JP2007066285A - Information processing apparatus and method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a content selection picture in which a content is intuitively and easily selected. <P>SOLUTION: When a user places a touch pen 371 in touch with a touch panel corresponding to a position P1 on a map and transfers (drags) the touch pen on a locus 372 to a position P2 with the touch pen kept in touch with the touch panel, a PD judges that a grid is still an option. Thereafter, when the user takes the touch pen 371 off the touch panel at the position P2, the PD selects the determination grid corresponding to the position P2 where the touch pen 371 is finally in touch with the touch panel. The PD outputs not only content data assigned to the selected grid but a sound corresponding to predetermined content data even while the grid is still an option. The present invention is applicable to a portable recorder/player. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, and a program, and in particular, by displaying a content selection screen that can be intuitively operated by the user, content that matches the taste and mood of the user from a wide variety of content. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, and a program that can easily select a program.

  In recent years, music data is recorded on a personal computer (PC) by ripping music recorded on a CD (Compact Disc) or downloading desired music from a music distribution server using a music distribution service or the like. The method of taking in is spreading, and the user enjoys contents such as music data taken in to a PC using a portable portable device (PD).

  In such a portable PD, the size of a physical display screen is limited because the portability is regarded as important. For this reason, even if the size of the display screen is limited, many proposals have been made for searching and selecting a user's desired content or application recorded in the PD.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a mobile terminal in which application names displayed in a list are scroll-displayed by a drag operation on the touch panel, and an application name displayed at a selection candidate position in a display area is determined as a selection candidate. A device has been proposed.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a portable terminal device (portable multi-purpose device) in which a content name displayed in a linear list is scroll-displayed by operating a rotary input device to easily operate a target content search. Media devices) have been proposed.

  Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a portable terminal device (portable multimedia device) that allows a user to easily search for a target content by providing a hierarchical display including a genre, an artist, an album name, and a song. ) Has been proposed.

  The above proposals are, for example, when only a number of contents that can be recognized by the user are recorded on the PD, or when a lot of contents ripped or downloaded by the user are recorded on the PD. For example, it is quite effective for searching for songs that you know.

  That is, when only a number of contents that can be recognized by the user are recorded on the PD, as shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2, all the contents are scrolled and searched for the desired contents. Easy. Further, for example, when a lot of content that is preferably ripped or downloaded is recorded on the PD, the user can select the name of the recorded content and a word related to the content (that is, the content is a song). For example, since the album name, genre, and artist name) are roughly grasped, it is possible to easily search for the desired content from the hierarchical display as in Patent Document 3.

JP 2003-330613 A US Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0095096 US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0055446

  However, for example, when a variety of contents not depending on the user's preference are recorded on the PD, it is assumed that only the information known to the user is selected from the various contents by using the above-described proposal. On the basis of this, there is a problem that even if an attempt is made to search for a desired content, it is troublesome and difficult.

  In other words, many conventional content selection screens are based on the assumption that the user has obtained information about the content recorded in advance in the PD. There is a problem that it is difficult to intuitively or intuitively search for contents according to one's hobbies, preferences, moods, etc., from a variety of contents that are not grasped.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and makes it possible to intuitively select content that suits one's taste from a wide variety of content.

  The first information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a display control unit that displays an item to which a predetermined content is assigned to a display, a detection unit that detects a user's contact with the touch panel, and a user's contact detected by the detection unit. And a display control unit corresponding to a position where the user contact was detected immediately before by the detection unit when the determination unit determines that the user contact has been released. A selection unit configured to select and determine the displayed item; and a reproduction unit configured to reproduce the content assigned to the item selected and determined by the selection unit. The reproduction unit is configured to detect user contact by the detection unit; The predetermined content is played back until the determination means determines that the user's contact is released. To.

  The predetermined content is displayed corresponding to the position at which the user's contact is detected by the detection unit after the detection unit detects the user's contact until the determination unit determines that the user's contact is released. A part or all of the content assigned to the item displayed by the control means can be used.

  The predetermined content can be a sound effect.

  According to a first information processing method of the present invention, a display control step for displaying an item assigned with predetermined content on a display, a detection step for detecting a user's contact with the touch panel, and a user detected by the processing of the detection step A determination step for determining whether or not the user's contact has been released, and if it is determined that the user's contact has been released by the process of the determination step, corresponds to the position where the user's contact was detected immediately by the process of the detection step A selection step for selecting and determining an item displayed by the process of the display control step, and a reproduction step for reproducing the content assigned to the item selected and determined by the process of the selection step. In the process of the reproduction step, Judgment after user contact is detected by the detection step Until user contact by the process of step is determined to have been freed, characterized in that it reproduces the predetermined content.

  A first program of the present invention includes a display control step for displaying an item assigned with predetermined content on a display, a detection step for detecting a user contact with the touch panel, and a user contact detected by the processing of the detection step. Corresponding to the position where the user's contact was detected immediately before by the detection step, when it is determined that the user's contact has been released by the determination step and the determination step. A selection step for selecting and determining an item displayed by the process of the display control step; and a reproduction step for reproducing the content assigned to the item selected and determined by the process of the selection step. In the process of the reproduction step, the detection step After a user contact is detected by this process, Until the process of-up contact of the user is determined to be freed, characterized in that it reproduces the predetermined content.

  A second information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a display control unit that displays an item to which a predetermined content is assigned to a display, a detection unit that detects a user's contact with the touch panel, and a user contact that is detected by the detection unit. And a display control unit corresponding to a position where the user contact was detected immediately before by the detection unit when the determination unit determines that the user contact has been released. Between the displayed item or the position where the user contact is detected by the detection means after the detection means detects the user contact until the determination means determines that the user contact is released. Selection means for selecting and determining all items displayed by the display control means corresponding to the area to be selected, and selection by the selection means Characterized in that it comprises a reproducing device for reproducing the contents assigned to the constant item.

  The target of selection decision by the selection means is that the user contact is released by the determination means after the user contact is detected by the detection means from the item corresponding to the position where the user contact was detected immediately by the detection means. Until the determination is made, a switching means for switching to an item corresponding to the area surrounded by the position where the detection means detects the user's contact can be further provided.

  According to a second information processing method of the present invention, a display control step for displaying an item assigned with predetermined content on a display, a detection step for detecting a user's contact with the touch panel, and a user detected by the processing of the detection step A determination step that determines whether or not the user's contact has been released, and if it is determined that the user's contact has been released in the processing of the determination step, corresponds to the position where the user's contact was detected immediately before by the processing of the detection step Detected between the item displayed by the process of the display control step or the detection of the user's contact by the process of the determination step after the user's contact is detected by the process of the detection step. Display control corresponding to the area surrounded by the position where the user's contact is detected by the processing of the step A selection step of selecting determine all items displayed by the processing of step, characterized in that it comprises a reproduction step of reproducing the content assigned to the selected determined by the processing of the selection step item.

  The second program of the present invention includes a display control step for displaying an item to which a predetermined content is assigned on a display, a detection step for detecting a user contact with the touch panel, and a user contact detected by the processing of the detection step. Corresponding to the position where the user's contact was detected immediately before by the detection step processing, when it is determined that the user contact is released in the determination step and the determination step processing. The item displayed by the process of the display control step or after the user's contact is detected by the process of the detection step until it is determined that the user's contact is released by the process of the determination step. Display control scan corresponding to the area surrounded by the position where the user's contact is detected by the processing Tsu a selection step of selecting determine all items displayed by the processing of flops, characterized in that it comprises a reproduction step of reproducing the content assigned to the selected determined by the processing of the selection step item.

  The third information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a display control unit that displays an item assigned with predetermined content on a display, and a selection unit that selects an item displayed by the display control unit in response to a user operation. And an acquisition means for acquiring related content having a predetermined relationship with the content assigned to the item selected by the selection means, and the display control means displays the item selected by the selection means as a center for acquisition. The first related item to which the related content acquired by the means is assigned is displayed on the whole or part of the circumference, or on the whole or part of the outer circumference of the polygon.

  The apparatus further includes a detection unit that detects a user's contact with the touch panel stacked on the display, and the selection unit displays an item to which content is assigned and is displayed on the display in response to the user's contact detected by the detection unit. Can be selected.

  The display control means may display a line between the item and the first related item, or may display the line with at least one of an arrow, a line pattern, and a color according to a predetermined relationship. it can.

  When the first related item displayed on the whole or part of the circumference or all or part of the outer circumference of the polygon is selected by the selection means, the display control means is selected by the selection means The first related item is acquired by the acquisition means by displaying an image that transitions to the center from all or part of the circumference or all or part of the outer periphery of the polygon. The second related item to which the related content having a predetermined relationship with the second related item is all or part of the circumference or all or part of the outer periphery of the polygon from the first related item displayed in the center. An image that transitions to a predetermined position on the screen can be displayed.

  The content may be reproduction history information of other users.

  According to a third information processing method of the present invention, a display control step for displaying an item assigned with predetermined content on a display, and an item displayed by the processing of the display control step in response to a user operation is selected. A selection step, and an acquisition step for acquiring related content having a predetermined relationship with the content assigned to the item selected by the selection step processing. In the display control step processing, the selection step is selected. The item is displayed in the center, and the related item to which the related content acquired by the processing in the acquisition step is assigned is displayed on the whole or part of the circumference or the whole or part of the outer circumference of the polygon. And

  The third program of the present invention includes a display control step for displaying an item assigned with a predetermined content on the display, and a selection step for selecting an item displayed by the process of the display control step in response to a user operation. And an acquisition step for acquiring related content having a predetermined relationship with the content assigned to the item selected by the processing of the selection step. In the processing of the display control step, the item selected by the processing of the selection step The related item to which the related content acquired by the processing of the acquisition step is assigned is displayed on the whole or a part of the circumference or the whole or a part of the outer circumference of the polygon. To do.

  According to a fourth information processing apparatus of the present invention, an extraction unit that extracts content having a value in which at least one metadata of the content is included in a predetermined range, and an item to which the content extracted by the extraction unit is assigned, Display control means for displaying at a predetermined position on at least one metadata axis on the display, selection means for selecting an item displayed by the display control means in response to a user operation, and selection by the selection means And reproducing means for reproducing the content assigned to the item.

  The apparatus further includes a detection unit that detects a user's contact with the touch panel stacked on the display, and the selection unit displays an item to which content is assigned and is displayed on the display in response to the user's contact detected by the detection unit. Can be selected.

  The extraction unit extracts content having a value in which at least two metadata of the content are included in a predetermined range, and the display control unit extracts an item to which the content extracted by the extraction unit is assigned at least 2 on the display. It can be displayed at a predetermined position on one metadata axis.

  When a plurality of contents are extracted by the extraction means and a plurality of contents are assigned to an item, a predetermined priority is set for the plurality of contents in the order of predetermined metadata values of the plurality of contents, and playback is performed. The means can reproduce a plurality of contents assigned to the item selected by the selection means in order of a predetermined priority.

  The display control means can display an item to which a content having a predetermined relationship is assigned with a display different from other items.

  The different display may be a display by at least one of blinking, color, graphics, brightness, and addition of numbers.

  The display control means displays a line between items to which content having a predetermined relationship is assigned, or displays the line with at least one of an arrow, a line pattern, and a color corresponding to the predetermined relationship. Can be.

  According to a fourth information processing method of the present invention, an extraction step of extracting content having a value in which at least one metadata of the content is included in a predetermined range, and an item to which the content extracted by the processing of the extraction step is assigned Is displayed at a predetermined position on the axis of at least one metadata on the display, a selection step for selecting an item displayed by the processing of the display control step in response to a user operation, and selection A playback step of playing back the content assigned to the item selected by the processing of the step.

  The fourth program of the present invention includes an extraction step of extracting content having a value in which at least one metadata of the content is included in a predetermined range, and an item to which the content extracted by the processing of the extraction step is assigned. A display control step of displaying at a predetermined position on at least one metadata axis on the display; a selection step of selecting an item displayed by the processing of the display control step in response to a user operation; And a playback step of playing back the content assigned to the item selected by the processing.

  According to a fifth information processing apparatus of the present invention, a selection unit that selects an item to which a content is assigned and that is displayed on a display in response to a user operation, and a content that is allocated to the item selected by the selection unit Acquisition means for acquiring related content having a predetermined relation with the item selected by the selection means, and the related items to which the related content acquired by the acquisition means is assigned are all or one of the circumference. A first display control means for displaying on the whole or a part of the outer periphery of the polygon or the polygon; and an extraction means for extracting content having a value in which at least one metadata of the content is included in a predetermined range; The item to which the content extracted by the extracting means is assigned is assigned to at least one item on the display. A second display control means for displaying at a predetermined position on the data axis; a display switching means for switching between a display by the first display control means and a display by the second display control means; The means or the second display control means is characterized in that when the display switching means switches from one display to the other display, an image transitioning from one display to the other display is displayed.

  The apparatus further includes a detection unit that detects a user's contact with the touch panel stacked on the display, and the selection unit displays an item to which content is assigned and is displayed on the display in response to the user's contact detected by the detection unit. Can be selected.

  The extraction unit extracts content having a value in which at least two pieces of metadata of the content are included in a predetermined range, and the second display control unit displays an item to which the content extracted by the extraction unit is assigned on the display. The at least two metadata axes can be displayed at predetermined positions.

  When the first display control means or the second display control means is switched from one display to the other display by the display switching means, the information of the content selected by the selection means in one display is changed to the other display. It can be made to reflect and display on a display.

  According to a fifth information processing method of the present invention, in response to a user operation, a selection step for selecting an item to which content is assigned, which is displayed on the display, and an item selected by the processing of the selection step is assigned. An acquisition step for acquiring related content having a predetermined relationship with the acquired content and an item selected by the processing of the selection step are displayed in the center, and the related item to which the related content acquired by the acquisition step is assigned is A first display control step for displaying all or part of the image, or all or part of the outer periphery of the polygon, and content having a value in which at least one metadata of the content falls within a predetermined range The extraction step and the content extracted by the processing of the extraction step are assigned. The second display control step for displaying the item at a predetermined position on the axis of at least one metadata on the display, the display by the processing of the first display control step, and the processing of the second display control step A display switching step for switching the display, and in the processing of the first display control step or the processing of the second display control step, when switching from one display to the other by the processing of the display switching step, An image transitioning from one display to the other display is displayed.

  According to a fifth program of the present invention, there is provided a selection step for selecting an item to which content is assigned, which is displayed on the display in response to a user operation, and the content assigned to the item selected by the processing of the selection step The acquisition step for acquiring the related content having a predetermined relationship with the item, the item selected by the processing of the selection step is displayed in the center, and the related item to which the related content acquired by the acquisition step is assigned is displayed on the entire circumference. Alternatively, a first display control step of displaying on a part or all or part of the outer periphery of the polygon, and an extraction step of extracting content having a value in which at least one metadata of the content is included in a predetermined range And the content extracted by the extraction step process A second display control step for displaying the item at a predetermined position on the axis of at least one metadata on the display; a display by the processing of the first display control step; and a display by the processing of the second display control step In the first display control step process or the second display control step process, when one display is switched to the other display by the display switch step process, An image transitioning from the display to the other display is displayed.

  According to a sixth information processing apparatus of the present invention, an extracting unit that extracts content having a value in which at least one metadata of content is included in a predetermined range, and an item to which the content extracted by the extracting unit is assigned, First display control means for displaying at a predetermined position on at least one metadata axis on the display, selection means for selecting an item displayed on the display in response to a user operation, and selection by the selection means Reproducing means for playing back the content assigned to the assigned item, second display control means for displaying a list of contents assigned to the item selected by the selecting means, and first display by the first display control means , And display switching means for switching the second display by the second display control means. Control means, when it is switched from the first display by the display switching means to the second display, and wherein the first display, that displays an image to transition to the second display.

  The apparatus further includes a detection unit that detects a user's contact with the touch panel stacked on the display, and the selection unit displays an item to which content is assigned and is displayed on the display in response to the user's contact detected by the detection unit. Can be selected.

  The extraction unit extracts content having a value in which at least two metadata of the content are included in a predetermined range, and the first display control unit displays an item to which the content extracted by the extraction unit is assigned on the display. The at least two metadata axes can be displayed at predetermined positions.

  When the display switching unit switches from the first display to the second display, the second display control unit can display the content in a list in the order of the predetermined metadata value of the content.

  The predetermined metadata can be ranking information.

  According to a sixth information processing method of the present invention, an extraction step for extracting content having a value in which at least one metadata of content is included in a predetermined range, and an item to which the content extracted by the processing of the extraction step is assigned Is displayed at a predetermined position on at least one metadata axis on the display, a selection step for selecting an item displayed on the display in response to a user operation, and a selection step By the process of the reproduction | regeneration step which reproduces | regenerates the content allocated to the item selected by (2), the 2nd display control step to display the content allocated to the item selected by the selection step, and the process of the 1st display control step Processing of first display and second display control step A display switching step for switching the second display, and in the processing of the first display control step, when switching from the first display to the second display by the processing of the display switching step, An image transitioning to the second display is displayed.

  The sixth program of the present invention includes an extraction step of extracting content having a value in which at least one metadata of the content is included in a predetermined range, and an item to which the content extracted by the processing of the extraction step is assigned. A first display control step for displaying at a predetermined position on at least one metadata axis on the display, a selection step for selecting an item displayed on the display in response to a user operation, and a selection step A playback step for playing back the content assigned to the assigned item, a second display control step for displaying a list of the content assigned to the item selected by the selection step, and a first by the processing of the first display control step Display and processing of the second display control step A display switching step for switching the second display. In the process of the first display control step, when the first display is switched to the second display by the process of the display switching step, the first display An image transitioning to the second display is displayed.

  According to a seventh information processing apparatus of the present invention, there is provided a display control means for displaying an item assigned with predetermined content on the display, and a selection means for selecting an item displayed by the display control means in response to a user operation. Content extracting means for extracting content having the same attribute as the content assigned to the item selected by the selecting means based on the metadata of the content, and selecting means using the content extracted by the content extracting means And a list generation unit that generates a related content list including related content having a predetermined relationship with the content assigned to the item selected by the display unit, and the display control unit displays the item selected by the selection unit as a center. Related content generated by the list generation means In the order of bets, the related item related content is assigned, and wherein the displaying on the circumference of the whole or part, or the outer periphery of the polygonal whole or in part.

  According to a seventh information processing method of the present invention, a display control step for displaying an item assigned with predetermined content on the display, and an item displayed by the processing of the display control step in response to a user operation is selected. The content extracted by the selection step, the content extraction step for extracting the content having the same attribute as the content assigned to the item selected by the processing of the selection step based on the metadata of the content, and the content extracted by the processing of the content extraction step And a list generation step of generating a related content list including related content having a predetermined relationship with the content assigned to the item selected by the processing of the selection step. In the processing of the display control step, the selection step Select by processing The related items to which the related content is assigned in the order of the related content list generated by the processing of the list generation step are displayed for all or part of the circumference, or all of the circumference of the polygon or It is characterized by being displayed on a part.

  A seventh program of the present invention includes a display control step for displaying an item to which a predetermined content is assigned on a display, and a selection step for selecting an item displayed by the process of the display control step in response to a user operation. And a content extraction step for extracting content having the same attribute as the content assigned to the item selected by the processing of the selection step based on the metadata of the content, and the content extracted by the processing of the content extraction step A list generation step for generating a related content list including related content having a predetermined relationship with the content assigned to the item selected by the selection step processing. In the display control step processing, the selection step processing Selected by The related items to which the related content is assigned in the order of the related content list generated by the processing of the list generation step, the whole or part of the circumference, or the whole or one of the outer circumference of the polygon. It is characterized by being displayed on the part.

  According to an eighth information processing apparatus of the present invention, display control means for displaying an item assigned with predetermined content on a display, and selection means for selecting an item displayed by the display control means in response to a user operation And content having analysis data values whose similarity to the analysis data value of the content assigned to the item selected by the selection means is higher than a predetermined value based on analysis data which is data obtained by analyzing the content. Content extracting means for extracting, and list generating means for generating a related content list including related contents having a predetermined relationship with the content assigned to the item selected by the selecting means, using the content extracted by the content extracting means The display control means includes an eye selected by the selection means. The related items to which the related content is assigned are displayed in the order of the related content list generated by the list generation means, in the order of all or part of the circumference or all or part of the outer periphery of the polygon. It is characterized by being displayed.

  According to an eighth information processing method of the present invention, a display control step for displaying an item assigned with predetermined content on a display, and an item displayed by the processing of the display control step in response to a user operation is selected. Based on the analysis data, which is data obtained by analyzing the content of the selection step, the value of the analysis data in which the similarity between the analysis data value of the content assigned to the item selected by the processing of the selection step is higher than a predetermined value A content extraction step for extracting content having a content, and a relationship composed of related content having a predetermined relationship with the content assigned to the item selected by the processing of the selection step using the content extracted by the processing of the content extraction step List generation step for generating content list In the process of the display control step, the items selected by the process of the selection step are displayed in the center, and the related items to which the related contents are assigned are displayed in the order of the related content list generated by the process of the list generation step. , And displaying on all or part of the circumference, or all or part of the circumference of the polygon.

  An eighth program of the present invention includes a display control step for displaying an item assigned with predetermined content on a display, and a selection step for selecting an item displayed by the process of the display control step in response to a user operation. And the value of the analysis data whose similarity to the value of the analysis data of the content assigned to the item selected by the processing of the selection step is higher than a predetermined value based on the analysis data which is data obtained by analyzing the content A content extraction step for extracting content, and a related content list including related content having a predetermined relationship with the content assigned to the item selected by the processing of the selection step using the content extracted by the processing of the content extraction step List generation step to generate In the process of the display control step, the item selected by the process of the selection step is displayed mainly, and the related item to which the related content is assigned in the order of the related content list generated by the process of the list generation step. It is characterized by being displayed on all or part of the circumference, or all or part of the outer circumference of the polygon.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, an item to which predetermined content is assigned is displayed on the display, the user's contact with the touch panel is detected, and it is determined whether or not the detected user's contact has been released. If it is determined that the user's contact has been released, the displayed item corresponding to the position where the user's contact has been detected immediately before is selected and the content assigned to the selected item is played back. In addition, the predetermined content is also reproduced after the user contact is detected until it is determined that the user contact is released.

  In the second aspect of the present invention, an item to which predetermined content is assigned is displayed on the display, the user's contact with the touch panel is detected, and it is determined whether or not the detected user's contact has been released. When it is determined that the user's contact has been released, the displayed item corresponding to the position where the user's contact was detected immediately before or the user's contact is detected, and then the user's contact is released. Until it is determined that all the displayed items corresponding to the area surrounded by the position where the user contact is detected are selected and determined, and the content assigned to the selected item is played. .

  In the third aspect of the present invention, an item to which a predetermined content is assigned is displayed on the display, and the displayed item is selected in response to a user operation, and the content assigned to the selected item and the predetermined item are selected. Related content having a relationship is acquired. Then, the selected item is displayed at the center, and the related item to which the acquired related content is assigned is displayed on the whole or part of the circumference, or on the whole or part of the outer circumference of the polygon.

  In the fourth aspect of the present invention, content having a value in which at least one metadata of the content falls within a predetermined range is extracted, and an item to which the extracted content is assigned is stored in at least one metadata on the display. It is displayed at a predetermined position on the axis. Then, in response to a user operation, the displayed item is selected, and the content assigned to the selected item is reproduced.

  In the fifth aspect of the present invention, in response to a user operation, an item to which content is assigned, which is displayed on the display, is selected, and related content having a predetermined association with the content assigned to the selected item is displayed. Acquired and displayed as a first display centered on the selected item, the related item to which the acquired related content is assigned is all or part of the circumference, or all or part of the outer periphery of the polygon Is displayed above. In addition, content having a value in which at least one metadata of the content is included in a predetermined range is extracted, and as a second display, an item to which the extracted content is assigned is displayed on at least one metadata on the display. It is displayed at a predetermined position on the axis. Then, when switching from one display to the other display among the first display and the second display, an image transitioning from one display to the other display is displayed.

  In the sixth aspect of the present invention, content having a value in which at least one metadata of the content falls within a predetermined range is extracted, and an item to which the extracted content is assigned is displayed on the display as a first display. It is displayed at a predetermined position on the axis of at least one metadata. Further, in response to the user's operation, the item displayed on the display is selected, the content assigned to the selected item is played, and the content assigned to the selected item is listed as the second display. Is displayed. When switching from the first display to the second display, an image transitioning from the first display to the second display is displayed.

  In the seventh aspect of the present invention, an item to which a predetermined content is assigned is displayed on the display, and the displayed item is selected in response to a user operation. Based on the content metadata, content having the same attributes as the content assigned to the selected item is extracted, and the extracted content is used to have a predetermined association with the content assigned to the selected item. A related content list including related content is generated. Then, the selected item is displayed at the center, and the related items to which the related content is assigned are all or part of the circumference, or all or part of the outer periphery of the polygon in the order of the generated related content list. Displayed above.

  In the eighth aspect of the present invention, an item to which a predetermined content is assigned is displayed on the display, and the displayed item is selected. Based on the analysis data, which is the data obtained by analyzing the content, the content having the value of the analysis data whose similarity to the value of the analysis data of the content assigned to the selected item is higher than a predetermined value is extracted and extracted. The related content list including the related content having a predetermined relationship with the content assigned to the selected item is generated using the selected content. Then, the selected item is displayed at the center, and the related items to which the related content is assigned are all or part of the circumference, or all or part of the outer periphery of the polygon in the order of the generated related content list. Displayed above.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a content selection screen that allows the user to intuitively select content from a wide variety of content for which the user does not know much of the information. In addition, it is possible to provide a content selection screen that is sensuous and easy to understand for the user. Thus, according to the present invention, the user can intuitively select content that suits his taste from a wide variety of content. Furthermore, according to the present invention, contents can be spread and spread.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Correspondences between constituent elements described in the claims and specific examples in the embodiments of the present invention are exemplified as follows. This description is to confirm that specific examples supporting the invention described in the claims are described in the embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, although there are specific examples that are described in the embodiment of the invention but are not described here as corresponding to the configuration requirements, the specific examples are not included in the configuration. It does not mean that it does not correspond to a requirement. On the contrary, even if a specific example is described here as corresponding to a configuration requirement, this means that the specific example does not correspond to a configuration requirement other than the configuration requirement. not.

  Further, this description does not mean that all the inventions corresponding to the specific examples described in the embodiments of the invention are described in the claims. In other words, this description is an invention corresponding to the specific example described in the embodiment of the invention, and the existence of an invention not described in the claims of this application, that is, in the future, a divisional application will be made. Nor does it deny the existence of an invention added by amendment.

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 (for example, PD5 in FIG. 1) includes a display control unit (for example, the map display control unit 216 in FIG. 9) that displays an item to which predetermined content is assigned on a display, and a touch panel. Detection means (for example, the input module 153 in FIG. 5) for detecting a user's contact with the touch panel 132 (for example, the touch panel 132 in FIG. 4) and determination means for determining whether or not the user's contact detected by the detection means has been released. (For example, the selected position acquisition unit 211 in FIG. 9) and the display control unit corresponding to the position where the detection unit detects the user's contact immediately before when the determination unit determines that the user's contact has been released. The selection means (for example, the selection history management unit 213 in FIG. 9) for selecting and determining the item displayed by the A reproduction unit (for example, the content reproduction module 154 in FIG. 5) that reproduces the content assigned to the item, and the reproduction unit releases the user's contact by the determination unit after the detection unit detects the user's contact. The predetermined content is played back until it is determined that it has been performed.

  The information processing method according to claim 4 includes a display control step (for example, step S78 in FIG. 31) for displaying an item assigned with predetermined content on the display, and a detection step (for example, detecting a user's contact with the touch panel). 31 (step S79 in FIG. 31), a determination step (for example, step S105 in FIG. 32) for determining whether or not the user contact detected by the detection step processing has been released, and a user contact by the determination step processing. When it is determined that the item is released, a selection step (for example, FIG. 32) that selects and determines the item displayed by the display control step process corresponding to the position where the user's contact has been detected immediately before by the detection step process. Step S106) and the item selected and determined by the selection step process. A reproduction step (for example, step S108 in FIG. 32) for reproducing the content assigned to the user. In the reproduction step process (for example, step S103 in FIG. 32), a user contact is detected by the detection step process. And the predetermined content is reproduced until it is determined that the user's contact is released by the process of the determination step.

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 6 includes a display control unit (for example, the map display control unit 216 in FIG. 9) that displays an item to which predetermined content is assigned on the display, and a touch panel (for example, the touch panel 132 in FIG. 4). ) Detecting means (for example, the input module 153 in FIG. 5) for detecting the user's contact with the user, and determining means (for example, the selected position in FIG. 9) for determining whether or not the user's contact detected by the detecting means has been released. When it is determined that the user's contact is released by the acquisition unit 211) and the determination unit, the item displayed by the display control unit (for example, corresponding to the position where the user's contact was detected by the detection unit immediately before is detected (for example, The grid corresponding to the position P2 in FIG. 11), or after the user's contact is detected by the detection means, the determination means All the items displayed by the display control means corresponding to the area surrounded by the position where the user contact is detected by the detection means (for example, the locus in FIG. 12) until it is determined that the user contact is released. A selection unit (for example, the selection history management unit 213 in FIG. 9) that selects and determines a grid of an area corresponding to 381 and a reproduction unit (for example, FIG. 9) that plays back the content assigned to the item selected and determined by the selection unit. 5 content reproduction module 154).

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the object of selection determination by the selection unit is selected from an item corresponding to a position where the user's contact was detected immediately before by the detection unit, after the user's contact is detected by the detection unit. Switching means (for example, an area button in FIG. 12) for switching to an item corresponding to an area surrounded by a position where the user's contact is detected by the detection means until the determination means determines that the user's contact has been released. Further, a selection position acquisition unit 211) that performs processing based on the operation signal 391 is further provided.

  The information processing method according to claim 8 includes a display control step (for example, step S78 in FIG. 31) for displaying an item assigned with predetermined content on the display, and a detection step (for example, detecting a user's contact with the touch panel). 31 (step S79 in FIG. 31), a determination step (for example, step S105 in FIG. 32) for determining whether or not the user contact detected by the detection step processing has been released, and a user contact by the determination step processing. Is determined to have been released, the item displayed by the display control step processing corresponding to the position where the user contact was detected by the detection step processing immediately before, or the user contact by the detection step processing Is detected, the contact of the user is released by the process of the determination step. Until the determination is made, the selection step for selecting and determining all the items displayed by the processing of the display control step corresponding to the region surrounded by the position where the user's contact is detected by the processing of the detection step (for example, FIG. 32 step S106) and a reproduction step (for example, step S108 in FIG. 32) for reproducing the content assigned to the item selected and determined by the process of the selection step.

  Note that the program according to claim 9 is basically the same processing as the information processing method according to claim 8 described above, and is therefore repeated, so that the description thereof is omitted.

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 10 of the present invention corresponds to a display control unit (for example, the related link display control unit 215 in FIG. 9) that displays an item assigned with predetermined content on the display, and a user operation. Then, a selection unit (for example, the selection position acquisition unit 211 in FIG. 9) for selecting an item displayed by the display control unit, and a related content having a predetermined relationship with the content assigned to the item selected by the selection unit Acquisition means (for example, the related link generation unit 231 in FIG. 9), and the display control means displays the item selected by the selection means in the center, and the related content acquired by the acquisition means is assigned. The first related item is displayed on the whole or part of the circumference, or on the whole or part of the outer circumference of the polygon. And wherein the door.

  The information processing apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention further includes detection means (for example, the input module 153 in FIG. 5) for detecting a user's contact with a touch panel (for example, the touch panel 132 in FIG. 4) stacked on the display. The selecting means is characterized by selecting an item to which content is assigned and displayed on the display in response to the user's contact detected by the detecting means.

  The information processing device according to claim 14 of the present invention is characterized in that the content is reproduction history information of another user (for example, a reproduction history assigned to the user icon of the link display unit 521 in FIG. 23). And

  According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method according to a display control step (for example, step S194 in FIG. 36) for displaying an item to which a predetermined content is assigned on a display, and a user operation. A selection step (for example, step S196 in FIG. 36) for selecting an item displayed by the process of the control step, and related content having a predetermined relationship with the content assigned to the item selected by the process of the selection step are acquired. Including an acquisition step (for example, step S192 in FIG. 36), and in the process of the display control step, the item selected by the selection unit is displayed in the center, and the related item to which the related content acquired by the acquisition unit is assigned is displayed. , All or part of the circumference, or the whole circumference of the polygon It is characterized in that to display on a portion.

  The program according to claim 16 is basically the same processing as the information processing method according to claim 15 described above, and is therefore repeated, so that the description thereof is omitted.

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 17 of the present invention includes an extraction unit (for example, the grid map generation unit 232 in FIG. 9) that extracts content having a value in which at least one metadata of the content is included in a predetermined range. Display control means for displaying an item to which the content extracted by the extraction means is assigned at a predetermined position on the axis of at least one metadata on the display (for example, display control of the map display unit 321 in FIG. 29) 9 map display control unit 216), a selection unit (for example, selection position acquisition unit 211 in FIG. 9) for selecting an item displayed by the display control unit in response to a user operation, and a selection unit. Reproduction means for reproducing the content assigned to the item (for example, the content reproduction module 154 in FIG. 5) Characterized in that it comprises a.

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 18 of the present invention further includes detection means (for example, the input module 153 in FIG. 5) for detecting a user's contact with a touch panel (for example, the touch panel 132 in FIG. 4) stacked on the display. The selecting means is characterized by selecting an item to which content is assigned and displayed on the display in response to the user's contact detected by the detecting means.

  In the information processing apparatus according to claim 19 of the present invention, the extraction unit extracts a content having a value in which at least two pieces of metadata of the content are included in a predetermined range, and displays a display control unit (for example, the map of FIG. 10). The map display control unit 216 in FIG. 9 that controls the display unit 321 displays the item to which the content extracted by the extraction unit is assigned at a predetermined position on at least two metadata axes on the display. It is characterized by.

  The information processing method according to claim 24 of the present invention includes an extraction step (for example, step S77 in FIG. 31) for extracting content having a value in which at least one metadata of the content falls within a predetermined range, and an extraction step. The display control step (for example, step S78 in FIG. 31) for displaying the item to which the content extracted by the process is assigned is displayed at a predetermined position on the axis of at least one metadata on the display, and corresponds to the user operation Then, a selection step (for example, step S106 in FIG. 32) for selecting the item displayed by the process of the display control step, and a reproduction step (for example, for reproducing the content assigned to the item selected by the selection step process). , Step S108 in FIG. 32)

  Note that the program according to claim 25 is basically the same processing as the information processing method according to claim 24 described above, and is therefore repeated, so that the description thereof is omitted.

  According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus that selects, in response to a user's operation, an item to which an item to which content is assigned, which is displayed on a display, is selected (for example, the selection position acquisition unit 211 in FIG. 9). ), Acquisition means for acquiring related content having a predetermined relationship with the content assigned to the item selected by the selection means (for example, the related link generation unit 231 in FIG. 9), and the item selected by the selection means 1st display control means to display on the whole or a part of a circumference, or all or a part of the perimeter of a polygon, the related item which was displayed in the center and assigned the related contents acquired by acquisition means (For example, the related link display control unit 215 in FIG. 9) and a value in which at least one metadata of the content is included in a predetermined range. An extraction unit (for example, the grid map generation unit 232 in FIG. 9) that extracts the content to be processed and an item to which the content extracted by the extraction unit is assigned to a predetermined position on the axis of at least one metadata on the display Second display control means (for example, the map display control unit 216 in FIG. 9) to be displayed, display switching means for switching between display by the first display control means and display by the second display control means (for example, FIG. 9). The first display control means or the second display control means is switched from one display to the other when the display switching means switches from one display to the other display. An image transitioning to the display of is displayed.

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 27 of the present invention further includes detection means (for example, the input module 153 in FIG. 5) for detecting a user's contact with a touch panel (for example, the touch panel 132 in FIG. 4) stacked on the display. The selecting means is characterized by selecting an item to which content is assigned and displayed on the display in response to the user's contact detected by the detecting means.

  According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method according to a selection step (for example, step S196 in FIG. 36) of selecting an item to which content is assigned and displayed on a display in response to a user operation. An acquisition step (for example, step S192 in FIG. 36) for acquiring related content having a predetermined relationship with the content assigned to the item selected by the selection step processing, and the item selected by the selection step processing. A first display control step (for example, displaying the related item to which the related content acquired by the acquiring step is assigned on the whole or a part of the circumference or the whole or a part of the outer circumference of the polygon) , Step S194) of FIG. 36 and at least one metadata of the content An extraction step (for example, step S77 in FIG. 31) for extracting content having a value included in the range of the item, and an item to which the content extracted by the processing of the extraction step is assigned, is stored in at least one metadata on the display. Display that switches between the second display control step (for example, step S78 in FIG. 31) to be displayed at a predetermined position on the axis, the display by the process of the first display control step, and the display by the process of the second display control step. Switching step (for example, step S52 or step S56 in FIG. 30), and in the processing of the first display control step or the processing of the second display control step, the display switching step processing changes one display to the other. When switching to one display, the transition from one display to the other display Wherein the displaying the.

  The program according to claim 31 is basically the same processing as the information processing method according to claim 30 described above, and is therefore repeated, so that the description thereof is omitted.

  An information processing apparatus according to a thirty-second aspect of the present invention includes an extraction unit (for example, the grid map generation unit 232 in FIG. 9) that extracts content having a value in which at least one metadata of the content is included in a predetermined range. First display control means (for example, the map display control unit 216 in FIG. 9) displays the item to which the content extracted by the extraction means is assigned at a predetermined position on the axis of at least one metadata on the display. In response to the user's operation, the selection means (for example, the selection position acquisition unit 211 in FIG. 9) for selecting an item displayed on the display, and the content assigned to the item selected by the selection means are reproduced. Reproduction means (for example, the content reproduction module 154 in FIG. 5) and the item selected by the selection means Second display control means (for example, list display control unit 217 in FIG. 9) for displaying the assigned contents as a list, first display by the first display control means, and second display control means by the second display control means. Display switching means (for example, the information generation control unit 214 in FIG. 9) that switches between the two displays, and the first display control means is switched from the first display to the second display by the display switching means. An image transitioning from the first display to the second display is displayed.

  An information processing apparatus according to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention further includes detection means (for example, the input module 153 in FIG. 5) for detecting a user's contact with a touch panel (for example, the touch panel 132 in FIG. 4) stacked on the display. The selecting means is characterized by selecting an item to which content is assigned and displayed on the display in response to the user's contact detected by the detecting means.

  An information processing method according to a thirty-seventh aspect of the present invention includes an extraction step (for example, step S77 in FIG. 31) for extracting content having a value in which at least one metadata of the content falls within a predetermined range, and an extraction step. A first display control step (for example, step S78 in FIG. 31) for displaying an item to which the content extracted by the process is assigned at a predetermined position on at least one metadata axis on the display; In response to the operation, a selection step (for example, step S106 in FIG. 32) for selecting an item displayed on the display, and a reproduction step (for example, FIG. 32) for reproducing the content assigned to the item selected in the selection step. Step S108) and the item selected in the selection step. By a second display control step (for example, step S125 in FIG. 33) for displaying the contents assigned to the list, the first display by the process of the first display control step, and the process of the second display control step A display switching step (for example, step S53 in FIG. 30) for switching the second display. In the processing of the first display control step, the first display is switched to the second display by the processing of the display switching step. In this case, an image transitioning from the first display to the second display is displayed.

  Note that the program according to claim 38 is basically the same processing as the information processing method according to claim 37 described above, and is therefore repeated, so that the description thereof is omitted.

  An information processing apparatus according to a thirty-ninth aspect of the present invention corresponds to a display control unit (for example, the related link display control unit 215 in FIG. 9) that displays an item to which predetermined content is assigned on a display, and a user operation. Then, the content assigned to the item selected by the selection means based on the selection means (for example, the selection position acquisition unit 211 in FIG. 9) for selecting the item displayed by the display control means and the metadata of the content The content extraction unit (for example, the PD target content extraction unit 914 in FIG. 53) that extracts the content having the same attribute as the content extracted by the content extraction unit is assigned to the item selected by the selection unit. A related content list comprising related content having a predetermined relationship with the content A list generation unit (for example, a related list generation control unit 913 in FIG. 53), and the display control unit displays the item selected by the selection unit as a center, and the related content list generated by the list generation unit The related items to which the related content is assigned are displayed on the whole or a part of the circumference or the whole or a part of the outer circumference of the polygon.

  The information processing method according to claim 40 of the present invention includes a display control step (for example, step S194 in FIG. 36) for displaying an item to which a predetermined content is assigned on the display, and a display corresponding to the user's operation. A selection step (for example, step S196 in FIG. 36) for selecting an item displayed by the process of the control step, and the same attribute as the content assigned to the item selected by the process of the selection step based on the metadata of the content Content extraction step (for example, step S314 in FIG. 54) for extracting content having the content extracted by the content extraction step processing and the content assigned to the item selected by the selection step processing Related content that has a relationship And a list generation step (for example, step S315 in FIG. 54) for generating a related content list. In the process of the display control step, the item selected by the process of the selection step is displayed mainly, and the process of the list generation step The related items to which the related content is assigned are displayed on the whole or a part of the circumference or the whole or a part of the outer circumference of the polygon in the order of the related content list generated by the above.

  The program according to claim 41 is basically the same processing as the information processing method according to claim 40 described above, and is therefore repeated, so that the description thereof is omitted.

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 42 of the present invention is compatible with display control means (for example, the related link display control unit 215 in FIG. 9) for displaying an item assigned with predetermined content on the display, and a user operation. Then, the item selected by the selection unit based on the selection unit (for example, the selection position acquisition unit 211 in FIG. 9) for selecting the item displayed by the display control unit and the analysis data which is the data obtained by analyzing the content. Content extraction means (for example, PD target content extraction unit 933 in FIG. 57) for extracting content having a value of analysis data whose similarity to the value of analysis data of content assigned to is higher than a predetermined value, and content extraction The content assigned to the item selected by the selection means using the content extracted by the means. List generation means (for example, a related list generation control unit 932 in FIG. 57) that generates a related content list including related contents having a predetermined relationship with the content, and the display control means displays the item selected by the selection means. The related items to which the related content is assigned are displayed on the whole or part of the circumference or the whole or part of the outer circumference of the polygon in the order of the related content list generated by the list generation means. It is characterized by making it.

  An information processing method according to a 43rd aspect of the present invention includes a display control step (for example, step S194 in FIG. 36) for displaying an item to which a predetermined content is assigned on the display, and a display corresponding to the user's operation. Based on the selection step (for example, step S196 in FIG. 36) for selecting the item displayed by the processing of the control step and the analysis data that is the data obtained by analyzing the content, the item is assigned to the item selected by the processing of the selection step. A content extraction step (for example, step S334 in FIG. 56) for extracting content having a value of analysis data whose similarity to the analysis data value of the content is higher than a predetermined value, and the content extraction step. The content selected by the process of the selection step is selected. A list generation step (for example, step S335 in FIG. 56) for generating a related content list including related content having a predetermined relationship with the content assigned to the system. In the display control step processing, The selected items are displayed in the center, and the related items to which the related content is assigned in the order of the related content list generated by the processing of the list generation step are all or a part of the circumference, or the whole of the outer periphery of the polygon. Or it displays on a part.

  The program according to claim 44 is basically the same processing as the information processing method according to claim 43 described above, and is therefore repeated, so that the description thereof is omitted.

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

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a content providing system to which the present invention is applied.

  A personal computer (PC) 1 is connected to a network 2 represented by the Internet. In this example, only one PC 1 is shown, but an arbitrary number of PCs are connected to the network 2.

  The network 2 is connected to a content server 3 that provides content such as moving images and music to the PC 1. Any number of content servers 3 are also connected to the network 2. In the example of FIG. 1, a case where music content is provided will be described.

  The content server 3 is a content file database (DB) 4 that stores content files composed of content data such as music (hereinafter also referred to as content data) and metadata corresponding to the content (also referred to as content metadata as appropriate). have. For example, the metadata includes the name of an album in which the content is included, the name of an artist who plays or provides the content, the tone of the content, the rhythm, or the ranking value (parameter) of the content in the market.

  The content server 3 authenticates a user registered to provide a content file for access from the PC 1. Then, the content server 3 transmits various content files stored in the content file DB 4 to the PC 1 that has authenticated the user via the network 2. In other words, in the example of FIG. 1, the content server 3 provides content files of a wide variety of content that the content provider recommends to the user for viewing, not the content file of the content requested by the user.

  The PC 1 accesses the content server 3 using client software such as a Web browser, records the content file received from the content server 3, or encodes content data read from a CD (Compact Disc) with a predetermined encoding. (For example, ATRAC3plus (trademark)) and recorded as a content file together with the metadata.

  The PC 1 is connected to a portable device (PD) 5 that is a portable recording / reproducing device via, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, and the PC 1 stores a content file recorded on the connected PD 5. Forward.

  The PD 5 records various content files acquired via the PC 1 from the content server 3 or CD, or by attaching a removable medium 122 (FIG. 4) in which various content files are recorded in advance. Using the metadata of the content file recorded in them, the content data is reproduced.

  In the case of FIG. 1, the PD 5 has described an example in which a content file is acquired from the content server 3 via the PC 1. However, the PD 5 is directly connected to the network 2 or not via the PC 1. Thus, the content file may be directly acquired from the content server 3.

  Although details will be described later, the PD 5 includes a display unit 131 (both in FIG. 4) on which the touch panel 132 is stacked, and the display unit 131 reproduces from various content files recorded in the PD 5. A content selection screen for selecting content to be displayed is displayed. The user operates the touch panel 132 stacked on the content selection screen displayed on the display unit 131 with a touch pen or a finger, so that the user can select content according to the user's taste and mood with a sensory operation. And can watch.

  As described above, in the content providing system of FIG. 1, a large amount of various contents not depending on the user's request are provided by the content server 3 to the PD 5 via the PC 1, and the user displays the content displayed on the PD 5. By operating based on the selection screen, it is possible to select and view content according to taste from a large variety of content provided to the PD 5. On the other hand, the content provider can spread the content to many users and promote the expansion of content sales.

  FIG. 2 illustrates a hardware configuration example of the PC 1.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 executes various processes according to a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 or a program loaded from a storage unit 18 to a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13. The RAM 13 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 11 to execute various processes.

  The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are connected to each other via a bus 14. An input / output interface 15 is also connected to the bus 14.

  The input / output interface 15 includes an input unit 16 including a keyboard and a mouse, a display including a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an output unit 17 including a speaker, and a hard disk. A communication unit 19 including a storage unit 18, a modem, a terminal adapter, or a USB interface is connected. The communication unit 19 performs communication processing via the network 2 or a USB cable.

  A drive 20 is connected to the input / output interface 15 as necessary, and a removable medium 21 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory is appropriately mounted. It is installed in the storage unit 18 as necessary.

  Although illustration is omitted, the content server 3 is also configured by a computer having basically the same configuration as the PC 1 shown in FIG. Therefore, in the following description, the configuration of FIG. 2 is also referred to as the configuration of the content server 3.

  Here, when the CPU 11 executes various programs, the computer in FIG. 2 functions as the PC 1 or the content server 3 in FIG. In this case, the program can be recorded in advance in the ROM 12 or the storage unit 18 as a recording medium built in the computer of FIG. Alternatively, the program can be stored (recorded) temporarily or permanently in a removable medium 21 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and provided as so-called package software.

  The program is installed on the computer shown in FIG. 2 from the removable medium 21 as described above, and is transferred from the download site to the computer shown in FIG. 2 via a digital satellite broadcasting artificial satellite. It can also be installed by being transferred to the computer of FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the PC 1. The functional blocks shown in FIG. 3 are realized by a predetermined program being executed by the CPU 11 of the PC 1.

  A GUI (Graphical User Interface) module 51 inputs a user operation via the input unit 16, and supplies an operation signal corresponding to the operation to the content acquisition control module 52 or the PD transfer control module 54 or acquires the content. Via the control module 52, control is performed to display video corresponding to the screen data supplied from the content server 3 on a monitor constituting the output unit 17.

  The content acquisition control module 52 controls the server communication module 53 in accordance with an operation signal from the GUI module 51 to access the content server 3. The content acquisition control module 52 supplies the screen data supplied from the content server 3 to the GUI module 51 and records the content file acquired from the content server 3 in the content file database (DB) 56.

  The server communication module 53 accesses the content server 3 via the communication unit 19 and the network 2 and supplies screen data and content files supplied from the content server 3 to the content acquisition control module 52.

  The PD (portable device) transfer control module 54 controls the PD communication module 55 according to the operation signal from the GUI module 51, and transmits the content file recorded in the content file DB 56 to the PD 5.

  The PD communication module 55 transmits the content file recorded in the content file DB 56 to the PD 5 via the communication unit 19 and a USB cable (not shown) under the control of the PD (portable device) transfer control module 54. .

  The content file DB 56 stores a content file including content data acquired from the content server 3 and its metadata.

  FIG. 4 shows a hardware configuration example of the PD 5. 4 has basically the same configuration as the CPU 11 to the input / output interface 15 of the PC 1 in FIG. 2, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

  The input / output interface 115 includes a touch panel display 116 in which a touch panel 132 is superimposed on a display unit 131 such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and an input unit 117 including buttons provided on the surface of the housing of the PD 5. A storage unit 119 including a hard disk, a memory, and the like, and a communication unit 120 including a network interface, a wireless communication interface, or a USB interface, and performing communication processing via the network 2, wireless communication, or USB cable. It is connected.

  A drive 121 is connected to the input / output interface 115 as necessary, and a removable medium 122 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory is appropriately mounted, and a computer program read from them is It is installed in the storage unit 119 as necessary.

  Here, when the CPU 111 executes various programs, predetermined functions of the PD 5 in FIG. 1 are executed. In this case, the program can be recorded in advance in a ROM 112 or a storage unit 119 as a built-in recording medium. Alternatively, the program can be stored (recorded) temporarily or permanently in a removable medium 121 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and provided as so-called package software.

  The program is installed on the PD5 from the removable medium 121 as described above, and is transferred from the download site to the PD5 wirelessly via a digital satellite broadcasting artificial satellite, or a LAN (Local Area Network), network 2 can also be installed by transferring to the PD 5 by wire.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the PD 5. The functional blocks shown in FIG. 5 are realized by a predetermined program being executed by the CPU 111 of the PD 5. In the example of FIG. 5, the storage unit 119 includes a metadata database (DB) 171 and a content database (DB) 172.

  The display input control module 151 selects content stored in the content database 172 based on metadata stored in the metadata database 171 in accordance with a user operation supplied from the input module 153. Selection screen data is generated, the display module 152 is controlled, and a content selection screen corresponding to the generated data is displayed on the display unit 131. Further, the display input control module 151 controls the content reproduction module 154 to reproduce content data in accordance with a user operation based on the content selection screen supplied from the input module 153.

  The display module 152 causes the display unit 131 to display a content selection screen corresponding to the data supplied from the display input control module 151. The input module 153 inputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the touch panel 132 to be stacked on the display unit 131 by the user to the display input control module 151.

  The content reproduction module 154 reproduces the content data stored in the content DB 172 under the control of the display input control module 151, and controls the output module 155 to output sound corresponding to the reproduced content data. Further, the content reproduction module 154 notifies the display input control module 151 of the end of reproduction of the content data.

  Note that the content reproduction module 154 can also acquire the content file from the content server 3 by controlling the communication module 157 when the content data instructed by the display input control module 151 is not stored in the content DB 172.

  The output module 155 causes the speaker 118 to output sound corresponding to the content data reproduced by the content reproduction module 154. In the case of video content data, the output module 155 causes the display unit 131 to output video corresponding to the content data.

  The content file management module 156 divides the content file supplied from the communication module 157 into content data and metadata, records the content data in the content DB 172, and records the metadata in the metadata DB 171. In addition, the content file management module 156 controls the communication module 157 to read content data from the content data DB 172, read metadata corresponding to the content data from the metadata DB 171, and transmit them to the PC 1 as a content file.

  The communication module 157 transmits / receives a content file to / from the PC 1 via the communication unit 120 and a USB cable (not shown), or acquires a content file directly from the content server 3 via the communication unit 120 and the network 2 or wireless communication. To do.

  The metadata DB 171 stores metadata corresponding to the content data stored in the content DB 172. The content DB 172 stores content data such as music.

  In the example of FIG. 5, an example in which the metadata DB 171 and the content DB 172 are configured in the storage unit 119 is shown, but the metadata DB 171 and the content DB 172 may be configured in the removable medium 122.

  FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of the metadata DB of FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 6, the metadata DB 171 includes a content metadata table 181, an artist table 182, an artist-related table 183, and the like.

  The content metadata table 181 corresponds to the content name, content identifier, speed, music tone, rhythm, genre, age (release date), album name, ranking information of the content (music) stored in the content DB 172. Consists of information about content such as artist identifiers. The ranking information includes the sales ranking of content in the market, the viewing ranking of users who use the content server 3 and the like.

  When the content is a video content, for example, the content metadata table 181 includes a program name, a movie title name, an age (release year), and the like.

  Furthermore, when the content is acquired from the content server 3 and recorded in the PD 5, the date and time of transfer (that is, the transfer history) can also be recorded as content metadata in the content metadata table 181. At this time, the rating value of the content (evaluation) created based on the operation of the touch panel 132 or the input unit 117 by the user can be recorded in the content metadata table 181 as content metadata. . The evaluation value may be created before viewing the content or after viewing the content.

  The artist table 182 includes information related to artists such as artist names and artist identifiers corresponding to the contents (that is, playing or providing the contents). The artist table 182 further includes information such as the composer name, conductor name, producer name, and director name.

  The artist relation table 183 stores the relation between the artist and the artist by the identifier of each artist. For example, if artist A is currently a member of artist B (group), has been a member of artist B (group) in the past, or has inherited the line of artist C, the artist A is provided with music. The relationship between artists is shown.

  FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of the content metadata table, artist table, and artist-related table in FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 7, the content metadata table 181 includes a “content ID (identification)” indicating a content identifier, “Tempo (tempo)” indicating the content speed (Bpm), and whether the music tone of the content is major. “Major” indicating whether it is minor, “RythmRatio” indicating whether the content rhythm is percussive or quiet, and the content's pitch is high "HiMid (high range)" indicating whether it is (Hi) or low range (Low), "Genre" indicating the type of song that contains the content, "Year" indicating the year the content was announced (released) ”,“ Ranking (ranking) ”indicating the viewing ranking of the user, and“ Artist ID ”indicating the identifier of the artist corresponding to the content.

  Specifically, in the content meta table 181, the content A has the content ID “content A ID”, Tempo “115”, Major “−13”, RythmRatio “40”, and HiMid. Is “25”, the genre is “rock”, the age is “1983”, the ranking is “130”, and the artist ID is “ID of artist A”. ID is “Content B ID”, Tempo is “150”, Major is “32”, RythmRatio is “42”, HiMid is “62”, Genre is “Pops”, Age is “1999” The ranking is “5”, the artist ID is “ID of artist A”, the content C is “content C ID”, Tempo is “131”, and Major. Is "36", Ryt hmRatio is “5”, HiMid is “−11”, Genre is “Rock”, Age is “2002”, Ranking is “20”, and Artist ID is “ID of Artist A” Has been.

  Content D is “Content D ID”, Tempo is “84”, Major is “25”, RythmRatio is “9”, HiMid is “31”, and Genre is “Rock”. It is shown that the age is “1983”, Ranking is “53”, and the artist ID is “ID of artist B”, and the content E is “ID of content E” and Tempo Is "161", Major is "36", RythmRatio is "4", HiMid is "6", Genre is "Pops", Age is "1994", Ranking is "256", Artist ID is , “Artist B ID”.

  Further, the content F is “content F ID”, Tempo is “178”, Major is “51”, RythmRatio is “16”, HiMid is “11”, and the genre is “Jazz”. The age is “1935”, the ranking is “5”, the artist ID is “ID of artist C”, the content G is “ID of content G”, and Tempo Is "184", Major is "32", RythmRatio is "13", HiMid is "46", Genre is "Pops", Age is "2004", Ranking is "122", Artist ID is , “ID of artist C”.

  The artist table 182 includes an “artist ID” indicating an artist identifier and an “artist name”.

  Specifically, in the artist table 182, the artist name of the artist whose artist ID is “Artist A ID” is “Artist A”, and the artist ID is “Artist B ID”. The artist name is “Artist B”, the artist ID is “Artist C ID”, and the artist name is “Artist C”. The artist ID is “Artist D ID”. The artist name of the artist is “Artist D”, and the artist name of the artist whose artist ID is “Artist E ID” is “Artist E”.

  The artist-related table 183 includes “artist ID” and “related artist ID” indicating an identifier of an artist related to the artist of the artist ID.

  Specifically, the artist-related table 183 has an artist ID “Artist B ID” as an artist ID “Artist B ID” and an artist ID “Artist B ID”. The related artist IDs of the artist are “Artist C ID” and “Artist D ID”.

  Further, the related artist ID of the artist whose artist ID is “ID of artist C” is “ID of artist G”, and the related artist ID of the artist whose artist ID is “ID of artist D” is “ It is shown that the related artist ID of an artist who is “ID of artist A” and “ID of artist E” is “ID of artist C”.

  Each artist may be stored with a degree of association added.

  Next, an example of processing in which the PC 1 acquires a content file from the content server 3 and records it in the PD 5 in the content providing system of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  For example, a user having the PD 5 connects the PD 5 to the PC 1 via a USB cable (not shown), and instructs access to the content server 3 using a mouse or the like that constitutes the input unit 16 of the PC 1.

  The GUI module 51 of the PC 1 inputs a user operation via the input unit 16 and supplies an operation signal corresponding to the operation to the content acquisition control module 52. In step S <b> 1, the content acquisition control module 52 controls the server communication module 53 in accordance with an operation signal from the GUI module 51 to access the content server 3. The server communication module 53 accesses the content server 3 via the communication unit 19 and the network 2.

  When receiving the access from the PC 1, the communication unit 19 of the content server 3 requests a user ID (identification) and a password registered in advance in order to use the content providing system under the control of the CPU 11 in step S11. Authentication screen data to be transmitted is transmitted via the network 2.

  In step S2, the server communication module 53 of the PC 1 receives the authentication screen data from the content server 3 via the communication unit 19 and the network 2, and receives the received authentication screen data via the content acquisition control module 52. This is supplied to the GUI module 51. The GUI module 51 causes the display unit 17 to display an authentication screen corresponding to the authentication screen data from the content acquisition control module 52. The user inputs a user ID and password using a mouse or the like constituting the input unit 16 according to the authentication screen displayed on the display unit 17.

  The GUI module 51 inputs a user operation via the input unit 16 and supplies the input user ID and password to the content acquisition control module 52. In step S3, the content acquisition control module 52 controls the server communication module 53 to transmit the user ID and password from the GUI module 51 to the content server 3. The server communication module 53 transmits the user ID and password to the content server 3 via the communication unit 19 and the network 2.

  The communication unit 19 of the content server 3 receives the user ID and password from the PC 1 and supplies them to the CPU 11. In step S12, the CPU 11 authenticates the user of the PC 1 based on the user ID and password received by the communication unit 19, proceeds to step S13, controls the communication unit 19, and stores various types stored in the content file DB4. Various content files are transmitted via the network 2.

  In step S4, the server communication module 53 of the PC 1 receives the content file from the content server 3 via the communication unit 19 and the network 2, and supplies the received content file to the content acquisition control module 52. It records in DB56.

  When the content file is recorded in the content file DB 56, the user gives an instruction to transfer the recorded content file to the connected PD 5 by using a mouse or the like constituting the input unit 16 of the PC 1.

  The GUI module 51 of the PC 1 inputs a user operation via the input unit 16 and supplies an operation signal corresponding to the operation to the PD transfer control module 54. In response to the operation signal from the GUI module 51, the PD transfer control module 54 reads the content file from the content file DB 56 in step S5, controls the PD communication module 55, and transfers the read content file to the PD 5. The PD communication module 55 transfers the content file to the PD 5 via the communication unit 19 and the USB cable.

  In step S21, the communication module 157 of the PD 5 receives the content file from the PC 1 via the USB cable and the communication unit 120, supplies the received content file to the content file management module 156, and proceeds to step S22.

  In step S22, the content file management module 156 acquires content data and metadata for the content file from the PC 1 supplied from the communication module 157, records the acquired content data in the content DB 172, and stores the acquired metadata. Recorded in the metadata DB 171.

  At this time, a history (transfer history) of content data recorded in the content DB 172 and an evaluation value of content rating (evaluation) are also recorded in the metadata DB 171.

  As described above, since the content file stored in the content file DB 4 of the content server 3 is recorded in the PD 5 as content data and metadata, the user can select a content from the content data recorded in the PD 5. The content data of the selected content can be viewed.

  Note that the removable medium 122 in which these content files are recorded in advance may be attached to the PD 5 to use the content files.

  Next, a function for displaying a content selection screen for selecting content recorded in the PD 5 as described above will be described.

  The PD 5 has three types of display formats as a content selection screen: a map screen (MAP VIEW), a playlist screen (PLAY LIST VIEW), and a jump screen (JUMP VIEW).

  The map screen is a screen configured by allocating a playlist including at least one content to a grid on a two-dimensional map including two axes of predetermined content metadata. The map screen has a plurality of display modes in which metadata serving as axes is replaced. The user can play back the content included in the playlist assigned to the grid by selecting and determining a grid on the map displayed on the map screen using a finger or a touch pen.

  The playlist screen is a screen that displays a list of contents included in the playlist. The playlist screen has a plurality of display modes such as displaying a playlist selected on another screen, a playlist indicating a past reproduction history, and a playlist registered by the user. The user can reproduce the corresponding content by selecting the content name on the playlist displayed on the playlist screen using a finger or a touch pen.

  The jump screen is a screen that displays an artist selected by the user and a link table showing the relationship between the related artists. The user can confirm the association of the artist assigned to the icon by selecting an icon on the link table displayed on the jump screen using a finger or a touch pen.

  These content selection screens can be switched to each other, and the screens are switched in accordance with user operations. In this case, the selection information (playlist information and artist information) on the content selection screen displayed before is inherited to the next content selection screen to be switched. Details of the above-described map screen, playlist screen, and jump screen will be described later.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of the display input control module of FIG.

  The display input control module 151 in FIG. 9 includes a selection position acquisition unit 211, a display format management unit 212, a selection history management unit 213, an information generation control unit 214, a related link display control unit 215, a map display control unit 216, and a list display. It is comprised by the control part 217.

  The selection position acquisition unit 211 acquires selection position information from an operation signal corresponding to a user operation supplied from the input module 153, determines the instruction content from the user based on the acquired selection position information, and determines Depending on the result, setting (selection) information is stored in the display format management unit 212 or the selection history management unit 213, and the information generation control unit 214 is controlled to execute display control processing according to an instruction from the user.

  That is, when the instruction content from the user is information on the display format (display screen and display mode), the selected position acquisition unit 211 stores the information on the display format in the display format management unit 212 and the information generation control unit 214. And display control processing corresponding to the display format information is executed. When the instruction content from the user is selection information on the content selection screen, the selection position acquisition unit 211 stores the selection information on each content selection screen in the selection history management unit 213, and the information generation control unit 214. And display control processing corresponding to the selection information is executed.

  The display format management unit 212 sets and manages the display format (display screen and display mode) of the content selection screen under the control of the selection position acquisition unit 211. That is, the display format management unit 212 manages the previous set display format and the current display format, and provides the information generation control unit 214 with information on the managed display format.

  The selection history management unit 213 manages selection history information such as items (icons and grids) displayed on the content selection screen, and updates the selection history information under the control of the selection position acquisition unit 211.

  For example, the selection history management unit 213 includes, for example, selection information of the icon selected on the jump screen, selection movement history of the grid that has been selected and moved (dragged) on the map screen, and selection determination (released after dragging) on the map screen. The selected grid selection decision history (reproduction history) and the like are stored. In this case, the reproduction history of the content itself in the playlist is managed by the related link generation unit 231, the grid map generation unit 232, and the bookmark generation unit 233 that generate each playlist.

  The information generation control unit 214 includes a related link generation unit 231, a grid map generation unit 232, and a bookmark generation unit 233, and controls the related link generation unit 231, grid map generation unit 232, and bookmark generation unit 233. , Information related to each content selection screen (playlist, related artist information, grid information, etc.) is generated.

  In addition, the information generation control unit 214 controls each of the display control units corresponding to the related link display control unit 215, the map display control unit 216, and the list display control unit 217 under the control of the selection position acquisition unit 211. The content selection screen data is generated, and if necessary, the related link generation unit 231, the grid map generation unit 232, or the bookmark generation unit 233 is controlled, and information on the content constituting the playlist corresponding to the selected position information is displayed. The content is reproduced by the content reproduction module 154.

  The related link generation unit 231 refers to the artist related table 183, generates related artist information related to the artist, refers to the content metadata table 181 and the artist table 182, and acquires content information corresponding to the selected artist. To generate a playlist. Further, the related link generation unit 231 supplies the content constituting the playlist corresponding to the selected artist to the content reproduction module 154 based on the selected position information from the information generation control unit 214, and reproduces the corresponding content data. Instruct.

  The grid map generation unit 232 refers to the content metadata table 181 and the artist table 182 according to the display mode, generates a playlist of content corresponding to the grid on the map displayed on the map screen, and generates the generated play list. Generate grid information according to the list. Also, the grid map generation unit 232 supplies the content constituting the playlist corresponding to the grid to the content reproduction module 154 based on the selected position information from the information generation control unit 214, and the corresponding content data or viewing Instructs playback of content data.

  The bookmark generation unit 233 additionally generates content information corresponding to the user's operation in the bookmark playlist. The bookmark generation unit 233 supplies content based on the selected position information from the information generation control unit 214 to the content reproduction module 154 and instructs the reproduction of the corresponding content data.

  The related link display control unit 215 generates jump screen data based on the information generated by the related link generation unit 231 and the selected artist selected on the jump screen displayed in the past, and the generated jump screen data Is supplied to the display module 152. Also, the related link display control unit 215 controls the screen data of an animation (such as a moving image or frame advance) that fades out the jump screen or the jump screen corresponding to the selected artist under the control of the information generation control unit 214. Screen data of animation representing transition is also generated.

  The map display control unit 216 generates map screen data according to the grid information generated by the grid map generation unit 232, the selection movement history, or the reproduction history according to the display mode from the information generation control unit 214. The generated map screen data is supplied to the display module 152. The map display control unit 216 also generates animation screen data representing a transition from a map screen to a jump screen or a playlist screen.

  The list display control unit 217 generates playlist screen data by referring to the playlist of the related link generation unit 231, the grid map generation unit 232, or the bookmark generation unit 233 according to the previous display screen, The generated playlist screen data is supplied to the display module 152. In addition, the list display control unit 217 also generates animation screen data that fades out the playlist screen under the control of the information generation control unit 214.

  FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of a map screen as a content selection screen.

  The map screen 311 includes a map display unit 321 and an operation setting display unit 322. In the example of FIG. 10, a map display unit 321 when the display mode on the map screen 311 is the ranking mode is shown. Although details of the display mode on the map screen 311 will be described later, in addition to the ranking mode, there are a genre (Genre) mode, a major / minor (Major / Minor) mode, a tone (Tone) mode, and a comparison (Comparison) mode. is there.

  The map display unit 321 shows a two-dimensional map with the content metadata ranking (Ranking) and age (Year) as two axes.

  At the bottom left of the map, the name of the currently playing content (or the name of the album that contains the playing content) is displayed as a “Song name / Album name” along with a note icon. Shows the artist name of the content currently being reproduced as “Artistname” along with the humanoid icon.

  In the lower right part of the map, "Jump", "Map", and "Map", which indicate the jump screen (Jump), map screen (Map), and playlist screen (Play List), respectively, are displayed. The characters “Play List” are displayed, and a cursor 333 is displayed on “Map” corresponding to the currently displayed map screen. The cursor 333 is directly pressed by the user on the characters “Jump”, “Map”, or “Play List” on the map display unit 321, or on the view button 341 on the operation setting display unit 322. In response, the display screen is switched and displayed on the corresponding “Jump” character, “Map” character, or “Play List” character.

  The map shown in the map display unit 321 in FIG. 10 will be described in detail below.

  In the map, the vertical axis represents the value of ranking (for example, market sales) ranking of content metadata, the ranking value becomes higher (High) toward the top in the figure, and the bottom in the figure The ranking value becomes lower (Low). The horizontal axis represents the Year value of the content metadata, the age value is new (Newest) toward the right in the figure, and the age value is old (Old) toward the left in the figure. )Become.

  The map is composed of a plurality of grids separated by parameters within a predetermined range of the axis. In a map, a grid (lattice) hatched in the figure or indicated with alphanumeric characters has at least one content each having a certain range of parameters on the vertical axis (ranking) and the vertical axis (age). A playlist consisting of is assigned. That is, contents having values in a certain range of ranking and age are assigned to the same grid, and a play list including the assigned contents is generated. The range of parameters to which one grid corresponds is set such that the size of the grid can be selected with a touch pen or a user's finger.

  For example, if only one content can be assigned to one grid, more grids are required, and in order to display many such grids on one screen, the grids are smaller and smaller. In the case of a grid, it becomes difficult to identify the grid, and it is difficult to select one grid with the user's finger or touch pen.

  Therefore, as described above, by associating at least one content having the same range of parameter values with one grid, the grid displayed on the map display unit 321 can be identified, and the grid can be used as a touch pen. And a size that can be easily selected with the user's finger, and even when the display unit is small like PD5, as many grids as possible can be displayed on one screen. .

  Even when at least one content having parameters in a certain range in the grid is allocated, if it cannot be displayed on one screen, an arrow 331 is displayed and can still be displayed in the direction indicated by the arrow 331. It is also possible to indicate that a grid exists.

  Furthermore, content (that is, content allocated to the same grid) in a playlist allocated to one grid is ranked (prioritized) according to predetermined content metadata parameters. For example, among the contents of a playlist assigned to one grid, the contents are set in the order of the newest age, the highest ranking, or the alphabetical order of the song titles. As a result, when the grid is selected and determined and the content of the assigned playlist is played back or the playlist is displayed on the playlist screen, the content is played back or displayed in order of priority. .

  This ranking may be set for each display mode, or the same ranking may be given in any display mode.

  A circle grid 332 indicated by a circle shape on the map indicates that the playlist of the circle grid 332 includes the content of the artist selected by the user in the previously displayed jump screen.

  That is, the selection information (selected artist icon) on the jump screen is inherited also on the map screen. As a result, the user selects a desired artist on the jump screen, and then switches the content selection screen to the map screen, thereby confirming which grid the content of the selected desired artist is displayed on the map screen. can do.

  In this case, the ranking of the content included in the play list of the round grid 332 is set to the highest content of the artist selected by the user on the jump screen.

  As described above, the presence of the selection information inherited from the other content selection screen (jump screen) is indicated by the circle grid 332, but it is only necessary to distinguish it from other grids, and other shapes (triangles, squares, etc.) may be used. ), Or display the selection information inherited from the jump screen using at least one of blinking grids or a figure, color, brightness, or brightness different from those of other grids. Also good.

  It should be noted that both the round grid indicated by i and the round grid indicated by 9 indicate that the content of the artist selected by the user is included, as in the round grid 332. That is, a circle grid indicated by i indicates that the selected movement history order described later and the content of the selected artist are included, and a circle grid indicated by 9 indicates the order of reproduction history described later and the selected artist. Is included.

  The grid configured as described above is selected only when the user releases a contact at a corresponding position on the touch panel 132 after the user touches the touch panel 132 with a finger or a touch pen. Then, the contents of the play list of the selected grid are reproduced according to the ranking.

  On the other hand, in the map display unit 321, when the user moves the finger or the touch pen while touching the touch panel 132, the PD 5 determines that the grid (playlist) is still being selected. Hereinafter, a grid in which contact is detected when the touch pen moves while being touched is also referred to as a selection movement grid, and a grid in which the touch pen that has been touched is released is also referred to as a selection determination grid.

  A grid showing numbers 1 to 10 on the map indicates that the contents of the playlist assigned to the grid have recently been selected and played, and is different from other hatched grids. It is displayed in the color. The numbers 1 to 10 indicate the new order of the playback history in which the playlist in the grid is played back, and the numbers 1 to 10 indicate the order in which the brightness is displayed.

  That is, a grid with 1 indicates that the content included in the grid is currently being played, and the grid is displayed with the highest brightness compared to other grids. Yes. In addition, a grid indicated by 2 indicates that the content included in the grid has been played one time before, and the grid has the next highest luminance after the grid indicated by 1. Is displayed. A grid with 3 indicates that the content contained in the grid was played two times before, and the grid is displayed with the next highest brightness after the grid with 2 Has been.

  Hereinafter, the same applies to the grids indicated by 4 to 10, and the description thereof is omitted. In the example of FIG. 10, the grid playback history is displayed from 1 to 10, but the number of playback histories is not limited to ten.

  In addition, the method for representing the playback history is not limited to color and brightness, and the brightness can be changed or the degree of blinking can be changed as long as the display is different from other grids and the playback history order can be identified by the user. It may be changed, the shape of the grid may be changed, or the numbers 1 to 10 used in the above description may be displayed on the grid as they are to represent the reproduction history. Furthermore, the grids in the order of playback history may be displayed by connecting them with lines such as straight lines, curves, and arrows in the order of playback. Note that the type, shape, and color of the line are not limited.

  A grid in which alphabets a to j on the map are shown is moved (dragged) while the finger or the touch pen of the user is in contact with the position on the touch panel 132 corresponding to the grid (that is, the grid is selected). Is not determined and is not played back), and is displayed in a different color from other hatched grids and grids representing playback histories (numbers). The letters a to j indicate the new order of the selected movement history of the grid when the user's finger or touch pen is moved while being touched, and the letters a to j are displayed in alphabetical order. It represents the order of high brightness. Note that the luminance of the selected movement history is set to be lower than the first luminance (that is, during reproduction) of the reproduction history.

  That is, in the grid in which a is shown, the user's finger or touch pen is brought into contact with the position on the touch panel 132 corresponding to the grid before (old) the grid in which 1 is shown (playing). In addition, the grid is displayed in a different color from the one grid with the next highest luminance after the one grid. In addition, the grid in which b is indicated is moved to the position on the touch panel 132 corresponding to the grid in front of the grid in which a is indicated while the user's finger or touch pen is in contact with the grid. Furthermore, the grid is displayed in the same color as the a grid with the next highest luminance after the a grid.

  Similarly, the grid indicated by c is moved to the position on the touch panel 132 corresponding to the grid in front of the grid indicated by b while the user's finger or touch pen is in contact therewith. In addition, the grid is displayed in the same color as the b grid at the next highest luminance after the b grid.

  Hereinafter, since the same applies to the grids indicated by d to j, description thereof is omitted. In the example of FIG. 10, the selection movement history of the grid is displayed from a to j, but the number of selection movement histories is not limited to ten.

  Similarly to the playback history, the method of expressing the selected movement history is not limited to color and brightness, as long as the display is different from other grids and the order of the selected movement history can be identified by the user. May be changed, the blinking degree may be changed, the shape of the grid may be changed, or numbers 1 to 10 may be displayed on the grid and represented as the selection movement history. Furthermore, the grids in the order of the selected movement history may be displayed by being connected with lines such as straight lines, curves, and arrows in the order of movement. Note that the type, shape, and color of the line are not limited.

  As described above, since the map configured by the grid divided by the parameters in the predetermined range of the ranking and the age is displayed on the map display unit 321, the user can, for example, display the content of an old age with a high ranking. If you want to watch, use a touch pen or finger to select and determine the grid displayed around the upper left (fourth quadrant) of the map, so you can easily select and view content according to the desired ranking and age. be able to.

  The operation setting display section 322 in the map screen 311 includes a view button 341, a mode button 342, a play stop (PLAY / STOP) button 351, a bookmark (Book Mark) button 352, and a volume. Button 353 is shown.

  The view button 341 is a button for switching the display screen from the map screen 311 to the jump screen or the playlist screen. When the user presses the view button 341 with a finger or a touch pen, the display screen is switched. The cursor 333 displayed on the corresponding “Jump, Map, Play List” on the map display unit 321 and the line 341-1 displayed so as to connect the cursor 333 and the view button 341 are moved. In the example of FIG. 10, the line 341-1 is displayed so as to connect the cursor 333 on the “Map” and the view button 341.

  The mode button 342 is a button for switching the display mode of the map screen 311, that is, a map displayed on the map display unit 321. When the user presses the mode button 342 with a finger or a touch pen, the map display unit 321. The map displayed on the screen switches to “Genre, Ranking, Major / Minor, Major, Tone, Comparison” displayed at the bottom of the mode button 342. Among the characters indicating the display mode, the cursor 343 is moved and displayed at the corresponding character position. In FIG. 10, since the display mode is the ranking mode, the cursor 343 is displayed on the characters “Ranking”.

  Note that the display mode is switched by directly pressing each character indicating the display mode, the map displayed on the map display unit 321 is switched, and the display position of the cursor 343 is also moved.

  The playback stop button 351 is a button for instructing playback or stop of the content. The bookmark button 352 is a button for recording the information of the content being played back as a bookmark. Volume key 353 is an operation key for setting the volume of the sound volume of speaker 118.

  In the example of FIG. 10, the case where a two-dimensional map with two content metadata as an axis is displayed has been described. However, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 29 described later, one content metadata is displayed. The map may be displayed using only the three-dimensional map with the three content metadata as axes.

  Next, a content selection method in the map display unit 321 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 11, a two-dimensional map is shown in which the ordinate and the abscissa represent BPM (bit / minutes) representing the age and tempo of the content metadata, respectively.

  For example, when the user touches the touch pen 371 on the touch panel 132 corresponding to the position P1 on the map composed of a plurality of grids and moves (drags) the locus 372 to the position P2 while keeping the contact. The PD 5 determines that the grid is still being selected, and during that time, the selection movement history is updated based on the selection position information touched according to the movement (trajectory 372) of the touch pen 371, and based on the updated selection movement history. Thus, the display of the grid corresponding to the position where the touch pen 371 is touched is updated so as to be different from the other grids, such as the grid shown by a to j in FIG.

  At this time, in PD5, according to the movement (trajectory 372) of the touch pen 371, a part of the content of the playlist assigned to the grid corresponding to the position touched by the touch pen 371 (for example, the rust portion) Is played.

  At this time, the content to be played back may be the whole or not all, and for example, the viewing content composed of only the chorus part or the preset sound effect may be played back. It may be.

  Thereafter, when the user moves (drags) the touch pen 371 that has been moved (dragged) while being in contact with the position P2, the touch pen 371 finally comes into contact with the PD 5 by moving the touch pen 371 away from the touch panel 132 at the position P2. The grid corresponding to the previously set position P2 is determined as the selection determination grid. The reproduction history (selection decision history) is updated by the selection decision grid, and the display of the selection decision grid and the grid corresponding to the playlist reproduced before the previous time is shown in FIG. It is updated differently from the other grids, such as the grid shown in FIG.

  Further, the PD 5 reproduces the content data in order from the content at the top of the playlist assigned to the selection determination grid, and outputs the sound corresponding to the content data from the speaker 118.

  For example, a playlist made up of 10 contents “Song name 51 to Song name 60” is assigned to the selection decision grid, and the contents in the playlist are, for example, from the top in the order of the highest sales priority in the market. When arranged, the PD 5 reproduces the content data in order from the content of the “Song name 51” at the top.

  Even when the user touches the touch pen 132 on the touch panel 132 corresponding to the position P1 on the map and immediately releases the touch pen 371 (that is, releases from the touch), the PD 5 is touched immediately before that. The grid corresponding to the position P1 that has been selected is selected and determined, and the contents of the playlist assigned to the selection determination grid are reproduced.

  As described above, in the example of FIG. 11, when the touch pen 371 touches the touch panel 132 and then is released from the touch, one grid corresponding to the position on the touch panel 132 touched immediately before is selected and determined. As described above, as shown in FIG. 12, a grid corresponding to a region surrounded by a position where the touch pen 371 is touched may be selected and determined collectively.

  In the case of the example in FIG. 12, for example, the user touches the touch pen 132 on the touch panel 132 corresponding to the position P11 on the map, moves (drags) on the locus 381 to the position P12 while keeping the touch pen 371, and reaches the position P12. The touch pen 371 that has been moved while being touched is released from the touch panel 132 at the position P12 (that is, released from the touch). In response to this, the PD 5 selects and determines a grid (12 grids without hatching in the figure) corresponding to the region corresponding to the locus 381, and reproduces the content included in the playlist assigned to the selection determination grid. .

  At this time, a predetermined priority may be added to the playlist assigned to the selection determination grid, and the playlist may be played in order from the content included in the playlist with a higher priority, or the playlist frame may be removed, A predetermined priority may be added to the contents included in all the playlists, and the contents may be reproduced in order from the content with the highest priority.

  Further, in order to switch between the selection determination method for the position in FIG. 11 and the selection determination method for the region in FIG. 12, for example, as shown in the operation setting display unit 322 in FIG. ) Button 391 is displayed, and when the user presses the area button 391, the selection determination method for the area of FIG. 12 may be used.

  Note that the selection determination method for the area in FIG. 12 can be used not only when selecting and deciding a grid when reproducing content, but also when bookmarking the area, for example. .

  FIG. 13 shows a configuration example of the map display unit when the display mode is the genre mode. Note that the grid shown in the map has the same configuration as that in FIG. 10, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  However, in reality, when the display mode (map) is switched, the metadata of the axes that make up the map is changed and the content assigned to each grid is also updated, so the grid displayed on the map is displayed. Will also change. At that time, the reproduction histories 1 to 10 are continuously displayed according to the updated grid, but the selected movement history is reset for each display mode.

  The map shown in the map display unit 321 in FIG. 13 is composed of seven areas for each parameter of the genre (Genre) of content metadata.

  In the upper left of the figure, an area composed of a grid of 8 rows × 18 columns is a rock area, and a parameter whose genre is rock is included in one area to which hatching or numbers are added in the lock area. A play list consisting of at least one content having is assigned.

  An area composed of a grid of 8 rows × 10 columns located to the right of the lock area is a pops area, and in one area to which hatching or a number is added in the pops area, a genre is provided. A play list including at least one content having a parameter of pops is assigned.

  The area composed of a grid of 8 rows × 8 columns in the lower left in the figure is a jazz area, and in the jazz area, one grid with hatching or numbers added is a parameter whose genre is jazz. A play list consisting of at least one content having is assigned.

  An area composed of an 8 × 5 grid located on the right side of the jazz area is a classic area. In the classic area, a hatched or numbered grid has a genre. A playlist including at least one content having a parameter that is classic is assigned.

  An area composed of an 8 × 4 grid located on the right side of the classic area is a dance area. In the dance area, a hatched or numbered grid has a genre. A playlist including at least one content having a parameter that is a dance is assigned.

  The area consisting of an 8 row x 5 column grid located to the right of the dance area is the Blues area. In the Blues area, hatching or one grid with numbers added has a genre. A playlist including at least one content having a parameter that is blues is assigned.

  The area consisting of an 8 row x 6 column grid located to the right of the blues area is the hip hop area, and in the hip hop area, one grid with hatching or numbers is added. A playlist including at least one content having a parameter whose genre is hip hop is assigned.

  As described above, since a map composed of grids divided into genre parameters is displayed, the user can select and determine a grid in a desired genre area using a touch pen or a finger. It is possible to easily select and view contents according to the genre.

  FIG. 14 shows a configuration example of the map display unit when the display mode is the major / minor mode. In the example of FIG. 14 as well, as in FIG. 13, the grid shown in the map has the same configuration as in the case of FIG.

  The map shown in the map display unit 321 in FIG. 14 is composed of a plurality of grids separated by parameters in a predetermined range with the major (Major) and tempo (Bpm) of content metadata as two axes.

  In the map, the vertical axis represents the degree (ie, melody) of the content metadata major, and the tune becomes higher (ie, major) toward the top in the figure. The melody goes down (ie, minor). The horizontal axis represents the tempo (Bpm) value of the content metadata. The tempo value is fast (Fast) toward the right in the figure, and the tempo value is slow (Slow) toward the left in the figure. )Become.

  That is, in the map displayed on the map display unit 321 in FIG. 14, one grid to which hatching or numbers are added has contents each having a predetermined range of parameters in the tone and tempo of the content metadata. Is assigned a playlist consisting of at least one.

  As described above, a map composed of grids separated by parameters in a predetermined range of music tone and speed is displayed. For example, the user wants to view fast content in a bright (major) music tone. To select and view the content according to the desired music tone and speed by selecting and determining the grid displayed around the upper right (first quadrant) of the map using a touch pen or finger. Can do.

  FIG. 15 shows a configuration example of the map display unit when the display mode is a tone mode. In the example of FIG. 15 as well, as in FIG. 13, the grid shown in the map has the same configuration as in the case of FIG.

  The map shown in the map display unit 321 of FIG. 15 is composed of a plurality of grids separated by parameters in a predetermined range with the range (Hi / Low-Mid) and rhythm (Rythm) of content metadata as two axes. ing.

  In the map, the vertical axis indicates whether the range of the content metadata is high (HiMid) or low (LowMid), and the range becomes higher in the figure. The sound range becomes lower in the downward direction. The horizontal axis represents the rhythm (Rythm) value of the content metadata. The rhythm value is percussive toward the right in the figure, and the rhythm value is toward the left in the figure. Quiet.

  That is, in the map displayed on the map display unit 321 in FIG. 15, content having a predetermined range of parameters in the range and rhythm of the content metadata is included in one grid to which hatching or numbers are added. Is assigned a playlist consisting of at least one.

  As described above, a map composed of a grid divided by the range and rhythm parameters is displayed, so that the user wants to view, for example, rhythmic (ie, percussive) content in the high range. In this case, by using a touch pen or a finger to select and determine a grid displayed around the upper right (first quadrant) of the map, it is possible to easily select and view content according to a desired sound range and rhythm. Can do.

  FIG. 16 shows a configuration example of the map display unit when the display mode is the comparison mode. In the example of FIG. 16 as well, the grid shown in the map has the same configuration as in the case of FIG.

  The map shown in the map display unit 321 in FIG. 16 is composed of a plurality of grids separated by parameters in a predetermined range with the content metadata ranking (Ranking) and age (Year) as two axes.

  In the map, the vertical axis represents the value of ranking of content metadata (Ranking), the ranking value becomes higher (High) toward the top in the figure, and the ranking value towards the bottom in the figure, It becomes low (Low). The horizontal axis represents the Year value of the content metadata, the age value is new (Newest) toward the right in the figure, and the age value is old (Old) toward the left in the figure. )Become.

  The vertical and horizontal axes in the map have the same configuration as the map displayed on the map display unit 321 in the ranking mode of FIG. 10, but the ranking in FIG. The ranking in the comparison mode is, for example, user ranking information calculated from the user's reproduction history, and the higher the number is heard, the higher the ranking is. Note that this user ranking information is used not only in the comparison mode but also as independent information as will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Another example of the comparison mode map will be specifically described. For example, the horizontal axis is set to the ranking value of the PD5 user (for example, user A), and the vertical axis is set to another user (for example, user A). , User B). Note that the user B is information selected and set in a user-related link (friends jump) on the jump screen described later with reference to FIG.

  By setting and displaying such a map, the user A can display “content (song) preferred by both” and “content preferred by the other” on the two-dimensional map with the user B related to him / her. You can know it intuitively and watch it immediately.

  Note that this user ranking information is stored in the content server 3 or the like after totaling the reproduction history (Played order list).

  That is, the user B's PD5 stores a reproduction history of the user B, which will be described later with reference to FIG. The reproduction history of user B stored in PD5 of user B is transmitted from PD5 of user B to content server 3 via, for example, wireless communication. In the content server 3, the received reproduction history of the user B is aggregated and the ranking information of the user B is generated.

  The content server 3 transmits the ranking information of the user B to the PD 5 of the user A related to the user B via wireless communication. The PD 5 of the user A selects the user B by selecting a user icon from a user related link (FIG. 23 described later) on the link display unit displayed on the display unit 131 according to the operation of the user A. Thereafter, in response to the view button 341 being pressed by the user A, the PD 5 of the user A switches the display screen to the map screen 311 in the comparison (Comparison) mode and displays it.

  As a result, a map in the comparison (Comparison) mode in which the preferences of the user A and the user B are compared is displayed on the map display unit 321 of the map screen 311.

  That is, in the map displayed on the map display unit 321 of FIG. 16 as described above, one grid to which hatching or numbers are added has a predetermined range according to the preference of the user and their friends. A playlist including at least one content having a parameter (value) is assigned.

  In this way, a map composed of grids separated by private information parameters is displayed, so that the user can easily find, for example, a friend's favorite content and does not listen actively You can view content in different fields. Therefore, the user can widen the range of favorite content, and for the content providing side, the content market can be expanded.

  Note that the display mode is not limited to the ranking mode, genre mode, major / minor mode, tone mode, and comparison mode described above, and the combination of metadata used on the horizontal axis of the vertical axis in the map can be changed, or other metadata can be used. Other display modes can be configured by using the vertical axis and the horizontal axis.

  FIG. 17 shows a configuration example of a playlist screen as a content selection screen. In the example of FIG. 17, portions corresponding to those in FIG. 10 are denoted by corresponding reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted because it is repeated.

  The playlist screen 411 includes a playlist display unit 421 and an operation setting display unit 422.

  In the example of FIG. 17, a playlist display unit 421 when the display mode on the playlist screen 411 is the playlist mode is shown. In addition to the playlist mode, the display mode on the playlist screen 411 includes a playback history (Played order list) mode and a bookmark (Book Mark) mode.

  The playlist mode is a mode for displaying a playlist corresponding to an item (grid or icon) selected on the map screen or jump screen. The reproduction history mode is a mode for displaying a play list including a list of contents reproduced in the past. The bookmark mode is a mode for displaying a playlist composed of a list of contents registered as bookmarks by the user.

  In the upper part of the playlist display unit 421, it is shown that the display of the playlist display unit 421 is “Ranking / Year Playlist”, which is the display of the playlist in the ranking mode on the map screen. In the play list display section 421, the grid indicated by 1 is selected and determined on the map screen 311 in which the display mode of FIG. 10 is the ranking mode, and the play list assigned to the selected and determined grid is displayed.

  Note that, as described above with reference to FIG. 10, in the map screen 311, the content in the playlist allocated to one grid (that is, the content allocated to the same grid) includes predetermined content metadata parameters and the like. Priorities (rankings) are assigned according to Therefore, as shown in 1 to 11, the playlist display unit 421 displays a list of contents in order of priority in the playlist that has been selected and determined.

  Specifically, in the playlist display section 421, the content name “Song name 1” and artist name “Artist name A” of the priority level 1 are displayed in order from the top, and the priority level is 2. A content name “Song name 2” and an artist name “Artist name B” of a certain content are displayed, and a content name “Song name 3” and an artist name “Artist name C” of a content with priority 3 are displayed. The content name “Song name 4” and the artist name “Artist name A” of the content with priority 4 are displayed, and the content name “Song name 5” and the artist name “Artist name A” of the content with priority 5 are displayed. Is displayed.

  Also, the content name “Song name 6” and the artist name “Artist name C” of the content with the priority 6 are displayed, and the content name “Song name 7” and the artist name “Artist name” of the content with the priority 7 are displayed. “C” is displayed, the content name “Song name 8” of the content with priority 8 and the artist name “Artist name B” are displayed, and the content name “Song name 9” of the content with priority 9 The artist name “artist name B” is displayed, the content name “Song name 10” and the artist name “artist name A” of the content with priority 10 are displayed, and the content with the priority 11 is displayed. Content name “Song name11” and artist name “Artist name B” are displayed. There.

  As described above, the priority (rank) information in the selected grid on the map screen 311 is inherited by the information displayed on the playlist display unit 421 in FIG. Note that the numbers 1 to 11 displayed on the left of the content name may or may not be displayed.

  A content name having a priority of 6 and a cursor 431 displayed for an artist indicate the content currently being reproduced. That is, in the playlist, the content is played back from the content with high priority (displayed at the top), and the cursor 431 is displayed on the content name. When the reproduction of the content on which the cursor 431 is displayed is finished, the cursor 431 is moved and displayed on the next priority (next displayed) content name and artist name, and the next content is reproduced.

  However, when a content name or the like displayed directly on the playlist display unit 421 is selected by a user operation, the cursor 431 moves on the content name corresponding to the user operation, and the cursor 431 is displayed. The content is played back.

  A scroll bar 432 is displayed on the right side of the playlist display unit 421. When the user operates the scroll bar 432, the list displayed on the playlist display unit 421 is scrolled to display the playlist. Lists that could not be displayed in the part 421 (for example, content names and artist names having a priority of 12th and later) are displayed.

  In the operation setting display unit 422 on the playlist screen 411, a line 341-1 is displayed so as to connect the cursor 333 on the “Play List” and the view button 341.

  The mode button 342 of the operation setting display unit 422 is a button for switching the display mode of the playlist screen 411, that is, the playlist displayed on the playlist display unit 421. The user presses the mode button 342 with a finger or a touch pen. By pressing, the playlist displayed in the playlist display section 421 is switched and “Play List, Played order list”, Book Mark (bookmark) displayed at the bottom of the mode button 342 are displayed. The cursor 343 is moved and displayed at the position of the corresponding character among the characters indicating the display mode “)”. In FIG. 17, since the display mode is the playlist mode, the cursor 343 is displayed on the characters “Play List”.

  Note that by directly pressing each character indicating the display mode, the display mode is switched, the playlist displayed on the map display unit 321 is switched, and the display position of the cursor 343 is also moved.

  FIG. 18 shows another configuration example of the playlist display unit when the display mode is the playlist mode.

  In the upper part of the playlist display unit 421 in FIG. 18, it is shown that the display of the playlist display unit 421 is “Playlist Display” corresponding to the artist on the jump screen as “Artist Playlist”. The playlist display unit 421 displays a playlist corresponding to the artist (that is, the selected artist) assigned to the selected icon on the jump screen.

  That is, when artist name A is selected on the jump screen, and then the display screen is switched to the playlist screen, the playlist display unit 421 in FIG. 18 is displayed.

  In the playlist display section 421, the content name “Song name 1” and the artist name “Artist name A” of the content with priority 1 in the playlist of the selected artist are displayed in order from the top, and the priority is 2 The content name “Song name 4” and the artist name “Artist name A” are displayed, the content name “Song name 5” and the artist name “Artist name A” of the content with priority 3 are displayed, The content name “Song name 10” and the artist name “Artist name A” of the content with priority 4 are displayed, and the content name “Song name 21” and the artist name “Artist name A” of the content with priority 5 are displayed. Has been.

  In addition, the content name “Song name 22” and the artist name “Artist name A” of the content with priority 6 are displayed, and the content name “Song name 23” and the artist name “Artist name A” of the content with priority 7 are displayed. Is displayed, the content name “Song name 24” and the artist name “Artist name A” of the content with priority 8 are displayed, the content name “Song name 25” and the artist name “Artist name“ of the content with priority 9 are displayed. “Artist name A” is displayed, the content name “Song name 26” of the content with priority 10 and the artist name “Artist name A” are displayed, and the content name “Song name 27” of the content with priority 11 Also, the artist name “Artist name A” is displayed.

  As described above, for example, when the artist name A is selected on the jump screen, the information displayed on the playlist display unit 421 in FIG. A playlist of artists will be displayed.

  FIG. 19 shows another configuration example of the playlist display unit when the display mode is the playlist mode.

  In the upper part of the playlist display unit 421 in FIG. 19, it is shown that the display of the playlist display unit 421 is “Ranking / Year Playlist”, which is the display of the playlist in the ranking mode on the map screen. In the list display unit 421, the round grid 332 is selected and determined on the map screen 311 of FIG. 10, and a playlist assigned to the selected and determined round grid 332 is displayed.

  That is, as described above with reference to FIG. 10, the circle grid 332 indicates that the playlist of the circle grid 332 includes the content of the selected artist selected by the user on the jump screen displayed previously. The ranking of the contents included in the play list of the round grid 332 is set to the highest priority of the contents of the selected artist on the jump screen. Accordingly, when the circle grid 332 is selected and determined on the map screen, and then the display screen is switched to the playlist screen, the playlist grid 421 in FIG. A list of contents is displayed in order of priority of the playlist 332.

  In the playlist display section 421, the content name “Song name 1” and the artist name “Artist name A” of the content with priority 1 in the playlist of the round grid 332 are displayed in order from the top. The content name “Song name 4” and the artist name “Artist name A” of the content 2 are displayed, and the content name “Song name 5” and the artist name “Artist name A” of the content with the priority 3 are displayed. The content name “Song name 10” and the artist name “Artist name A” of the content with priority 4 are displayed, and the content name “Song name 21” and the artist name “Artist name A” of the content with priority 5 are displayed. It is displayed.

  The content name “Song name 2” and the artist name “Artist name B” of the content with priority 6 are displayed, and the content name “Song name 6” and the artist name “Artist name C” of content with the priority 7 are displayed. Is displayed, the content name “Song name 7” and the artist name “Artist name C” of the content with priority 8 are displayed, and the content name “Song name 8” and the artist name “Artist name“ of the content with priority 9 are displayed. “Artist name B” is displayed, the content name “Song name 9” of the content with priority 10 and the artist name “Artist name B” are displayed, and the content name “Song name 11” of the content with priority 11 In addition, the artist name “Artist name B” is displayed.

  As described above, for example, in the map screen, when a round grid inheriting the selection information on the jump screen is selected and determined, the information displayed on the playlist display unit 421 in FIG. The priority information in the round grid, which is the selection information, is inherited.

  FIG. 20 shows a configuration example of the playlist display unit when the display mode is the playback history mode.

  In the upper part of the playlist display unit 421 in FIG. 20, it is shown that “Played order list” indicates that the display of the playlist display unit 421 is a display of a playlist in the playback history mode. In 421, a list of reproduced contents is displayed as a playlist. The playlist in the playback history mode is configured such that the contents are arranged in the order of playback date and time.

  That is, in the playlist display section 421, the content name “Song name 1”, artist name “Artist name A”, and playback date and time of the content with the newest playback date (most recently played) are displayed in order from the top. The content name “Song name 2”, the artist name “Artist name B”, and the playback date and time of the content with the second most recent playback date and time are displayed, and the content name “Song” with the third playback date and time is the new content. “name3” artist name “artist name C” and playback date / time are displayed, and the content name “Song name4”, artist name “artist name A”, and playback date / time of the content with the newest playback date and time are displayed. The content name “Song name 5” and the artist name “ Tisuto name A ", and the playback date and time are displayed.

  In addition, the content name “Song name 6”, the artist name “Artist name C”, and the playback date and time of the content with the new playback date and time are displayed sixth, and the content name “Song name 7” of the content with the new playback date and time is displayed seventh. The artist name “Artist name C” and the playback date / time are displayed, and the content name “Song name 8”, artist name “Artist name B”, and the playback date / time of the content whose playback date / time is the eighth latest are displayed. The content name “Song name 9”, the artist name “Artist name B”, and the playback date and time of the content with the newest playback date and time are displayed, and the content name “Song name 10” of the content with the new playback date and time is displayed tenth. The artist name “Artist name A” and the playback date and time are displayed. Content name of the play date and time new content "Song name11", the artist name "Artist name B", and the playback date and time are displayed in.

  As described above, the reproduction history information of the content stored in the PD 5 is also displayed as a playlist. Thereby, the user can select and reproduce desired content from the reproduction history. Note that the play list playlist displayed on the play list display unit 421 is not limited to that of the PD5 user, and will be described later with reference to FIG. 29, but also includes the play history of other users.

  FIG. 21 shows a configuration example of a jump screen as a content selection screen. In the example of FIG. 21, portions corresponding to those in FIG. 10 are denoted by corresponding reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted because it will be repeated.

  The jump screen 511 includes a link display unit 521 and an operation setting display unit 522. In the example of FIG. 21, a link display unit 521 in the case of artist jump (Artist Jump) indicating the artist of the content being played back or the artist related to the selected artist is shown.

  Related artists include, for example, current or past group artists, artists with the same production, artists who often participate in the same live, artists with similar tunes, and the like.

  In the link display section 521, an icon of “artist name A” (hereinafter also referred to as artist icon A) is displayed at the center of the circle 531. As related artists related to the artist of artist name A, “artist name B”, “Artist name C”, “Artist name D”, “Artist name E”, “Artist name F”, “Artist name G”, “Artist name H”, “Artist name I” icons (hereinafter, artist icons respectively) B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and I) are displayed on the circumference of the circle 531.

  A line indicating the relationship is displayed from the central artist icon A to each artist icon on the circumference. In addition, a fan-shaped mark 532 connecting the center and the circumference is displayed in the circle 531, and the artist icon A on the circumference is irradiated as if the mark 532 rotates around the center. The displayed radar is displayed as operating.

  In the link display unit 521, when an artist icon (for example, artist icon B) on the circumference of the circle 531 is selected based on a user operation, the selected related artist icon B is displayed at the center of the circle 531. Then, on the circumference, an artist icon of an artist related to the artist of artist name B is displayed. In addition, the transition of each icon at this time is displayed as an animation.

  As described above, only the artist icon of the related artist related to the artist of the artist icon located at the center of the circle 531 is displayed on the link display unit 521. Conventionally, there has been a display of contents related, but not only related contents of only one content but also related contents of content related to one content are displayed.

  That is, on the jump screen 511 of the present invention, only the relationship between the artist desired by the user or currently viewed is displayed, so that the relationship between various artists is displayed at once as in the past. As a result, it is possible to provide a screen in which the display is simplified, the user can easily identify the relevance, and the related icons can be easily selected.

  In the operation setting display section 522 on the jump screen 511, the line 341-1 is displayed so as to connect the cursor 333 on the “Jump” and the view button 341.

  The mode button 342 of the operation setting display unit 422 is a button for switching the display mode of the map screen 311 and the playlist screen 411, and the jump screen 511 does not have a display mode, so that it cannot be selected. Is displayed.

  When the artist icon A displayed on the link display section 521 of the jump screen 511 configured as described above is selected, when the display screen is switched to the map screen 311, the above-described operation is performed with reference to FIG. 10. As described above, on the map of the map display unit 321 of the map screen 311, a grid to which the artist content of the artist icon A is assigned is displayed as a circle grid 332.

  When the artist icon A displayed on the link display section 521 of the jump screen 511 is selected and the display screen is switched to the playlist screen 411, as described above with reference to FIG. In the playlist display section 421 of the list screen 411, a playlist including the content of the artist with the artist icon A is displayed.

  In FIG. 21, the artist's relation is displayed on the jump screen 511. However, the relation display target is not limited to the artist, but may be, for example, the relation of the content itself. Refer to FIG. As will be described later, the user association may be displayed. At this time, as a configuration of the jump screen 511, when there is a display that displays not only the artist association but also the user association, the switching may be operated by the mode button 342.

  Next, a method for displaying icons on the jump screen will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 22, icon arrangement, icon transition, and line shape on the jump screen are shown in order from the top. In the figure, hatched circles indicate selected artist icons corresponding to the selected artist, and white circles indicate related artist icons corresponding to the related artists related to the selected artist. Yes. Further, for convenience of explanation, the icons are represented by circles, but other figures may be used.

  First, an example of a circular arrangement will be described. As described above with reference to FIG. 21, on the jump screen, the arrangement of the selected artist icon and the related artist icon is displayed in a “circular shape” such as the center of the circle and the circumference of the circle.

  Note that, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the circle may be displayed with a solid line or a dotted line, or may not be displayed. Moreover, even if it says circular, not only a perfect circle but an ellipse may be sufficient and a polygon may be sufficient. Furthermore, an icon or a character to be selected may be displayed on a part of the circumference instead of the whole circumference. For example, as will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 39, an icon or a character to be selected can be displayed on the outer periphery of the polygon instead of the entire outer periphery of the polygon. At that time, the icon displayed at the center and the icon or character to be selected on the circumference or the outer circumference of the polygon may be connected by a solid line or a dotted line.

  The position of the related artist icon arranged on the circumference may be changed, but the position of the selected artist icon does not change.

  That is, when the related artist icon arranged on the circumference is selected and the related artist becomes the selected artist, the related artist icon arranged on the circumference is displayed at the center of the circle as indicated by the arrow. The related artist icon arranged on the circumference is displayed as the updated selected artist icon at the center of the circle. At this time, on the jump screen, as indicated by the dotted circle, a transition of movement from the position on the circumference to the center of the circle is displayed.

  This makes it easy for the user to understand that the selected item has moved to the position of the selected artist icon.

  Further, a line representing the relationship is displayed between the selected artist icon and the related artist icon. This line may be displayed with different types, such as “arrow”, “dotted line”, “thick line”, “different color”, etc., depending on the relationship between the selected artist icon and the related artist icon. It is also possible to display the relationship between the selected artist icon and the related artist icon (that is, the selected artist and the related artist are from the same Okinawa) in characters, such as “from Okinawa” on the side of the line. Good.

  On the other hand, as another example of the icon arrangement, there is a list-like arrangement, and the selected artist icon is displayed as a list (tree shape) that represents a parent-child relationship with the related artist icon as a child. May be. Also in this case, the position of the related artist icon arranged at the child position may be changed as in the case of arranging in a circle, but the position of the selected artist icon arranged at the parent position changes. There is nothing.

  When the related artist icon arranged at the child position is selected and the related artist becomes the selected artist, the related artist icon arranged at the child position is changed to the parent position as indicated by the arrow. And is displayed as an updated selected artist icon at the parent position. At this time, as in the case of the circular shape, a transition of movement from the child position to the parent position is displayed on the jump screen as shown by the dotted circle.

  Also in the case of a list, a line indicating the relationship is displayed between the selected artist icon and the related artist icon. The line shape is displayed in a wide variety of lines according to the relationship between the selected artist icon and the related artist icon, as in the case of the circular arrangement. Other examples of line display include icon and line connections. It is also possible to make the part a “round” instead of the “arrow” of the arrow.

  FIG. 23 shows another configuration example of the link display unit. In the example of FIG. 23, portions corresponding to those in FIG. 21 are denoted by corresponding reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted because it is repeated.

  In the example of FIG. 23, a link display unit 521 in the case of a user related link (also referred to as Friends Jump) indicating a user related to the user is shown.

  The related users include, for example, users who belong to the same group set via a server or the like, a user who has been mutually authenticated, a server or the like.

  In the link display portion 521, an icon of “user name A” (hereinafter also referred to as user icon A) is displayed at the center of the circle 531. As related users related to the user of user name A, “user name B”, “User name C”, “User name D”, “User name E”, “User name F”, “User name G”, “User name H”, “User name I” icons (hereinafter, user icons respectively) B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and I) are displayed on the circumference of the circle 531.

  When the user icon A displayed on the link display unit 521 of the jump screen 511 configured as described above is selected, when the display screen is switched to the map screen 311, the map display unit 321 of the map screen 311. In this map, for example, a grid to which content such as a user's reproduction history (Played order list) of the user icon A described above with reference to FIG. 20 is assigned is displayed as a round grid.

  In addition, when the user icon A displayed on the link display unit 521 of the jump screen 511 is selected and the display screen is switched to the playlist screen 411, the playlist display unit 421 of the playlist screen 411 displays For example, as illustrated in FIG. 20, a play list including the content of the user's reproduction history of the user icon A is displayed.

  For example, a case where the reproduction history of the user B related to the user A of the PD 5 is displayed will be specifically described. First, a reproduction history of user B (FIG. 20 to be described later) stored in PD5 of user B is transmitted from PD5 of user B to content server 3 via, for example, wireless communication.

  The content server 3 transmits the reproduction history of the user B to the PD 5 of the user A related to the user B via wireless communication. The PD 5 of the user A selects the reproduction history of the user B by selecting the user icon B from the user related link of the link display unit 521 displayed on the display unit 131 according to the operation of the user A. Thereafter, in response to the view button 341 being pressed by the user A, the PD 5 of the user A switches the display screen to the playlist screen 411 and displays it.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 20, a playlist including the content of the reproduction history of the user B is displayed on the playlist display unit 421 of the playlist screen 411.

  As described above, another user icon is selected in the user-related link of the link display unit 521, and then the display screen is switched to the playlist screen, whereby the playlist of the reproduction history of the other user is displayed. . Accordingly, the user can easily view, for example, a favorite content of a friend, and can view content in a field that has not been actively heard.

  Next, display transitions on the jump screen will be described with reference to FIGS. 24 and 25.

  For example, when the link display unit 521 of FIG. 21 is displayed on the display unit 131, the user presses a position corresponding to the artist icon C on the touch panel 132 using a finger or a touch pen. In response to this, the PD 5 selects the artist icon C displayed on the circumference of the circle 531, and as shown in the link display section 521-1 in FIG. 24, only the selected artist icon C is left as it is. , An animation that fades out the other artist icons arranged at the center and circumference of the circle 531 is displayed.

  Next, as shown in the link display unit 521-2, the PD 5 moves the artist icon C from the position on the circumference of the circle 531 where the artist icon C is arranged in the link display unit 521 in FIG. An animation representing a transition of movement to the center of the circle 531 where the icon A was arranged is displayed, and then, as shown in the link display unit 521-3, the artist icon C selected according to the user's operation, It is arranged at the center of the circle 531 and displayed.

  When the artist icon C is displayed at the center of the circle 531, the PD 5 looks as if it is searching for an artist related to the artist corresponding to the artist icon C, as shown in the link display section 521-4 of FIG. That is, an animation in which the fan-shaped mark 532 is rotated on the circle 531 around the center is displayed.

  Further, as shown in the link display unit 521-5, the PD5 is generated from the artist icon C corresponding to the artist associated with the artist corresponding to the artist icon C on the artist icon C arranged at the center of the circle 531. The animation representing the transition of moving the artist icon generated and displayed to a predetermined position on the circumference of the circle 531 is displayed, and then the artist icon is displayed as shown in the link display unit 521-6. Artist icon A, artist icon J, artist icon K, artist icon L, artist icon M, artist icon N, artist icon O, and artist icon P of related artists related to the artist corresponding to C 531 is disposed at a predetermined position on the circumference of the display to.

As described above, the transition in which the selected artist icon C is displayed at the center of the circle 531 and the artist icons of the related artists related to the artist corresponding to the selected artist icon C are displayed on the circumference of the circle 531. By displaying the animation, it is easy to understand that the user has selected the artist icon C and that the artist icon displayed on the circumference of the circle is related to the selected artist icon C. Can be offered at.

  In addition, in the said description, although the structure using the touch panel 132 (touch panel type display 116) was demonstrated, the touch panel 132 is not an essential structural requirement. That is, for example, a similar display can be provided even when an operation input unit such as a mouse and a display are used.

  Next, display transition from the map screen to the jump screen will be described with reference to FIG.

  For example, the map display unit 321 of FIG. 10 is displayed on the display unit 131, the grid indicated by 1 is selected and determined, and the content included in the playlist assigned to the grid indicated by 1 is being played. Sometimes, the user uses the finger or the touch pen to press the view button 341 and gives an instruction to switch to the jump screen. In response to this, for example, the PD 5 displays an animation representing a transition in which the display screen switches from the map screen to the jump screen.

  That is, the PD 5 obtains the artist ID corresponding to the content currently being reproduced from the content metadata table 181, and as shown in the map display unit 321-1 in FIG. An artist icon 611 corresponding to the artist with the acquired artist ID is displayed on the grid shown.

  When the artist icon 611 is displayed, the PD 5 displays the circle 531 displayed on the link display unit 521 as shown in the map display unit 321-2 of FIG. An animation representing a transition for moving the artist icon 611 to the center of the circle 531 is displayed, and the displayed map of the map display unit 321 is displayed in a fade-out manner.

  Thereafter, the PD 5 displays an artist icon 611 corresponding to the content currently being played in the center of the circle 531 as shown in the link display section 521-3 in FIG.

  Since the processing after the artist icon 611 is displayed at the center of the circle 531 is the same as the processing described with reference to FIG. That is, when the artist icon 611 is displayed at the center of the circle 531, the PD 5 displays an animation as shown in the link display unit 521-4 and the link display unit 521-5 in FIG. A link display unit 521 in which (artist icon 611) is arranged at the center of the circle 531 is displayed.

  For example, even if there is a connection (inheritance) of information between the previously displayed screen and the next displayed screen, there are many cases where the screen is simply switched. The connection of information was difficult to understand.

  Therefore, as described above, when switching from the map screen to the jump screen, an artist icon on the jump screen is generated from the currently playing grid (that is, the selection decision grid), and is centered on the circle 531 on the jump screen. Since the transition to be arranged is displayed as an animation, it is possible to provide a user with an easy-to-understand display for switching from the map screen to the jump screen.

  Furthermore, display transition from the map screen to the playlist screen will be described with reference to FIG.

  For example, the map display unit 321 of FIG. 10 is displayed on the display unit 131, the grid indicated by 1 is selected and determined, and the content included in the playlist assigned to the grid indicated by 1 is being played. Sometimes, the user presses the view button 341 with a finger or a touch pen to give an instruction to switch to the playlist screen. In response to this, for example, the PD 5 displays an animation representing a transition in which the display screen switches from the map screen to the playlist screen.

  That is, as shown in the map display unit 321-11 of FIG. 27, the PD5 is a grid in which 1 is displayed so that the playlist from the grid in which 1 of the map display unit 321-11 is displayed can be zoomed up. An animation is displayed in which a plurality of rectangles (seven in the example of FIG. 27) that gradually increase in size gradually expand from a rectangle that is slightly larger than the grid centered on A playlist screen 411 on which a playlist display unit 421 as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed is displayed.

  As a result, in switching from the map screen to the list screen, it is possible to provide a user with a display that is easier to understand than the screen switching display that has been difficult to understand. Therefore, the user can easily grasp that the playlist corresponding to the grid indicated by 1 is displayed.

  In the above description, the configuration using the touch panel 132 (touch panel display 116) has been described. However, the touch panel 132 is not an essential component. That is, for example, a similar display can be provided even when an operation input unit such as a mouse and a display are used.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating another display example of the map display unit.

  In the map display unit 321-21 of FIG. 28, the grid indicated by 1 to which the currently reproduced content is assigned is highlighted with a small circle 631. Further, the grid indicating “R” indicates that the content of the artist related to the artist of the currently played content is assigned, and the grid is also highlighted with a small circle 631. . Furthermore, the grid indicated by “r” indicates that the content of the artist related to the artist of the content assigned to the grid indicated by R is assigned. The grid is also a small circle 631. Is highlighted.

  Depending on the relevance of the contents of the small circles 631, the small circles 631 are connected and displayed by lines. The arrow 632 connected to the small circle 631 by a line is assigned to the grid in which the small circle 631 connected by the line is highlighted before being displayed on the map display unit 321-21. This indicates that there is a grid to which artist content related to the content artist is assigned.

  As described above, in the map display unit 321-21, the relevance of the content artist is shown on the map. This is because the circle grid 332 described above with reference to FIG. While only the content of the selected artist is shown, the content of the related artist on the jump screen 511 is also shown.

  That is, since the round grid 332 inherits the selection information on the jump screen, “R” and “r” are inherited related information on the jump screen. Therefore, like the round grid 332, it is only necessary to distinguish from other grids, and may be indicated by other figures (triangles, squares, etc.), blinking grids, or figures, colors, The related information inherited from the jump screen may be indicated using at least one of luminance and brightness. Also, the line connecting the small circles 631 is not limited in the type, shape, or color of the line.

  In other words, it can be said that the map display unit 321-21 represents the map screen 311 and the jump screen 511 on the same screen.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram showing still another display example of the map display unit.

  The map shown in the map display unit 321 in FIG. 29 is composed of a plurality of grids separated by parameters in a predetermined range with the age of content metadata as one axis.

  In the map, on the left side of the figure, the vertical axis is shown as 1990, 2002, 2004 (year) in order from the top, and the age indicated by the vertical axis becomes older toward the top in the figure. It becomes new towards the lower and lower. Note that the scale of the shaft may not be constant.

  The map is configured by vertically arranging a plurality of items (also referred to as grids) separated by a predetermined range of parameters on the vertical axis. A playlist including at least one content having the age (parameters in a predetermined range) displayed on the grid is assigned to the one grid in the age of the content metadata.

  Arrows 641-1 and 641-2 shown at the upper and lower parts of the map indicate that there is a grid that could not be displayed on the map display unit 321, and these arrows 641-1 and 641 are operated by a user operation. When -2 is pressed, the grid is scrolled and displayed in the map display unit 321 and the grid in the direction of the arrow is displayed.

  In the map, characters representing values (age) of contents included in the grid are shown in each grid.

  That is, in order from the top of the map, a play list including at least one content released before 1975 is assigned to a grid displaying “before 1975”. The grid in which “before 1980” is displayed is assigned a playlist including at least one content released after 1976 and before 1980. The grid on which “1990 to 1992” is displayed is assigned a playlist including at least one content released from 1990 to 1992. The grid in which “1993 to 1995” is displayed is assigned a playlist including at least one content released from 1993 to 1995.

  The grid 642 that displays “1996-1998 no songs” does not have any content released from 1990 to 1992, and has a different shape (hexagon) from the other grids (rectangles). Is displayed.

  In addition, a play list including at least one content released in 1999 to 2000 is assigned to the grid in which “1999 to 2000” is displayed. The grid 643 in which “2002 first half” is displayed is assigned a playlist including at least one content released in the first half of 2002. The grid 643 is selected and determined in accordance with the user's operation and is being played back, so that it is displayed in a different color (black) from the other grids.

  In the grid in which “second half of 2002” is displayed, a playlist including at least one content released in the second half of 2002 is assigned. In the grid in which “2003 first half” is displayed, a playlist including at least one content released in the first half of 2003 is assigned. In the grid in which “second half of 2003” is displayed, a playlist including at least one content released in the second half of 2003 is assigned.

  Furthermore, a play list including at least one content released in the spring of 2004 is assigned to the grid displaying “2004 spring”. The grid 644 on which “2004 summer” is displayed is assigned a playlist including at least one content released in the summer of 2004. In addition, an icon 644-1 is displayed in the grid 644 in order to emphasize that content related to the user is included.

  A playlist including “at least one content released in the autumn of 2004” is assigned to the grid in which “2004 autumn” is displayed. The grid 645 in which “2004 winter” is displayed is assigned a playlist including at least one content released in winter 2004. The grid 645 is displayed in a different color (hatching) from the selection determination grid and other grids in order to indicate the current age.

  Although not shown, the grid set by the user as a bookmark may be displayed in another color, shape, or pattern.

  As described above, since the map configured by the grid divided by the parameters of the predetermined range of the age is displayed on the map display unit 321, for example, when the user wants to view the content of the desired age By selecting and determining a grid displayed on the map using a touch pen or a finger, it is possible to easily select and view content according to a desired age.

  In the above description, the background of the content selection screen has been described based on white for the sake of convenience of explanation, but in reality, it is configured based on black, but is not limited to white or black. You may make it make the color of this.

  Next, the display control process of the content selection screen of PD5 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  For example, in order to view content recorded on the PD 5, the user operates the touch panel 132 stacked on the display unit 131 of the PD 5 with a finger or a touch pen to instruct display of the content selection screen.

  The input module 153 inputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the touch panel 132 stacked on the display unit 131 by the user to the selected position acquisition unit 211. When the selection position acquisition unit 211 acquires selection position information for instructing display of the content selection screen from the operation signal from the input module 153, the selection position acquisition unit 211 starts the display control process of FIG.

  In step S51, the selection position acquisition unit 211 determines whether map screen display has been instructed. In PD5, for example, a map screen is set as an initial setting for displaying the content selection screen.

  Therefore, if the selection position acquisition unit 211 determines in step S51 that the map screen display has been instructed, the selection position acquisition unit 211 controls the display format management unit 212 to set the display screen to the map screen, and proceeds to step S52 to control information generation. The unit 214 is controlled to execute the map screen display switching process. That is, the information generation control unit 214 performs a process of displaying a map screen (also referred to as a map screen initial display process) at the start of display of the content selection screen, and when another display screen is displayed, A process of switching the display screen from the display screen to the map screen is executed.

  This map screen display switching process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 31. In step S52, a map screen is displayed based on the selection history information, and a playlist is selected and selected on the displayed map screen. Play list contents are played back. In the example of FIG. 30, the content played back on the map screen is played back in order until the next content in the selected playlist is played back when the playback ends and the user forcibly ends the playback. .

  Further, the map screen display switching process in step S52 is repeatedly executed until it is determined that the screen switching or the end of the content selection screen is instructed in response to the user's operation on the touch panel 132. If it is determined in response to the user's operation on the touch panel 132 that the screen switching or the content selection screen end is instructed, the process proceeds to step S53.

  That is, the user instructs screen switching of the content selection screen or the end of the content selection screen, and an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the touch panel 132 by the user is input to the selected position acquisition unit 211 from the input module 153. In response to this, the selection position acquisition unit 211 acquires selection position information from the input operation signal, and determines that screen switching or content selection screen end has been instructed based on the acquired selection position information. Proceed to S53.

  If it is determined in step S51 that the map screen display is not instructed, step S52 is skipped, and the process proceeds to step S53.

  In step S53, the selection position acquisition unit 211 determines whether or not a playlist screen display is instructed based on the selection position information acquired from the operation signal from the input module 153, and the playlist screen display is instructed. If it is determined, the display format management unit 212 is controlled, the display screen is set as the playlist screen, the process proceeds to step S54, the information generation control unit 214 is controlled, and the playlist screen display switching process is executed. In other words, the information generation control unit 214 executes a process of switching the display screen from the other displayed display screen to the playlist screen.

  This playlist screen display switching process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 33. In step S54, the playlist screen is displayed based on the selection history information, and a user operation is performed on the displayed playlist screen. In response, the content is selected, and the selected content is reproduced.

  Then, the playlist screen display switching process in step S54 is repeatedly executed until it is determined that the screen switching or the end of the content selection screen is instructed in response to the user's operation on the touch panel 132. If it is determined in response to the user's operation on the touch panel 132 that the screen switching or the content selection screen end is instructed, the process proceeds to step S55.

  If it is determined in step S53 that the set display screen is not a playlist screen, step S54 is skipped, and the process proceeds to step S55.

  In step S53, the selection position acquisition unit 211 determines whether or not jump screen display is instructed based on the selection position information acquired from the operation signal from the input module 153, and determines that the jump screen display is instructed. In this case, the display format management unit 212 is controlled to set the display screen to the jump screen, and the process proceeds to step S56 to control the information generation control unit 214 to execute the jump screen display switching process. That is, the information generation control unit 214 executes processing for switching the display screen from the other displayed display screen to the jump screen.

  The jump screen display switching process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 35. In step S55, a jump screen is displayed based on the selection history information. In the displayed jump screen, the jump screen display switching process is performed according to the user's operation. The artist is selected and the related information of the selected artist is displayed.

  Then, the jump screen display switching process in step S56 is repeatedly executed until it is determined that the screen switching or the end of the content selection screen is instructed in response to the user's operation on the touch panel 132. If it is determined in response to the user's operation on the touch panel 132 that the screen switching or the content selection screen end is instructed, the process proceeds to step S57.

  If it is determined in step S55 that the set display screen is not a playlist screen, step S56 is skipped, and the process proceeds to step S57.

  In step S57, the selection position acquisition unit 211 determines whether or not the end of the content selection screen is instructed based on the information from the selection position acquisition unit 211, and determines that the end of the content selection screen is not instructed. If so, the process returns to step S51 and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  If the selection position acquisition unit 211 determines in step S57 that an instruction to end the content selection screen has been issued based on the selection position information acquired from the operation signal from the input module 153, the selection position acquisition unit 211 controls the display module 152 to select the content. The screen display is terminated and the display control process is terminated.

  As described above, it is selected on the map screen that sensuously selects the playlist of the desired content from the content metadata, the jump screen that selects (searches) the content related to the content, the map screen, or the jump screen. Three types of content selection screens for selecting content from the selected playlist are provided to the user.

  As a result, the user can switch and use the content selection screen according to the purpose, and intuitively select the content according to the user's taste and mood from a wide variety of content that the user does not know much Can be played.

  Next, the map screen display switching process in step S52 of FIG. 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the map screen display switching process is instructed from the selection position acquisition unit 211, the information generation control unit 214 acquires the selection history information managed by the selection history management unit 213 in step S71, and the acquired selection history information is The map display control unit 216 is supplied and proceeds to step S72.

  In step S72, the information generation control unit 214 acquires the display format information (the previous (previous) display screen information and the set display mode information) from the display format management unit 212, and displays the display mode information. The map display control unit 216 is supplied, and the process proceeds to step S73.

  In step S73, the information generation control unit 214 determines whether or not the display screen is set to the jump screen based on the previous display screen information acquired from the display format management unit 212, and the display screen jumps. If it is determined that the screen has been set, the process proceeds to step S74, and as a switching process from the jump screen to the map screen, the related link display control unit 215 is controlled to display the jump screen in a fade-out state, and the process proceeds to step S77.

  That is, in step S74, the related link display control unit 215 generates screen data of an animation (moving image or frame advance) that fades out the jump screen, and supplies the generated screen data to the display module 152. The display module 152 causes the display unit 131 to display a screen corresponding to the screen data from the related link display control unit 215.

  At the time of fading out, if the display screen is based on black, the jump screen is blacked out. If the display screen is based on white, the jump screen is whiteout.

  On the other hand, if the information generation control unit 214 determines in step S73 that the display screen is not set to the jump screen based on the previous display screen information acquired from the display format management unit 212, the process proceeds to step S75. move on.

  In step S75, the information generation control unit 214 determines whether or not the display screen is set as the playlist screen based on the previous display screen information acquired from the display format management unit 212, and the display screen is displayed. If it is determined that the playlist screen has been set, the process proceeds to step S76, and as the switching process from the playlist screen to the map screen, the list display control unit 217 is controlled to display the playlist screen as a fade-out, and the process proceeds to step S77. .

  That is, in step S76, the list display control unit 217 generates screen data of an animation (moving image or frame advance) that fades out the playlist screen, and supplies the generated screen data to the display module 152. The display module 152 causes the display unit 131 to display a screen corresponding to the screen data from the list display control unit 217.

  If the information generation control unit 214 determines in step S75 that the display screen is not set to the playlist screen based on the previous display screen information acquired from the display format management unit 212, the map screen initial display is performed. As a process, the process proceeds to step S77.

  In step S77, the information generation control unit 214 controls the grid map generation unit 232, refers to the content metadata table 181 according to the set display mode, and sets the grid on the map displayed on the map screen. A corresponding content play list is generated, grid information to which the generated play list is assigned is generated, supplied to the map display control unit 216, and the process proceeds to step S78.

  In step S <b> 78, the information generation control unit 214 controls the map display control unit 216 to display a map screen according to the grid information and selection history information generated by the grid map generation unit 232.

  At this time, when switching from the jump screen, the information generation control unit 214 controls the related link generation unit 231 as necessary to acquire the artist content of the selected artist icon, and the grid map generation unit 232. And the grid information of the playlist including the content acquired by the related link generation unit 231 is also supplied to the map display control unit 216.

  That is, in step S78, the map display control unit 216 generates map screen data according to the currently set display mode, the grid information generated by the grid map generation unit 232, and the reproduction history of the selection history information, The generated map screen data is supplied to the display module 152. In this case, the selected movement history is reset when the display screen or the display mode is switched.

  The display module 152 causes the display unit 131 to display a map screen corresponding to the map screen data from the map display control unit 216. At this time, the map screen may be displayed in a fade-in manner.

  The user operates the finger or the touch pen while referring to the map screen displayed on the display unit 131 to move while pressing the grid on the map screen, thereby searching for the content and releasing the pressed grid. Thus, the content is determined and viewed. Alternatively, the user instructs to change the display mode by operating a finger or a touch pen and pressing a mode button 342 on the map screen.

  The input module 153 inputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the touch panel 132 to be stacked on the display unit 131 by the user to the selected position acquisition unit 211. The selection position acquisition unit 211 acquires selection position information from the operation signal from the input module 153. In step S79, the selection position acquisition unit 211 determines whether the grid on the map has been pressed based on the acquired selection position information. If it is determined that the grid has been pressed, in step S80, the information generation control unit 214 is controlled to execute the map screen display control process, and the process proceeds to step S81. Details of this map screen display control processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  That is, in step S80, the content selection movement history is updated and the map screen display is updated in accordance with the pressing of the grid on the map screen by the user. In addition, when the user presses and releases the grid on the map screen, the playback history of the playlist corresponding to the selection determination grid is updated, the map screen is updated according to the playback history, and the corresponding grid The contents of the playlist are played back.

  If it is determined in step S79 that the grid on the map has not been pressed, the process of step S80 is skipped, and the process proceeds to step S81.

  In step S81, the selection position acquisition unit 211 determines whether or not the display mode has been switched based on the acquired selection position information. If it is determined that the display mode has been switched, the selection position acquisition unit 211 returns to step S77, and thereafter. Repeat the process.

  In step S81, if the selection position acquisition unit 211 determines that the display mode has not been changed based on the acquired selection position information, the selection position acquisition unit 211 proceeds to step S82, and performs screen switching or content based on the acquired selection position information. It is determined whether or not the selection screen end is instructed. If it is determined that the screen switching or the content selection screen end is instructed, the map screen display switching process is ended, the process returns to step S52 in FIG. 30, and the process proceeds to step S53.

  If it is determined in step S82 that no screen switching or content selection screen end instruction has been issued, the process returns to step S79, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  As described above, when the map screen is displayed, the map screen data is generated according to the selection history information (selected artist icon, selection movement history, or playback history). By just looking, it is possible to grasp the artist icon that the user has selected, the grid that has been selected and moved, or the grid that has been played back during playback.

  In the above description, the configuration using the touch panel 132 (touch panel display 116) has been described. However, the touch panel 132 is not an essential component. That is, for example, a similar display can be provided even when an operation input unit such as a mouse and a display are used.

  Next, the map screen display control process in step S80 of FIG. 31 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S101, the selection position acquisition unit 211 updates the selection movement history managed by the selection history management unit 213 based on the selection position information acquired from the operation signal from the input module 153, and proceeds to step S102. The generation control unit 214 is controlled to update the map screen display based on the updated selected movement history, and the process proceeds to step S103.

  That is, the selection position acquisition unit 211 acquires information about the grid being pressed (selection movement grid) from the selection position information, and updates the selection movement history to the selection history management unit 213 based on the acquired grid being pressed. Let The information generation control unit 214 acquires selection history information from the selection history management unit 213, controls the map display control unit 216, and updates and displays the map screen.

  The map display control unit 216 maps according to the playlist and grid information generated by the grid map generation unit 232 (including grid information of the content of the selected artist), the playback history, and the updated selection movement history. Screen data is generated, and the generated map screen data is supplied to the display module 152. The display module 152 causes the display unit 131 to display a map screen corresponding to the map screen data from the map display control unit 216.

  In step S103, the information generation control unit 214 supplies the selection position information (information about the grid being pressed) to the grid map generation unit 232, and plays back the viewing content of the playlist corresponding to the grid being pressed. Proceed to step S104.

  That is, the grid map generation unit 232 acquires a playlist corresponding to the pressed grid based on the playlist and grid information, controls the content reproduction module 154, and selects the viewing content corresponding to the acquired playlist. Let it play.

  The content reproduction module 154 reads the viewing content data corresponding to the playlist from the grid map generation unit 232 from the content database 172, reproduces the read viewing content data, and supplies it to the output module 155. The output module 155 causes the speaker 118 to output sound corresponding to the data supplied from the content reproduction module 154.

  In step S104, the selection position acquisition unit 211 determines whether or not the grid pressing position has moved from the operation signal from the input module 153. If it is determined that the grid pressing position has moved, the process returns to step S101. Repeat the subsequent processing.

  If the selection position acquisition unit 211 determines in step S104 that the pressed position of the grid has not moved, the process proceeds to step S105, and whether or not the pressed grid on the map is released from the operation signal from the input module 153. If it is determined that the pressing of the grid on the map has been released, the process proceeds to step S106, the selection history management unit 213 is controlled, and the grid selected immediately before is determined as the selection determination grid, and playback is performed. The history is updated, and the process proceeds to step S107.

  That is, the selection history management unit 213 determines a selection determination grid based on the immediately preceding (latest) selected position information in the selected movement history that has been managed under the control of the selection position acquisition unit 211, and plays back the selection determination grid. Update history.

  The selection position acquisition unit 211 controls the information generation control unit 214 to update the map screen display based on the updated reproduction history in step S107, and in step S108, the content of the playlist corresponding to the selection determination grid. Play.

  That is, in step S107, the information generation control unit 214 acquires the reproduction history information from the selection history management unit 213, controls the map display control unit 216, and updates and displays the map screen.

  The map display control unit 216 maps according to the playlist and grid information generated by the grid map generation unit 232 (including grid information of the content of the selected artist), the selection movement history, and the updated playback history. Screen data is generated, and the generated map screen data is supplied to the display module 152. The display module 152 causes the display unit 131 to display a map screen corresponding to the map screen data from the map display control unit 216.

  In step S108, the information generation control unit 214 supplies the determined grid position information to the grid map generation unit 232, and causes the content of the playlist corresponding to the determined grid to be reproduced.

  That is, the grid map generation unit 232 acquires a playlist corresponding to the selection determination grid based on the playlist and grid information, supplies the acquired playlist to the content reproduction module 154, and corresponds to the acquired playlist. Play the content you want to play.

  The content reproduction module 154 reads content data corresponding to the playlist from the grid map generation unit 232 from the content database 172, reproduces the read content data, and supplies the content data to the output module 155. The output module 155 causes the speaker 118 to output sound corresponding to the data supplied from the content reproduction module 154.

  After the process of step S108, the map screen display control process is terminated, and the process returns to step S79 of FIG. 31 and proceeds to step S80.

  As described above, since the content data is reproduced even while the grid is selected, the user is prevented from being bored due to the sound being interrupted even during the grid selection. Furthermore, by setting the content data to be played back as content data corresponding to the grid, the user can confirm which part of the map is the preferred content while listening to the sample, It is possible to select a favorite content.

  Next, the playlist screen display switching process in step S54 in FIG. 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. Note that a map screen is displayed by the map screen display switching process in step S52 of FIG. 30, a playlist is selected on the displayed map screen, and the content of the selected playlist is reproduced.

  When the playlist screen display switching process is instructed from the selection position acquisition unit 211, the information generation control unit 214 acquires the selection history information managed by the selection history management unit 213 in step S121, and the acquired selection history information is displayed. The map display control unit 216 is supplied, and the process proceeds to step S122. In the playlist screen, the initial display mode is set to the playlist mode.

  In step S122, the information generation control unit 214 acquires display format information (the previous (previous) display screen information) from the display format management unit 212, and proceeds to step S123.

  In step S123, the information generation control unit 214 determines whether or not the display screen is set to the jump screen based on the previous display screen information acquired from the display format management unit 212, and the display screen jumps. If it is determined that the screen has been set, the process proceeds to step S124, and as the switching process from the jump screen to the playlist screen, the related link display control unit 215 is controlled to display the jump screen in a fade-out state, and the process proceeds to step S125.

  That is, in step S124, the related link display control unit 215 generates screen data of an animation (moving image or frame advance) that fades out the jump screen, and supplies the generated screen data to the display module 152. The display module 152 causes the display unit 131 to display a screen corresponding to the screen data from the related link display control unit 215.

  In step S125, the information generation control unit 214 controls the related link generation unit 231 and the list display control unit 217, and according to the selected artist or the reproduction information of the content in the selection history information, the playlist screen of the selected artist is displayed. Is displayed.

  That is, the related link generation unit 231 refers to the content metadata table 181 and the artist table 182, acquires the artist content of the selected artist icon, and generates a playlist. The list display control unit 217 generates playlist screen data of the selected artist according to the playlist generated by the related link generation unit 231 and the content currently being played (reproduction target), and the generated screen data is displayed on the display module. 152.

  The display module 152 causes the display unit 131 to display a playlist screen of the selected artist corresponding to the screen data from the map display control unit 216.

  On the other hand, if the information generation control unit 214 determines in step S123 that the display screen has not been set as the jump screen based on the previous display screen information acquired from the display format management unit 212, the information generation control unit 214 starts from the map screen. As the switching process to the playlist screen, the process proceeds to step S126. That is, in this case, since the initial setting of the display screen is the map screen, the previous display screen is a map screen unless it is a jump screen.

  When the playlist screen is set as an initial setting, for example, a playlist screen corresponding to the selection determination grid stored in the selection history management unit 213 is displayed, and the top content of the playlist is reproduced.

  In step S126, the information generation control unit 214 controls the map display control unit 216 to display the playlist screen switching animation from the map screen according to the selection determination grid, and proceeds to step S127.

  That is, in step S126, the map display control unit 216 generates screen data of an animation (moving image or frame advance) representing the transition from the map screen to the playlist screen described above with reference to FIG. The screen data thus prepared is supplied to the display module 152. The display module 152 causes the display unit 131 to display a screen corresponding to the screen data from the map display control unit 216.

  In step S127, the information generation control unit 214 controls the grid map generation unit 232 and the list display control unit 217 to display a playlist screen corresponding to the selection determination grid according to the selection determination grid and the like in step S128. move on.

  That is, the grid map generation unit 232 refers to the playlist information of the content metadata table 181 or the related link generation unit 231 in step S77 or S78 of FIG. 32, and corresponds to the grid on the map displayed on the map screen. A playlist of contents is generated and stored. The list display control unit 217 generates playlist screen data corresponding to the selection determination grid in accordance with the playlist generated by the grid map generation unit 232 and the content to be played back, and the generated screen data is displayed in the display module 152. Supply.

  The display module 152 causes the display unit 131 to display a playlist screen corresponding to the screen data from the map display control unit 216.

  When the playlist screen is displayed, the selected position acquisition unit 211 executes a playlist screen display control process in step S128. The playlist screen display control process in step S128 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

  While the playlist screen is displayed, the content of the playlist played back on the map screen is played back unless the user gives a stop instruction. When the content reproduction ends, the content reproduction module 154 notifies the selection position acquisition unit 211 of the content reproduction end.

  When the playlist screen is displayed, for example, the user selects a content name on the playlist screen by operating a finger or a touch pen while referring to the playlist screen displayed on the display unit 131. In order to switch the display mode or the display screen, the view button 341 or the mode button 342 is operated, or the end of a content selection screen (not shown) is instructed. When there is a user operation, the input module 153 inputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the touch panel 132 stacked on the display unit 131 by the user to the selected position acquisition unit 211.

  In step S151, the selection position acquisition unit 211 determines whether the reproduction of the content has ended or whether the content in the playlist has been selected. When the content reproduction end notification is input from the content reproduction module 154, the selection position acquisition unit 211 determines in step S151 that the content reproduction has ended, and proceeds to step S152.

  Even when the selection position acquisition unit 211 determines in step S151 that the operation signal is input from the input module 153 and the content in the playlist is selected based on the selection position information acquired from the operation signal. The process proceeds to S152.

  In step S152, the selection position acquisition unit 211 controls the information generation control unit 214 to determine the content to be reproduced in the playlist, and proceeds to step S153. That is, the information generation control unit 214 controls any of the related link generation unit 231, the grid map generation unit 232, and the bookmark generation unit 233 that store the corresponding playlist, and when the reproduction of the content is finished Determines the next content in the playlist being played back as the content to be played back, and when the selection position information from the selection position acquisition unit 211 is input, the content selected by the user is Let it be determined as content.

  In step S153, the information generation control unit 214 controls the list display control unit 217 to change and display the position of the cursor on the playlist screen according to the determined content to be reproduced, and proceeds to step S154.

  In step S154, the information generation control unit 214 controls any of the related link generation unit 231, the grid map generation unit 232, and the bookmark generation unit 233 that store the corresponding playlist, and sends the content reproduction module 154 to the content reproduction module 154. The determined content to be reproduced is reproduced, and the process proceeds to step S155.

  The content reproduction module 154 reads the content data corresponding to the playlist from the related link generation unit 231, the grid map generation unit 232, or the bookmark generation unit 233, reproduces the read content data, and supplies it to the output module 155. The output module 155 causes the speaker 118 to output sound corresponding to the data supplied from the content reproduction module 154.

  If it is determined in step S151 that the content reproduction has not ended and if it is determined that the content in the playlist has not been selected, the selection position acquisition unit 211 proceeds to step S155, and the display mode It is determined whether or not has been switched.

  If the selection position acquisition unit 211 receives an operation signal from the input module 153 and determines that the display mode has been switched based on the selection position information acquired from the operation signal, the selection position acquisition unit 211 proceeds to step S156 and displays the display format management unit. 212, the display mode is set and changed, the information generation control unit 214 is controlled to display a playlist screen corresponding to the display mode, and the process proceeds to step S157.

  That is, the information generation control unit 214 controls the list display control unit 217, and the playlist and playback target generated by the related link generation unit 231, the grid map generation unit 232, and the bookmark generation unit 233 according to the display mode. In accordance with the content, playlist screen data corresponding to the selection determination grid is generated, and the generated screen data is supplied to the display module 152.

  The display module 152 causes the display unit 131 to display a playlist screen corresponding to the screen data from the map display control unit 216.

  If the selection position acquisition unit 211 determines in step S155 that the display mode has not been switched, the selection position acquisition unit 211 skips the process of step S156 and proceeds to step S157.

  In step S157, the selection position acquisition unit 211 receives the operation signal from the input module 153, and determines whether screen switching or content selection screen end is instructed based on the selection position information acquired from the operation signal. If it is determined that the screen switching or the content selection screen end is instructed, the map screen display switching process is ended, and the process returns to step S128 in FIG. Thereafter, the selection position acquisition unit 211 ends the playlist screen display switching process, returns to step S54 in FIG. 30, and proceeds to step S55.

  If it is determined in step S157 that no screen switching or content selection screen end instruction has been issued, the process returns to step S151, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  As described above, the playlist screen is displayed according to the information of the item such as the selection artist icon of the jump screen that was previously displayed or the selection determination grid of the map screen. Details of item information can be confirmed clearly and easily.

  In the above description, an example of artist jump has been described. However, since the same processing is basically performed in the case of friends jump (user-related link), the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the jump screen display switching process in step S56 in FIG. 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

  When a jump screen display switching process is instructed from the selection position acquisition unit 211, the information generation control unit 214 acquires the latest selection history information managed by the selection history management unit 213 in step S171, and acquires the acquired selection history information. Is supplied to the related link display control unit 215, and the process proceeds to step S172.

  In step S172, the information generation control unit 214 acquires display format information (the previous (previous) display screen information) from the display format management unit 212, and proceeds to step S173.

  In step S173, the information generation control unit 214 determines whether the display screen has been set as a map screen based on the previous display screen information acquired from the display format management unit 212, and the display screen is mapped. If it is determined that the screen has been set, the process proceeds to step S174, where the map display control unit 216 is controlled as a switching process from the map screen to the jump screen, and the jump screen switching animation is displayed from the map screen according to the selection determination grid. Display, and proceed to Step S176.

  That is, in step S174, the map display control unit 216 generates and generates screen data of an animation (moving image or frame advance, etc.) that represents the transition from the map screen to the jump screen described above with reference to FIG. The screen data is supplied to the display module 152. The display module 152 causes the display unit 131 to display a screen corresponding to the screen data from the map display control unit 216.

  On the other hand, if the information generation control unit 214 determines in step S173 that the display screen has not been set as the map screen based on the previous display screen information acquired from the display format management unit 212, the playlist screen As the switching process from to the jump screen, the process proceeds to step S175. That is, in this case, since the initial setting of the display screen is the map screen, if the previous display screen is not the map screen, it is a playlist screen.

  Note that the jump screen may be set as an initial setting. In this case, for example, a jump screen corresponding to the selected artist icon stored in the selection history management unit 213 is displayed.

  In step S175, the information generation control unit 214 controls the list display control unit 217 to display the playlist screen in a fade-out manner, and the process proceeds to step S176.

  That is, in step S176, the list display control unit 217 generates screen data of an animation (moving image or frame advance) that fades out the playlist screen, and supplies the generated screen data to the display module 152. The display module 152 causes the display unit 131 to display a screen corresponding to the screen data from the related link display control unit 215.

  In step S176, the information generation control unit 214 executes jump screen display control processing. This jump screen display control process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S191, the information generation control unit 214 controls the related link display control unit 215 to display a jump screen (for example, the link display unit 521-3 in FIG. 24) in which the selected artist icon is arranged at the center. The process proceeds to S192.

  In step S192, the information generation control unit 214 controls the related link generation unit 231 to generate related link information of the selected artist, and proceeds to step S193 to control the related link display control unit 215 to display the related artist arrangement animation. In step S194, the related link display control unit 215 is controlled to display a jump screen in which related artist icons are arranged at predetermined positions on the circumference.

  That is, in step S192, the related link generation unit 231 refers to the artist table 182 and the artist related table 183 in the metadata database 171 and generates related link information that is information on artists related to the selected artist.

  In step S193, the related link display control unit 215 displays an animation representing a transition in which the related artist icon generated from the center moves to a predetermined position on the circumference based on the related link information generated by the related link generation unit 231. Screen data (such as a moving image or frame advance) is generated, and the generated screen data is supplied to the display module 152. The display module 152 causes the display unit 131 to display a screen corresponding to the screen data from the related link display control unit 215.

  Further, in step S194, the related link display control unit 215 generates screen data of a jump screen in which the related artist icon is arranged at a predetermined position on the circumference, and supplies the generated screen data to the display module 152. . The display module 152 causes the display unit 131 to display a screen corresponding to the screen data from the related link display control unit 215.

  When the jump screen is displayed, for example, the user selects a related artist icon on the jump screen by operating a finger or a touch pen while referring to the jump screen displayed on the display unit 131, or displays the display screen. In order to switch, the view button 341 is operated or an end of a content selection screen (not shown) is instructed. When there is a user operation, the input module 153 inputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the touch panel 132 stacked on the display unit 131 by the user to the selected position acquisition unit 211.

  When the operation signal from the input module 153 is input, the selection position acquisition unit 211 determines whether or not the related artist icon on the jump screen is selected in step S195 based on the selection position information acquired from the operation signal. If it is determined that the related artist icon on the jump screen has been selected, the process proceeds to step S196, and the selected related artist icon is set (stored) as the selected artist icon in the selection history management unit 213, and step S197 is performed. Proceed to

  In step S197, the selection position acquisition unit 211 controls the information generation control unit 214 to display the selected artist switching animation based on the selected artist icon, returns to step S191, and repeats the subsequent processing.

  That is, in step S197, the information generation control unit 214 controls the list display control unit 217 to display an animation (moving image or frame advance, etc.) that represents a transition that moves to the center from the position where the selected related artist icon is displayed. ) Is generated, and the generated screen data is supplied to the display module 152. The display module 152 causes the display unit 131 to display a screen corresponding to the screen data from the related link display control unit 215.

  Thereafter, in step S191, a jump screen (for example, the link display unit 521-3 in FIG. 24) with the selected artist icon arranged at the center is displayed, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  If the selection position acquisition unit 211 determines in step S195 that the related artist icon on the jump screen has not been selected, the selection position acquisition unit 211 proceeds to step S198, receives an operation signal from the input module 153, and acquires the selection acquired from the operation signal. Based on the position information, it is determined whether or not screen switching or content selection screen end is instructed. If it is determined that screen switching or content selection screen end is instructed, the jump screen display control processing is terminated, and FIG. The process returns to step S176. Thereafter, the selection position acquisition unit 211 ends the jump screen display switching process, returns to step S56 of FIG. 30, and proceeds to step S57.

  If it is determined in step S198 that screen switching or content selection screen end is not instructed, the process returns to step S195, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  As described above, the item (icon) selected on the jump screen is displayed at a predetermined position (center of the circle), and corresponds to the artist (content) associated with the artist (content) assigned to the selected item. Since the related item is displayed at a predetermined position on the circumference together with a line representing the relationship, the user can easily check the related content.

  At this time, only related items directly related to the selected item are displayed (that is, related items of related items (indirectly related items) are not displayed), so the screen is complicated and difficult to understand for the user. Can be provided and an easy-to-understand screen can be provided.

  Furthermore, when a related item arranged on the circumference is selected and becomes a selected item, a transition animation representing the movement of the arrangement is displayed, so that the user can easily confirm the selected item. be able to.

  Here, another display example of the related item on the jump screen will be described. 37 to 39 are diagrams showing other examples of jump screens in the case of artist jump in FIG.

  In the example of FIGS. 37 to 39, only a portion corresponding to the link display unit 521 of FIG. 21 is shown. That is, the operation setting display unit 522 may be configured as in FIG. 21, or may not be configured.

  In addition, the jump screens in the examples of FIGS. 37 to 39 are a currently playing screen 701-1 displayed during content playback, and a discovery displayed during a search for related artists related to the artist of the currently played content. It consists of three screens: a middle screen 701-2 and a related artist screen 701-3 displayed as a result of a search for related artists.

  FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the currently playing screen 701-1. The currently playing screen 701-1 is a screen displayed on the display unit 131 when the content of the selected artist is being played.

  A screen title indicating that the currently playing screen 701-1 is displayed at the top of the currently playing screen 701-1 in FIG. 37, that is, that the content displayed on this screen is being played. As 711, the characters “Now Playing” are displayed.

  In the lower part of the screen title 711, information related to the content currently being reproduced is displayed. That is, below the screen title 711, a “Song name 1” character is displayed together with a note icon 712 representing the content, indicating that the name of the currently playing content is “Song name 1”. Under the musical note icon 712, a character “Artist name A” is displayed together with a humanoid icon 713 representing an artist, indicating that the artist name of the currently reproduced content is “Artist name A”.

  Under the humanoid icon 713, a letter “Album name 3” is displayed together with a disc icon 714 representing an album, indicating that the album name including the currently reproduced content is “Album name 3”. Under the disc icon 714, a music icon 715 representing a genre is displayed, and the word “Rock” is displayed, indicating that the genre of the currently reproduced content is “Rock”.

  Further, under the music icon 715, “★★★★ ☆” (black star, four white stars, one star) is displayed as an evaluation value 716, and the rating (evaluation) of the currently playing content is 4 stars. It is shown that. Below the evaluation value 716, a number “2002” is displayed as the release date 717, indicating that the release date of the currently reproduced content is “2002” year. The content rating (evaluation) evaluation value is an evaluation value created by the user for the content, and is recorded in the content metadata table 181 of FIG.

  In addition, a right arrow icon 718 indicating that playback is in progress is displayed in the lower left portion of the currently playing screen 701-1, and a battery icon 719 that indicates the remaining battery level is displayed in the lower right portion.

  When the currently playing screen 701-1 configured as described above is displayed, a button displayed on the operation setting display unit 522 (FIG. 21) (not shown) or the case of the housing of the PD 5 is displayed. When an artist jump function is selected by operating a button or the like provided on the front surface, a search for an artist related to the artist of the currently playing content (that is, the artist with artist name A) is started, and the display unit 131 Is displayed during the discovery screen 701-2 in FIG.

  FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the in-discovery screen 701-2. The in-discovery screen 701-2 is displayed until the search for the related artist related to the artist displayed on the currently-playing screen 701-1 in FIG. 37 is started and the search is completed (that is, during the search). It is a screen. In other words, the in-discovery screen 701-2 is a screen representing a transition from the currently-reproducing screen 701-1 to the related artist screen 701-3.

  The screen title indicating that the in-discovery screen 701-2 is displayed at the top of the in-discovery screen 701-2 in FIG. 38, that is, that the artist related to the artist displayed on this screen is being searched. As 721, characters "Now Discovering ..." are displayed.

  In the lower part of the screen title 721, an animation image 722 indicating that the related artist is being searched is displayed by the movement of rotating the arrow, and below the “artist name A” together with the humanoid icon 713. "Is displayed, indicating that the artist name of the currently reproduced content is" Artist name A "and that the artist related to the artist is being searched.

  Furthermore, in the lower left part of the in-discovery screen 701-2, the same right arrow icon 718 of FIG. 37 is displayed together with the characters “Song name1”, and the name of the currently playing content is “Song name1” In the lower right part, a battery icon 719 is displayed as in FIG.

  When the searching for related artist is completed while the in-discovery screen 701-2 configured as described above is displayed, the related artist screen 701-3 of FIG. 39 is displayed on the display unit 131.

  FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the related artist screen 701-3. The related artist screen 701-3 is a screen on which search results for related artists are displayed.

  In the top row of the related artist screen 701-3 in FIG. 39, the search result icon 731 and the related artist screen 701-3 are displayed. That is, the information displayed on this screen is “Artist name A”. “Artist name A” is shown as the screen title 732 indicating that the related artist is searched.

  As a result, the user can confirm that the artist is the artist of the content currently being reproduced, and the name of the artist for which the related artist has been searched is “artist name A” in the search result. In the example of FIG. 39, a cursor 733 is displayed on the screen title 732.

  Below the screen title 732, a humanoid icon 734 representing “artist name A” for which the related artist has been searched is displayed. A vertically long small ellipse surrounding the humanoid icon 734 (an ellipse indicated by the starting point of the dotted line). Six dotted lines extending radially outward from a part of the circle are displayed. At the end of this dotted line, that is, a part of the circumference of a large ellipse that surrounds the humanoid icon 734 (on the arc of six dotted lines), the contents for selecting all the related artists in order from the top Related artist names indicating that the characters 735, “Artist name B”, “Artist name C”, “Artist name D”, and “Artist name E” indicated as “All Related Song” have been searched as related artists. Characters 737 indicating “Discover More” for performing further search are displayed.

  That is, in the case of the example of FIG. 39, the icon or character of the related artist related to the central artist is displayed on a part of the circumference (polygonal outer periphery) around the human icon 734 of the selected artist. It is displayed.

  Here, when a user operates a button displayed on the operation setting display unit 522 (not shown) or a button provided on the surface of the casing of the PD 5, a cursor 733 displayed on the screen title 732 is displayed. When displayed on the character 735, the contents of all the related artists are sequentially reproduced, and the display unit 13 displays a currently playing screen 701-1 on which information on the content being played is displayed.

  Further, when the cursor 733 displayed on the screen title 732 is displayed on any of the related artist names 736-1 to 736-4 by the user operation, the related artist focused by the cursor 733 is displayed. The content is played back in order, and the current playback screen 701-1 shown in FIG. 37 is displayed on the display unit 13 in which information about the content being played back is displayed.

  Further, when the cursor 733 displayed on the screen title 732 is displayed on the character 737 by the user's operation, a search for related artists related to the artist of the content being reproduced is executed again, and the display unit 13 displays the in-discovery screen 701-2 in FIG.

  In this case, the user operates a button displayed on the operation setting display unit 522 (not shown) or a button provided on the surface of the casing of the PD 5 with the cursor 733 displayed on the character 737. By doing so, this function may be determined, and a search for related artists related to the artist of the content being played back may be performed again. In this case, the search is performed in a wider range than the previous search. As a result, more related artist information (names) that are slightly less related are displayed on the related artist screen 701-3 after the search.

  On the other hand, in the lower left part of the related artist screen 701-3, a character “Song name 1” is displayed together with the same right-pointing arrow icon 718 in FIG. 37, and the name of the currently playing content is “Song name 1”. In the lower right part, a battery icon 719 is displayed as in FIG.

  When the related artist screen 701-3 configured as described above is displayed, when a related artist of the artist of the content currently being reproduced is searched again according to the user's operation, the display unit 131 displays. 38 is displayed. When the in-discovery screen 701-2 in FIG. 38 is displayed, or when the reproduction of the content of the related artist is instructed, information on the content being reproduced is displayed on the display unit 13. A during-playing screen 701-1 is displayed.

  That is, in the jump screens of FIGS. 37 to 39, the display of the currently playing screen 701-1, the display of the discovery screen 701-2, or the display of the related artist screen 701-3 is repeated according to the user's operation. Done.

  Thus, as one example of display of related items on the jump screen, centering on the human icon 734 of the selected artist, not only on the entire circumference (polygon outer circumference) but only on a part thereof, It is also possible to display icons or characters of related artists.

  In this case, particularly when the display area of the screen is not so large or the number of related artists is not so large, the display area can be made effective.

  As described above, it is selected on the map screen that sensuously selects the playlist of the desired content from the content metadata, the jump screen that selects (searches) the content related to the content, and the map screen or jump screen. The user is provided with three types of content selection screens for selecting content from the playlist.

  Thus, using one of the content selection screens, the user sensuously selects and reproduces content according to the user's taste and mood from a wide variety of content that the user does not grasp. be able to.

  Further, since these three types of content selection screens inherit the selection information from each other, the content selection screen can be used by switching the content selection screen according to the purpose and using one of the content selection screens. It is possible to select content that suits the user's taste more easily than selecting.

  In the above description, three types of content selection screens have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to these content selection screens, and content selection screens having other configurations may be used.

  FIG. 40 shows a configuration example of a filter screen as a content selection screen. In the example of FIG. 40, for example, only a portion corresponding to the map display unit 321 of FIG. 10 is displayed. That is, the operation setting display unit 322 may be configured in the filter screen as in FIG. 10, but may not be configured.

  The filter screen 751 in FIG. 40 narrows down the content by filtering the content recorded in the PD 5 with predetermined content metadata, displays the narrowed result separately for each metadata, and displays the displayed meta data. This is a screen for selecting content with reference to data.

  Note that the map screen 311 in FIG. 10 described above is a screen configured by assigning a playlist including at least one content to a grid on a map including at least one axis of predetermined content metadata. In other words, the content recorded in the PD 5 is filtered with predetermined content metadata to narrow down the content, and the narrowed result is displayed in a map format. The map screen 311 is displayed on the filter screen 751. It can be said that the displayed result is further displayed in a map format.

  Further, since the playlist screen 411 described above is a screen that displays a list of contents, the filter screen 751 displays the result of narrowing down the entire list of contents displayed on the playlist screen 411 with a filter. It can be said. In other words, the filter screen 751 is a content selection screen located between the playlist screen 411 and the map screen 311. Therefore, it is easy to display the filter screen 751 once during the transition of the display from the playlist screen 411 to the map screen 311, and conversely, during the transition of the display from the map screen 311 to the playlist screen 411. It is also easy to display the filter screen 751 once.

  Next, the filter screen 751 will be specifically described.

  In the example of FIG. 40, a filter screen 751 when the display mode is the genre (Genre) mode is shown. That is, the filter screen 751 in FIG. 40 is displayed by filtering the content recorded in the PD 5 by the type of genre, narrowing down the content and dividing the result by type of genre. This is a screen for selecting content to be reproduced by selecting the type of genre. Note that the genre of content stored in the content meta table 181 in FIG. 6 is referred to when generating the filter screen 751 in FIG.

  For example, when a user operates a button displayed on an operation setting display unit 522 (FIG. 21) (not shown) or a button provided on the surface of the PD5 casing, for example, a genre mode filter function (genre filter) When the list search function is selected, the genre mode filter screen 751 shown in FIG. 40 is displayed. Note that the filter screen 751 in the genre mode is developed on the map screen, and the map display unit 321 in the genre mode in FIG. 13 is displayed. Also in this case, the transition screen can be displayed in the same manner as the transition of other content selection screens.

  A screen title 761 is displayed at the top of the filter screen 751 in the genre mode. The screen title 761 includes a magnifying glass icon indicating the filter function, characters “Genres” indicating the genre mode, and the number “55” indicating the number of genres recorded in the PD 5.

  Below the screen title 761, a left tag 762-1, which is a tag (icon) for quickly switching pages configured with information of five items per page displayed in the filter result display area 764, the center A tag 762-2 and a right tag 762-3 are displayed. These are collectively referred to as a tag 762.

  In the center tag 762-2, tag information (for example, serial numbers and initial initials (English letters)) for easily grasping information of items in the page currently displayed in the filter result display area 764 is provided. Is displayed. The center tag 762-2 is focused by being highlighted.

  In the left tag 762-1, tag information indicating the previous order in the tag information is displayed rather than the tag information displayed in the center tag 762-2. In the left tag 762-3, tag information indicating the next order in the tag information is displayed rather than the tag information displayed in the center tag 762-2.

  When the left tag 762-1 is selected by the user's operation, the filter result display area 764 displays information on items corresponding to the tag information displayed on the left tag 762-1. The tag information displayed on 762-1 is displayed on the center tag 762-2, the tag information displayed on the center tag 762-2 is displayed on the right tag 762-3, and the left tag 762-1. Indicates the tag information preceding the tag information displayed on the left tag 762-1 in order.

  In addition, when the tag information displayed on the left tag 762-1 is the first tag information in the tag information, the last tag information is displayed on the left tag 762-1. .

  On the other hand, when the right tag 762-3 is selected by the user's operation, information on items corresponding to the tag information displayed on the right tag 762-3 is displayed in the filter result display area 764, and the right tag The tag information displayed on 762-3 is displayed on the center tag 762-2, the tag information displayed on the center tag 762-2 is displayed on the left tag 762-1, and the right tag 762-3 is displayed. Indicates tag information that is sequentially behind the tag information displayed on the right tag 762-3.

  In the case of the example of FIG. 40, the center tag 762-2 indicates “6-10” indicating that the genre currently displayed in the filter result display area 764 is the 6th to 10th genres of all genres. Numbers are displayed as tag information, and a left arrow indicating that the left tag 762-1 is the front and a right arrow indicating that the right tag 762-3 is the rear are displayed. The center tag 762-2 is highlighted and focused.

  On the left tag 762-1, a number “1-5” indicating that the order before the order displayed on the center tag 762-2 is the first to fifth is displayed as tag information. On the right tag 762-3, a number “11-15” indicating that the order after the order displayed on the center tag 762-2 is 11th to 15th is displayed as tag information.

  When the left tag 762-1 is selected by the user's operation, the filter result display area 764 has information on items (genre names) corresponding to the first to fifth items shown in the left tag 762-1. Is displayed, the tag information “1-5” indicated by the left tag 762-1 is indicated by the center tag 762-2, and the tag information “6-10” indicated by the center tag 762-2 is indicated. , The right tag 762-3, and the left tag 762-1 in order of the tag information (that is, “1−5” preceding the tag information “1-5” shown in the left tag 762-1). Since there is no number before 5 ", the last" 50-55 ") is indicated.

  On the other hand, when the right tag 762-3 is selected by the user's operation, information on items (genre names) corresponding to the 11th to 15th items shown in the right tag 762-3 is displayed in the filter result display area 764. Is displayed, the tag information “11-15” indicated in the right tag 762-3 is indicated in the center tag 762-2, and the tag information “6-10” indicated in the center tag 762-2 is indicated. The tag information (ie, “16−”) is sequentially displayed after the tag information “11-15” shown in the right tag 762-3. 20 ") is shown.

  As described above, in the example of FIG. 40, the information of items displayed in the filter result display area 764 is changed every five cases, that is, every page by the operation of the tag 762.

  In the filter result display area 764, a page including information of five items per page is displayed. The page and information displayed in the filter result display area 764 are changed by the user's operation by selecting the tag 762 or scrolling the scroll cursor 765a on the scroll bar 765.

  In the filter result display area 764 of FIG. 40, as the first information, a music icon indicating a genre, a character “Dance” indicating that the genre name is dance, and a genre among all contents stored in the PD 5 “810” indicating the number of contents in which is a dance is displayed. As the second information, a music icon indicating a genre, a character “Electronica” indicating that the genre name is electronica, and “720” indicating the number of contents whose genre is electronica among all contents stored in the PD 5. Is displayed. As the third information, a music icon indicating a genre, a character “Jazz” indicating that the genre name is jazz, and “4” indicating the number of contents whose genre is jazz among all the contents stored in the PD 5. Is displayed.

  As the fourth information, a music icon representing the genre, a character “Pop” indicating that the genre name is pop, and “158” indicating the number of contents whose genre is pop among all the contents stored in the PD 5. Is displayed. As fifth information, a music icon indicating a genre, a character “Rock” indicating that the genre name is “lock”, and “355” indicating the number of contents whose genre is lock among all the contents stored in the PD 5. Is displayed.

  In the example of FIG. 40, the fifth information is selected by the cursor 766 and displayed in reverse video. That is, at present, the content whose genre is rock is played on the PD5. The user selects a desired genre by moving the display position of the cursor 766 on an item (genre) in the filter result display area 764. As a result, the genre selected by the cursor 766 is highlighted, and the content of the genre highlighted is reproduced.

  Note that the order of reproduction of the content in the selected genre is set in advance (prioritization) according to parameters of predetermined content metadata, etc., as in the case of the map screen 311 described above with reference to FIG. Is set. This is not limited to the genre, and the same applies to the filter screen 751 in other display modes described below. Further, this ranking may be set for each display mode, or the same ranking may be given in any display mode.

  A scroll bar 765 is displayed on the right side of the filter result display area 764. When the user operates a scroll cursor 765a that moves up and down on the scroll bar 765, the items displayed in the filter result display area 764 are scrolled up and down one by one. Note that the position of the scroll cursor 765a on the scroll bar 765 is also changed according to the operation of the tag 762, and the display of the tag 762 is also changed according to the operation of the scroll cursor 765a.

  Below the filter result display area 764, a character “Song name 1” is displayed together with a note icon 767, indicating that the name of the currently reproduced content is “Song name 1”. Under the musical note icon 767, characters of “Artist name” are displayed together with the human icon 768, indicating that the artist name of the currently reproduced content is “Artist name”.

  In addition, in the lower left part of the filter screen 751 in the example of FIG. 40, an elapsed time 770 since the playback and an evaluation value 771 are displayed together with a right arrow icon 769 indicating that the content is being played back. The elapsed time since playback is “00:02” (2 seconds), and the rating (rating) of the currently playing content is “★★★★★” (5 stars). . In the lower right part of the filter screen 751, a battery icon 772 similar to the battery icon 719 in FIG. 37 is displayed.

  As described above, in the filter screen 751 in the example of FIG. 40, the content is narrowed down for each genre from all the content stored in the PD 5, so that the user narrows down only the content of the favorite genre and reproduces it. be able to.

  FIG. 41 shows a configuration example of a filter screen when the display mode is an artist mode. The example of FIG. 41 is different only in display mode, and has basically the same configuration as the filter screen in the case of the genre mode described above with reference to FIG. Only the part is explained in detail.

  That is, the filter screen 751 in FIG. 41 filters the content recorded in the PD 5 by the artist name, narrows down the content, displays the narrowed result for each artist name, and displays the displayed artist name. This is a screen for selecting content to be reproduced by selecting. 41, the identifier of the artist of the content stored in the content meta table 181 in FIG. 6 and the artist name in the artist table 182 are referred to.

  A screen title 761 is displayed at the top of the filter screen 751 in the artist mode. The screen title 761 includes a magnifying glass icon indicating the filter function, characters “Artist” indicating the artist mode, and the number “125” indicating the number of artists stored in the PD 5.

  In the case of the example of FIG. 41, the initial of the item (artist name) displayed in the filter result display area 764 is tag information in the left tag 762-1, the center tag 762-2, and the right tag 762-3. When the tag 762 is selected, the item displayed in the filter result display area 764 is quickly switched to the item having the tag information displayed in the tag 762.

  For example, in the center tag 762-2, the letter “JKL” indicating that the initial letter of the artist name currently displayed in the filter result display area 764 is “J”, “K”, or “L”. Are displayed as tag information, and a left arrow indicating that the left tag 762-1 is the front and a right arrow indicating that the right tag 762-3 is the rear are displayed. The center tag 762-2 is highlighted and focused.

  The left tag 762-1 has a letter “GHI” indicating that the initial letter alphabetically preceding the initial letter displayed on the center tag 762-2 is “G”, “H”, or “I”. It is displayed as tag information. The right tag 762-3 has an alphabetical letter “MNO” indicating that the initial letter alphabetically preceding the initial letter displayed on the central tag 762-2 is “M”, “N”, or “O”. It is displayed as tag information.

  When the left tag 762-1 is selected by the user's operation, an item (G, H, I) corresponding to the tag information (G, H, I) displayed on the left tag 762-1 is displayed in the filter result display area 764. The artist information is displayed, and the tag information “GHI” displayed on the left tag 762-1 is displayed on the center tag 762-2, and the tag information “JKL” displayed on the center tag 762-2 is displayed. Is displayed on the right tag 762-3, and the tag information of the item of the page before the selected page is displayed on the left tag 762-1.

  On the other hand, when the right tag 762-3 is selected by the user's operation, an item (M, N, O) corresponding to the tag information (M, N, O) displayed on the right tag 762-3 is displayed in the filter result display area 764. The tag information “MNO” displayed on the right tag 762-3 is displayed on the center tag 762-2, and the tag information “JKL” displayed on the center tag 762-2 is displayed. Is displayed on the left tag 762-1, and the tag information of the item of the page before the selected page is displayed on the right tag 762-3.

  That is, in the case of the example of FIG. 41, the information of items displayed in the filter result display area 764 is changed for each alphabet by the operation of the tag 762.

  In the filter result display area 764 of FIG. 41, as a first piece of information, a humanoid icon representing an artist, an artist name “J1 (artist name)” with an initial “J”, and PD5 are stored. “24” indicating the number of albums of this artist is displayed. As the second information, a humanoid icon representing an artist, an initial of “J”, an artist name “J2 (artist name)”, and “64” indicating the number of albums of this artist stored in PD5. Is displayed. As the third item of information, a humanoid icon representing an artist, the letter “K1 (artist name)” with an initial “K”, and “42” indicating the number of albums of this artist stored in the PD5. Is displayed.

  As the fourth information, a humanoid icon representing an artist, an initial letter “K”, an artist name “K2 (artist name)”, and “34” indicating the number of albums of this artist stored in PD5. Is displayed. As fifth information, a humanoid icon representing an artist, an initial letter “L”, an artist name “L1 (artist name)”, and “12” indicating the number of albums of this artist stored in PD5 Is displayed.

  In the example of FIG. 41, the fourth piece of information is selected by the cursor 766 and displayed in reverse video. In other words, the content whose artist name is “K2 (artist name)” is currently being reproduced on PD5. The user selects a desired artist name by moving the display position of the cursor 766 on the item (artist name) in the filter result display area 764. As a result, the artist name selected by the cursor 766 is highlighted, and the content of the highlighted artist name is reproduced.

  As described above, in the filter screen 751 in the example of FIG. 41, the content is narrowed down for each artist from all the content stored in the PD 5, so that the user narrows and plays back only the content of the artist he likes. be able to.

  FIG. 42 shows a configuration example of the filter screen when the display mode is the album (Albums) mode. The example of FIG. 42 also has a different display mode, and basically has the same configuration as the filter screen in the artist mode described above with reference to FIG. Only the part is explained in detail.

  That is, the filter screen 751 in FIG. 42 filters the contents recorded in the PD 5 by album names, narrows down the contents, displays the narrowed results for each album name, and displays the displayed album names. This is a screen for selecting content to be reproduced by selecting. 43, the album name of the content stored in the content meta table 181 in FIG. 6 is referred to for generating the filter screen 751 in FIG.

  A screen title 761 is displayed at the top of the filter screen 751 in the album mode. The screen title 761 includes a magnifying glass icon indicating the filter function, characters “Albums” indicating album mode, and the number “222” indicating the number of albums stored in the PD 5.

  In the case of the example of FIG. 42, the initial letter of the album name in the page currently displayed in the filter result display area 764 is “G”, “H”, or “I” in the center tag 762-2. "GHI" is displayed as tag information, a left arrow indicating that the left tag 762-1 is the front, and a right arrow indicating that the right tag 762-3 is after Yes. The center tag 762-2 is highlighted and focused.

  The left tag 762-1 has a letter “DEF” indicating that the first letter alphabetically preceding the first letter displayed on the center tag 762-2 is “D”, “E”, or “F”. It is displayed as tag information. In the right tag 762-3, an alphabetic character “JKL” indicating that the initial letter alphabetically preceding the initial letter displayed on the central tag 762-2 is “J”, “K”, or “L” is displayed. It is displayed as tag information.

  The filter result display area 764 in FIG. 42 includes, as the first information, a disc icon representing an album, an album name “G1 (Album name)” whose initial is “G”, and this album. “14” indicating the number of contents is displayed. As the second information, a disc icon representing the album, an album name “G2 (Album name)” with an initial “G”, and “11” indicating the number of contents included in this album are displayed. Yes. As the third information, a disc icon representing an album, an album name “G3 (Album name)” with an initial “G”, and “15” indicating the number of contents included in this album are displayed. Yes.

  As the fourth information, a disc icon representing an album, an album name “H1 (Album name)” with an initial “H”, and “13” indicating the number of contents included in the album are displayed. Yes. As fifth information, a disc icon representing an album, an album name “I1 (Album name)” with an initial “I”, and “14” indicating the number of contents included in the album are displayed. Yes.

  In the example of FIG. 42, the fourth piece of information is selected by the cursor 766 and displayed in reverse video. That is, at PD5, the content whose album name is “G2 (Album name)” is currently being reproduced. The user selects a desired album name by moving the display position of the cursor 766 on the item (album name) in the filter result display area 764. As a result, the album name selected by the cursor 766 is displayed in reverse video, and the content of the album name displayed in reverse video is reproduced.

  As described above, in the filter screen 751 in the example of FIG. 42, the contents are narrowed down for each album from all the contents stored in the PD 5, so that the user narrows down and plays back only the contents of the favorite album. be able to.

  FIG. 43 shows a configuration example of the filter screen when the display mode is the release date (Year) mode. The example of FIG. 43 is also different only in the display mode, and basically has the same configuration as the filter screen in the artist mode described above with reference to FIG. Only the part is explained in detail.

  That is, the filter screen 751 in FIG. 43 filters the content recorded in the PD 5 by the release date, narrows down the content, and displays the narrowed result divided by release date (release date). This is a screen for selecting the content to be reproduced by selecting the released release date. Note that the generation of the filter screen 751 in FIG. 43 refers to information on the age (release year) of the content in the content meta table 181 in FIG.

  A screen title 761 is displayed at the top of the filter screen 751 in the sale date mode. The screen title 761 includes a magnifying glass icon indicating the filter function, characters “Year” indicating the release date mode, and the number “8260” indicating the number of contents stored in the PD 5.

  In the case of the example of FIG. 43, “1970's” indicating that the release date age in the page currently displayed in the filter result display area 764 is the 1970s is displayed as tag information in the center tag 762-2. A left arrow indicating that the left tag 762-1 is the front and a right arrow indicating that the right tag 762-3 is the rear are displayed. The center tag 762-2 is highlighted and focused.

  In the left tag 762-1, "1960's" indicating that the age before the age displayed on the center tag 762-2 is the 1960s is displayed as tag information. In the right tag 762-3, “1980 ′s” indicating that the age after the age displayed on the center tag 762-2 is the 1980s is displayed as tag information.

  That is, in the example of FIG. 43, the information of items displayed in the filter result display area 764 is changed for each release date (age) by the operation of the tag 762.

  In the filter result display area 764 of FIG. 43, as the first information, an icon indicating the release date, “Year 1969” indicating that the release date is 1969, and PD5 stored in 1969 “943” indicating the number of released contents is displayed. As the second information, an icon indicating the release date, “Year 1970” indicating that the release date is 1970, and “2423” indicating the number of contents released in 1970 stored in PD5 are displayed. Has been. As the third item, an icon indicating the release date, the letters “Year 1971” indicating that the release date is 1971, and “1230” indicating the number of contents released in 1971 stored in PD5 are displayed. Has been.

  As the fourth information, an icon indicating the release date, “Year 1972” indicating that the release date is 1972, and “904” indicating the number of contents released in 1972 stored in PD5 are displayed. Has been. As fifth information, an icon indicating the release date, “Year 1973” indicating that the release date is 1973, and “2074” indicating the number of contents released in 1973 stored in PD5 are displayed. Has been.

  In the case of the example of FIG. 43, “1960's” is selected by the user's operation of the tag 762, and then the item is scrolled down by the user's operation of the scroll cursor 765a. 764 displays information on the number of contents released in 1969 as the first information.

  In the example of FIG. 43, the third piece of information is selected by the cursor 766 and displayed in reverse video. That is, at present, the content whose release date is “1971” is being played back on PD5. The user selects a desired release date by moving the display position of the cursor 766 on an item (release date) in the filter result display area 764. As a result, the sales date information selected by the cursor 766 is highlighted, and the highlighted sales date content is reproduced.

  As described above, in the filter screen 751 in the example of FIG. 43, the contents are narrowed down for each release date (age) from all the contents stored in the PD 5, so that the user narrows down only the contents of the favorite age. Can be played.

  FIG. 44 shows a configuration example of the filter screen when the display mode is the Ratings mode. The example of FIG. 44 is different only in the display mode, and has basically the same configuration as the filter screen in the case of the genre mode described above with reference to FIG. Only the part is explained in detail.

  That is, the filter screen 751 in FIG. 44 filters the content recorded in the PD 5 with the rating value of the content created (evaluated) created by the user, narrows down the content, and displays the narrowed result for each evaluation value. This is a screen for selecting contents to be reproduced by selecting the displayed evaluation values and displaying the evaluation values. 44, the content rating (evaluation) evaluation value created in advance by the user and stored in the content meta table 181 in FIG. 6 is referred to.

  A screen title 761 is displayed at the top of the filter screen 751 in the rating mode. The screen title 761 includes a magnifying glass icon indicating the filter function, characters “Ratings” indicating the rating mode, and the number “8260” indicating the number of contents stored in the PD 5.

  Note that no tag 762 is configured on the filter screen 751 in the example of FIG. 44, and a filter result display area 764 is configured immediately below the screen title 761.

  In the filter result display area 764 in FIG. 44, as the first information, an icon indicating evaluation and an evaluation value of 5 stars (the highest evaluation among 5 levels) are shown. ”(5 stars),“ 3450 ”indicating the number of contents stored in the PD 5 and having an evaluation value of 5 stars is displayed. As the second information, an icon representing evaluation, “★★★★” (four black stars mark) indicating that the evaluation value is 4 stars (second best evaluation among 5 levels), PD5 “0” indicating the number of contents stored with an evaluation value of 4 stars is displayed. As third information, an icon representing evaluation, “★★★” (three black stars mark) indicating that the evaluation value is three stars (the third best evaluation out of five levels), and stored in PD5 “4810” indicating the number of contents having an evaluation value of 3 stars is displayed.

  As the fourth information, an icon representing evaluation, “★★” (two black stars mark) indicating that the evaluation value is two stars (second lowest evaluation among five levels), PD5 “0” indicating the number of contents stored with an evaluation value of 2 stars is displayed. As the fifth information, an icon representing evaluation, “★” (one black star mark) indicating that the evaluation value is one star (the first poorest evaluation out of five levels), and stored in PD5 “0” indicating the number of contents whose evaluation value is one star is displayed.

  In the example of FIG. 44, the first information is selected by the cursor 766 and displayed in reverse video. That is, at present, content having an evaluation value of 5 stars is played on the PD5. The user selects a desired evaluation value by moving the display position of the cursor 766 on an item (evaluation value) in the filter result display area 764. As a result, the evaluation value selected by the cursor 766 is displayed in reverse video, and the content of the evaluation value displayed in reverse video is reproduced.

  As described above, in the filter screen 751 of the example of FIG. 44, the content is narrowed down for each content rating evaluation value from all the content stored in the PD 5, so the user can set the evaluation value he created. Using it, you can play back only the content you like. That is, the user can generate only the content that he / she gave a specific evaluation.

  FIG. 45 shows a configuration example of the filter screen when the display mode is the reproduction history (History) mode. The example of FIG. 41 is different only in display mode, and has basically the same configuration as the filter screen in the case of the genre mode described above with reference to FIG. Only the part is explained in detail.

  That is, the filter screen 751 in FIG. 41 filters the content recorded in the PD 5 by the date and time of the playback history, narrows down the content, and displays the narrowed result divided by the date and time of the playback history. This is a screen for selecting the content to be played back by selecting the date and time of the played back history. 45 is referred to the content reproduction history stored in the selection history management unit 213 in FIG.

  A screen title 761 is displayed at the top of the filter screen 751 in the reproduction history mode. The screen title 761 includes a magnifying glass icon indicating a filter function and characters “History” indicating a reproduction history mode.

  In the case of the example in FIG. 45, the left tag 762-1, the center tag 762-2, and the right tag 762-3 indicate the year and month of items displayed in the filter result display area 764 and the playback history (date and time). When the tag 762 is selected, the item (calendar) displayed in the filter result display area 764 is displayed as the tag information, that is, the item having the tag information displayed on the tag 762, that is, the tag 762 You can quickly switch to the calendar of the year.

  For example, “Jan.05” indicating that the calendar as the reproduction history currently displayed in the filter result display area 764 is “Jan. 2005” is displayed as tag information on the center tag 762-2. A left arrow indicating that the left tag 762-1 is the front and a right arrow indicating that the right tag 762-3 is the rear are displayed. The center tag 762-2 is highlighted and focused.

  In the left tag 762-1, "Dec.04" indicating that the year and month displayed on the central tag 762-2 is "December 2004" is displayed as tag information. . On the right tag 762-3, “Feb.05” is displayed as tag information indicating that the date after the date displayed on the center tag 762-2 is “February 2005”. .

  When the left tag 762-1 is selected by the user's operation, the filter result display area 764 displays the calendar of the tag information “December 2004” displayed on the left tag 762-1. The tag information “Dec.04” displayed on the left tag 762-1 is displayed on the center tag 762-2, and the tag information “Jan.05” displayed on the center tag 762-2 is displayed on the right tag. In the left tag 762-1, "Nov.04" (November 2004), which is the year and month preceding "Dec.04", is displayed as tag information.

  On the other hand, when the right tag 762-3 is selected by the user's operation, the calendar of the tag information “February 2005” displayed on the right tag 762-3 is displayed in the filter result display area 764. The tag information “Feb.05” displayed on the right tag 762-3 is displayed on the center tag 762-2, and the tag information “Jan.05” displayed on the center tag 762-2 is displayed on the left tag. 762-1 and the right tag 762-3 displays “Mar.05” (March 2005), which is the next year and month of “Feb.05”, as tag information.

  That is, in the case of the example of FIG. 45, the information of items displayed in the filter result display area 764 is changed every month by the operation of the tag 762.

  In the filter result display area 764 of FIG. 45, a calendar composed of the 1st to 31st days of the tag information “Jan.05” shown in the center tag 762-2 is displayed.

  In the example of FIG. 45, the 13th day of the calendar is selected by the cursor 766 and is highlighted. That is, at PD5, content having a playback history is played back on “January 13, 2005”. The user selects a desired day by moving the display position of the cursor 766 on the calendar in the filter result display area 764. As a result, the date selected by the cursor 766 is highlighted, and the content having the playback history is played on the highlighted date. Note that the playback order of content having a playback history on the selected day is set in advance.

  As described above, in the filter screen 751 in the example of FIG. 45, the content is narrowed down for each playback history from all the content stored in the PD 5, so that the user narrows down only the content played back on a specific day. Can be played.

  FIG. 46 shows a configuration example of the filter screen when the display mode is the recently transferred album (Latest Transferred) mode. The example of FIG. 46 is different only in the display mode, and has basically the same configuration as the filter screen in the case of the genre mode described above with reference to FIG. Only the part is explained in detail.

  That is, the filter screen 751 of FIG. 46 narrows down the content by filtering the content recorded in the PD 5 by the recently transferred album, and displays the narrowed result for each album in the order of the recently transferred album. This is a screen for selecting contents to be reproduced by selecting album names displayed in the order of recently transferred albums. 46 is referred to the transfer history recorded when the content is transferred to the PD 5 in the content metadata table 181 of FIG.

  A screen title 761 is displayed at the top of the filter screen 751 in the album mode recently transferred. The screen title 761 is composed of a magnifying glass icon indicating the filter function, characters of “Latest Transferred” indicating that the album mode has been recently transferred, and the number of “222” indicating the number of albums stored in the PD 5. ing.

  In the case of the example of FIG. 46, the left tag 762-1, the center tag 762-2, and the right tag 762-3 are close to the item displayed in the filter result display area 764 (recently transferred album). Numbers assigned in order are displayed as tag information in increments of 5, and when the tag 762 is selected, a page displaying five items displayed in the filter result display area 764 is displayed on the tag 762. Can be quickly switched to 5 items (pages consisting of) having tag information.

  For example, the center tag 762-2 indicates that the album currently displayed in the filter result display area 764 is the album with the sixth to tenth earliest transfer time among the albums recently transferred. The number “−10” is displayed as tag information, and a left arrow indicating that the left tag 762-1 is the front and a right arrow indicating that the right tag 762-3 is the rear are displayed. The center tag 762-2 is highlighted and focused.

  On the left tag 762-1, a number “1-5” indicating that the order before the order displayed on the center tag 762-2 is the first to fifth is displayed as tag information. On the right tag 762-3, a number “11-15” indicating that the order before the order displayed on the center tag 762-2 is the 11th to 15th genres is displayed as tag information. .

  When the left tag 762-1 is selected by the user's operation, the filter result display area 764 corresponds to the first to fifth displayed on the left tag 762-1 (that is, the first to fifth). 5 items (album name) information (one page) is displayed, and tag information “1-5” displayed on the left tag 762-1 is displayed on the center tag 762-2. The tag information “6-10” displayed on the center tag 762-2 is displayed on the right tag 762-3, and the tag information “6-10” displayed on the left tag 762-1 is displayed on the left tag 762-1. Tag information (ie, “50-55”) preceding “1-5” is displayed in order.

  On the other hand, when the right tag 762-3 is selected by the user's operation, an item (album name) with the 11th to 15th earliest transfer time displayed on the right tag 762-3 is displayed in the filter result display area 764. The tag information “11-15” displayed on the right tag 762-3 was displayed on the center tag 762-2 and displayed on the center tag 762-2. Tag information “6-10” is displayed on the left tag 762-1, and the tag information “11-15” displayed on the right tag 762-3 is sequentially displayed on the right tag 762-3. Tag information (ie, “16-20”) is displayed.

  That is, in the case of the example in FIG. 46, the information on the items displayed in the filter result display area 764 is changed by every operation of the tag 762, as in the case of FIG.

  The filter result display area 764 in FIG. 46 includes, as the first information, a disc icon representing an album, characters of an album name “Album name H1” whose transfer time is the sixth earliest, and this album. “14” indicating the number of contents that are present is displayed. As the second information, a disk icon representing an album, an album name “Album name C” which is the seventh earliest transfer time, and “11” indicating the number of contents included in this album are displayed. ing. As the third information, a disc icon representing an album, an album name “Album name A” which is the eighth earliest transfer time, and “15” indicating the number of contents included in this album are displayed. ing.

  As the fourth information, a disc icon representing an album, a letter of album name “Album name K” that is the ninth earliest transfer time, and “13” indicating the number of contents included in this album are displayed. ing. As the fifth information, a disc icon representing an album, an album name “Album name L” that is the tenth earliest transfer time, and “10” indicating the number of contents included in this album are displayed. ing.

  In the example of FIG. 46, the second information is selected by the cursor 766 and displayed in reverse video. That is, at PD5, the content whose album name is “Album name C”, which is the seventh earliest transfer time, is being reproduced. The user selects a desired album name by moving the display position of the cursor 766 on the item (album name) in the filter result display area 764. As a result, the information of the album name selected by the cursor 766 is highlighted and the contents of the highlighted album are reproduced.

  As described above, in the filter screen 751 in the example of FIG. 46, the contents are narrowed down for each album displayed in the order of the albums recently transferred from all the contents stored in the PD 5, so Only album contents close to can be played back.

  FIG. 47 shows a configuration example of the filter screen when the display mode is the user ranking (Ranking) mode. The example of FIG. 47 is different only in the display mode, and basically has the same configuration as the filter screen in the case of the genre mode described above with reference to FIG. Only the part is explained in detail.

  That is, the filter screen 751 in FIG. 47 narrows down the content by filtering the content recorded in the PD 5 by the ranking that the user has viewed most frequently for a predetermined period in the past (user's viewing frequency ranking). It is a screen for selecting the content to be reproduced by displaying the narrowed results in the ranking order and selecting the content name displayed in the ranking order. 47, the user ranking information obtained based on the reproduction history stored in the selection history management unit 213 or the like in FIG. 9 is referred to for generation of the filter screen 751 in FIG.

  Therefore, the user ranking mode in FIG. 47 is different from the ranking mode described above with reference to FIGS. That is, this user ranking information is different from the sales ranking of the content in the market and the viewing ranking of the user using the content server 3 recorded in the content metadata table 181, for example, as described above with reference to FIG. This is user (viewing) ranking information calculated from the user's reproduction history, and the higher the number of viewing, the higher the ranking. In the example of FIG. 16, this user ranking information is used to compare the user's preference with other users, but in the example of FIG. 47, it is used alone.

  The past may be a predetermined period in the nearest past, or a time when the predetermined period is determined may be selected.

  A screen title 761 is displayed at the top of the filter screen 751 in the user ranking mode. The screen title 761 includes a magnifying glass icon indicating the filter function, “Ranking” characters indicating the user ranking mode, and “14” indicating the content ranking number. In the user ranking mode, the number of contents to be narrowed can be set in advance. That is, in the example of FIG. 47, content is displayed up to the 14th place.

  Note that the tag 762 is not configured on the filter screen 751 in the example of FIG. 47, and a filter result display region 764 is configured immediately below the screen title 761.

  In the filter result display area 764 in FIG. 47, as the first information, the character “1.” indicating that the ranking is first and the ranking is first (that is, the number of times of viewing is the highest). The content name “Song name D” is displayed. As the second information, the character “2.” indicating that the ranking is second, the character of the content name “Song name K” having the second ranking (that is, the second most frequently viewed) Is displayed. As the third information, the characters “3.” indicating that the ranking is third, the characters of the content name “Song name L” that is ranked third (that is, the third most viewed) Is displayed.

  As the fourth information, the character “4.” indicating that the ranking is fourth, the character of the content name “Song name M” that is ranked fourth (that is, the fourth most viewed) Is displayed. As the fifth information, the character “5.” indicating that the ranking is fifth, the character of the content name “Song name A” that is ranked fifth (that is, the fifth most viewed) Is displayed.

  In the example of FIG. 47, the fourth information is selected by the cursor 766 and displayed in reverse video. That is, at PD5, the content with the third ranking content name “Song name L” is being played. The user selects a desired content name by moving the display position of the cursor 766 on the item (content name) in the filter result display area 764. Thereby, the information of the content name selected by the cursor 766 is displayed in reverse video, and the content of the content name displayed in reverse video is reproduced.

  As described above, in the filter screen 751 in the example of FIG. 47, the content is narrowed down in the order in which the user viewed in the past (predetermined period) from all the content stored in the PD 5. Only a predetermined number of contents that are frequently viewed during a predetermined period can be narrowed down and reproduced.

  Although the example of the filter screen has been described as the content selection screen, the content selection screen is not limited to the four types of screen examples described above, and content selection screens having other configurations may be used.

  As described above, the map screen for intuitively selecting the playlist of the target content from the content metadata, the jump screen for selecting (searching) the content related to the content, and the play selected on the map screen or the jump screen. In addition to the playlist screen for selecting content from the list, other content selection screens such as a filter screen are also provided to the user.

  This filter screen can also inherit selection information from each other like the map screen, jump screen, and playlist screen described above. Therefore, it is possible to easily select a content that suits the user's taste by switching and using a content selection screen according to the purpose.

  Thus, using one of the content selection screens, the user sensuously selects and reproduces content according to the user's taste and mood from a wide variety of content that the user does not grasp. be able to.

  Incidentally, in the jump screen display control processing described above with reference to FIG. 36, the related link information (related artist information) of the selected artist is stored in the artist table 182 and artist related table 183 of the metadata database 171 stored. It was described as being generated by reference.

  That is, in the above description, the artist-related table 183 including artist information related to the artist needs to be generated and registered in advance, and the artist related to the selected artist is registered from the artist-related table 183 registered in advance. Was acquired and related link information was generated.

  Therefore, next, content that has a predetermined relationship with the content of the selected artist is created by using a table that includes detailed metadata of a plurality of content that can be acquired from a server or the like without generating the artist-related table 183 in advance. Processing for extracting and generating a list of artists having the extracted content as related link information (hereinafter referred to as related artist list) of the selected artist will be described below.

  FIG. 48 shows another configuration example of the content providing system to which the present invention is applied.

  48 is common to the content providing system of FIG. 1 in that the content providing system of FIG. 48 includes a PC 1, a network 2, a content server 3 having a content file DB 4, and a PD 5, and a content detail metadata DB (database) 802. 1 is different from the content providing system in FIG.

  That is, in the network 2 of FIG. 48, in addition to the content server 3 that provides the user with a content file that includes content data and metadata for the content, a detailed metadata server 801 that provides the user with a detailed content metadata table. Is connected. An arbitrary number of detailed metadata servers 801 are also connected to the network 2.

  The detailed metadata server 801 has a content detailed metadata DB 802 in which a content detailed metadata table is stored. The content detail metadata table is a table composed of content detail metadata of various contents distributed in the market, and the content detail metadata configured is included in the content file (added to the content data). This includes metadata that is more detailed than metadata.

  Similar to the content server 3, the detailed metadata server 801 authenticates a user who is registered to provide a content detailed metadata table for access from the PC 1 or PD 5. Then, the detailed metadata server 801 transmits the content detailed metadata table stored in the content detailed metadata DB 802 via the network 2 to the PC 1 or PD 5 that has authenticated the user.

  The configuration of the detailed metadata server 801 is basically the same as that of the PC 1 described above with reference to FIG. 2, and therefore the configuration of FIG. 2 is also referred to as the configuration of the detailed metadata server 801 hereinafter. The

  The PC 1 accesses the content server 3 and records the content file received from the content server 3 or transfers the content file to the connected PD 5 as well as the PC 1 of FIG. Using software, the detailed metadata server 801 is accessed, and the content detailed metadata table from the detailed metadata server 801 is recorded or transferred to the PD 5.

  As in PD5 of FIG. 1, the PD5 records a variety of content files acquired from the content server 3 or CD via the PC 1, or a removable medium 122 in which a variety of content files are recorded in advance. By using the metadata of the content files recorded in them, in addition to playing back the content data, the content from the detailed metadata server 801 is connected via the PC 1 or directly connected to the network 2. The detailed metadata table is acquired and recorded.

  Then, when the display of the jump screen in FIG. 21 is instructed by the user's operation, the PD 5 refers to the recorded content detail metadata table and extracts content and artists related to the selected artist's content. (Acquire) to generate a related artist list based on the extracted content and artist, and display a jump screen of artist jump on the display unit 131.

  In the example of FIG. 48, the example in which the content detailed metadata table from the detailed metadata server 801 is acquired and recorded by the PD 5 has been described. However, each time the related artist list is generated, the content detailed metadata is generated. The DB 802 may be accessed to refer to the content detail metadata table. That is, the content detail metadata table may be in the PD 5 or on the network 2.

  In the example of FIG. 48, the case where the detailed metadata server 801 has the content detailed metadata DB 802 has been described, but the content server 3 has the content detailed metadata DB 802, and the content server 3 has the content detailed metadata table. Can also be provided.

  FIG. 49 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the PD 5 of FIG.

  49 includes the display input control module 151, the display module 152, the input module 153, the content reproduction module 154, the output module 155, the content file management module 156, the communication module 157, and the metadata of the storage unit 119. The point provided with the DB 171 and the content DB 172 is the same as the functional block of FIG. 5, and differs from the functional block of FIG. 5 in that a detailed metadata acquisition module 822 and a content detailed metadata DB 831 of the storage unit 119 are added. Yes.

  49 includes a related link generation unit 821 corresponding to the related link generation unit 231 of FIG. That is, the display input control module 151 in FIG. 49 is different from the display control module 151 in FIG. 9 in that the related link generation unit 231 is replaced with the related link generation unit 281, and other configurations (selected position acquisition unit) 211, the display format management unit 212, the selection history management unit 213, the related link display control unit 215, the map display control unit 216, the list display control unit 217, the grid map generation unit 232, and the bookmark generation unit 233). Other than the related link generation unit 281 having a different configuration in the example of FIG. 49 is omitted.

  That is, the related link generation unit 821 of the display input control module 151 in FIG. 49 refers to the content metadata table 181 and the artist table 182 in the same manner as the related link generation unit 231 in FIG. To generate a playlist, or supply the content constituting the playlist corresponding to the selected artist to the content reproduction module 154 based on the selected position information from the information generation control unit 214, and corresponding content data Instruct to play.

  Further, the related link generation unit 821 refers to the content detail metadata DB 831 and the metadata DB 171 (content metadata table 181 and artist table 182) as necessary, and the artist specified by the information generation control unit 214 Content having the same attribute as the content or the instructed content, or content having a predetermined relevance that the attribute is similar is extracted, and a related artist list including artists of the extracted content is generated.

  Specifically, the related link generation unit 821 refers to the content detail metadata DB 831, the content metadata table 181, the artist table 182, and the like, and determines the arbitrary content of the instructed artist and the same attribute as the instructed content. Content having (for example, genre) is extracted.

  Further, for example, the related link generation unit 821 refers to the content detail metadata DB 831, the content metadata table 181, the artist table 182, and the like, and performs analysis by analyzing arbitrary content of the instructed artist or the instructed content. Extract contents that have similarities in the attribute of data. The analysis data is data obtained by analyzing the speed (tempo) of the content, the tone of the entire content (major, minor), the rhythm of the content (percussion instrument usage rate), and the like.

  Then, the related link generation unit 821 generates a related artist list in the order of the artist with the most extracted content, and outputs the generated related artist list to the related link display control unit 215 or the artist related table 183 in the metadata DB 171. To record.

  Correspondingly, the related link display control unit 215 generates screen data based on the related artist list, so that the screen corresponding to the screen data from the related link display control unit 2175 is displayed by the display module 152 on the display unit. 131.

  In addition, as long as the related artist list is recorded in the artist related table 183 and the metadata DB 171 and the content detail metadata DB 831 are not updated, the related link generation unit 821 is the same as the related link generation unit 231 in FIG. The related artist information related to the selected artist can be generated with reference to the artist related table 183.

  The detailed metadata acquisition module 822 controls the communication module 157, acquires the content detailed metadata table from the detailed metadata server 801, and registers the acquired content detailed metadata table in the content detailed metadata DB 831.

  The content detail metadata DB 831 stores a content detail metadata table and a table of data obtained by analyzing the content.

  Here, the operation of the PD 5 when acquiring the content detail metadata table will be described.

  For example, the detailed metadata acquisition module 822 stores a user ID and a password for obtaining information from the content detailed metadata server 801 in advance, performs a clocking operation with a built-in clock, and determines that a predetermined time has elapsed. In such a case, the content detail metadata table is requested to the communication module 157, and the user ID and password are supplied. For example, the communication module 157 accesses the detailed metadata server 801 via the communication unit 120 and the network 2 and transmits a user ID and a password.

  The communication unit 19 of the detailed metadata server 801 receives the user ID and password from the PD 5 and supplies them to the CPU 11. The CPU 11 authenticates the user of the PD 5 based on the user ID and password received by the communication unit 19, controls the communication unit 19, and corresponds to various contents stored in the content detail metadata DB 802. The detailed metadata table is transmitted via the network 2.

  When the communication module 157 receives the content detailed metadata table via the communication unit 120, the communication module 157 supplies the content detailed metadata table to the detailed metadata acquisition module 822. The detailed metadata acquisition module 822 registers the content detailed metadata table from the communication module 157 in the content detailed metadata DB 831.

  As a result, the latest content detail metadata table is always registered in the PD 5.

  In the above description, the case where the PD 5 has the content detail metadata DB 831 and the content detail metadata table is periodically acquired has been described. However, the content detail metadata table acquires, for example, a content file. You can also get it.

  When the PD 5 does not have the content detailed metadata DB 831, for example, the related link generation unit 821 instructs the detailed metadata acquisition module 822 to refer to the content detailed metadata DB 831. Thus, each time the detailed metadata acquisition module 822 generates a related list, the detailed metadata acquisition module 822 controls the communication module 157 to obtain a desired search result from the content detailed metadata DB 802 of the external (that is, the detailed metadata server 801). It becomes possible to obtain.

  FIG. 50 shows a configuration example of the content detail metadata DB of FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 50, the content detail metadata DB 831 includes a content detail metadata table 841 and a content analysis data table 842.

  The content detail metadata table 841 includes content detail metadata regarding not only the content stored in the content DB 172 but also a variety of content distributed in the market. In the detailed content metadata, for example, the genre also in the metadata of the content metadata table 181 includes more detailed genre information, and includes not only the genre but also a sub-genre indicating a similar genre. More detailed metadata than the metadata of the metadata table 181 is also included.

  The content analysis data table 842 is based on not only the content stored in the content DB 172 but also various types of content distributed in the market, its metadata, or its detailed content metadata, It consists of analysis data that analyzes rhythm, speed, etc. (that is, the content itself).

  This content analysis data table 842 is stored in the content detailed metadata DB 802 of the detailed metadata server 801, similarly to the content detailed metadata table 841, and from the detailed metadata server 801 simultaneously with the content detailed metadata table 841. It may be acquired or may be generated on the basis of the content detail metadata table 841 or the like in the PD 5.

  FIG. 51 shows a configuration example of the content detail metadata table of FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 51, the content detail metadata table 841 includes a “content ID (identification)” indicating an identifier of the content, a type of a song including (corresponding to) the content, that is, a “genre ID” indicating an identifier of the attribute, Among the attributes other than the attribute of the genre ID (other than the attribute including the content), “sub-genre ID” indicating the identifier of the attribute that is most similar to the content, and “artist” that is the name of the artist corresponding to the content “Name” and “song name” which is the name of the content.

  The genre ID and sub-genre ID are classified in more detail than the genre ID in the content metadata table. The genre ID is an attribute to which the content belongs, and the sub-genre ID is an attribute with which the content is similar. Therefore, the range included in the attribute of the sub-genre ID is wider than that of the genre ID.

  Specifically, in the content detail metadata table 841 of FIG. 15, the content with the content ID “1” has the genre ID “1”, the sub-genre ID “11”, and the corresponding artist name “artist”. The content with the title “A”, the song title “Song Title 1”, and the content ID “2” is the genre ID “1”, the sub-genre ID “11”, and the corresponding artist name “Artist A”. , The song name is “Song Title 2” and the content ID is “3”, the genre ID is “1”, the sub-genre ID is “11”, the corresponding artist name is “Artist B”, and the song name is The content with the song name 3 and the content ID “4” has a genre ID “1”, a sub-genre ID “11”, and a corresponding artist name “ In Tisuto B ", Song has been shown to be" Song 4 ".

  In the content detail metadata table 841, the content with the content ID “5” has the genre ID “1”, the sub-genre ID “12”, the corresponding artist name “artist C”, and the song name. Is “song name 5” and content ID “6” has a genre ID “1”, a sub-genre ID “12”, a corresponding artist name “artist C”, and a song name “song name”. The content with the content ID “7” is “1”, the sub-genre ID is “12”, the corresponding artist name is “Artist D”, and the song name is “Song Title 7”. Yes, the content with the content ID “8” has the genre ID “1”, the sub-genre ID “13”, and the corresponding artist name “artist”. In "Song Title has been shown to be a" Song Title 8 ".

  Further, in the content detail metadata table 841, the content with the content ID “9” has the genre ID “1”, the sub-genre ID “13”, the corresponding artist name “artist E”, and the song name. Is “song name 9” and content ID is “10”, the genre ID is “1”, the sub-genre ID is “14”, the corresponding artist name is “artist B”, and the song name is “song name” The content with the content ID “11” is the genre ID “2”, the sub-genre ID “21”, the corresponding artist name “artist F”, and the song name “song name 11”. The content with the content ID “12” has the genre ID “2”, the sub-genre ID “21”, and the corresponding artist name “ The content with the title ID “13” and the content ID “13” is the genre ID “2”, the sub-genre ID “21”, and the corresponding artist name “artist F”. The song name is “Song Title 13”.

  In the content detail metadata table 841, the content with the content ID “14” has the genre ID “2”, the sub-genre ID “21”, the corresponding artist name “artist G”, and the song name. Is “song name 14” and content ID “15” has a genre ID “2”, a sub-genre ID “21”, a corresponding artist name “artist G”, and a song name “song name”. The content with the content ID “16” is the genre ID “2”, the sub-genre ID “21”, the corresponding artist name “artist G”, and the song name “song name 16”. The content with the content ID “17” has a genre ID “3”, a sub-genre ID “31”, and a corresponding artist name. The content with the artist name “Song Title 17” and the content ID “18” is the genre ID “3”, the sub-genre ID “31”, and the corresponding artist name is “Artist H”. The song name is “Song Title 18”.

  The configuration example of the content detail metadata table 841 is not limited to the example of FIG. 51 and is not shown in the example of FIG. 51, but the content detail metadata table 841 also includes a content speed as necessary. “Tempo” indicating (Bpm), “Major” indicating whether the content is in major or minor key, and whether the content rhythm is percussive or quiet (Quiet) "RythmRatio (Rhythm ratio)" indicating whether the sound is high, "HiMid (high sound)" indicating whether the sound range of the content is high (Hi) or low (Low), content released (released) In some cases, metadata such as “age” indicating the year of the recorded year, “Ranking (ranking)” indicating the viewing ranking of the user, or metadata that further details them is included.

  In addition, an ID of a genre similar to the sub-genre ID can be configured in the content detail metadata table 841.

  Further, when the content is video content, for example, the content detail metadata table 841 can also include metadata such as a program name, a movie title name, and an age (release year).

  FIG. 52 shows a configuration example of the content analysis table of FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 52, the content analysis data table 842 includes a “content ID” indicating a content identifier, “Tempo” indicating a value of analysis data obtained by analyzing the speed (Bpm) of the content, and a rhythm of the content. "Percussion instrument usage" indicating the value of the analysis data that analyzed whether the ratio (RythmRatio) is percussive or quiet (Quiet), and whether the content tone is major or minor It is composed of “Major code usage rate” indicating the value of analysis data obtained by analyzing.

  In the case of the example in FIG. 52, the faster the content speed, the larger the tempo value, and the more percussive the content rhythm ratio, the larger the percussion instrument usage rate value, and the content tune has a major tone. The more the major code usage rate is, the greater.

  That is, in the content analysis data table 842, the content with the content ID “1” has the tempo “118”, the percussion instrument usage rate “32”, and the major code usage rate “15”. The content with “2” is the tempo “129”, the percussion instrument usage rate is “5”, the major code usage rate is “58”, and the content with the content ID “3” has the tempo “55”. ”, The percussion instrument usage rate is“ 55 ”, the major code usage rate is“ 63 ”, and the content with the content ID“ 4 ”has a tempo of“ 124 ”and a percussion instrument usage rate of“ 62 ”. The major code usage rate is “38”.

  Also, in the content analysis data table 842, the content with the content ID “5” has the tempo “156”, the percussion instrument usage rate “56”, the major code usage rate “93”, and the content ID. The content of “6” has a tempo of “160”, a percussion instrument usage rate of “67”, a major chord usage rate of “97”, and a content ID of “7” has a tempo of “64”. ”, The percussion instrument usage rate is“ 11 ”, the major chord usage rate is“ 31 ”, and the content ID“ 8 ”has a tempo of“ 42 ”and a percussion instrument usage rate of“ 18 ”. The major code usage rate is “94”.

  Further, in the content analysis data table 842, the content with the content ID “9” has the tempo “115”, the percussion instrument usage rate “44”, the major code usage rate “57”, and the content ID. The content with “10” is the tempo “158”, the usage rate of the percussion instrument is “58”, the major code usage rate is “39”, and the content with the content ID “11” has the tempo “101”. ”, The percussion instrument usage rate is“ 53 ”, the major chord usage rate is“ 18 ”, and the content with the content ID“ 12 ”has a tempo of“ 126 ”and a percussion instrument usage rate of“ 67 ”. The content with the major code usage rate of “97”, the content ID “13”, the tempo is “128”, the usage rate of the percussion instrument is “15”, and the major code usage rate is “15”. It has been shown to be but is "64".

  In the content analysis data table 842, the content with the content ID “14” has a tempo “133”, a percussion instrument usage rate “82”, a major code usage rate “99”, and a content ID. The content with “15” is the tempo “41”, the percussion instrument usage rate is “27”, the major chord usage rate is “71”, and the content with the content ID “16” has the tempo “157”. ”, The percussion instrument usage rate is“ 5 ”, the major code usage rate is“ 7 ”, and the content with the content ID“ 17 ”has a tempo of“ 53 ”and a percussion instrument usage rate of“ 81 ”. The content with the major code usage rate “97” and the content ID “18” has the tempo “109”, the percussion instrument usage rate “17”, and the major code usage rate “1”. It has been shown that "is.

  The configuration of the content analysis data table 842 is not limited to this, and the content analysis data table 842 includes, for example, analysis data indicating whether the sound range of the content is a high sound range (Hi) or a low sound range (Low), Analysis data representing the image of the entire content (for example, jazzy, grooved, dynamic, etc.) can also be included.

  FIG. 53 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the related link generation unit in FIG. 49 when a related artist list is generated.

  In the example of FIG. 53, the related link generation unit 821 includes a content ID acquisition unit 911, a genre ID acquisition unit 912, a related list generation control unit 913, a PD target content extraction unit 914, and an all target list extraction unit 915. Yes.

  When the selected content or the selected artist set by the selection history management unit 213 is supplied from the information generation control unit 214 in response to an operation signal from the input module 153, the content ID acquisition unit 911 receives the metadata DB 171. Then, the content ID of the selected content or the content of the selected artist is acquired, and the acquired content ID is output to the genre ID acquisition unit 912.

  When there are a plurality of contents of the selected artist, the contents may be arbitrary contents, or may be the predetermined contents that are first in the ascending order of the contents names.

  The genre ID acquisition unit 912 acquires a genre ID corresponding to the content ID acquired by the content ID acquisition unit 911 from the content detail metadata table 841, and outputs the genre ID to the related list generation control unit 913.

  In the related list generation control unit 913, whether or not the search target is limited to the content stored in the PD 5 is set in advance. This setting can be changed.

  The related list generation control unit 913 controls the PD target content extraction unit 914 or the all target content extraction unit 915 according to the search target, and the content having the same genre ID as the genre ID acquired by the genre ID acquisition unit 912, The artist is extracted. Then, the related list generation control unit 913 generates a related artist list in the order of artists having the same genre ID content based on the extracted content, and the generated related artist list is sent to the related link display control unit 215. At the same time, it is stored in the artist-related table 183.

  The PD target content extraction unit 914 searches for content having the same genre ID as the genre ID acquired by the genre ID acquisition unit 912, targeting the content stored in the PD5.

  That is, the PD target content extraction unit 914 controls the content list from the content ID stored in the content metadata table 181 among the content IDs of the content detailed metadata table 841 under the control of the related list generation control unit 913. The content of the same genre ID as the genre ID acquired by the genre ID acquisition unit 912 and the artist are extracted. Then, the PD target content extraction unit 914 supplies the content of the same genre ID and the content list including the artist to the related list generation control unit 913.

  The all target content extraction unit 915 has the same genre ID as the genre ID acquired by the genre ID acquisition unit 912 as a target not only for the content stored in the PD 5 but also for all the content stored in the content detail metadata table 841. Search for content.

  That is, the all target content extraction unit 915 has the same genre ID as the genre ID acquired by the genre ID acquisition unit 912 from the contents of the content detail metadata table 841 under the control of the related list generation control unit 913. Extract content and its artists. The all target content extraction unit 915 then supplies the related list generation control unit 913 with the content of the same genre ID and the content list including the artist.

  Note that the content and artists extracted by the all target content extraction unit 915 may include content that is not stored in the PD 5. Therefore, when the related list generation control unit 913 generates a related artist list based on the list of contents from the all target content extraction unit 915, the related artist constituting the list is set as the content meta data as necessary. When the content stored in the data table 181 is sorted again in the order in which the content is included, or when the content or artist not stored in the content metadata table 181 is displayed, a flag or the like is added so that it is displayed in gray. You can also

  Next, the related artist list generation processing by the related link generation unit 821 of FIG. 53 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The related artist list generation process in FIG. 53 is another example of the related link information generation process in step S192 in FIG. 36, and the case where the selected artist is supplied from the information generation control unit 214 will be described. If the artist's content is replaced with the selected content, the same processing is performed when the selected content is supplied.

  When the selected artist set by the selection history management unit 213 is supplied from the information generation control unit 214 in response to the operation signal from the input module 153, the content ID acquisition unit 911 reads the metadata from the metadata DB 171 in step S311. The content ID of the content of the selected artist is acquired, and the acquired content ID is output to the genre ID acquisition unit 912.

  The content ID is usually included in the metadata added to the content data, but the metadata is not added to the content data recorded by the user on the MD for personal enjoyment. The content ID is not acquired. In this case, for example, by transmitting content fingerprint data (Finger Print) or the like to the content server 3 via the network 2, the corresponding content ID can be acquired from the content server 3.

  In step S312, the genre ID acquisition unit 912 acquires a genre ID corresponding to the content ID acquired by the content ID acquisition unit 911 from the content detail metadata table 841, and outputs the genre ID to the related list generation control unit 913.

  In step S313, the related list generation control unit 913 determines whether or not to limit the content search target to the content stored in the PD 5.

  If it is determined in step S313 that the content is limited to the content stored in the PD 5, the PD target content extraction unit 914 stores the content details metadata table 841 in step S314 under the control of the related list generation control unit 913. Among the content IDs, the content with the same genre ID as the genre ID acquired by the genre ID acquisition unit 912 and the artist are extracted from the content with the content ID stored in the content metadata table 181. And a list of contents including the artist are supplied to the related list generation control unit 913.

  In step S315, the related list generation control unit 913 generates a related artist list in the order of artists having the same genre ID content based on the content list from the PD target content extraction unit 914, and the generated related artist list Is output to the related link display control unit 215 and stored in the artist related table 183.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S313 that the content is not limited to the content stored in the PD 5, in step S316, the all target content extraction unit 915 controls the content detailed metadata under the control of the related list generation control unit 913. The content of the same genre ID as the genre ID acquired by the genre ID acquisition unit 912 and the artist are extracted from the content of the table 841, and a list of the content of the same genre ID and the content including the artist is related. The data is supplied to the list generation control unit 913.

  In step S317, the related list generation control unit 913 generates a related artist list in the order of artists having the same genre ID content based on the content list from the all target content extraction unit 915.

  In step S318, the related list generation control unit 913 re-sorts the generated related artist list in the order in which the content IDs stored in the content metadata table 181 are included, and displays the re-sorted related artist list as a related link. The data is output to the control unit 215 and stored in the artist-related table 183.

  After step S315 or S318, the process returns to step S192 in FIG. 36. Correspondingly, in step S193 or S194 in FIG. 36 described above, the related link display control unit 215 generates in step S315 or S318. Since the screen data is generated based on the related artist list, the display module 152 displays a screen corresponding to the screen data from the related link display control unit 2175 on the display unit 131.

  In the example of FIG. 54, it is shown that the determination process is performed in step S313. However, the determination process in step S313 is not performed, and the determination result in step S313 is only “Yes” or the process in step S313. It is also possible to perform only processing in which the determination result is No.

  Moreover, the process of step S318 is a process performed as needed, and is skipped when it is not necessary. In that case, as described above, when displaying content IDs and artists with content IDs not stored in the content metadata table 181, a flag or the like is added to the corresponding content IDs in the related artist list so that they are displayed in gray. It can also be added.

  As described above, the related artist list including the artists having many contents with the same genre ID as the contents of the target artist (or the target content) is generated. In other words, a related artist list including related artists whose content has the same genre ID as the content of the target artist is generated.

  In the example of FIG. 54, the example in which the related artist list is generated based on the genre ID has been described. However, the same processing can be performed using the sub-genre ID described above with reference to FIG. it can. That is, since the sub-genre ID is an attribute that the content is most similar to, the search range is wider than the genre ID. Therefore, it is possible to increase the possibility of extracting contents that could not be extracted when searching by genre ID.

  FIG. 55 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the related link generation unit in FIG. 49 when a related artist list is generated.

  The related link generation unit 821 in FIG. 55 is common to the related link generation unit 821 in FIG. 53 in that the content ID acquisition unit 911 is provided, but the genre ID acquisition unit 912, the related list generation control unit 913, and the PD target The content extraction unit 914 and the all target list extraction unit 915 are different from each other in that the analysis data acquisition unit 931, the related list generation control unit 932, the PD target content extraction unit 933, and the all target list extraction unit 934 are replaced. Yes.

  In the example of FIG. 55, when the content ID acquisition unit 911 acquires the content ID of the selected content or the content of the selected artist from the metadata DB 171, the content ID acquisition unit 911 outputs the acquired content ID to the analysis data acquisition unit 931.

  The analysis data acquisition unit 931 acquires a value of analysis data corresponding to the content ID acquired by the content ID acquisition unit 911 (hereinafter also referred to as an analysis data value) from the content analysis data table 842, and a related list generation control unit Output to 932.

  Similar to the related list generation control unit 913, whether or not to limit the search target to the content stored in the PD 5 is preset in the related list generation control unit 932. This setting can be changed.

  The related list generation control unit 932 controls the PD target content extraction unit 933 or the entire target content extraction unit 934 according to the search target, and performs an analysis closer to (similar to) the analysis data value acquired by the analysis data acquisition unit 931. The contents having the data value and the artist are extracted, the related artist list is generated in the order of the artist having many contents having the closer analysis data value, and the generated related artist list is output to the related link display control unit 215. And stored in the artist-related table 183.

  Note that the related list generation control unit 932 also generates a related artist list based on the content list from the all target content extraction unit 934, as in the related list generation control unit 913. When the content IDs stored in the content metadata table 181 are sorted again in the order in which the content IDs are included in a large amount, or when the content IDs and artists whose content IDs are not stored in the content metadata table 181 are displayed, they are displayed in gray. A flag or the like can be added.

  The PD target content extraction unit 933 searches the content stored in the PD 5 as a target and searches for content having an analysis data value that is closer (similar) to the analysis data value acquired by the analysis data acquisition unit 931.

  That is, under the control of the related list generation control unit 932, the PD target content extraction unit 933 out of the content IDs stored in the content metadata table 181 among the content IDs of the content analysis data table 842, Content having an analysis data value closer to the analysis data value acquired by the analysis data acquisition unit 931 and its artist are extracted. Then, the PD target content extraction unit 933 supplies the related list generation control unit 932 with a list of content having closer analysis data values and the content including the artist.

  The all target content extraction unit 934 is closer to the analysis data value acquired by the analysis data acquisition unit 931 (similar to not only the content stored in the PD 5 but also all content stored in the content analysis data table 842). ) Search for content with analysis data values.

  That is, the all target content extraction unit 934 performs analysis data values closer to the analysis data value acquired by the analysis data acquisition unit 931 from the contents of the content analysis data table 842 under the control of the related list generation control unit 932. And content and artists. Then, the all target content extraction unit 934 supplies the content having the closer analysis data value and the content list including the artist to the related list generation control unit 932.

  In the PD target content extraction unit 933 and the all target content extraction unit 934, for example, a threshold is provided in advance, and the difference from the analysis data value acquired by the analysis data acquisition unit 931 is compared with the threshold. By obtaining a smaller value, analysis data values closer to the analysis data value can be narrowed down.

  Next, the related artist list generation processing by the related link generation unit 821 of FIG. 55 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The related artist list generation process of FIG. 56 is another example of the related link information generation process of step S192 of FIG. 36 as in the example of FIG. 54, and the selected artist is supplied from the information generation control unit 214. However, if the content of the selected artist is replaced with the selected content, the same processing is performed when the selected content is supplied.

  When the selected artist set by the selection history management unit 213 is supplied from the information generation control unit 214 in response to the operation signal from the input module 153, the content ID acquisition unit 911 reads the metadata from the metadata DB 171 in step S331. The content ID of the content of the selected artist is acquired, and the acquired content ID is output to the analysis data acquisition unit 931.

  In step S332, the analysis data acquisition unit 931 acquires an analysis data value (for example, a tempo value “55”) corresponding to the content ID acquired by the content ID acquisition unit 911 from the content analysis data table 842. The data is output to the list generation control unit 932.

  In step S333, the related list generation control unit 932 determines whether to limit the content search target to the content stored in the PD5.

  If it is determined in step S333 that the content is limited to the content stored in the PD 5, the PD target content extraction unit 933 performs the content of the content analysis data table 842 under the control of the related list generation control unit 932 in step S334. Among the IDs, the content having the analysis data value closer to the analysis data value acquired by the analysis data acquisition unit 931 and the artist are extracted from the content ID content stored in the content analysis data table 842.

  For example, as a content having an analysis data value whose difference (absolute value difference) from an analysis data value (for example, tempo value “55”) acquired by the analysis data acquisition unit 931 is smaller than a threshold (for example, 10), The content analysis data table 842 in FIG. 52 extracts content with a content ID “7” having a tempo value of 64, content with a content ID “17” having a tempo value of 53, and the like.

  Although the case of one kind of analysis data value (tempo value) has been described, a plurality of analysis data values may be used to extract ones having similar analysis data values.

  Then, the PD target content extraction unit 933 supplies the related list generation control unit 932 with a list of content having closer analysis data values and the content including the artist.

  In step S335, the related list generation control unit 932 generates a related artist list in the order of artists having a lot of contents with closer analysis data values based on the list of contents from the PD target content extraction unit 933, and generates the generated related lists. The artist list is output to the related link display control unit 215 and stored in the artist related table 183.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S333 that the content is not limited to the content stored in the PD 5, in step S336, the all target content extraction unit 934 controls the content analysis data table under the control of the related list generation control unit 932. The content having the analysis data value closer to the analysis data value acquired by the analysis data acquisition unit 931 and the artist are extracted from the content 842, the content having the closer analysis data value, and the content including the artist Are supplied to the related list generation control unit 932.

  In step S <b> 337, the related list generation control unit 932 generates a related artist list in the order of artists having a lot of contents having closer analysis data values based on the list of contents from the all target content extraction unit 934, and generates the generated related relations. The artist list is output to the related link display control unit 215 and stored in the artist related table 183.

  After step S335 or S337, the process returns to step S192 in FIG. 36. In step S193 or S194 in FIG. 36 described above, the related link display control unit 215 adds the related artist list generated in step S335 or S337. Since the screen data is generated based on this, the display module 152 displays a screen corresponding to the screen data from the related link display control unit 215 on the display unit 131.

  In the example of FIG. 56, it is shown that the determination process is performed in step S333. However, the determination result in step S333 is only the process in which the determination result in step S333 is Yes or the process in step S333 is not performed. It is also possible to perform only processing in which the determination result is No.

  Also in the example of FIG. 56, for example, the process of step S318 of FIG. 54 can be performed after step S337.

  As described above, the related artist list including the artists having many contents with the analysis data value closer to the analysis data value of the content of the target artist (target content) is generated. That is, a related artist list including related artists of content having a relationship that the analysis data value is closer to the content of the target artist is generated.

  FIG. 57 is a diagram showing still another configuration example of the related link generation unit in FIG. 49 when a related artist list is generated.

  The related link generation unit 821 in FIG. 57 is common to the related link generation unit 821 in FIG. 55 in that it includes a content ID acquisition unit 911 and an analysis data acquisition unit 931. However, the related list generation control unit 932, PD target The content extraction unit 933 and the all target list extraction unit 934 are replaced with a related list generation control unit 951, a PD target content extraction unit 952, and an all target list extraction unit 953, respectively.

  In the example of FIG. 57, when the content ID acquisition unit 911 acquires the content ID of the selected content or the content of the selected artist from the metadata DB 171, the content ID acquisition unit 911 outputs the acquired content ID to the analysis data acquisition unit 931. In the case of FIG. 57, the content ID of all contents of the artist corresponding to the selected content or the content ID of all contents of the selected artist is acquired.

  The analysis data acquisition unit 931 acquires an analysis data value (hereinafter also referred to as an analysis data value) corresponding to each content ID acquired by the content ID acquisition unit 911 from the content analysis data table 842 and corresponds to all content IDs. The average value of the analysis data values of the content to be obtained is obtained and output to the related list generation control unit 951.

  Similar to the related list generation control unit 913, in the related list generation control unit 951, whether to limit the search target to the content stored in the PD 5 is set in advance. This setting can be changed.

  The related list generation control unit 951 controls the PD target content extraction unit 952 or the entire target content extraction unit 953 in accordance with the search target, and causes all the contents to extract artists having similarities with all the contents of the selected artist, A related artist list is generated in descending order of similarity, and the generated related artist list is output to the related link display control unit 215 and stored in the artist related table 183.

  That is, in the example of FIG. 55, the similarity of one content to one content of an artist is determined, but in the example of FIG. 57, all the content held by another artist is compared with all the content held by the artist. The similarity is determined.

  Note that the related list generation control unit 951 also generates a related artist list based on the content list from the all target content extraction unit 953, as with the related list generation control unit 913. When the content IDs stored in the content metadata table 181 are sorted again in the order in which the content IDs are included in a large amount, or when the content IDs and artists whose content IDs are not stored in the content metadata table 181 are displayed, they are displayed in gray. A flag or the like can be added.

  The PD target content extraction unit 952 targets a content stored in the PD 5 as a target, and has a lot of content having analysis data values closer (similar) to the average value of the analysis data values obtained by the analysis data acquisition unit 931. Then, an artist who does not have much content far from the average value of the analysis data values is extracted.

  That is, the PD target content extraction unit 952 controls the content of the content ID stored in the content metadata table 181 among the content IDs of the content analysis data table 842 under the control of the related list generation control unit 951. The sum of the difference between the average of the analysis data values obtained by the analysis data acquisition unit 931 and the analysis data values of all the contents of the artist is obtained, and only the artists whose sum of differences is equal to or less than a preset value are extracted. To the related list generation control unit 951.

  The all target content extraction unit 953 is closer to the average value of the analysis data values obtained by the analysis data acquisition unit 931 for not only the content stored in the PD 5 but also all the content stored in the content analysis data table 842. An artist having a lot of contents having analysis data values (similar) and not having contents far from the average of the analysis data values is extracted.

  That is, the all target content extraction unit 953 controls the average of the analysis data values obtained by the analysis data acquisition unit 931 from the contents of the content analysis data table 842 under the control of the related list generation control unit 951, The sum of the differences of the analysis data values of all the contents of the artist is obtained, and only the artists whose sum of differences is equal to or less than a preset value are extracted and supplied to the related list generation control unit 951.

  In the PD target content extraction unit 952 and the all target content extraction unit 953, the value compared with the set value when the artist is extracted is not limited to the sum of the average difference of the analysis data values described above. If it is a quantitative analysis data value, the difference between the analysis data values may be calculated by multiplying the difference by a set coefficient so that the difference becomes larger for the important features. The difference between the analysis data values may be squared and the sum thereof may be used, or the calculated difference may be squared and then set with a set coefficient.

  Specifically, the tempo coefficient is 1, the era coefficient is 5, the average tempo value obtained by the analysis data acquisition unit 931 is 50, and the average era value is 1970. If the analysis data value of the content tempo is 40 and the analysis data value of the age is 1989, the value compared with the set value is 100 (= 1 × (50−40) ^ 2) with respect to the tempo. Thus, regarding the age, 1805 = (5 × (1970−1989) ^ 2).

  Further, for example, in the case of a qualitative analysis data value such as an image of content, a difference set for each difference in the analysis data value is used. That is, in the analysis data representing the image of the content, the difference between the analysis data values when the analysis data value is dynamic and the groove feeling is “0” set in advance, and the analysis data value is jazzy. As the difference between the analysis data values for the groove feeling and “50”, a preset “50” is used.

  Next, the related artist list generation processing by the related link generation unit 821 of FIG. 57 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The related artist list generation process of FIG. 58 is another example of the related link information generation process of step S192 of FIG. 36 as in the example of FIG. 54, and the selected artist is supplied from the information generation control unit 214. However, if the content of the selected artist is replaced with the selected content, the same processing is performed when the selected content is supplied.

  When the selected artist set by the selection history management unit 213 is supplied from the information generation control unit 214 in response to the operation signal from the input module 153, the content ID acquisition unit 911 receives the metadata from the metadata DB 171 in step S351. The content IDs of all contents of the selected artist are acquired, and the content IDs of all the acquired contents are output to the analysis data acquisition unit 931.

  In step S352, the analysis data acquisition unit 931 acquires analysis data values corresponding to the content IDs of all the contents acquired by the content ID acquisition unit 911 from the content analysis data table 842. In step S353, the analysis data value The average value is obtained and output to the related list generation control unit 951.

  In step S354, the related list generation control unit 951 determines whether to limit the content search target to the content stored in the PD 5.

  If it is determined in step S354 that the content is limited to the content stored in the PD 5, the PD target content extraction unit 952 performs an artist extraction process for the PD target content in step S355 under the control of the related list generation control unit 951. Execute. This artist extraction process for PD target content will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S371, the PD target content extraction unit 952 acquires a content list of one artist from the content IDs stored in the content metadata table 182 among the content IDs in the content analysis data table 842.

  In step S372, the PD target content extraction unit 952 acquires the analysis data values of all the contents in the acquired content list from the content analysis data table 842, and in step S373, the analysis data values and the analysis data values of all the acquired contents are analyzed. The sum of the difference from the average value of the analysis data values obtained by the data acquisition unit 931 is obtained.

  Note that the processes in steps S371 to S373 are executed for all artists corresponding to the content stored in the content metadata table 182. Therefore, the sum of differences with respect to the contents of all the artists corresponding to the contents stored in the content metadata table 182 is obtained.

  In step S374, the PD target content extraction unit 952 compares the sum of differences obtained for all artists with a preset setting value, and extracts and extracts artists whose difference sum is equal to or less than the preset value. The sum of the artist and the corresponding difference is output to the related list generation control unit 951. Then, the artist extraction process ends, and the process returns to step S355 of FIG. 58 and proceeds to step S356.

  In step S356, the related list generation control unit 951 uses the artists extracted by the PD target content extraction unit 952 to generate a related artist list in ascending order of the sum of differences obtained by the PD target content extraction unit 952. The generated related artist list is output to the related link display control unit 215 and stored in the artist related table 183.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S354 that the content is not limited to the content stored in PD5, in step S357, the all target content extracting unit 953 controls all the target content under the control of the related list generation control unit 951. Perform artist extraction processing. This artist extraction processing for all target content is basically the same processing as the artist extraction processing for PD target content described above with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Since the description is repeated, it is omitted.

  Through the processing in step S357, the analysis data values of all the contents of all the artists corresponding to the contents stored in the content analysis data table 842 are acquired, and the analysis data values of all the acquired contents and the analysis data acquiring unit 931 are used. The sum of the difference between the obtained analysis data values and the average value is obtained. Then, artists whose difference sum is equal to or smaller than the set value are extracted, and the extracted artists and the corresponding difference sum are output to the related list generation control unit 951.

  Correspondingly, in step S358, the related list generation control unit 951 uses the artists extracted by the all target content extraction unit 953, in ascending order of the sum of differences obtained by the all target content extraction unit 953. A related artist list is generated, and the generated related artist list is output to the related link display control unit 215 and stored in the artist related table 183.

  After step S356 or S358, the process returns to step S192 in FIG. 36. In step S193 or S194 in FIG. 36 described above, the related link display control unit 215 displays the related artist list generated in step S356 or S358. Since the screen data is generated based on this, the display module 152 displays a screen corresponding to the screen data from the related link display control unit 215 on the display unit 131.

  In the example of FIG. 58, it is shown that the determination process is performed in step S354, but the determination process in step S354 is performed only in the process in which the determination result in step S354 is Yes or the process in step S354 is not performed. It is also possible to perform only processing in which the determination result is No.

  Also in the example of FIG. 58, for example, the process of step S318 of FIG. 54 can be performed after step S358.

  As described above, all contents of the target artist have more contents of analysis data values closer to the average value of the analysis data values of all the contents of the target artist or all contents of the target artist. A related artist list is generated which is made up of artists who do not have much analysis data values apart from the average value of the analysis data values. That is, a related artist list having a relevance that all contents are highly similar is generated.

  As described above, the related artist list can be easily generated from the predetermined relationship between the contents extracted using the metadata of the content. Therefore, like the artist related table 183 in FIG. It is possible to save the trouble of generating a list of related artists related to the artist in advance by a human hand or the like and storing it in the PD 5.

  In addition, since the content detail metadata table and the like are updated as needed, the related artist list generated based on the content detail metadata table is always the latest information, and the latest information can always be provided to the user.

  In the above description, moving images and music contents are used. However, the present invention can be applied not only to moving images and music but also to contents such as applications.

  In the above description, the PD5, which is a portable recording / reproducing apparatus, has been described as the information processing apparatus. However, the information processing apparatus is not limited to the PD5, and can of course be configured by a personal computer such as the PC 1 in FIG. Consists of, for example, mobile phones, other PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) devices, playback devices such as AV (Audio Visual) devices, CE (Consumer Electronics) devices such as recording / playback devices and home appliances (home appliances), etc. You can also

  The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware, but can also be executed by software.

  When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software may execute various functions by installing a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or various programs. For example, it is installed from a network or a recording medium into a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 4, this recording medium is distributed to provide a program to the user separately from the apparatus main body, a magnetic disk (including a flexible disk) on which the program is recorded, and an optical disk (Including CD-ROM (compact disk-read only memory), DVD (digital versatile disk)), magneto-optical disk (including MD (mini-disk) (trademark)), or removable media 21 made of semiconductor memory, In addition to a package medium such as 122, the ROMs 12 and 112 in which programs are recorded and hard disks included in the storage units 18 and 119 provided to the user in a state of being preinstalled in the apparatus main body, etc. Consists of.

  In the present specification, the steps shown in the flowcharts include not only processes performed in time series according to the described order, but also processes executed in parallel or individually even if not necessarily performed in time series. Is included.

  In the present specification, the term “system” represents the entire apparatus constituted by a plurality of apparatuses.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the content provision system of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of PC of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the function structural example of PC of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of PD of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the function structural example of PD of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the metadata database of FIG. It is a figure which shows the detailed structural example of the metadata database of FIG. It is an arrow chart explaining the example of a process of the content provision system of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the display input control module of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the map screen as a content selection screen. It is a figure explaining the content selection method of the map display part of FIG. It is a figure explaining the other example of the content selection method of the map display part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the map display part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the further another structural example of the map display part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the map display part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the further another structural example of the map display part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the play list screen as a content selection screen. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the play list display part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the further another structural example of the play list display part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the play list display part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the jump screen as a content selection screen. It is a figure explaining the display method of the icon in the jump screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the link display part of FIG. It is a figure explaining the display transition in the jump screen of FIG. It is a figure explaining the display transition in the jump screen of FIG. It is a figure explaining the display transition from the map screen of FIG. 10 to the jump screen of FIG. It is a figure explaining the display transition from the map screen of FIG. 10 to the play list screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the map display part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the further another structural example of the map display part of FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining display control processing of a PD content selection screen in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart explaining the map screen display switching process of step S52 of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the map screen display control process of step S80 of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the playlist screen display switching process of step S54 of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the playlist screen display control process of step S128 of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the jump screen display switching process of step S56 of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the jump screen display control process of step S176 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the map screen as a content selection screen. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the map screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows the further another structural example of the map screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the filter screen as a content selection screen. FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the filter screen in FIG. 40. It is a figure which shows the further another structural example of the filter screen of FIG. FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the filter screen in FIG. 40. It is a figure which shows the further another structural example of the filter screen of FIG. FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the filter screen in FIG. 40. It is a figure which shows the further another structural example of the filter screen of FIG. FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the filter screen in FIG. 40. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the content provision system of this invention. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of PD of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the content detailed metadata database of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the content detailed metadata table of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the content analysis data table of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the related link production | generation part of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the related link information generation process of FIG.36 S192 by the related link production | generation part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the related link production | generation part of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the related link information generation process of FIG.36 S192 by the related link production | generation part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the further another structural example of the related link production | generation part of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the related link information generation process of FIG.36 S192 by the related link production | generation part of FIG. 59 is a flowchart for explaining an example of artist extraction processing in step S355 of FIG. 58.

Explanation of symbols

  5 PD, 116 Touch Panel Display, 117 Input Unit, 119 Storage Unit, 131 Display Unit, 132 Touch Panel, 151 Display Input Control Module, 152 Display Module, 153 Input Module, 154 Content Playback Module, 171 Metadata DB, 172 Content DB , 181 Content metadata table, 182 Artist table, 183 Artist related table, 211 Selection position acquisition unit, 212 Display format management unit, 213 Selection history management unit, 214 Information generation control unit, 215 Related link display control unit, 216 Map display Control unit, 217 list display control unit, 231 related link generation unit, 232 grid map generation unit, 233 bookmark generation unit, 311 map screen, 321 map display unit, 11 playlist screen, 421 playlist display unit, 511 jump screen, 521 link display unit, 801 detailed metadata server, 802 content detailed metadata DB, 821 related link generation unit, 831 content detailed metadata DB, 841 content detailed meta Data table, 842 Content analysis data table

Claims (44)

In an information processing apparatus that performs predetermined processing according to an operation on a touch panel stacked on a display,
Display control means for displaying an item assigned with predetermined content on the display;
Detecting means for detecting a user's contact with the touch panel;
Determination means for determining whether or not the contact of the user detected by the detection means has been released;
When it is determined by the determination means that the user's contact has been released, the item displayed by the display control means corresponding to the position where the user's contact has been detected immediately before by the detection means is selected and determined. A selection means;
Playback means for playing back the content assigned to the item selected and determined by the selection means,
The reproduction means reproduces predetermined content even after the detection means detects the user's contact until the determination means determines that the user's contact is released. Information processing device. The predetermined content is detected by the detection unit between the time when the user contact is detected by the detection unit and the time when the determination unit determines that the user contact is released. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is a part or all of the content assigned to the item displayed by the display control unit corresponding to the displayed position. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined content is a sound effect. In an information processing method of an information processing apparatus that performs predetermined processing according to an operation on a touch panel stacked on a display,
A display control step of displaying an item to which a predetermined content is assigned on the display;
A detection step of detecting a user's contact with the touch panel;
A determination step of determining whether or not the user contact detected by the processing of the detection step is released;
When it is determined that the user's contact has been released by the process of the determination step, it is displayed by the process of the display control step corresponding to the position where the user's contact has been detected immediately by the process of the detection step. A selection step for selecting and determining selected items;
Playing back the content assigned to the item selected and determined by the processing of the selection step,
In the process of the reproduction step, a predetermined content is reproduced even after the contact of the user is detected by the process of the detection step until it is determined that the user's contact is released by the process of the determination step. An information processing method characterized by: A program that causes a computer to perform predetermined processing according to an operation on a touch panel stacked on a display,
A display control step of displaying an item to which a predetermined content is assigned on the display;
A detection step of detecting a user's contact with the touch panel;
A determination step of determining whether or not the user contact detected by the processing of the detection step is released;
When it is determined that the user's contact has been released by the process of the determination step, it is displayed by the process of the display control step corresponding to the position where the user's contact has been detected immediately by the process of the detection step. A selection step for selecting and determining selected items;
Playing back the content assigned to the item selected and determined by the processing of the selection step,
In the process of the reproduction step, a predetermined content is reproduced even after the contact of the user is detected by the process of the detection step until it is determined that the user's contact is released by the process of the determination step. A program characterized by In an information processing apparatus that performs predetermined processing according to an operation on a touch panel stacked on a display,
Display control means for displaying an item assigned with predetermined content on the display;
Detecting means for detecting a user's contact with the touch panel;
Determination means for determining whether or not the contact of the user detected by the detection means has been released;
When it is determined by the determination means that the user's contact has been released, the item displayed by the display control means corresponding to the position where the user's contact was detected immediately before by the detection means, or A region surrounded by a position where the detection unit detects the user's contact after the detection unit detects the user's contact until the determination unit determines that the user's contact is released. Selection means for selecting and determining all items displayed by the display control means corresponding to
An information processing apparatus comprising: reproducing means for reproducing the content assigned to the item selected and determined by the selecting means. The selection decision target by the selection means is selected from an item corresponding to a position where the user contact was detected immediately before by the detection means, and after the user contact is detected by the detection means, The apparatus further comprises switching means for switching to an item corresponding to a region surrounded by the position where the user contact is detected by the detection means until it is determined that the user contact is released. 6. The information processing apparatus according to 6. In an information processing method of an information processing apparatus that performs predetermined processing according to an operation on a touch panel stacked on a display,
A display control step of displaying an item to which a predetermined content is assigned on the display;
A detection step of detecting a user's contact with the touch panel;
A determination step of determining whether or not the user contact detected by the processing of the detection step is released;
When it is determined that the user's contact has been released in the determination step, the display control step displays the position corresponding to the position where the user's contact was detected immediately before by the detection step. Items or the detection step processing until the user contact is determined to be released by the determination step processing until the user contact is determined to be released. A selection step of selecting and determining all items displayed by the processing of the display control step corresponding to the region surrounded by the position where the user's contact is detected;
A reproduction step of reproducing the content assigned to the item selected and determined by the processing of the selection step. A program that causes a computer to perform predetermined processing according to an operation on a touch panel stacked on a display,
A display control step of displaying an item to which a predetermined content is assigned on the display;
A detection step of detecting a user's contact with the touch panel;
A determination step of determining whether or not the user contact detected by the processing of the detection step is released;
When it is determined that the user's contact has been released in the determination step, the display control step displays the position corresponding to the position where the user's contact was detected immediately before by the detection step. Items or the detection step processing until the user contact is determined to be released by the determination step processing until the user contact is determined to be released. A selection step of selecting and determining all items displayed by the processing of the display control step corresponding to the region surrounded by the position where the user's contact is detected;
A reproduction step of reproducing the content assigned to the item selected and determined by the process of the selection step. In an information processing apparatus that performs processing for displaying a predetermined video on a display,
Display control means for displaying an item assigned with predetermined content on the display;
In response to a user operation, selection means for selecting an item displayed by the display control means;
Obtaining means for obtaining related content having a predetermined relation with the content assigned to the item selected by the selection means,
The display control unit displays the item selected by the selection unit as a center, and the first related item to which the related content acquired by the acquisition unit is assigned is all or a part of the circumference, or many An information processing apparatus that displays on all or part of the outer periphery of a square. It further comprises detection means for detecting a user's contact with the touch panel laminated on the display,
The information processing method according to claim 10, wherein the selection unit selects an item to which content is assigned and is displayed on the display in response to the user contact detected by the detection unit. apparatus. The display control unit displays a line between the item and the first related item, or displays the line with at least one of an arrow, a line pattern, and a color corresponding to the predetermined relationship. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10. When the first related item displayed on the whole or part of the circumference or the whole or part of the outer circumference of the polygon is selected by the selection means, the display control means is the selection means. The first related item selected by (1) displays an image that transitions to the center from all or part of the circumference or all or part of the outer circumference of the polygon, and is acquired by the acquisition unit The second related item to which the related content having the predetermined relationship with the first related item is assigned is all or one of the circumference from the first related item displayed at the center. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein an image that transitions to a predetermined position on all or part of the outer periphery of the part or polygon is displayed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the content is reproduction history information of another user. In an information processing method of an information processing apparatus that performs processing for displaying a predetermined video on a display,
A display control step of displaying an item to which a predetermined content is assigned on the display;
In response to a user operation, a selection step for selecting an item displayed by the processing of the display control step;
Obtaining the related content having a predetermined relation with the content assigned to the item selected by the process of the selection step, and
In the process of the display control step, the item selected by the process of the selection step is displayed mainly, and the related item to which the related content acquired by the process of the acquisition step is assigned is all or part of the circumference. Or an information processing method of displaying on all or part of the outer periphery of the polygon. A program for causing a computer to perform processing for displaying a predetermined video on a display,
A display control step of displaying an item to which a predetermined content is assigned on the display;
In response to a user operation, a selection step for selecting an item displayed by the processing of the display control step;
Obtaining the related content having a predetermined relation with the content assigned to the item selected by the process of the selection step, and
In the process of the display control step, the item selected by the process of the selection step is displayed mainly, and the related item to which the related content acquired by the process of the acquisition step is assigned is all or part of the circumference. Or a program that displays on all or part of the outer circumference of the polygon. In an information processing apparatus that performs processing for displaying a predetermined video on a display,
Extracting means for extracting content having a value in which at least one metadata of the content falls within a predetermined range;
Display control means for displaying an item to which the content extracted by the extraction means is assigned at a predetermined position on the axis of the at least one metadata on the display;
In response to a user operation, selection means for selecting an item displayed by the display control means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: reproduction means for reproducing content assigned to the item selected by the selection means. It further comprises detection means for detecting a user's contact with the touch panel laminated on the display,
The information processing method according to claim 17, wherein the selection unit selects an item to which content is assigned and is displayed on the display in response to the user contact detected by the detection unit. apparatus. The extraction unit extracts content having a value in which at least two metadata of the content are included in a predetermined range;
The display control means causes an item to which the content extracted by the extracting means is assigned to be displayed at a predetermined position on the display on the axis of the at least two metadata. The information processing apparatus described. When a plurality of contents are extracted by the extracting unit and the plurality of contents are assigned to the item, the plurality of contents are assigned a predetermined priority in the order of a predetermined metadata value of the plurality of contents. Is set,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the reproduction unit reproduces the plurality of contents assigned to the item selected by the selection unit in order of the predetermined priority. The information processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the display control unit displays an item to which content having a predetermined relationship is assigned in a display different from other items. The information processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the different display is a display by at least one of blinking, color, figure, luminance, and addition of numbers. The display control means displays a line between items to which the content having the predetermined relationship is assigned, or displays the line at least one of an arrow, a line pattern, and a color according to the predetermined relationship. The information processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the information processing apparatus is displayed in a box. In an information processing method of an information processing apparatus that performs processing for displaying a predetermined video on a display,
An extraction step of extracting content having a value in which at least one metadata of the content falls within a predetermined range;
A display control step of displaying an item to which the content extracted by the processing of the extraction step is assigned at a predetermined position on the axis of the at least one metadata on the display;
In response to a user operation, a selection step for selecting an item displayed by the processing of the display control step;
A playback step of playing back the content assigned to the item selected by the processing of the selection step. A program for causing a computer to perform processing for displaying a predetermined video on a display,
An extraction step of extracting content having a value in which at least one metadata of the content falls within a predetermined range;
A display control step of displaying an item to which the content extracted by the processing of the extraction step is assigned at a predetermined position on the axis of the at least one metadata on the display;
In response to a user operation, a selection step for selecting an item displayed by the processing of the display control step;
A reproduction step of reproducing the content assigned to the item selected by the process of the selection step. In an information processing apparatus that performs processing for displaying a predetermined video on a display,
Selection means for selecting an item to which content is assigned, which is displayed on the display in response to a user operation;
Obtaining means for obtaining related content having a predetermined relation with the content assigned to the item selected by the selection means;
The item selected by the selection unit is displayed in the center, and the related item to which the related content acquired by the acquisition unit is assigned is all or part of the circumference, or all or part of the outer periphery of the polygon. First display control means for displaying on the top;
Extracting means for extracting content having a value in which at least one metadata of the content falls within a predetermined range;
Second display control means for displaying an item to which the content extracted by the extraction means is assigned at a predetermined position on the at least one metadata axis on the display;
Display switching means for switching between display by the first display control means and display by the second display control means,
When the first display control means or the second display control means is switched from one display to the other display by the display switching means, the video image transitions from the one display to the other display. An information processing apparatus characterized by displaying. It further comprises detection means for detecting a user's contact with the touch panel laminated on the display,
27. The information processing according to claim 26, wherein the selection unit selects an item to which content is assigned and is displayed on the display in response to the user's contact detected by the detection unit. apparatus. The extraction unit extracts content having a value in which at least two metadata of the content are included in a predetermined range;
The second display control means displays an item to which the content extracted by the extraction means is assigned at a predetermined position on the display on the axis of the at least two metadata. Item 27. The information processing apparatus according to Item 26. When the first display control means or the second display control means is switched from one display to the other display by the display switching means, the content of the content selected by the selection means in the one display is displayed. 27. The information processing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the information is displayed by being reflected on the other display. In an information processing method of an information processing apparatus that performs processing for displaying a predetermined video on a display,
A selection step of selecting an item to which content is assigned, which is displayed on the display in response to a user operation;
An acquisition step of acquiring related content having a predetermined relationship with the content assigned to the item selected by the processing of the selection step;
The item selected by the process of the selection step is displayed in the center, and the related item to which the related content acquired by the acquisition step is assigned is all or part of the circumference, or all or one of the outer periphery of the polygon. A first display control step to display on the part;
An extraction step of extracting content having a value in which at least one metadata of the content falls within a predetermined range;
A second display control step of displaying an item to which the content extracted by the processing of the extraction step is assigned at a predetermined position on the axis of the at least one metadata on the display;
A display switching step of switching between display by the processing of the first display control step and display by the processing of the second display control step,
In the process of the first display control step or the process of the second display control step, when the display is switched from one display to the other by the process of the display switching step, the one display is changed to the other display. An information processing method characterized by displaying an image that transitions to display. A program for causing a computer to perform processing for displaying a predetermined video on a display,
A selection step of selecting an item to which content is assigned, which is displayed on the display in response to a user operation;
An acquisition step of acquiring related content having a predetermined relationship with the content assigned to the item selected by the processing of the selection step;
The item selected by the process of the selection step is displayed in the center, and the related item to which the related content acquired by the acquisition step is assigned is all or part of the circumference, or all or one of the outer periphery of the polygon. A first display control step to display on the part;
An extraction step of extracting content having a value in which at least one metadata of the content falls within a predetermined range;
A second display control step of displaying an item to which the content extracted by the processing of the extraction step is assigned at a predetermined position on the axis of the at least one metadata on the display;
A display switching step of switching between display by the processing of the first display control step and display by the processing of the second display control step,
In the process of the first display control step or the process of the second display control step, when the display is switched from one display to the other by the process of the display switching step, the one display is changed to the other display. A program that displays a video that transitions to the display of. In an information processing apparatus that performs processing for displaying a predetermined video on a display,
Extracting means for extracting content having a value in which at least one metadata of the content falls within a predetermined range;
First display control means for displaying an item to which the content extracted by the extraction means is assigned at a predetermined position on the axis of the at least one metadata on the display;
A selection means for selecting an item displayed on the display in response to a user operation;
Playback means for playing back the content assigned to the item selected by the selection means;
Second display control means for displaying a list of contents assigned to the item selected by the selection means;
Display switching means for switching between the first display by the first display control means and the second display by the second display control means,
The first display control means displays an image transitioning from the first display to the second display when the display switching means is switched from the first display to the second display. An information processing apparatus characterized by the above. It further comprises detection means for detecting a user's contact with the touch panel laminated on the display,
The information processing method according to claim 32, wherein the selection unit selects an item to which content is assigned and is displayed on the display in response to the user's contact detected by the detection unit. apparatus. The extraction unit extracts content having a value in which at least two metadata of the content are included in a predetermined range;
The first display control means displays an item to which the content extracted by the extraction means is assigned at a predetermined position on the display on the axis of the at least two metadata. Item 33. The information processing device according to Item 32. When the display switching means switches from the first display to the second display, the second display control means causes the contents to be displayed in a list in the order of predetermined metadata values of the contents. The information processing apparatus according to claim 32, characterized in that The information processing apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the predetermined metadata is ranking information. In an information processing method of an information processing apparatus that performs processing for displaying a predetermined video on a display,
An extraction step of extracting content having a value in which at least one metadata of the content falls within a predetermined range;
A first display control step of displaying an item to which the content extracted by the processing of the extraction step is assigned at a predetermined position on the axis of the at least one metadata on the display;
A selection step of selecting an item displayed on the display in response to a user operation;
A reproduction step of reproducing the content assigned to the item selected in the selection step;
A second display control step of displaying a list of contents assigned to the item selected in the selection step;
A display switching step of switching between a first display by the process of the first display control step and a second display by the process of the second display control step;
In the process of the first display control step, when the display is switched from the first display to the second display by the process of the display switching step, the image transitions from the first display to the second display. An information processing method characterized by displaying. A program for causing a computer to perform processing for displaying a predetermined video on a display,
An extraction step of extracting content having a value in which at least one metadata of the content falls within a predetermined range;
A first display control step of displaying an item to which the content extracted by the processing of the extraction step is assigned at a predetermined position on the axis of the at least one metadata on the display;
A selection step of selecting an item displayed on the display in response to a user operation;
A reproduction step of reproducing the content assigned to the item selected in the selection step;
A second display control step of displaying a list of contents assigned to the item selected in the selection step;
A display switching step of switching between a first display by the process of the first display control step and a second display by the process of the second display control step;
In the process of the first display control step, when the display is switched from the first display to the second display by the process of the display switching step, the image transitions from the first display to the second display. A program characterized by displaying. In an information processing apparatus that performs processing for displaying a predetermined video on a display,
Display control means for displaying an item assigned with predetermined content on the display;
In response to a user operation, selection means for selecting an item displayed by the display control means;
Content extraction means for extracting content having the same attribute as the content assigned to the item selected by the selection means based on the metadata of the content;
Using a content extracted by the content extraction unit, a list generation unit that generates a related content list including related content having a predetermined relationship with the content assigned to the item selected by the selection unit, and
The display control unit displays the item selected by the selection unit as a center, and the related items to which the related content is assigned in the order of the related content list generated by the list generation unit are all the circumference or An information processing apparatus that displays on a part or all or part of the outer periphery of a polygon. In an information processing method of an information processing apparatus that performs processing for displaying a predetermined video on a display,
A display control step of displaying an item to which a predetermined content is assigned on the display;
In response to a user operation, a selection step for selecting an item displayed by the processing of the display control step;
A content extraction step of extracting content having the same attribute as the content assigned to the item selected by the selection step based on content metadata;
A list generation step of generating a related content list including related content having a predetermined relationship with the content assigned to the item selected by the processing of the selection step, using the content extracted by the processing of the content extraction step; Including
In the process of the display control step, the items selected by the process of the selection step are displayed in the center, and the related items to which the related contents are assigned in the order of the related content list generated by the process of the list generation step. And displaying on all or part of the circumference, or all or part of the circumference of the polygon. A program for causing a computer to perform a process of displaying a predetermined video on a display,
A display control step of displaying an item to which a predetermined content is assigned on the display;
In response to a user operation, a selection step for selecting an item displayed by the processing of the display control step;
A content extraction step of extracting content having the same attribute as the content assigned to the item selected by the selection step based on content metadata;
A list generation step of generating a related content list including related content having a predetermined relationship with the content assigned to the item selected by the processing of the selection step, using the content extracted by the processing of the content extraction step; Including
In the process of the display control step, the items selected by the process of the selection step are displayed in the center, and the related items to which the related contents are assigned in the order of the related content list generated by the process of the list generation step. A program characterized by being displayed on all or part of the circumference or all or part of the circumference of the polygon. In an information processing apparatus that performs processing for displaying a predetermined video on a display,
Display control means for displaying an item assigned with predetermined content on the display;
In response to a user operation, selection means for selecting an item displayed by the display control means;
Based on analysis data, which is data obtained by analyzing the content, content having analysis data values whose similarity to the analysis data value of the content assigned to the item selected by the selection means is higher than a predetermined value is extracted. Content extracting means for
Using a content extracted by the content extraction unit, a list generation unit that generates a related content list including related content having a predetermined relationship with the content assigned to the item selected by the selection unit, and
The display control unit displays the item selected by the selection unit as a center, and the related items to which the related content is assigned in the order of the related content list generated by the list generation unit are all the circumference or An information processing apparatus that displays on a part or all or part of the outer periphery of a polygon. In an information processing method of an information processing apparatus that performs processing for displaying a predetermined video on a display,
A display control step of displaying an item to which a predetermined content is assigned on the display;
In response to a user operation, a selection step for selecting an item displayed by the processing of the display control step;
Content having an analysis data value whose similarity with the analysis data value of the content assigned to the item selected by the selection step is higher than a predetermined value based on analysis data that is data obtained by analyzing the content A content extraction step of extracting
A list generation step of generating a related content list including related content having a predetermined relationship with the content assigned to the item selected by the processing of the selection step, using the content extracted by the processing of the content extraction step; Including
In the process of the display control step, the items selected by the process of the selection step are displayed in the center, and the related items to which the related contents are assigned in the order of the related content list generated by the process of the list generation step. And displaying on all or part of the circumference, or all or part of the circumference of the polygon. A program for causing a computer to perform a process of displaying a predetermined video on a display,
A display control step of displaying an item to which a predetermined content is assigned on the display;
In response to a user operation, a selection step for selecting an item displayed by the processing of the display control step;
Content having an analysis data value whose similarity with the analysis data value of the content assigned to the item selected by the selection step is higher than a predetermined value based on analysis data that is data obtained by analyzing the content A content extraction step of extracting
A list generation step of generating a related content list including related content having a predetermined relationship with the content assigned to the item selected by the processing of the selection step, using the content extracted by the processing of the content extraction step; Including
In the process of the display control step, the items selected by the process of the selection step are displayed in the center, and the related items to which the related contents are assigned in the order of the related content list generated by the process of the list generation step. A program characterized by being displayed on all or part of the circumference or all or part of the circumference of the polygon.

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