JP2007172638A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To visually recognize the image of contents even when a user does not view or listen to the displayed contents in a music distribution system by which the user selects music on the basis of analysis results of characteristics and the melody of the music, etc. in order to obtain the favorite music. <P>SOLUTION: The display device is provided, which is characterized by acquiring a plurality of pieces of symbol image information for expressing the image of the contents and outputting a plurality of symbol image groups comprised of the plurality of symbol images constituted by the plurality of pieces of symbol image information so as to be displayed in a slide show form. At the time, the symbol image information is acquired on the basis of results by analyzing content information. Thus, a symbol image matching the melody and the content of the contents is displayed without performing a special work by the user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device for slideshow display of content symbols.

Prior art already exists for a music distribution system that allows a user to make a selection based on the analysis results of music characteristics, tunes, etc. in order to obtain favorite music (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-297093 A

  However, in the above music distribution system, music is only presented as a list of characters consisting of song names and the like, and it is impossible to tell what the tone of each song is. In the case of an unknown song, it is difficult to guess the content and tone of each song from the list of song names alone, so it is difficult to select a song suitable for the user's mood and current environment.

  In view of such circumstances, the present invention acquires a plurality of symbol image information for representing a content image, and displays a symbol image group composed of a plurality of symbol images composed of a plurality of symbol image information in a slideshow format. The present invention proposes a display device that is characterized by enabling output. At this time, the symbol image information can be acquired based on the result of analyzing the content information. Thereby, the symbol image according to the tune and content of the content is displayed without the user performing special work.

  Further, based on the content identification information included in the content information, symbol image information associated with the content identification information is acquired, and a symbol image group composed of a plurality of symbol images configured by the symbol image information is displayed on the slide show. It can be displayed and output in a format. In addition, it is possible to manage correspondence information that is information that associates content identification information with symbol image information.

  As described above, in the display device according to any one or more of the present inventions, a symbol image group including a plurality of symbol images configured by a plurality of symbol image information is displayed in a slideshow format. Therefore, even when the displayed content has not been viewed, the image of the content can be visually recognized. In addition, it is possible to easily select content that matches the user's mood for the day. Furthermore, when symbol image information can be acquired based on the result of analyzing the content information, the symbol image corresponding to the tune and content of the content is displayed without any special work by the user. High convenience.

  Further, the display device acquires symbol image information associated with the content identification information based on the content identification information included in the content information, and a symbol image composed of a plurality of symbol images configured by the symbol image information When a group is displayed and output in a slideshow format, it can be expected that the search operation is executed smoothly even if symbol image information is held in a plurality of databases. In addition, the display device can manage correspondence information, which is information in which content identification information and symbol image information are associated with each other. At this time, appropriate management of correspondence information facilitates management of symbol image information and a database in which the symbol image information is stored.

  The best mode for carrying out each invention will be described below. Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  << Embodiment 1 >>

  <Embodiment 1: Overview> Embodiment 1 will be described. In the present embodiment, a plurality of symbol image information for representing an image of content is acquired, and a symbol image group including a plurality of symbol images configured by the plurality of symbol image information is output so as to be displayed in a slideshow format. In particular, the display device is characterized.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of the concept of this embodiment. The figure shows an example of the display screen of the display device of the present embodiment. On the right side of the display screen, content information such as content name (title), lyrics / composer name, singer name, etc. is shown, and on the left side, symbol image groups are displayed in a slideshow format. The symbol image group refers to an image group composed of a plurality of symbol images composed of a plurality of symbol image information for representing the content image. Here, a scene is shown in which a symbol image group corresponding to each content is displayed and output. By visually recognizing the output symbol image, it is possible to grasp the outline of the content.

  Here, the case where the content is “Arajo no Tsuki” is illustrated. In this case, the symbol image information includes, for example, image information for representing a quiet healing image, a night scene, a spring cloudy scene, or the like. As a healing symbol image, an image of a facial expression with a gentle expression was used, similarly, the night scene was a moon image, the spring scene was a cherry blossom image, and the cloudy scene was a cloud image. At this time, the symbol image may be prepared from data stored in advance in the display device, or may be input by the user. A plurality of symbol image information is acquired for one content, and one symbol image group is generated from the plurality of symbol images constituted by these. In the example shown in the figure, the symbol image group includes four symbol images of healing, spring, cloudy, and night. When the symbol image group is displayed, the symbol image is displayed and output in a slideshow format every predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds). The symbol images are sequentially switched and displayed every predetermined time. When the final symbol image is displayed, the display returns to the first symbol image and continues to be displayed until the next symbol image is switched. Even if you have never viewed the displayed content, a group of symbol images consisting of a plurality of symbol image information is displayed in a slideshow format, so you can visualize the content image visually. Can be recognized.

  <Common to Embodiments: Hardware Configuration> FIG. 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the present invention. The constituent element of the present invention is configured by any one of hardware, software, and both hardware and software. For example, as an example for realizing these, when a computer is used, hardware including a CPU, a memory (DRAM, ROM), a bus, an I / O controller, a peripheral device, etc., and on these hardware Can be executed software. Specifically, by sequentially executing the program developed on the memory, the data of the memory and the data input via the I / O controller are processed, stored, output, etc. Function is realized.

  First, the CPU receives input of content information from the Internet line, PC card, CD, HDD, etc., and operates the D / A conversion circuit via the I / O controller based on the program. At this time, the data converted into analog is amplified by an amplifier and output from a speaker. On the other hand, the CPU acquires a plurality of symbol image information for representing an image of the content from the HDD or the like based on the content information. Further, the symbol image information is sent to the drawing LSI via the DRAM. The drawing LSI draws a symbol image based on the symbol image information, and displays it on the display. At this time, a symbol image group composed of a plurality of symbol images is output so as to be displayed in a slideshow format (details will be described later). When the display has a touch panel function and the user touches the display to select content or the like, the selection command is transmitted to the CPU via the I / O controller. The CPU accesses each peripheral device via the I / O controller based on the program in order to reproduce the corresponding content. (The same applies throughout this specification.)

  <Embodiment 1: Configuration> FIG. 3 shows an example of functional blocks in the present embodiment. The “display device” (0300) of this embodiment shown in FIG. 3 includes a “content information acquisition unit” (0301), a “symbol image information acquisition unit” (0302), and a “symbol image group output unit” (0303). And have.

  “Display device” (0300) refers to various devices having an image output device connected thereto or having an image output device, such as a mobile terminal device (mobile phone, PDA, etc.), car navigation system, audio device, etc. Applicable.

  The “content information acquisition unit” (0301) acquires content information. The content information may include information associated with the content in addition to the content itself including music and video. Information attached to the content includes identification information for identifying the content, the name of the content (title name), the name of the author (lyricist / composer, director / director, etc.), the name of the performer (singer, performer, Appearing performers, etc.), content playback time, recording / recording mode, etc. It is assumed that the content information is acquired from a portable medium such as a CD, DVD, or PC card. The content information may be downloaded from an external server device or the like via the Internet line, digital TV broadcast, or the like. Further, the content information may be downloaded and stored in the hard disk and read from the hard disk as necessary.

  The “symbol image information acquisition unit” (0302) acquires a plurality of symbol image information based on the acquired content information. “Symbol image information” is information for constructing a symbol image for representing an image of the content. The image of the content represented by the symbol image information may include an image representing a human emotion generated based on the content. For example, there are songs that are fine, songs that feel sad, exciting songs, relaxing songs, intense songs, and the like. In addition, the image of the content represented by the symbol image information may include an image representing a scene that is appropriate for the content to be played. For example, there are songs suitable for sunny days, songs that you want to listen to in the spring, and songs that are suitable for the morning. Note that the symbol image information is not limited to information for configuring a still image, but may be information for configuring a moving image.

  The plurality of symbol image information is information for configuring one symbol image selected from a plurality of symbol images categorized for each of a plurality of categories for representing content images. Specifically, the emotion category for showing the emotion of a person based on the content, the weather category for showing the weather as a scene suitable for the content to be played, the season for showing the season There are categories, time categories for indicating time zones, and the like. In the previous example, a song that is energetic corresponds to the emotion category. Songs suitable for sunny days fall into the weather category. Songs you want to listen to in spring fall into the seasonal category. Songs suitable for the morning fall into the time category.

  Further, the acquisition of the symbol image information based on the content information corresponds to a case where the symbol image information associated with the content identification information included in the content information is automatically acquired. At this time, the symbol image information associated with the content identification information is held in a storage such as an HDD in the display device or an external server device.

  The “symbol image group output unit” (0303) outputs the symbol image group so that it can be displayed in a slideshow format. The “symbol image group” refers to an image group including at least a plurality of symbol images configured by the acquired plurality of symbol image information. In the example shown in the figure, the symbol image group corresponds to an image group from four symbol images of healing, spring, cloudy, and night. The display output in the slideshow format is a method of sequentially displaying and outputting symbol images at predetermined time intervals (for example, 2 seconds) when displaying a symbol image group. In the previous example, four symbol images of healing, spring, cloudy, and night are displayed while automatically switching. In exceptional cases, the predetermined time may not be constant. For example, when the display device is a car navigation system, the symbol image when the vehicle starts to travel may be displayed until the vehicle stops to prevent the driver's attention from being distracted. Good. In this case, if the vehicle stops, the symbol image is switched and displayed in a slideshow format.

  The symbol image group output unit (0303) may have a thumbnail output unit for displaying a plurality of symbol image groups respectively associated with a plurality of contents in a thumbnail format for each content in one screen. The thumbnail format refers to a list of small images. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, it corresponds to displaying content and a symbol image in association with each other. Since symbol image groups of a plurality of contents can be compared in one screen, it becomes easy to select contents that match the current mood of the user.

  In addition, a plurality of contents may be associated with each symbol image group output in the slideshow format. For example, when five pieces of content are associated with a symbol image group composed of three symbol images of spring, cloudy, and night, selecting this symbol image group results in five pieces of music as shown in FIG. The content information (all or part of the content information) may be displayed as a list. In addition, five pieces of content may be sequentially played back. Also in this case, a plurality of symbol image groups each associated with a plurality of contents may be displayed in a thumbnail format within one screen.

  In addition, the user may select the symbol image for each category hierarchy so that the display device may acquire all or part of the content information associated therewith. For example, on the assumption that 10,000 songs are registered, if the user selects “songs that can be energetic” from the emotion category as an example, the content is narrowed down to 2,000 songs, Selecting “Songs to listen to on a snowy day” from the weather category will narrow down the content to 500 songs. While performing such work, the user can narrow down and listen to songs that match the user's mood at that time. Or it can be used as a clue when searching for a specific song. Note that it is not always necessary to select all the hierarchies, and it may be possible to select a content while viewing the slide show display from the middle while selecting hierarchically from the category at first. This is effective when the corresponding content is reduced by narrowing down.

  <Embodiment 1: Process Flow 1> FIG. 5 shows an example of a process flow at the time of content reproduction in the display device of the first embodiment. First, the display device acquires content information (content information acquisition step S0501). The display device reads a playlist such as a content title and artist name included in the content information from a storage such as an HDD, an external server device, or a portable medium. Next, the display device acquires a plurality of symbol image information for representing an image of the content based on the acquired content information (symbol image information acquisition step S0502). This is realized by expanding a symbol image registered in the playlist on the memory. Next, the display device displays and outputs a symbol image constituted by the symbol image information (symbol image output step S0503). At this time, the display device may display and output all or part of the content information. Further, the display device determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed based on an event that occurs every time the predetermined time has elapsed from the timer (predetermined time elapse determination step S0504), and if the predetermined time has elapsed, the display device Switches the symbol image developed on the memory (symbol image switching step S0505). Thereafter, the display device determines whether or not to end the output of the symbol image group (output end determination step S0506), and the display device determines whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed until a determination result indicating that the output of the symbol image group is ended is obtained (S0504). ) And the symbol image switching step (S0505). As a result, the display device can display a symbol image group including a plurality of symbol images configured by the acquired plurality of symbol image information in a slideshow format.

  The above processing can be executed by a program for causing a computer to execute, and the program can be recorded on a recording medium readable by the computer. (The same applies throughout the specification.)

  <Embodiment 1: Process Flow 2> FIG. 6 shows an example of the flow of hardware processing during content reproduction in the display device of the first embodiment. First, the display device determines whether a display start command indicating the display start of the symbol image group has been acquired (display start command determination step S0601). If it is determined that the display start command is not acquired, the display device repeats the display start command determination step (S0601). Next, the display device acquires content information of content to be displayed from a content information table in which attributes such as content held on a storage such as an HDD and identification information thereof are tabulated (content information acquisition step S0602). Next, the display device acquires content identification information included in the acquired content information (content identification information acquisition step S0603). Further, the display device searches a symbol image stored in a memory or the like and a symbol image information table in which the identification information is tabulated using the acquired content identification information as a key (symbol image information retrieval step S0604). Based on the symbol image identification information acquired by the search in the symbol image information search step (S0604), the display device expands the symbol image information in the drawing memory (symbol image information expansion step S0605).

  Further, the display device develops a slide show program for switching symbol images in the main memory (slide show program development step S0606). Next, the display device executes the symbol image information developed in the drawing memory by the slide show program (slide show program execution step S0607). The display device determines whether or not the slide show program has ended (slide show program end determination step S0608), and the display device repeats the slide show program execution step (S0607) unless the slide show program ends. In the case of the determination result that the slide show program has ended, the display device performs processing for ending the slide show program (slide show program end step S0609). Note that the slide show end condition applies when switching to another screen (for example, a route guidance screen) or when it is determined that the vehicle equipped with the display device is running. To do. By repeating the slide show execution program on the display device, the symbol image is switched on the display device, and a moving image display can be realized.

  <Embodiment 1: Effect> In this embodiment, a plurality of symbol image information for representing an image of content is acquired, and a symbol image group composed of a plurality of symbol images composed of a plurality of symbol image information is displayed as a slide show. It is a display device characterized in that it is output so that it can be displayed in a format. Even if the displayed content has never been viewed, a group of symbol images made up of a plurality of symbol image information are displayed in a slideshow format, so that the content image can be displayed. Can be visually recognized. In addition, it is possible to easily select content that matches the user's mood for the day.

  << Embodiment 2 >>

  <Embodiment 2: Overview> Embodiment 2 will be described. In the present embodiment, symbol image information is acquired based on a result of analyzing content information, and a symbol image group including a plurality of symbol images configured by the symbol image information is output so as to be displayed in a slideshow format. This is a display device having features.

  <Embodiment 2: Configuration> FIG. 7 shows an example of functional blocks in the present embodiment. The “display device” (0700) of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 7 includes a “content information acquisition unit” (0701), a “symbol image information acquisition unit” (0702), and a “symbol image group output unit” (0703). And a “content information analysis unit” (0704).

  The “content information analysis unit” (0704) analyzes the content information acquired by the content information acquisition unit (0701), acquires symbol image information based on the analysis result, and acquires the acquired symbol image information as symbol image information. Part (0702). Analysis of content information refers to clarifying the tune and content of a content as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-264955 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-278547. If the analysis result of the content information shows that it is an “exciting song”, the corresponding symbol image information is automatically acquired from a memory or the like.

  The processing of each other part is the same as in the first embodiment.

  <Embodiment 2: Processing Flow> The processing flow in this embodiment will be described in Embodiment 3 together with a symbol image database search process described later.

  <Embodiment 2: Effect> In the present embodiment, symbol image information is acquired based on a result of analyzing content information, and a symbol image group including a plurality of symbol images configured by the symbol image information is obtained in a slideshow format. It is a display device characterized by outputting in a displayable manner. Thereby, since the symbol image according to the tune and content of the content is displayed without the user performing special work, the convenience is high.

  << Embodiment 3 >>

  <Embodiment 3: Overview> Embodiment 3 will be described. In the present embodiment, based on content identification information included in content information, symbol image information associated with the content identification information is acquired, and a symbol image group including a plurality of symbol images configured by the symbol image information Is a display device characterized in that it can be output in a slideshow format.

  <Embodiment 3: Configuration> FIG. 8 shows an example of functional blocks in the present embodiment. The “display device” (0800) of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 8 includes a “content information acquisition unit” (0801), a “symbol image information acquisition unit” (0802), and a “symbol image group output unit” (0803). And a “symbol image database search unit” (0804). Here, the functional block diagram based on the first embodiment is shown, but in the case of using another embodiment as a basis, a component may be required in addition to this.

  The “symbol image database search unit” (0804) acquires symbol image information associated with the content identification information based on the content identification information included in the content information acquired by the content information acquisition unit (0801). The acquired symbol image information is output to the symbol image information acquisition unit (0802). It is assumed that the content information includes symbol identification information that includes content identification information and is associated with the content identification information in advance. For example, for each content, symbol image information for representing an emotion image for showing a person's emotion generated based on the content or a scene image suitable for playing the content is associated with the content. May be stored as a database. At this time, the database may be created not only by general users but also by specific experts (for example, DJs, movie critics, etc.). The creator of the database associates symbol image information of a recommended image (for example, suitable for listening on a rainy day) according to the content.

  In addition, a general user or the like inputs information (content title name, author name, performer name, etc.) accompanying the content included in the content information to construct a database. The content information acquisition unit can acquire information accompanying the content included in the content information from the database. When a general user creates a database, one user may create only a part of the database, and the database may be enriched by collecting a plurality of such users. These databases may be held in a memory or the like in the display device, or are usually held in an external server device or the like, but may be referred to as necessary.

  Further, the content identification information and the symbol image information may be associated and held as correspondence information, and the symbol image database search unit may acquire the symbol image information based on the held correspondence information. Furthermore, the symbol image database search unit may hold a plurality of pieces of correspondence information, and may select correspondence information used for acquiring symbol image information from the plurality of pieces of correspondence information held. Even if there is a plurality of pieces of symbol image information for one content, it can be expected that appropriate correspondence information is selected from the plurality of pieces of correspondence information and the search is smoothly executed.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of correspondence information. In the case where the content is “Araki no Tsuki”, the content identification information (ID: 074) and the three pieces of symbol image information are associated with each other. For the sake of convenience, it is assumed that the corresponding information of the symbol image information “cloudy” is “01”, the corresponding information of “Spring” is “02”, and the corresponding information of “night” is “03”. By holding the correspondence information, these correspondences are clarified, and the symbol image information can be easily acquired. For example, the symbol image information constituting the symbol image determined to be unnecessary is not made into a component image of the symbol image group by not selecting the correspondence information, and the display output is not performed.

  The correspondence information “01” needs to be searched in order to acquire symbol image information from a database created by a critic. Similarly, the correspondence information “02” is retrieved from the database (CDDB) created by the user, and the correspondence information “03” is retrieved from the database (DJDB) created by the radio DJ to obtain symbol image information. It is necessary to perform processing. For example, if only the association between the content identification information and the symbol image information is the content of the correspondence information, and the symbol image itself is not included, it corresponds to which database should be searched to obtain the symbol image If it can be recognized by information, it can be expected that search operations from a plurality of databases will be executed smoothly.

  The processing of other parts is the same as in the first and second embodiments.

  <Third Embodiment: Process Flow> FIG. 10 shows an example of a process flow during content recording in the display device of the third embodiment. First, the display device acquires content information (content information acquisition step S1001). The display device acquires content from a storage such as an HDD or an external server device. The display device analyzes the acquired content information and acquires symbol image information based on the analysis result (content information analysis step S1002). At this time, the display device may perform content information compression processing simultaneously with analysis of the content information.

  In addition, based on the content identification information included in the content information, the display device searches for symbol image information associated with the content identification information (symbol image database search step S1003). The symbol image information is acquired by searching a database in which symbol image information associated with the content identification information is registered in advance. Next, the display device acquires a symbol image constituted by the symbol image information from a database for managing contents (symbol image acquisition step S1004). Further, the display device accumulates the playlist such as the title and artist name of the content included in the content information, and the symbol image acquired in the symbol image acquisition step (S1004) (playlist storage step S1005). These may be stored in a storage such as an HDD in the display device, or may be stored in an external server device.

  <Embodiment 3: Effect> In the present embodiment, based on content identification information included in content information, symbol image information associated with the content identification information is acquired, and a plurality of symbols configured by the symbol image information are obtained. The display device is characterized in that a symbol image group including symbol images is output so as to be displayed in a slideshow format. Thereby, even if there are a plurality of databases, it can be expected that the search operation is executed smoothly.

  << Embodiment 4 >>

  <Embodiment 4: Overview> Embodiment 4 will be described. The present embodiment is a display device characterized in that correspondence information, which is information in which content identification information and symbol image information are associated with each other, can be managed.

  <Embodiment 4: Configuration> An example of functional blocks in this embodiment is the same as that already shown in FIG. The “display device” (0800) illustrated in FIG. 8 includes a “content information acquisition unit” (0801), a “symbol image information acquisition unit” (0802), a “symbol image group output unit” (0803), Image database search unit "(0804). Furthermore, the symbol image database search unit (0804) may include “management means”.

  The “management unit” performs a process for managing the correspondence information held. Management corresponds to adding, deleting, and changing correspondence information. The database may be added or deleted along with the addition or deletion of the correspondence information. By managing the correspondence information, it is possible to freely specify a database to be searched even when there are a plurality of databases. Thereby, it can be expected that the search operation is executed smoothly.

  The processing of each other part is the same as in the third embodiment.

  <Fourth Embodiment: Process Flow> FIG. 11 shows an example of a flow of a process (database construction by a user) at the time of symbol image registration in the display device of the fourth embodiment. First, the user inputs an item for representing an image of the content (item input step S1101). For example, the user inputs items indicating the season, time, tone, and the like. Next, the display device acquires a symbol image based on an item for representing the input image (symbol image acquisition step S1102). Here, a method of acquiring from a server device of a center using a communication unit or a method of acquiring from a data storage medium such as a PC card is assumed. The display device registers the title name of the symbol image acquired in this way (symbol image name registration step S1103). The registration is registered in the playlist together with the content title and artist name included in the content information. Next, the display device accumulates the symbol image and play list data on a hard disk or the like (storage step S1104). Further, the display device determines whether or not to register these data in the center server device or the like (determination step S1105). Specifically, the display device determines that the registration is performed if the data is not registered, and determines that the registration is not performed if the data is already registered.

  <Embodiment 4: Effect> This embodiment is a display device characterized in that the correspondence information held can be managed. Since the correspondence information can be managed, it is possible to freely specify the database to be searched, and it can be expected that the search operation is executed smoothly.

Conceptual diagram for explaining the first embodiment Hardware configuration diagram for explaining the present invention Functional block diagram for explaining the first embodiment The figure which showed the list display of the content information in Embodiment 1. The figure explaining the flow of the process at the time of reproduction | regeneration of the content in Embodiment 1 The figure explaining the flow of the hardware processing at the time of reproduction | regeneration of the content in Embodiment 1 Functional block diagram for explaining the second embodiment Functional block diagram for explaining the third embodiment The figure which showed the example of the database in Embodiment 3. The figure explaining the flow of processing at the time of the recording of the content in Embodiment 3 The figure explaining the flow of a process at the time of registration of the symbol image in Embodiment 4.

Explanation of symbols

0300 Display device 0301 Content information acquisition unit 0302 Symbol image information acquisition unit 0303 Symbol image group output unit

Claims (3)

A display device connected to an image output device or having the image output device,
A display device comprising: a symbol image group output unit that outputs a plurality of symbol images each representing one of a plurality of different images corresponding to one content to the image output device in a slideshow format.   The display device according to claim 1, wherein the symbol image output unit causes the image output device to output a plurality of symbol image groups each including a plurality of symbol images in a thumbnail format.   The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is an audio device, a car navigation system, or a portable terminal device.

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