JP2007058656A - Content data transfer system, reproduction equipment and center equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reproduce transferred content data in a short standby time after the end of the file transfer of content data. <P>SOLUTION: In a content data transfer system 100 where center equipment 110 and reproduction equipment 120 are connected through a USB cable 170, the file of content data with accessory information is transferred from the center equipment, and recorded in a hard disk driver 156 of the reproduction equipment under the control of the center equipment. Each time the transfer of one file ends, file information is notified from the center equipment to the reproduction equipment. The reproduction equipment performs access to the hard disk drive based on the notified file information, and extracts necessary information from the accessory information of the written file, and writes it in a management table TB10. When the final file transfer ends, the generation of the management table is completed. Thus, it is possible for a user to reproduce the content data without spending any long standby time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a content data transfer system, a playback device, and a center device.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a content data transfer system including a center device 10 such as a personal computer and a playback device 20 such as a portable storage. The center device 10 and the playback device 20 are connected according to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard. In such a content data transfer system, usage modes in which content data held by the hard disk drive 12 of the center device 10 is transferred to the playback device 20 and content data is played back by the playback device 20 are increasing. In addition, incidental information representing the contents of the content data is added to the content data, and one file is configured as content data with additional information.

  When the content data with supplementary information is transferred, content data with supplementary information such as music, still images, and moving images is transferred from the center device 10 to the playback device 20 as a file. In the USB standard, a general-purpose mass storage connection is used for this file transfer.

  In this mass storage connection, since the file management system of the center device 10 directly accesses the hard disk drive 22 of the playback device 20, the file management system of the playback device 20 is not involved in file transfer. For this reason, the playback device 20 cannot know what file access has occurred during file transfer.

When the mass storage connection is completed and the file management system of the playback device 20 can manage the files of the hard disk drive 22, the playback device 20 extracts the accompanying information from the content data with the accompanying information, and manages the content data. Generate a table. This management table is a list of necessary information extracted from the accompanying information. By using the information stored in the management table, the playback device 20 displays a selection screen that allows the user to select content data, thereby providing an easy-to-use operating environment with a small screen display and fewer buttons. ing. Such configuration of content data including incidental information and generation of a management table are also disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-171684 (Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-171684 A

  However, in such a content data transfer system, if there are a large number of content data files to be transferred, it takes a long time to extract the incidental information and generate the management table even if the file transfer is completed. As a result, there is a problem that a long waiting time occurs before the transferred content data is reproduced.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problem, and enables the transferred content data to be reproduced with as short a waiting time as possible after the file transfer of the content data is completed. For the purpose.

In order to solve the above problems, a content data transfer system according to the present invention provides:
A content data file with supplementary information including at least the content data held in the center device and the supplementary information of the content data is provided to the reproduction device. A content data transfer system capable of transferring,
Transfer means for transferring the content data file with supplementary information from the center device to the playback device, and the center device specifying the storage location of the content data file with supplementary information in the data storage unit of the playback device When,
Write means for writing the content data file with supplementary information transferred from the center device to the playback device in the designated storage location in the data storage unit;
When transfer of a predetermined number of files of the content data with supplementary information is completed by the transfer means, the storage location of the file of content data with supplementary information in the data storage unit is set as file information from the center device. A file information transmission means for transmitting to the playback device;
A storage position specifying means for specifying, based on the file information transmitted from the file information transmitting means, the storage position in the data storage unit of the content data file with the accompanying information;
Ancillary information acquisition means for accessing the storage location of the data storage unit specified by the storage location specifying means to acquire the auxiliary information of the content data with the auxiliary information by the playback device;
Management table generation means for extracting necessary information from the auxiliary information acquired by the auxiliary information acquisition means and generating a management table of the content data with the auxiliary information;
It is characterized by providing.

Alternatively, the content data transfer system according to the present invention is:
A content data file with supplementary information including at least the content data held in the center device and the supplementary information of the content data is provided to the reproduction device. A content data transfer system capable of transferring,
Transfer means for transferring the content data file with supplementary information from the center device to the playback device, and the center device specifying the storage location of the content data file with supplementary information in the data storage unit of the playback device When,
Write means for writing the content data file with supplementary information transferred from the center device to the playback device in the designated storage location in the data storage unit;
Ancillary information transmitting means for transmitting the ancillary information from the center device to the playback device when transfer of a predetermined number of files of the content data with the ancillary information is completed by the transfer unit;
A management tail table generating means for receiving the auxiliary information transmitted from the file information transmitting means by the playback device, extracting necessary information from the auxiliary information, and generating a management table of the content data with the auxiliary information;
It is characterized by providing.

  In these cases, the content data transfer system may further include selection screen display means for displaying a selection screen for allowing the user to select content data to be reproduced, using the information stored in the management table. Good.

  Furthermore, the content data transfer system may further include a playback unit that plays back the content data selected by the user using the selection screen displayed by the selection screen display unit.

In addition, the center device and the playback device are connected according to the USB standard,
The content data with accompanying information is transferred from the center device to the playback device using a USB standard storage connection,
The file information may be transmitted from the center device to the playback device using a USB standard logical connection different from the storage connection.

Alternatively, the center device and the playback device are connected according to the USB standard,
The content data with accompanying information is transferred from the center device to the playback device using a USB standard storage connection,
The auxiliary information may be transmitted from the center device to the playback device using a USB standard logical connection different from the storage connection.

The content data transfer system control method according to the present invention includes:
A content data file with supplementary information including at least the content data held in the center device and the supplementary information of the content data is provided to the reproduction device. A content data transfer system control method capable of transferring,
Transferring the content data file with supplementary information from the center device to the playback device, and specifying the storage location of the content data file with supplementary information in the data storage unit of the playback device;
Writing the content data file with supplementary information transferred from the center device to the playback device in the designated storage location in the data storage unit;
When the transfer of a predetermined number of files of the content data with supplementary information is completed, the storage location of the file of content data with supplementary information in the data storage unit is transmitted from the center device to the playback device as file information And steps to
Based on the transmitted file information, the playback device specifies a storage position in the data storage unit of a file of content data with supplementary information;
The playback device accessing the specified storage location of the data storage unit to obtain the supplementary information of the content data with supplementary information;
Extracting necessary information from the acquired supplementary information and generating a management table of the content data with supplementary information;
It is characterized by providing.

Alternatively, the control method of the content data transfer system according to the present invention includes:
A content data file with supplementary information including at least the content data held in the center device and the supplementary information of the content data is provided to the reproduction device. A content data transfer system control method capable of transferring,
Transferring the content data file with supplementary information from the center device to the playback device, and specifying the storage location of the content data file with supplementary information in the data storage unit of the playback device;
Writing the content data file with supplementary information transferred from the center device to the playback device in the designated storage location in the data storage unit;
When the transfer of a predetermined number of files of the content data with supplementary information is completed, transmitting the supplementary information from the center device to the playback device;
Receiving the transmitted supplementary information at the playback device, extracting necessary information from the supplementary information, and generating a management table of the content data with supplementary information;
It is characterized by providing.

The program according to the present invention is:
A content data file with supplementary information including at least the content data held in the center device and the supplementary information of the content data is provided to the reproduction device. A program for controlling a content data transfer system that can be transferred,
Transferring the content data file with supplementary information from the center device to the playback device, and specifying the storage location of the content data file with supplementary information in the data storage unit of the playback device;
Writing the content data file with supplementary information transferred from the center device to the playback device in the designated storage location in the data storage unit;
When the transfer of a predetermined number of files of the content data with supplementary information is completed, the storage location of the file of content data with supplementary information in the data storage unit is transmitted from the center device to the playback device as file information And steps to
Based on the transmitted file information, the playback device specifies a storage position in the data storage unit of a file of content data with supplementary information;
The playback device accessing the specified storage location of the data storage unit to obtain the supplementary information of the content data with supplementary information;
Extracting necessary information from the acquired supplementary information and generating a management table of the content data with supplementary information;
The content data transfer system is executed.

Alternatively, the program according to the present invention is:
A content data file with supplementary information including at least the content data held in the center device and the supplementary information of the content data is provided to the reproduction device. A program for controlling a content data transfer system that can be transferred,
Transferring the content data file with supplementary information from the center device to the playback device, and specifying the storage location of the content data file with supplementary information in the data storage unit of the playback device;
Writing the content data file with supplementary information transferred from the center device to the playback device in the designated storage location in the data storage unit;
When the transfer of a predetermined number of files of the content data with supplementary information is completed, transmitting the supplementary information from the center device to the playback device;
Receiving the transmitted supplementary information at the playback device, extracting necessary information from the supplementary information, and generating a management table of the content data with supplementary information.
The content data transfer system is executed.

The recording medium according to the present invention is
A content data file with supplementary information including at least the content data held in the center device and the supplementary information of the content data is provided to the reproduction device. A recording medium on which a program for controlling a content data transfer system that can be transferred is recorded,
Transferring the content data file with supplementary information from the center device to the playback device, and specifying the storage location of the content data file with supplementary information in the data storage unit of the playback device;
Writing the content data file with supplementary information transferred from the center device to the playback device in the designated storage location in the data storage unit;
When the transfer of a predetermined number of files of the content data with supplementary information is completed, the storage location of the file of content data with supplementary information in the data storage unit is transmitted from the center device to the playback device as file information And steps to
Based on the transmitted file information, the playback device specifies a storage position in the data storage unit of a file of content data with supplementary information;
The playback device accessing the specified storage location of the data storage unit to obtain the supplementary information of the content data with supplementary information;
Extracting necessary information from the acquired supplementary information and generating a management table of the content data with supplementary information;
A program for causing the content data transfer system to execute is recorded.

Alternatively, the recording medium according to the present invention is
A content data file with supplementary information including at least the content data held in the center device and the supplementary information of the content data is provided to the reproduction device. A recording medium on which a program for controlling a content data transfer system that can be transferred is recorded,
Transferring the content data file with supplementary information from the center device to the playback device, and specifying the storage location of the content data file with supplementary information in the data storage unit of the playback device;
Writing the content data file with supplementary information transferred from the center device to the playback device in the designated storage location in the data storage unit;
When the transfer of a predetermined number of files of the content data with supplementary information is completed, transmitting the supplementary information from the center device to the playback device;
Receiving the transmitted supplementary information at the playback device, extracting necessary information from the supplementary information, and generating a management table of the content data with supplementary information.
A program for causing the content data transfer system to execute is recorded.

The playback device according to the present invention is:
A playback device connected to a center device and capable of receiving a transfer of content data files with supplementary information including at least content data held in the center device and supplementary information of the content data,
Receiving means for receiving the content data file with supplementary information transmitted from the center device and receiving from the center device designation of a storage location in a data storage unit for storing the content data file with supplementary information When,
A writing means for writing the content data file with supplementary information transmitted from the center device to the designated storage position in the data storage unit;
A file information receiving means for receiving, as file information, a storage position in the data storage unit of a file of content data with accompanying information from the center device;
Based on the file information received by the file information receiving means, a storage position specifying means for specifying a storage position in the data storage unit of a file of content data with supplementary information;
Accessing the storage position of the data storage unit specified by the storage position specifying means, and acquiring the auxiliary information of the content data with the auxiliary information,
Management table generation means for extracting necessary information from the auxiliary information acquired by the auxiliary information acquisition means and generating a management table of the content data with the auxiliary information;
It is characterized by providing.

Alternatively, the playback device according to the present invention is:
A playback device connected to a center device and capable of receiving a transfer of content data files with supplementary information including at least content data held in the center device and supplementary information of the content data,
Receiving means for receiving the content data file with supplementary information transmitted from the center device and receiving from the center device designation of a storage location in a data storage unit for storing the content data file with supplementary information When,
A writing means for writing the content data file with supplementary information transmitted from the center device to the designated storage position in the data storage unit;
Ancillary information receiving means for receiving the ancillary information of the received content data with the ancillary information from the center device;
Management tail table generating means for extracting necessary information from the received auxiliary information and generating a management table of the content data with the auxiliary information;
It is characterized by providing.

The center device according to the present invention is
A center device connected to a playback device and capable of transferring a content data file with supplementary information including at least content data and supplementary information of the content data to the playback device,
The content data file with supplementary information is transferred to the playback device, and the storage location of the content data file with supplementary information is specified in the data storage unit of the playback device, and the content with supplementary information is sent to the playback device. Transfer writing means for causing a data file to be written in the data storage unit;
When the transfer writing means completes transferring a predetermined number of files of the content data with supplementary information, the playback device uses the storage location of the file of content data with supplementary information in the data storage unit as file information. A file information transmission means for causing the playback device to generate a management table of the content data with supplementary information using the file information;
It is characterized by providing.

The center device according to the present invention is
A center device connected to a playback device and capable of transferring a content data file with supplementary information including at least content data and supplementary information of the content data to the playback device,
The content data file with supplementary information is transferred to the playback device, and the storage location of the content data file with supplementary information is specified in the data storage unit of the playback device, and the content with supplementary information is sent to the playback device. Transfer writing means for causing a data file to be written in the data storage unit;
When transfer of a predetermined number of files of the content data with supplementary information is completed by the transfer writing means, the supplementary information is transmitted to the playback device, and the supplementary information is transmitted to the playback device using the supplementary information. Incidental information transmission means for generating an attached content data management table;
It is characterized by providing.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the content data transfer system 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the content data transfer system 100 according to this embodiment includes a center device 110 and a playback device 120. The center device 110 is configured by, for example, a personal computer such as a desktop type or a notebook type. The playback device 120 is configured by, for example, a small portable storage.

  The center device 110 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) 130, a random access memory (RAM) 132, a read only memory (ROM) 134, a hard disk drive 136, and a communication interface 138. Are connected to each other via an internal bus 140.

  The playback device 120 also includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 150, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 152, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 154, a hard disk drive 156, and a communication interface 158. Are connected to each other via an internal bus 160.

  In the present embodiment, the communication interface 138 and the communication interface 158 are configured by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, and the USB cable 170 is used between the communication interface 138 and the communication interface 158. It is connected.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of content data with supplementary information stored in the hard disk drive 136 of the center device 110. As shown in FIG. 3, the content data with supplementary information includes at least content data and supplementary information of the content data.

  Examples of the content data include music data, still image data, and moving image data. The accompanying information is information attached to the content data. For example, when the content data is music data, information such as the artist name, song name, and reproduction time of the music is held. In the present embodiment, one file is constituted by content data with supplementary information including the content data and supplementary information. In the following description, the case where the content data is a music file will be described as an example.

  Next, based on FIG. 4, in the content data transfer system 100 according to the present embodiment, processing when content data with supplementary information is transferred from the center device 110 to the playback device 120 will be schematically described.

  First, the center device 110 and the playback device 120 are connected by the USB cable 170. As a result, the USB storage connection is established, and the center device 110 makes the hard disk drive 156 of the playback device 120 appear as a drive. In the present embodiment, a notification unit is also established between the center device 110 and the playback device 120. This notification means can be realized by a logical connection different from the storage connection in the USB standard.

  Next, the application of the center device 110 transfers the content data file with supplementary information to the playback device 120 by file transfer through storage connection, and writes it to the hard disk drive 156 under the file management of the center device 110.

  Each time the transfer of one file is completed, the center device 110 transmits the file information of the transferred file to the playback device 120 using a notification unit. Specifically, the center device 110 transmits, as a list, information specifying a sector for one file written in the hard disk drive 156. The information for specifying the sector is an example of information for specifying the storage position where the file is written in the hard disk drive 156, and the storage position in the hard disk drive 156 where the file is written may be specified by other information. .

  The playback device 120 waits for reception of file information by the notification means while performing file transfer processing from the center device 110. When the file information of the written file is received from the notification means, Based on the file information, the hard disk drive 156 is accessed to acquire the accompanying information of the written file. Then, the playback device 120 extracts necessary information from the acquired incidental information and writes it in the management table TB10.

  When a plurality of content data files are transferred from the center device 110 to the playback device 120, this process is repeated for each file.

  By transferring files in this way, even when a large amount of content data files are transferred from the center device 110 to the playback device 120, the generation of the management table TB10 is completed promptly when the last file transfer is completed. In other words, the user can select the content data to be reproduced and reproduce the content data without waiting for a long time.

  Next, processing necessary for realizing the file transfer processing of content data from the center device 110 to the playback device 120 shown in FIG. 4 will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of the file transfer process executed by the center device 110. This file transfer process is realized by the CPU 130 reading and executing a file transfer program stored in the ROM 134 or the hard disk drive 136. The file transfer process is started when the user designates a file to be transferred to the center device 110 and instructs transfer to the playback device 120.

  As shown in FIG. 5, first, the center device 110 starts file writing (step S100). Specifically, the center device 110 starts writing a file of content data with supplementary information designated by the user to the hard disk drive 156 of the playback device 120 that has become visible through USB storage connection. The number of content data files with supplementary information specified by the user is arbitrary, and the user can specify one or a plurality of files. In step S100, file transfer is started for one of the files designated by the user.

  In this file transfer, the center device 110 designates the sector of the hard disk drive 156 to which the file is written and transmits it to the playback device 120. That is, the file management system of the center device 110 manages file writing of the hard disk drive 156 of the playback device 120. Therefore, the playback device 120 only performs processing to write the received file data to the sector designated by the center device 110, and the file management system of the playback device 120 writes the file data to which sector. I can't know what happened.

  Next, the center device 110 determines whether or not writing for one file has been completed (step S102). As described with reference to FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, content data with supplementary information including content data and supplementary information is composed of one file, so whether or not writing for this one file has been completed. Judging. If it is determined that the writing of one file has not been completed (step S102: NO), the process of step S102 is repeated and waits.

  On the other hand, when the writing for one file is completed (step S102: YES), the file information of the file written to the hard disk drive 156 is transmitted to the playback device 120 via the notification means (step S104). Specifically, the center device 110 transmits information specifying all sectors in which data for one file has been written to the hard disk drive 156 to the playback device 120 as a list.

  Next, the center device 110 determines whether there are still files that have not been transferred among the files designated by the user for transfer (step S106). If there are remaining files (step S106: YES), the process returns to step S100, and one file is selected from the remaining files, and writing to the hard disk drive 156 of the playback device 120 is started.

  On the other hand, if there is no remaining file (step S106: NO), this file transfer process is terminated.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the content of the file reception process executed by the playback device 120 according to the present embodiment. This file transfer process is a process realized by the CPU 150 reading and executing a file reception program stored in the ROM 154 or the hard disk drive 156. This file reception process is a process that is regularly executed when the USB cable 170 is connected to the playback device 120.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the playback device 120 determines whether file data has been received from the center device 110 (step S120). If the file data has not been received (step S120: NO), the process of step S120 is repeated to wait.

  On the other hand, when file data is received from the center device 110 (step S120: YES), the received file data is written to the hard disk drive 156 (step S122). Here, since the file management for the hard disk drive 156 is performed by the file management system of the center device 110, the playback device 120 receives the designation of the sector in which the file data is written from the center device 110, and this designated sector. The data of the received file is written without going through the file management system of the playback device 120. As described above, since the file management system of the playback device 120 is not involved in file writing, it cannot know at which point in the hard disk drive 156 the sector of the file data has been written. .

  After step S122, the playback device 120 returns to step S120 described above.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of the management table generation process executed by the playback device 120 according to the present embodiment. This management table generation process is a process realized by the CPU 150 reading and executing a management table generation program stored in the ROM 154 or the hard disk drive 156. The management table process is a process that is regularly executed when the USB cable 170 is connected to the playback device 120.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the playback device 120 determines whether or not file information has been received from the center device 110 via the USB connection notification means (step S140). If the file information has not been received (step S140: NO), the process of step S140 is repeated and the process waits.

  On the other hand, when the file information is received (step S140: YES), the playback device 120 accesses the hard disk drive 156 based on the received file information, and from the content data file written by the center device 110, Accompanying information is acquired (step S142). Specifically, the received file information includes information for identifying the sector in which the center device 110 has written the content data file. Based on this sector, the center device 110 adds content data with supplementary information. Is stored, and the content data file with additional information is accessed. Then, the supplementary information of the content data with supplementary information is extracted and acquired. Thus, by acquiring the file information from the center device 110, the playback device 120 can know the storage location of the written file.

  Next, the playback device 120 extracts necessary information from the acquired incidental information and generates a management table TB10 (step S144). Specifically, information such as the artist name, song name, and playback time extracted from the accompanying information is added to the management table TB10.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the management table TB10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, in the management table TB10, the file name of the content data file with supplementary information, the artist name of the content (music data) included in the content data, the song name, the playback time, Is stored and held. Therefore, in step S144, the information newly written by the center device 110 is additionally written in the management table TB10. In the present embodiment, the management table TB10 is stored in the hard disk drive 156.

  After step S144, the playback device 120 returns to step S140 described above.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration in the playback device 120 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, the playback device 120 includes a hard disk driver 200, a file management system 210, an application 220, a file parser 230, and a database management system 240. Yes. However, the playback device 120 may include other software.

  The hard disk driver 200 controls physical access to the hard disk drive 156. The file management system 210 performs file management of the hard disk drive 156. The application 220 is various applications, and in this embodiment, includes music data playback software, still image data display software, and moving image data playback software. The file parser 230 converts the content data file into a format that can be read and reproduced by the application 220. The database management system 240 manages the management table TB10 as a database.

  Since the file management system 210 cannot know the data storage position of the file written to the hard disk drive 156 by the center device 110 via the storage connection as described above, the storage position where the data is written from the center device 110. The file information including the information for identifying the file is acquired, and the storage position is grasped.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of a selection screen W10 that is displayed on the display so that the application 220 uses the information stored in the management table TB10 to allow the user to select content data to be reproduced. As shown in FIG. 10, the playback device 120 uses the information included in the management table TB10 to enable the user to select content data to be played back appropriately.

  When the user operates the cursor CR on the selection screen W10 to select content data to be played back, the application 220 plays back the selected content data. For example, if the content data is music data, the content data specified by the user is reproduced as music.

  As described above, according to the content data transfer system 100 according to the present embodiment, while the content data with supplementary information is being transferred from the center device 110 to the reproduction device 120, the reproduction device 120 transmits the supplementary information of the content data. Since the management table TB10 is generated by reading, the generation of the management table TB10 can be completed as soon as possible after all file transfers are completed. For this reason, even when a large amount of files are transferred, it is possible to prompt the user to select a file to be played and to play back the content data immediately after the file transfer is completed.

  In particular, when the center device 110 and the playback device 120 are connected by a USB standard storage connection, the playback device 120 cannot grasp the file information of the file written in the hard disk drive 156. However, in the present embodiment, the file information is notified from the center device 110 to the playback device 120 via the notification means, so that the file stored in the hard disk drive 156 is stored on the basis of the notified file information. Be able to access. Therefore, even when a plurality of files are being transferred and the center device 110 has not released the management of the hard disk drive 156, it is necessary to extract the additional information from the content data with additional information newly stored in the hard disk drive 156. Therefore, the management table TB10 can be generated in parallel with the file transfer.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment described above, the file information is transmitted from the center device 110 to the playback device 120 via the notification means. However, in the second embodiment, the incidental information is transmitted via this notification means. It is what you do. Hereinafter, a different part from 1st Embodiment mentioned above is demonstrated.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart for explaining the contents of the file transfer process according to the present embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 5 in the first embodiment described above.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the file transfer process according to the present embodiment, when the writing of one file is completed (step S102: YES), the file of the content data with accompanying information that has been written is attached. The information portion is extracted, and the center device 110 transmits it to the playback device 120 (step S200). The other processes are the same as the file transfer process of the first embodiment described above.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart for explaining the contents of the management table generation processing according to the present embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 7 in the first embodiment described above.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the playback device 120 determines whether or not incidental information has been received from the center device 110 via the USB connection notification means (step S210). If the incidental information has not been received (step S210: NO), the process of step S210 is repeated and waits.

  On the other hand, when the incidental information is received (step S210: YES), the playback device 120 extracts necessary information from the received incidental information and generates the management table TB10 (step S212). Specifically, information such as the artist name, song name, and playback time extracted from the accompanying information is added to the management table TB10. Then, the process returns to step S210.

  As described above, also by the content data transfer system 100 according to the present embodiment, while the content data with supplementary information is being transferred from the center device 110 to the reproduction device 120, the reproduction device 120 reads the supplementary information of the content data. Since the management table TB10 can be generated, the generation of the management table TB10 can be completed as soon as possible after all file transfers are completed. For this reason, even when a large amount of files are transferred, it is possible to prompt the user to select a file to be played and to play back the content data immediately after the file transfer is completed.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible. For example, the internal configurations of the center device 110 and the playback device 120 illustrated in FIG. 2 are merely examples, and may be internal configurations other than those illustrated in FIG.

  The hard disk drives 136 and 156 in the above embodiment are an example of a data storage unit in which content data files with supplementary information are stored, and the data storage unit can be configured by a storage device other than the hard disk drive. It is.

  In the above-described embodiment, the notification unit is realized by a logical connection different from the storage connection in the USB standard. However, the notification unit can be realized by a method other than this. For example, by using the storage connection, the center device 110 writes to a specific sector in the hard disk drive 156 of the playback device 120 so that the written information is notified to the playback device 120, thereby notifying means. May be realized.

  Various information is assumed as the information included in the above-mentioned supplementary information, and is not limited to character information such as an artist name and a song name, and may include image information such as a thumbnail image.

  In the above-described embodiment, each time one file transfer is completed, the file information or supplementary information is transmitted from the center device 110 to the playback device 120. However, the timing at which the file information or supplementary information is transmitted. Is not limited to this. For example, the file information or supplementary information may be transmitted from the center device 110 to the playback device 120 each time one or more predetermined number of file transfers are completed. In other words, when a plurality of files are transferred from the center device 110 to the playback device 120, when the transfer of some files is completed, the file information or incidental information of the files that have been transferred is transferred to the center device 110. Is transmitted to the playback device 120.

  For each process described in the above-described embodiment, a program for executing each process is recorded on a recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), a ROM, or a memory card. Thus, it can be distributed in the form of a recording medium. In this case, the above-described embodiment can be realized by causing the center device 110 and the playback device 120 to read and execute the program recorded on the recording medium.

  The center device 110 and the playback device 120 may include other programs such as an operating system and another application program. In this case, in order to use another program provided in the center device 110 or the playback device 120, a program that realizes the same processing as that of the above-described embodiment is called out from the programs provided in the center device 110 or the playback device 120. A program including such an instruction may be recorded on a recording medium.

  Furthermore, such a program can be distributed not as a recording medium but as a carrier wave through a network. The program transmitted in the form of a carrier wave on the network is taken into the center device 110 and the playback device 120, and the above-described embodiment can be realized by executing this program.

  Also, when a program is recorded on a recording medium or transmitted as a carrier wave on a network, the program may be encrypted or compressed. In this case, the center device 110 and the playback device 120 that read the program from the recording medium or the carrier wave need to execute the program after decoding or decompressing the program.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, various processes are implemented by software programs. However, these processes may be implemented by hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific IC).

  For example, when the content data transfer system 100 according to the first embodiment described above is realized by hardware, it can be configured as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, the center device 110 can include a transfer unit 300, a file information transmission unit 302, a hard disk drive 136, and a communication interface 138. In addition, the playback device 120 includes a writing unit 310, a storage location specifying unit 312, an auxiliary information acquisition unit 314, a management table generation unit 316, a selection screen display unit 318, a playback unit 320, a hard disk drive 156, A communication interface 158 can be provided.

  Similar to the first embodiment described above, the communication interface 138 of the center device 110 and the communication interface 158 of the playback device 120 are connected by a USB cable 170.

  The transfer unit 300 reads the content data file with supplementary information stored in the hard disk drive 136 and transfers it to the playback device 120. Further, the transfer unit 300 designates the storage location of the content data file with supplementary information in the hard disk drive 156 of the playback device 120 and transmits it to the playback device 120.

  The writing unit 310 writes the content data file with supplementary information transferred from the center device 110 to the designated storage location in the hard disk drive 156. For example, since the storage location is designated by the sector from the center device 110, the file data is written in the designated sector.

  When the transfer of content data with supplementary information for one file is completed without transfer 300, the file information transmission unit 302 uses the storage location of the file of content data with supplementary information in the hard disk drive 156 as file information as a playback device. 120. Here, for example, as information for specifying the storage position, a list of written sectors is stored in the file information in a list format.

  The storage location specifying unit 312 specifies the storage location in the hard disk drive 156 of the content data file with supplementary information based on the file information transmitted from the file information transmission failure 302. That is, the sector in which the center device 110 has written data to the hard disk drive 156 is specified.

  The supplementary information acquisition unit 314 accesses the storage position of the hard disk drive 156 specified by the storage position specification unit 312 and acquires the supplementary information of the content data with supplementary information.

  The management table generation unit 316 extracts necessary information from the incidental information acquired by the incidental information acquisition unit 314, generates a management table TB10 of content data with incidental information, and stores it in the hard disk drive 156.

  The selection screen display unit 318 displays a selection screen W10 that allows the user to select content data to be reproduced, using information stored in the management table TB10. For example, the selection screen W10 is displayed on a display included in the playback device 120.

  The reproduction unit 320 reproduces the content data selected by the user using the selection screen W10 displayed on the selection screen display unit 318. For example, if the content data is music data, the playback unit 320 performs music playback. If the content data is a still image, the playback unit 320 performs playback display of the still image. If the content data is video, the playback unit 320 plays the video. Do.

  Further, when the content data transfer system 100 according to the second embodiment described above is realized by hardware, it can be configured as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, in the center device 110 of the second embodiment, an auxiliary information transmission unit 400 is provided instead of the file information transmission unit 302, and in the playback device 120, the storage location specifying unit 312 is provided. Is omitted.

  When the transfer unit 300 completes the transfer of content data with supplementary information for one file, the supplementary information transmission unit 400 transmits the supplementary information to the playback device 120.

  The management table generating unit 316 receives the incidental information transmitted from the incidental information transmitting unit 400, extracts necessary information from the incidental information, generates a management table TB10 of content data with incidental information, and stores it in the hard disk drive 156. Store. Other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment described above.

The block diagram explaining the file transfer of the content data with supplementary information in the conventional content data transfer system. The block diagram explaining an example of the composition of the contents data transfer system concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. The figure explaining an example of a data structure of content data with incidental information. The block diagram explaining the file transfer of the content data with supplementary information in the content data transfer system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the flowchart explaining the content of the file transfer process performed with the center apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the flowchart explaining the content of the file reception process performed with the reproducing | regenerating apparatus concerning 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the flowchart explaining the content of the management table production | generation process performed with the reproducing | regenerating apparatus concerning 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of a structure of the management table which the reproducing | regenerating apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment hold | maintains. The figure explaining an example of the software structure with which the reproducing | regenerating apparatus concerning 1st Embodiment is provided. The figure which shows an example of the selection screen displayed on the display of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the flowchart explaining the content of the file transfer process performed with the center apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the flowchart explaining the content of the management table production | generation process performed with the reproducing | regenerating apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of an internal structure at the time of comprising the content data transfer system which concerns on 1st Embodiment with hardware. The figure which shows an example of an internal structure at the time of comprising the content data transfer system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment with hardware.

Explanation of symbols

100 content data transfer system 110 center device 120 playback device 130 CPU
132 RAM
134 ROM
136 Hard Disk Drive 138 Communication Interface 150 CPU
152 RAM
154 ROM
156 Hard disk drive 158 Communication interface 170 USB cable

Claims (16)

A content data file with supplementary information including at least the content data held in the center device and the supplementary information of the content data is provided to the reproduction device. A content data transfer system capable of transferring,
Transfer means for transferring the content data file with supplementary information from the center device to the playback device, and the center device specifying the storage location of the content data file with supplementary information in the data storage unit of the playback device When,
Write means for writing the content data file with supplementary information transferred from the center device to the playback device in the designated storage location in the data storage unit;
When transfer of a predetermined number of files of the content data with supplementary information is completed by the transfer means, the storage location of the file of content data with supplementary information in the data storage unit is set as file information from the center device. A file information transmission means for transmitting to the playback device;
A storage position specifying means for specifying, based on the file information transmitted from the file information transmitting means, the storage position in the data storage unit of the content data file with the accompanying information;
Ancillary information acquisition means for accessing the storage location of the data storage unit specified by the storage location specifying means to acquire the auxiliary information of the content data with the auxiliary information by the playback device;
Management table generation means for extracting necessary information from the auxiliary information acquired by the auxiliary information acquisition means and generating a management table of the content data with the auxiliary information;
A content data transfer system comprising: A content data file with supplementary information including at least the content data held in the center device and the supplementary information of the content data is provided to the reproduction device. A content data transfer system capable of transferring,
Transfer means for transferring the content data file with supplementary information from the center device to the playback device, and the center device specifying the storage location of the content data file with supplementary information in the data storage unit of the playback device When,
Write means for writing the content data file with supplementary information transferred from the center device to the playback device in the designated storage location in the data storage unit;
Ancillary information transmitting means for transmitting the ancillary information from the center device to the playback device when transfer of a predetermined number of files of the content data with the ancillary information is completed by the transfer unit;
A management tail table generating means for receiving the auxiliary information transmitted from the file information transmitting means by the playback device, extracting necessary information from the auxiliary information, and generating a management table of the content data with the auxiliary information;
A content data transfer system comprising:   The selection screen display means for displaying a selection screen for allowing a user to select content data to be played back using information stored in the management table is further provided. Content data transfer system.   4. The content data transfer system according to claim 3, further comprising reproduction means for reproducing content data selected by a user using the selection screen displayed by the selection screen display means. The center device and the playback device are connected according to the USB standard,
The content data with accompanying information is transferred from the center device to the playback device using a USB standard storage connection,
The file information is transmitted from the center device to the playback device using a USB standard logical connection different from the storage connection.
The content data transfer system according to claim 1. The center device and the playback device are connected according to the USB standard,
The content data with accompanying information is transferred from the center device to the playback device using a USB standard storage connection,
The incidental information is transmitted from the center device to the playback device using a logical connection of a USB standard different from the storage connection.
The content data transfer system according to claim 2. A content data file with supplementary information including at least the content data held in the center device and the supplementary information of the content data is provided to the reproduction device. A content data transfer system control method capable of transferring,
Transferring the content data file with supplementary information from the center device to the playback device, and specifying the storage location of the content data file with supplementary information in the data storage unit of the playback device;
Writing the content data file with supplementary information transferred from the center device to the playback device in the designated storage location in the data storage unit;
When the transfer of a predetermined number of files of the content data with supplementary information is completed, the storage location of the file of content data with supplementary information in the data storage unit is transmitted from the center device to the playback device as file information And steps to
Based on the transmitted file information, the playback device specifies a storage position in the data storage unit of a file of content data with supplementary information;
The playback device accessing the specified storage location of the data storage unit to obtain the supplementary information of the content data with supplementary information;
Extracting necessary information from the acquired supplementary information and generating a management table of the content data with supplementary information;
A content data transfer system control method comprising: A content data file with supplementary information including at least the content data held in the center device and the supplementary information of the content data is provided to the reproduction device. A content data transfer system control method capable of transferring,
Transferring the content data file with supplementary information from the center device to the playback device, and specifying the storage location of the content data file with supplementary information in the data storage unit of the playback device;
Writing the content data file with supplementary information transferred from the center device to the playback device in the designated storage location in the data storage unit;
When the transfer of a predetermined number of files of the content data with supplementary information is completed, transmitting the supplementary information from the center device to the playback device;
Receiving the transmitted supplementary information at the playback device, extracting necessary information from the supplementary information, and generating a management table of the content data with supplementary information;
A content data transfer system control method comprising: A content data file with supplementary information including at least the content data held in the center device and the supplementary information of the content data is provided to the reproduction device. A program for controlling a content data transfer system that can be transferred,
Transferring the content data file with supplementary information from the center device to the playback device, and specifying the storage location of the content data file with supplementary information in the data storage unit of the playback device;
Writing the content data file with supplementary information transferred from the center device to the playback device in the designated storage location in the data storage unit;
When the transfer of a predetermined number of files of the content data with supplementary information is completed, the storage location of the file of content data with supplementary information in the data storage unit is transmitted from the center device to the playback device as file information And steps to
Based on the transmitted file information, the playback device specifies a storage position in the data storage unit of a file of content data with supplementary information;
The playback device accessing the specified storage location of the data storage unit to obtain the supplementary information of the content data with supplementary information;
Extracting necessary information from the acquired supplementary information and generating a management table of the content data with supplementary information;
A program for causing the content data transfer system to execute. A content data file with supplementary information including at least the content data held in the center device and the supplementary information of the content data is provided to the reproduction device. A program for controlling a content data transfer system that can be transferred,
Transferring the content data file with supplementary information from the center device to the playback device, and specifying the storage location of the content data file with supplementary information in the data storage unit of the playback device;
Writing the content data file with supplementary information transferred from the center device to the playback device in the designated storage location in the data storage unit;
When the transfer of a predetermined number of files of the content data with supplementary information is completed, transmitting the supplementary information from the center device to the playback device;
Receiving the transmitted supplementary information at the playback device, extracting necessary information from the supplementary information, and generating a management table of the content data with supplementary information.
A program for causing the content data transfer system to execute. A content data file with supplementary information including at least the content data held in the center device and the supplementary information of the content data is provided to the reproduction device. A recording medium on which a program for controlling a content data transfer system that can be transferred is recorded,
Transferring the content data file with supplementary information from the center device to the playback device, and specifying the storage location of the content data file with supplementary information in the data storage unit of the playback device;
Writing the content data file with supplementary information transferred from the center device to the playback device in the designated storage location in the data storage unit;
When the transfer of a predetermined number of files of the content data with supplementary information is completed, the storage location of the file of content data with supplementary information in the data storage unit is transmitted from the center device to the playback device as file information And steps to
Based on the transmitted file information, the playback device specifies a storage position in the data storage unit of a file of content data with supplementary information;
The playback device accessing the specified storage location of the data storage unit to obtain the supplementary information of the content data with supplementary information;
Extracting necessary information from the acquired supplementary information and generating a management table of the content data with supplementary information;
A recording medium on which a program to be executed by the content data transfer system is recorded. A content data file with supplementary information including at least the content data held in the center device and the supplementary information of the content data is provided to the reproduction device. A recording medium on which a program for controlling a content data transfer system that can be transferred is recorded,
Transferring the content data file with supplementary information from the center device to the playback device, and specifying the storage location of the content data file with supplementary information in the data storage unit of the playback device;
Writing the content data file with supplementary information transferred from the center device to the playback device in the designated storage location in the data storage unit;
When the transfer of a predetermined number of files of the content data with supplementary information is completed, transmitting the supplementary information from the center device to the playback device;
Receiving the transmitted supplementary information at the playback device, extracting necessary information from the supplementary information, and generating a management table of the content data with supplementary information.
A recording medium on which a program to be executed by the content data transfer system is recorded. A playback device connected to a center device and capable of receiving a transfer of content data files with supplementary information including at least content data held in the center device and supplementary information of the content data,
Receiving means for receiving the content data file with supplementary information transmitted from the center device and receiving from the center device designation of a storage location in a data storage unit for storing the content data file with supplementary information When,
A writing means for writing the content data file with supplementary information transmitted from the center device to the designated storage position in the data storage unit;
A file information receiving means for receiving, as file information, a storage position in the data storage unit of a file of content data with accompanying information from the center device;
Based on the file information received by the file information receiving means, a storage position specifying means for specifying a storage position in the data storage unit of a file of content data with supplementary information;
Accessing the storage position of the data storage unit specified by the storage position specifying means, and acquiring the auxiliary information of the content data with the auxiliary information,
Management table generation means for extracting necessary information from the auxiliary information acquired by the auxiliary information acquisition means and generating a management table of the content data with the auxiliary information;
A playback device comprising: A playback device connected to a center device and capable of receiving a transfer of content data files with supplementary information including at least content data held in the center device and supplementary information of the content data,
Receiving means for receiving the content data file with supplementary information transmitted from the center device and receiving from the center device designation of a storage location in a data storage unit for storing the content data file with supplementary information When,
A writing means for writing the content data file with supplementary information transmitted from the center device to the designated storage position in the data storage unit;
Ancillary information receiving means for receiving the ancillary information of the received content data with the ancillary information from the center device;
Management tail table generating means for extracting necessary information from the received auxiliary information and generating a management table of the content data with the auxiliary information;
A playback device comprising: A center device connected to a playback device and capable of transferring a content data file with supplementary information including at least content data and supplementary information of the content data to the playback device,
The content data file with supplementary information is transferred to the playback device, and the storage location of the content data file with supplementary information is specified in the data storage unit of the playback device, and the content with supplementary information is sent to the playback device. Transfer writing means for causing a data file to be written in the data storage unit;
When the transfer writing means completes transferring a predetermined number of files of the content data with supplementary information, the playback device uses the storage location of the file of content data with supplementary information in the data storage unit as file information. A file information transmission means for causing the playback device to generate a management table of the content data with supplementary information using the file information;
Center equipment characterized by comprising. A center device connected to a playback device and capable of transferring a content data file with supplementary information including at least content data and supplementary information of the content data to the playback device,
The content data file with supplementary information is transferred to the playback device, and the storage location of the content data file with supplementary information is specified in the data storage unit of the playback device, and the content with supplementary information is sent to the playback device. Transfer writing means for causing a data file to be written in the data storage unit;
When transfer of a predetermined number of files of the content data with supplementary information is completed by the transfer writing means, the supplementary information is transmitted to the playback device, and the supplementary information is transmitted to the playback device using the supplementary information. Incidental information transmission means for generating an attached content data management table;
Center equipment characterized by comprising.

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