JP2005323052A - Mobile player and receiving terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile player and a receiving terminal that enables a client to try to listen to contents on a plurality of distributing servers by easy operation by making small a gap between user's operation to try to listen and user's operation to purchase and securely linking a user's incentive to purchase with user's purchase. <P>SOLUTION: The mobile player is equipped with a trial content storage means 42 of storing trial contents including specification information on a providing server for contents, property information on the contents, and trial data on the contents, a reproducing means 48 of displaying the property information on a display means 46 or displaying a picture when the trial data include pictures, and outputting audio to an audio output means 49 when the audio is included, a receiving means 45 of receiving a choice of contents based upon the property information or trial data displayed on the display means or outputted to the audio output means, a specification information storage means 44 of storing the specification information on the providing server for the selected contents, and a control means 47 of performing control to transmit the specification information to a receiving terminal 2 and store the obtained contents in the content storage means 43. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable playback device and a receiving terminal for acquiring and playing back content distributed via a network, and in particular, a portable playback device and receiving terminal for acquiring and playing original content while a user uses trial content. About.

In recent years, with the spread of the Internet, services for distributing content from a WWW (World Wide Web) server to a user's terminal such as a personal computer or a mobile phone have become widespread. There are also services that allow users to listen to paid content before purchasing it. However, conventional content trial listening is generally performed by connecting from the user's terminal to the distributor's WWW site, and it was necessary to connect to the network during the trial listening. On the other hand, the following Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a technique for efficiently purchasing original content (hereinafter also simply referred to as content or main content) after holding a preview content on a terminal and allowing the user to use it. ing.
JP 2001-325460 A (FIGS. 1 and 2) JP 2002-91452 A (FIG. 1)

  According to Patent Documents 1 and 2, the user can listen to the content in an offline state without being connected to the network, but at the time of purchasing the main content, it is necessary to be connected to the network. In other words, in an environment where it is not possible to connect to the network all the time, even if the user wants to purchase this content during a trial listening, the desired content such as the content name is identified until it can be connected to the network. I had to remember the information. Due to such a time lag, there is a problem that it is difficult to immediately link a user's instantaneous willingness to purchase with actual purchase behavior. In addition, it is necessary to perform the audition for each distribution server, and there is a problem that the audition over a plurality of distribution servers cannot be easily performed.

  The present invention is for solving the above problem, and even in a terminal that is not always connected to the network, the gap between the user's operation for listening and the operation for purchasing is reduced, and the user's It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable playback device and a receiving terminal capable of connecting momentary purchase intentions to purchase with certainty and allowing an acquisition destination to listen to content over a plurality of distribution servers with a simple operation.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a portable playback device that can be connected to a receiving terminal connected via a network with a server that provides content via a local interface, and provides the content Trial content storage means for storing trial content composed of specification information for specifying the server and the acquisition destination of the content in the server, attribute information related to the content, and trial data for trial use of the content And content storage means for storing the content, and the attribute information is displayed on the display means, or when the trial data includes video according to the content of the trial data, the video is displayed on the display means. And when the trial data includes sound, the sound output means outputs the sound. And a receiving means for receiving from the user a selection of the content to be acquired by the user based on the attribute information or the trial data displayed on the display means or output to the audio output means; Specific information storing means for storing the server for providing the selected content, specific information for specifying the acquisition destination of the selected content in the server, and the specific information storage in a state connected to the receiving terminal The specific information stored in the means is transmitted to the receiving terminal, the receiving terminal receives the content acquired from the server based on the specific information, and stores the received content in the content storage means There is provided a portable playback device comprising control means for controlling.

  In addition, according to the present invention, a portable playback device that is connected to a server providing content via a network and plays back the content, trial data for trial use of the content, and attribute information related to the content, and a local A receiving terminal connectable via an interface, the communication means communicating with the server, the interface means for exchanging information with the portable playback device, and the portable playback device played back via the interface means The server that receives the content determined to be acquired based on the trial data or the attribute information, and the specific information that specifies the acquisition destination of the content in the server are received from the portable playback device, and the received specification The content acquisition request to the server via the communication means based on information Control means for transmitting, receiving the content transmitted from the server based on the acquisition request via the communication means, and controlling the received content to be transmitted to the portable playback device via the interface means A receiving terminal is provided.

  The portable playback device and the receiving terminal of the present invention have the above-described configuration, and can be used by reducing the gap between the user's listening operation and the purchasing operation even in a terminal that is not always connected to the network. The user's instantaneous purchase motivation is surely linked to purchase, and the content can be auditioned with a simple operation over a plurality of distribution servers.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a content distribution system including a portable playback device and a receiving terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the receiving terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the portable playback device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a trial content storage processing flow in the portable playback device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing another storage processing flow of trial content in the portable playback device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a format of trial content stored in trial content storage means in the portable playback device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a main content specifying process flow to be acquired in the portable playback device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the appearance of the portable playback device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another specification processing flow of the main content to be acquired in the portable playback device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen at the time of specifying trial content attribute information, content trial data, and main content displayed on the display means of the portable playback device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a trial playlist in the portable playback device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a data storage format of the temporary storage means in the portable playback device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the main content acquisition operation in the portable playback device, receiving terminal, and server according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a format of the main content stored in the main content storage means in the portable playback device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a flow of main content playback processing in the portable playback device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a main part reproduction list in the portable reproduction apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, a content distribution system including a portable playback device and a receiving terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. One or more servers 1 (1a, 1b to 1n) that provide main contents are connected to a receiving terminal 2 via a network 3, and the receiving terminal 2 and the portable playback device 4 are connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus), Connection is possible through a local interface 5 such as IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) 1394. The portable playback device 4 need not always be connected to the local interface 5, and can be carried separately from the local interface 5.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, content refers to data such as text, voice, music, still images, moving images, computer programs, and the like. The main content refers to content that the business operator who operates the server 1 originally wants to provide, regardless of whether it is charged or free. The trial content includes the server 1 that provides the main content, the specific information for specifying the acquisition source of the main content in the server 1 (hereinafter also referred to as an identification code), attribute information related to the main content, and the main content. It is composed of content trial data which is trial data for trial use. The attribute information includes the title of the main content, the creator, the performer, the production time, the description of the work, and the like. The content trial data has some difference from the main content. For example, if the content is a video, it can be used as content trial data by combining highlight scenes that show the main content. If the content is music, only the characteristic part of the music can be extracted and used as content trial data.

  Even if the playback time is the same as the main content, the content trial data can be obtained by changing the display resolution, frequency band, compression rate, and the like from the main content. Further, content trial data can be obtained by restricting special reproduction such as fast-forwarding and rewinding or restricting a data changing function. Furthermore, the content trial data may be data obtained by adding an advertisement to the main content. A combination of the above may be used as content trial data.

  Next, the configuration of the receiving terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIG. The receiving terminal 2 includes a communication unit 21 for communicating with the server 1 via the network 3, an interface unit 22 for exchanging data with the portable playback device 4, a control unit 23 for controlling the entire receiving terminal 2, Storage means 24 for storing and storing operation programs and data, an input device 25 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a display device 26 such as a CRT and a liquid crystal display, and a media drive device for reading and writing media such as a CD-ROM and a memory card 27. The receiving terminal 2 can be configured by a general computer.

  Next, the configuration of the portable playback device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The portable playback device 4 includes an interface unit 41 that exchanges data with the receiving terminal 2 via the local interface 5, a trial content storage unit 42 that stores trial content, a main content storage unit 43 that stores main content, and a main part. The temporary storage means 44 (corresponding to the above-mentioned specific information storage means) for temporarily storing the specific information for specifying the server 1 that provides the content, and the operation of specifying the main content that the user wants to acquire are performed. Operating means 45 (corresponding to the accepting means described above), display means 46 such as a small liquid crystal display, control means 47 for controlling the entire portable playback device 4, content trial data and main contents are decoded and displayed 46 or / and reproduction means 48 for outputting to audio output means 49 such as a speaker, etc. It is configured.

  Here, when the user uses the portable playback device 4, the trial content needs to be stored in the trial content storage means 42. There are several methods for storing trial contents, but three methods will be described below. First, there is a method of downloading trial content from the server 1. The flow of the download process will be described with reference to FIG. First, the user connects the receiving terminal 2 and the portable playback device 4 using the local interface 5, and the user gives an instruction to “acquire trial content” to the input device 25 of the receiving terminal 2 (step S 11). The control means 23 of the receiving terminal 2 reads the connection information of the servers 1a to 1n from the storage means 24 of the receiving terminal 2 (Step S12). The storage unit 24 stores connection information of the servers 1a to 1n in advance. The connection information is information for acquiring trial content from the server 1, and is, for example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the trial content. In the following description, the total number of servers that provide trial content is N.

  The control means 23 sets 1 to the variable i for loop control (step S13). The control means 23 is connected to the server 1i corresponding to the variable i via the communication means 21, and transmits “trial content request” data (data T1) (step S14). The server 1i that has received the “trial content request” data (data T1) from the receiving terminal 2 transmits all the trial content (data T2) that can be provided at that time to the receiving terminal 2 (step S15). The control means 23 of the receiving terminal 2 transmits the trial content received from the server 1i to the portable playback device 4 via the interface means 22 (step S16). The control means 47 of the portable playback device 4 stores the trial content received via the interface means 41 in the trial content storage means 42 (step S17).

  The control means 47 transmits a trial content storage notification indicating the end of storage to the receiving terminal 2 via the interface means 41 (step S18). After receiving the trial content storage notification from the portable playback device 4 via the interface unit 22, the control unit 23 of the receiving terminal 2 adds 1 to the variable i for loop control (step S19). The control means 23 of the receiving terminal 2 compares the variable i for loop control with the total number N of servers from which the trial content is acquired (step S20). If the variable i is N or less, the process returns to step S14. Otherwise, the trial content storage process ends. In addition to the processing flow described above, for example, when the data T1 is transmitted from the receiving terminal 2 to the server 1i in step S14, the conditions of the trial content to be acquired (genre, producer, performer, production time, etc.) In step S15, the server 1i may transmit only trial content that meets the conditions as data T2.

  The second method of storing trial content uses a medium such as a CD-ROM or a memory card on which trial content created by a trial content production apparatus (not shown) is recorded. This processing flow will be described with reference to FIG. After the user connects the receiving terminal 2 and the portable playback device 4 using the local interface 5 and sets the media on which the trial content is recorded in the media drive device 27, the user inputs “trial” to the input device 25 of the receiving terminal 2. An instruction “content acquisition” is given (step S21). The control means 23 of the receiving terminal 2 gives an instruction to the media drive device 27 to read the data (step S22).

  The control means 23 transmits the trial content to the portable playback device 4 via the interface means 22 (step S23). The control means 47 of the portable playback device 4 stores the trial content received via the interface means 41 in the trial content storage means 42 (step S24). The control unit 47 transmits a trial content storage notification indicating the end of storage to the receiving terminal 2 via the interface unit 41 (step S25). The control means 23 of the receiving terminal 2 receives the trial content storage notification from the portable playback device 4 via the interface means 22. (Step S26).

  The third method for storing trial content is to pre-install trial content created by a trial content production device (not shown) in the trial content storage means 42 when the portable playback device 4 is produced. is there. In this case, the receiving terminal 2 and the portable playback device 4 do not need to perform processing for storing trial content.

  The trial content stored in the trial content storage means 42 by the method as described above has a format as shown in FIG. In the trial content storage means 42, where the total number of trial contents is M, the trial content storage locations are managed using trial storage indexes from 1 to M. Each trial content is composed of an identification code, attribute information, and content trial data as described above. The identification code is information for identifying the acquisition destination of the main content, and can be described using a URL, for example.

  Next, two methods will be described in which the user operates the portable playback device 4 to specify the main content to be acquired. First, the first method of designating main content is that the user browses attribute information and specifies main content. This method will be described with reference to FIG. The first method and the second method to be described later can be performed even when the portable playback device 4 is disconnected from the local interface 5. Before explaining the first method, an example of the appearance of the portable playback device 4 is shown in FIG. The portable playback device 4 can be operated by a user pressing an operation button of the operation unit 45 while confirming the content displayed on the display unit 46. Returning to the explanation of FIG. 7, the user presses the attribute display button B1 of the operation means 45 to give an instruction to display the attribute information to the portable playback device 4 (step S31).

  At the same time, the control means 47 sets 1 to the variable d representing the trial storage index (step S32). The control unit 47 reads the trial content attribute information 1 to K stored in the position indicated by the variable d from the trial content storage unit 42 and displays the information on the display unit 46 (step S33). Here, K is read from the attribute information 1 of the trial content by the control unit 47 and displayed on the display unit 46, but may be performed by the reproduction unit 48. The control means 47 determines whether or not the fast-forward button B2 has been pressed by the user (step S34). If the fast-forward button B2 is pressed, the control means 47 adds 1 to the variable d (step S35). Here, the control means 47 performs control so that d does not become larger than M. Then, the process returns to step S33. If the fast forward button B2 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S36.

  The control means 47 determines whether or not the rewind button B3 has been pressed by the user (step S36). When the rewind button B3 is pressed, the control unit 47 subtracts 1 from the variable d (step S37). Here, the control means 47 performs control so that d does not become smaller than 1. Then, the process returns to step S33. If the rewind button B3 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S38. The control means 47 determines whether or not the main feature acquisition button B4 has been pressed by the user (step S38). When the user finds the main content to be acquired while browsing the attribute information, the user presses the main content acquisition button B4. When the main feature acquisition button B4 is pressed, the control means 47 additionally stores the trial content identification code corresponding to the value of the variable d held at that time in the temporary storage means 44 (step S39). The process proceeds to step S40.

  Even when the main part acquisition button B4 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S40. The control means 47 determines whether or not the process end button B10 has been pressed (step S40). When the user finishes specifying the main content to be acquired, the user presses the process end button B10. If the process end button B10 has been pressed, the process ends. If not, the process returns to step S34 to repeat the process. Here, the method of sequentially displaying the attribute information of the trial content has been described, but the user first designates the genre, the performer, etc., and displays only the attribute information of the trial content having the attribute information that meets the designated condition. It may be. The designation of genre, performer, etc. may be performed in the same manner as in step S51 in the description of FIG.

  The second method of specifying the main content is to specify while reproducing the content trial data of the trial content. The processing flow of this method will be described with reference to FIG. First, a condition for content trial data to be reproduced is designated by the user (step S51). When the condition designation button B7 is pressed by the user, the control means 47 performs control and causes the display means 46 to display a “condition designation” screen as shown in FIG. The user can freely move the cursor C1 on the screen using the cursor movement button B6. An attribute to be selected from predetermined choices such as a genre has a check box displayed, and the user can turn the check on and off by placing the cursor C1 on the check box and pressing the enter button B8. . Further, when inputting a character in the text field C2, it is performed by using the character input button B5 after the cursor C1 is set.

  The condition designation is completed by placing the cursor C1 on the trial designation button BD1 and pressing the decision button B8. In the example shown in FIG. 10, when a plurality of genres are specified, it is handled as OR (logical sum). When different items such as genre, age, and character string are specified, AND (logical product) is used. ). Further, the user may be able to directly specify the AND / OR condition. Also, for example, when the condition designation button B7 is pressed twice in succession, the “no condition is designated” process is performed, and the screen display and condition input as shown in FIG. 10 are omitted. Good. In that case, all the contents stored in the trial content storage means 42 are targeted.

  After step S51, the control means 47 creates a trial playlist that collects trial storage indexes of trial contents corresponding to the conditions specified in step S51 (step S52). In this case, the control means 47 reads out K pieces of attribute information of each trial content for the M trial contents in the trial content storage means 42, and trial storage of the trial content that matches the condition specified in step S51. Create a trial playlist showing the index. An example of the use reproduction list is shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 11, the trial storage indexes of four trial contents are selected, and the content trial data is reproduced in the order of trial storage indexes 5, 8, 12, and 18. Here, J is the total number of trial contents in the trial reproduction list.

  When the continuous reproduction button B9 is pressed by the user, the control unit 47 receives an instruction to start reproduction (step S53). The control means 47 sets 1 to j indicating the order of the trial reproduction list (step S54). The control means 47 reads the trial storage index of the trial content written in the jth of the trial reproduction list, reads the content trial data of the trial content corresponding to this from the trial content storage means 42 and sends it to the reproduction means 48 ( Step S55). The reproduction unit 48 performs an appropriate decoding process according to the type of content trial data, and outputs the sound or music to the audio output unit 49 such as a speaker or headphones, and the still image or video to the display unit 46. It is displayed (step S56).

  The control means 47 determines whether or not the user has pressed the main feature acquisition button B4 during the reproduction of the content usage data (step S57). If the user has pressed the main feature acquisition button B4, the process proceeds to step S58, and if not, the process proceeds to step S59. The control unit 47 additionally stores the identification code of the trial content corresponding to the jth trial storage index in the trial reproduction list in the temporary storage unit 44 (step S58). Then, the process proceeds to step S65. If the user has not pressed the main feature acquisition button B4, the control unit 47 determines whether or not the fast-forward button B2 has been pressed by the user (step S59). When the fast-forward button B2 is pressed, the control unit 47 increases the value of the variable j by 1 (step S60) and returns to step S55. Here, the control means 47 performs control so that the variable j does not become larger than the total number J of the trial reproduction lists. If the fast forward button B2 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S61.

  Next, the control means 47 determines whether or not the rewind button B3 has been pressed (step S61). When the rewind button B3 is pressed, the control unit 47 decreases the value of the variable j by 1 (step S62) and returns to step S55. Here, the control means 47 performs control so that the variable j does not become smaller than 1. If the rewind button B3 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S63. The control means 47 determines whether or not the process end button B10 has been pressed (step S63). If the button is pressed, the control means 47 ends the main content specifying process. When the process end button B10 is not pressed, the control unit 47 checks the state of the reproduction unit 48 and determines whether or not the reproduction of the content trial data of the jth trial content in the trial reproduction list has been completed. (Step S64). If it is determined that the process has been completed, the process proceeds to step S65. If it is determined that the process has not been completed, the process returns to step S57.

  The control means 47 adds 1 to the variable j indicating the order in the trial reproduction list (step S65). The control means 47 compares the variable j indicating the order in the trial playlist with the total number J of trial playlists (step S66). If j is less than or equal to J, the process returns to step S55, and if not, the main content specifying process is terminated. When the main content specifying process is completed, the temporary storage means 44 stores the number of identification codes specified by the user in the format shown in FIG. In this case, the user has designated Q main contents.

  According to the above-described method, since trial content is stored in the portable playback device 4, trial use of content trial data of trial content is possible even in an environment where network connection is not possible. Since the acquisition source of the main content is recorded in the trial content in advance, the user does not need to be aware of the acquisition source of the main content, and seamless viewing is possible even for a content set that spans multiple servers. . In the first method of specifying the main content, the attribute information of the trial content can be confirmed with a simple operation, so that the main content to be acquired can be specified in a short time. Further, in the second method of specifying the main content, the user can understand the content of the main content more accurately by continuously reproducing a plurality of content trial data. Compared with the method of specifying and playing back content trial data one by one, there are advantages that the number of operations by the user is small and the user can easily concentrate on the main content. In addition, since the reproduction of another content trial data starts without a gap, there is an advantage that the tendency of the user to specify a plurality of main contents is increased, and the sales of the provider providing the main contents is increased.

  Next, the main content acquisition operation by the server 1, the receiving terminal 2, and the portable playback device 4 will be described with reference to FIG. First, after specifying the main content, the user connects the portable playback device 4 to the local interface 5. The user gives an instruction to “acquire main content” to the input device 25 of the receiving terminal 2 (step S71). The control means 23 of the receiving terminal 2 transmits data requesting an identification code (data T71) to the portable playback device 4 via the interface means 22 (step S72). The control means 47 of the portable playback device 4 reads the identification code from the temporary storage means 44 based on the data T71 received via the interface means 41 (step S73).

  The control means 47 of the portable playback device 4 transmits the read identification code (data T72) to the receiving terminal 2 via the interface means 41 (step S74). The control means 23 of the receiving terminal 2 receives the data T72 via the interface means 22 and obtains the total number Q of main contents to be acquired (step S75). The control means 23 of the receiving terminal 2 sets 1 to q representing the acquisition order (step S76). Based on the qth identification code, the control means 23 of the receiving terminal 2 connects to the corresponding server 1 via the communication means 21 and transmits the main content acquisition request data (data T73) (step S77). If the main content is charged and charging processing is required, information such as a credit card number input by the user from the input device 25 is transmitted to the server 1 together.

  The server 1 transmits the main content (data T74) to the receiving terminal 2 based on the data T73 (step S78). The control means 23 of the receiving terminal 2 receives the main content (data T74) via the communication means 21, and transmits the main content to the portable playback device 4 via the interface means 22 (step S79). The control means 47 of the portable playback device 4 stores the main content (data T74) received via the interface means 41 in the main content storage means 43 (step S80). The control means 47 of the portable playback device 4 transmits data indicating the end of storage (data T75) to the receiving terminal 2 via the interface means 41 (step S81).

  After receiving the data T75 from the portable playback device 4 via the interface means 22, the control means 23 of the receiving terminal 2 adds 1 to the variable q for loop control (step S82). The control means 23 of the receiving terminal 2 compares the variable q for loop control with the total number Q of main contents to be acquired (step S83). If the variable q is Q or less, the process proceeds to step S77. Otherwise, the main content acquisition process ends. Here, the main content stored in the main content storage means 43 has a format as shown in FIG. The main content storage means 43 is managed using a main content storage index that takes a value from 1 to E at each main content storage location, where E is the total number of main content.

  Each main content is composed of K pieces of attribute information such as the title, genre, producer, performer, production time, and description of the main content, and main data. After the desired main content is stored in the main content storage means 43, the user can disconnect the portable playback device 4 from the local interface 5 and play back the main data of the main content at an arbitrary location.

  Next, a processing flow for reproducing the main content will be described with reference to FIG. First, content conditions to be played are designated by the user (step S91). Specifically, when the user presses the condition designation button B7 of the portable playback device 4 described above, the control means 47 causes the display means 46 to display a “condition designation” screen as shown in FIG. The user can freely move the cursor C1 on the screen using the cursor movement button B6. A check box is displayed for an attribute to be selected from predetermined options such as a genre, and the check can be turned on / off by placing the cursor C1 on the check box and pressing the enter button B8.

  Further, when inputting a character in the text field C2, it is performed using the character input button B5 after the cursor C1 is set. The condition designation is completed by placing the cursor C1 on the main part designation button BD2 and pressing the decision button B8. In the example shown in FIG. 10, when a plurality of genres are specified, it is treated as OR (logical sum). When different items such as genre, age, and character string are specified, AND (logical product) is used. ). The user may be able to directly specify the AND / OR condition.

  Further, for example, when the condition designation button B7 is pressed twice in succession, the processing of “no condition is designated” is performed, and the screen display and condition input as shown in FIG. 10 are omitted. May be. In that case, all the contents stored in the main content storage means 43 are targeted. Next, the control means 47 collects the main contents corresponding to the conditions specified in step S91 and creates a main reproduction list (step S92). Specifically, the control means 47 reads K attribute information for each of the E main contents of the main content storage means 43, and indicates the main contents storage index of the main contents that matches the condition specified in step S91. Create a main playlist. An example of the main part reproduction list is shown in FIG. In this example, three main contents are selected and reproduced in the order of the main contents of the main contents storage indexes 7, 9, and 10. Here, the content number of the main reproduction list is H.

  By the user pressing the continuous playback button B9, a playback start instruction is transmitted to the control means 47 (step S93). The control means 47 sets 1 to a variable h indicating the order of the main part reproduction list (step S94). The control unit 47 reads the h-th main program storage index in the main program reproduction list, reads the main program data of the main program content corresponding to the index from the main program content storage module 43, and sends it to the playback module 48 (step S95). The reproduction means 48 performs an appropriate decoding process according to the type of the main data, and outputs the sound or music to the sound output means 49 such as a speaker or a headphone, and the like to the display means 46 if it is a still image or a moving image. Displayed (step S96). In addition, at the same time when the sound or music is output to the sound output means 49, a still image or a moving image may be displayed on the display means 46.

  The control unit 47 checks the state of the reproduction unit 48 and determines whether or not the reproduction of the main data of the h-th main content in the main reproduction list has been completed (step S97). If completed, the process proceeds to step S98, and the control means 47 adds 1 to the variable h indicating the order in the main part reproduction list (step S98). If not completed, step S97 is repeated. The control means 47 compares the variable h indicating the order in the main part reproduction list with the total number H of the main part reproduction lists (step S99). If h is equal to or smaller than H, the process returns to step S95. Otherwise, the reproduction process of the main data of the main content is terminated.

  The above-described embodiment of the present invention is an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the reception terminal 2 may be realized by incorporating the function of the portable playback device 4. In this case, the receiving terminal 2 is not always connected to the network 3 and acquires the main content from the server 1 at the time of connection. Various modifications can be made without departing from the technical idea of the present invention.

  The portable playback device and the receiving terminal according to the present invention reduce the gap between the user's audition operation and the purchase operation even in a terminal that is not always connected to the network, A portable playback device for acquiring and playing back content distributed over a network, since the purchase will be linked to purchase with certainty, and the acquisition destination can perform trial listening of content across a plurality of distribution servers with a simple operation. The receiving terminal is particularly useful for a portable playback device, a receiving terminal, and the like in which a user acquires and plays back original content while using trial content.

It is a figure which shows the content delivery system containing the portable reproduction apparatus and receiving terminal which concern on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the receiving terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the portable reproducing | regenerating apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the storage processing flow of the trial content in the portable reproducing | regenerating apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows another storage processing flow of the trial content in the portable reproducing | regenerating apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the format of the trial content stored in the trial content storage means in the portable reproducing | regenerating apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the designation | designated processing flow of the main content which wants to acquire in the portable reproducing | regenerating apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the portable reproducing | regenerating apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows another designation | designated processing flow of the main content which wants to acquire in the portable reproducing | regenerating apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the screen at the time of designation | designated of the attribute information of trial content, content trial data, and main content displayed on the display means of the portable reproducing apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the trial reproduction | regeneration list | wrist in the portable reproducing | regenerating apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data storage format of the temporary storage means in the portable reproducing | regenerating apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the main content acquisition operation | movement in the portable reproducing | regenerating apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, a receiving terminal, and a server. It is a figure which shows the format of the main content stored in the main content storage means in the portable reproducing | regenerating apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the reproduction | regeneration processing of the main content in the portable reproduction apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the main part reproduction | regeneration list in the portable reproducing | regenerating apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a, 1b-1n Server 2 Receiving terminal 3 Network 4 Portable reproduction | regeneration apparatus 5 Local interface 21 Communication means 22, 41 Interface means 23, 47 Control means 24 Storage means 25 Input device 26 Display apparatus 27 Media drive apparatus 42 Trial content storage Means 43 Main content storage means (content storage means)
44 Temporary storage means (specific information storage means)
45 Operating means (accepting means)
46 Display means 48 Playback means 49 Audio output means B1 Attribute display button B2 Fast forward button B3 Rewind button B4 Main volume acquisition button B5 Character input button B6 Cursor move button B7 Condition designation button B8 Enter button B9 Continuous play button B10 Process end button C1 Cursor C2 Text field BD1 Trial designation button BD2 Main volume designation button

Claims (2)

A portable playback device that is connectable via a local interface to a receiving terminal connected via a network to a server that provides content,
Stores trial content composed of the server that provides the content, identification information for identifying the acquisition destination of the content in the server, attribute information related to the content, and trial data for trial use of the content Means for storing trial content,
Content storage means for storing the content;
The attribute information is displayed on the display means, or according to the content of the trial data, the video is displayed on the display means when the trial data includes video, and the voice is displayed when the trial data includes audio. Playback means for outputting to the audio output means for outputting,
A receiving unit that receives from the user a selection of the content that the user intends to acquire based on the attribute information or the trial data displayed on the display unit or output to the audio output unit;
Specific information storage means for storing specific information for specifying the server that provides the selected content and the acquisition source of the selected content in the server;
In a state connected to the receiving terminal, the specific information stored in the specific information storage means is transmitted to the receiving terminal, and the receiving terminal receives the content acquired from the server based on the specific information. Control means for controlling the received content to be stored in the content storage means;
A portable playback device. Reception that is connected to a server that provides content via a network and that can be connected via a local interface to a portable playback device that plays back the content, trial data for trial use of the content, and attribute information related to the content A terminal,
Communication means for communicating with the server;
Interface means for exchanging information with the portable playback device;
The server that provides the content determined to be acquired based on the trial data or the attribute information reproduced by the portable playback device via the interface unit, and the specification that specifies the content acquisition destination in the server Information is received from the portable playback device, the content acquisition request is transmitted to the server via the communication means based on the received specific information, and the server is based on the acquisition request via the communication means Control means for receiving the content transmitted from the mobile station and controlling the received content to be transmitted to the portable playback device via the interface means;
A receiving terminal provided.

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