JP2007058688A - Information processing apparatus, content providing apparatus, method for controlling information processing apparatus, control program of information processing apparatus, and recording medium recording control program of information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus capable of shortening processing time required for content acquisition processing. <P>SOLUTION: A content reproducing apparatus 1 for acquiring contents from another content reproducing apparatus in which the contents are stored is provided with a first communication part 2 and an apparatus control part 3 which respectively acquire apparatus registering information 51 indicating the liking of owners of other content reproducing apparatuses for the contents from the other content reproducing apparatuses existing in a communicable range, and an apparatus selection part 42 for selecting the other content reproducing apparatus to be a communication party on the basis of the acquired apparatus registering information 51. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that acquires content from a content providing apparatus that holds the content.

  In recent years, portable devices such as mobile phones and portable MP3 players that can reproduce content such as music data while moving have been widely used. This content is, for example, a sentence, music, image, video, game, or a set of information that is a combination of these expressed in digital data.

  By the way, in such a portable device, it can be said that it is preferable in terms of convenience that content can be shared with other portable devices. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an information providing system that allows portable audio devices 900 to be connected to each other by wireless communication so that content can be shared.

  As shown in FIG. 27, the audio device 900 disclosed in Patent Document 1 receives music content information from another audio device or the like that is communicably connected to the receiving unit 901 in response to an instruction from the control unit 904. To do. Then, the receiving unit 901 outputs the received content information to the speaker 911 via the selection circuit 912. As described above, the portable audio device 900 disclosed in Patent Document 1 can receive and reproduce music content information from other portable audio devices. FIG. 27 shows the prior art, and is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the audio device 900.

  Also, the music playback unit 906 plays the music content recorded on the memory card 908 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 904, and outputs the played music content to the transmission unit 902 via the selection circuit 913. . Then, the transmission unit 902 transmits the reproduced music content received from the music reproduction unit 906 to another audio device via the antenna. As described above, the portable audio device 900 shown in Patent Document 1 can also output the music content stored in the memory card 908 to the audio device with another portable audio device.

  As described above, the audio device disclosed in Patent Document 1 can share content with other audio devices.

The memory card 908 is configured to register the song name for each song as the file name of each file based on specific criteria such as artist name and genre. In the audio device 900, the control unit 904 can display a list of song names on the display unit 909. The user can select music by operating the operation element 910 with reference to the displayed playlist.
JP 2001-352291 A (published on December 21, 2001)

  However, in the above-described conventional configuration, for example, when the number of contents stored in the memory card increases, the communication time for transmitting these contents to other devices becomes longer, and the names of songs displayed as playlists increase. However, there arises a problem that the efficiency of music selection processing by the user is reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, a content providing apparatus, a control method for the information processing apparatus, which can reduce processing time related to content acquisition processing, An information processing apparatus control program and a recording medium on which the information processing apparatus control program is recorded are realized.

  In order to solve the above problems, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus that acquires content from a content providing apparatus that holds content, and from the content providing apparatus that exists in a communicable range, Content provision as a communication partner based on preference information acquisition means for acquiring provider-side preference information, which is information indicating a preference regarding the content of the owner of the content providing device, and provider-side preference information acquired by the preference information acquisition means And a device selection means for selecting a device.

  According to the above configuration, since the information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes the preference information acquisition unit, the provider-side preference information can be acquired from the content providing apparatus that exists within a communicable range. Moreover, since the apparatus selection means is provided, based on the acquired provider-side preference information, the owner who has a preference similar to the preference of the owner of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention from the communicable content providing apparatuses The owned content providing apparatus can be selected.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention can select, as a communication partner, a content providing apparatus possessed by an owner similar to the owner's preference of the information processing apparatus among communicable content providing apparatuses. .

  For this reason, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention does not need to request and acquire content transmission from all of the plurality of content providing apparatuses when there are a plurality of other content providing apparatuses capable of communicating. That is, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention can appropriately select a content acquisition destination, so that communication time required for content acquisition is reduced as compared to the case of acquiring content from all communicable apparatuses. Can be made.

  Therefore, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention has an effect that the processing time related to the content acquisition process can be reduced.

  Further, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, in the configuration described above, the preference information indicating the preference of the owner of the information processing apparatus, and the priority of the owner's preference in each item included in the preference information. A preference information storage device that stores priority information to be displayed, and the device selection means calculates a degree of coincidence between the provider side preference information and the preference information based on the priority information stored in the preference information storage device By doing so, it is preferable to be configured to select a content providing apparatus to be a communication partner.

  The items included in the preference information are not, for example, the number of devices that can be selected as content acquisition destinations, devices that are set to be preferentially selected as content acquisition destinations, and content acquisition destinations. And the age, gender, favorite artist name, content genre, etc. of the owner of the information processing apparatus.

  According to the above configuration, since the preference information storage device is provided, the preference information regarding the content preference of the owner of the information processing device according to the present invention can be held. Moreover, since priority information is memorize | stored, the preference information memorize | stored in the said preference information storage device can be managed as information reflecting owner's preference more.

  Therefore, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention compares the provider preference information acquired from the content providing apparatus with the preference information, and more appropriately the content preference of the owner of the communication apparatus based on the priority information. It is possible to select a content providing apparatus according to the above.

  Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, in the configuration described above, the content providing apparatus holds playlist information that is information on a content group in which a plurality of contents are classified based on a specific criterion. A playlist information acquisition unit that acquires the playlist information held by the content providing device from the content providing device selected by the selection unit, and a condition that defines a content acquisition condition based on the preference of the owner of the information processing device A condition information storage device for storing information; and content selection means for selecting content based on the condition information from the playlist information acquired by the playlist information acquisition means. Is preferred.

  According to the above configuration, since the playlist information acquisition unit is provided, the playlist information held by the content providing device selected by the device selection unit can be acquired. In addition, since the condition information storage device is provided and the content selection means is provided, the content can be selected from the acquired playlist information based on the condition information.

  For this reason, since the information processing apparatus according to the present invention can reduce the number of contents to be provided to the owner as compared with the case of providing all the contents of the acquired playlist information to the owner, The efficiency of content selection processing can be improved.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention acquires, in the above-described configuration, retention format information indicating a retention format of content held by the content providing apparatus, and operation information indicating an operating state of the content providing apparatus. An information acquisition unit; a determination unit that determines a data format at the time of transmission of content acquired from the content providing device based on the retention format information and operation information acquired by the information acquisition unit; It is preferable that a transmission request means for requesting transmission of content in a data format is provided.

  The content retention format is, for example, the content providing apparatus in which the content is held in the content providing apparatus, such as the content being compressed or held without being compressed. It is information indicating whether or not.

  In addition, the operation information is information indicating an operation state such as that the content providing apparatus is currently performing a reproduction process based on the content.

  According to the above configuration, since the information acquisition unit is provided, the retention format information and the operation information can be acquired from the content providing apparatus. Moreover, since the determination means is provided, the data format at the time of transmission of the content acquired from the content providing apparatus can be determined.

  In addition, since the transmission request unit is provided, the content providing apparatus can be requested to transmit the content in the data format determined by the determination unit.

  For this reason, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, for example, content compressed in a data format that can be decoded by the own apparatus can be transmitted to the content providing apparatus while being compressed.

  Further, for example, in the case of content that cannot be decoded by the own device, the content providing device can decode and transmit the content to be transmitted.

  Further, for example, when the content providing apparatus holds content compressed in a data format that cannot be decoded by the information processing apparatus, and the content providing apparatus is reproducing other content, the content transmission is performed. It is possible to make a content transmission request appropriately, such as canceling the request.

  Therefore, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention can appropriately acquire content from the content providing apparatus in a format that can be handled by the self apparatus.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a content storage device that stores content in a predetermined retention format, a conversion unit that converts a data format of content stored in the predetermined retention format, and the like in the configuration described above. Transmission request receiving means for receiving data format designation information for designating the data format of the content to be transmitted together with the content transmission request from the information processing apparatus, and the conversion unit is configured to use the data format based on the data format designation information. It is preferable that the data format of the content stored in the content storage device is converted and transmitted to the other information processing device.

  According to the above configuration, since the information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes the conversion unit, the content stored in the content storage device can be appropriately converted according to the transmission partner and transmitted.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, in the configuration described above, a transmission frequency limit, which is the number of transmissions to other information processing apparatuses, is set for each content, and the number of transmissions of the content is recorded. The transmission number recording means may be further provided, and when the number of transmissions counted by the transmission number recording means reaches the upper limit of the transmission number limit, the transmission of the content thereafter is prohibited.

  According to the above configuration, since the transmission count recording means is provided, it can be determined whether or not the transmission count has reached the upper limit of the transmission count limit set in the content. For this reason, since the information processing apparatus according to the present invention can prevent the content from being transmitted to another information processing apparatus beyond the upper limit of the number of transmissions, the number of transmissions is limited due to copyright issues, for example. Appropriate transmission processing can be realized even for content that is stored.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention, in the configuration described above, detects an incoming call by a voice input unit that receives voice input, an incoming call detection unit that detects an incoming call from another information processing apparatus, and the incoming call detection unit. A combination unit that combines the content selected by the content selection unit and the audio received by the audio input unit based on the playlist information acquired from another information processing apparatus, and the combination unit It is preferable that the combined content and audio be transmitted to another information processing apparatus.

  According to the above configuration, since the combination unit is provided, when receiving an incoming call from another information processing apparatus, the input voice and the content according to the preference of the owner of the other information processing apparatus are provided in combination Can do.

  When the content is, for example, music data, music according to the preference of the owner of the other information processing apparatus can be played in the background of the sound output to the other information processing apparatus. In addition, when the content is, for example, video data, the video can be output together with the audio output to another information processing apparatus.

  As described above, since the sound can be output while providing the content according to the preference of the other party, it is possible to promote the communication with the other party.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the content providing apparatus according to the present invention provides the preference information acquisition means, device selection means, preference information storage device, playlist information acquisition means, condition information storage device, content selection means, and information acquisition. A content providing apparatus that provides content to be held to the information processing apparatus in response to a content transmission request from the information processing apparatus provided with the means, the determination means, and the transmission request means, and held in the predetermined holding format A conversion unit that converts the data format of the content; and a transmission request reception unit that receives data format specification information that specifies the data format of the content to be transmitted together with the content transmission request from the information processing apparatus. If it is necessary to convert the data format based on the data format specification information, it is recorded in the content storage device. It converts the data format of the content and transmits to the other information processing apparatus.

  According to the above configuration, since the information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes the conversion unit, the content to be held can be appropriately converted and transmitted in accordance with an instruction from the information processing apparatus that is the transmission partner. it can.

  In the content providing apparatus according to the present invention, in the configuration described above, a transmission frequency limit that is the number of times of transmission to the information processing apparatus is set for each content, and the transmission for recording the content transmission frequency is recorded. It further includes a number of times recording means, and when the number of times of transmission counted by the number of times of transmission recording means reaches an upper limit value of the number of times of transmission, transmission of contents thereafter is prohibited.

  According to the above configuration, since the transmission count recording means is provided, it can be determined whether or not the transmission count has reached the upper limit of the transmission count limit set in the content. For this reason, since the content providing apparatus according to the present invention can prevent the content from being transmitted to the information processing apparatus beyond the upper limit of the transmission count limit, the number of transmissions is limited, for example, due to copyright issues. Appropriate transmission processing can be realized even for content and the like.

  The information processing apparatus control method according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus control method for acquiring content from a content providing apparatus that holds content in order to solve the above-described problem, and is capable of communication. And providing content preference information as a communication partner based on the obtained provider preference information, respectively, from the content provision device existing in the content provision device Selecting a device.

  According to the above method, since the provider preference information is included, the provider preference information can be acquired from the content providing device that exists within the communicable range. Moreover, based on the acquired provider-side preference information, for example, a content providing device owned by an owner having a preference similar to the preference of the owner of the information processing device according to the present invention from among the content providing devices capable of communication Can be selected.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus control method according to the present invention uses, as a communication partner, a content providing apparatus possessed by an owner similar to the owner's preference of the information processing apparatus among communicable content providing apparatuses. You can choose.

  For this reason, in the method for controlling the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, when there are a plurality of other content providing apparatuses that can communicate, it is not necessary to request and acquire the contents from all of the plurality of content providing apparatuses. . That is, in the method for controlling the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, since the content acquisition destination can be appropriately selected, communication related to content acquisition compared to the case of acquiring content from all communicable devices. Time can be reduced.

  Therefore, the control method of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention has an effect that the processing time related to the content acquisition process can be reduced.

  The information processing apparatus control method according to the present invention is such that, in the above-described method, the content providing apparatus holds playlist information that is information of a content group in which a plurality of contents are classified based on a specific standard. Acquiring the playlist information held by the content providing device from the selected content providing device, and selecting the content of the content according to the preference of the owner of the information processing device from the acquired playlist information. It is preferable to include a step of selecting content based on condition information that defines an acquisition condition.

  According to the above method, since it includes the step of acquiring playlist information, the playlist information held by the selected content providing apparatus can be acquired. In addition, since the content selection step is included, the content can be selected from the acquired playlist information based on the condition information.

  For this reason, since the control method of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention can reduce the number of contents to be provided to the owner as compared to the case of providing all the contents of the acquired playlist information to the owner. The efficiency of content selection processing by the owner can be improved.

  Also, the control method of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is the above-described method, in which the holding format information indicating the holding format of the content held by the content providing device and the operating information indicating the operating state of the content providing device. , A step of determining a data format at the time of transmission of the content acquired from the content providing device based on the acquired holding format information and operation information, and requesting transmission of the content in a data format according to the determination Preferably comprising the steps of:

  The content retention format is, for example, the content providing apparatus in which the content is held in the content providing apparatus, such as the content being compressed or held without being compressed. It is information indicating whether or not.

  In addition, the operation information is information indicating an operation state such as that the content providing apparatus is currently performing a reproduction process based on the content.

  Since the above method includes the step of acquiring operation information, the retention format information and operation information can be acquired from the content providing apparatus. Moreover, since the step of determining the data format is included, the data format at the time of transmission of the content acquired from the content providing apparatus can be determined.

  In addition, since it includes the step of requesting the content transmission, the content providing apparatus can be requested to transmit the content in the determined data format.

  For this reason, in the method for controlling the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, for example, content compressed in a data format that can be decoded by the own apparatus can be requested to be transmitted to the content providing apparatus while being compressed. .

  Further, for example, in the case of content that cannot be decoded by the own device, the content providing device can decode and transmit the content to be transmitted.

  Further, for example, when the content providing apparatus holds content compressed in a data format that cannot be decoded by the information processing apparatus, and the content providing apparatus is reproducing other content, the content transmission is performed. It is possible to make a content transmission request appropriately, such as canceling the request.

  Therefore, in the method for controlling the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the content can be appropriately acquired from the content providing apparatus in a format that can be handled by the self apparatus.

  The information processing apparatus control method according to the present invention includes a step of receiving voice input, a step of detecting an incoming call from another information processing apparatus, and other information when an incoming call is detected. Based on the playlist information acquired from the processing device, the step may include a step of combining the selected content and the received sound, and the combined content and sound may be transmitted to another information processing device. .

  According to the above method, since there is a step of combining the selected content and the received voice, the input voice and the preference of the owner of the other information processing apparatus when receiving a call from the other information processing apparatus Can be provided in combination with content according to the content.

  When the content is, for example, music data, music according to the preference of the owner of the other information processing apparatus can be played in the background of the sound output to the other information processing apparatus. In addition, when the content is, for example, video data, the video can be output together with the audio output to another information processing apparatus.

  As described above, since the sound can be output while providing the content according to the preference of the other party, it is possible to promote the communication with the other party.

  The information processing apparatus may be realized by a computer. In this case, an information processing apparatus control program for causing the information processing apparatus to be realized by the computer by causing the computer to operate as the above-described means, and A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded also falls within the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus that acquires the content from the content providing apparatus that holds the content. The preference information acquisition means for acquiring the provider-side preference information, which is information indicating the preference regarding the content of the owner, and the content-providing device to be the communication partner based on the provider-side preference information acquired by the preference information acquisition means And a device selection means for performing the above operation.

  Therefore, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention has an effect that the processing time related to the content acquisition process can be reduced.

  As described above, the content providing apparatus according to the present invention includes the preference information acquisition unit, the device selection unit, the preference information storage unit, the playlist information acquisition unit, the condition information storage unit, the content selection unit, the information acquisition unit, and the determination unit. And a content providing apparatus that provides the information processing apparatus with the content to be held in response to a content transmission request from the information processing apparatus including the transmission request unit, and the data format of the content held in the predetermined holding format And a transmission request receiving means for receiving data format designation information for designating the data format of the content to be transmitted together with the content transmission request from the information processing device, the conversion unit comprising the data format designation If the data format needs to be converted based on the information, the content stored in the content storage device It converts the data format and transmits to the other information processing apparatus.

  According to the above configuration, since the information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes the conversion unit, the content to be held can be appropriately converted and transmitted in accordance with an instruction from the information processing apparatus that is the transmission partner. There is an effect that can be done.

  The information processing apparatus control method according to the present invention is, as described above, a method for controlling an information processing apparatus that acquires content from a content providing apparatus that holds content, and content that exists within a communicable range. From the providing device, a step of obtaining provider-side preference information, which is information indicating a preference regarding the content of the owner of the content-providing device, and a content providing device to be a communication partner are selected based on the obtained provider-side preference information. And a step.

  According to the above method, since the provider preference information is included, the provider preference information can be acquired from the content providing device that exists within the communicable range. Moreover, based on the acquired provider-side preference information, for example, a content providing device owned by an owner having a preference similar to the preference of the owner of the information processing device according to the present invention from among the content providing devices capable of communication Can be selected.

  Therefore, the control method of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention has an effect that the processing time related to the content acquisition process can be reduced.

(Embodiment 1)
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. That is, the content playback apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, provides the content 11 or a playlist created based on the content 11 with respect to another content playback apparatus 100 within the communicable range. 61 can be transmitted and received.

  For example, the content reproduction device 1 can receive a playlist 61 based on the content 11 recorded in another content reproduction device 100 and present it to the user. In addition, the user can receive distribution of the content 11 from another content playback device 100 by giving the content playback device 1 an instruction to acquire the content 11 with reference to the playlist 61. FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention and is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage state of the content reproduction apparatus 1.

  In the present specification, for example, a content group obtained by classifying a plurality of content data such as music data based on a specific standard is referred to as a playlist. More specifically, the playlist is related to information for specifying content such as content name and management number, content performer, producer name, content genre name, user preference level, and copyright. Information related to content such as information is associated with each other, and is a group of associated information.

  The content reproduction apparatus 1 has a communicable range set as indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 3, and communicates with other content reproduction apparatuses 100a and 100c within the communicable range. It can be carried out. On the other hand, the content reproduction apparatus 100b exists outside the communicable range of the content reproduction apparatus 1. For this reason, the content reproduction apparatus 1 cannot transmit / receive the playlist 61 or the content 11 to / from the content reproduction apparatus 100b.

  Note that, in the content reproduction apparatuses 100a to 100c, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between these, the content reproduction apparatuses 100a to 100c are referred to as the content reproduction apparatus 100. Further, the relationship between the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment and the other content reproduction apparatus 100 may be an apparatus in which both have the same constituent members and the same function. Alternatively, the content reproduction device 100 may be a device having a further different function in addition to the configuration of the content reproduction device 1 described later. At least both of them are provided with each unit of the content playback apparatus 1 described later so that the content 11 and the playlist 61 can be transmitted and received with each other.

  In addition, the communication method between the content reproduction device 1 and the other content reproduction device 100 in the present embodiment is realized by, for example, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, which is one of the wireless communication methods. In this Bluetooth standard, the practical maximum transmission distance is about 10 m, so the radius of the circle indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 3 is about 10 m. FIG. 3 illustrates the present embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating an example of a positional relationship between the communicable range of the content reproduction apparatus 1 and the other content reproduction apparatuses 100a, 100b, and 100c.

  However, the communication method between the content reproduction apparatus 1 and the other content reproduction apparatus 100 is not limited to the above-described Bluetooth, and IrDA (Infrared Data Association), UWB (Ultra Wide Band), HomeRF ( Home Radio Frequency (registered trademark) or the like. Or the structure by which the content reproduction apparatus 1 and the other content reproduction apparatus 100 are communicably connected via wireless LAN (IEEE802.11b) may be sufficient.

  In the present embodiment, the communication method is configured to be performed by a wireless communication method. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration using a wired communication method such as IEEE1394, USB, IEEE802.3, or the like. It may be.

(Configuration of content playback device)
Here, the configuration of content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the present invention and is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the content reproduction apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the content reproduction apparatus 1 includes a first communication unit 2, a device control unit 3, a preference information analysis unit 4, a file management unit 5, a reproduction unit 6, a content storage unit 7, an operation unit 8, and a display unit. 9, a sound output unit 10, and a switch 12.

  The first communication unit 2 is a block that transmits and receives data based on a predetermined communication method. As shown in FIG. 1, the first communication unit 2 includes a transmission unit 22 for transmitting data to another content reproduction device 100 and a reception unit for receiving data from the other content reproduction device 100. 21.

  The receiving unit 21 receives data such as the content 11 or the playlist 61 from another content reproduction device 100 in accordance with an instruction from the device control unit 3 described later. For example, when the data received from the content reproduction device 100 is a command indicating a play list 61 transmission request, the reception unit 21 outputs the command to the device control unit 3. On the other hand, when the data received from the other content playback apparatus 100 is content 11 such as music, the data is output to the playback unit 6 via the switch 12.

  The transmission unit 22 transmits, for example, a command indicating a transmission request for the playlist 61 or the like to the content reproduction apparatus 100 or transmits the content 11 such as music.

  In addition, although the content reproduction apparatus 1 which concerns on this embodiment is the structure which installs the 1st communication part 2 fixedly, it is not limited to this. For example, the first communication unit 2 may be detachable like a communication card conforming to the PC card standard.

  The device control unit 3 is a block that controls various operations in the content reproduction device 1 in accordance with a command received from another content reproduction device 100 or an instruction from a user input via the operation unit 8. For convenience of explanation, although not shown in FIG. 4, the device control unit 3 is connected to these units in order to transmit control signals and the like for controlling the units included in the content reproduction device 1. Shall.

  The preference information analysis unit 4 is for selecting the content reproduction device 100 to be a communication partner and the content 11 in the playlist 61 according to the user's preference. The detailed configuration of the preference information analysis unit 4 will be described later.

  The file management unit 5 is for managing the content 11 as a file, and reads and writes the content 11 to and from the content storage unit 7 in response to an instruction from the device control unit 3.

  The playback unit 6 is a block for playing back the content 11. The playback unit 6 includes a demultiplexer for separating video data and audio data included in the content 11, and a decoder for decoding compressed video data and / or audio data. The reproducing unit 6 reconstructs baseband data before compression from the compressed data and outputs the reconstructed baseband data.

  The reproducing unit 6 can be realized using, for example, a DSP (Digital Single Processor). Here, the “speech” is not limited to a human voice, but refers to all sounds.

  The content storage unit 7 is a readable / writable recording medium and records data such as the content 11. The content storage unit 7 can be realized by a semiconductor such as a flash memory, a magnetic disk represented by a hard disk, or the like. Further, in the present embodiment, the content storage unit 7 is configured to be fixedly attached to the content reproduction apparatus 1, but is not limited thereto. For example, the content storage unit 7 may be a removable medium such as a memory card, an optical disk such as a DVD, a removable hard disk, or a fixed recording medium and a removable recording medium. The structure which can be implement | achieved may be sufficient.

  The operation unit 8 is for inputting an instruction from the user, and can be realized by providing, for example, an operation button, a rotary dial, or the like as an input unit. When the operation unit 8 receives an input of an operation instruction from the user, the operation unit 8 notifies the apparatus control unit 3 of this instruction.

  The display unit 9 is for presenting information on the playlist (for example, the title of the content 11) and the video of the content 11 reproduced by the reproduction unit 6 to the user. The display unit 9 can be realized using, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.

  The audio output unit 10 is for outputting, for example, audio of music content reproduced by the reproduction unit 6. The audio output unit 10 is realized by being configured to include, for example, an A / D converter, an amplifier, a speaker, and the like.

  The switch 12 switches the data transmission path in accordance with an instruction from the apparatus control unit 3. For example, when reproducing the content 11 received from another content reproduction device 1, the switch 12 establishes a path between the first communication unit 2 and the reproduction unit 6 in accordance with an instruction from the device control unit 3. Switch as follows. On the other hand, when the content 11 stored in the file management unit 5 is reproduced, the switch 12 establishes a path between the file management unit 5 and the reproduction unit 6 in accordance with an instruction from the device control unit 3. Switch to.

(Configuration of preference information analysis unit)
Here, with reference to FIG. 1, a detailed configuration of the preference information analysis unit 4 included in the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the preference information analysis unit 4 provided in the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the switch 12 shown in FIG. 4 is not particularly shown as being included in the apparatus control unit 3.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the preference information analysis unit 4 according to the present embodiment includes a device information storage unit 41, a device selection unit 42, a playlist analysis unit 43, and a playlist storage unit 44.

  The playlist analysis unit 43 selects content from the playlist 61 received from another content playback apparatus 1 that is a communication partner, in accordance with the collected content information 63 generated based on the user's preference.

  The playlist storage unit 44 records a playlist 61 received from another content playback apparatus 100 and a selected playlist 62 composed of the content selected by the playlist analysis unit 43. The playlist storage unit 44 also stores collected content information 63 and a management table 64.

  First, the play list 61 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of information managed as the play list 61 with respect to content that is music data. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, in the play list 61, management information such as a title, artist name, album name, genre, creation date / time, my rate, and copyright information is recorded for each content. In the present specification, each information item to be managed is referred to as a management item. Further, in the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, a management number is assigned to each content so that each content can be specified.

  Here, “my rate” is information indicating the degree of preference of a user for a certain content. The content playback apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to be able to display the song title of the song on the display unit 9 during playback of the song or arbitrarily. Therefore, the user refers to the song name displayed on the display unit 9 and inputs the value of my rate, which is the degree of preference for each content, by operating the operation unit 8. The apparatus control unit 3 receives the input myrate value and records it in the playlist storage unit 44 as a management item of the content 11 corresponding to the song name in the playlist 61. In this way, it is possible to record information on the rate of each content 11.

  Note that the method of recording the my rate is not limited to this. For example, the number of times of reproduction of the content 11 in the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is counted, and the above-mentioned my rate is set according to the counted number of reproductions It may be configured to.

  Further, the title, artist name, album name, genre, and copyright information recorded as the management items are recorded based on the playlist 61 acquired from the other content reproduction apparatus 100. The copyright information is information indicating whether content such as music data can be redistributed due to copyright.

  Further, the management number and the creation date / time are stored in association with the content 11 acquired by the device control unit 3 when the playlist 61 is acquired from another content playback device 100.

  Note that the playlist 61 to be stored in the playlist storage unit 44 is not limited to the playlist shown in FIG. 5, and a plurality of playlists 61 including a plurality of content groups as shown in FIG. 5 may be stored. Good. The play list 61 is not limited to music data content, and may be composed of other types of content groups such as video and games. In addition, it is preferable that the management items are appropriately set according to the type of content 11 for which the playlist 61 is to be created.

  The collected content information 63 is information indicating conditions for specifying a playlist 61 that the user of the content reproduction apparatus 1 desires to acquire or does not desire to acquire. As shown in FIG. 6, the collected content information 63 designates predetermined conditions for the management items of the playlist 61. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the collected content information 63 according to the present embodiment.

  The collection content information 63 can be created as follows. That is, the operation unit 8 receives information on each condition from the user, and transmits the input information to the device control unit 3. Then, the collected content information 63 received by the device control unit 3 is recorded in the playlist storage unit 44. The conditions input by the user include, for example, the title of the content, the creation date and time of the content, the performer (artist name) or producer of the content, the name of the album including the content, and the genre name including the content. This is a condition for defining the desired content.

  Note that the content reproduction device 1 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the device information storage unit 41 and the playlist storage unit 44 provided in the preference information analysis unit 4 are individually provided, but the present invention is not limited thereto. However, the device information storage unit 41 and the playlist storage unit 44 may be realized by a single recording medium.

  Further, the device registration information 51 and / or device selection information 52 recorded in the device information storage unit 41 and the playlist 61 recorded in the playlist storage unit 44 are recorded in the content storage unit 7. May be. In other words, the device storage unit 41 and the playlist storage unit 44 may be realized by the content storage unit 7.

  The management table 64 is a table for managing information of the playlist 61 transmitted from the content reproduction apparatus 1 to the other content reproduction apparatus 100. That is, the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to transmit the playlist 61 in response to a request from the content reproduction apparatus 100. And when the transmission request | requirement of the playlist 61 is received again from the content reproduction apparatus 100 which has already transmitted the playlist 61, only the information that has changed in the playlist 61 can be transmitted. For this reason, the management table 64 is recorded so that the information of the playlist 61 that has already been transmitted to the content reproduction apparatus 100 and the information of the playlist 61 that has not been transmitted can be distinguished.

  Details of “playlist transmission management” in the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described later.

  The device information storage unit 41 is a readable / writable recording medium for recording device registration information 51 and device selection information 52 based on user preferences. Further, the device selection unit 42 compares the device selection information 52 recorded in the device information storage unit 41 with the device registration information 51 acquired from the communication partner side, and based on the importance value 53, the communication partner The other content playback device 100 is selected.

  The device registration information 51 is information related to a user who owns the content reproduction device 1 and information related to a user who owns the content reproduction device 100 received from the content reproduction device 100 when content is acquired from another content reproduction device 100. Information.

  That is, when the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment provides the content 11 to another content reproduction apparatus 100, the apparatus registration information 51 is information regarding the user of the content reproduction apparatus 1. On the other hand, when the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment acquires the content 11 from another content reproduction apparatus 100, the device registration information 51 is information regarding the user of the content reproduction apparatus 100.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the device registration information 51 stores information about the user such as age and sex, and the information about the user is input for each user. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the device registration information 51 according to the present embodiment.

  The device registration information 51 further includes information such as artist name, genre, and mirate, and these information can be created based on the stored playlist 61. In FIG. 10, for example, my rate [1] indicates a my rate with one (☆), and for example, my rate [5] indicates a my rate with five (☆).

  The device selection information 52 is based on the device registration information 51 received from another content playback device 100 by the content playback device 1 according to the present embodiment, and the degree of fitness between the content playback device 1 and the content playback device 100. It is information used for determining. More specifically, the device selection information 52 includes information such as the number of acquired devices, priority terminal ID, rejection terminal ID, age, gender, artist name, etc., as shown in FIG. 11, for example. Is input by operating the operation unit 8 by the user.

  The number of acquisition devices is the number of devices that the content reproduction device 1 according to the present embodiment can use as the acquisition destination of the content 11, and in this embodiment, the content reproduction device 1 includes a maximum of three other devices. The content 11 can be acquired from the content reproduction apparatuses 100.

  As the number of acquisition devices increases, the number of devices that establish communication when acquiring the content 11 increases, and the time required for communication increases. On the other hand, the smaller the number of acquisition devices, the smaller the number of contents that can be acquired. Therefore, the number of acquisition devices is preferably set appropriately from the relationship between the time required for acquiring the content 11 and the required number of content.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of content reproduction apparatuses 100 as acquisition destinations of the content 11, priority is assigned to which content reproduction apparatus 100 the content 11 is preferentially acquired from. This priority is managed by the priority terminal ID.

  In addition, a rejection terminal ID is also set so as not to establish communication with the content reproduction apparatus 100 that is unlikely to hold the content 11 desired by the user in advance.

Further, the my rate included in the device selection information 52 is configured based on the playlist 61.
Note that details regarding the determination of the degree of matching between the two will be described later.

  With reference to FIG. 7, the following describes the playlist 61 acquisition processing by the content reproduction apparatus 1 configured as described above. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in which the content reproduction device 1 acquires the playlist 61 from the other content reproduction device 100.

(Playlist acquisition process)
Incidentally, the user of the content reproduction apparatus 1 may desire to reproduce content other than the content recorded in the content storage unit 7. For example, there is a case where it is desired to reproduce the content of a song or a new song that the user does not know from the music of the favorite artist, or a case where it is desired to reproduce the music of an unknown artist from the favorite genre.

  In such a case, the user acquires the desired content 11 from a device (content playback device 100) other than the content playback device 1 owned by the user. Therefore, in the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the playlist 61 is acquired from the other content reproduction apparatus 100 as follows. Then, new content 11 can be acquired based on the acquired play list 61.

  First, the user operates the operation unit 8 to instruct acquisition of new content 11 from another content reproduction apparatus 100. In response to the instruction from the user, the content reproduction apparatus 1 checks whether or not another content reproduction apparatus 100 exists in a range where communication with the own apparatus is possible (step S11, and thereafter, as in S11). Called).

  That is, when the above-described instruction from the user is input from the operation unit 8, the device control unit 3 indicates to the first communication unit 2 that the other content playback device 100 exists within a range where the own device can communicate. Instruct to confirm.

  In the first communication unit 2, in order to confirm the presence of the other content reproduction device 100, the transmission unit 22 broadcasts a predetermined command requesting a response. Here, when another content playback apparatus 100 exists within the communicable range of the content playback apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, a response is transmitted in response to this command.

  On the other hand, when there is no other content playback apparatus 100 within the communicable range of the content playback apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the above-described response is not transmitted. Therefore, in this case, the content reproduction device 1 repeats transmission of a command requesting this response until a response from another content reproduction device 100 is obtained.

  Next, when a response is obtained from the other content reproduction device 100 in response to the command, the content reproduction device 1 selects the device based on the user's preference from among the other content reproduction devices 100 that have returned this response. In accordance with the registration information 51, a content reproduction device (hereinafter referred to as a target device) from which the content 11 is acquired is specified (S12).

  Then, the device control unit 3 outputs a signal for instructing the first communication unit 2 to establish communication with the other selected content reproduction device 100. On the other hand, the first communication unit 2 performs processing for establishing communication with the selected other content reproduction apparatus 100 according to a procedure determined in the communication method.

  Details regarding the processing for identifying the coping apparatus will be described later.

  As described above, when another content playback device 100 is selected as the acquisition destination of the content 11 in step S12, the content playback device 1 determines whether or not communication with the target device is the first time (S13). ).

  That is, in the content reproduction apparatus 1, the apparatus control unit 3 makes a determination based on whether or not the playlist 61 of the target apparatus exists in the playlist 61 group held in the playlist storage unit 44. That is, when the playlist 61 of the target device does not exist, the device control unit 3 determines that the connection with the target device is the first time (“YES” in S13).

  On the other hand, when the playlist 61 of the target device exists, the device control unit 3 determines that the connection with the target device is not the first time ("NO" in S13).

  Here, in the case of “YES” in step S <b> 13, the device control unit 3 instructs the first communication unit 2 to acquire the playlist 61 of the target device. On the other hand, in the first communication unit 2, the transmission unit 2 transmits a predetermined command for requesting transmission of the playlist 61 in order to request the target device to transmit the playlist 61. When receiving this command, the target device transmits a playlist 61 relating to the content 11 held by the target device to the content reproduction device 1.

  In this way, the content reproduction device 1 can newly acquire the playlist 61 from the target device (S14). In the content reproduction device 1, the reception unit 21 transmits the newly acquired playlist 61 to the playlist 61 analysis unit 43 of the preference information analysis unit 4 via the device control unit 3. That is, the apparatus control unit 3 instructs the playlist analysis unit 43 to newly add the received playlist 61 to the playlist storage unit 44.

  In response to the instruction from the device control unit 3, the playlist analysis unit 43 stores the playlist 61 received from the target device in the playlist storage unit 44.

  On the other hand, if “NO” in the step S <b> 13, the device control unit 3 instructs the first communication unit 2 to acquire and update the playlist 61 of the target device. In the first communication unit 2, in response to an instruction from the device control unit 3, the transmission unit 2 transmits a predetermined command for requesting transmission of the playlist 61 to the target device. When receiving this command, the target device transmits a playlist 61 relating to the content 11 held by the target device to the content reproduction device 1.

  When the receiving unit 21 receives the playlist 61 from the target device in the first communication unit 2, the received playlist 61 is overwritten on the playlist 61 already stored in the playlist storage unit 44 by the device control unit 3. .

  In response to the instruction from the device control unit 3, the playlist analysis unit 43 overwrites the playlist storage unit 44 with the playlist 61 received from the target device and updates the playlist 61 (S17).

  The playlist analysis unit 43 analyzes the playlist 61 received from the target device, and selects the content 11 using the collected content information 63 (S15). For example, here, the other content playback apparatus 100 as the target apparatus holds the playlist 61 shown in FIG. 5, while the content playback apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment collects the collected content shown in FIG. Assume that information 63 is held.

  Here, it is assumed that the content reproduction device 1 receives the playlist 61 shown in FIG. 5 from the target device. In this case, in the content reproduction apparatus 1, the playlist analysis unit 43 selects the content 11 that satisfies the conditions of each item from the received playlist 61 based on the collected content information 63 shown in FIG.

  That is, in the playlist 61 shown in FIG. 5, the content 11 that satisfies the conditions defined by the collected content information 63 shown in FIG. 6 is managed in the playlist 61 shown in FIG. 5, for example, as shown in FIG. Only the content 11 specified by the numbers 2 and 3 is provided. Therefore, the playlist analysis unit 43 selects only the contents 11 having the management numbers 2 and 3 from the contents 11 of the playlist 61 shown in FIG. 6 and manages these management items as the selected playlist 62.

  In this way, when the playlist analysis unit 43 selects the content 11 from the playlist 61 received from the target device according to the user's preference, that is, the collected content information 63, the selected play consisting of the selected content 11 is selected. The list 62 is transmitted to the device control unit 3. The device control unit 3 controls the display unit 9 to display the playlist 61 received from the playlist analysis unit 43. In this way, the content reproduction device 1 according to the present embodiment displays the selected playlist 62 in which the content 11 is selected (S16).

  When the selected play list 62 of the selected content 11 is displayed, the display form may be displayed for each target device (for example, the terminal X) as shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 8B, the information may be displayed for each management item (for example, artist name; “A”) in the selected playlist 62.

  That is, FIG. 8A shows an example of the selected play list 62 that focuses on the device ID as a management item and is grouped for each device ID. FIG. 8B shows an example of the selected playlist 62 that is grouped by artist name as a management item. In the selected play list 62 shown in FIG. 8B, there is no artist name in the management item, and a terminal ID is added instead.

  The terminal ID is a number for specifying the content reproduction apparatus 100 such as a manufacturing number assigned to each other content reproduction apparatus 100. Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, when displaying the selected playlist 62 in which the content 11 is collected for each content reproduction device 100, it may be displayed so that it can be visually confirmed whether redistribution is possible from the copyright information. Good.

  Similarly, when the playlist 61 received from the target device is recorded in the playlist storage unit 44, the playlist 61 may be recorded for each target device, or the contents 11 may be selected by any item in the management items. A playlist 62 may be recorded.

(Target device identification processing)
Here, the details of the process of identifying the target device from the other communicable content playback devices 100 shown in step S12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 9 again. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of target device identification processing in the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  First, in step S11 shown in FIG. 7, when a response is received from another content playback device 100 ..., the content playback device 1 receives the above-mentioned device registration information from each of the other content playback devices 100 that have made this response. 51 ... are acquired.

  That is, when the receiving unit 21 receives a response from the other content reproduction devices 100..., The receiving unit 21 notifies the device control unit 3 of this response. Upon receiving the response, the device control unit 3 instructs the transmission unit 22 to transmit a command requesting transmission of the device registration information 51 to the content reproduction device 100 that has transmitted the response.

  When the transmission request for the device registration information 51 is received, the other content reproduction device 100 transmits the device registration information 51 held by itself to the content reproduction device 1. In this way, content reproduction device 1 according to the present embodiment receives device registration information 51.

  The first communication unit 2 and the device control unit 3 implement preference information acquisition means.

  Next, the content reproduction device 1 determines the importance of the device selection information 52 based on the device registration information 51 received from the other content reproduction devices 100 and the device selection information 52 held by itself in order to identify the target device. The degree of fitness corresponding to is calculated (S22). However, if the terminal ID included in the device registration information 51 acquired from the other content reproduction device 100 here matches the priority terminal ID or the rejection terminal ID in the device selection information 52 held by the content reproduction device 1, it conforms. The degree is not calculated.

  Here, a method of calculating the fitness according to the importance of the device selection information 52 will be described. This calculation method takes into account the importance of each item in the device selection information 52 reflecting the user's preference and the device registration information 51 of other devices.

  That is, in this embodiment, the importance value 53 is assigned to each item as a bias for reflecting the user's preference in each item included in the device selection information 52. That is, as the importance value 53 that can be assigned to each item in the device selection information 52 increases, it can be said that the item to which the value is assigned is more important as an index for reflecting the preference for the user.

  More specifically, an importance value 53 is set as shown in FIG. 12 for each item of the device selection information 52 (for example, age, gender, artist name, genre, mirate, etc.). Each item is provided based on the device selection information 52. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the importance value 53 assigned to each item of the device selection information 52 according to the present embodiment.

  Specifically, the whole of the plurality of items is set to 100, and as shown in FIG. 12, 10 as the importance value 53 for the item of age and 10 as the importance value 53 for the item of sex. However, 40 is assigned as the importance value 53 for the item “artist name”, 10 is assigned as the importance value 53 for the item “genre”, and 30 is assigned as the importance value 53 for the item “my rate”. It has been.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when the importance value 53 is assigned to each item, the most important item as an index reflecting the user's preference is the artist name.

  Note that the importance value 53 assigned to each item can be appropriately adjusted by the user.

  For example, here, it is assumed that the content reproduction apparatus 1 is the terminal A and the other content reproduction apparatus 100 is the terminal X, and communication is established between the terminal A and the terminal X. The terminal X holds the device registration information 51 shown in FIG. 10, while the terminal A holds the device selection information 52 shown in FIG. 11. The device selection information 52 is shown in FIG. It is assumed that the importance value 53 for each item of the device selection information 52 is set. Further, it is assumed that this terminal X does not correspond to the priority terminal ID and the reject terminal ID in the device selection information 52.

  In such a case, the device selection unit 42 obtains the fitness of the terminal X viewed from the terminal A by the following calculation method.

  First, the method of calculating the importance of items (age) in the device registration information 51 acquired from the terminal X is as follows. That is, for the age range “10-25” included in the device selection information 52 held by the terminal A, the age “18” included in the device registration information 51 acquired from the terminal X satisfies 10 ≦ 18 ≦ 25. ing. Therefore, 10 points are given as the importance value 53 of the age shown in FIG. In other cases, 0 points are set.

  Next, the method of calculating the importance of items (gender) in the device registration information 51 acquired from the terminal X is as follows. That is, for the gender “female” included in the device selection information 52 held by the terminal A, the gender included in the device registration information 51 acquired from the terminal X is “male”. In other words, since this gender item is not suitable, it is set to 0 point. Other than this, a score of gender importance 10 shown in FIG. 12 is given.

  Further, a method for calculating the importance of the item (artist name) in the device registration information 51 acquired from the terminal X is as follows. That is, in the device selection information 52 of the terminal A, information included as artist names to be acquired is four artists names “A”, “B”, “X”, and “Y”. On the other hand, artist names included in the device registration information 51 acquired from the terminal X are “A”, “B”, “X”, and “Y”.

  Here, when the number of artist names that match in both cases is W (W = 0 to 4), 40 is used as the artist name importance value 53 shown in FIG. 12, and a score of 40 * W / 4 is given. . In other words, since the two artist names match here, 40 * 2/4 = 20 points.

  The method of calculating the importance of items (genre) in the device registration information 51 acquired from the terminal X is as follows. That is, in the device selection information 52 of the terminal A, the information included as the genre to be acquired is two of the genres “A” and “B”. On the other hand, there are four genres included in the device registration information 51 acquired from the terminal X: “A”, “B”, “C”, and “D”. Therefore, the number of genres that coincide with each other is two genres “A” and “B”. Thus, when there are Y genres that match (Y = 0 to 2), 10 points are used as the value of genre importance as in the artist name, and a score of 10 * Y / 2 is given. That is, since the two genres match, 10 * 2/2 = 10 points.

  The method of calculating the importance of items (my rates) in the device registration information 51 acquired from the terminal X is as follows. That is, the music / artist names corresponding to the Myrate [1], [3], and [4] included in the device selection information 52 of the terminal A are Myrate [1] -Music X / Artist X, Myrate [ 3]-Music B / Artist B, My Rate [4]-Music Y / Artist Y, Music A / Artist A

  On the other hand, my rates included in the device registration information 51 acquired from the terminal X are My Rate [1] -Music A / Artist A, My Rate [5] -Music B / Artist B, and Music C / Artist C. .

  Here, my rates [1], [3], and [4] included in the device selection information 52 held by the terminal A are collectively referred to as “my rate α”, and the my rate α included in the device registration information 51 acquired from the terminal X. The rates [1] and [5] are collectively referred to as my rate β.

Here, a comparison is made between my rate α and my rate β, and α * β is calculated by multiplying the values of my rate with the same music / artist name. That is, as described above, for example, my rate [1] indicates a my rate with one (☆), and for example, my rate [5] indicates a my rate with five (☆). That is, the number given to the my rate reflects the degree of preference of the user.

  Therefore, when comparing the rate of mylate α and rate of mylate β, music A / artist A and music B / artist B match each other, so that the rates are 4 * 1 = 4 and 3 * 5 = 15. It becomes.

  Then, by calculating the following formula (1), the importance (30) of the myrate shown in FIG. 12 is reflected in the value (α * β) of the myrate calculated above, and the item (my Rate).

30 * Σ (α * β) / MAX (Σ (α * β ′)) (1)
In this equation (1), MAX (Σ (α * β ′)) represents the maximum value that Σ (α * β) can take, and the maximum value of the mylate value (☆ shown in FIG. 5) Assuming that the maximum number β ′) is five, β ′ = 5 can be set and can be expressed as the following mathematical formula (2).

MAX (Σ (α * β ′)) = Σ (α * 5) (2)
Therefore, the item (my rate) is scored 30 * (4 + 15) / (1 * 5 + 3 * 5 + 4 * 5 + 4 * 5) = 9.5. With this configuration, it is possible to consider the value of my rate.

Then, in the content reproduction apparatus according to the present embodiment, the total score of the age, sex, artist name, genre, and mileage obtained for each item as described above is used as the fitness of the terminal X. That is,
(Age) + (gender) + (artist name) + (genre) + (my rate)
= 10 + 0 + 20 + 10 + 9.5
= 49.5 (3)
Is calculated as the fitness.

  When the device selection unit 42 calculates the fitness level as described above, the calculated fitness level is temporarily stored in the device information storage unit 41 (not shown). Then, the device selection unit 42 notifies the device control unit 3 that the fitness has been calculated.

  In response to the notification from the device selection unit 42, the device control unit 3 determines whether there is another content playback device 100 that can communicate with the content playback device 1. That is, the device control unit 3 confirms whether or not there is another content playback device 100 that has returned a response in response to a transmission request for the device registration information 51 (S23). If there is still another content playback apparatus 100 that has returned a response (“YES” in S23), the process returns to step S21 again, and the apparatus registration information acquisition unit 31 stores the apparatus registration information 51 as described above. get. Then, the device selection unit 42 calculates the fitness.

  That is, the processes in step S21 and step S22 are continued until there is no content playback apparatus 100 that has returned a response.

  On the other hand, if there is no other content reproduction device 100 that has returned a response (“NO” in S23), the content reproduction devices 100 are selected in descending order of suitability (S24). That is, if the device control unit 3 determines that there is no content playback device 100 that returns a response, the device control unit 3 notifies the device selection unit 42 of the determination result.

  In response to the notification from the device control unit 3, the device selection unit 42 selects only the number of acquisition terminals defined by the device selection information 52 as target devices in descending order of the degree of matching calculated above.

  If there is a content reproduction device 100 having a terminal ID corresponding to the priority terminal ID defined in the device selection information 52 in the communicable content reproduction device 100, the content reproduction device 100 is selected as the target device. , Included in one of the acquisition terminal numbers defined in the device selection information 52.

  On the other hand, in the communicable content reproduction device 100, when there is a content reproduction device 100 having a reject terminal ID defined in the device selection information 52, it is not selected as a target device.

  With this configuration, the content reproduction device 1 according to the present embodiment can automatically select the content reproduction device 100 that is highly likely to have content according to the user's preference as the target device. Become.

(Playlist transmission management)
The method for acquiring the playlist 61 has been described above. That is, when the content playback apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a side that receives the playlist 61 from another content playback apparatus 100, a request to acquire or update the playlist 61 from the content playback apparatus 100 of the communication partner. Was sent. However, the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can be a side that provides the playlist 61 in response to an acquisition or update request for the playlist 61 from another content reproduction apparatus 100.

  Therefore, in the following, with reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, “playlist transmission” in the case where the content playback apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is the side that provides the playlist 61 to the other content playback apparatus 100 “Management” will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the management table 64 for managing the transmitted playlist 61. FIG. 13A shows the management table 64 at the time point T1, and FIG. , T2 shows the management table 64, and FIG. 5C shows the management table 64 at T3. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the occurrence of an event in the management table 64, the transmission request for the playlist 61 from the other content reproduction apparatus 100, and the response timing for this transmission request.

  13A shows the state of the playlist 61 recorded in the management table 64 at time T1 in FIG. The status of the playlist 61 is information indicating the playlist name managed in the management table 64, the management number assigned to the content 11, and the status of the content 11 in the playlist 61. An event number (E1 to n; n is an arbitrary natural number) is assigned to one piece of information indicating the state of the playlist 61.

  For example, in FIG. 13A, a terminal that is another content reproduction apparatus 100 that requests transmission of a playlist “playlist A” input as the content 11 to which the management number “NO.1” is assigned. It shows that it transmitted to a.

  FIG. 13B shows the state of the playlist 61 recorded in the management table 64 between T1 and T2 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13B, five events E2 to E6 occur between T1 and T2, and the information of the playlist 61 transmitted to the terminal a at T1 is changed. .

  Here, when a transmission request for the playlist 61 is received from the terminal a at the time T2, the content playback apparatus 1 causes the device control unit 3 to change the playlist 61 that has occurred from the time T1 to the time T2. That is, only E2 to E6 are acquired from the management table 64 and transmitted to the terminal a through the first communication unit 2.

  In this way, the content reproduction apparatus 1 can transmit only the change (E2 to E6) of the playlist 61 as a response to the transmission request for the playlist 61 from the terminal a. And as shown in FIG.13 (c), in order to show which state the playlist 61 was transmitted with respect to the terminal a, the position of the terminal a in the transmission destination terminal ID of the management table 64 is updated.

  When a command indicating a content acquisition request is received, the entire list of contents 11 is transmitted regardless of the transmission destination terminal ID of the management table 64, and the terminal ID of the transmission destination of the content 11 is set at the end of the management table 64. Record.

  As described above, it is possible to manage up to which point the playlist has been transmitted to the terminal that is the transmission destination of the playlist 61 in the management table. For this reason, when transmitting a playlist to the terminal, only data changed in the playlist can be transmitted, and the processing time required for transmitting the playlist can be reduced.

(Content distribution processing)
Next, content distribution processing in which the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment acquires content 11 based on the playlist 61 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram at the time of content distribution between the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment and another content reproduction apparatus 100. Here, the acquisition side of the content 11 is described as the content reproduction device 1 and the providing side of the content 11 is described as the content reproduction device 100.

  First, it is assumed that the content reproduction apparatus 1 has acquired the playlist 61 from the other content reproduction apparatuses 100... Under such a premise, the user displays the selected playlist 62 on the display unit 9 in the content reproduction apparatus 1. In this state, the user operates the operation unit 8 to instruct the reproduction of the content 11 corresponding to the desired selected play list 62 (S31). That is, in the content reproduction apparatus 1, when the content 11 desired to be reproduced is selected by the user from the selected play list 62 being displayed, the apparatus control unit 3 receives a command indicating this selection from the operation unit 8. Then, the device control unit 9 notifies the other content playback device 100 of the received command through the first communication unit 2 and makes a playback request for the content 11 (S32).

  On the other hand, the other content reproduction apparatus 100 refers to the playlist 61 held by itself and selects a file corresponding to the reproduction request from the content reproduction apparatus 1 (S33). Then, the response to the reproduction request is notified to the content reproduction apparatus 1 (S34). Note that the content reproduction apparatus 100 determines whether to distribute part or all of the data of the content 11 while notifying the response. For example, when the content data that can be transmitted in response to a content transmission request from another device is limited to a part for viewing, a part of the data is transmitted.

  Upon receiving a response notification from the content reproduction device 100, the content reproduction device 1 requests distribution of the content 11 (S35). That is, in the content reproduction device 1, the first communication unit 2 receives a response notification from the content reproduction device 100 and transmits it to the device control unit 3. Upon receiving this response notification, the device control unit 3 transmits a command to the other content playback device 100 to request distribution of the content 11 for playback via the first communication unit 2.

  When the other content playback device 100 receives a command requesting this distribution from the content playback device 1, the content playback device 100 transmits the content 11 corresponding to the playlist 61 selected by the user to be transmitted to the content playback device 1. Identify. Note that. At this time, it is determined whether to transmit all or part of the data of the content 11 to the content reproduction apparatus 1 (S36). Then, the content reproduction apparatus 100 transmits the content 11 determined in step S36 to the content reproduction apparatus 1 (S37).

  Through the flow as described above, the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can acquire the desired content 11 with reference to the playlist 61. When the content 11 is acquired, the content playback apparatus 1 transmits the content 11 acquired from the first communication unit 2 to the playback unit 6 in accordance with an instruction from the device control unit 3 to perform playback processing.

  In the above description, the flow of processing when the content playback apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is on the side of acquiring the content 11 from another content playback apparatus 100 has been described. It can also be the side that provides the content 11 to the device 100.

  Here, a detailed flow of processing when the content reproduction apparatus 1 is the acquisition side of the content 11 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the flow of content distribution processing when the content reproduction apparatus 1 is the content 11 acquisition side.

  First, in a state where the play list 61 is displayed on the display unit 9, the user selects the desired content 11 from the selected play list 62 displayed by operating the operation unit 8. Then, the user requests the reproduction of the content 11 selected by operating the operation unit 8. That is, by transmitting a signal based on such a user operation from the operation unit 8 to the device control unit 3, the content reproduction device 1 accepts selection of the content 11 that the user desires to reproduce (S41). .

  The device control unit 3 specifies the content 11 selected by the user with reference to the selected playlist 62 held in the playlist storage unit 44. Then, when the user specifies the content 11 that the user desires to reproduce, the device control unit 3 makes a reproduction request for the content 11 together with information indicating the identified content 11 (S42). Note that the device control unit 3 extracts information such as the title, artist name, and album name of the content 11 that is requested to be transmitted from the referenced selected playlist 62 as information for specifying the content 11, and sends it to the first communication unit 2. Output.

  That is, in the first communication unit 2, in order to request the other content reproduction device 100 that is a communication partner to reproduce the content 11, the transmission unit 22 includes information specifying the content 11 that is desired to be transmitted, A predetermined command is transmitted. In this way, when the content reproduction apparatus 1 transmits a reproduction request for the content 11 to another content reproduction apparatus 100, it is determined whether a response to the reproduction request has been received (S43).

  Here, when a response is received from another content reproduction device 100 that is a communication partner (“YES” in S43), the reception unit 21 outputs the received response data to the device control unit 3. In the content reproduction apparatus 1, a time during which response data from the other content reproduction apparatus 100 can be received is set in advance. Therefore, the device control unit 3 waits for the reception unit 21 to receive the response data for a certain time. If a response is received during this waiting time, the process proceeds to step S44. If a response cannot be received, a timeout occurs and the process is terminated.

  Next, in the content reproduction apparatus 1, it is determined whether the response received from the content reproduction apparatus 100 permits the reproduction request (for example, OK) or not (for example, NG) (S44). In other words, when receiving the response data from the receiving unit 21, the device control unit 3 analyzes the response data. And the apparatus control part 3 confirms the content of this response data. As a result of this confirmation, when the response indicates “OK”, the apparatus control unit 3 switches the switch 12 so that the reception unit 21 and the reproduction unit 6 are connected. Then, the device control unit 3 transmits a request for the content 11 to the other content reproduction device 100 via the first communication unit 2 (S45).

  On the other hand, when the response indicates “NG”, the device control unit 3 ends the process.

  Here, in response to the request for the content 11 in step S45, when the content 11 is received from another content playback apparatus 100 that is the transmission partner (“YES” in S46), the reception unit 21 receives the received content 11 as a playback unit. 6 is output. On the other hand, when the content reproduction apparatus 1 cannot confirm reception of the content 11 even after a predetermined time has elapsed (“NO” in S46), the content reproduction apparatus 1 ends the process.

  When receiving the content 11 from the receiving unit 21, the reproducing unit 6 reproduces the received content 11 (S47). For example, when the content 11 includes video data and audio data, the video data is displayed on the display unit 9 and the audio data is output by the audio output unit 10.

  Then, the reproduction unit 6 continues to reproduce the content 11 until a reproduction stop instruction is received, that is, while the reproduction stop instruction is not received (“NO” in S48). That is, in the content reproduction apparatus 1, the process of step S46 and step S47 for confirming reception of the content 11 and reproducing the content 11 is repeated.

  On the other hand, when a playback stop instruction is transmitted from the user to the device control unit 3 via the operation unit 8, the device control unit 3 instructs the first communication unit 2 and the playback unit 6 to stop playback ( S49). That is, in the first communication unit 2, the transmission unit 22 notifies the content reproduction device 100 of the communication partner of the stop of content transmission in response to an instruction from the device control unit 3. Further, the playback unit 6 stops the playback of the content 11 in response to an instruction from the device control unit 3.

  As described above, the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can acquire and reproduce the desired content 11 with reference to the playlist 61 that has already been acquired.

  In the above description, the case where the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is the acquisition side of the content 11 has been described. Therefore, conversely, with reference to FIG. 17 for details of processing when content reproduction device 1 according to the present embodiment is on the side of providing content 11 to other content reproduction device 100 that is a communication partner. I will explain.

  First, this process is started when the content reproduction apparatus 1 receives a reproduction request for the content 11 from the content reproduction apparatus 100 of the communication partner. That is, in response to the reproduction request for the content 11 received from the content reproduction device 100 as the communication partner, the content reproduction device 1 selects the file of the content 11 requested from the content storage unit 7 (S51).

  In other words, the reception unit 21 outputs a reproduction request command received from the other content reproduction device 100 and information indicating the content 11 requested to be reproduced to the device control unit 3. The device control unit 3 identifies the file in which the content 11 is recorded from information such as the title, artist name, and album name of the content 11 based on the command input from the receiving unit 21 and the information indicating the content 11. Then, the device control unit 3 outputs a signal instructing the file management unit 104 to open the file of the specified content 11.

  Next, the content reproduction apparatus 1 transmits a response to the reproduction request command to the content reproduction apparatus 100 (S52).

  For example, if the file is successfully opened in the previous step S51, the content reproduction device 1 transmits a response indicating that transmission is possible to the other content reproduction device 100. In addition, for example, when the file opening fails, when other content 11 is already being reproduced and the requested content 11 cannot be reproduced, or when the content 11 cannot be redistributed due to copyright, the transmission is prohibited. Send a response to indicate.

  That is, the device control unit 3 determines whether transmission is possible or not as described above, and instructs the first communication unit 2 to transmit a response including the determination result. In the first communication unit 2, the response is transmitted to the content reproduction device 100 by the transmission unit 22.

  After transmitting a response to the reproduction request command in this way, the content reproduction device 1 proceeds to step S53 and waits for a transmission request for the content 11 from the content reproduction device 100 as the communication partner. That is, the apparatus control unit 3 waits for a predetermined period until the receiving unit 21 receives the content 11 transmission request, and receives the content 11 transmission request from the content reproduction apparatus 100 of the communication partner within the predetermined period. The receiving unit 21 outputs the received transmission request for the content 11 to the device control unit 3, and proceeds to step S54. Further, if a request for transmission of the content 11 cannot be received from the content reproduction apparatus 100 of the communication partner within a predetermined time, a timeout occurs and the process proceeds to step S58 to stop the processing.

  In step S54, the content reproduction apparatus 1 determines which part of the content 11 stored in the file is to be distributed to the content reproduction apparatus 100 that is the communication partner. That is, the device control unit 3 determines whether to transmit the entire content 11 or a part thereof. Here, when part of the data is transmitted, the device control unit 3 determines the data section of the content to be transmitted. In addition, as the data section of the content to be transmitted, for example, a portion that characteristically represents the content of the entire content 11 such as a rust portion in the music is preferable. Alternatively, for example, data to be transmitted may be determined according to segment information such as a header portion of the content 11 or may be a specific portion of the content 11.

  Here, when the data part to be transmitted in the content 11 is determined, the device control unit 3 outputs a signal for instructing to read the data of the determined part from the content storage unit 7 to the file management unit 5.

  In response to an instruction from the device control unit 3, the file management unit 5 reads the content 11 from the content storage unit 7 and outputs it to the transmission unit 22. Then, the transmission unit 22 transmits the read content 11 to the content reproduction device 1 of the communication partner (S55).

  Then, while the content 11 is being transmitted to the content reproduction device 1 that is the communication partner, the device control unit 3 determines whether the reception unit 21 has received a command to end the transmission of the content 11 from the content reproduction device 100 that is the communication partner. It is determined whether or not (S56).

  Next, whether or not the device control unit 3 stops the transmission of the data of the content 11 such as whether all the data of the content 11 to be transmitted has been transmitted or whether the user has instructed the transmission to be stopped via the operation unit 8. Is also determined (S57). In both steps S56 and S57, if “YES”, the process proceeds to step S58 to perform a stop process such as closing a file.

  On the other hand, in both steps S56 and S57, if “NO”, data transmission is continued.

  As described above, the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can collect the playlist 61 according to the user's preference from the other content reproduction apparatuses 100. Further, in the content reproduction apparatus 1, the content 11 that satisfies the conditions of each item is selected from the playlist 61 collected by the user based on the collected content information 63, and the selected playlist including the selected content 11 is selected. 62 can be managed.

  The content reproduction apparatus 11 can select the desired content 11 with reference to the selected playlist 62 and receive the distribution of the selected content 11 from another content reproduction apparatus 100.

  In this way, it is possible to select another content reproduction device 100 according to the user's preference and collect the playlist 61 from the selected content reproduction device 100. Further, the selected playlist 62 can be obtained from the collected playlist 61 based on the collected content information 63. For this reason, the user can obtain an opportunity to newly know the content 11 that matches his / her preference.

  Further, since the selected playlist 62 of the content 11 reflecting the user's preference can be collected, it is possible to reduce an increase in the number of music titles to be displayed and improve the efficiency of the music selection process by the user.

  Moreover, since the content 11 can be acquired based on the playlist 61 reflecting the user's preference, unnecessary content 11 is not acquired. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the communication time required for content distribution processing with other content reproduction apparatuses 100.

  In addition, when the user likes the content 11 distributed and viewed from another content reproduction apparatus 100, the content 11 is purchased, so that the spread of the content 11 can be further promoted.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, in the configuration of the content playback apparatus 1 shown in the first embodiment, the content playback apparatus 20 configured to be able to select either compressed data or baseband data as the data of the content 11 to be transmitted and received is further described. This will be described as 2.

  Still another embodiment (Embodiment 2) of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a content reproduction apparatus 20 according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 18, the content reproduction apparatus 20 includes a first communication unit 2, a device control unit 3, a preference information analysis unit 4, a reproduction unit 6, a file management unit 5, a content storage unit 7, an operation unit 8, and a display. Part 9, audio output part 10, and switches 12 to 14. In FIG. 18, the same members as those in FIG.

  That is, the content reproduction device 20 shown in the second embodiment is different from the content reproduction device 1 shown in the first embodiment in that a switch 13 and a switch 14 are newly provided.

  The switch 13 switches the data transmission path in accordance with an instruction from the apparatus control unit 3. For example, when reproducing the content 11 received from the content reproduction device 200 of the communication partner, the switch 13 is connected to the first communication unit 2, the display unit 9, and the audio output unit 10 in accordance with an instruction from the device control unit 3. Switching so as to establish a path between them, or switching so as to establish a path between the reproduction unit 6, the display unit 9, and the audio output unit 10.

  The switch 14 switches the data transmission path in accordance with an instruction from the apparatus control unit 3. For example, when transmitting the content 11 in response to a playback request from another content playback device 200, the switch 14 transmits the file management unit 5 and the transmission unit of the first communication unit 2 in response to an instruction from the device control unit 3. Switching to establish a route between the reproduction unit 6 and the transmission unit 22 of the first communication unit 2.

(Content distribution processing)
Here, a content distribution process in which the content reproduction apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment (second embodiment) acquires the content 11 based on the playlist 61 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram at the time of content distribution between the content reproduction apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment and another content reproduction apparatus 200. Here, the acquisition side of the content 11 is described as the content reproduction device 20, and the providing side of the content 11 is described as the content reproduction device 200.

  Note that the relationship between the content reproduction device 20 and the content reproduction device 200 is assumed to have the same configuration as described above.

  First, as a premise, as described above, it is assumed that the content reproduction device 20 has acquired the playlist 61 from the other content reproduction devices 200... By the above-described processing in the same manner as the content reproduction device 1 shown in the first embodiment. Under such a premise, the user causes the play list 61 to be displayed on the display unit 9 in the content reproduction apparatus 20. Then, when the user selects the content 11 desired to be reproduced in the content reproduction device 20 from the playlist 61 being displayed (S61), the content reproduction device 20 accepts the selection, and issues a reproduction request for the content 11 to another The content reproduction apparatus 200 is notified (S62).

  The content reproduction device 200 selects a corresponding file by referring to the playlist 61 held by the own device (S63), and the content reproduction device 20 determines the state of the own device and the content 11 compression method (used for compression). Codec) (S64).

  The content reproduction device 20 determines a distribution mode from the received state (operation information) of the other content reproduction device 200 and codec information (holding format information) of the content 11 (S65). Then, the content reproduction apparatus 20 notifies the distribution mode to the other content reproduction apparatus 200 (S66).

  On the other hand, the content reproduction apparatus 200 notifies the content reproduction apparatus 20 of a response as to whether or not the content 11 can be transmitted in the mode designated by the content reproduction apparatus 20 (S67). In addition, the content playback apparatus 200 determines whether to distribute part or all of the content 11 to the content playback apparatus 20 during the response notification (S68).

  On the other hand, when receiving a response notification from another content playback device 200, the content playback device 20 requests distribution of the content 11 (S69). When the other content reproduction device 200 receives the request for distribution of the content 11 from the content reproduction device 20, the content reproduction device 200 transmits the data of the content 11 to the content reproduction device 20 in response to this request (S70).

  Through the flow as described above, the content reproduction device 20 according to the present embodiment can acquire the desired content 11 with reference to the playlist 61. When the content 11 is acquired, the content playback device 20 transmits the content 11 acquired from the first communication unit 2 to the playback unit 6 in accordance with an instruction from the device control unit 3 to perform playback processing.

  In the above description, the processing flow in the case where the content playback apparatus 20 is on the side of acquiring the content 11 from another content playback apparatus 200 has been described. 11 can be provided.

  Here, a detailed processing flow when the content reproduction apparatus 20 is the content 11 acquisition side will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the flow of content distribution processing when the content reproduction apparatus 20 is the content 11 acquisition side. This process is started when a signal based on a user operation is transmitted from the operation unit 8 to the device control unit 3.

  First, selection of the content 11 by the user is accepted in the content reproduction device 20 (S81). Next, the content reproduction apparatus 2 transmits a reproduction request for the content 11 to the other content reproduction apparatus 200 that is a communication partner through the first communication unit 2 (S82). Since these processes are the same as steps S41 and S42 shown in FIG. 16, the details are omitted.

  In the next step S83, in response to the reproduction request transmitted in step S82, a reply from the other content reproduction apparatus 200 of the communication partner is awaited. That is, when the content reproduction apparatus 20 receives a reply from the content reproduction apparatus 200 of the communication partner within a predetermined time (in the case of “YES” in S83), the process proceeds to step S84 and the mode is switched. That is, in step 84, the device control unit 3 determines the distribution mode of the content 11 desired to be distributed based on the reply data from the content reproduction device 200 received by the receiving unit 21.

  For example, it is assumed that the reply data received from the content reproduction device 200 includes the state of the content reproduction device 200 that is the communication partner and the codec type of the content 11. Note that the state of the content playback device 200 included in the reply data is, for example, information indicating whether the content playback device 200 is in a playback state or a stopped state.

  The codec type is, for example, the type of codec used for data compression of the content 11.

  Therefore, based on the received reply data, the device control unit 3 determines from the codec type whether or not the selected content 11 can be played back by the playback unit 6. Further, the device control unit 3 determines the distribution mode from the state of the communication partner device and whether or not the codec can be reproduced.

  This distribution mode is information indicating whether the data of the content 11 is distributed as baseband data after being compressed and expanded (uncompressed) or distributed as compressed data (compression).

  By the way, when the distribution mode is non-compression, the compressed data of the content 11 does not need to be decompressed on the side receiving the content 11 (the content 11 acquisition side). For this reason, there is a merit that reproduction is possible even if the codec used for data compression is not supported.

  On the other hand, when the distribution mode is uncompressed, the amount of data to be received is larger than the compressed content 11 data. For this reason, for example, in the case of music, there is a demerit that only one channel of stereo sound can be received and the sound becomes monaural sound.

  Here, an example of determination of the delivery mode in the content reproduction apparatus 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 shows another embodiment of the present invention and is a diagram showing an example of determination of a delivery mode in the content reproduction apparatus 20.

  For example, the content reproduction device 20 has received the reply data from the content reproduction device 200, the state of the content reproduction device 200 is stopped, corresponds to the codec used for the compressed data, and the compressed content 11 is compressed. When reproduction is possible, it is determined as follows.

  That is, when the content reproduction apparatus 200 of the communication partner is stopped, that is, available, the distribution can be received regardless of whether or not the codec can be reproduced. Therefore, if the codec is reproducible, the compression mode is set, and if the codec is not reproducible, the non-compression mode is set so that the expanded baseband data is received. Therefore, in the above case, the content reproduction device 20 determines the distribution mode as the compression mode.

  On the other hand, when the communication partner content playback device 200 is executing playback, there is a possibility that the playback unit included in the content playback device 200 is already used for playback of the content 11. For this reason, there is a possibility that the content 11 obtained by decompressing the compressed data cannot be transmitted.

  Therefore, when the content playback apparatus 200 is executing playback as described above, the content playback apparatus 20 can support the codec used for the compressed data of the content 11, and when the content 11 can be played back, the content playback apparatus 20 Is the compression mode. On the other hand, when the codec is not supported and the content 11 cannot be reproduced, it is determined that distribution is not possible.

  As described above, when determining the distribution mode, the apparatus control unit 3 switches the switch according to the distribution mode so that the content 11 received from the communication partner can be reproduced. Specifically, when the distribution mode is determined to be the compression mode, the device control unit 3 switches the switch 12 to the reception unit 21 side and the switch 13 to the reproduction unit 6 side. That is, the apparatus control unit 3 switches the switch 12 so that the receiving unit 21 and the playback unit 6 are connected, and switches the switch 13 so that the playback unit 6, the display unit 9, and the audio output unit 10 are connected. Switch.

  For this reason, when the distribution mode is determined to be the compression mode, the content 11 received by the reception unit 21 is input to the reproduction unit 6. Then, the compressed content 11 received by the reproduction unit 6 is decompressed and reproduced and output to the display unit 9 and the audio output unit 10.

  When the distribution mode is non-compression, the switch 12 is turned off, that is, not connected to any terminal, and the switch 13 is switched to the receiving unit 21 side. That is, the content 11 received by the receiving unit 21 is output to the display unit 9 and the audio output unit 10.

  On the other hand, if a reply cannot be received from the content playback apparatus 200 of the communication partner within a predetermined time (in the case of “NO” in S83), a timeout occurs and the process ends.

  The content reproduction device 20 determines the distribution mode as described above, and changes the transmission path of the content 11 to be received by switching the switches 12 to 14 according to the determined distribution mode. Further, the content reproduction device 20 transmits a notification of the distribution mode determined in the previous step S84 to the content reproduction device 200 of the communication partner (S85). The operation of this notification from the content reproduction apparatus 20 to the content reproduction apparatus 200 is basically the same as the reproduction request transmission process in step S42 shown in FIG.

  Further, after this, step S86 to step S92 are sequentially executed, but these processes are the same as the processes from step S43 to step S49 shown in FIG.

  The processing flow in the case where the content reproduction apparatus 20 is the content 11 acquisition side has been described above. Hereinafter, in the content distribution processing, a detailed processing flow when the content reproduction device 20 is the content 11 providing side will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the flow of content distribution processing in the case where the content reproduction apparatus 20 is the content providing side. As shown in FIG. 19, this process is started by receiving a content 11 reproduction request from the communication partner apparatus.

  Here, as described above, the providing side of the content 11 is described as the content reproducing device 20 and the acquiring side of the content 11 is described as the content reproducing device 200.

  First, in step S101, the device control unit 3 of the content reproduction device 20 selects a file in which the content 11 is recorded from the content storage unit 7 in response to the reproduction request for the content 11 received from the content reproduction device 200 that is the communication partner. To do. This process is the same as step S51 shown in FIG.

  Next, in step S <b> 102, the content reproduction device 20 transmits information regarding the current state of the device itself and the codec of the content 11 to the content reproduction device 200.

  That is, the device control unit 3 checks the state as to whether or not the content 11 is currently being played back by the playback unit 6.

  Furthermore, the apparatus control unit 3 outputs a signal instructing to notify the type of codec used for the compression of the content 11 to the file management unit 5. The file management unit 5 determines the codec type from, for example, the extension of the file or the header portion of the content 11 in accordance with the instruction from the device control unit 3. Then, the file management unit 5 outputs the codec type to the device control unit 3.

  The device control unit 3 outputs the confirmed state and information regarding the codec received from the file management unit 5 to the first communication unit 2. In the first communication unit 2, the transmission unit 22 transmits information regarding the input state and codec to the content reproduction device 200.

  The next step S103 is a step of waiting for reception of information related to the designation of the distribution mode from the content reproduction apparatus 200 that is the communication partner. Here, when the designation of the distribution mode is received from the content reproduction apparatus 200 within the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, if the distribution mode designation cannot be received from the content reproduction apparatus 200 within the predetermined time, a timeout occurs, and the process proceeds to step S106 so as to continue the processing in the default distribution mode. Here, although not shown in FIG. 21, the content reproduction device 20 is configured to end the processing when information relating to the designation of the distribution mode cannot be received from the content reproduction device 200 within a predetermined time. May be.

  On the other hand, when the information related to the designation of the distribution mode is received from the content reproduction apparatus 200 within a predetermined time, the apparatus control unit 3 switches the switch according to the information regarding the designation of the distribution mode received via the receiving unit 21 ( S104).

  Here, when the distribution mode is compression, the apparatus control unit 3 turns off the switch 12 and switches the switch 14 to the file management unit 5 side so that the file management unit 5 and the transmission unit 22 are connected. To do.

  Thus, the apparatus control unit 3 controls the switch 12 and the switch 14 so that the content 11 read by the file management unit 5 can be input to the transmission unit 22.

  When the distribution mode is uncompressed, the apparatus control unit 3 switches the switch 12 to the file management unit 104 side so that the file management unit 5 and the playback unit 6 are connected. Further, the device control unit 3 switches the switch 14 to the reproduction unit 6 side so that the reproduction unit 6 and the transmission unit 22 are connected.

  As described above, the apparatus control unit 3 controls the switch 12 and the switch 14 so that the content 11 read by the file management unit 5 is input to the reproduction unit 6 and reproduced, and the reproduced content 11 can be input to the transmission unit 22. Set to.

  Thereafter, the processing from step S105 to step S111 is sequentially executed. Since these processing are the same as the processing from step S52 to step S58 shown in FIG. 17, the description thereof is omitted here.

  As described above, the content playback apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment can select the desired content 11 based on the playlist 61 collected from the other content playback apparatus 200 according to the user's preference. Then, the content reproduction apparatus 20 can receive the distribution of the content 11 selected from the other content reproduction apparatus 200.

  Even if the compression format of the selected content 11 is not compatible with the content reproduction device 20 and cannot be reproduced, the content 11 is reproduced by the content reproduction device 200 of the communication partner, and the content 11 after the reproduction is reproduced. Can receive.

  That is, the content reproduction apparatus 20 can receive the compressed data of the content 11 when it corresponds to the data compression codec used on the content provider side. On the other hand, when the codec cannot be supported, the distribution can be switched to the baseband data. For this reason, the content reproduction apparatus 20 can achieve more appropriate distribution of the data of the content 11.

  In this way, the user who uses the content reproduction apparatus 20 can obtain an opportunity to newly learn the content 11 that suits his / her preference. Then, when the user likes the content 11 viewed by distribution, the content 11 is purchased, so that the spread of the content 11 can be further promoted.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, in the configuration of the content reproduction apparatus 20 shown in the second embodiment, a content reproduction apparatus 30 configured to be able to perform a voice call will be described as a third embodiment.

  Still another embodiment (Embodiment 3) of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24. FIG. FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a content reproduction apparatus 30 according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 23, the content playback device 30 is different from the content playback device 20 shown in Embodiment 2 in that the switch 15, the second communication unit 70, the decoding unit 16, the encoding unit 17, and the sound of multiple sound sources. Is different in that it further includes a mixer 18 for mixing the sound and an audio input unit 19 including a microphone, an A / D converter, and the like. Moreover, it differs from the apparatus control part 3 with which the content reproduction apparatus 20 shown in Embodiment 2 is provided that the apparatus control part 80 is provided. In FIG. 23, the same members as those of the content reproduction apparatus 20 shown in FIG.

  The second communication unit 70 is a block that performs communication using a communication method different from that of the first communication unit 2. The content reproduction device 30 according to the present embodiment (third embodiment) is configured to be able to transmit / receive encoded audio data to / from another content reproduction device 300 via the second communication unit 70.

  Moreover, although the 1st communication part 2 was a near field communication system, this 2nd communication part 70 has wide communication range, such as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) or CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access). This is a wireless communication method to be realized.

  In FIG. 23, the first communication unit 2 and the second communication unit 70 are separate blocks. However, in the case where a communication unit corresponding to a plurality of communication methods is provided, a single block may be configured. I do not care. In addition, the second communication unit 70 is not limited to the above-described wireless communication method, and may correspond to a wired communication method. In addition, the second communication unit 70 may be fixedly attached to the content reproduction device 30 similarly to the first communication unit 2, and is detachable such as a communication card conforming to the PC card standard. There may be.

  The second communication unit 70 includes a reception unit 71 and a transmission unit 72. The receiving unit 71 receives encoded audio data from another content reproduction device 300. The transmission unit 72 transmits the encoded audio data to another content reproduction device 72.

  The decoding unit 16 is a block that decodes the encoded audio data received by the receiving unit 71 and reproduces the audio data. In the present embodiment, the playback unit 6 and the decoding unit 16 are provided separately. However, the playback unit 6 has the function of the decoding unit 16, and the playback unit 6 and the decoding unit 16 are provided. It is good also as a structure as one block.

  The encoding unit 17 encodes audio data based on a predetermined encoding method. Examples of speech coding methods include ADPCM (Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation), CELP-based methods, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), and methods defined by PDC (Personal Digital Cellular) standards. ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization sector). 723.1, G.M. 729, MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer-3), AAC (Advanced Audio Coding), AC3 (Audio Code number 3), WMA (Windows (registered trademark) Media Audio), and the like can be used.

  The voice input unit 19 is used to input voice when the user of the content reproduction apparatus 30 speaks, and can be realized by, for example, a microphone. As will be described later, the audio input from the audio input unit 19 is mixed with the music content 11 input from the reproduction unit 6 by the mixer 18 and transmitted to the encoding unit 17 as necessary.

  In addition, device control unit 80 according to the present embodiment (third embodiment) can also control processing related to call processing with other content playback devices 300 compared to device control unit 3 described above. It is different in point. A detailed description of the call process will be described later.

  With the configuration as described above, the content reproduction device 30 according to the present embodiment (third embodiment) performs a voice call using the second communication unit 70 in addition to the functions of the content reproduction device according to the second embodiment. It is configured to be able to. Note that the content reproduction apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment (Embodiment 3) is configured such that any music can be used as BGM during a call. Hereinafter, the operation at the time of voice call processing in the content reproduction apparatus 30 will be described with reference to FIG.

(Voice call processing)
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a process during a voice call process of the content reproduction apparatus 30 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this voice call processing, when the user makes a call by operating the operation unit 8 to make a call with another content reproduction device 300, or the reception unit 71 detects an incoming call from the other content reproduction device 300. To be started.

  When the voice call process is started, first, in step S121, for example, referring to registration information in which the communication partner's telephone number and name are associated with each other, the content reproduction apparatus 300 of the call partner that has made or received a call is referred to. Identify. The registration information is stored in the device information storage unit 41, although not shown.

  For example, the content reproduction apparatus 30 performs the call partner identification process as follows. That is, at the time of outgoing call, the apparatus control unit 80 selects the outgoing call partner device ID (for example, a telephone number) and sends the call. Therefore, when the device control unit 80 receives the information indicating the device ID (phone number) input from the operation unit 8, is the content reproduction device 300 corresponding to the device ID recorded in the device information storage unit 41? Determine whether or not.

  On the other hand, at the time of an incoming call, the receiving unit 71 acquires the device ID of the content reproduction device 300 of the communication partner. Then, the device ID information acquired by the receiving unit 71 is transmitted to the device control unit 80. Based on the received device ID, the device control unit 80 determines whether or not the device registration information 51 of the content reproduction device 300 corresponding to the device ID is recorded in the device information storage unit 41.

  In the above-described determination, if the device ID is stored in the device information storage unit 41, it is possible to specify the other party, otherwise it is not possible to specify the other party.

  Next, in step S122, the content reproduction device 300 selects music data according to the identified preference of the other party. That is, the device control unit 80 searches the playlist storage unit 44 for the playlist 61 corresponding to the content reproduction device 300 using the device ID of the content reproduction device 300 that is the other party as a key. In this way, the device control unit 80 selects the content 11 preferred by the other party.

  For example, it is considered that the content 11 having a large value of my rate information in the playlist 61 received from the content reproduction device 300 reflects more of the preference of the other party. Therefore, the content 11 can be selected with reference to the my rate information.

  Note that the selection of the content 11 is not limited to the configuration in which the play list 61 is referred to as described above, and the device control unit 80 selects the content 11 recorded in the content storage unit 7 first. It may be configured to select content that can be determined to be closest to the preference of the other party selected. Specifically, the device control unit 11 refers to the artist name and genre name recorded in the playlist 61 corresponding to the content reproduction device 300, and selects the content 11 that matches the artist name and genre. It may be. Alternatively, the content 11 to be selected may be determined in advance.

  As described above, when the device control unit 80 selects the content 11 to be reproduced, the device control unit 80 instructs the file management unit 5 to read the selected content 11. The file management unit 5 reads the content 11 from the content storage unit 7 and outputs it to the playback unit 6. In this way, reproduction preparation is performed in the content reproduction apparatus 30 (S123).

  In the next step S124, the content reproduction apparatus 30 determines the start of a call with another content reproduction apparatus 300. Then, when the start of a call is notified from the second communication unit 70 to the device control unit 80 (“YES” in S124), the device control unit 80 instructs the playback unit 6 to start content playback (S125).

  The content 11 (music piece) reproduced and output by the reproducing unit 6 in accordance with an instruction from the device control unit 80 is mixed by the mixer 18 with an appropriate balance with the audio from the audio input unit 405 and input to the encoding unit 404. (S126).

  The encoding unit 17 encodes the input audio data using a predetermined audio encoding method (S127). The encoded audio data is input to the transmission unit 72, subjected to processing such as modulation, and transmitted to the content reproduction apparatus 300 of the other party (S128).

  When the audio data is thus transmitted, in the next step S129, the device control unit 80 determines whether or not the call with the content reproduction device 300 is terminated. Here, when the user operates the operation unit 8 to end the call with the content reproduction device 300 (“YES” in S129), the operation control unit 80 notifies the device control unit 80 of information indicating the end of the call. . Alternatively, when content reproduction device 300 that is the other party of the call ends the call (“YES” in S129), information indicating the end of the call is notified from apparatus 71 to apparatus control unit 80. If the call is continued (“NO” in S129), the processing from step S125 to step S129 is continued.

  In addition, between step S125 and step S129, the receiving unit 71 receives the voice of the other party, and the decoding unit 16 decodes it through processing such as demodulation. And then. The audio decoded by the decoding unit 16 is output to the audio output unit 10. For this reason, when the content playback apparatus 300 that is the other party has a configuration similar to that of the content playback apparatus 30 and performs processing so that content such as music is mixed and output to the output voice, it is close to the user's preference. It is also possible to hear the sound of the music used for BGM.

  As described above, in the content reproduction apparatus 30 according to the third embodiment, a favorite music piece or a music piece that the user wants to listen to can be heard as a BGM to a party who makes a call. Users can get a new opportunity to know content 11 that suits their tastes, and if the user likes content 11 that they listened to on BGM, they will purchase content 11, which will further promote the spread of content 11 can do.

  Note that, in the content reproduction device 30 described above, the first communication unit 2 for transmitting / receiving the content 11 or the playlist 61 and the transmission / reception of commands, and the second communication unit 70 for transmitting / receiving audio generated by the user's speech. It was the composition provided with. However, the configuration of the communication unit is not limited to this. For example, the following configuration may be used as an example in which a plurality of communication units of different methods are provided.

  That is, content 11 such as music data is transmitted / received using a communication system of the second communication unit 70 such as an FM system, and the first communication unit 2 transmits / receives a command such as a transmission request or a stop request. To do. Then, the content reproduction apparatus 300 as a communication partner may be remotely operated by a remote controller or the like to receive the distribution of the content 11.

  Further, in the content playback device 1 (20, 30) according to the first to third embodiments, the content playback device 1 (20, 30) is the content 11 acquisition side, and the content 11 providing side is the content playback device. In the case of 100 (200, 300), both were configured as follows.

  That is, the content playback apparatus 1 (20, 30) is configured to refer to the playlist 61, select the content 11 that is desired to be played back, and acquire the content 11 from the other content playback apparatus 100 (200, 300). It was.

  However, the distribution of the content 11 is limited as described below between the content reproduction devices 1, 20, 30 on the content 11 acquisition side and the content reproduction device 100 (200, 300) on the content 11 providing side. It may be configured.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 25, the content reproduction apparatus 1 (20, 30), the content reproduction apparatus 100 (200, 300), and the server 90 that holds the content 11 and license data related to reproduction of the content 11 are provided. A content distribution system is provided. FIG. 25 shows another embodiment of the present invention and is a diagram showing an outline of a content distribution system.

  Then, it is assumed that the content reproduction apparatus 100 (200, 300) that is the provider of the content 11 downloads and holds the content 11 (music data) and license data related to reproduction of the music data from the server 90. Therefore, the content reproduction device 100 (200, 300) can reproduce the downloaded music data within a range determined by the license data.

  On the other hand, the content reproduction device 1 (20, 30) on the acquisition side of the content 11 receives the distribution of the content 11 (music data) from the content reproduction device 100 (200, 300) by the method described above. You can listen to your favorite music. In addition, it is assumed that the content playback apparatus 1 (20, 30) is configured to be able to download and save a sample music from the content playback apparatus 100 (200, 300).

  Under the premise as described above, in order for the content reproduction apparatus 1 (20, 30) to reproduce the music data, it is necessary to separately issue a license from the server 90.

  Therefore, the device control unit 3 (80) confirms the license issuance request unit (not shown) that requests the server 90 to issue the license data, and the reception of the license data that requested the issuance, and the contents of the license data And a license issuance confirmation unit (not shown) for analyzing the above. When the license issuance confirmation unit confirms the license issuance from the server 90, the device control unit 3 (80) receives the content 11 received from the content reproduction device 100 (200, 300) by the receiving unit 21. The audio is output to the audio output unit 10 or is reproduced by the reproduction unit 6 and output to the audio output unit 10.

  As described above, in the case where the content reproduction device 1 (20, 30) is configured to receive the content 11 from the content reproduction device 100 (200, 300) and receive the license issuance from the server 90, the content reproduction device 1 ( 20, 30) and the server 90 only transmit and receive information related to the issuance of license data. Here, the license data is smaller in data size than the music data of the content 11 desired to be distributed. For this reason, the communication charge which arises between the server 90 and the content reproduction apparatus 1 (20, 30) can be reduced. Even if the access is concentrated on the server 90, since the content 11 is received from the content reproduction apparatus 100 (200, 300), the load on the server can be reduced.

  On the other hand, the content reproduction device 100 (200, 300) that provides the content 11 manages the number of times the content 11 (music data) is distributed to the content reproduction device 1 (20, 30). That is, the content reproduction apparatus 100 (200, 300) records the number of distributions together with the playlist 61 in the playlist storage unit 44, and manages the number of distributions of the content 11. That is, the content reproduction device 100 (200, 300) sets the number of times each time the device control unit 3 (80) transmits the content 11 to the content reproduction device 1 (20, 30) through the first communication unit 2. Add to playlist 61. For example, the playlist 61 at this time can be recorded as shown in FIG. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a playlist according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  Therefore, in the content reproduction apparatus 100 (200, 300), when the apparatus control unit 3 (80) receives a reproduction request for the content 11 from the content reproduction apparatus 1 (20, 30) as a communication partner, the apparatus control unit 3 (80) The number of distributions of the content 11 is read, and after the content 11 is distributed, the number of distributions is incremented and recorded in the playlist 61 again.

  In addition, the number of distributions of the contents 11 managed in this way by each content reproduction apparatus 100 (200, 300) is sequentially sent to the server, and can be used for counting popular ranking information from the number of distributions of the contents 11. Is possible.

  As described above, it is possible to select the desired content 11 from the playlist 61 collected from the other device according to the user's preference and receive the distribution of the content 11 from the other device. The user has an opportunity to know the content 11 that suits the user's taste, and if the user likes the content 11 that has been viewed through distribution, the user purchases the content 11, thereby further promoting the spread of the content 11. Can do.

  In the above description, the acquisition side of the content 11 is described as the content reproduction device 1 (20, 30), and the provision side of the content 11 is described as the content reproduction device 100 (200, 300). The same applies to the case where the content playback apparatus 1 (20, 30) is the provider of the content 100 (200, 300) and the content 11.

  In addition, when the content playback device 1 (20, 30) has a configuration capable of transmitting / receiving the content 11 and the playlist 61 to / from another content playback device 300 as described above, for example, a flash memory, This can be realized by a portable music player such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) player, a CD / MD player, or the like. Alternatively, it can also be realized by a recording / playback apparatus such as a mobile phone, PDA, personal computer, notebook computer, digital video camera, and portable television, and a portable game machine.

  Finally, each block of the content playback device 1 (20, 30), particularly the device control unit 3 (80), the preference information analysis unit 4, the file management unit 5, the playback unit 6, the decoding unit 16, and the encoding unit 17 May be configured by hardware logic, or may be realized by software using a CPU as follows.

  That is, the content playback apparatus 1 (20, 30) includes a CPU (central processing unit) that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program, and a RAM that expands the program. (Random access memory), a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data.

  The object of the present invention is to enable the computer to read the program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of the control program of the content reproduction apparatus 1 (20, 30), which is software that implements the above-described functions. This can also be achieved by supplying the recorded recording medium to the content reproduction apparatus 1 (20, 30) and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU). .

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  Further, the content reproduction apparatus 1 (20, 30) may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Also, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  In addition, the content reproduction apparatus 1 (20, 30) according to the present embodiment (Embodiments 1 to 3) may have the following characteristics.

  That is, the content reproduction apparatus 1 includes a communication unit that transmits and receives data to and from other devices by a predetermined communication method, and a device selection unit that selects a device that is a communication partner from devices that exist in a communicable range, The device selection unit may be configured to select a device to be a communication partner according to preference information based on user preferences from the device information received by the communication unit.

  In addition, the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a communication unit that transmits and receives data to and from other devices using a predetermined communication method, and a playlist analysis unit that analyzes a playlist of the other device received by the communication unit. The playlist analysis unit may be configured to analyze the playlist of another device according to the preference information based on the user's preference and select the user's favorite content 11.

  In the above-described configuration, the content reproduction apparatus 1 may be configured to transmit a transmission request for the content 11 to a communication partner device in response to a user instruction.

  In addition, when the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment receives a transmission request for the content 11 from another device, the content reproduction apparatus 1 sets the current state and / or the compression method of the content 11 to the communication partner device. It is preferably configured to transmit.

  In addition, when the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment receives a notification of a device state and / or a compression method of the content 11 from another device, the content reproduction method is set to a compressed mode and an uncompressed mode. The determined distribution method may be transmitted to the communication partner device.

  Further, when the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment receives the notification of the distribution method of the content 11 from another device, the content reproduction apparatus 1 reproduces the compressed data or the compressed data according to the notified distribution method. It is preferable to select any of the data and transmit the selected data to the communication partner device.

  In addition, the content reproduction apparatus 1 may be configured to count the number of transmissions of the content 11 at the end of transmission of the one content 11 when the content 11 is transmitted to the communication partner device in the configuration described above. .

  In addition, the content playback apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a communication unit that transmits and receives data to and from other devices by a predetermined communication method, a playlist recording unit that records a playlist of the other device, and music content 11. A playback unit that inputs and reproduces music, a voice input unit that inputs voice, and a mixing unit that mixes and outputs the voice and the music, and the communication unit detects an incoming call from another device In this case, the music content 11 may be selected from the playlist recording unit based on the playlist corresponding to the destination device, and the output audio from the mixing unit may be transmitted simultaneously with the start of the call. Good.

  The control program for controlling the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a communication step for transmitting / receiving data to / from another device using a predetermined communication method to the computer, and device information received by the communication step. Is a program for executing a device selection step of selecting a device as a communication partner from devices existing in a communicable range according to preference information based on user preferences.

  In addition, a control program for controlling the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a communication step for transmitting / receiving data to / from another device using a predetermined communication method, and another device received by the communication step. And a step of selecting the user's favorite content according to the preference information based on the user's preference.

  In addition, a control program for controlling the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a step of receiving a notification of a device state and / or a content compression method from another device, and a content distribution method. Preferably, the program is a program for executing the step of determining the compression mode and the non-compression mode and the step of transmitting the determined distribution method to the communication partner device.

  In addition, a control program for controlling the content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a step of inputting music content to a computer to reproduce the music, a step of inputting audio, the audio and the music A step of detecting an incoming call from another device, a step of selecting music content based on a playlist corresponding to the device of the other party, and the voice and the music simultaneously with the start of the call May be a program for executing the step of mixing and transmitting data.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

As described above, the content playback device 1 (20/30) according to the present embodiment includes the first communication unit 2, the device control unit 3 (80), the preference information analysis unit 4, the file management unit 5, and the playback unit. 6, content storage unit 7, operation unit 8, display unit 9, audio output unit 10, switches 12, 13, 14, and 15, decoding unit 16, encoding unit 17, mixer 18, audio output unit 19, and second communication Part 70
It was the composition which comprises. However, it is not necessary to provide all these units as an integrated device. For example, the playback unit 6, the file management unit 5, the content storage unit 7 and the like are provided in another server or the like, and the content playback device 1 (20/30) However, the structure which acquires a content through this server may be sufficient.

  The information processing apparatus of the present invention can select a content acquisition device that is close to the user's preference of the information processing apparatus from among communicable content providing apparatuses. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to a system in which a plurality of content acquisition destinations desired by the user of the information processing apparatus exist.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a preference information analysis unit included in a content reproduction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage state of a content reproduction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows this Embodiment and shows an example of the positional relationship between the range which can communicate with a content reproduction apparatus, and each other content reproduction apparatus. 1, showing an embodiment of the present invention, is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a content reproduction apparatus 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows this Embodiment and showed an example of the information managed as a playlist regarding music content. It is a figure which shows an example of the collection content information which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process in which the content reproduction apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment acquires a playlist from another content reproduction apparatus. An example of a play list according to the present embodiment is shown. FIG. 10A shows an example of a selected play list that is grouped for each device ID, focusing on the device ID as a management item. ) Is a diagram showing an example of a selected playlist that is grouped by artist name as a management item. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the specific process of a target apparatus in the content reproduction apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the apparatus registration information which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the apparatus selection information which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the value of the importance assigned to each item of the apparatus selection information which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the management table for managing the transmitted playlist, The figure (a) shows the management table in the time of T1, The figure (b) shows the management table in the time of T2. FIG. 10C shows the management table at time T3. It is a figure which shows generation | occurrence | production of the event in a management table, the transmission request of the play list from another content reproduction apparatus, and the response timing with respect to this transmission request. It is a sequence diagram at the time of content distribution between the content reproduction device according to the present embodiment and another content reproduction device. It is a figure which shows the flow of a content delivery process in case a content reproduction apparatus is a content acquisition side. It is a flowchart which shows a process in case the content reproduction apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment becomes a side which provides a content with respect to the other content reproduction apparatus used as a communicating party. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the content reproduction apparatus which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram at the time of content delivery between the content reproduction apparatus which concerns on another embodiment of this invention, and another content reproduction apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a content delivery process in case the content reproduction apparatus which concerns on another embodiment of this invention is a content acquisition side. It is another embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram showing an example of distribution mode determination in a content reproduction apparatus. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of the present invention and showing the flow of content distribution processing when the content reproduction apparatus is a content providing side. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the content reproduction apparatus which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of the voice call process of the content reproduction apparatus 30 which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows another embodiment of this invention and shows the outline of a content delivery system. It is a figure which shows an example of the playlist which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating a related art and showing a configuration of main parts of an audio device 900.

Explanation of symbols

1 Content playback device (information processing device / content providing device)
2 Communication unit 3 Device control unit (preference information acquisition unit / playlist information acquisition unit / information acquisition unit / determination unit / transmission request unit / transmission request reception unit / transmission count recording unit)
4 Preference information analysis unit 6 Playback unit (conversion unit)
7 Content storage (content storage device)
11 Content 18 Mixer (combination part)
19 Audio input unit 20 Content playback device (information processing device / content providing device)
21 Receiving part (preference information acquisition means / playlist information acquisition means / transmission request reception means / incoming call detection means)
22 Transmitter (transmission request means)
30 Content playback device (information processing device / content providing device)
41 Device information storage (preference information storage device)
42 Device selection unit (device selection means)
43 playlist analysis unit 44 playlist storage unit (condition information storage device)
51 Device registration information (provider side preference information)
52 Device selection information (preference information)
53 Importance value (priority information)
61 Playlist (Playlist information)
62 Selected Playlist 63 Collected Content Information (Condition Information)
64 Management table 100 Content playback device (information processing device / content providing device)
200 content playback device (information processing device / content providing device)
300 Content playback device (information processing device / content providing device)

Claims (15)

An information processing apparatus that acquires content from a content providing apparatus that holds the content,
Preference information acquisition means for acquiring provider-side preference information, which is information indicating a preference regarding the content of the owner of the content providing device, from a content providing device that exists in a communicable range;
An information processing apparatus comprising: device selection means for selecting a content providing apparatus to be a communication partner based on the provider-side preference information acquired by the preference information acquisition means. A preference information storage device that stores preference information indicating the preference of the owner of the information processing device and priority information indicating the priority of the preference of the owner in each item included in the preference information;
The device selection means selects a content providing device to be a communication partner by calculating the degree of coincidence between the provider side preference information and the preference information based on the priority information stored in the preference information storage device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The content providing apparatus holds playlist information which is information of a content group in which a plurality of contents are classified based on a specific criterion.
Playlist information acquiring means for acquiring the playlist information held by the content providing apparatus from the content providing apparatus selected by the apparatus selecting means;
A condition information storage device that stores condition information that defines content acquisition conditions based on the preference of the owner of the information processing device;
The information processing according to claim 1, further comprising: content selection means for selecting content from the playlist information acquired by the playlist information acquisition means based on the condition information. apparatus. Information acquisition means for acquiring holding format information indicating a holding format of the content held by the content providing device, and operating information indicating an operating state of the content providing device;
Determining means for determining a data format at the time of transmission of the content acquired from the content providing device based on the retention format information and operation information acquired by the information acquiring means;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a transmission request unit that requests transmission of content in a data format according to the determination by the determination unit. A content storage device for storing content in a predetermined holding format;
A conversion unit for converting the data format of the content stored in the predetermined holding format;
Transmission request receiving means for receiving data format designation information for designating a data format of content to be transmitted together with a content transmission request from another information processing apparatus;
The conversion unit converts the data format of the content stored in the content storage device based on the data format designation information, and transmits the converted data format to the other information processing device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4. The number of transmissions that can be transmitted to other information processing devices is set for each content,
A transmission number recording means for recording the number of transmissions of the content;
6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when the number of transmissions counted by the number-of-transmissions recording unit reaches an upper limit value of the number of transmissions, transmission of content thereafter is prohibited. A voice input unit that accepts voice input;
An incoming call detection means for detecting an incoming call from another information processing apparatus;
A combination unit that combines the content selected by the content selection unit and the audio received by the audio input unit based on the playlist information acquired from another information processing apparatus when an incoming call is detected by the incoming call detection unit And
The information processing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the content and the sound combined by the combination unit are transmitted to another information processing apparatus. A content providing apparatus that provides content to be held to the information processing apparatus in response to a content transmission request from the information processing apparatus according to claim 4,
A conversion unit for converting the data format of the content held in the predetermined holding format;
Transmission request receiving means for receiving data format designation information for designating the data format of the content to be transmitted together with the content transmission request from the information processing apparatus,
The conversion unit converts the data format of the content stored in the content storage device based on the data format designation information, and transmits the converted data format to the other information processing device. A content providing apparatus. The transmission frequency limit, which is the number of times that data can be transmitted to the information processing device, is set for each content.
A transmission number recording means for recording the number of transmissions of the content;
9. The content providing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when the number of transmissions counted by the transmission number recording unit reaches an upper limit value of the number of transmissions, transmission of the content thereafter is prohibited. A method of controlling an information processing apparatus that acquires content from a content providing apparatus that holds the content,
Obtaining from each content providing device existing in a communicable range provider-side preference information that is information indicating a preference regarding the content of the owner of the content providing device;
And a step of selecting a content providing apparatus to be a communication partner based on the acquired provider-side preference information. The content providing apparatus holds playlist information which is information of a content group in which a plurality of contents are classified based on a specific criterion.
Obtaining the playlist information held by the content providing device from the selected content providing device;
And a step of selecting content based on condition information that defines content acquisition conditions in accordance with a preference of an owner of the information processing apparatus from the acquired playlist information. A method for controlling the information processing apparatus according to claim 1. Obtaining retention format information indicating a retention format of content held by the content providing device, and operating information indicating an operating state of the content providing device;
Determining a data format at the time of transmission of content acquired from the content providing device based on the acquired retention format information and operation information;
12. The information processing apparatus control method according to claim 11, further comprising a step of requesting transmission of content in a data format corresponding to the determination. Receiving voice input;
Detecting an incoming call from another information processing apparatus;
When an incoming call is detected, based on the playlist information acquired from another information processing apparatus, the step of combining the selected content and the received audio,
13. The information processing apparatus control method according to claim 12, wherein the combined content and audio are transmitted to another information processing apparatus.   A control program for operating the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control program for the information processing apparatus causes a computer to function as each means.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the control program for the information processing apparatus according to claim 14 is recorded.

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