, a screen layout information storage module 256 reads out screen layout information, and a screen display generation rule information storage module 258 reads out screen display generation rule information. A screen display information generation module 259 generates screen display information based on the contents, the screen layout information and the screen display generation rule information. A screen display module 260 displays the contents on the screen based on the generated screen display information. By this, processing for displaying the contents is reduced. The present invention is applicable to an information processing system. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing apparatus and method, an information providing apparatus and method, a recording medium, and a program, and in particular, an information processing system, an information processing apparatus and a method for displaying content or displaying content to a partner. The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus and method, a recording medium, and a program.

  Recently, services that provide content distribution via the Internet are generally performed. Also, devices that manage content are arranged in the home. With such a situation, languages for describing content have been diversified, and functions of devices for processing the content have also been diversified.

  As described above, languages for describing content have been diversified, and the functions of devices that process the content have also been diversified, so that a server that distributes content can process content with more devices. It is desirable to prepare a plurality of contents having the same contents described in different languages, and selectively distribute among them according to the specification of the device that is the distribution destination. In addition, the server prepares various contents corresponding to different functions so that the various functions possessed by those devices can be accommodated, and according to the functions possessed by the device as the distribution destination, It is desirable to selectively deliver from.

  However, in the case of such a method of preparing contents in advance so as to correspond to all devices, the server must prepare an enormous number of contents, and in reality, considering the load of content creation and distribution Not right.

  In such a situation, the server holds the source of the content, and the server converts the content into an arrangement or language suitable for the device based on the information on the device characteristics received from each device. It has been done to distribute the content to devices.

  On the server side that distributes content, there is a server that converts a source that is the basis of content into a format of each markup language and distributes the converted content (for example, see Patent Document 1). As a result, it is possible to browse content even on a device that can handle only a specific markup language.

  In addition, there is a server that acquires device characteristic information of each device on the server side that distributes the content, converts the content based on the acquired device characteristic information, and distributes the converted content ( For example, see Patent Document 2). Thereby, various devices with different display areas can browse the content held in the server.

  There has also been proposed a method of converting content on the device side instead of the server side and displaying the content in a format suitable for the display area.

  Some devices that receive content select a conversion rule based on the content identifier acquired from the server, and display the content in a format suitable for each device (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

  Also, when content is acquired from the server on the device that receives the content, the content of the content to be displayed is extracted, and the screen layout information that meets the user's preference is selectively used. Some display contents (see, for example, Patent Document 4).

JP 2002-31280 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-351781 JP 2001-86078 A JP 2003-67100 A

  However, with the conventional method, the load on the server side that performs content conversion is very large. In other words, when the content management server distributes content after converting it to a format suitable for each device, it supports new devices as the types of devices for browsing content or the number of languages used by devices increase. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a conversion rule for converting the latest content at all times. Therefore, the load on the server side increases in proportion to the diversification of devices, and the content is converted and distributed on the server side. It was difficult.

  In addition, when content is converted on the device side instead of the server side and the content is displayed in a format suitable for the display area, it is generally necessary to perform processing equivalent to the server on a device that is inferior to the server. For this reason, quick conversion cannot be expected in a conversion in which complicated processing is performed. Screen layout information for displaying content is not completely device specific.

  In view of such a situation, the present invention can display content suitable for a display device without increasing the load on the server side and with less processing on the device side even if the device side is diversified. The purpose is to do.

  In the information processing system of the present invention, the first information processing apparatus receives the content transmitted from the second information processing apparatus via the network, and the second receiving means via the network. Content based on the second receiving means for receiving the arrangement determination procedure information describing the procedure for determining the arrangement of the elements constituting the content transmitted from the information processing apparatus, and the procedure described in the arrangement determination procedure information First generation means for generating first instruction information for instructing the arrangement of content elements on the screen of the display device, from the display capability information and information indicating the display capability information of the display device for displaying A second generation unit configured to generate second instruction information for instructing element display or display suppression based on the instruction information; content; first instruction information; and second instruction Third generation means for generating display information for displaying the content on the display device based on the information, and the second information processing device receives the predetermined information from the first information processing device via the network. In response to the request, the first transmission means for transmitting the content to the first information processing apparatus, and the placement determination procedure information in response to the predetermined request from the first information processing apparatus via the network. And second transmission means for transmitting to one information processing apparatus.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes: a first receiving unit that receives content transmitted from an information providing apparatus via a network; and an arrangement of elements constituting the content transmitted from the information providing apparatus via the network A second receiving means for receiving placement determination procedure information describing a procedure for determining content, and a display capability indicating information on the display capability of the display device for displaying content based on the procedure described in the placement determination procedure information Based on the information and the content, the first generation means for generating the first instruction information for instructing the arrangement of the element of the content on the screen of the display device, and the suppression of the display or display of the element based on the first instruction information Based on the second generation means for generating the second instruction information to be instructed, the content, the first instruction information, and the second instruction information, the content is displayed on the display device. Characterized in that it comprises a third generating means for generating display information for.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes display control means for controlling display of content on a display device based on display information.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention receives, via the network, a third receiving unit that receives content structure definition information that is information related to a hierarchical structure of elements constituting the content from the information providing device, and a third receiving unit. And determining means for determining whether or not the content structure definition is included in a content structure definition list that is a list of content structure definition information received in the past based on the content structure definition information that has been received. .

  In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, when the determination unit determines that the content structure definition is not included in the content structure definition list, the first instruction information and the content structure definition information generated by the first generation unit First storage means for storing information corresponding to the second storage means, and second storage means for storing information associating the second instruction information generated by the second generation means with the content structure definition information It is characterized by that.

  When the determination unit determines that the content structure definition is included in the content structure definition list, the first receiving unit receives one of the contents corresponding to a predetermined request for acquiring the content from the information providing apparatus. The third generation means is supplied from a part of the content received by the first reception means, the first instruction information supplied from the first storage means, and the second storage means Display information can be generated based on the second instruction information.

  The content includes an element identifier that is information relating to identification of a content component that is an element constituting the content, an element content that is information relating to a character string or image data displayed on the display device, and an element content that is displayed on the display device. Display priority, which is information relating to the priority of the element, and position information, which is information relating to the position of the element content.

  The information processing method of the present invention configures a first reception control step for controlling reception of content transmitted from an information providing apparatus via a network, and content transmitted from the information providing apparatus via the network. Display capability of a display device that displays content based on a second reception control step for controlling reception of arrangement determination procedure information that describes a procedure for determining the arrangement of elements, and a procedure described in the arrangement determination procedure information A first generation step for generating first instruction information for instructing the arrangement of the elements of the content on the screen of the display device from the display capability information indicating the information on the content and the content, and based on the first instruction information, A second generation step of generating second instruction information for instructing display or suppression of display; content; first instruction information; and second instruction Based on distribution, characterized in that it comprises a third generation step of generating a display information to be displayed on the display device the content.

  The first recording medium program of the present invention is transmitted from the information providing apparatus via the first reception control step for controlling the reception of the content transmitted from the information providing apparatus via the network. A second reception control step for controlling the reception of arrangement determination procedure information describing the procedure for determining the arrangement of elements constituting the content, and a display for displaying the content based on the procedure described in the arrangement determination procedure information A first generation step for generating first instruction information for instructing arrangement of content elements on the screen of the display device from display capability information and content indicating information regarding the display capability of the device, and the first instruction information. In addition, a second generation step for generating second instruction information for instructing element display or display suppression, contents, first instruction information, and Based beauty second instruction information, characterized in that it comprises a third generation step of generating a display information to be displayed on the display device the content.

  The first program of the present invention controls reception of content transmitted from an information providing apparatus via a network in a program for causing a computer to perform processing for receiving content from the information providing apparatus via a network. A first reception control step; a second reception control step for controlling reception of arrangement determination procedure information describing a procedure for determining an arrangement of elements constituting the content transmitted from the information providing apparatus via the network; Based on the procedure described in the arrangement determination procedure information, the first instruction that instructs the arrangement of the content elements on the screen of the display device from the display capability information and the content indicating information related to the display capability of the display device that displays the content. The first generation step for generating the instruction information and the display or element display based on the first instruction information Display information for displaying the content on the display device based on the second generation step of generating the second instruction information for instructing the suppression of the display, the content, the first instruction information, and the second instruction information And a third generation step of generating.

  According to a first information providing apparatus of the present invention, an information providing apparatus that provides content to an information processing apparatus via a network processes the content according to a predetermined request from the information processing apparatus via the network. First arrangement means for transmitting to the apparatus, and arrangement determination procedure information describing a procedure for determining arrangement of content elements in response to a predetermined request from the information processing apparatus to the information processing apparatus via the network And second transmitting means.

  The first information providing apparatus of the present invention transmits content structure definition information, which is information related to a hierarchical structure of elements constituting content, to the information processing apparatus via a network in response to a predetermined request from the information processing apparatus. The third transmitting means and the first transmitting means select a part of the content and transmit it to the information processing apparatus when the predetermined request is a request for a part of the content. And

  According to a first information providing method of the present invention, a first transmission control step for controlling transmission of content to an information processing device in response to a predetermined request from the information processing device via a network, and a network. And a second transmission control step for controlling the transmission of the arrangement determination procedure information describing the procedure for determining the arrangement of the content elements to the information processing apparatus in response to a predetermined request from the information processing apparatus. It is characterized by.

  According to a second recording medium program of the present invention, a first transmission control step for controlling transmission of content to an information processing apparatus in response to a predetermined request from the information processing apparatus via the network, And a second transmission control step for controlling the transmission of the arrangement determination procedure information describing the procedure for determining the arrangement of content elements to the information processing apparatus in response to a predetermined request from the information processing apparatus. It is characterized by that.

  A second program of the present invention includes a first transmission control step for controlling transmission of content to an information processing device in response to a predetermined request from the information processing device via a network, and via the network. And a second transmission control step for controlling transmission of arrangement determination procedure information describing a procedure for determining arrangement of content elements to the information processing apparatus in response to a predetermined request from the information processing apparatus. And

  The second information providing apparatus of the present invention is an element constituting the content and a receiving means for receiving a notification indicating whether or not the content has been acquired in the past transmitted from the information processing apparatus via the network. An element identifier that is information relating to identification of a content component, first information including element content that is information relating to a character string or image data displayed on a display device that displays content, and element content are displayed on the display device. Generating means for generating content based on display priority order information that is information relating to the priority order at the time of generation, and second information that describes a procedure for generating position information that is information relating to the position of the element content; When indicating that the content has not been acquired in the past, the content generated by the generating means is transmitted to the information processing device, and the notification is excessive. When indicating that acquires content, characterized in that it comprises a transmitting means for transmitting the first information to the information processing apparatus.

  The second information providing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a first storage unit that stores the first information and a second storage unit that stores the second information.

  The second information providing method of the present invention is a reception step for receiving a notification transmitted from the information processing apparatus through the network and indicating whether or not the content has been acquired in the past, and an element constituting the content. An element identifier that is information relating to identification of a content component, first information including element content that is information relating to a character string or image data displayed on a display device that displays content, and element content are displayed on the display device. A generation step of generating content based on the display priority order information that is information on the priority order at the time of generation and the second information that describes the procedure for generating position information that is information on the position of the element content; When indicating that the content has not been acquired in the past, the content generated in the generation step is sent to the information processing device. Controls, which indicates that the notification is to get the contents in the past, characterized in that it comprises a transmission control step of controlling the transmission to the information processing apparatus of the first information.

  The program of the third recording medium of the present invention is a reception step for receiving a notification indicating whether or not the content has been acquired in the past and transmitted from the information processing apparatus via the network, and elements constituting the content. First information consisting of an element identifier that is information relating to identification of a certain content component, element content that is information relating to a character string or image data displayed on the display device that displays the content, and the element content are displayed on the display device A generation step of generating content based on display priority order information that is information regarding the priority when being performed, and second information that describes a procedure for generating position information that is information regarding the position of the element content, and notification Indicates that the content has not been acquired in the past, the information processing device of the content generated by the generation step Controls transmission to, which indicates that the notification is to get the contents in the past, characterized in that it comprises a transmission control step of controlling the transmission to the information processing apparatus of the first information.

  A third program of the present invention includes a reception step for receiving a notification indicating whether or not content has been acquired in the past and transmitted from the information processing apparatus via a network, and a content configuration that is an element constituting the content When the element identifier, which is information relating to element identification, and the first information including the element content, which is information relating to a character string or image data displayed on the display device that displays the content, and the element content are displayed on the display device A generation step of generating content based on display priority order information that is information related to the priority order of the second information and second information that describes a procedure for generating position information that is information related to the position of the element content; When indicating that the content has not been acquired, transmission of the content generated by the generation step to the information processing device Controlled, which indicates that the notification is to get the contents in the past, characterized in that it comprises a transmission control step of controlling the transmission to the information processing apparatus of the first information.

  In the information processing system of the present invention, the first information processing apparatus receives the content transmitted from the second information processing apparatus via the network, and transmits from the second information processing apparatus via the network. Information on the display capability of the display device that displays the content based on the procedure described in the placement determination procedure information is received. First instruction information for instructing the arrangement of content elements on the screen of the display device is generated from the display capability information and the content to be displayed. Based on the first instruction information, the first instruction information for instructing element display or display suppression is generated. 2 instruction information is generated, and display information for displaying the content on the display device is generated based on the content, the first instruction information, and the second instruction information. In addition, the second information processing apparatus transmits the content to the first information processing apparatus in response to a predetermined request from the first information processing apparatus via the network. In response to a predetermined request from one information processing apparatus, arrangement determination procedure information is transmitted to the first information processing apparatus.

  In the information processing apparatus and method, the first recording medium, and the first program of the present invention, content transmitted from the information providing apparatus is received via the network, and transmitted from the information providing apparatus via the network. Information on the display capability of the display device that displays the content based on the procedure described in the placement determination procedure information is received. First instruction information for instructing the arrangement of content elements on the screen of the display device is generated from the display capability information and the content to be displayed. Based on the first instruction information, the first instruction information for instructing element display or display suppression is generated. 2 is generated, and the content is displayed on the display device based on the content, the first instruction information, and the second instruction information. To generate the shown information.

  In the first information processing apparatus and method, the second recording medium, and the second program of the present invention, in the information providing apparatus that provides content to the information processing apparatus via the network, the information is provided via the network. An arrangement that describes a procedure for transmitting content to an information processing apparatus in response to a predetermined request from a processing apparatus, and determining an arrangement of content elements in response to the predetermined request from the information processing apparatus via a network The decision procedure information is transmitted to the information processing apparatus.

  In the second information processing apparatus and method, the third recording medium, and the third program of the present invention, it is shown whether or not content has been acquired in the past transmitted from the information processing apparatus via the network. A first element comprising an element identifier that is information relating to identification of a content component that is an element that receives a notification and that constitutes content, and an element content that is information relating to a character string or image data displayed on a display device that displays the content Information, display priority information that is information related to priority when the element contents are displayed on the display device, and second information that describes a procedure for generating position information that is information related to the position of the element contents. If the content is generated and the notification indicates that the content has not been acquired in the past, the content is transmitted to the information processing device. , Which indicates that the notification is to get the contents in the past, and transmits the first information to the information processing apparatus.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, content can be displayed. In addition, according to the first aspect of the present invention, even if the device side is diversified, it is possible to record fewer types of information and display the content in a form suitable for the display device on the device side with less processing. It becomes like this.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, content can be displayed. Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to display content suitable for the display device with less processing.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, content can be displayed. Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, even if the device side is diversified, it is possible to record a smaller type of information and transmit the information to the device with less processing.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, content can be displayed. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to record fewer types of information and display the content in a form suitable for the display device on the device side with less processing.

  BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The best mode of the present invention will be described below. The correspondence relationship between the disclosed invention and the embodiments is exemplified as follows. Although there are embodiments which are described in this specification but are not described here as corresponding to the invention, the embodiments correspond to the invention. It does not mean that it is not a thing. Conversely, even if an embodiment is described herein as corresponding to an invention, that means that the embodiment does not correspond to an invention other than the invention. It is not a thing.

  Further, this description does not mean all the inventions described in the specification. In other words, this description is for the invention described in the specification and not claimed in this application, i.e., for the invention that will be applied for in the future or that will appear as a result of amendment and added. It does not deny existence.

  According to the present invention, an information processing system is provided. In this information processing system (for example, home network system 1 in FIG. 1), the first information processing apparatus (for example, device 13 in FIG. 1) transmits content transmitted from the second information processing apparatus via the network. The first receiving means (for example, the communication unit 206 in FIG. 4 that executes the process of step S209 in FIG. 17) and the elements that constitute the content transmitted from the second information processing apparatus via the network Described in the second receiving means (for example, the communication unit 206 in FIG. 4 for executing the processing of step S207 in FIG. 17) and the placement determination procedure information for receiving the placement determination procedure information describing the procedure for determining the placement of Display content information indicating information related to the display capability of the display device that displays the content and the content on the screen of the display device. Based on the first generation means (for example, the screen layout information creation module 255 in FIG. 5) for generating the first instruction information for instructing the arrangement of the elements, and the element display or display Second generation means (for example, the screen display creation rule information creation module 257 in FIG. 5), content, first instruction information, and second instruction information. And a second generation unit (for example, FIG. 1) including a third generation unit (for example, the screen display information creation module 259 in FIG. 5) for generating display information for displaying the content on the display unit. The server 11) transmits a content to the first information processing apparatus via the network in response to a predetermined request from the first information processing apparatus (for example, the step of FIG. 16). The communication unit 106 in FIG. 2 that executes the processing of S163) and the first information processing apparatus that transmits arrangement determination procedure information to the first information processing apparatus in response to a predetermined request from the first information processing apparatus via the network. 2 transmission means (for example, the communication unit 106 in FIG. 2 that executes the process of step S143 in FIG. 15).

  According to the present invention, an information processing apparatus is provided. The information processing apparatus (for example, the device 13 in FIG. 1) executes first receiving means (for example, the process of step S209 in FIG. 17) that receives the content transmitted from the information providing apparatus via the network. 4 communication unit 206) and second receiving means for receiving arrangement determination procedure information describing the procedure for determining the arrangement of the elements constituting the content transmitted from the information providing apparatus via the network (for example, FIG. Display capability information and content indicating information on the display capability of the display device that displays the content based on the procedure described in the communication determination unit 206) of FIG. From the first generation means (for example, the image of FIG. 5) for generating first instruction information for instructing the arrangement of content elements on the screen of the display device. Layout information creation module 255) and second generation means for generating second instruction information for instructing element display or display suppression based on the first instruction information (for example, the screen display creation rule of FIG. 5) Based on the information creation module 257), the content, the first instruction information, and the second instruction information, third generation means (for example, FIG. 5) generates display information for displaying the content on the display device. Screen display information creation module 259).

  Display control means (for example, the screen display module 260 in FIG. 5) for controlling the display of content on the display device based on the display information is included.

  Third receiving means for receiving content structure definition information, which is information relating to the hierarchical structure of the elements constituting the content, from the information providing apparatus via the network (the communication unit 205 in FIG. 4 for executing the processing in step S203 in FIG. 17). ) And the content structure definition information received by the third receiving means, it is determined whether or not the content structure definition is included in the content structure definition list that is a list of the content structure definition information received in the past. Determination means (for example, the content structure definition list storage module 252 of FIG. 5).

  When the determination unit determines that the content structure definition is not included in the content structure definition list, information in which the first instruction information generated by the first generation unit is associated with the content structure definition information is stored. A second storage unit stores information in which the first storage unit (for example, the screen layout information storage module 256 in FIG. 5) and the second instruction information generated by the second generation unit correspond to the content structure definition information. Storage means (for example, the screen display creation rule information storage module 258 of FIG. 5).

  When the determination unit determines that the content structure definition is included in the content structure definition list, the first receiving unit receives one of the contents corresponding to a predetermined request for acquiring the content from the information providing apparatus. The third generation means is supplied from a part of the content received by the first reception means, the first instruction information supplied from the first storage means, and the second storage means Display information is generated based on the second instruction information.

  The content includes an element identifier that is information relating to identification of a content component that is an element constituting the content, an element content that is information relating to a character string or image data displayed on the display device, and an element content that is displayed on the display device. Display priority order, which is information related to the priority order, and position information, which is information related to the position of the element content.

  According to the present invention, an information processing method is provided. In this information processing method, the first reception control step (for example, the process of step S209 in FIG. 17) for controlling the reception of content transmitted from the information providing apparatus (for example, the server 11 in FIG. 1) via the network. And a second reception control step for controlling the reception of the arrangement determination procedure information describing the procedure for determining the arrangement of the elements constituting the content transmitted from the information providing apparatus via the network (for example, the step of FIG. 17). Based on the process described in S207) and the procedure described in the arrangement determination procedure information, the arrangement of content elements on the screen of the display device is performed from the display capability information indicating the display capability of the display device that displays the content and the content. A first generation step of generating first instruction information for instructing (for example, the process of step S211 in FIG. 17); Based on the first instruction information, a second generation step (for example, the process of step S213 in FIG. 17) for generating second instruction information for instructing element display or display suppression, content, first Based on the instruction information and the second instruction information, a third generation step of generating display information for displaying the content on the display device (for example, the process of step S216 in FIG. 17).

  According to the present invention, a program is provided. This program includes a first reception control step (for example, the process of step S209 in FIG. 17) for controlling reception of content transmitted from the information providing apparatus (for example, the server 11 in FIG. 1) via the network. A second reception control step (for example, step S207 in FIG. 17) that controls reception of arrangement determination procedure information that describes a procedure for determining the arrangement of elements constituting the content transmitted from the information providing apparatus via the network. Processing) and the arrangement of the content elements on the screen of the display device are instructed from the display capability information and information indicating the display capability of the display device that displays the content, based on the procedure described in the arrangement determination procedure information A first generation step for generating first instruction information to be performed (for example, the process of step S211 in FIG. 17); A second generation step (for example, the process of step S213 in FIG. 17) for generating second instruction information for instructing element display or display suppression based on the instruction information of 1, the content, and the first instruction And a third generation step (for example, the process of step S216 in FIG. 17) for generating display information for displaying the content on the display device based on the information and the second instruction information.

  According to the present invention, an information providing apparatus is provided. The information providing apparatus includes a first transmission unit (for example, FIG. 16) that transmits content to the information processing apparatus in response to a predetermined request from the information processing apparatus (for example, the device 13 in FIG. 1) via the network. 2 for executing the processing of step S163 of FIG. 2 and arrangement determination procedure information describing a procedure for determining the arrangement of content elements in response to a predetermined request from the information processing apparatus via the network. 2nd transmission means (For example, the communication part 106 of FIG. 2 which performs the process of FIG.15 S143) is transmitted to information processing apparatus.

  In response to a predetermined request from the information processing apparatus via a network, third transmission means (for example, FIG. 14) transmits content structure definition information, which is information related to the hierarchical structure of elements constituting the content, to the information processing apparatus. The communication unit 106 in FIG. 2 that executes the processing of step S122) and the first transmission unit select a part of the content if the predetermined request requests a part of the content. Transmit to the information processing device.

  According to the present invention, an information providing method is provided. This information providing method includes a first transmission control step for controlling transmission of content to an information processing apparatus in response to a predetermined request from the information processing apparatus (for example, the device 13 in FIG. 1) via a network. For example, the processing of step S163 in FIG. 16) and an information processing apparatus with arrangement determination procedure information describing a procedure for determining the arrangement of content elements in response to a predetermined request from the information processing apparatus via the network. And a second transmission control step (for example, the process of step S143 in FIG. 15).

  According to the present invention, a program is provided. In response to a predetermined request from the information processing apparatus (for example, the device 13 in FIG. 1), the program executes a first transmission control step (for example, for controlling transmission of content to the information processing apparatus). Processing in step S163 in FIG. 16) and transmission of arrangement determination procedure information describing the procedure for determining the arrangement of content elements to the information processing apparatus in response to a predetermined request from the information processing apparatus via the network And a second transmission control step (for example, the processing of step S143 in FIG. 15).

  According to the present invention, an information providing apparatus is provided. This information providing apparatus receives receiving means (for example, FIG. 36) that receives a notification indicating whether or not the content has been acquired in the past transmitted from the information processing apparatus (for example, the device 13 in FIG. 1) via the network. 2 that executes the processing of step S301 in FIG. 2; an element identifier that is information relating to identification of a content component that is an element constituting the content; and a character string displayed on the display device that displays the content or First information consisting of element contents that are information relating to image data, display priority information that is information relating to priority when the element contents are displayed on the display device, and position information that is information relating to the position of the element contents Based on the second information describing the generation procedure, the generation means for generating content (for example, content storage in FIG. 35) Module 152) and when the notification indicates that the content has not been acquired in the past, the content generated by the generating means is transmitted to the information processing device, and when the notification indicates that the content has been acquired in the past, 1 is transmitted to the information processing apparatus (for example, the communication unit 106 in FIG. 2 that executes the process in step S304 or S305 in FIG. 36).

  First storage means for storing first information (for example, content selection / save module 901 in FIG. 35) and second storage means for storing second information (for example, style sheet selection / save module 902 in FIG. 35). ).

  According to the present invention, an information providing method is provided. This information providing method receives a notification indicating whether or not content has been acquired in the past, transmitted from an information processing apparatus (for example, the device 13 in FIG. 1) via a network (for example, FIG. 36). In step S301), an element identifier that is information relating to identification of a content component that is an element constituting content, and an element content that is information relating to a character string or image data displayed on a display device that displays the content. The second information describing the procedure for generating the first information, the display priority information that is information about the priority when the element contents are displayed on the display device, and the position information that is the information about the position of the element contents Based on the information, the generation step (for example, the process of step S303 in FIG. 36) for generating the content and the notification If it indicates that the content has not been acquired, the transmission of the content generated by the generation step to the information processing apparatus is controlled, and if the notification indicates that the content has been acquired in the past, A transmission control step for controlling transmission to the information processing apparatus (for example, processing in step S304 or step S305 in FIG. 36).

  According to the present invention, a program is provided. This program receives a notification indicating whether or not the content has been acquired in the past transmitted from the information processing apparatus (for example, the device 13 in FIG. 1) via the network (for example, the step in FIG. 36). S301), an element identifier that is information relating to identification of a content component that is an element constituting content, and an element content that is information relating to a character string or image data displayed on the display device that displays the content. 1 information, display priority information that is information about priority when element content is displayed on the display device, and second information that describes a procedure for generating position information that is information about the position of the element content Based on the generation step of generating the content (for example, the process of step S303 in FIG. 36) and the notification Information indicating that the content has not been acquired, the transmission of the content generated in the generation step to the information processing apparatus is controlled, and if the notification indicates that the content has been acquired in the past, the information of the first information A transmission control step for controlling transmission to the processing device (for example, processing in step S304 or step S305 in FIG. 36).

  This program can be stored in a recording medium (for example, the magnetic disk 121 in FIG. 2).

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The present invention can be applied to a home network system that controls an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) recorder from a remote controller having an operation panel, for example.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a home network system 1 to which the present invention is applied. In the home network system 1, a server 11-1, a server 11-2, a device 13-1, a device 13-2, and a device 13-3 are connected to a home network 12.

  The server 11-1 and the server 11-2 are, for example, an HDD recorder player, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) recorder player, or a personal computer, and manage contents by installing them in a residence. The server 11-1 and the server 11-2 are generally referred to as so-called home servers.

  In response to the request, the server 11-1 sends the content requested by any of the device 13-1, the device 13-2, or the device 13-3 via the home network 12 or information for converting the content. To the device 13-1, the device 13-2, or the device 13-3.

  The server 11-2 receives the content requested by any of the device 13-1, the device 13-2, or the device 13-3 or information for converting the content via the home network 12 in response to the request. To the device 13-1, the device 13-2, or the device 13-3.

  Here, the information for converting the content is, for example, for converting the content to display the content on the screen (operation panel) of the device 13-1, the device 13-2, or the device 13-3. Information.

  The home network 12 is, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) compliant with a standard such as IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11a, 802.11b, or 802.11g built in a residence, a wired LAN, Or the Internet.

  The home network 12 transmits the content transmitted from the server 11-1 or the server 11-2 or information for converting the content to the device 13-1, the device 13-2, or the device 13-3. Further, the home network 12 sends a notification (transmission request) for acquiring the content transmitted from the device 13-1, the device 13-2, or the device 13-3 or information for converting the content to the server 11. -1 or server 11-2.

  The devices 13-1 to 13-3 are, for example, a remote controller including an operation panel, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), a TV (Television) display, or the like. For example, the operation panel can be a liquid crystal display device provided with buttons, switches, or a touch panel.

  The device 13-1 is a format suitable for the device 13-1 based on the content supplied from the server 11-1 or the server 11-2 via the home network 12 and information for converting the content. And the converted content is displayed on the screen of the device 13-1 (screen of the display device).

  The device 13-2 has a format suitable for the device 13-2 based on the content supplied from the server 11-1 or the server 11-2 via the home network 12 and information for converting the content. And the converted content is displayed on the screen of the device 13-2 (screen of the display device).

  The device 13-3 has a format suitable for the device 13-3 based on the content supplied from the server 11-1 or the server 11-2 via the home network 12 and information for converting the content. The converted content is displayed on the screen of the device 13-3 (screen of the display device).

  In the example of the home network system 1 shown in FIG. 1, two servers 11-1 and 11-2 are provided, but actually one or a desired number of plural servers are provided. You may do it. Similarly, three devices 13-1 to 13-3 are provided, but in practice, one or a desired number of devices may be provided.

  Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the server 11-1 and the server 11-2, they are simply referred to as the server 11. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to individually distinguish the devices 13-1 to 13-3, they are simply referred to as devices 13.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the server 11. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 executes various processes according to programs stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103 or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 105. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 102 appropriately stores programs executed by the CPU 101, data, and the like. These CPU 101, ROM 103, and RAM 102 are mutually connected by a bus 104.

  The HDD 105 connected to the bus 104 records programs executed by the CPU 101 and various data. The communication unit 106 communicates with an external device such as the device 13 via the home network 12.

  Further, the program may be acquired via the communication unit 106 and recorded in the HDD 105.

  The drive 107 connected to the bus 104 drives a magnetic disk 121, an optical disk 122, a magneto-optical disk 123, or a semiconductor memory 124 when they are mounted, and stores programs and data stored therein. get. The acquired program and data are transferred to the HDD 105 and recorded as necessary.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the server 11 that executes the program.

  In the HDD 105 (or ROM 103) of the server 11, a content storage module 152, a content structure definition storage module 153, and a screen layout creation rule information storage module 154 are constructed.

  The content management module 151 receives a request (hereinafter referred to as a content acquisition request) for acquiring content transmitted from the device 13 via the home network 12. The content management module 151 supplies a request (hereinafter referred to as a content request) for acquiring content corresponding to the received content acquisition request to the content storage module 152. The content management module 151 acquires content corresponding to the content request from the content storage module 152 and transmits the acquired content to the device 13.

  That is, the content management module 151 manages the reception of the content acquisition request transmitted from the device 13 performed in the communication unit 106, and further manages the transmission of the content acquired in response to the content acquisition request to the device 13. To do.

  When the content acquisition request transmitted from the device 13 via the home network 12 requests a specific part of the content, the content request corresponding to the received content acquisition request is sent to the content storage module 152. To supply. The content management module 151 acquires a specific part of the content in response to the content request from the content storage module 152 and transmits the specific part of the acquired content to the device 13.

  As described above, the specific part of the content can be acquired in response to the content acquisition request from the device 13, so that the server 11 can display a part of the content that can be displayed on the screen of the device 13 via the home network 12. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the load of displaying the content on the screen of the device 13.

  The content storage module 152 stores various contents. In response to the content request supplied from the content management module 151, the content storage module 152 reads content such as image data, moving image data, or text data recorded in the HDD 105, and the read content is the content management module. 151.

  The content structure definition storage module 153 stores the content structure definition. The content structure definition storage module 153 receives content recorded in the HDD 105 in response to a request for acquiring a content structure definition transmitted from the device 13 via the home network 12 (hereinafter referred to as a content structure definition request). The structure definition is read, and the read content structure definition is transmitted to the device 13.

  That is, the content structure definition storage module 153 manages the reception of the content structure definition request transmitted from the device 13 performed in the communication unit 106, and further acquires the content structure definition device 13 acquired in response to the content structure definition request. Also manage the transmission to.

  Here, the content structure definition refers to information related to the structure of the content hierarchy. For example, the content structure definition defines a hierarchical structure of all content components constituting the content.

  The content structure definition transmitted from the content structure definition storage module 153 to the device 13 is identified by an identifier that can uniquely identify the content. The content structure definition storage module 153 supplies the content structure definition or identifier to the device 13 in response to a request from the device 13. By transmitting the identifier instead of repeatedly transmitting the content structure definition, the amount of data required for transmitting the content structure definition can be reduced, and more rapid processing can be performed.

  The identifier that can uniquely identify the content can be a name that can be associated with the content from the identifier, such as “MusicContents01”. In the case of this example, the type of content (that is, the content of music) can be specified by referring to the character string included in the identifier.

  The screen layout creation rule information storage module 154 stores screen layout creation rule information. The screen layout creation rule information storage module 154 responds to a request for acquiring screen layout creation rule information supplied from the device 13 via the home network 12 (hereinafter referred to as a screen layout creation rule information acquisition request). The screen layout creation rule information recorded in the HDD 105 is read, and the read screen layout creation rule information is transmitted to the device 13.

  That is, the screen layout creation rule information storage module 154 manages the reception of the screen layout creation rule information acquisition request transmitted from the device 13, which is performed in the communication unit 106, and further according to the screen layout creation rule information acquisition request. It also manages the transmission of the acquired screen layout creation rule information to the device 13.

  Here, the screen layout creation rule information is information relating to the arrangement of the content components on the screen of the device 13. For example, the screen layout creation rule information indicates a procedure for generating screen display information based on each portion of the content that can be displayed and the screen layout information.

  The screen layout information is information indicating the arrangement on the screen of the display device of the content of the element corresponding to the content component.

  The screen display information is information for displaying content on the display device. In the screen display information, the arrangement of the content of the element corresponding to the content component on the screen of the display device is specifically shown based on the screen layout information.

  The content, content structure definition information, and screen layout creation rule information recorded in the HDD 105 may be recorded in advance when the server 11 is shipped from the factory. For example, the optical disk 122 is mounted on the drive 107. Then, the mounted optical disk 122 is driven to acquire the contents stored in the optical disk 122, and the communication unit 106 acquires the contents from a server that manages the contents via the Internet or the like. By doing so, the acquired content or the like may be recorded in the HDD 105, and the content structure definition information and the screen layout creation rule information may be appropriately updated.

  Further, the content, content structure definition, and screen layout creation rule information may be stored in the ROM 103 without being limited to the HDD 105, and read from there. Further, the function of the server 11 may be realized by hardware.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the client 13. The CPU 201 executes various processes according to programs stored in the ROM 203 or the RAM 202 loaded from the HDD 205. The RAM 202 appropriately stores programs executed by the CPU 201 and data necessary for executing the programs. The ROM 203 stores programs executed by the CPU 201 and fixed data. These CPU 201, ROM 203, and RAM 202 are connected to each other by a bus 204.

  The HDD 205 connected to the bus 204 records programs executed by the CPU 201 and various data. The communication unit 206 communicates with an external device such as the server 11 via the home network 12.

  Alternatively, the program may be acquired via the communication unit 206 and recorded in the HDD 205.

  The input unit 207 includes, for example, a button or a switch, and supplies an input signal to the CPU 201. Further, the input unit 207 may be a remote controller that supplies an input signal to the device 13 body via infrared communication, for example. The CPU 201 controls the device 13 based on the input signal supplied from the input unit 207.

  The display unit 208 includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel (LCD display device), and displays content. The display unit 208 is not limited to an LCD panel, and may be configured by an organic EL (Electroluminescence) panel (organic EL display device), a plasma panel (plasma display device), or the like.

  A drive 209 connected to the bus 204 drives a magnetic disk 221, an optical disk 222, a magneto-optical disk 223, or a semiconductor memory 224, etc., and drives the programs and data recorded there. get. The acquired program and data are transferred to the HDD 205 and recorded as necessary.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the device 13 that executes the program.

  When the CPU 201 executes the program, the content acquisition module 251, the content structure definition list storage module 252, the screen layout creation rule information acquisition module 253, the screen characteristic information storage module 254, the screen layout information creation module 255, and the screen layout information storage module 256, a screen display creation rule information creation module 257, a screen display creation rule information storage module 258, a screen display information creation module 259, and a screen display module 260 are realized.

  In the HDD 205 (or ROM 203) of the program device 13, a content structure definition list storage module 252, a screen characteristic information storage module 254, a screen layout information storage module 256, and a screen display creation rule information storage module 258 are constructed.

  In other words, the CPU 201 displays the content on the display unit 208 of the device 13 by executing each of these modules that are programs.

  The content acquisition module 251 determines the content to be acquired from the server 11 and a request for determining whether or not the content structure definition of the content determined to be acquired is included in the content structure definition of the content received in the past (Hereinafter referred to as an acquisition history survey request) is supplied to the content structure definition list storage module 252.

  Also, the content acquisition module 251 receives a content acquisition request via the home network 12 based on a result notification (hereinafter referred to as a result notification) corresponding to the acquisition history investigation request supplied from the content structure definition list storage module 252. Is transmitted to the server 11, and the content corresponding to the content acquisition request is received from the server 11.

  That is, the content acquisition module 251 manages the transmission of the content acquisition request to the server 11 performed in the communication unit 206, and further manages the reception of the content according to the content acquisition request transmitted from the server 11.

  When the result notification is a notification indicating that the received content structure definition is not included in the content structure definition list, the content acquisition module 251 sends the received content to the screen layout information creation module 255 and the screen display information creation module 259. Supply each. By doing in this way, the screen layout information creation module 255 described later can generate screen layout information.

  When the result notification is a notification indicating that the received content structure definition is included in the content structure definition list, the content acquisition module 251 supplies the received content only to the screen display information creation module 259.

  Furthermore, the content acquisition module 251 transmits a content acquisition request for requesting a specific location of content (a part of content including content components) to the server 11 via the home network 12. Since the server 11 that has received the content acquisition request for requesting a specific part of the content transmits the specific part of the requested content, the content acquisition module 251 specifies the specific content transmitted from the server 11. Receive location.

  As described above, the content acquisition module 251 can receive a specific part of the content from the server 11 via the home network 12 in response to the content acquisition request to be transmitted, and thus reduces the load of displaying the content on the display unit 208. can do.

  The content structure definition list storage module 252 transmits a content structure definition request corresponding to the acquisition history investigation request to the server 11 via the home network 12 based on the acquisition history investigation request supplied from the content acquisition module 251. . The content structure definition list storage module 252 receives the content structure definition corresponding to the content structure definition request from the server 11 via the home network 12.

  That is, the content structure definition list storage module 252 manages the transmission of the content structure definition request to the server 11 performed in the communication unit 206, and further, the content structure definition corresponding to the content structure definition request transmitted from the server 11 It also manages the reception.

  The content structure definition list storage module 252 reads the content structure definition list recorded in the HDD 205, and whether the content structure definition received from the server 11 via the home network 12 is included in the read content structure definition list. And the determined result (result notification) is supplied to the content acquisition module 251.

  When the result notification determined by the content structure definition list storage module 252 is a notification indicating that the received content structure definition is not included in the content structure definition list, the screen layout creation rule information acquisition module 253 controls the CPU 201. Based on this, a request for acquiring screen layout creation rule information (hereinafter referred to as a screen layout creation rule information acquisition request) is transmitted to the server 11 via the home network 12. The screen layout creation rule information acquisition module 253 receives screen layout creation rule information corresponding to the screen layout creation rule information acquisition request from the server 11 and supplies the received screen layout creation rule information to the screen layout information creation module 255. To do.

  That is, the screen layout creation rule information acquisition module 253 manages the transmission of the screen layout creation rule information acquisition request to the server 11 performed in the communication unit 206, and further acquires the screen layout creation rule information transmitted from the server 11. It also manages the reception of screen layout creation rule information upon request.

  When the result notification is a notification indicating that the received content structure definition is included in the content structure definition list, the screen recorded in the HDD 205 of the device 13 without receiving the screen layout creation rule information from the server 11 Since the content is displayed on the display unit 208 using the layout information and the screen display creation rule information, the screen layout creation rule information acquisition module 253 creates the screen layout creation rule information based on the control of the CPU 201. Not supplied to module 255.

  The screen characteristic information storage module 254 records, for example, information on the resolution of the panel of the display unit 208 (hereinafter referred to as screen characteristic information). When the result notification determined by the content structure definition list storage module 252 is a notification indicating that the received content structure definition is not included in the content structure definition list, the screen characteristic information storage module 254 is based on the control of the CPU 201. The screen characteristic information recorded in the HDD 205 is read, and the read screen characteristic information is supplied to the screen layout information creation module 255.

  Note that the screen characteristic information may specify, for example, the number of colors, response speed, pixel pitch, etc. in addition to the panel resolution of the display unit 208.

  Further, when the result notification is a notification indicating that the received content structure definition is included in the content structure definition list, the content is displayed using the screen layout information and the screen display creation rule information recorded in the HDD 205 of the device 13. Is displayed on the display unit 208, the screen characteristic information storage module 254 does not supply the read screen characteristic information to the screen layout information creation module 255 based on the control of the CPU 201.

  If the result notification determined by the content structure definition list storage module 252 is a notification indicating that the received content structure definition is not included in the content structure definition list, the screen layout information creation module 255 is based on the control of the CPU 201. Screen layout information based on the content supplied from the content acquisition module 251, the screen layout generation rule information supplied from the screen layout generation rule information acquisition module 253, and the screen characteristic information supplied from the screen characteristic information storage module 254. And the generated screen layout information is supplied to the screen layout information storage module 256.

  Here, the screen layout information is, for example, position information on the display area of the display unit 208 in the elements constituting the content.

  When the result notification is a notification indicating that the received content structure definition is included in the content structure definition list, the content is displayed on the display unit 208 using the screen layout information recorded in the HDD 205 of the device 13. Therefore, the screen layout information creation module 255 does not generate screen layout information based on the control of the CPU 201.

  The screen layout information storage module 256 records screen layout information. When the result notification determined by the content structure definition list storage module 252 is a notification indicating that the received content structure definition is not included in the content structure definition list, the screen layout information storage module 256 is based on the control of the CPU 201. The screen layout information supplied from the screen layout information creation module 255 is recorded in the HDD 205. Further, the screen layout information storage module 256 supplies the screen layout information supplied from the screen layout information creation module 255 to the screen display creation rule information creation module 257 and the screen display information creation module 259.

  Further, when the result notification is a notification indicating that the received content structure definition is included in the content structure definition list, the screen layout information storage module 256 is recorded in the HDD 205 of the device 13 based on the control of the CPU 201. The screen layout information is read, and the read screen layout information is supplied to the screen display information creation module 259.

  As described above, when the content having the same content structure definition is displayed again, the screen layout information recorded in the HDD 205 can be used without generating the screen layout information, so the burden of generating the screen layout information is reduced. Can be reduced.

  When the result notification determined by the content structure definition list storage module 252 is a notification indicating that the received content structure definition is not included in the content structure definition list, the screen display creation rule information creation module 257 controls the CPU 201. Based on the screen layout information supplied from the screen layout information storage module 256, screen display creation rule information is generated, and the generated screen display creation rule information is supplied to the screen display creation rule information storage module 258.

  Here, the screen display creation rule information is information describing a procedure for determining the arrangement of content components. For example, the screen display creation rule information indicates a rule when a portion where content can be displayed is arranged on the display area based on the screen layout in the display area of the display unit 208.

  When the result notification is a notification indicating that the received content structure definition is included in the content structure definition list, the content display unit 208 uses the screen display creation rule information recorded in the HDD 205 of the device 13. Therefore, the screen display creation rule information creation module 257 does not generate screen display creation rule information based on the control of the CPU 201.

  When the result notification determined by the content structure definition list storage module 252 is a notification indicating that the received content structure definition is not included in the content structure definition list, the screen display creation rule information storage module 258 performs control of the CPU 201. Based on this, the screen display creation rule information supplied from the screen display creation rule information creation module 257 is recorded in the HDD 205. Further, the screen display creation rule information storage module 258 supplies the screen display creation rule information supplied from the screen display creation rule information creation module 257 to the screen display information creation module 259.

  When the result notification is a notification indicating that the received content structure definition is included in the content structure definition list, the screen display creation rule information storage module 258 records in the HDD 205 of the device 13 based on the control of the CPU 201. The read screen display creation rule information is read, and the read screen display creation rule information is supplied to the screen display information creation module 259.

  In this way, when displaying content that matches the content structure definition again, the screen display creation rule information recorded in the HDD 205 can be used without generating screen display creation rule information. The burden of generating information can be reduced.

  The screen display information creation module 259 includes the content supplied from the content acquisition module 251, the screen layout information supplied from the screen layout information storage module 256, and the screen display creation rule information supplied from the screen display creation rule information storage module 258. Based on the above, screen display information is generated, and the generated screen display information is supplied to the screen display module 260.

  Here, the screen display information is information indicating, for example, where the content of the elements constituting the content is arranged on the display area of the display unit 208.

  The screen display module 260 displays content on the display unit 208 based on the screen display information supplied from the screen display information creation module 259.

  As described above, when the content having the same content structure definition is displayed again, the screen layout information and the screen display creation rule information recorded in the HDD 205 of the device 13 are not generated without generating the screen layout information and the screen display creation rule information. Since they are used, the load for generating screen layout information and screen display creation rule information can be reduced.

  The content structure definition list, the screen characteristic information, the screen layout information, and the screen display creation rule information may be stored in the ROM 203 without being limited to the HDD 205, and may be read therefrom. Further, the function of the device 13 may be realized by hardware.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of content displayed on the display unit 208.

  For example, when playing music stored in the server 11, content 301 corresponding to the stored music is displayed on the display unit 208. The display unit 208 displays, as the content 311, the singer name “Artist A” and the playback time “3:54” for the song name “Title A”. In addition, as the content 312, the singer name “Artist B” and the playback time “4:01” are displayed for the song name “Title B”.

  The content 301, the content 311 and the content 312 are converted according to the display unit 208. That is, the content 301, the content 311 and the content 312 are displayed in a format most suitable for the display area of the display unit 208.

  Next, details of the content will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the hierarchical structure of content will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, the content has the content component A as the highest hierarchy (root), and the content component A-1 and the content component A-2 are arranged in the lower hierarchy of the content component A. The content component element A-1-1, the content component element A-1-2, and the content component element A-1-3 are hierarchically arranged in the lower hierarchy of the content component element A-1.

  For example, when the content component A is “content”, “music” indicating the type (genre) of content is included in the content component A-1 and the content component A-2, which are lower layers of the “content”. Be placed. Further, the content component A-1-1, the content component A-1-2, and the content component A-1-3, which are lower layers of “music”, include “song name”, “singer name”, and Each “playback time” is arranged.

  In this way, by making the content components have a hierarchical structure, it can be expressed more intuitively, and the handling of the content becomes easier.

  Next, the relationship between the data constituting the content will be described with reference to the class diagrams of FIGS. A class diagram is one of UML (Unified Modeling Language) diagrams, which are modeling techniques. Further, the class diagrams of FIGS. 8 to 12 are described based on a relationship generally referred to as aggregation indicating a relationship between a class representing the whole and a class representing the portion.

  FIG. 8 is a class diagram showing the relationship between the content class 401 and the content component class 402. A content class 401 is formed from content components 402.

  The content class 401 includes a content component class 402, and the content component class 402 is a part of the content class 401. A content component class 402 indicates an element identifier class 403, a display priority class 404, a position information class 405, and an element content class 406 as a whole.

  The element identifier class 403 is an identifier class for identifying the content structure element class 402. The display priority class 404 is a part of the content structure element class 402, and includes an object indicating the priority when the element content class 406 is displayed on the display unit 208. Further, the position information class 405 is a part of the content structure element class 402, and the object of the element content class 406 includes an object indicating a position displayed on the display unit 208. The element content class 406 is a part of the content structure element class 402 and includes contents (objects) displayed on the display unit 208.

  The content class 401 and the content component class 402 are associated in a one-to-multiple manner. Further, the content component class 402 and the element identifier class 403 are associated one-to-one. Further, the content component class 402 and the display priority class 404 are associated with each other on a one-to-one basis. Further, the content component class 402 and the position information class 405 are associated in a one-to-multiple manner. Also, the content component class 402 and the element content class 406 are associated one-to-one.

  That is, for one content class 401, one or a plurality of content component classes 402 exist. Further, for one content component class 402, there are one element identifier class 403, one display priority class 404, one or more position information classes 405, and one element content class 406. Exists. The position information belonging to the position information class 405 includes, for example, two pieces of position information: a horizontal position (x) and a vertical position (y).

  FIG. 9 is a class diagram showing the relationship between the content structure definition list class 411, the content structure definition class 412, the screen layout information class 413, and the screen display creation rule information class 415.

The content structure definition list class 411 includes a content structure definition class 412, a screen layout information class 413, and a screen display creation rule information class 415. The content structure definition class 412 is a part of the content structure definition list class 411. Further, the screen layout information 413 is a part of the class 411 of the content structure definition list. The screen display creation rule information 415 is a part of the class 411 of the content structure definition list.

  The class 413 of the screen layout information is composed of “arrangement information on the display area of the content component 402” represented by the class 414, and “arrangement information on the display area of the content component 402 is represented by the class 414. "Is a part of the class 413 of the screen layout information. Further, the class 415 of the screen display creation rule information includes a class 416 of “information indicating a rule when the displayable portion of the content 401 is arranged on the display area based on the screen layout”. Is a part of the class 415 of the screen display creation rule information. The class 416 of “information indicating a rule when the displayable part is arranged on the display area based on the screen layout”.

  The content structure definition list class 411 and the content structure definition class 412 are associated in a one-to-multiple manner. Further, the class 411 of the content structure definition list and the class 413 of the screen layout information are associated in a one-to-multiple manner. Furthermore, the class list 411 of the content structure definition and the class 415 of the screen display creation rule information are associated in a one-to-many manner.

  Further, the class 413 of the screen layout information and the class 414 of “arrangement information on the display area of the content component element 402” are associated in a one-to-multiple manner. Further, the class 415 of the screen display creation rule information and the class 416 of “information indicating a rule when the displayable portion of the content 401 is arranged on the display area based on the screen layout” are associated with one to many. Has been.

  In other words, one or more content structure definition classes 412 exist for one content structure definition list class 411. Further, one or more screen layout information classes 413 exist for one content structure definition list class 411. Furthermore, one or more screen display creation rule information classes 415 exist for the class 411 of the content structure definition list.

  Further, for one screen layout information class 413, one or a plurality of “arrangement information on the display area of the content component element 402” class 414 exists. Further, for one screen display creation rule information class 415, one or a plurality of “information indicating a rule when the displayable portion of the content 401 is arranged on the display area based on the screen layout” 416 exists.

  FIG. 10 is a class diagram showing a class 441 of screen layout creation rule information.

  The class 441 of the screen layout creation rule information includes a class 442 of “rule information indicating where the content element should be arranged on the display area using the screen characteristics of the device”, and “the content element is the screen characteristics of the device. The class information 442 of “rule information indicating where to be arranged on the display area using” is a part of the class 441 of screen layout creation rule information.

  A class 441 of screen layout creation rule information and a class 442 of “rule information indicating where the content element should be arranged on the display area using the screen characteristics of the device” are associated in a one-to-many manner. That is, for one screen layout creation rule information class 441, one or a plurality of “rule information indicating where the content element should be arranged on the display area using the screen characteristics of the device” is provided. Exists.

  FIG. 11 is a class diagram showing a class 451 of screen display information.

  The class 451 of the screen display information includes a class 452 of “information indicating where in the display area the element content of the content component is arranged”. A class 452 of “information indicating whether to be placed at a place” is a part of the class 451 of screen display information.

  The screen display information class 451 and the class 452 of “information indicating where in the display area the element content of the content component is arranged” are associated in a one-to-many relationship. That is, for one screen display information class 451, there is a class 452 of one or more “information indicating where in the display area the element content of a content component is arranged”.

  FIG. 12 is a class diagram showing a class 461 of screen characteristic information.

  The screen characteristic information class 461 includes a “display area resolution” class 462, and the “display area resolution” class 462 is a part of the screen characteristic information class 461.

  The screen characteristic information class 461 and the “display area resolution” class 462 are associated one-to-one. That is, one “display area resolution” class 462 exists for one screen characteristic information class 461. The “display area resolution” class 462 defines, for example, 480 × 320 pixels as the display area resolution of the display unit 208.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining a transmission process by the server 11 having the configuration of FIG.

  In step S <b> 101, the content structure definition storage module 153 transmits the content structure definition to the device 13 in response to the content structure definition acquisition request received from the device 13 via the home network 12. Details of the content structure definition transmission processing will be described later.

  In step S <b> 102, the screen layout creation rule information storage module 154 transmits screen layout creation procedure information to the device 13 via the home network 12 in response to the screen layout creation rule information acquisition request received from the device 13. Details of the screen layout creation rule information transmission process will be described later.

  In step S103, the content management module 151 acquires content from the content storage module 152 in response to a content acquisition request received from the device 13 via the home network 12, and transmits the acquired content to the device 13. The process ends. Details of the content transmission processing will be described later.

  Next, details of the content structure definition transmission process for the process of step S101 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 121, the content structure definition storage module 153 receives the content structure definition acquisition request transmitted from the device 13 via the home network 12.

  In step S122, the content structure definition storage module 153 reads the content structure definition corresponding to the received content structure definition acquisition request from the HDD 105, and transmits the read content structure definition to the device 13 via the home network 12. The process ends.

  Next, details of the screen layout creation procedure information transmission process for the process of step S102 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 141, the screen layout creation rule information storage module 154 receives a screen layout creation rule information acquisition notification transmitted from the device 13 via the home network 12.

  In step S142, the screen layout creation rule information storage module 154 determines whether or not the screen layout creation rule information acquisition notification requesting the recorded screen layout creation rule information has been received.

  If it is determined in step S142 that a screen layout creation rule information acquisition notification requesting the recorded screen layout creation rule information has been received, the screen layout creation rule information storage module 154 stores the screen layout creation rule information in the HDD 105. The screen layout creation rule information that has been read out is transmitted to the device 13 via the home network 12, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S142 that the screen layout creation rule information acquisition notification requesting the recorded screen layout creation rule information has not been received, the process in step S143 is skipped, and the process ends.

  Next, details of the content transmission processing with respect to the processing in step S103 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 161, the content management module 151 receives a content acquisition request transmitted from the device 13 via the home network 12.

  In step S162, the content management module 151 supplies a content request corresponding to the received content acquisition request to the content storage module 152. In response to the content request supplied from the content management module 151, the content storage module 152 supplies the content management module 151 with content such as image data, moving image data, or text data recorded in the HDD 105.

  In the process of step S161, if the content acquisition request transmitted from the device 13 via the home network 12 is a request for a specific part of the content (part of the content), the received content acquisition A content request corresponding to the request is supplied to the content storage module 152. The content management module 151 acquires a specific part of the content in response to the content request from the content storage module 152 and transmits the specific part of the acquired content to the device 13.

  As described above, the specific part of the content can be acquired in response to the content acquisition request from the device 13, so that the server 11 can display a part of the content that can be displayed on the display unit 208 via the home network 12. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the load of displaying the content on the display unit 208.

  In step S163, the content management module 151 transmits the content supplied from the content storage module 152 to the device 13 via the home network 12, and the process ends.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining screen display processing by the device 13 having the configuration of FIG.

  In step S <b> 201, the content acquisition module 251 determines content to be acquired from the server 11. For example, when playing back music recorded on the server 11, the content acquisition module 251 selects content that is to be displayed on the display unit 208 of the device 13 as content acquired from the server 11. The content that is the menu screen for the determination is determined.

  Also, the content acquisition module 251 sends an acquisition history survey request to the content structure definition list storage module 252 in order to determine whether or not the determined content structure definition of the content is included in the content structure definition of the content received in the past. To supply.

  In step S <b> 202, the content structure definition list storage module 252 transmits a content structure definition acquisition notification corresponding to the acquisition history survey request supplied from the content acquisition module 251 to the server 11 via the home network 12.

  The server 11 receives the content structure definition acquisition notification from the device 13 via the home network 12 and transmits the content structure definition corresponding to the received content structure definition acquisition notification to the device 13.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a description example of the content structure definition.

  The content structure definition 501 is described by, for example, an XML (eXtensible Markup Language) method that is a markup language. In the XML method, an element is expressed by sandwiching element content data between a start tag and an end tag.

  In addition, in the XML system, the tagged elements are described in a so-called nested structure, so that the inclusion relation of the elements is expressed, and the characteristics and properties of a certain element are expressed as attributes. For example, in the case of “<item name =“ TVContents01 ”>”, the element is “item” and the attribute is “name”. That is, the name attribute of the item element is “TVContents01”.

  Furthermore, a node described later is a modeled element as an element node when each part of XML is modeled as a node (node) that constitutes a tree structure, and the modeled attribute is an attribute node. Called. That is, for example, when the start tag is “<item name =“ TVContents01 ”>” and the end tag is “</ item>”, “item” is the node of the item element, and “name” is the name attribute Node. In addition, the description of the part between the start tag “<item name =“ TVContents01 ”>” and the end tag “</ item>” describes the node of the item element.

  Hereinafter, elements, attributes, and nodes will be described based on the above-described relationships. A line number is attached to the left end of each line for explanation.

  The first line describes an XML declaration. The XML declaration declares the version of the XML standard that the XML document conforms to and the character code to be used. “<? Xml version =“ 1.0 ”encoding =“ UTF-8 ”?>” On the first line indicates that the XML version is “1.0” and the XML character code is “UTF-8”. .

  The second to thirty-sixth lines are so-called DTD (Document Type Definition), which specifies the name of the element, the attributes of the element, or the child elements or data that can be included in the element, thereby specifying the document type. Define

  “<! ELEMENT contents (music +)>” on the second line indicates that the contents element as the root element is composed of one or a plurality of music elements as child elements.

  “<! ELEMENT music (title, artist, time, explanation)>” on the third line indicates that the music element includes a title element, an artist element, a time element, and an explain element as child elements.

  “<! ELEMENT title (#PCDATA)>” on the fourth line indicates that the element content of the title element is character data.

  “<! ELEMENT artist (#PCDATA)>” on the fifth line indicates that the element content of the artist element is character data.

  “<! ELEMENT time (#PCDATA)>” on the sixth line indicates that the element content of the time element is character data.

  “<! ELEMENT explanation (#PCDATA)>” on the seventh line indicates that the element content of the explanation element is character data.

  The 8th to 12th lines define the attributes of the music element. “<! ATTLIST music priority (required) #REQUIRED” on the eighth line indicates that the value of the priority attribute of the music element is “required”.

  “X (0.05) #REQUIRED” on the ninth line indicates that the value of the x attribute of the music element is “0.05”.

  “Y (0.05) #REQUIRED” on the 10th line indicates that the value of the y attribute of the music element is “0.05”.

  “Width_ratio (0.9) #REQUIRED” on the eleventh line indicates that the value of the width_ratio attribute of the music element is “0.9”.

  “Height_ratio (0.4) #REQUIRED” on the 12th line indicates that the value of the height_ratio attribute of the music element is “0.4”.

  The 13th to 17th lines define the attributes of the title element. “<! ATTLIST title priority (required) #REQUIRED” on the 13th line indicates that the value of the priority attribute of the title element is “required”.

  “X (0.05) #REQUIRED” on the 14th line indicates that the value of the x attribute of the title element is “0.05”.

  “Y (0.05) #REQUIRED” on the 15th line indicates that the value of the y attribute of the title element is “0.05”.

  “Width_ratio (0.9) #REQUIRED” on the 16th line indicates that the value of the width_ratio attribute of the title element is “0.9”.

  “Height_ratio (0.4) #REQUIRED” on the 17th line indicates that the value of the height_ratio attribute of the title element is “0.4”.

  The 18th to 22nd lines define the attributes of the artist element. “<! ATTLIST artist priority (required) #REQUIRED” on the 18th line indicates that the value of the priority attribute of the artist element is “required”.

  “X (0.05) #REQUIRED” on the 19th line indicates that the value of the x attribute of the artist element is “0.05”.

  “Y (0.55) #REQUIRED” on the 20th line indicates that the value of the y attribute of the artist element is “0.55”.

  “Width_ratio (0.9) #REQUIRED” on the 21st line indicates that the value of the width_ratio attribute of the artist element is “0.9”.

  “Height_ratio (0.4) #REQUIRED” on the 22nd line indicates that the value of the height_ratio attribute of the artist element is “0.4”.

  Lines 23 to 29 define time element attributes. “<! ATTLIST time priority (implied) #REQUIRED” on the 23rd line indicates that the value of the priority attribute of the time element is “implied”.

  “X (0.35) #REQUIRED” on the 24th line indicates that the value of the x attribute of the time element is “0.35”.

  “Y (0.55) #REQUIRED” on the 25th line indicates that the value of the y attribute of the time element is “0.55”.

  “Width_ratio (0.3) #REQUIRED” on the 26th line indicates that the value of the width_ratio attribute of the time element is “0.3”.

  “Height_ratio (0.4) #REQUIRED” on the 27th line indicates that the value of the height_ratio attribute of the time element is “0.4”.

  “Required_height (15) #REQUIRED” on the 28th line indicates that the value of the required_height attribute of the time element is “15”.

  “Required_width (20) #REQUIRED” on the 29th line indicates that the value of the required_width attribute of the time element is “20”.

  The 30th to 36th lines define the attributes of the explain element. “<! ATTLIST explanation priority (implied) #REQUIRED” on the 30th line indicates that the value of the priority attribute of the explain element is “implied”.

  “X (0.65) #REQUIRED” on the 24th line indicates that the value of the x attribute of the explain element is “0.65”.

  “Y (0.55) #REQUIRED” on the 25th line indicates that the value of the y attribute of the planning element is “0.55”.

  “Width_ratio (0.3) #REQUIRED” on the 26th line indicates that the value of the width_ratio attribute of the explanation element is “0.3”.

  “Height_ratio (0.4) #REQUIRED” on the 27th line indicates that the value of the height_ratio attribute of the explain element is “0.4”.

  “Required_height (150) #REQUIRED” on the 28th line indicates that the value of the required_height attribute of the explain element is “150”.

  “Required_width (200) #REQUIRED>” on the 29th line indicates that the value of the required_width attribute of the explain element is “200”.

  Returning to FIG. 17, the content structure definition transmitted from the server 11 via the home network 12 is not limited to the content structure definition 501 described above, and may be a character string that uniquely identifies the content structure definition. . For example, the server 11 records information associating the content structure definition of music content with the character string “MusicContents01” in the HDD 105, and in response to the content structure definition request transmitted from the device 13, “ The character string “MusicContents01” is transmitted to the device 13.

  In step S <b> 203, the content structure definition list storage module 252 receives a content structure definition (for example, a character string “MusicContents01”) from the server 11 via the network 12.

  Hereinafter, a case where a character string “MusicContents01” is received as the content structure definition will be described as an example.

  In step S <b> 204, the content structure definition list storage module 252 reads the content structure definition list recorded in the HDD 205.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a description example of the content structure definition list read out by the process of step S204.

  The content structure definition list 511 is described by, for example, an XML method. In FIG. 19, a line number is assigned to the left end of each line for the sake of explanation.

  “<? Xml version =“ 1.0 ”encoding =“ UTF-8 ”?>” On the first line indicates that the XML version is “1.0” and the XML character code is “UTF-8”. .

  The second to eleventh lines describe the XML text. “<Items>” on the second line and “</ items>” on the eleventh line indicate that the descriptions on the third to tenth lines are nodes belonging to the items element.

  “<Item name =“ TVContents01 ”>” on the third line indicates that the name attribute of the item element is “TVContents01”. “<Item name =“ TVContents01 ”>” on the third line and “</ item>” on the sixth line indicate that the descriptions on the fourth and fifth lines indicate information of “TVContents01”. “Layout-TVContents01.xml” of “<layout> Layout-TVContents01.xml </ layout>” on the fourth line indicates the file name of the file storing the screen layout information of “TVContents01”. “DisplayCreation-TVContents01.xsl” of “<display> DisplayCreation-TVContents01.xsl </ display>” on the fifth line indicates the file name of the file in which the screen display creation rule information of “TVContents01” is stored.

  “<Item name =“ TVContents02 ”>” on the seventh line indicates that the name attribute of the item element is “TVContents02”. “<Item name =“ TVContents02 ”>” on the seventh line and “</ item>” on the tenth line indicate that the description on the eighth and ninth lines indicates information of “TVContents02”. “Layout-TVContents02.xml” of “<layout> Layout-TVContents02.xml </ layout>” on the eighth line indicates the file name of the file storing the screen layout information of “TVContents02”. “DisplayCreation-TVContents02.xsl” of “<display> DisplayCreation-TVContents02.xsl </ display>” on the ninth line indicates the file name of the file in which the screen display creation rule information of “TVContents02” is stored.

  That is, the content structure definition list 511 stores the content structure definition information as the name attribute of the item element. Furthermore, in the content structure definition list, the file of screen layout information and screen display creation rule information is associated with the name attribute. Is associated.

  For example, an identifier that can uniquely identify the content structure definition received from the server 11 via the home network 12 has a matching character string in the value specified by the name attribute of the item element of the content structure definition list 511. It is possible to determine whether or not the content structure definition received from the server 11 is included in the content structure definition list.

  Returning to FIG. 17, in step S205, the content structure definition list storage module 252 determines whether or not the content structure definition received from the server 11 is included in the read content structure definition list. For example, the content structure definition “MusicContents01” received from the server 11 determines whether there is a matching character string in the value specified by the name attribute of the item element of the content structure definition list 511.

  For example, the name attribute of the item element of the content structure definition list 511 in FIG. 19 describes “TVContents01” and “TVContents02” as the content structure definition, and the content structure definition that is “MusicContents01” received from the server 11 is Since it is not described, it is determined that the received content structure definition (MusicContents01) is not included in the content structure definition list 511 (that is, processing in steps S206 to S215 described later is executed).

  If it is determined in step S205 that the content structure definition received from the server 11 is not included in the read content structure definition list, the process proceeds to step S206, and the screen layout creation rule information acquisition module 253 passes through the home network 12. The screen layout creation rule information acquisition notification is transmitted to the server 11.

  In step S207, the screen layout creation rule information acquisition module 253 receives screen layout creation rule information corresponding to the screen layout creation rule information acquisition notification from the server 11 via the home network 12, and receives the received screen layout creation rule. Information is supplied to the screen layout information creation module 255.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a description example of the screen layout creation rule information received by the process of step S207.

  The screen layout creation rule information 521 is described by an XSLT (Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformations) method. The XSLT method is a kind of so-called style sheet that describes the definition of the format of a document described in the XML method and converts the data structure of the document of the XML method. In addition, the line number is attached | subjected to the left end of each line of FIG. 20 for description.

  The first line of the screen layout creation rule information 521 describes an XML declaration. “<? Xml version =“ 1.0 ”encoding =“ UTF-8 ”?>” On the first line indicates that the XML version is “1.0” and the XML character code is “UTF-8”. .

  “<Xsl: stylesheet version =” 1.0 ”xmlns: xsl =” http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform ”xmlns: fo =” http://www.w3.org/ 1999 / XSL / Format ">" and "</ xsl: stylesheet>" on the 49th line indicate that the 2nd to 49th lines indicate XSLT information.

  “<Xsl: stylesheet version =” 1.0 ”xmlns: xsl =” http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform ”xmlns: fo =” http://www.w3.org/ “1999 / XSL / Format”> ”indicates that the version of XSLT is“ 1.0 ”, and the URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) assigned to XSLT by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) is“ http: // www. “3.org/1999/XSL/Transform” and “http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Format”.

  The 3rd to 9th lines surrounded by the dotted line 521-1 are the display part of the music element based on the acquisition method of the resolution (vertical and horizontal pixel numbers) of the display area of the device 13 and the acquired resolution. A calculation method for calculating the size and arrangement on the display area 208 is described.

  “<Xsl: variable name =” DeviceProfile ”select =” docoument (DeviceProfile.xml ') ”/> on the third line is the data of“ DeviceProfile.xml ”, which is a file describing information about the device 13, Indicates that the variable is “DeviceProfile”.

  For example, “DeviceProfile.xml” can be screen characteristic information 601 in FIG. 24 described later.

  “Xsl: variable name =” Width ”select =” $ DeviceProfile / DeviceProfile / Presentation / Visual / width ”/” on the 4th line is based on the data stored in “DeviceProfile” in the display area of the display unit 208. Indicates that the number of horizontal pixels is assigned to the variable “Width”.

  For example, the value to be substituted into the variable “Width” can be the value of the width element “320” when “DeviceProfile.xml” is the screen characteristic information 601 in FIG.

  In addition, “xsl: variable name =” Height ”select =” $ DeviceProfile / DeviceProfile / Presentation / Visual / height ”/” on the fifth line is a vertical line in the display area of the display unit 208 based on the data of “DeviceProfile”. Indicates that the number of pixels is substituted for the variable “Height”.

  For example, the value assigned to the variable “Height” can be the value of the height element “480” when “DeviceProfile.xml” is the screen characteristic information 601 in FIG.

  “Xsl: variable name =” music_x ”select =” (/ contents / music / @ x) * ($ Width) ”/” on the 6th line is music whose value of “music_x” is a child element of the contents element It indicates that the value is calculated by multiplying the value of the x attribute of the element and the value referring to the variable “Width” in the fourth row.

  For example, the value of the x attribute of the music element that is a child element of the contents element can be the value of the x attribute of the music element of the content 531 of FIG. More specifically, for example, the value of the x attribute of the music element that is “0.05” can be used.

  In line 7, “xsl: variable name =” music_y ”select =” (/ contents / music / @ y) * ($ Width) ”/” is a music whose value of “music_y” is a child element of the contents element This indicates that the value is calculated by multiplying the value of the y attribute of the element and the value referring to the variable “Width” in the fourth row.

  For example, the value of the y attribute of the music element that is a child element of the contents element can be the value of the y attribute of the music element of the content 531 in FIG. More specifically, for example, the value of the y attribute of the music element that is “0.05” can be used.

  In line 8, “xsl: variable name =” music_height ”select =” (/ contents / music / @ height_ratio) * ($ Height) ”/” is “music_height” value is a child element of contents element. This indicates that the value is calculated by multiplying the value of the element's height_ratio attribute and the value referring to the variable “Height” in the fifth row.

  For example, the value of the height_ratio attribute of the music element that is a child element of the contents element can be the value of the height_ratio attribute of the music element of the content 531 in FIG. More specifically, for example, the value of the height_ratio attribute of the music element that is “0.2” can be used.

  In the ninth line, “xsl: variable name =” music_width ”select =” (/ contents / music / @ width_ratio) * ($ Width) ”/” is a music whose value of “music_width” is a child element of the contents element This indicates that the value is calculated by multiplying the value of the width_ratio attribute of the element and the value referring to the variable “Width” on the fourth line.

  For example, the value of the width_ratio attribute of the music element that is a child element of the contents element can be the value of the width_ratio attribute of the music element of the content 531 in FIG. More specifically, for example, the value of the width_ratio attribute of the music element that is “0.9” can be used.

  Here, in the XSLT method, each element of the input XML document is searched, and the XML document is converted and output based on the template described in the XSLT method for the matched elements. The template is described as the contents of the xsl: template element, and processing is described according to each element. Also, the xsl: template element has a match attribute, and an element is specified for this match attribute. A program for processing an XSLT template recursively processes an XSLT xsl: template element to convert an XML document and display it on the display unit 208.

  Next, “<xsl: template match =” / ”>” on the 10th line and “</ xsl: template>” on the 12th line are special nodes that are the starting points of XSLT processing. Called the root node. “Xsl: apply-templates” on the 11th line is described when reading the processing of another template in the template. By the way, in the case of the root node, all the nodes are processed.

  Next, "<xsl: template match =" contents ">" on the 13th line and "</ xsl: template>" on the 28th line are the nodes where the 14th to 27th lines belong to the contents element Indicates that Similarly, “<contents>” on the 14th line and “</ contents>” on the 27th line indicate that the 14th to 27th lines are nodes belonging to the contents element.

  The 15th to 26th lines surrounded by the dotted line 521-2 describe the music element arrangement process. For example, a music element arrangement process in the content 531 of FIG. 21 will be described. For example, “x”, “y”, “width”, and “height” attribute values are calculated for the name attribute of the rectangle element “music” in the screen layout information of FIG.

  “<Xsl: for-each select =“ music ”>” on the 15th line and “</ xsl: for-each>” on the 26th line are the contents of the XML document (for example, the content 531 in FIG. 21 described later). Indicates that this is an iterative process of selecting the music element included in the element. “<Xsl: if test“ position () = 1 ”>” on the 16th line and “</ xsl: if>” on the 25th line are “position () function” (a function for obtaining the element position). When a value whose return value is 1 is acquired, the description on the 17th to 24th lines is executed.

  “<Rectangle>” on the 17th line and “</ rectangle>” on the 24th line indicate that the 18th to 23rd lines are nodes belonging to the rectangle element.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” name ”> <xsl: value-of select =” name () ”/> </ xsl: attribute> on line 18 indicates that the value of the name attribute of the rectangle element is“ name This indicates that it is the return value of () function "(a function that obtains the node name).

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” x ”> <xsl: value-of select =” $ music_x ”/> </ xsl: attribute>” on the 19th line indicates that the value of the x attribute of the rectangle element is the 6th line Indicates that the value refers to the variable “music_x”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” y ”> <xsl: value-of select =” ($ music_height) * (position ()-1) ”/> </ xsl: attribute>” on line 20 is a rectangle element This indicates that the value of the y attribute is a value obtained by calculating “($ music_height) * (position ()-1)”. Here, “$ music_height” is a value referring to a variable “music_height” on the eighth line.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” width ”> <xsl: value-of select =” $ music_width ”/> </ xsl: attribute>” on line 21 indicates that the value of the width attribute of the rectangle element is on line 9 Indicates that the value refers to the variable "music_width".

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” height ”> <xsl: value-of select =” $ music_height ”/> </ xsl: attribute>” on line 22 indicates that the value of the height attribute of the rectangle element is Indicates that the value refers to the variable “music_height”.

  “<Xsl: apply-templates />” on the 23rd line is described when reading the processing of another template in the template, and either of the processing described in the dotted line 521-3 or the dotted line 521-4 is performed. Execute. For example, the process moves from the process of the music element described above to the child element of the music element. More specifically, for example, in the content 531 of FIG. 21, processing of the title element, artist element, and time element that are child elements of the music element is executed.

  The 29th to 37th lines surrounded by the dotted line 521-3 are calculation methods for calculating the arrangement of content components when the priority attribute of the XML document (for example, the content 531 in FIG. 21) is “required”. Is described. When the value of the priority attribute is “required”, the content must be displayed as long as the display area of the display unit 208 allows.

  "<Xsl: template match =" * [@ priority = 'required'] ">" on line 29 and "</ xsl: template>" on line 37 indicate that the value of the priority attribute is "required" , The processing described in the 30th to 36th lines is executed.

  The "<rectangle>" on the 30th line and the "</ rectangle>" on the 36th line surrounded by the line 521-3-1 are nodes to which the 31st to 35th lines belong to the rectangle element. It shows that. In the 31st to 35th lines, “x”, “y” are displayed based on the number of pixels on the display area of the display unit 208 according to the name attribute (eg, title, artist, time, etc.) of the rectangle element. A process for calculating the attribute values of “,” “width” and “height” is described.

  For example, “x”, “y”, “width”, and “height” attribute values are calculated according to the name attribute value of the rectangle element in the screen layout information of FIG.

  In line 31, “<xsl: attribute name =” name ”> <xsl: value-of select =” name () ”/> </ xsl: attribute>”, the value of the name attribute of the rectangle element is “name This indicates that it is the return value of () function "(a function that obtains the node name).

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” x ”> <xsl: value-of select =” (@ x) * ($ music_width) ”/> </ xsl: attribute>” on line 32 is the x attribute of the rectangle element Is a value calculated by multiplying the value of the x attribute on the 19th line and the value referring to the variable “music_width” on the 9th line.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” y ”> <xsl: value-of select =” (@ y) * ($ music_height) ”/> </ xsl: attribute>” on line 33 is the y attribute of the rectangle element Indicates that the value is calculated by multiplying the value of the y attribute on the 20th line by the value referring to the variable “music_height” on the 8th line.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” width ”> <xsl: value-of select =” (@ width_ratio) * ($ music_width) ”/> </ xsl: attribute> on line 34 is the width attribute of the rectangle element Indicates that the value is calculated by multiplying the value of the width_ratio attribute by a value referring to the variable “music_width”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” height ”> <xsl: value-of select =” (@ height_ratio) * ($ music_height) ”/> </ xsl: attribute>” on line 35 is the height attribute of the rectangle element Indicates that the value is calculated by multiplying the value of the height_ratio attribute by a value referring to the variable “music_height”.

  The 38th to 48th lines surrounded by the dotted line 521-4 are the calculation methods for calculating the arrangement of the content components when the priority attribute of the XML document (for example, the content 531 in FIG. 21) is “implied”. Is described. When the value of the priority attribute is “implied”, it indicates that the content displayed on the display unit 208 may be displayed or hidden.

  “<Xsl: if test =” (($ music_height) * (@ height_raito) &gt; (@ required_height)) and (($ music_width) * (width_raito) on the 39th line surrounded by a line 521-4-1 &gt; (@ required_width)) ”>” calculates the number of vertical and horizontal pixels displayed on the device display area of the element whose priority attribute is “implied”, and the calculated vertical pixel number is the priority attribute If the calculated value is larger than the value of the required_height attribute of the element whose element is “implied” and the calculated number of horizontal pixels is larger than the value of the required_width attribute of the element whose priority attribute is “implied”, the 40th to 46th lines Indicates that the process described in the line is to be executed.

  The “<rectangle>” on the 40th line and the “</ rectangle>” on the 46th line surrounded by the line 521-4-2 are nodes to which the 41st to 45th lines belong to the rectangle element. It shows that. In the 41st to 45th lines, “x”, “y” are displayed based on the number of pixels on the display area of the display unit 208 according to the name attribute (eg, title, artist, time, etc.) of the rectangle element. A process for calculating the attribute values of “,” “width” and “height” is described.

  For example, “x”, “y”, “width”, and “height” attribute values are calculated according to the name attribute value of the rectangle element in the screen layout information of FIG.

  In line 41, “<xsl: attribute name =” name ”> <xsl: value-of select =” name () ”/> </ xsl: attribute>” indicates that the value of the name attribute of the rectangle element is “name This indicates that it is the return value of () function "(a function that obtains the node name).

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” x ”> <xsl: value-of select =” (@ x) * ($ music_width) ”/> </ xsl: attribute>” on line 42 is the x attribute of the rectangle element Is a value calculated by multiplying the value of the x attribute on the 19th line and the value referring to the variable “music_width” on the 9th line.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” y ”> <xsl: value-of select =” (@ y) * ($ music_height) ”/> </ xsl: attribute>” on line 43 is the y attribute of the rectangle element Indicates that the value is calculated by multiplying the value of the y attribute on the 20th line by the value referring to the variable “music_height” on the 8th line.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” width ”> <xsl: value-of select =” (@ width_ratio) * ($ music_width) ”/> </ xsl: attribute>” on line 44 is the width attribute of the rectangle element Indicates that the value is calculated by multiplying the value of the width_ratio attribute by a value referring to the variable “music_width”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” height ”> <xsl: value-of select =” (@ height_ratio) * ($ music_height) ”/> </ xsl: attribute>” on line 45 is the height attribute of the rectangle element Indicates that the value is calculated by multiplying the value of the height_ratio attribute by a value referring to a variable “music_height”.

  Returning to FIG. 17, in step S <b> 208, the content acquisition / reception module 251 transmits a content acquisition notification corresponding to the content determined to be acquired in the process of step S <b> 201 to the server 11 via the home network 12.

  In step S209, the content acquisition / reception module 251 receives content corresponding to the content acquisition notification from the server 11 via the home network 12, and sends the received content to the screen layout information creation module 255 and the screen display information creation module 259. Supply.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a description example of content received by the process of step S209.

  The content 531 is described by, for example, the XML method. In addition, the line number is attached | subjected to the left end of each line of FIG. 21 for description.

  “<? Xml version =” 1.0 ”encoding =” UTF-8 ”?>” On the first line indicates that the XML version is “1.0” and the XML character code is “UTF-8”. .

  “<Contents>” on the second line and “</ contents>” on the 24th line indicate that the processes described in the third to 23rd lines are nodes belonging to the contents element. The contents element is composed of the music, title, artist, time, and explain elements that are child elements of the contents element.

  With reference to FIG. 22 and FIG. 23, the content of each element will be described.

  22 includes an element identifier 542, a display priority 543, position information 544, and element contents 545. An element 541 in FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a title element in the fourth line of the content 531 in FIG.

  The element identifier 542 is a name for uniquely identifying the element, and is specified by, for example, “title” shown in FIG. The display priority 543 is a character string that designates switching between display and non-display of the element contents 545 on the display unit 208. For example, the display priority 543 is specified by "priority = required" shown in FIG. By specifying one of the character strings “required” or “implied”, switching between display and non-display of the element contents 545 in the display unit 208 is specified. Further, the position information 544 is a value that specifies a ratio with respect to the resolution of the screen or a ratio of the display size of the parent element. For example, “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.05”, FIG. It is specified by “width_ratio = 0.9” and “height_ratio = 0.4”. The element content 545 is a character string displayed on the display unit 208, and is specified by, for example, “title A” shown in FIG.

  When the display priority 543 is “implied”, vertical and horizontal pixels required when the element content 545 is displayed on the display unit 208 by adding a required_height attribute and a required_width attribute to the position information 544. A number is specified.

  Returning to FIG. 21, "<music priority =" required "x =" 0.05 "y =" 0.05 "width_ratio =" 0.9 "height_raito =" 0.2 ">" on the third line and "</ music>" on the ninth line Indicates that the processing described in the third to ninth lines is a node belonging to the music element.

  "<Music priority =" required "x =" 0.05 "y =" 0.05 "width_ratio =" 0.9 "height_raito =" 0.2 "> on the third line is an element identifier 542 that is" music ", priority =" required " Display priority order 543 and position information 544 with “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.05”, “width_ratio = 0.9”, and “height_raito = 0.2”.

  “<Title priority =” required ”x =” 0.05 ”y =” 0.05 ”width_ratio =” 0.9 ”height_raito =” 0.4 ”> title A </ title> in the fourth line is the element content that is“ title A ” 545 is displayed on the display unit 208 based on the position information 544 of “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.05”, “width_ratio = 0.9”, and “height_raito = 0.4”. Since the display priority 543 is “required”, the element content 545 that is “title A” is displayed as long as the display area of the display unit 208 allows.

  “<Artist priority =” required ”x =” 0.05 ”y =” 0.55 ”width_ratio =” 0.3 ”height_raito =” 0.4 ”> Artist A </ artist> in the fifth line is the element content of“ Artist A ” 545 is displayed on the display unit 208 based on the position information 544 of “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.55”, “width_ratio = 0.3”, and “height_raito = 0.4”. Since the display priority 543 is “required”, the element content 545 that is “artist A” is displayed as long as the display area of the display unit 208 allows.

  6th line <time priority = ”implied” x = ”0.35” y = ”0.55” width_ratio = ”0.3” height_raito = ”0.4” required_height = ”15” required_width = ”20”> 03:54 </ time> "Is an element content 545 of" 03:54 "," x = 0.35 "," y = 0.55 "," width_ratio = 0.3 "," height_raito = 0.4 ", required_height =" 15 ", required_width =" 20 " Based on the positional information 544 that is, it is displayed on the display unit 208. Since the display priority 543 is “implied”, the element content 545 with “03:54” is displayed or not displayed depending on the display area of the display unit 208.

  7th and 8th line "<explanation priority =” implied ”x =” 0.65 ”y =” 0.55 ”width_ratio =” 0.3 ”height_raito =” 0.4 ”required_height =” 150 ”required_width =” 200 ”> Artist A: URL = http: // www ……, other representative songs, title A1 (1999), title A2 (1999), title A3 (2000) </ explanation> ”are“ Artist A: URL = http: // www ......, other representative songs, element content 545 with title A1 (1999), title A2 (1999), title A3 (2000) ", x =" 0.65 "y =" 0.55 "width_ratio =" 0.3 "height_raito = Based on the position information 544 of “0.4” required_height = “150” required_width = “200”, it is displayed on the display unit 208. Since the display priority 543 is “implied”, “Artist A: URL = http: // www..., Other representative songs, title A1 (1999), title A2 (1999), title A3 (2000) The element content 545 “” is displayed or hidden depending on the display area of the display unit 208.

  "<Music priority =" required "x =" 0.05 "y =" 0.05 "width_ratio =" 0.9 "height_raito =" 0.2 ">" on the 10th line and "</ music>" on the 16th line are the 10th line The process described in the 16th to 16th lines indicates that the node belongs to the music element.

  "<Music priority =" required "x =" 0.05 "y =" 0.05 "width_ratio =" 0.9 "height_raito =" 0.2 "> on the 10th line is an element identifier 542 that is" music ", priority =" required " Display priority order 543 and position information 544 with “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.05”, “width_ratio = 0.9”, and “height_raito = 0.2”.

  “<Title priority =” required ”x =” 0.05 ”y =” 0.05 ”width_ratio =” 0.9 ”height_raito =” 0.4 ”> title B </ title> on the 11th line is the element content that is“ title B ” 545 is displayed on the display unit 208 based on the position information 544 of “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.05”, “width_ratio = 0.9”, and “height_raito = 0.4”. Since the display priority 543 is “required”, the element content 545 that is “title B” is displayed as long as the display area of the display unit 208 allows.

  “<Artist priority =” required ”x =” 0.05 ”y =” 0.55 ”width_ratio =” 0.3 ”height_raito =” 0.4 ”> Artist B </ artist> on the 12th line is the element content of“ Artist B ” 545 is displayed on the display unit 208 based on the position information 544 of “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.55”, “width_ratio = 0.3”, and “height_raito = 0.4”. Since the display priority 543 is “required”, the element content 545 that is “artist B” is displayed as long as the display area of the display unit 208 allows.

  Line 13 <time priority = ”implied” x = ”0.35” y = ”0.55” width_ratio = ”0.3” height_raito = ”0.4” required_height = ”15” required_width = ”20”> 04:01 </ time> "Is an element content 545" 04:01 "," x = 0.35 "," y = 0.55 "," width_ratio = 0.3 "," height_raito = 0.4 ", required_height =" 15 ", required_width =" 20 " Based on the positional information 544 that is, it is displayed on the display unit 208. Since the display priority 543 is “implied”, the element content 545 that is “04:01” is displayed or not displayed depending on the display area of the display unit 208.

  14th and 15th line "<explanation priority =" implied "x =" 0.65 "y =" 0.55 "width_ratio =" 0.3 "height_raito =" 0.4 "required_height =" 150 "required_width =" 200 "> Artist B: URL = http: // www ……, other representative songs, title B1 (2002) </ explanation> ”is“ Artist B: URL = http: // www ……, other representative songs, title B1 (2002) ) ”Is displayed on the display unit based on the positional information 544 with x =“ 0.65 ”y =“ 0.55 ”width_ratio =“ 0.3 ”height_raito =“ 0.4 ”required_height =“ 150 ”required_width =“ 200 ” 208 is displayed. Since the display priority 543 is “implied”, the element content 545 of “Artist B: URL = http: // www..., Other representative song, title B1 (2002)” is displayed on the display unit 208. Depending on the display area, it is displayed or hidden.

  “<Music priority =” required ”x =” 0.05 ”y =” 0.05 ”width_ratio =” 0.9 ”height_raito =” 0.2 ”> on line 17 and“ </ music> ”on line 23 are line 17 The process described in the 23rd to 23rd lines indicates that the node belongs to the music element.

  “<Music priority =” required ”x =“ 0.05 ”y =“ 0.05 ”width_ratio =“ 0.9 ”height_raito =” 0.2 ”> on line 17 is an element identifier 542 that is“ music ”, priority =“ required ” Display priority order 543 and position information 544 with “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.05”, “width_ratio = 0.9”, and “height_raito = 0.2”.

  “<Title priority =” required ”x =” 0.05 ”y =” 0.05 ”width_ratio =” 0.9 ”height_raito =” 0.4 ”> title C </ title> on the 18th line is the element content that is“ title C ” 545 is displayed on the display unit 208 based on the position information 544 of “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.05”, “width_ratio = 0.9”, and “height_raito = 0.4”. Since the display priority 543 is “required”, the element content 545 that is “title C” is displayed as long as the display area of the display unit 208 allows.

  “<Artist priority =” required ”x =” 0.05 ”y =” 0.55 ”width_ratio =” 0.3 ”height_raito =” 0.4 ”> Artist C </ artist> on the 19th line is the element content of“ Artist C ” 545 is displayed on the display unit 208 based on the position information 544 of “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.55”, “width_ratio = 0.3”, and “height_raito = 0.4”. Since the display priority 543 is “required”, the element content 545 that is “artist C” is displayed as long as the display area of the display unit 208 allows.

  "<Time priority =” implied ”x =” 0.35 ”y =” 0.55 ”width_ratio =” 0.3 ”height_raito =” 0.4 ”required_height =” 15 ”required_width =” 20 ”> 04:03 </ time> "Is an element content 545 of" 04:03 "," x = 0.35 "," y = 0.55 "," width_ratio = 0.3 "," height_raito = 0.4 ", required_height =" 15 ", required_width =" 20 " Based on the positional information 544 that is, it is displayed on the display unit 208. Since the display priority 543 is “implied”, the element content 545 that is “04:03” is displayed or hidden depending on the display area of the display unit 208.

  “<Explanation priority =” implied ”x =” 0.65 ”y =” 0.55 ”width_ratio =” 0.3 ”height_raito =” 0.4 ”required_height =” 150 ”required_width =” 200 ”> Artist C: URL = http: // www ……, other representative songs, title C1 (2003), title C2 (2004) </ explanation> ”is“ Artist C: URL = http: // www ……, Other representatives The element content 545 of the song, title C1 (2003), title C2 (2004) ”is changed to x =“ 0.65 ”y =“ 0.55 ”width_ratio =“ 0.3 ”height_raito =“ 0.4 ”required_height =“ 150 ”required_width =” 200 "Is displayed on the display unit 208 based on the position information 544". " Since the display priority 543 is “implied”, the element content 545 is “artist C: URL = http: // www..., Other representative song, title C1 (2003), title C2 (2004)”. Is displayed or not displayed depending on the display area of the display unit 208.

  Returning to FIG. 17, in step S <b> 210, the screen characteristic information storage module 254 reads the screen characteristic information recorded in the HDD 205 and supplies the read screen characteristic information to the screen layout information creation module 255.

  The screen characteristic information is, for example, information such as the number of pixels of the display panel or the resolution in the display unit 208 of the device 13.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a description example of the screen characteristic information read out by the process of step S210.

  The screen characteristic information 601 is described by, for example, an XML method. Note that a line number is attached to the left end of each line in FIG. 24 for explanation.

  “<? Xml version =” 1.0 ”encoding =” UTF-8 ”?>” On the first line indicates that the XML version is “1.0” and the XML character code is “UTF-8”. .

  “<DeviceProfile>” on the second line and “</ DeviceProfile>” on the ninth line indicate that the processes described in the second to ninth lines are nodes belonging to the DeviceProfile element. “<Presentation>” on the third line and “</ Presentation>” on the eighth line indicate that the processing described in the fourth to seventh lines is a node belonging to the Presentation element.

  "<Visual Type =" lcd ">" on the 4th line and "</ Visual>" on the 7th line are the nodes where the processes described in the 5th and 6th lines belong to the Visual element. It shows that. Here, the Type attribute of the Visual element is set to “lcd”, which indicates that the display unit 208 is an LCD panel. When an organic EL panel or plasma panel is used, a character string is set in accordance with it, and the set character string may be set as a Type attribute.

  “<Width> 320 </ width>” on the fifth line indicates that the horizontal resolution of the display area of the display unit 208 (LCD panel) is 320 pixels.

  “<Height> 480 </ height>” on the sixth line indicates that the vertical resolution of the display area of the display unit 208 (LCD panel) is 480 pixels.

  Returning to FIG. 17, in step S <b> 211, the screen layout information creation module 255 displays the content supplied from the content acquisition module 251 (for example, the content 531 in FIG. 21) and the screen layout supplied from the screen layout creation rule information acquisition module 253. Based on the creation rule information (for example, the screen layout creation rule information 521 in FIG. 20) and the screen characteristic information (for example, the screen characteristic information 601 in FIG. 24) supplied from the screen characteristic information storage module 254, the screen layout information is obtained. The generated screen layout information is supplied to the screen layout information storage module 256.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a description example of the screen layout information generated by the process of step S211.

  The screen layout information 621 is described by, for example, an XML method. In addition, the line number is attached | subjected to the left end of each line of FIG. 25 for description.

  “<? Xml version =“ 1.0 ”encoding =“ UTF-8 ”?>” On the first line indicates that the XML version is “1.0” and the XML character code is “UTF-8”. .

  "<Contents xmlns: fo =" http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Format ">" on the 2nd line and "</ contents>" on the 8th line are the 3rd to 7th lines Indicates that the node belongs to the contents element. “Http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Format” indicates a URI assigned to XSLT by the W3C.

  "<Rectangle name =" music "x =" 16 "y =" 0 "width =" 288 "height =" 96 ">" on line 3 and "</ rectangle>" on line 7 are line 4 The sixth to sixth lines indicate nodes belonging to the rectangle element.

  “<Rectangle name =“ music ”x =“ 16 ”y =” 0 ”width =” 288 ”height =“ 96 ”>” on the third line indicates that the music element in the display unit 208 is, for example, the display unit 208. If the upper left corner is an end point, the x coordinate which is 16 pixels and the y coordinate which is 0 pixels are used as the starting point, indicating that they are arranged in a range of width 288 × height 96 pixels.

  Here, the end point is the coordinates of a point that is a reference for the x attribute and the y attribute, such as (0, 0), and the starting point is, for example, the width attribute and the height attribute such as (16, 0) The coordinates of the reference point.

  "<Rectangle name =" title "x =" 14.4 "y =" 4.8 "width =" 259.2 "height =" 38.4 ">" on the 4th line has a title element as a child element of the music element in the display unit 208 For example, when the upper left corner of the music element is the end point, the x coordinate which is 14.4 pixels and the y coordinate which is 4.8 pixels are used as the starting point, indicating that the music element is arranged in a range of width 259.2 × height 38.4 pixels.

  "<Rectangle name =" artist "x =" 14.4 "y =" 52.8 "width =" 86.4 "height =" 38.4 ">" on the 5th line has an artist element as a child element of the music element in the display unit 208. For example, if the upper left corner of the music element is the end point, the x coordinate which is 14.4 pixels and the y coordinate which is 52.8 pixels are used as the starting points, indicating that the range is 86.4 × 38.4 pixels in height.

  "<Rectangle name =" time "x =" 100.8 "y =" 52.8 "width =" 86.4 "height =" 38.4 ">" on the 6th line has a time element as a child element of the music element in the display unit 208. For example, when the upper left corner of the music element is the end point, the x coordinate which is 100.8 pixels and the y coordinate which is 52.8 pixels are used as the starting point, indicating that the range is 86.4 × 38.4 pixels in height.

  Returning to FIG. 17, in step S <b> 212, the screen layout information storage module 256 records the screen layout information supplied from the screen layout information creation module 255 in the HDD 205. The screen layout information storage module 256 supplies the screen layout information (for example, the screen layout information 621 in FIG. 25) supplied from the screen layout information creation module 255 to the screen display creation rule information creation module 257 and the screen display information creation module 259. Supply each.

  As described above, when the screen layout information supplied from the screen layout information creation module 255 is recorded in the HDD 205 and the content that has received the content structure definition is displayed again, the screen layout information is not generated. The screen layout information recorded in the HDD 205 can be reused. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the load for generating the screen layout information.

  In step S213, the screen display creation rule information creation module 257 generates screen display creation rule information based on the screen layout information supplied from the screen layout information storage module 256, and the generated screen display creation rule information is displayed on the screen. This is supplied to the display creation rule information storage module 258.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a description example of the screen display creation rule information generated by the process of step S213.

  The screen display creation rule information 641 is described by, for example, the XSLT method. In addition, the line number is attached | subjected to the left end of each line of FIG. 26 for description.

  In the process of generating the screen layout information 621, for example, if the explanation element cannot be displayed on the display unit 208 among the title element, artist element, time element, or explanation element that are child elements of the music element, the explanation element is not displayed. Like that. That is, elements other than the planning element are displayed.

  As described above, since only the information corresponding to the display unit 208 of each device 13 is held, the screen display creation information can be quickly generated, so that the content can be displayed on the display unit 208 more quickly.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 26, processing for displaying elements other than the planning element will be described.

  “<? Xml version =“ 1.0 ”encoding =“ UTF-8 ”?>” On the first line indicates that the XML version is “1.0” and the XML character code is “UTF-8”. .

  “<Xsl: stylesheet version =” 1.0 ”xmlns: xsl =” http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform ”xmlns: fo =” http://www.w3.org/ 1999 / XSL / Format ">" and "</ xsl: stylesheet>" on the 33rd line indicate that the 3rd to 32nd lines indicate XSLT information.

  “<Xsl: stylesheet version =” 1.0 ”xmlns: xsl =” http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform ”xmlns: fo =” http://www.w3.org/ 1999 / XSL / Format ”>” indicates that the version of XSLT is “1.0”, and the URI assigned to XSLT by W3C is “http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform” and Indicates “http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Format”.

  “<Xsl: variable name =” Layout ”select =” docoument (Layout-MusicContents01.xml ') ”/> on the third line is data of“ Layout-MusicContents01.xml ”which is a file describing screen layout information Is assigned to the variable “Layout”.

  For example, “Layout-MusicContents01.xml” can be the screen layout information 621.

  “<Xsl: variable name =” Layout-music ”select =” $ Layout // * [@ name = 'music'] ”/> on line 4 is assigned to variable“ Layout ”on line 3 In this value, it indicates that the data related to the music element is assigned to the variable “Layout-music”.

  “<Xsl: template match =” / ”>” on the fifth line and “<xsl: template>” on the seventh line indicate that the fifth to seventh lines are the root nodes. “Xsl: apply-templates” on the sixth line is described when reading the processing of another template in the template. By the way, in the case of the root node, all the nodes are processed.

  “<Xsl: template match =” contents ”>” on the 8th line and “<xsl: template>” on the 20th line indicate that the 9th to 19th lines are nodes belonging to the contents element. .

  “<Xsl: copy>” on the 9th line and “</ xsl: copy>” on the 19th line indicate that the nodes on the 10th to 18th lines are to be copied.

  “<Xsl: for-each select =” music ”>” on the 10th line and “</ xsl: for-each>” on the 18th line are the 11th to 17th lines for the node belonging to the music element. Indicates that the eye process is repeated.

  “<Xsl: element name =” rectangle ”>” on the 11th line and “</ xsl: element>” on the 17th line indicate that a rectangle element having attributes in the 12th to 16th lines is generated. .

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” x ”> <xsl: value-of select = $ Layout-music / @ x /> </ xsl: attribute>” on the 12th line indicates that the value of the x attribute of the rectangle element is Indicates that the value refers to the x attribute stored in the variable “Layout-music”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” y ”> <xsl: value-of select =” $ Layout-music / @ y + (position ()-1) * ($ Layout-music / @ height) ”” on line 13 /> </ xsl: attribute> ”is a height obtained by subtracting 1 from the return value of the“ position () function ”, and the height stored in the variable“ Layout-music ”. A value obtained by multiplying a value obtained by referring to the attribute and a value obtained by referring to the y attribute stored in the variable “Layout-music” is added.

  In line 14, “<xsl: attribute name =” width ”> <xsl: value-of select =” $ Layout-music / @ width /> </ xsl: attribute> ”indicates that the value of the width attribute of the rectangle element is , Indicating a value referring to the width attribute stored in the variable “Layout-music”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” height ”> <xsl: value-of select =” $ Layout-music / @ height /> </ xsl: attribute> ”on line 15 indicates that the value of the height attribute of the rectangle element is , “Layout-music” indicates that the value refers to the height attribute stored in the variable.

  "<Xsl: apply-templates />" on the 16th line is described when reading the processing of another template in the template, and any processing described in the dotted line 641-1 or dotted line 641-2 is performed. Indicates to execute.

  The “<xsl: templates match =” * ”>” on the 21st line and the “</ xsl: templates>” on the 30th line surrounded by the dotted line 641-1 have a “match” value of “*”. Since the processing described in the 22nd to 29th lines is executed in all the elements, the processing in the case of the expansion element is described in the line 641-2. The processing described in the 22nd to 29th lines is executed for elements other than.

  “<Xsl: element name =” rectangle ”>” on the 22nd line and “</ xsl: element>” on the 29th line are rectangle elements having the contents described in the 23rd to 28th lines as attributes. Indicates to generate.

  “<Xsl: variable name =” NAME ”select =” name () ”> on line 23 assigns the element name that is the return value of“ name () function ”to the variable that is“ NAME ” Indicates.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” x ”> <xsl: value-of select =” $ Layout // * [@ name = $ NAME] / @ x ”/> </ xsl: attribute>” on line 24 , The x attribute value of the rectangle element matches the element name stored in the variable whose layout attribute is “Layout” and the element name stored in the variable whose name is “NAME”. Indicates that the value is a reference.

  "<Xsl: attribute name =” y ”> <xsl: value-of select =” $ Layout // * [@ name = $ NAME] / @ y ”/> </ xsl: attribute>” on line 25 , The y attribute value of the rectangle element is the same as the element name stored in the variable whose name is "Layout" and the element name stored in the variable whose name is "NAME". Indicates that the value is a reference.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” width ”> <xsl: value-of select =” $ Layout // * [@ name = $ NAME] / @ width ”/> </ xsl: attribute>” on line 26 The width attribute of the element name where the element name stored in the variable with the width attribute of the rectangle element matches the element name stored in the variable with "NAME" Indicates that the value is a reference.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” height ”> <xsl: value-of select =” $ Layout // * [@ name = $ NAME] / @ height ”/> </ xsl: attribute>” on line 27 The height attribute of the element element whose height attribute value of the rectangle element matches the element name stored in the variable “Layout” and the element name stored in the variable “NAME” Indicates that the value is a reference.

  “<Xsl: value-of select =” ./ ”>” on the 28th line indicates that the value of the character string of the element temporarily stored in the variable “NAME” is acquired. That is, for example, “Title A”, “Artist A”, or “03:54” is acquired.

  The “<xsl: template match =“ explanation ”>” on the 31st line and the “</ xsl: template>” on the 32nd line surrounded by the line 641-2 describe the processing in the case of the explanation element. Yes. As described above, since the explanation element could not be displayed on the display unit 208, no processing is described between the 31st and 32nd lines in order to prevent the explanation element from being displayed. That is, the display unit 208 does not display the explain element.

  In addition, as described above, in the case of an explanation element, it cannot be displayed on the display unit 208. However, it is not limited to an explanation element, and for example, it is possible not to display a title element, an artist element, or a time element. is there.

  Returning to FIG. 17, in step S214, the screen display creation rule information storage module 258 uses the screen display creation rule information (for example, the screen display creation rule information 641 in FIG. 26) supplied from the screen display creation rule information creation module 257. For example, it is recorded in the HDD 205. The screen display creation rule information storage module 258 supplies the screen display creation rule information supplied from the screen display creation rule information creation module 257 to the screen display information creation module 259.

  In step S215, the content structure definition list storage module 252 controls the screen layout information generated by the screen layout information creation module 255 based on the control of the CPU 201 (for example, “Layout-MusicContents01.xml of the screen layout information 621 in FIG. 25). And the screen display creation rule information generated by the screen display creation rule information creation module 257 (for example, the file name “DisplayCreation-MusicContents01.xsl” in the screen display creation rule information 641 in FIG. 26). And the content structure definition (for example, the character string “MusicContents01”) are associated with each other, and the content structure definition list (for example, the content structure definition list 511 in FIG. 19) is updated and recorded.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a description example of the content structure definition list generated by the process of step S215.

  The content structure definition list 661 is described by, for example, an XML method. In addition, the line number is attached | subjected to the left end of each line of FIG. 27 for description.

  The descriptions in the first to tenth lines of the content structure definition list 661 in FIG. 27 are the same as the descriptions in the first to tenth lines in the content structure definition list 511 in FIG.

  “<Item name =“ MusicContents01 ”>” on the 11th line and “</ item>” on the 14th line indicate that the description on the 12th and 13th lines represents the information of “MusicContents01”.

  “<Item name =“ MusicContents01 ”>” on the 11th line indicates that the name attribute of the item element is “MusicContents01”. “Layout-MusicContents01.xml” of “<layout> Layout-MusicContents01.xml </ layout>” on the 12th line indicates the file name of the file storing the screen layout information of “MusicContents01”. For example, a file having a file name “Layout-MusicContents01.xml” can be used as the screen layout information 621.

  “DisplayCreation01-MusicContents01.xsl” of “<display> DisplayCreation01-MusicContents01.xsl </ display>” on the 12th line indicates the file name of the file in which the screen display creation rule information of “MusicContents01” is stored. For example, a file with a file name “DisplayCreation01-MusicContents01.xsl” can be used as the screen display creation rule information 641.

  More specifically, by displaying the music content, the content structure definition “MusicContents01” is stored in the content structure definition list. Henceforth, “MusicContents01” is sent from the server 11 via the home network 12. When the content structure definition is acquired, the screen layout information “Layout-MusicContents01.xml” corresponding to “MusicContents01” in the content structure definition list is read from the screen layout information storage module 256, and similarly “DisplayCreation01- The content can be displayed on the display unit 208 by reading the screen display creation rule information “MusicContents01.xsl” from the screen display creation rule information storage module 258.

  That is, since the screen layout information and the screen display creation rule information recorded in the HDD 205 are read without generating the screen layout information and the screen display creation rule information, the device 13 reduces the cost of displaying the content on the display unit 208. It can be reduced and quick response can be secured.

  Returning to FIG. 17, in step S <b> 216, the screen display information creation module 259 displays the content supplied from the content acquisition module 251 (for example, the content 531 in FIG. 21) and the screen layout information supplied from the screen layout information storage module 256 ( For example, screen display information is generated based on the screen layout information 621) in FIG. 25 and the screen display creation rule information (screen display creation rule information 641 in FIG. 26) supplied from the screen display creation rule information 258. The displayed screen display information is supplied to the screen display module 260.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a description example of the screen display information generated by the process of step S216.

  The screen display information 681 is described by, for example, an XML method. Note that a line number is attached to the left end of each line in FIG. 28 for explanation.

  “<? Xml version =“ 1.0 ”encoding =“ UTF-8 ”?>” On the first line indicates that the XML version is “1.0” and the XML character code is “UTF-8”. .

  “<Contents>” on the second line and “</ contents>” on the 18th line indicate that the 3rd to 17th lines are nodes belonging to the contents element.

  “<Rectangle x =” 16 ”y =” 0 ”width =” 288 ”height =” 96 ”> on the 3rd line and“ </ rectangle> ”on the 7th line are the 4th to 6th lines. , Indicates a node belonging to a rectangle element.

  “<Rectangle x =“ 16 ”y =“ 0 ”width =” 288 ”height =” 96 ”>” on the third line indicates that the rectangle element in the display unit 208 has, for example, the upper left corner of the display unit 208 as an end point. In this case, it indicates that the pixel is arranged in the range of width 288 × height 96 pixels starting from the x coordinate of 16 pixels and the y coordinate of 0 pixels.

  “<Rectangle x =” 14.4 ”y =” 4.8 ”width =” 259.2 ”height =” 38.4 ”> title A </ rectangle> on the fourth line is a child of a rectangle element (parent element) on the display unit 208. For example, if the rectangle element (child element) is the end point at the upper left corner of the parent rectangle element, the x coordinate is 14.4 pixels and the y coordinate is 4.8 pixels, and the width is 259.2 x height is 38.4 pixels. The rectangle element that is a child element is arranged in the range of, and the element content of “title A” is displayed in the range of the rectangle element that is the arranged child element.

  “<Rectangle x =” 14.4 ”y =” 52.8 ”width =” 86.4 ”height =” 38.4 ”> Artist A </ rectangle> on the fifth line is a child of the rectangle element (parent element) on the display unit 208. For example, if the rectangle element (child element) is the end point at the upper left corner of the parent rectangle element, the x coordinate is 14.4 pixels and the y coordinate is 52.8 pixels, and the width is 86.4 x height is 38.4 pixels. The rectangle element which is a child element is arranged in the range of, and the element content “artist A” is displayed in the range of the rectangle element which is the arranged child element.

  “<Rectangle x =” 100.8 ”y =” 52.8 ”width =” 86.4 ”height =” 38.4 ”> 03:54 </ rectangle>” on the sixth line is displayed on the display unit 208 in the rectangle element (parent element). If a rectangle element (child element) is a child element, for example, if the upper left corner of the rectangle element that is the parent element is the end point, the starting point is the x coordinate of 100.8 pixels and the y coordinate of 52.8 pixels, and the width is 86.4 × height is 38.4 The rectangle element which is a child element is arranged in the pixel range, and the element content “03:54” is displayed in the range of the rectangle element which is the arranged child element.

  “<Rectangle x =” 16 ”y =” 96 ”width =” 288 ”height =” 96 ”> on the 8th line and“ </ rectangle> ”on the 12th line are the 9th to 11th lines. , Indicates a node belonging to a rectangle element.

  “<Rectangle x =“ 16 ”y =“ 96 ”width =” 288 ”height =” 96 ”>” on the eighth line indicates that the rectangle element in the display unit 208 has, for example, the upper left corner of the display unit 208 as an end point. In this case, the x coordinate of 16 pixels and the y coordinate of 96 pixels are used as the starting point, indicating that they are arranged in a range of width 288 × height 96 pixels.

  “<Rectangle x =” 14.4 ”y =” 4.8 ”width =” 259.2 ”height =” 38.4 ”> title B </ rectangle> on line 9 is a child of the rectangle element (parent element) in the display unit 208. For example, if the rectangle element (child element) is the end point at the upper left corner of the parent rectangle element, the x coordinate is 14.4 pixels and the y coordinate is 4.8 pixels, and the width is 259.2 x height is 38.4 pixels. The rectangle element which is a child element is arranged in the range of, and the element content “title B” is displayed in the range of the rectangle element which is the arranged child element.

  “<Rectangle x =” 14.4 ”y =” 52.8 ”width =” 86.4 ”height =” 38.4 ”> artist B </ rectangle> on the 10th line is a child of the rectangle element (parent element) in the display unit 208. For example, if the rectangle element (child element) is the end point at the upper left corner of the parent rectangle element, the x coordinate is 14.4 pixels and the y coordinate is 52.8 pixels, and the width is 86.4 x height is 38.4 pixels. The rectangle element that is a child element is arranged in the range of, and the element content “artist B” is displayed in the range of the rectangle element that is the arranged child element.

  “<Rectangle x =” 100.8 ”y =” 52.8 ”width =” 86.4 ”height =” 38.4 ”> 04:01 </ rectangle>” on the 11th line is displayed on the display unit 208 as a rectangle element (parent element). If a rectangle element (child element) is a child element, for example, if the upper left corner of the rectangle element that is the parent element is the end point, the starting point is the x coordinate of 100.8 pixels and the y coordinate of 52.8 pixels, and the width is 86.4 × height is 38.4 The rectangle element that is a child element is arranged in the pixel range, and the element content “04:01” is displayed in the range of the rectangle element that is the arranged child element.

  “<Rectangle x =” 16 ”y =” 192 ”width =” 288 ”height =” 96 ”> on the 13th line and“ </ rectangle> ”on the 17th line are the 14th to 16th lines. , Indicates a node belonging to a rectangle element.

  “<Rectangle x =“ 16 ”y =” 192 ”width =” 288 ”height =“ 96 ”> on the 13th line indicates that the rectangle element in the display unit 208 has, for example, the upper left corner of the display unit 208 as an end point. In this case, the x coordinate of 16 pixels and the y coordinate of 192 pixels are used as the starting point, indicating that they are arranged in a range of width 288 × height 96 pixels.

  “<Rectangle x =” 14.4 ”y =” 4.8 ”width =” 259.2 ”height =” 38.4 ”> title C </ rectangle>” on line 14 is a child of a rectangle element (parent element) on the display unit 208. For example, if the rectangle element (child element) is the end point at the upper left corner of the parent rectangle element, the x coordinate is 14.4 pixels and the y coordinate is 4.8 pixels, and the width is 259.2 x height is 38.4 pixels. The rectangle element which is a child element is arranged in the range of, and the element content of “title C” is displayed in the range of the rectangle element which is the arranged child element.

  “<Rectangle x =” 14.4 ”y =” 52.8 ”width =“ 86.4 ”height =” 38.4 ”> artist C </ rectangle>” on the 15th line is a child of a rectangle element (parent element) on the display unit 208. For example, if the rectangle element (child element) is the end point at the upper left corner of the parent rectangle element, the x coordinate is 14.4 pixels and the y coordinate is 52.8 pixels, and the width is 86.4 x height is 38.4 pixels. The rectangle element which is a child element is arranged in the range of, and the element content “artist C” is displayed in the range of the rectangle element which is the arranged child element.

  “<Rectangle x =” 100.8 ”y =” 52.8 ”width =” 86.4 ”height =” 38.4 ”> 04:03 </ rectangle>” on the 16th line is displayed on the display unit 208 as a rectangle element (parent element). If a rectangle element (child element) is a child element, for example, if the upper left corner of the rectangle element that is the parent element is the end point, the starting point is the x coordinate of 100.8 pixels and the y coordinate of 52.8 pixels, and the width is 86.4 × height is 38.4 The rectangle element which is a child element is arranged in the pixel range, and the element content “04:03” is displayed in the range of the rectangle element which is the arranged child element.

  Returning to FIG. 17, in step S217, the screen display module 260 displays content based on the screen display information supplied from the screen display information creation module 259 (for example, the screen display information 681 in FIG. 28), for example, an LCD panel. Is displayed on the display unit 208 configured by the above.

  That is, the user can view the content displayed on the display unit 208 by converting the content and displaying the content on the display unit 208 according to the display area of the display unit 208 of each device.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen 701 on which content is displayed by the process of step S217.

  The content is displayed on a screen 701 having a resolution of 480 × 320 in width based on the XML document of the screen display information 681 in FIG. For example, when playing back music recorded on the server 11, content corresponding to the recorded music is displayed on the screen 701. On the screen 701, as the content 701-1, the singer name “Artist A” and the playback time “3:54” are displayed for the song name “Title A”. In addition, as the content 701-2, the singer name "Artist B" and the playback time "4:01" are displayed for the song name "Title B". Further, as the content 701-3, the singer name “Artist C” and the playback time “4:03” are displayed for the song name “Title C”.

  The content 701-1 is 16 pixels when the upper left corner of the screen 701 having a resolution of 480 × 320 is set as an end point based on the description of the third to seventh lines of the screen display information 681. This indicates that the coordinates and the y coordinate which is 0 pixel are set as the starting point and the width is 288 × height is 96 pixels. Similarly, the content 701-2 is 16 pixels when the upper left corner of the screen 701 having a resolution of 480 × 320 is set as an end point based on the description of the 8th to 12th lines of the screen display information 681. This indicates that the image is arranged in the range of width 288 × height 96 pixels starting from the x coordinate and the y coordinate which is 96 pixels. Further, the content 701-3 is 16 pixels when the upper left corner of the screen 701 having a resolution of 480 × 320 is set as an end point based on the description of the 13th to 17th lines of the screen display information 681. The coordinates and the y-coordinate which is 192 pixels are used as the starting point, indicating that they are arranged in the range of width 288 x height 96 pixels.

  A screen 701 is the display unit 208 of the device 13.

  Next, the details of the content 701-3 in FIG. 29 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As described with reference to FIG. 29, on the screen 701, as the content 701-3, for the song name "Title C", the singer name "Artist C" and the reproduction "4:03" The time is displayed. The content 701-3 is based on the description of the 14th line of the screen display information 681 in FIG. In this case, the element content “Title C” is displayed within a range of width 259.2 × height 38.4 pixels starting from the x coordinate of 14.4 pixels and the y coordinate of 4.8 pixels.

  Also, based on the description in the 15th line of the screen display information 681 in FIG. 28, when the coordinates that are the starting point of the content 701-3 are the end points, the x coordinate that is 14.4 pixels and the y coordinate that is 52.8 pixels are used as starting points. The element content “Artist C” is displayed within a range of width 86.4 × height 38.4 pixels. Furthermore, based on the description in the 16th line of the screen display information 681 in FIG. 28, when the coordinates that are the starting point of the content 701-3 are the end points, the x coordinate that is 100.8 pixels and the y coordinate that is 52.8 pixels are the starting points. The element content “04:03” is displayed within the range of width 86.4 × height 38.4 pixels.

  Note that the content 701-3 in FIG. 29 has been described, but the same applies to the content 701-1 and the content 701-2 in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S205 that the received content structure definition is included in the content structure definition list, the process proceeds to step S218, and the screen layout information storage module 256 stores the screen layout information recorded in the HDD 205. (For example, the screen layout information 621 in FIG. 25) is read, and the read screen layout information is supplied to the screen display information creation module 259.

  Thus, since the screen layout information recorded in the HDD 205 is read without generating the screen layout information, the device 13 can reduce processing for displaying the content on the display unit 208, and more The content can be displayed quickly.

  In step S219, the screen display creation rule information storage module 258 reads the screen display creation rule information (for example, the screen display creation rule information 641 in FIG. 26) recorded in the HDD 205, and displays the read screen display creation rule information on the screen. This is supplied to the display information creation module 259.

  As described above, since the screen display creation rule information recorded in the HDD 205 is read without generating the screen display creation rule information, the device 13 can reduce processing for displaying the content on the display unit 208. The content can be displayed more quickly.

  In step S220, the content acquisition module 251 can display content components that can be received from the screen layout information (for example, the screen layout information 621 in FIG. 25) read in step S218 based on the control of the CPU 201. , And select element content.

  FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a description example of the content determined to be acquired by the processing in step S201.

  The content 741 is described by, for example, the XML method. In addition, the line number is attached | subjected to the left end of each line of FIG. 31 for description.

  The first to 23rd and 31st lines of the content 741 in FIG. 31 are the same as the description contents of the 1st to 23rd and 24th lines of the content 531 in FIG. .

  "<Music priority =" required "x =" 0.05 "y =" 0.05 "width_ratio =" 0.9 "height_raito =" 0.2 ">" on line 24 and "</ music>" on line 30 are line 25 The attribute described in the 29th line indicates that the music element is described.

  “<Music priority =” required ”x =“ 0.05 ”y =“ 0.05 ”width_ratio =“ 0.9 ”height_raito =” 0.2 ”> on line 24 is an element identifier 542 that is“ music ”, priority =“ required ” Display priority order 543 and position information 544 with “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.05”, “width_ratio = 0.9”, and “height_raito = 0.2”.

  “<Title priority =” required ”x =” 0.05 ”y =” 0.05 ”width_ratio =” 0.9 ”height_raito =” 0.4 ”> title D </ title> on the 25th line is the element content that is“ title D ” 545 is displayed on the display unit 208 based on the position information 544 of “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.05”, “width_ratio = 0.9”, and “height_raito = 0.4”. Since the display priority 543 is “required”, the element content 545 that is “title D” is displayed as long as the display area of the display unit 208 allows.

  “<Artist priority =” required ”x =” 0.05 ”y =” 0.55 ”width_ratio =” 0.3 ”height_raito =” 0.4 ”> Artist D </ artist> on the 26th line is the element content of“ Artist D ” 545 is displayed on the display unit 208 based on the position information 544 of “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.55”, “width_ratio = 0.3”, and “height_raito = 0.4”. Since the display priority 543 is “required”, the element content 545 that is “artist D” is displayed as long as the display area of the display unit 208 allows.

  Line 27 <time priority = ”implied” x = ”0.35” y = ”0.55” width_ratio = ”0.3” height_raito = ”0.4” required_height = ”15” required_width = ”20”> 04:03 </ time> "Is an element content 545 of" 04:03 "," x = 0.35 "," y = 0.55 "," width_ratio = 0.3 "," height_raito = 0.4 ", required_height =" 15 ", required_width =" 20 " Based on the positional information 544 that is, it is displayed on the display unit 208. Since the display priority 543 is “implied”, the element content 545 of “04:03” is displayed or hidden depending on the display area of the display unit 208.

  "<Explanation priority =" implied "x =" 0.65 "y =" 0.55 "width_ratio =" 0.3 "height_raito =" 0.4 "required_height =" 150 "required_width =" 200 "> Artist D: URL = http: // www …… </ explanation> ”is an element content 545 of“ Artist D: URL = http: // www …… ”, x =“ 0.65 ”y =” 0.55 ”width_ratio =” Based on the position information 544 of 0.3 ”height_raito =“ 0.4 ”required_height =“ 150 ”required_width =“ 200 ”, the display unit 208 is displayed. Since the display priority 543 is “implied”, the element content 545 with “Artist D: URL = http: // www...” Is displayed or hidden depending on the display area of the display unit 208. Indicates.

  Returning to FIG. 17, for example, in the case of the screen layout information 621 in FIG. 25, the value of the name attribute of the rectangle element constituting the screen layout information 621 is “music”, “title”, “artist”, and “time”. Yes, does not include “explanation”. On the other hand, elements belonging to the contents element constituting the content 741 are a music element, a title element, an artist element, a time element, and an expiration element.

  That is, in the process of step S220, the content acquisition module 251 has, based on the screen layout information 621, for example, five elements (music element, title element, artist element, time element) that are content constituent elements constituting the content 741. , And explanation element), four elements (music element, title element, artist element, and time element) that are content constituent elements that can be displayed on the display unit 208 are selected.

  In step S <b> 221, the content acquisition module 251 transmits a content acquisition request for acquiring the content selected in step S <b> 221 to the server 11 via the home network 12.

  In step S222, the content acquisition module 251 receives the content corresponding to the content acquisition request transmitted to the server 11 in the process of step S221 from the server 11 via the home network 12, and creates the received content as screen display information. Supply to module 259.

  That is, the device 13 selectively includes four elements (elements other than the expansion element) from the contents (for example, the contents 741 in FIG. 31) recorded in the HDD 105 of the server 11 via the home network 12. (For example, content 761 in FIG. 32 described later) is acquired.

  As described above, the device 13 can select and receive a specific portion of the displayable content from the server 11 via the home network 12, so that the processing for displaying the content on the display unit 208 is reduced. can do.

  FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a description example of the content received from the server 11.

  The content 761 is described by, for example, an XML method. Note that a line number is attached to the left end of each line in FIG. 32 for explanation.

  “<? Xml version =” 1.0 ”encoding =” UTF-8 ”?>” On the first line indicates that the XML version is “1.0” and the XML character code is “UTF-8”. .

  “<Contents>” on the second line and “</ contents>” on the 23rd line indicate that the processes described in the 3rd to 22nd lines are nodes belonging to the contents element. The contents element is composed of music, title, artist, and time elements that are child elements of the contents element. That is, as described above, the child element of the contents element is an element other than the expiration element.

  “<Music priority =” required ”x =” 0.05 ”y =” 0.05 ”width_ratio =” 0.9 ”height_raito =” 0.2 ”> on the third line and“ </ music> ”on the seventh line are the fourth line The processing described in the sixth to sixth lines indicates that the node belongs to the music element.

  "<Music priority =" required "x =" 0.05 "y =" 0.05 "width_ratio =" 0.9 "height_raito =" 0.2 "> on the third line is an element identifier 542 that is" music ", priority =" required " Display priority order 543 and position information 544 with “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.05”, “width_ratio = 0.9”, and “height_raito = 0.2”.

  “<Title priority =” required ”x =” 0.05 ”y =” 0.05 ”width_ratio =” 0.9 ”height_raito =” 0.4 ”> title A </ title> in the fourth line is the element content that is“ title A ” 545 is displayed on the display unit 208 based on the position information 544 of “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.05”, “width_ratio = 0.9”, and “height_raito = 0.4”. Since the display priority 543 is “required”, the element content 545 that is “title A” is displayed as long as the display area of the display unit 208 allows.

  “<Artist priority =” required ”x =” 0.05 ”y =” 0.55 ”width_ratio =” 0.3 ”height_raito =” 0.4 ”> Artist A </ artist> in the fifth line is the element content of“ Artist A ” 545 is displayed on the display unit 208 based on the position information 544 of “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.55”, “width_ratio = 0.3”, and “height_raito = 0.4”. Since the display priority 543 is “required”, the element content 545 that is “artist A” is displayed as long as the display area of the display unit 208 allows.

  6th line <time priority = ”implied” x = ”0.35” y = ”0.55” width_ratio = ”0.3” height_raito = ”0.4” required_height = ”15” required_width = ”20”> 03:54 </ time> "Is an element content 545 of" 03:54 "," x = 0.35 "," y = 0.55 "," width_ratio = 0.3 "," height_raito = 0.4 ", required_height =" 15 ", required_width =" 20 " Based on the positional information 544 that is, it is displayed on the display unit 208. Since the display priority 543 is “implied”, the element content 545 with “03:54” is displayed or not displayed depending on the display area of the display unit 208.

  Here, as described above, the content 761 does not include an explanation element, so the explanation element is not described.

  "<Music priority =" required "x =" 0.05 "y =" 0.05 "width_ratio =" 0.9 "height_raito =" 0.2 ">" on the 8th line and "</ music>" on the 12th line are the 8th line The process described in the 12th to 12th lines indicates that the node belongs to the music element.

  "<Music priority =" required "x =" 0.05 "y =" 0.05 "width_ratio =" 0.9 "height_raito =" 0.2 "> on line 8 is the element identifier 542 that is" music ", priority =" required " Display priority order 543 and position information 544 with “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.05”, “width_ratio = 0.9”, and “height_raito = 0.2”.

  “<Title priority =” required ”x =” 0.05 ”y =” 0.05 ”width_ratio =” 0.9 ”height_raito =” 0.4 ”> title B </ title> on the ninth line is the element content that is“ title B ” 545 is displayed on the display unit 208 based on the position information 544 of “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.05”, “width_ratio = 0.9”, and “height_raito = 0.4”. Since the display priority 543 is “required”, the element content 545 that is “title B” is displayed as long as the display area of the display unit 208 allows.

  "<Artist priority =" required "x =" 0.05 "y =" 0.55 "width_ratio =" 0.3 "height_raito =" 0.4 "> Artist B </ artist> on the 10th line is the element content that is" Artist B " 545 is displayed on the display unit 208 based on the position information 544 of “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.55”, “width_ratio = 0.3”, and “height_raito = 0.4”. Since the display priority 543 is “required”, the element content 545 that is “artist B” is displayed as long as the display area of the display unit 208 allows.

  Line 11 <time priority = ”implied” x = ”0.35” y = ”0.55” width_ratio = ”0.3” height_raito = ”0.4” required_height = ”15” required_width = ”20”> 03:54 </ time> "Is an element content 545" 04:01 "," x = 0.35 "," y = 0.55 "," width_ratio = 0.3 "," height_raito = 0.4 ", required_height =" 15 ", required_width =" 20 " Based on the positional information 544 that is, it is displayed on the display unit 208. Since the display priority 543 is “implied”, the element content 545 that is “04:01” is displayed or not displayed depending on the display area of the display unit 208.

  Here, as described above, the content 761 does not include an explanation element, so the explanation element is not described.

  “<Music priority =” required ”x =” 0.05 ”y =” 0.05 ”width_ratio =” 0.9 ”height_raito =” 0.2 ”> on line 13 and“ </ music> ”on line 17 are line 17 The process described in the 23rd to 23rd lines indicates that the node belongs to the music element.

  “<Music priority =” required ”x =“ 0.05 ”y =” 0.05 ”width_ratio =“ 0.9 ”height_raito =” 0.2 ”> on line 13 is an element identifier 542 that is“ music ”, priority =“ required ” Display priority order 543 and position information 544 with “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.05”, “width_ratio = 0.9”, and “height_raito = 0.2”.

  “<Title priority =” required ”x =” 0.05 ”y =” 0.05 ”width_ratio =” 0.9 ”height_raito =” 0.4 ”> title C </ title> on the 14th line is the element content that is“ title C ” 545 is displayed on the display unit 208 based on the position information 544 of “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.05”, “width_ratio = 0.9”, and “height_raito = 0.4”. Since the display priority 543 is “required”, the element content 545 that is “title C” is displayed as long as the display area of the display unit 208 allows.

  “<Artist priority =” required ”x =” 0.05 ”y =” 0.55 ”width_ratio =” 0.3 ”height_raito =” 0.4 ”> Artist C </ artist> on the 15th line is the element content of“ Artist C ” 545 is displayed on the display unit 208 based on the position information 544 of “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.55”, “width_ratio = 0.3”, and “height_raito = 0.4”. Since the display priority 543 is “required”, the element content 545 that is “artist C” is displayed as long as the display area of the display unit 208 allows.

  Line 16 <time priority = ”implied” x = ”0.35” y = ”0.55” width_ratio = ”0.3” height_raito = ”0.4” required_height = ”15” required_width = ”20”> 03:54 </ time> "Is an element content 545 of" 04:03 "," x = 0.35 "," y = 0.55 "," width_ratio = 0.3 "," height_raito = 0.4 ", required_height =" 15 ", required_width =" 20 " Based on the positional information 544 that is, it is displayed on the display unit 208. Since the display priority 543 is “implied”, the element content 545 that is “04:03” is displayed or hidden depending on the display area of the display unit 208.

  Here, as described above, the content 761 does not include an explanation element, so the explanation element is not described.

  "<Music priority =" required "x =" 0.05 "y =" 0.05 "width_ratio =" 0.9 "height_raito =" 0.2 ">" on the 18th line and "</ music>" on the 22nd line are the 18th line The process described in the 22nd to 22nd lines indicates that the node belongs to the music element.

  “<Music priority =” required ”x =“ 0.05 ”y =“ 0.05 ”width_ratio =“ 0.9 ”height_raito =” 0.2 ”> on line 18 is an element identifier 542 that is“ music ”, priority =“ required ” Display priority order 543 and position information 544 with “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.05”, “width_ratio = 0.9”, and “height_raito = 0.2”.

  “<Title priority =” required ”x =” 0.05 ”y =” 0.05 ”width_ratio =“ 0.9 ”height_raito =” 0.4 ”> title D </ title> on the 19th line is the element content that is“ title D ” 545 is displayed on the display unit 208 based on the position information 544 of “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.05”, “width_ratio = 0.9”, and “height_raito = 0.4”. Since the display priority 543 is “required”, the element content 545 that is “title D” is displayed as long as the display area of the display unit 208 allows.

  “<Artist priority =” required ”x =” 0.05 ”y =” 0.55 ”width_ratio =” 0.3 ”height_raito =” 0.4 ”> Artist D </ artist> on the 20th line is the element content of“ Artist D ” 545 is displayed on the display unit 208 based on the position information 544 of “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.55”, “width_ratio = 0.3”, and “height_raito = 0.4”. Since the display priority 543 is “required”, the element content 545 that is “artist D” is displayed as long as the display area of the display unit 208 allows.

  Line 21 “<time priority =” implied ”x =” 0.35 ”y =” 0.55 ”width_ratio =” 0.3 ”height_raito =” 0.4 ”required_height =” 15 ”required_width =” 20 ”> 04:03 </ time> "Is an element content 545 of" 04:03 "," x = 0.35 "," y = 0.55 "," width_ratio = 0.3 "," height_raito = 0.4 ", required_height =" 15 ", required_width =" 20 " Based on the positional information 544 that is, it is displayed on the display unit 208. Since the display priority 543 is “implied”, the element content 545 that is “04:03” is displayed or hidden depending on the display area of the display unit 208.

  Here, as described above, the content 761 does not include an explanation element, so the explanation element is not described.

  Returning to FIG. 17, in step S <b> 216, the screen display information creation module 259 displays the content supplied from the content acquisition module 251 (for example, the content 761 in FIG. 32) and the screen layout information supplied from the screen layout information storage module 256 ( For example, screen display information is generated based on screen layout information 621) in FIG. 25 and screen display creation rule information (for example, screen display creation rule information in FIG. 26) supplied from the screen display creation rule information storage module 258. Then, the generated screen display information is supplied to the screen display module 260.

  FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a description example of the screen display information generated by the process of step S216.

  The screen display information 781 is described by an XML method, for example. Note that a line number is attached to the left end of each line in FIG. 33 for explanation.

  The first to 17th and 23rd lines of the content 781 in FIG. 33 are the same as the contents described in the first to 17th and 18th lines of the content 681 in FIG. To do.

  “<Rectangle x =” 16 ”y =” 288 ”width =” 288 ”height =” 96 ”> on the 18th line and“ </ rectangle> ”on the 22nd line are the 19th to 22nd lines. , Indicates a node belonging to a rectangle element.

  “<Rectangle x =” 16 ”y =” 288 ”width =“ 288 ”height =“ 96 ”> on the 18th line indicates that the rectangle element in the display unit 208 has, for example, the upper left corner of the display unit 208 as an end point. In this case, the x coordinate of 16 pixels and the y coordinate of 288 pixels are used as the starting point, indicating that they are arranged in a range of width 288 × height 96 pixels.

  “<Rectangle x =” 14.4 ”y =” 4.8 ”width =” 259.2 ”height =” 38.4 ”> title D </ rectangle>” on the 19th line is a child of a rectangle element (parent element) on the display unit 208. For example, if the rectangle element (child element) is the end point at the upper left corner of the parent rectangle element, the x coordinate is 14.4 pixels and the y coordinate is 4.8 pixels, and the width is 259.2 x height is 38.4 pixels. The rectangle element that is a child element is arranged in the range of, and the element content of “title D” is displayed in the range of the rectangle element that is the arranged child element.

  “<Rectangle x =” 14.4 ”y =” 52.8 ”width =” 86.4 ”height =” 38.4 ”> artist D </ rectangle> on the 20th line is a child of a rectangle element (parent element) on the display unit 208. For example, if the rectangle element (child element) is the end point at the upper left corner of the parent rectangle element, the x coordinate is 14.4 pixels and the y coordinate is 52.8 pixels, and the width is 86.4 x height is 38.4 pixels. The rectangle element that is a child element is arranged in the range of, and the element content “artist D” is displayed in the range of the rectangle element that is the arranged child element.

  “<Rectangle x =” 100.8 ”y =” 52.8 ”width =” 86.4 ”height =” 38.4 ”> 04:05 </ rectangle>” on the 21st line is displayed on the display unit 208 as a rectangle element (parent element). If a rectangle element (child element) is a child element, for example, if the upper left corner of the rectangle element that is the parent element is the end point, the starting point is the x coordinate of 100.8 pixels and the y coordinate of 52.8 pixels, and the width is 86.4 × height is 38.4 The rectangle element which is a child element is arranged in the pixel range, and the element content “04:05” is displayed in the range of the rectangle element which is the arranged child element.

  Returning to FIG. 17, in step S217, the screen display module 260 of the display unit 208 displays the content based on the screen display information (for example, the screen display information 781 of FIG. 33) supplied from the screen display information creation module 259. Displayed on the unit 208.

  FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of a screen 701 on which content is displayed by the process of step S217. The same parts as those shown in FIG. 29 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  The content is displayed on a screen 701 having a resolution of 480 × 320 in width based on the XML document of the screen display information 781 in FIG. For example, when playing music stored in the server 11, content corresponding to the stored music is displayed on the screen 701. On the screen 701, as the content 701-1, the singer name “Artist A” and the playback time “3:54” are displayed for the song name “Title A”. In addition, as the content 701-2, the singer name "Artist B" and the playback time "4:01" are displayed for the song name "Title B". In addition, as the content 701-3, the singer name “Artist C” and the playback time “4:03” are displayed for the song name “Title C”. Further, as the content 701-4, the singer name “Artist D” and the playback time “4:05” are displayed for the song name “Title D”.

  The content 701-1 is 16 pixels when the upper left corner of the screen 701 having a resolution of 480 × 320 is set as an end point based on the description of the third to seventh lines of the screen display information 781. This indicates that the coordinates and the y-coordinate which is 0 pixel are set as the starting point and the width is 288 × height is 96 pixels. Similarly, the content 701-2 is 16 pixels when the upper left corner of the screen 701 having a resolution of 480 × 320 is set as an end point based on the description of the 8th to 12th lines of the screen display information 781. This indicates that the image is arranged in the range of width 288 × height 96 pixels starting from the x coordinate and the y coordinate which is 96 pixels. The content 701-3 is 16 pixels when the upper left corner of the screen 701 having a resolution of 480 × 320 is set as an end point based on the description of the 13th to 17th lines of the screen display information 781. The coordinates and the y-coordinate which is 192 pixels are used as the starting point, indicating that they are arranged in a range of width 288 × height 96 pixels. Furthermore, when the content 701-4 is based on the description of the 18th to 22nd lines of the screen display information 781 in FIG. 33 and the upper left corner of the screen 701 having a resolution of 480 × 320 is set as an end point, This indicates that the pixel is arranged in the range of width 288 × height 96 pixels starting from the x coordinate of 16 pixels and the y coordinate of 288 pixels.

  A screen 701 is a display unit 208 of the device.

  FIG. 35 is a block diagram showing another configuration of the function of the server 11 that executes the program. The same parts as those shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  The content acquisition module 251 of the device 13 includes information (hereinafter referred to as acquisition information) indicating whether or not the content structure definition of the content determined to be acquired has been acquired before via the home network 12. A content acquisition request is transmitted to the server 11.

  The content management module 151 receives the acquisition information included in the content acquisition request from the device 13 via the home network 12 and supplies the content request corresponding to the received acquisition information to the content storage module 152. The content management module 151 acquires content corresponding to the content request from the content storage module 152 and transmits the acquired content to the device 13.

  The content storage module 152 is configured to include a content selection storage module 901 and a style sheet storage module 902.

  In response to a content request supplied from the content management module 151, the content storage module 152 acquires content such as image data, moving image data, or text data recorded in the HDD 105, and manages the acquired content as content management. Supply to module 151.

  Based on the acquisition information supplied from the content management module 151, the content selection storage module 901 reads a file (hereinafter referred to as a content file) that stores only the element identifier and element content of each content recorded in the HDD 105. .

  Here, the HDD 105 stores one or a plurality of content files.

  Based on the acquisition information supplied from the content management module 151, the style sheet storage module 902 is a file that gives position information and display priority to each element element identifier recorded in the HDD 105 (hereinafter referred to as a style). (Referred to as sheet file).

  Here, one style sheet file is stored in the HDD 105.

  If the acquisition information indicates that the content structure definition of the target content has not been acquired before, the content storage module 152 is based on the style sheet file read by the style sheet storage module 902, and the content selection storage module 901. The position information and the display priority order are generated in the content file read by according to each element. The content storage module 152 supplies the content management module 151 with content including an element identifier, element content, position information, and display priority. The content management module 151 transmits the content supplied from the content storage module 152 to the device 13 via the home network 12.

  As described above, when the content structure definition has not been acquired before, the content including the position information and the display priority can be transmitted to the device 13 via the home network 12. In other words, by using the style sheet file, the content element identifier and element content can be stored separately from the position information and the display priority order, so it is necessary to retain the position information and the display priority order for all the contents. And the burden of holding the contents of the server 11 can be reduced (for example, the used capacity of the HDD 105 of the server 11 can be reduced).

  On the other hand, if the notification indicates that the content structure definition of the target content has been acquired before, the content storage module 152 includes an element identifier and element content that are content files read by the content selection module 901. The content is supplied to the content management module 151. The content management module 151 transmits the content supplied from the content storage module 152 to the device 13 via the home network 12.

  Thus, if the content structure definition has been acquired before, the device 13 can display the content on the screen if the content includes the element identifier and the element content. Position information and display priority are not required. Therefore, the server 11 may transmit a content file as content to the device 13 via the home network 12. That is, if the device 13 has acquired the content structure definition before, the device 13 only needs to acquire the content including the element identifier and the element content, so that the processing for acquiring the content can be further reduced.

  FIG. 36 is a flowchart for explaining content transmission processing.

  In step S <b> 301, the content management module 151 receives the acquisition information included in the content acquisition request transmitted from the device 13 via the home network 12, and supplies the received acquisition information to the content storage module 152.

  In step S302, the content storage module 152 determines whether or not the acquisition information supplied from the content management module 151 indicates that the content structure definition has been acquired previously.

  In step S302, if the acquired information indicates that the content structure definition has not been acquired before, the process proceeds to step S303, where the content storage module 152 determines the content based on the style sheet file read by the style sheet storage module 902. In the content file read by the selective storage module 901, position information and display priority are generated according to each element. The content storage module 152 supplies the content management module 151 with content including an element identifier, element content, position information, and display priority.

  The content file and the style sheet file are recorded in the HDD 105 of the server 11, for example.

  FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating a description example of a content file.

  The content file 951 is described by, for example, the XML method. Note that a line number is attached to the left end of each line in FIG. 37 for explanation.

  “<? Xml version =” 1.0 ”encoding =” UTF-8 ”?>” On the first line indicates that the XML version is “1.0” and the XML character code is “UTF-8”. .

  “<Contents>” on the second line and “</ contents>” on the 22nd line indicate that the processes described in the 3rd to 21st lines are nodes belonging to the contents element. The contents element is composed of music, title, artist, time, and explain elements that are child elements of the contents element.

  “<Music>” on the third line and “</ music>” on the ninth line indicate that the elements described in the third to ninth lines are nodes belonging to the music element.

  “<Title> Title A </ title>” on the fourth line indicates that the element content 545 of the title element which is a child element of the music element is “title A”.

  “<Artist> Artist A </ artist>” on the fifth line indicates that the element content 545 of the artist element that is a child element of the music element is “artist A”.

  “<Time> 03:54 </ time>” on the sixth line indicates that the element content 545 of the time element which is a child element of the music element is “03:54”.

  7th and 8th line "<explanation> Artist A: URL = http: // www ......, Other representative songs, Title A1 (1999), Title A2 (1999), Title A3 (2000) </ explanation > ”Means that the element content 545 of the expansion element, which is a child element of the music element, is“ Artist A: URL = http: // www..., Other representative songs, title A1 (1999), title A2 (1999) A3 (2000) ".

  “<Music>” on the 10th line and “</ music>” on the 15th line indicate that the elements described in the 10th to 15th lines are nodes belonging to the music element.

  “<Title> Title B </ title>” on the 11th line indicates that the element content 545 of the title element which is a child element of the music element is “title B”.

  “<Artist> Artist B </ artist>” on the 12th line indicates that the element content 545 of the artist element which is a child element of the music element is “artist B”.

  “<Time> 04:01 </ time>” on the 13th line indicates that the element content 545 of the time element which is a child element of the music element is “04:01”.

  “<Explanation> Artist B: URL = http: // www ……, Other representative song, Title B1 (2002) </ explanation>” on the 14th line is the element content of the explanation element which is a child element of the music element 545 indicates that “Artist B: URL = http: // www..., Other representative song, title B1 (2002)”.

  “<Music>” on the 16th line and “</ music>” on the 21st line indicate that the processing described in the 16th to 21st lines is a node belonging to the music element.

  “<Title> Title C </ title>” on the 17th line indicates that the element content 545 of the title element which is a child element of the music element is “title C”.

  “<Artist> Artist C </ artist>” on the 18th line indicates that the element content 545 of the artist element which is a child element of the music element is “artist C”.

  “<Time> 04:03 </ time>” on the 19th line indicates that the element content 545 of the time element which is a child element of the music element is “04:03”.

  “<Explanation> Artist C: URL = http: // www ……, Other representative songs, Title C1 (2003), Title C2 (2004) </ explanation>” on the 20th line is a child element of the music element. The element content 545 of a certain planning element indicates that “Artist C: URL = http: // www..., Other representative song, title C1 (2003), title C2 (2004)”.

  Thus, in the content file 951, only the element identifier and element content are described.

  Next, FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating a description example of a style sheet file.

  The style sheet file 971 is described by, for example, the XSLT method. A line number is attached to the left end of each line for explanation.

  “<? Xml version =“ 1.0 ”encoding =“ UTF-8 ”?>” On the first line indicates that the XML version is “1.0” and the XML character code is “UTF-8”. .

  “<Xsl: stylesheet version =” 1.0 ”xmlns: xsl =” http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform ”xmlns: fo =” http://www.w3.org/ 1999 / XSL / Format ">" and "</ xsl: stylesheet>" on the 65th line indicate that the 3rd to 48th lines indicate XSLT information.

  “<Xsl: stylesheet version =” 1.0 ”xmlns: xsl =” http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform ”xmlns: fo =” http://www.w3.org/ “1999 / XSL / Format”> ”indicates that the version of XSLT is“ 1.0 ”, and the URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) assigned to XSLT by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) is“ http: // www. “3.org/1999/XSL/Transform” and “http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Format”.

  “<Xsl: template match =” / ”>” on the 3rd line and “</ xsl: template>” on the 5th line are special nodes that are the starting points of XSLT processing, and are generally root nodes. It is said. “Xsl: apply-templates” on the fourth line is described when reading the processing of another template in the template. By the way, in the case of the root node, all the nodes are processed.

  "<Xsl: template match =" contents ">" on the 6th line and "</ xsl: template>" on the 10th line are the nodes belonging to the contents element in the 6th to 10th lines Indicates.

  “<Xsl: copy>” on the seventh line and “</ xsl: copy>” on the ninth line indicate that the sixth to tenth lines are nodes belonging to the xsl: copy element. Copy recursively using the xsl: copy element.

  “<Xsl: apply-templates />” on the eighth line is an instruction for instructing another template to be executed, and moves the process from the target node to the template of the child node of the target node. That is, the process moves from the process of the contents element to the process of the music element that is a child element of the contents element.

  "<Xsl: template match =" music ">" on the 11th line and "</ xsl: template>" on the 20th line are the nodes belonging to the music element in the 11th to 20th lines Indicates.

  “<Xsl: copy>” on the 12th line and “</ xsl: copy>” on the 19th line indicate that the 12th to 19th lines are nodes belonging to the xsl: copy element. Copy recursively using the xsl: copy element.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” priority ”> required </ xsl: attribute>” on the 13th line indicates that the priority attribute of the music element is “required”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” x ”> 0.05 </ xsl: attribute>” on the 14th line indicates that the x attribute of the music element is “0.05”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” y ”> 0.05 </ xsl: attribute>” on the 15th line indicates that the y attribute of the music element is “0.05”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” width_ratio ”> 0.9 </ xsl: attribute>” on the 16th line indicates that the width_ratio attribute of the music element is “0.9”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” height_ratio ”> 0.2 </ xsl: attribute>” on the 17th line indicates that the height_ratio attribute of the music element is “0.2”.

  “<Xsl: apply-templates />” on the 18th line indicates that the process moves from the process of the music element to the process of the title element that is a child element of the music element.

  "<Xsl: template match =" title ">" on the 21st line and "</ xsl: template>" on the 30th line are the nodes belonging to the title element in the 21st to 30th lines Indicates.

  “<Xsl: copy>” on the 22nd line and “</ xsl: copy>” on the 29th line indicate that the 22nd to 29th lines are nodes belonging to the xsl: copy element. Copy recursively using the xsl: copy element.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” priority ”> required </ xsl: attribute>” on the 23rd line indicates that the priority attribute of the title element is “required”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” x ”> 0.05 </ xsl: attribute>” on the 24th line indicates that the x attribute of the title element is “0.05”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =“ y ”> 0.05 </ xsl: attribute>” on the 25th line indicates that the y attribute of the title element is “0.05”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” width_ratio ”> 0.9 </ xsl: attribute>” on the 26th line indicates that the width_ratio attribute of the title element is “0.9”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” height_ratio ”> 0.4 </ xsl: attribute>” on the 27th line indicates that the height_ratio attribute of the title element is “0.4”.

  “<Xsl: value-of select =”. ”/>” On the 28th line indicates that a title element (current node) which is a currently processed node is output. That is, in correspondence with the title element of the content file 951, “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.05”, “width_ratio = 0.9”, “height_ratio = 0.4” position information, and “required” display priority. The ranking is output to the content file 951.

  "<Xsl: template match =" artist ">" on the 31st line and "</ xsl: template>" on the 40th line are the nodes belonging to the artist element in the 31st to 40th lines Indicates.

  “<Xsl: copy>” on the 32nd line and “</ xsl: copy>” on the 39th line indicate that the 32nd to 39th lines are nodes belonging to the xsl: copy element. Copy recursively using the xsl: copy element.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” priority ”> required </ xsl: attribute>” on the 33rd line indicates that the priority attribute of the artist element is “required”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” x ”> 0.05 </ xsl: attribute>” on the 24th line indicates that the x attribute of the artist element is “0.05”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” y ”> 0.55 </ xsl: attribute>” on the 25th line indicates that the y attribute of the artist element is “0.55”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” width_ratio ”> 0.3 </ xsl: attribute>” on the 26th line indicates that the width_ratio attribute of the artist element is “0.3”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” height_ratio ”> 0.4 </ xsl: attribute>” on the 27th line indicates that the height_ratio attribute of the artist element is “0.4”.

  “<Xsl: value-of select =”. ”/>” On the 28th line indicates that an artist element which is a currently processed node is output. That is, in correspondence with the artist element of the content file 951, “x = 0.05”, “y = 0.55”, “width_ratio = 0.3”, “height_ratio = 0.4”, position information, and “required” display priority. The ranking is output to the content file 951.

  The 41st line "<xsl: template match =" time ">" and the 52nd line "</ xsl: template>" are the nodes belonging to the time element in the 41st to 52nd lines. Indicates.

  “<Xsl: copy>” on the 42nd line and “</ xsl: copy>” on the 51st line indicate that the 42nd to 51st lines are nodes belonging to the xsl: copy element. Copy recursively using the xsl: copy element.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” priority ”> implied </ xsl: attribute>” on the 43rd line indicates that the priority attribute of the time element is “implied”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” x ”> 0.35 </ xsl: attribute>” on the 44th line indicates that the x attribute of the time element is “0.35”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” y ”> 0.55 </ xsl: attribute>” on the 45th line indicates that the y attribute of the time element is “0.55”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” width_ratio ”> 0.3 </ xsl: attribute>” on the 46th line indicates that the width_ratio attribute of the time element is “0.3”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” height_ratio ”> 0.4 </ xsl: attribute>” on the 47th line indicates that the height_ratio attribute of the time element is “0.4”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” required_width ”> 20 </ xsl: attribute>” on the 48th line indicates that the required_width attribute of the time element is “20”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” required_height ”> 15 </ xsl: attribute>” on the 49th line indicates that the required_height attribute of the time element is “15”.

  “<Xsl: value-of select =”. ”/>” On the 50th line indicates that a time element which is a currently processed node is output. That is, “x = 0.35”, “y = 0.55”, “width_ratio = 0.3”, “height_ratio = 0.4”, required_width = “20”, and required_height = “15” corresponding to the time element of the content file 951 Certain position information and display priority “implied” are output to the content file 951.

  "<Xsl: template match =" explanation ">" on the 53rd line and "</ xsl: template>" on the 64th line are that the 53rd to 64th lines are nodes belonging to the explain element. Indicates.

  “<Xsl: copy>” on the 54th line and “</ xsl: copy>” on the 63rd line indicate that the 54th to 63rd lines are nodes belonging to the xsl: copy element. Copy recursively using the xsl: copy element.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” priority ”> implied </ xsl: attribute>” on the 55th line indicates that the priority attribute of the explain element is “implied”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” x ”> 0.65 </ xsl: attribute>” on the 56th line indicates that the x attribute of the explain element is “0.65”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” y ”> 0.55 </ xsl: attribute>” on the 57th line indicates that the y attribute of the explain element is “0.55”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” width_ratio ”> 0.3 </ xsl: attribute>” on the 58th line indicates that the width_ratio attribute of the explanation element is “0.3”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” height_ratio ”> 0.4 </ xsl: attribute>” on the 59th line indicates that the height_ratio attribute of the explain element is “0.4”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” required_width ”> 200 </ xsl: attribute>” on the 60th line indicates that the required_width attribute of the explain element is “200”.

  “<Xsl: attribute name =” required_height ”> 150 </ xsl: attribute>” on the 61st line indicates that the required_height attribute of the explain element is “150”.

  “<Xsl: value-of select =”. ”/>” On the 62nd line indicates that an explanation element, which is a currently processed node, is output. That is, “x = 0.65”, “y = 0.55”, “width_ratio = 0.3”, “height_ratio = 0.4”, required_width = “200”, and required_height = “150” corresponding to the explain element of the content file 951 Certain position information and display priority “implied” are output to the content file 951.

  As described above, the style sheet file 971 describes information for generating position information and display priority for each element identifier of the content file 951.

  For example, in the case of “<title> Title A </ title>” on the fourth line of the content file 951 in FIG. 37, “< title priority = “required” x = “0.05” y = “0.05” width_ratio = “0.9” height_ratio = “0.4”> title A </ title> ”is generated.

  Returning to FIG. 36, in step S304, the content management module 151 sends the content including the element identifier, the element content, the position information, and the display priority supplied from the content storage module 152 to the device 13 via the home network 12. Send.

  As described above, when the content structure definition has not been acquired before, the content including the position information and the display priority can be transmitted to the device 13 via the home network 12. In other words, by using the style sheet file 971, the element identifier and element content of the content can be stored separately from the position information and the display priority, so that the position information and the display priority are held in all the contents. This is unnecessary, and the burden of holding the contents of the server 11 can be reduced (for example, the used capacity of the HDD 105 of the server 11 can be reduced).

  On the other hand, if it is the acquisition information indicating that the content structure definition has not been acquired before in step S302, the process proceeds to step S305, where the content storage module 152 is an element identifier that is a content file read by the content selection module 901. And the content including the element content is supplied to the content management module 151. The content management module 151 transmits the content supplied from the content storage module 152 to the device 13 via the home network 12.

  Thus, if the content structure definition has been acquired before, the device 13 can display the content on the screen if the content includes the element identifier and the element content. Position information and display priority are not necessary. Therefore, the server 11 may transmit a content file as content to the device 13 via the network 12.

  That is, if the device 13 has acquired the content structure definition before, the device 13 only needs to acquire the content including the element identifier and the element content, so that the processing for acquiring the content can be further reduced.

  In this way, when acquiring content having the same content structure definition as content that has been acquired before, these screen layout information and screen display creation rule information for displaying the content can be used again. Since the cost of generating information can be reduced, quick response can be ensured even in the process of converting complex content. In addition, since the content conversion process is performed on the device 13 side, the burden on the server 11 can be reduced.

  Furthermore, since the device 13 can select and acquire a specific portion of the content that can be displayed on the display unit 208 from the server 11, the cost of displaying the content can be reduced. As a result, the content can be displayed more quickly.

  The processing described above is described using XML as the markup language. However, the processing is not limited to the above-described XML, and other examples such as SGML (Standard Generalized Mark-up Language), HTML (HyperText Markup Language), or TeX are available. The markup language may be used. Further, although XSL has been described as the style sheet language, it is not limited to the above-described XSLT, and other style sheet languages such as CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) may be used.

  The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware, but can also be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software may execute various functions by installing a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or various programs. For example, it is installed from a recording medium in a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, this recording medium is distributed to provide a program to the user separately from the computer, and includes a magnetic disk 121 (including a flexible disk) on which the program is recorded, an optical disk 122 (CD- ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) included), magneto-optical disk 123 (including MD (Mini-Disc) (trademark)), or semiconductor memory 124. In addition, it is configured by a ROM 103, an HDD 105, and the like that are provided to the user in a state of being pre-installed in a computer and in which a program is recorded.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the recording medium is distributed to provide a program to the user separately from the computer, and includes a magnetic disk 221 (including a flexible disk) on which the program is recorded, an optical disk 222 ( CD-ROM, DVD (including CD), magneto-optical disk 223 (including MD (trademark)), or package media consisting of semiconductor memory 224, etc., as well as provided to users in a pre-installed state in a computer The ROM 203 in which the program is recorded, the HDD 205, and the like are configured.

  Furthermore, a program for executing the above-described series of processing is installed in a computer via a wired or wireless communication medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting via an interface such as a router or a modem as necessary. You may be made to do.

  In the present specification, the step of describing the program stored in the recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in chronological order according to the described order, but is not necessarily performed in chronological order. It also includes processes that are executed individually.

  Further, in this specification, the system represents the entire apparatus constituted by a plurality of apparatuses.

It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the home network system to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the example of a structure of a server. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the function of a server. It is a block diagram which shows the example of a structure of a client. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the function of a client. It is a figure which shows the example of the content displayed on the screen of a device. It is a figure explaining the hierarchical structure of a content. It is a class diagram which shows the relationship between a content and a content component. It is a class diagram showing the relationship between a content structure definition list, content structure definition, screen layout information, and image display creation rule information. It is a class diagram of screen layout creation rule information. It is a class diagram of screen display information. It is a class diagram of screen characteristic information. It is a flowchart explaining the process of transmission. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of the process of content structure definition transmission. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of the process of screen layout creation procedure information transmission. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of the process of content transmission. It is a flowchart explaining the process of a screen display. It is a figure which shows the example of a description of content structure definition. It is a figure which shows the example of a description of a content structure definition list. It is a figure which shows the example of a description of screen layout creation rule information. It is a figure which shows the example of a description of a content. It is a figure explaining the contents of composition of each element. It is a figure explaining the contents of composition of each element. It is a figure which shows the example of a description of screen characteristic information. It is a figure which shows the example of a description of screen layout information. It is a figure which shows the example of a description of screen display creation rule information. It is a figure which shows the example of a description of a content structure definition list. It is a figure which shows the example of a description of screen display information. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of the device on which the content was displayed. It is a figure explaining the detail of a content. It is a figure which shows the example of a description of a content. It is a figure which shows the example of a description of a content. It is the figure which showed the example of description of screen display information. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of the device on which the content was displayed. It is a block diagram which shows the other structure of the function of the server which performs a program. It is a flowchart explaining the process of content transmission. It is a figure which shows the example of a description of a content file. It is a figure which shows the example of a description of a style sheet file.

Explanation of symbols

  11-1 to 11-2 and 11 servers, 12 home networks, 13-1 to 13-3 and 13 devices, 101 CPU, 102 RAM, 103 ROM, 104 bus, 105 HDD, 106 communication unit, 107 drive, 121 magnetic Disk, 122 optical disk, 123 magneto-optical disk, 124 semiconductor memory, 151 content management module, 152 content storage module, 153 content structure definition storage module, 154 screen layout creation rule information storage module, 201 CPU, 202 RAM, 203 ROM, 204 Bus, 205 HDD, 206 communication unit, 207 input unit, 208 display unit, 209 drive, 221 magnetic disk, 222 optical disk, 223 magneto-optical disk, 224 semiconductor memory, 251 content acquisition module, 252 content structure definition list storage module, 253 screen layout creation rule information acquisition module, 254 screen characteristic information storage module, 255 screen layout information creation module, 256 screen layout information storage module, 257 screen display Creation rule information creation module, 258 Screen display creation rule information storage module, 259 Screen display information creation module, 260 Screen display module

Claims (20)

In an information processing system including a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus that transmits content to the first information processing apparatus via a network,
The first information processing apparatus includes:
First receiving means for receiving the content transmitted from the second information processing apparatus via the network;
Second receiving means for receiving arrangement determination procedure information describing a procedure for determining an arrangement of elements constituting the content transmitted from the second information processing apparatus via the network;
Based on the procedure described in the arrangement determination procedure information, the arrangement of the elements of the content on the screen of the display device from the display capability information indicating the display capability information of the display device that displays the content and the content First generation means for generating first instruction information for instructing
Second generation means for generating second instruction information for instructing display or suppression of display of the element based on the first instruction information;
Third generation means for generating display information for causing the display device to display the content based on the content, the first instruction information, and the second instruction information. The second information The processing equipment
First transmission means for transmitting the content to the first information processing apparatus in response to a predetermined request from the first information processing apparatus via the network;
And second transmission means for transmitting the placement determination procedure information to the first information processing apparatus in response to a predetermined request from the first information processing apparatus via the network. Information processing system. In an information processing apparatus that receives content from an information providing apparatus via a network,
First receiving means for receiving the content transmitted from the information providing apparatus via the network;
Second receiving means for receiving arrangement determination procedure information describing a procedure for determining an arrangement of elements constituting the content transmitted from the information providing apparatus via the network;
Based on the procedure described in the arrangement determination procedure information, the arrangement of the elements of the content on the screen of the display device from the display capability information indicating the display capability information of the display device that displays the content and the content First generation means for generating first instruction information for instructing
Second generation means for generating second instruction information for instructing display of the element or suppression of display based on the first instruction information;
And third generation means for generating display information for displaying the content on the display device based on the content, the first instruction information, and the second instruction information. Information processing device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a display control unit that controls display of the content on the display device based on the display information. Third receiving means for receiving content structure definition information, which is information relating to a hierarchical structure of elements constituting the content, from the information providing apparatus via the network;
Based on the content structure definition information received by the third receiving means, it is determined whether or not the content structure definition is included in a content structure definition list that is a list of the content structure definition information received in the past. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: When the determination unit determines that the content structure definition is not included in the content structure definition list, the first instruction information generated by the first generation unit is associated with the content structure definition information. First storage means for storing the received information;
The information according to claim 4, further comprising: a second storage unit that stores information in which the second instruction information generated by the second generation unit and the content structure definition information are associated with each other. Processing equipment. When the determination unit determines that the content structure definition is included in the content structure definition list, the first reception unit receives a predetermined request for acquiring the content from the information providing apparatus. Receiving a part of the content according to
The third generation means is supplied from a part of the content received by the first reception means, the first instruction information supplied from the first storage means, and the second storage means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the display information is generated based on second instruction information. The content is an element identifier that is information relating to identification of a content component that is an element constituting the content, an element content that is information relating to a character string or image data displayed on the display device, and the element content is the display device The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a display priority that is information relating to a priority when displayed on the screen, and position information that is information relating to a position of the element content. In an information processing method of an information processing apparatus that receives content from an information providing apparatus via a network,
A first reception control step for controlling reception of the content transmitted from the information providing apparatus via the network;
A second reception control step for controlling reception of arrangement determination procedure information describing a procedure for determining an arrangement of elements constituting the content transmitted from the information providing apparatus via the network;
Based on the procedure described in the arrangement determination procedure information, the arrangement of the elements of the content on the screen of the display device from the display capability information indicating the display capability information of the display device that displays the content and the content A first generation step of generating first instruction information for instructing
A second generation step of generating second instruction information for instructing display of the element or suppression of display based on the first instruction information;
And a third generation step of generating display information for displaying the content on the display device based on the content, the first instruction information, and the second instruction information. Information processing method. An information processing program for receiving content from an information providing apparatus via a network,
A first reception control step for controlling reception of the content transmitted from the information providing apparatus via the network;
A second reception control step for controlling reception of arrangement determination procedure information describing a procedure for determining an arrangement of elements constituting the content transmitted from the information providing apparatus via the network;
Based on the procedure described in the arrangement determination procedure information, the arrangement of the elements of the content on the screen of the display device from the display capability information indicating the display capability information of the display device that displays the content and the content A first generation step of generating first instruction information for instructing
A second generation step of generating second instruction information for instructing display of the element or suppression of display based on the first instruction information;
And a third generation step of generating display information for displaying the content on the display device based on the content, the first instruction information, and the second instruction information. A recording medium on which a computer-readable program is recorded. In a program for causing a computer to perform processing for receiving content from an information providing apparatus via a network,
A first reception control step for controlling reception of the content transmitted from the information providing apparatus via the network;
A second reception control step for controlling reception of arrangement determination procedure information describing a procedure for determining an arrangement of elements constituting the content transmitted from the information providing apparatus via the network;
Based on the procedure described in the arrangement determination procedure information, the arrangement of the elements of the content on the screen of the display device from the display capability information indicating the display capability information of the display device that displays the content and the content A first generation step of generating first instruction information for instructing
A second generation step of generating second instruction information for instructing display of the element or suppression of display based on the first instruction information;
And a third generation step of generating display information for displaying the content on the display device based on the content, the first instruction information, and the second instruction information. program. In an information providing apparatus that provides content to an information processing apparatus via a network,
A first transmission unit configured to transmit the content to the information processing apparatus in response to a predetermined request from the information processing apparatus via the network;
Second transmission means for transmitting arrangement determination procedure information describing a procedure for determining the arrangement of elements of the content to the information processing apparatus in response to a predetermined request from the information processing apparatus via the network; An information providing apparatus comprising: Third transmission means for transmitting content structure definition information, which is information related to a hierarchical structure of elements constituting the content, to the information processing apparatus in response to a predetermined request from the information processing apparatus via the network. ,
The first transmission unit selects and transmits a part of the content to the information processing apparatus when the predetermined request requests a part of the content. Item 12. The information providing device according to Item 11. In an information providing method of an information providing apparatus that provides content to an information processing apparatus via a network,
A first transmission control step for controlling transmission of the content to the information processing device in response to a predetermined request from the information processing device via the network;
A second control unit that controls transmission of arrangement determination procedure information describing a procedure for determining an arrangement of elements of the content to the information processing apparatus via the network in response to a predetermined request from the information processing apparatus; An information providing method comprising: a transmission control step. A program for information provision processing for providing content to an information processing apparatus via a network,
A first transmission control step for controlling transmission of the content to the information processing device in response to a predetermined request from the information processing device via the network;
A second control unit that controls transmission of arrangement determination procedure information describing a procedure for determining an arrangement of elements of the content to the information processing apparatus via the network in response to a predetermined request from the information processing apparatus; A recording medium on which a computer-readable program is recorded, comprising: a transmission control step. In a program for causing a computer to perform processing for providing content to an information processing apparatus via a network,
A first transmission control step for controlling transmission of the content to the information processing apparatus in response to a predetermined request from the information processing apparatus via the network;
A second control unit that controls transmission of arrangement determination procedure information describing a procedure for determining an arrangement of elements of the content to the information processing apparatus via the network in response to a predetermined request from the information processing apparatus; A program comprising: a transmission control step. In an information providing apparatus that provides content to an information processing apparatus via a network,
Receiving means for receiving a notification indicating whether or not the content has been acquired in the past transmitted from the information processing apparatus via the network;
First information consisting of an element identifier that is information relating to identification of a content component that is an element that constitutes the content, and element content that is information relating to a character string or image data displayed on a display device that displays the content; And display priority information, which is information related to priority when the element contents are displayed on the display device, and second information describing a procedure for generating position information, which is information related to the position of the element contents. Generating means for generating the content;
When the notification indicates that the content has not been acquired in the past, the content generated by the generation unit is transmitted to the information processing device, and when the notification indicates that the content has been acquired in the past, An information providing apparatus comprising: transmitting means for transmitting the first information to the information processing apparatus. First storage means for storing the first information;
The information providing apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising: a second storage unit that stores the second information. In an information providing method of an information providing apparatus that provides content to an information processing apparatus via a network,
A receiving step of receiving a notification indicating whether or not the content has been acquired in the past transmitted from the information processing apparatus via the network;
First information consisting of an element identifier that is information relating to identification of a content component that is an element that constitutes the content, and element content that is information relating to a character string or image data displayed on a display device that displays the content; And display priority information, which is information related to priority when the element contents are displayed on the display device, and second information describing a procedure for generating position information, which is information related to the position of the element contents. A generating step for generating the content;
When the notification indicates that the content has not been acquired in the past, the transmission of the content generated by the generation step to the information processing apparatus is controlled, and the notification indicates that the content has been acquired in the past A transmission control step of controlling transmission of the first information to the information processing apparatus. A program for information provision processing for providing content to an information processing apparatus via a network,
A receiving step of receiving a notification indicating whether or not the content has been acquired in the past transmitted from the information processing apparatus via the network;
First information consisting of an element identifier that is information relating to identification of a content constituent element that is an element constituting the content, and element content that is information relating to a character string or image data displayed on a display device that displays the content; And display priority information, which is information related to priority when the element contents are displayed on the display device, and second information describing a procedure for generating position information, which is information related to the position of the element contents. A generating step for generating the content;
When the notification indicates that the content has not been acquired in the past, the transmission of the content generated by the generation step to the information processing apparatus is controlled, and the notification indicates that the content has been acquired in the past And a transmission control step for controlling transmission of the first information to the information processing apparatus. A recording medium on which a computer-readable program is recorded. In a program for causing a computer to perform processing for providing content to an information processing apparatus via a network,
A receiving step of receiving a notification indicating whether or not the content has been acquired in the past transmitted from the information processing apparatus via the network;
First information consisting of an element identifier that is information relating to identification of a content component that is an element that constitutes the content, and element content that is information relating to a character string or image data displayed on a display device that displays the content; And display priority information, which is information related to priority when the element contents are displayed on the display device, and second information describing a procedure for generating position information, which is information related to the position of the element contents. A generating step for generating the content;
When the notification indicates that the content has not been acquired in the past, the transmission of the content generated by the generation step to the information processing apparatus is controlled, and the notification indicates that the content has been acquired in the past A transmission control step for controlling transmission of the first information to the information processing apparatus.

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