JP2007158908A - Content data transmission apparatus, content reproducing system and content data transmission method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reproduce streaming data without cutting the head of audio. <P>SOLUTION: A content data transmission apparatus 2 comprises an output terminal 26 connected to a reproducing device 4 which starts reproducing audio data after required setting corresponding to the audio data, an audio data transmitting means 35 for transmitting audio data of content from the output terminal 26, and previous transmission means 36, 35 for transmitting, to the reproducing device 4, information about audio data to be transmitted to the reproducing device 4 by the audio data transmitting means 35 before transmission of audio data by the audio data transmitting means 35. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a content data transmission device, a content reproduction system, and a content data transmission method.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a signal processing device. In this signal processing apparatus, in order to suppress the interruption of the reproduced voice of the audio data, the data reception status in the IEEE 1394 interface is monitored continuously and repeatedly at a constant cycle (for example, at intervals of about 1 second). When the signal processing apparatus determines that a change has occurred in the received audio data, the signal processing apparatus acquires the media type information to determine the disc type, and based on the audio data format uniquely determined for each disc type. To perform the necessary switching settings.

  Further, Patent Document 1 discloses that in the conventional signal processing device, when the input audio data changes, the data format of the changed audio data is confirmed, and the setting according to the confirmed format is performed. To do. Then, this conventional signal processing device discloses a problem recognition that it takes time from the start of input of audio data until an appropriate decoding process according to the setting is performed.

JP 2003-289304 A (FIGS. 21, 24, paragraphs 0127, 0128, 0129, 0136, 0160, 0161, etc.)

  By the way, audio data is input in this way, this audio data is decoded, and an audio reproduction device that outputs an audio signal to a speaker and a display device such as a television receiver are combined and stored in a personal computer device or the like. There is a need to easily play streaming data.

  Therefore, for example, a device that relays content data is connected between the personal computer device and the display device and the audio reproduction device, and the display device is connected to the content relay device based on streaming data stored in the personal computer device. It is conceivable to generate a video signal and audio data to the audio reproduction apparatus.

  However, even when the audio data is generated by such a content relay device, the audio reproducing device starts the analysis processing of the audio data after the audio data starts to be input thereto, so that the audio is interrupted. Even in the signal processing device described in Patent Document 1, since the media type information is acquired and the necessary switching setting is executed after the audio data input to the signal processing device changes, the audio is interrupted.

  It is an object of the present invention to obtain a content data transmitting apparatus, a content reproducing system, and a content data transmitting method that can reproduce streaming data stored in a personal computer device or the like without causing a break in the sound.

  The content data transmitting apparatus according to the present invention transmits the audio data of the content from the output terminal connected to the reproducing apparatus that starts the reproduction of the audio data after performing necessary settings according to the audio data. Audio data transmitting means, and prior transmission means for transmitting information related to the audio data transmitted from the audio data transmitting means to the reproducing apparatus before transmitting the audio data by the audio data transmitting means to the reproducing apparatus.

  Another content data transmitting apparatus according to the present invention includes an output terminal connected to a playback apparatus that starts playback of audio data after performing necessary settings according to the audio data, and audio data of the content from the output terminal. Prior to the transmission of the audio data by the audio data transmitting means, the display control means for displaying the audio data transmitting means to be transmitted, and the content selection screen, information on the audio data of the content displayed on the selection screen by the display control means is displayed. Pre-transmission means for transmitting from the output terminal to the playback device, selection means for selecting the content displayed on the selection screen as content to be played back, and transmission for transmitting the audio data of the content selected by the selection means to the audio data transmission means And a control means.

  Still another content data transmission device according to the present invention includes an output terminal connected to a playback device that starts playback of audio data after making necessary settings according to the audio data, and an output terminal that outputs audio data of the content Audio data transmission means for transmitting from, display control means for displaying a selection screen of a plurality of contents, and one of the plurality of contents displayed on the selection screen is displayed in a state different from the remaining contents. First selection means for selecting, and prior transmission means for transmitting information relating to the audio data of the content selected by the first selection means from the output terminal to the playback device prior to transmission of the audio data by the audio data transmitting means. The second selection means for selecting the content selected by the first selection means as the content to be played, and the second selection means Audio data of the content are those having a transmission control means for transmitting the voice data transmission unit.

  In the content data transmitting apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the components of the above-described invention, the pre-transmitting means transmits information related to audio data in the same format as the audio data transmitted from the audio data transmitting means to the reproducing apparatus. It is.

  The content data transmitting apparatus according to the present invention has communication means for communicating with other apparatuses having content data in addition to the above-described components of the invention, and the display control means uses the communication means to provide other apparatuses. The information related to the content data stored in the information is acquired to generate a selection screen, the pre-transmission means uses the communication means to acquire information related to the audio data of the content, and the transmission control means uses the communication means to Data is acquired.

  The content data transmitting apparatus according to the present invention includes video decoding means for decoding video data of contents to be transmitted to the audio data transmitting means by the transmission control means, in addition to the components of the above-described invention.

  A content playback system according to the present invention relates to a playback device that starts playback of audio data after making necessary settings according to the audio data, and each configuration of the above-described invention in which an output terminal is connected to the playback device. Content data transmission device.

  The content data transmission method according to the present invention includes a step of transmitting content audio data to a playback device that starts reproduction of audio data after making necessary settings according to the audio data, and a step of transmitting content audio data Prior to the step of transmitting information related to the audio data of the content to the playback device.

  According to the present invention, streaming data stored in a personal computer device or the like can be reproduced without causing a break in the sound.

  Hereinafter, a content data transmission device, a content reproduction system, and a content data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The content data transmitting apparatus will be described by taking a network media player apparatus as an example. The content data transmission method will be described as the operation of the network media player device.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a content reproduction system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The content playback system includes a personal computer device (PC device) 1 as another device, a network media player device (NMP device) 2 as a content data transmission device, a television receiver 3, and an AV amplifier as a playback device. The apparatus 4 and a plurality of speakers 5 are included.

  The PC device 1 includes a hard disk drive (HDD) 11, a communication I / F (Inter Face) 12, and a streaming playback unit 13.

  The HDD 11 stores a plurality of streaming data files 16. The streaming data file 16 has streaming data. The streaming data includes, for example, MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) format, DivX format, and the like. In these streaming data, the video data and the audio data are stored in order for each group separated by a predetermined time. Audio data is generally encoded into a predetermined compression format such as MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer-3), AAC (Advanced Audio Codec), etc., and then stored in streaming data. The streaming data is, for example, downloaded from a content distribution server on the Internet (not shown) or read from a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

  The communication I / F 12 is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 6. The LAN 6 includes, for example, a connection between a cable and a hub based on the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 802.3 standard. This cable is connected to the communication I / F 12. The communication I / F 12 has a unique address on the network such as a MAC (Media Access Control) address and a TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) address. The communication I / F 12 generates a LAN packet having a transmission destination address together with data to be transmitted, and transmits the LAN packet to the LAN 6. The communication I / F 12 acquires a LAN packet having its own address from the LAN 6 and receives data stored in the acquired LAN packet.

  The streaming playback unit 13 reads the streaming data file 16 and transmits the data of the read streaming data file 16 to the communication I / F 12.

  In addition to the PC device 1, an NMP device 2 is connected to the LAN 6. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the NMP device 2 in FIG. The NMP device 2 includes a communication I / F 21 as a communication means connected to the LAN 6, a remote control unit 22, a remote control I / F 23, a DSP chip 24, a video signal output terminal 25, and an output to which a playback device is connected. And an audio light output terminal 26 as a terminal.

  The remote control unit 22 has four arrow buttons 27 in four directions and a play button 28. The remote control unit 22 transmits a signal corresponding to the operated button to the remote control I / F 23 by wireless or infrared communication. The remote control I / F 23 generates operation data corresponding to the received signal.

  The DSP chip 24 has a memory and a signal processing device (not shown), and the signal processing device executes a content relay program stored in the memory, whereby a list generation unit 31 as a display control unit and a transmission control unit Content acquisition unit 32, video / audio separation unit 33, video decoder 34 as video decoding means, AV optical transmission unit 35 as part of audio data transmission means and pre-transmission means, and part of pre-transmission means And a user interface unit (UI unit) 37 serving as a selection unit or a first selection unit and a second selection unit.

  The content relay program stored in the memory of the DSP chip 24 is a computer-readable record such as a CD-R (CD-Recordable) even if it is incorporated in advance in the NMP device 2 and provided to the user together with the NMP device 2. It may be stored in a medium or provided to a user via a transmission medium such as the Internet.

  The list generation unit 31 generates a GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen for selecting content to be reproduced. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI screen generated by the list generation unit 31. In the center of the GUI screen of FIG. 3, six content selection button images 41 are drawn in a vertical row. Further, a back button image 42 and a next button image 43 are drawn on the left and right lower portions of the GUI screen of FIG. The list generation unit 31 generates a video signal for displaying the generated GUI screen and outputs it to the video signal output terminal 25.

  The content acquisition unit 32 acquires streaming data.

  The video / audio separation unit 33 separates and extracts video data and audio data from the streaming data acquired by the content acquisition unit 32.

  The video decoder 34 decodes the video data separated and extracted by the video / audio separation unit 33 to generate a video signal. The video decoder 34 outputs the generated video signal to the video signal output terminal 25.

  When the audio data is supplied, the AV optical transmitter 35 generates an optical communication packet for transmitting the supplied audio data, and outputs the optical communication packet to the audio optical output terminal 26. The optical communication packet includes, for example, an A & M (Audio and Music Data) protocol packet based on IEEE 1394TA (Trade Association). The A & M protocol packet has a plurality of data blocks following the header data. The data block includes, for example, audio data corresponding to the number of audio channels and additional data. In the additional data, for example, audio property information such as channel arrangement, sampling frequency, and number of quantization bits is stored. One data block stores data of one sampling timing among a plurality of audio data.

  The content analysis unit 36 acquires and analyzes information related to the audio of the streaming data. Then, the content analysis unit 36 generates silent audio data in the same format as the audio data obtained by the analysis.

  Operation data generated by the remote control I / F 23 is supplied to the UI unit 37. The UI unit 37 gives various instructions to the list generation unit 31, the content acquisition unit 32, the content analysis unit 36, and the like according to the operation data.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the television receiver 3 is connected to the video signal output terminal 25 of the NMP device 2 by a video cable 7. The television receiver 3 has a display unit (not shown). The television receiver 3 displays an image on the display unit based on the image signal supplied via the video cable 7.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the AV amplifier device 4 is connected to the audio light output terminal 26 of the NMP device 2 via the optical cable 8. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the AV amplifier device 4 in FIG. The AV amplifier device 4 includes an audio light input terminal 51 to which the optical cable 8 is connected, an AV light receiving unit 52, a buffer memory 53, a signal processing unit 54, a crystal oscillator 55, an amplifier 56, and a switch unit 57. And a plurality of speaker terminals 58 to which a plurality of speakers 5 are connected one by one, and an output control unit 59. In addition, the AV amplifier device 4 includes an analog audio signal input terminal 60, an ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) 61, and the like.

  The AV optical receiver 52 receives the optical communication packet from the optical cable 8 and stores the data included in the acquired optical communication packet in the buffer memory 53. When the A & M protocol packet is acquired, the AV light receiving unit 52 stores data of a plurality of data blocks in the buffer memory 53.

  The signal processing unit 54 executes various signal processing based on the clock signal of the crystal oscillator 55. The signal processing unit 54 reads a data block from the buffer memory 53 at a sampling frequency set by the AV light receiving unit 52 as will be described later, and generates bit streaming data of a predetermined number of channels. The signal processing unit 54 may generate linear PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) data instead of the bit streaming data.

  The amplifier 56 generates the same number of analog audio signals as the number of channels from the bit streaming data of the number of channels generated by the signal processing unit 54. The amplifier 56 supplies the generated analog audio signal to the plurality of speaker terminals 58.

  The switch unit 57 includes a plurality of switches disposed between the amplifier 56 and the plurality of speaker terminals 58.

  The output control unit 59 controls opening / closing of a plurality of switches of the switch unit 57. For example, when there is a mute instruction, the output control unit 59 opens a plurality of switches. When there is a mute release instruction, the output control unit 59 closes the plurality of switches. The plurality of switches are closed when sound is output.

  Next, the operation of the content reproduction system having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the NMP device 2. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the AV amplifier device 4. In the following description, a case where streaming data stored in the PC device 1 is reproduced will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the list generation unit 31 of the NMP device 2 starts content information acquisition processing (step ST1). Specifically, for example, the list generation unit 31 first generates a transmission request for the file name of the content and supplies the request to the communication I / F 21 of the NMP device 2. The communication I / F 21 of the NMP device 2 generates a LAN packet having a transmission request for the file name of the content and having the address of the PC device 1 and transmits it to the LAN 6.

  The communication I / F 12 of the PC device 1 acquires a LAN packet addressed to itself from the LAN 6 and supplies a transmission request for the file name of the content included in the LAN packet to the streaming playback unit 13. The streaming playback unit 13 reads the file names of the plurality of streaming data files 16 stored in the HDD 11 and supplies them to the communication I / F 12. The communication I / F 12 of the PC device 1 generates a LAN packet having the file name read by the streaming playback unit 13 and having the address of the NMP device 2 and transmits it to the LAN 6.

  The communication I / F 21 of the NMP device 2 acquires a LAN packet addressed to itself from the LAN 6 and supplies the file name of the content included in the LAN packet to the list generation unit 31.

  When receiving the file name of the content from the PC device 1, the list generating unit 31 starts a process of generating a GUI screen for displaying the list of the file name of the content (step ST2). FIG. 3 is an example of a GUI screen generated by the list generation unit 31. For example, the list generation unit 31 generates a GUI screen in which file names are assigned one by one to the six selection button images 41 in the center of FIG.

  When the GUI screen in which the file name is assigned to the selection button image 41 is generated, the list generation unit 31 highlights one of the plurality of selection button images 41 so as to be different from the remaining selection button images 41. The video signal to be generated is generated and output to the video signal output terminal 25. The television receiver 3 is connected to the video signal output terminal 25 via the video cable 7. The television receiver 3 displays an image based on the video signal on the display unit. As a result, a GUI screen in which the file name of the streaming data file 16 stored in the PC device 1 is assigned to the selection button image 41 in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display unit of the television receiver 3.

  In addition, the list generation unit 31 supplies the file name of the selection button image 41 to be highlighted to the content analysis unit 36. The content analysis unit 36 acquires the audio property information of the highlight content (step ST3). Specifically, for example, the content analysis unit 36 first generates a transmission request for audio property information of the audio data having the supplied file name, and supplies the request to the communication I / F 21. The transmission request is transmitted to the streaming playback unit 13 of the PC device 1 via the communication I / F 21 of the NMP device 2, the LAN 6, and the communication I / F 12 of the PC device 1. The streaming playback unit 13 reads the streaming data having the designated file name from the HDD 11 and transmits the read data to the content analysis unit 36 as a response. The data read by the streaming playback unit 13 is transmitted to the content analysis unit 36 via the communication I / F 12 of the PC device 1, the LAN 6, and the communication I / F 21 of the NMP device 2.

  When the supplied file name data is acquired, the content analysis unit 36 analyzes the audio property information in the streaming data of the supplied file name using the data (step ST4). The content analysis unit 36 specifies audio property information such as channel arrangement, sampling frequency, and number of quantization bits.

  When the analysis of the audio property information is completed, the content analysis unit 36 notifies the analysis result to the AV amplifier device 4 (step ST5). Specifically, for example, the content analysis unit 36 first generates silent audio data based on the analyzed audio property information. Silent audio data in the same format as the analyzed audio data is generated. The content analysis unit 36 generates silence audio data based on the analyzed channel arrangement, sampling frequency, and number of quantization bits. The content analysis unit 36 supplies the generated silent audio data to the AV optical transmission unit 35.

  When silent audio data is supplied, the AV optical transmission unit 35 generates an optical communication packet for transmitting the audio data to the AV amplifier device 4 through the optical cable 8 and outputs the optical communication packet to the audio optical output terminal 26. In the case of silent audio data, the AV optical transmission unit 35 generates an A & M protocol packet having, for example, silent audio data for the number of audio channels, the analyzed channel arrangement, the sampling frequency, the number of quantization bits, and the like.

  The AV light receiving unit 52 of the AV amplifier device 4 is connected to the audio light output terminal 26 via the optical cable 8. An optical communication packet based on silent audio data is received by the AV optical receiver 52. As shown in FIG. 6, when receiving the optical communication packet (step ST11), the AV optical receiving unit 52 stores the data included in the received optical communication packet in the buffer memory 53 (step ST12).

  After storing the data of the optical communication packet in the buffer memory 53, the AV optical receiving unit 52 analyzes the received packet (step ST13). Specifically, for example, the AV light receiving unit 52 reads the audio property information included in the data block stored in the buffer memory 53, and analyzes the channel arrangement, the sampling frequency, and the number of quantization bits.

  When the analysis of the received packet is completed, the AV optical receiver 52 determines whether or not the setting based on the newly analyzed audio property information matches the current setting of the AV amplifier device 4 (step ST14). If these two settings match, the AV light receiving unit 52 determines that the setting change is unnecessary. The AV amplifier apparatus 4 continues the process of generating the audio waveform signal with the current setting (step ST15).

  If the setting based on the analyzed audio property information does not match the current setting of the AV amplifier device 4, the AV light receiving unit 52 instructs the output control unit 59 to mute (step ST16). The output control unit 59 opens a plurality of switches of the switch unit 57. As a result, the audio waveform signal is not supplied from the AV amplifier device 4 to the plurality of speakers 5. Sound reproduction by the plurality of speakers 5 is stopped.

  After instructing the output controller 59 to mute, the AV light receiver 52 changes the setting of the AV amplifier device 4 (step ST17). Specifically, for example, the AV light receiving unit 52 sets the signal processing unit 54 and the amplifier 56 based on the analyzed channel arrangement, and the analyzed sampling frequency and the number of quantization bits to the signal processing unit 54. Or set. The AV light receiving unit 52 may clear the buffer memory 53.

  After changing the setting of the AV amplifier device 4, the AV light receiving unit 52 instructs the output control unit 59 to cancel mute (step ST18). The output control unit 59 closes the plurality of switches of the switch unit 57. As a result, the audio waveform signal can be supplied from the AV amplifier device 4 to the plurality of speakers 5.

  After instructing the output control unit 59 to cancel mute, the AV amplifier device 4 starts the reproduction process (step ST19). Specifically, the signal processing unit 54 of the AV amplifier device 4 sequentially reads the data blocks stored in the buffer memory 53, and sets the set channel based on the newly set sampling frequency and the number of quantization bits. Generate an analog audio signal for several minutes. When the number of speakers 5 connected to the AV amplifier device 4 is smaller than the set number of channels, the signal processing unit 54 performs a down conversion process for reducing the audio signal to the number of speakers 5 as necessary.

  The AV optical transmitter 35 of the NMP device 2 transmits an optical communication packet based on silent audio data to the AV optical receiver 52 of the AV amplifier device 4. Therefore, the signal processing unit 54 of the AV amplifier device 4 generates a silent audio signal. Sound is not output from the plurality of speakers 5.

  Returning to the description of the operation flowchart of the NMP device 2 in FIG. After transmitting the optical communication packet based on the silent audio data to the AV amplifier device 4 and notifying the analysis result (step ST5), the NMP device 2 enters a user operation waiting state (steps ST6 and ST7).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the remote control unit 22 includes four arrow buttons 27 in four directions and a play button 28. The remote control unit 22 transmits a signal corresponding to the button operated by the user to the remote control I / F 23. The remote control I / F 23 generates operation data corresponding to the received signal.

  When the arrow button 27 of the remote control unit 22 is operated, the UI unit 37 supplies an instruction to switch the button to be highlighted on the GUI screen to the button in the direction of the arrow to the list generation unit 31 (step ST6). The list generation unit 31 generates a video signal of a GUI screen in which a button image to be highlighted is changed. On the GUI screen displayed on the television receiver 3, the button image to be highlighted is changed.

  In addition, when the button image to be highlighted is switched among the plurality of selection button images 41 in the list, the list generation unit 31 performs content analysis on the file name of the selection button image 41 to be newly highlighted after switching. To the unit 36. The content analysis unit 36 acquires the audio property information of the new highlight content from the streaming playback unit 13 of the PC device 1 using the communication I / F 21 (step ST3).

  The content analysis unit 36 analyzes the newly acquired audio property information (step ST4), and notifies the AV amplifier device 4 of the analysis result (step ST5). The AV optical transmitter 35 of the NMP device 2 generates an optical communication packet having the audio property information of the new analysis result and transmits it to the AV amplifier device 4.

  The AV optical receiver 52 of the AV amplifier apparatus 4 stores the received optical communication packet data in the buffer memory 53 and analyzes it (steps ST11, ST12 and ST13 in FIG. 6). When the setting based on the newly analyzed audio property information matches the setting of the current AV amplifier device 4 (step ST14), the AV light receiving unit 52 keeps the current setting with the audio waveform signal. The generation process is continued (step ST15). If these settings do not match, the AV light receiving unit 52 mutes the audio output (step ST16) and then changes the settings of the AV amplifier device 4 (step ST17). After canceling the audio mute (step ST18), the AV amplifier apparatus 4 starts the reproduction process with the changed setting (step ST19).

  As described above, when the content to be highlighted is changed on the GUI screen, the setting of the AV amplifier device 4 is changed to the setting corresponding to the reproduction of the audio data of the highlighted content based on the content. .

  When the user operates the play button 28 in a state in which the selection button image 41 of any one content on the GUI screen is highlighted, the UI unit 37 displays the content of the display button highlighted on the GUI screen. Is supplied to the content acquisition unit 32.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the content acquisition unit 32 generates a transmission start request for streaming data of the highlight content, and supplies the request to the communication I / F 21 of the NMP device 2 (step ST8).

  This content transmission start request is transmitted to the streaming playback unit 13 of the PC device 1 via the communication I / F 21 of the NMP device 2, the LAN 6, and the communication I / F 12 of the PC device 1. The streaming playback unit 13 reads the streaming data with the specified file name from the HDD 11 and starts transmitting the streaming data. The streaming data transmitted by the streaming playback unit 13 is divided into LAN packets by the communication I / F 12 of the PC device 1 for each predetermined data amount and transmitted to the NMP device 2.

  The content acquisition unit 32 acquires streaming data from a plurality of LAN packets received by the communication I / F 21 of the NMP device 2. The video / audio separation unit 33 separates and extracts video data and audio data from the streaming data acquired by the content acquisition unit 32 (step ST9).

  The video decoder 34 decodes the video data separated and extracted by the video / audio separation unit 33 to generate a video signal. The video signal is transmitted to the television receiver 3 via the video signal output terminal 25 of the NMP device 2 and the video cable 7. The television receiver 3 displays an image based on the video signal on the display unit. As a result, a video of streaming data stored in the PC device 1 is displayed on the television receiver 3.

  Further, the AV optical transmission unit 35 of the NMP device 2 transmits the audio data separated and extracted by the video / audio separation unit 33 to the AV amplifier device 4. Specifically, the AV optical transmitter 35 generates an optical communication packet having a plurality of data blocks composed of audio data of a plurality of channels, and transmits it to the AV optical receiver 52 of the AV amplifier device 4.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the AV optical receiving unit 52 of the AV amplifier device 4 performs analysis after storing data included in the received optical communication packet in the buffer memory 53. Before transmitting the optical communication packet of the audio data based on the streaming data, the AV optical receiving unit 52 transmits the optical communication packet having the same audio property information based on the audio data from the content analysis unit 36. Yes.

  Therefore, the AV optical receiving unit 52 determines that the setting based on the newly analyzed audio property information matches the current setting of the AV amplifier device 4 in the analysis of the optical communication packet of the audio data based on the streaming data. The AV light receiving unit 52 determines that setting change is unnecessary (step ST14). The AV amplifier apparatus 4 continues the process of generating the audio waveform signal with the current setting (step ST15). Further, in the AV amplifier device 4, the buffer memory 53 is never cleared.

  The signal processing unit 54 of the AV amplifier device 4 sequentially reads the data blocks stored in the buffer memory 53, and based on the newly set sampling frequency and the number of quantization bits, analog signals for the set number of channels. Generate an audio signal. The amplifier 56 amplifies the audio signal and supplies it to the plurality of speakers 5. Thereby, the sound based on the audio data of the streaming data is output from the plurality of speakers 5. Sound is output from the plurality of speakers 5 in order from the sound based on the first data block of the streaming data. There is no head break in the audio.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the content reproduction system can view the streaming data recorded on the PC device 1 from the Internet, a DVD, or the like, using the television receiver 3 and the plurality of speakers 5. The user can enjoy the streaming data recorded in the PC device 1 by the large screen image by the television receiver 3 and the powerful sound by the plurality of speakers 5.

  In particular, the NMP device 2 transmits information related to the audio data of the content in the same data block format as the audio data before transmitting the audio data based on the streaming data of the content to be reproduced to the AV amplifier device 4. . The AV amplifier device 4 can set itself to a state suitable for it before receiving the audio data based on the streaming data based on the data block for notifying the information on the audio data transmitted in advance. Therefore, when receiving the audio data based on the streaming data of the content, the AV amplifier device 4 can reproduce the audio data from the beginning without causing a head cut. The NMP device 2 can prevent the head from being cut without adding any improvement to the general AV amplifier device 4.

  For example, since the buffer memory is cleared when the AV amplifier device 4 cancels mute, or the sampling frequency that can be set in the signal processing unit 54 of the AV amplifier device 4 is one, the sound being played back can be reproduced. In order to change the sampling frequency so as not to interfere, it is necessary to confirm that there is no unreproduced data remaining in the buffer memory. However, the NMP device 2 can prevent the head from breaking without adding any improvement to the general AV amplifier device 4.

  In addition, the NMP device 2 displays a GUI screen for selecting a plurality of contents on the television receiver 3 and switches the contents to be highlighted based on the operation of the arrow button 27 of the remote control unit 22. When the display is switched, information regarding the audio data of the content after the switching is acquired from the PC device 2 and notified to the AV amplifier device 4.

  After that, the NMP device 2 selects the content to be reproduced by operating the play button 28 with one content highlighted on the GUI screen, and the audio data of the streaming data of the content is AV amplifier. Transmit to device 4.

  Therefore, the NMP device 2 can secure a time for notifying the AV amplifier device 4 of the information related to the audio data without giving a sense of discomfort to the user who operates based on the GUI screen. That is, after the arrow button 27 is operated, the highlight is switched, and it takes time to move the finger before the play button 28 is operated. The NMP device 2 can notify the AV amplifier device 4 of information relating to the audio data of the content before the user selects the content to be reproduced with certainty.

  Moreover, the video data of the content to be reproduced is decoded by the video decoder 34 of the NMP device 2 and the image is displayed on the television receiver 3. In addition, since the AV amplifier device 4 is appropriately set in advance, when the audio data of the streaming data of the content is received, the AV amplifier device 4 immediately reproduces it without causing a head cut. Therefore, the video and audio of the content data stored in the PC device 2 are played back almost together. Speaking of subtle timing, the audio is played back with a slight delay from the video. There is no time lag that causes the user to feel uncomfortable as in the case where audio is played back before video.

  The above embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. is there.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the AV optical transmission unit 35 of the NMP device 2 transmits the optical communication packet once based on the silent audio data from the content analysis unit 36. In addition to this, for example, the AV optical transmission unit 35 may continuously transmit the same optical communication packet many times in a period until the audio data is output from the video / audio separation unit 33. Further, the content analysis unit 36 may output audio data such as a predetermined melody instead of silent audio data.

  In the above embodiment, the content analysis unit 36 of the NMP device 2 supplies silent audio data in the same format as the audio data of the highlight content to the AV optical transmission unit 35, and the AV optical transmission unit 35 performs the optical communication. The packet is transmitted to the AV amplifier device 4. In addition to this, for example, the content analysis unit 36 supplies only the analyzed audio property information to the AV optical transmission unit 35, and the AV optical transmission unit 35 transmits only the audio property information by the optical communication command or the like to the AV amplifier device 4. You may make it transmit to.

  In the above embodiment, the list generation unit 31 generates a GUI screen that displays the file names of a plurality of contents six by six. In addition, for example, the list generation unit 31 may generate a GUI screen that displays the file names of the contents one by one. In this case, at the timing when the back button image 42 or the next button image 43 is highlighted, the content analysis unit 36 may acquire information regarding the sound of the content to be displayed next.

  In the above embodiment, the streaming data file 16 is stored in the HDD 11 of the PC device 1. In addition, for example, the streaming data file 16 may be stored in a recording medium mounted on a disk drive device (not shown) of the PC device 1. Further, the PC device 1 stores only a file name list of a predetermined server on the Internet, receives streaming data from the predetermined server based on a streaming data reproduction request, and transmits it to the NMP device 2. May be.

  In the above embodiment, the NMP device 2 transmits the optical communication packet of the audio property information to the AV amplifier device 4 using the optical cable 8 that transmits the optical communication packet of the audio data of the content. In addition, for example, the NMP device 2 and the AV amplifier device 4 may be connected by another communication cable other than the optical cable 8, and the audio property information may be transmitted by this other communication cable.

  In the above embodiment, the streaming data file 16 stored in the PC device 1 has video data and audio data. In addition, for example, the PC device 1 may store a streaming data file having only video data or a streaming data file having only audio data. In this case, the list generation unit 31 of the NMP device may generate a separate GUI screen for each data structure of the streaming data file.

  In the above embodiment, the NMP device 2 is connected to the PC device 1 via the LAN 6. In addition, for example, the NMP device 2 may be connected to an AV playback device such as a DVD playback device by an optical cable, a coaxial cable, or the like. In this case, the optical cable connecting the NMP device 2 and the AV playback device and the optical cable 8 connecting the NMP device 2 and the AV amplifier device 4 may constitute a single network.

  In the above embodiment, the NMP device 2 and the AV amplifier device 4 are connected by the optical cable 8. In addition, for example, the NMP device 2 and the AV amplifier device 4 may be connected by a coaxial cable, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, or the like.

  In the above embodiment, the content analysis unit 36 acquires the audio property information of the highlight content based on the file name notification from the list generation unit 31. In addition to this, for example, the list generation unit 31 acquires a list of audio property information together with a list of file names, and notifies the content analysis unit 36 of audio property information of highlight content based on this list. Good.

  In the above embodiment, the content analysis unit 36 acquires the audio property information of the highlighted file name. In addition, for example, the content analysis unit 36 may acquire a plurality of pieces of audio property information of a plurality of file names displayed on the GUI screen. In this case, the content analysis unit 36 may select the audio property information corresponding to the file name based on the file name notification from the list generation unit 31.

  In the above embodiment, the NMP device 2 specifies the audio property information of the content highlighted on the GUI screen. In addition to this, for example, the NMP apparatus 2 transmits a plurality of audio property information of a plurality of file names to be displayed on the GUI screen to the AV amplifier apparatus 4, and then transmits the highlighted file name. 4 may specify the audio property information of the content of the file name when the highlighted file name is notified. Further, the NMP device 2 converts a plurality of audio property information of a plurality of contents stored in the PC device 1 into a metadata table instead of a plurality of file names displayed on the GUI screen, and transmits the metadata table to the AV amplifier device 4. May be.

  In the above embodiment, the AV amplifier device 4 is notified of the audio property information from the NMP device 2 at the time of reproduction selection, and executes various settings. In addition to this, for example, the AV amplifier device 4 accumulates the sound property information and file name of the content that has been played once, for example, and when the file name to be highlighted is notified from the NMP device 2, Audio property information may be selected from the accumulated reproduction history data and various settings may be executed.

  In the above embodiment, the AV amplifier device 4 performs the mute process by the switch unit 57, but may perform the mute process by the signal processing unit 54. For example, the mute processing may be performed by a semiconductor switch provided in the signal processing unit 54.

  The present invention can be used when streaming data stored in a personal computer device is reproduced by an AV amplifier device and a television receiver.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a content reproduction system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the NMP device in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI screen generated by the list generation unit in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the AV amplifier device in FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the NMP device. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the AV amplifier device.

Explanation of symbols

1 PC device (other devices)
2 NMP device (content data transmission device)
4 AV amplifier device (playback device)
21 Communication I / F (communication means)
26 Audio light output terminal (output terminal)
31 List generator (display control means)
32 Content acquisition unit (transmission control means)
34 Video decoder (video decoding means)
35 AV optical transmitter (voice data transmission means, part of pre-transmission means)
36 Content analysis section (part of advance transmission means)
37 UI part (selection means, first selection means, second selection means)

Claims (8)

An output terminal connected to a playback device that starts playback of the audio data after performing the necessary settings according to the audio data;
Audio data transmitting means for transmitting content audio data from the output terminal;
Prior to transmission of audio data by the audio data transmission means, advance transmission means for transmitting information related to audio data to be transmitted to the reproduction apparatus by the audio data transmission means to the reproduction apparatus;
A content data transmitting apparatus comprising: An output terminal connected to a playback device that starts playback of the audio data after performing the necessary settings according to the audio data;
Audio data transmitting means for transmitting content audio data from the output terminal;
Display control means for displaying a content selection screen;
Prior to transmission of audio data by the audio data transmission means, pre-transmission means for transmitting information related to audio data of content displayed on the selection screen by the display control means from the output terminal to the playback device;
Selecting means for selecting the content displayed on the selection screen as the content to be reproduced;
Transmission control means for causing the audio data transmission means to transmit the audio data of the content selected by the selection means;
A content data transmitting apparatus comprising: An output terminal connected to a playback device that starts playback of the audio data after performing the necessary settings according to the audio data;
Audio data transmitting means for transmitting content audio data from the output terminal;
Display control means for displaying a plurality of content selection screens;
First selection means for selecting one of the plurality of contents displayed on the selection screen to be displayed in a state different from the remaining contents;
Prior to transmission of audio data by the audio data transmission means, pre-transmission means for transmitting information related to the audio data of the content selected by the first selection means from the output terminal to the playback device;
Second selection means for selecting the content selected by the first selection means as content to be reproduced;
Transmission control means for transmitting the audio data of the content selected by the second selection means to the audio data transmission means;
A content data transmitting apparatus comprising:   4. The content data transmitting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pre-transmitting means transmits information relating to the audio data in the same format as the audio data transmitted from the audio data transmitting means to the playback apparatus. Having communication means for communicating with other devices having content data;
The display control means uses the communication means to acquire information related to content data stored in the other device and generate the selection screen.
The pre-transmission means acquires information about the audio data of the content using the communication means,
The transmission control means acquires content data using the communication means;
5. The content data transmitting device according to claim 2, wherein the content data transmitting device is any one of the above.   6. The content data transmitting apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising video decoding means for decoding video data of content to be transmitted by the transmission control means to the audio data transmitting means. A playback device that starts playback of audio data after making necessary settings according to the audio data;
The content data transmitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the output terminal is connected to the playback device;
A content reproduction system comprising: Transmitting the audio data of the content to a playback device that starts playback of the audio data after making the necessary settings according to the audio data;
Prior to transmitting the audio data of the content, transmitting information related to the audio data of the content to the playback device;
A content data transmission method comprising:

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