JP2007172768A - Contents reproduction device, control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a contents reproduction device 55 connected to an external reproduction device such as a system audio device 35 to enable proper reproduction in a held contents external reproduction device, and connected to an external device such as a PC 44 to enable storage editing or the like from the external device; when the contents reproduction device 55 is connected to both of the external reproduction device and the external device, accurate processing is realized. <P>SOLUTION: A connection detection means 56 detects switching of an external device 60 from a disconnected state to a connected state. A period detection means 57 detects a predetermined period after the switching of the external device 60 from the disconnected state to the connected state. A processing control means 58 continues the other processing until the predetermined period when the external device 60 is switched from the disconnected state to the connected state during execution of the other processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a content playback apparatus such as a portable audio player, a control method, and a program.

  The portable audio player is equipped with a storage device such as an HDD (strictly, it is a hard disk drive device, but a hard disk device) and a flash memory so that music stored in the storage device can be played and listened to through headphones. It has become.

  Recording and editing of music in the portable audio player (for example, storage functions such as moving and copying) is performed from a PC by connecting to a PC (personal computer) with a USB cable, starting predetermined application software on the PC, and the like. It is like that.

  On the other hand, a portable audio player is connected to a system audio device as a stationary audio device in which a player unit such as a CD or MD and an amplifier unit such as an amplifier are integrated, and the playback sound of music in the portable audio player is transmitted to the system audio device. It is known to output from a speaker. In this case, the headphone output terminal of the portable audio player and the external input terminal of the system audio device are connected by a 4-pole stereo mini cable.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses improvement of the function of an audio device connected to a PC via a connection cable such as a USB cable.

  That is, even if the audio device of Patent Document 1 is in a power-off state, when the audio device is connected to the PC via the connection cable and becomes communicable with the PC, the audio device automatically starts and is connected to the PC. Is output from the speaker of the device itself (for example, the description in paragraph 0029 of Patent Document 1).

The audio device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is also capable of switching the audio source output from the speaker between the reproduction signal of the recording medium in the device and the audio signal from the PC, and the audio source when connected to the PC. When a switching instruction is received, a notification to that effect is sent to the PC, and after the recognition signal is received from the PC, the switched audio source is output from the speaker (for example, Patent Document 1). Description of paragraph 0030).
JP 2003-196918 A

  In the conventional portable audio player, when the connection to the system audio device and the connection to the PC compete, the processing related to the system audio device and the processing related to the PC in the content reproduction apparatus are not properly controlled. For example, as soon as a portable audio player is connected to a system audio device and the music of the portable audio player is played from a speaker of the system audio device, the content playback device is connected to the PC with a USB cable. The reproduction sound output from the speaker of the device is suddenly stopped, which is uncomfortable and inconvenient for the user.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 automatically starts an audio device when the audio device is connected to a PC in a power-off state, and switches the audio source on the audio device side when the audio device is already connected to the PC. In connection with the control from the PC in the case of being disconnected, there is no mention of the qualification of the predetermined process in the audio apparatus itself when connected to the PC during the period in which the audio apparatus is executing the predetermined process. .

  An object of the present invention is to provide a content reproduction apparatus, a control method, and a program capable of achieving proper control when connection to an external device such as a PC is started.

The content reproduction apparatus of the present invention can be freely connected to a predetermined external device, and prohibits the start of execution of other processing as processing other than processing related to the predetermined external device while connected to the external device. The content playback apparatus has the following.
A connection detection means for detecting a change from a non-connected state to a connected state to a predetermined external device;
Time detection means for detecting a predetermined time after switching from a non-connected state to a connected state to a predetermined external device, and switching from a non-connected state to a connected state to a predetermined external device during other processing. If so, a process control means for continuing the other processes until a predetermined time.

Another content reproduction apparatus of the present invention has the following.
A connection detection means for detecting a change from a non-connected state to a connected state to a predetermined external device;
A switching instruction detecting means for detecting an explicit switching instruction from a user to a predetermined external device, and a first until a switching instruction is issued after switching from a non-connected state to a connected state to the predetermined external device. The process control means for permitting the execution of the other process during the period, and prohibiting the execution of the other process after the first period.

The content playback apparatus subject to the control method of the present invention is freely connectable to a predetermined external device. While connected to the external device, other processing as processing other than processing related to the predetermined external device is performed. Prohibit execution. The control method includes the following steps.
Detecting whether or not switching from a non-connected state to a connected state to a predetermined external device;
After switching from a disconnected state to a connected state to a predetermined external device, a step for detecting whether or not a predetermined time has come, and a connection to the predetermined external device from a disconnected state during other processing If the state is switched to the state, the other process is suspended and suspended until a predetermined time.

Another content playback apparatus control method of the present invention includes the following steps.
Detecting whether or not switching from a non-connected state to a connected state to a predetermined external device;
Detecting whether there is an explicit switching instruction from a user to a predetermined external device;
After the time when switching from a non-connected state to a connected state to a predetermined external device, the first period until a switching instruction is given is a step that allows execution of the other process, and after the first period, A step of prohibiting execution of the other processing;

  The program of the present invention causes a computer to function as each unit of the above-described content reproduction device or another content reproduction device.

  According to the present invention, the content playback device is connected to an external device such as a personal computer during a period in which other processing such as playback of the retained content by itself or an external playback device is being executed. However, the other processes can be continued without interrupting the execution, and the execution of other processes can be allowed, which is convenient for the user.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of the portable audio player 10. The portable audio player 10 has a color LCD 11 and a push-type key arrangement unit 12 on the front surface. The push-type key arrangement unit 12 includes a central push-type key 14, an upper push-type key 16 provided on the upper side of the central push-type key 14, and a right-side push-type key 17 provided on the right side of the central push-type key 14. A lower push key 18 disposed below the central push key 14, a left push key 19 disposed on the left side of the central push key 14, and substantially the same as the upper push key 16. It has a mode selection push key 21 that is arranged close to the left side in height. The headphone 24 is inserted into the right and left loading parts 25a and 25b to be loaded in the left and right ears of the user and the jack on the upper part of the portable audio player 10 at one end side so as to be freely inserted and removed, and branched and loaded at the other end side. And audio signal lines 26 connected to the sections 25a and 25b.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the portable audio player 10. The portable audio player 10 includes a control unit 30, a display unit 31, an input unit 32, an output unit 33, and a hard disk 34. The display unit 31 corresponds to the color LCD 11, the input unit 32 corresponds to the push-type key arrangement unit 12, and the output unit 33 corresponds to the headphones 24. The hard disk 34 is built in the portable audio player 10, has a sufficient storage capacity, and stores MP3 and WMA music files converted into files in an encrypted format for copyright management. In the present specification, the term “musical piece” includes not only music but also all audio objects such as language learning, lectures, and rakugo.

  The control unit 30 receives a user instruction from the input unit 32, controls display on the display unit 31 and reading of file data from the hard disk 34 based on the user instruction, and outputs music corresponding to the user instruction to the output unit 33.

  FIG. 3 shows a connection state between the portable audio player 10, the system audio device 35, and the PC 44. The portable audio player 10 can be freely connected to the system audio device 35 via the 4-pole stereo mini cable 42 and to the PC 44 via the USB cable 48. The connection and disconnection between the portable audio player 10 and the system audio device 35 and the connection and disconnection between the portable audio player 10 and the PC 44 can be performed independently. A typical system audio device 35 has a speaker 36 as a component, and is always connected to the speaker 36 via a speaker cable 37.

  The connection between the portable audio player 10 and the system audio device 35 is made by connecting the headphone output terminal 40 of the portable audio player 10 and the external input terminal 41 of the system audio device 35 with a four-pole stereo mini cable 42. The connection between the portable audio player 10 and the PC 44 is performed by connecting the device-side USB terminal 46 of the portable audio player 10 and the host-side USB terminal 47 of the PC 44 with a USB cable 48.

  The 4-pole stereo mini-cable 42 includes four signal lines: a left audio signal, a right audio signal, a control signal, and a ground. The left audio signal and the right audio signal are transmitted from the portable audio player 10 to the system audio device 35 in the 4-pole stereo mini cable 42, and the control signal is transmitted from the system audio device 35 to the portable audio player 10 in the 4-pole stereo mini cable 42. Is transmitted.

  FIG. 4 shows the relationship between each voltage value of the control signal and the operation content of the portable audio player 10. The control signal is an analog signal voltage value, and when each signal voltage value continues for a certain time or longer, the portable audio player 10 executes an operation corresponding to the voltage value. The user presses a key that is provided on the main body of the system audio device 35 and the remote controller of the system audio device 35 and that indicates each operation in FIG. 4 (except for connection detection of the system audio device). Thus, the corresponding voltage value is sent from the system audio device 35 to the portable audio player 10 via the control signal line for a predetermined time or more. Although not shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable that a control voltage value for requesting the list information of the music stored in the portable audio player 10 from the system audio device 35 to the portable audio player 10 is also defined.

  In a state where the portable audio player 10 and the system audio device 35 are connected by the four-pole stereo mini-cable 42, for example, the user uses one of the music pieces held by the portable audio player 10 in the main body of the system audio device 35 or the remote controller. When a key for instructing playback of the music is pressed after the selection is made, playback of the music is started in the portable audio player 10, and a playback signal is sent to the system audio device 35 via the 4-pole stereo mini cable 42. Will be transmitted. The system audio device 35 amplifies it and sends it to the speaker 36 via the speaker cable 37, so that reproduced sound is output from the speaker 36.

  In a state where the portable audio player 10-PC 44 is connected, the portable audio player 10 is recognized as a USB mass storage device by the PC 44, and the portable audio player 10 itself is in the USB mode. Here, a mode other than the USB mode is referred to as a normal mode.

  In a typical portable audio player 10, in the USB mode, music playback processing of its own hard disk cannot be performed, and the PC 44 performs storage processing such as music transfer processing using a dedicated application, data file copying and movement, and the like. Only the function can be used. Further, when the conventional portable audio player 10 is in the normal mode and is playing back its own music, if the USB connection is made to the PC 44, the music being played is stopped and the portable audio player 10 is in the normal mode. It was switched to USB mode.

  In the portable audio player 10 to which the present invention is applied, the portable audio player 10 is connected to the host-side USB terminal via the USB cable 48 while the portable audio player 10 or the system audio device 35 is playing back music stored in the portable audio player 10 itself. Even when connected to 47, the USB mode is not maintained until the end of reproduction of the music, and the normal mode is maintained, and the user can listen to the music to the end.

  Even after the portable audio player 10 is connected to the PC 44, a specific method for realizing that the music being played at the time of connection is played to the end uses the detection status flag and the playback status flag. The detection status flag is set when the portable audio player 10 is connected to the system audio device 35. The playback status flag is set when the system audio device 35 is playing back the music stored in the portable audio player 10. When both status flags are set (connected and playing), the portable audio player 10 is kept in the normal mode without continuing the USB mode, and the music playback is continued. When the music is played to the end, the playback is stopped and the playback status flag is lowered. If the USB connection is established at this time, the mode is switched from the normal mode to the USB mode.

  The portable audio player 10 can also overlap the period between the USB mode and the normal mode. That is, during the period in which the portable audio player 10 is connected to the system audio device 35 and the PC 44 at the same time, the music held by the portable audio player 10 is maintained to be reproducible on the portable audio player 10 itself or the system audio device 35 as a normal mode period. However, assuming that it is also the USB mode period, a storage function such as music transfer processing from the PC 44 and data file copying or moving may be realized.

  As another aspect of the portable audio player 10, the portable audio player 10 is not automatically switched from the normal mode to the USB mode as soon as it is connected to the PC 44, and the portable audio player 10 is switched between the normal mode and the USB mode. A manual switching key (eg, push key 21 for mode selection) can be prepared. When the portable audio player 10 is connected to the PC 44, the user operates the key to switch to the USB mode manually without switching to the USB mode immediately and automatically, and then switches to the USB mode. It may be.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the content playback device 55. Matters common to the content reproduction device 55 and the content reproduction device 63 (FIG. 6) described later will be described together as appropriate.

  The content reproduction device 55 is freely connectable to a predetermined external device 60, and prohibits the start of execution of other processing as processing other than processing related to the external device 60 while connected to the external device 60. The content reproduction device 55 includes a connection detection unit 56, a time detection unit 57, and a process control unit 58.

  The connection detection unit 56 detects that the external device 60 has been switched from the non-connected state to the connected state. The time detection unit 57 detects a predetermined time after the external device 60 is switched from the disconnected state to the connected state. If the process control unit 58 switches from the disconnected state to the connected state to the external device 60 while performing another process, the process control unit 58 continues the other process until a predetermined time.

  An example of the content playback devices 55 and 63 is the portable audio player 10 (FIG. 1). The content playback devices 55 and 63 are not limited to portable types. It is assumed that a stationary type may be used. The content is not limited to music. It may be a video other than music. The content playback devices 55 and 63 store content in a nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk or flash memory.

  An example of the external device 60 is a PC 44. The content playback device 55 and the external device 60 are connected by a bus such as a USB cable, for example. In the case of such a bus connection, typically, the content reproduction device 55 and the external device 60 are devices on the device side and the host side, respectively. With the conventional USB connection, when the content playback devices 55 and 63 are turned on, the content playback devices 55 and 63 cannot perform processing related to the connection with the host device when connected to the host device. It was.

  The connection between the content reproduction device 55 and the external device 60 or an external reproduction device described later is not limited to a wired connection, and may be a wireless connection.

  The other process is a process of playing a predetermined content held by the content playback devices 55 and 63 as its own device on a predetermined external playback device (eg, the system audio device 35 in FIG. 3), or owned by the own device. This is a process of playing back predetermined content on its own device. As a result, the content playback devices 55 and 63 can immediately stop the playback even when the content playback device 55 and 63 is connected to the external device 60 while the content held by the content playback device 55 or 63 is being played back by the own device or another external playback device. It can be avoided, and discomfort to the user can be prevented.

  The playback processing includes not only the case where the content playback devices 55 and 63 are playing back content using their playback means, but also the case where playback is performed using an external playback device such as the system audio device 35. included.

  In the content playback devices 55 and 63, when fast forward or fast reverse processing during playback processing is performed when connection of the external device 60 is started, these are based on the assumption that predetermined content is being played back. In these cases, it is preferable that the playback process for the fast-forward or fast-reverse content is not the fast-forward or fast-rewind itself but another process.

  In the content playback devices 55 and 63, when the track jump process is performed when the connection of the external device 60 is started, the user often desires to play back the jump destination content. Therefore, in such a case, it is generally preferable to continue the process of reproducing the jump destination content as another process.

  The predetermined time is, for example, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the time when the external device 60 is switched from the non-connected state to the connected state, when other processing is terminated without a forced termination instruction by the user, This is a time when another process is ended by an end instruction, or when a processing part which is a break of another process is ended.

  For example, if another process is continued until the other process ends, the end of the other process is prolonged and the connection of the content playback device 55 to the external device 60 is started. There is a possibility that instructions related to the external device 60 are not easily executed. In response to this, it is meaningful that the user is left with a manual operation for forcibly switching the content playback device 55 to the connection to the external device 60.

  The processing part used as the separation of other processes is, for example, one chorus playback process part when the other process is a music playback process, and one content playback process part when the other process is a folder repeat. This is a reproduction processing portion of one song as a repeat unit when the other processing is one song repeat.

  Even if the content playback apparatus 55 is connected to the external device 60 during content processing such as music playback, the processing is continued, so that discomfort is prevented.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the content reproduction device 63. The content reproduction apparatus 63 includes a connection detection unit 64, a switching instruction detection unit 65, and a process control unit 66.

  The connection detection unit 64 detects that the external device 60 has been switched from the non-connected state to the connected state. The switching instruction detection unit 65 detects an explicit switching instruction from the user to the external device 60. The process control means 66 allows the execution of the other processes during the first period until the switching instruction is issued after the switching from the non-connected state to the connected state to the external device 60. The first period Thereafter, the execution of the other processing is prohibited.

  That is, in the content reproduction device 63, even if the content reproduction device 63 is connected to the external device 60, the content reproduction device 63 performs other processing until the user explicitly issues a switching instruction to the external device 60. Execution (the concept of execution includes not only interrupting newly started execution but also not interrupting unfinished execution). As a result, with the connection of the content playback device 63 to the external device 60, other unfinished processes suddenly stop, or other processes desired to be executed before the process from the external device 60 are The situation where it becomes impossible to execute can be avoided.

  An embodiment common to the content reproduction devices 55 and 63 will be described. The process control means 58 and 66 allow the processing related to the request from the external device 60 during the second period or the first period from the time when the external device 60 is switched from the non-connected state to the connected state until the predetermined time. It may be allowed or prohibited.

  When the processing control units 58 and 66 permit the processing related to the request from the external device 60 in the first or second period, it is preferable to exclude the content editing and deletion processing from the allowable processing. For example, when the predetermined content held by the content playback devices 55 and 63 is being reproduced on the own device or an external playback device (eg, the system audio device 35), the control is performed if the predetermined content held is deleted or the content is changed. This is because there is a risk that an error will occur and the reproduction may be interrupted substantially.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the content playback apparatus control method 75. The content playback device control method 75 corresponds to the content playback device 55 (FIG. 5). The content playback device control method 75 starts to be executed, for example, at regular intervals or when an event for starting execution of another process occurs. The content playback device 55 as a control target of the content playback device control method 75 is freely connectable to the external device 60. While connected to the external device 60, other processing as processing other than processing related to the external device 60 is possible. Execution of processing is prohibited.

  In S77, the presence / absence of switching from the non-connected state to the connected state to the external device 60 is detected. If there is switching, the process proceeds to S78, and if there is no switching, the content reproduction apparatus control method 75 is terminated.

  In S78, it is detected whether or not a predetermined time has come. If the predetermined time has come, the process proceeds to S80, and if not, the process proceeds to S79.

  In S79, the other processing is suspended and suspended. After S79, the process returns to S78.

  In S80, execution of other processing is prohibited, and the content playback apparatus control method 75 is terminated.

  In addition, the matters described with respect to the content reproduction device 55 can also be applied to the content reproduction device control method 75.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the content playback apparatus control method 85. The content playback device control method 85 corresponds to the content playback device 63 (FIG. 6). The content playback device control method 85 starts to be executed, for example, at regular intervals or when an event for starting execution of another process occurs.

  In S87, the presence / absence of switching from the non-connected state to the connected state to the external device 60 is detected. If there is a switch, the process proceeds to S88, and if there is not, the content reproduction apparatus control method 85 is terminated.

  In S88, the presence / absence of an explicit switching instruction from the user to the external device 60 is detected. If there is a switching instruction, the process proceeds to S90, and if there is not, the content reproduction apparatus control method 85 is terminated.

  In S89, execution of other processing is permitted. That is, after the time when the external device 60 is switched from the non-connected state to the connected state, the other processing is permitted in the first period as a period until a switching instruction is issued.

  In S90, that is, after the first period, the execution of the other processing is prohibited, and the content reproduction apparatus control method 85 is terminated.

  In addition, the matters described regarding the content reproduction device 63 can also be applied to the content reproduction device control method 85.

  The program to which the present invention is applied causes a computer to function as each means of the content reproduction device 55 or 63. The program to which the present invention is applied causes a computer to execute each step of the content playback apparatus control method 75 or 85.

  Although the present invention has been described with respect to the best mode, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this and can be implemented in various forms within the scope of the gist.

It is a front view of a portable audio player. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a portable audio player. It is a figure which shows the connection state of a portable audio player, a system audio apparatus, and PC. It is a figure which shows the relationship between each voltage value of a control signal, and the operation | movement content of a portable audio player. It is a block diagram of a content reproduction apparatus. It is a block diagram of another content reproduction apparatus. It is a flowchart of a content reproduction apparatus control method. It is a flowchart of another content reproduction apparatus control method.

Explanation of symbols

55: content playback device, 56: connection detection means, 57: time detection means, 58: processing control means, 60: external device, 63: content playback device, 64: connection detection means, 65: switching instruction detection means, 66: Processing control means 66, 75: content playback device control method, 85: content playback device control method.

Claims (12)

In a content playback apparatus that is freely connectable to a predetermined external device and prohibits the start of execution of other processing as processing other than processing related to the predetermined external device during connection to the external device.
Connection detecting means for detecting that the predetermined external device is switched from a non-connected state to a connected state;
Time detection means for detecting a predetermined time after switching from a non-connected state to a connected state to the predetermined external device, and a connected state from the non-connected state to the predetermined external device during the execution of the other processing A process control means for continuing the other processes until the predetermined time,
A content reproduction apparatus characterized by comprising:   The predetermined time refers to when a predetermined time has elapsed, when the other process is terminated without a forced termination instruction by the user, when the other process is terminated by the user's forced termination instruction, or other 2. The content reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing portion which is a delimiter of the processing is completed. A connection detection means for detecting a change from a non-connected state to a connected state to a predetermined external device;
A switching instruction detecting means for detecting an explicit switching instruction from a user to a predetermined external device, and after switching from a non-connected state to a connected state to the predetermined external device until the switching instruction is received A process control means for allowing the execution of the other process during the first period and prohibiting the execution of the other process after the first period;
A content reproduction apparatus characterized by comprising:   The processing control means is configured to perform processing related to a request from the external device during the second period or the first period from when the predetermined external device is switched from the non-connected state to the connected state to the predetermined time. The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content reproduction apparatus is allowed or prohibited.   The processing control means excludes content editing and deletion processing from the allowable processing when the processing according to the request from the external device is permitted in the first or second period. 4. The content reproduction apparatus according to 4.   The other process is a process of reproducing a predetermined content held by the own device in an external playback device as the external device, or a process of reproducing the predetermined content held by the own device by the own device. The content reproduction apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   7. The content reproduction according to claim 6, wherein the fast-forward or fast-reverse processing during the reproduction processing is not the fast-forward or fast-reverse itself, but the reproduction processing for the fast-forward or fast-reverse content is set as another process. apparatus.   8. The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the process of reproducing the jump destination content is a different process for the track jump process.   9. The content playback apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined external device is a host-side device that is bus-connected with the own device as a device side. In a method for controlling a content playback apparatus that is freely connectable to a predetermined external device and prohibits execution of other processing as processing other than processing related to the predetermined external device during connection to the external device.
Detecting the presence or absence of switching from a non-connected state to a connected state to the predetermined external device;
A step of detecting whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after switching from a non-connected state to a connected state to the predetermined external device; and disconnecting to the predetermined external device while performing the other processing When the state is switched to the connected state, the other process is suspended until the predetermined time, and the suspension is continued,
A content playback apparatus control method comprising: Detecting whether or not switching from a non-connected state to a connected state to a predetermined external device;
Detecting whether there is an explicit switching instruction from a user to a predetermined external device;
After the time when the predetermined external device is switched from the non-connected state to the connected state, the first period until the switching instruction is given is a step of allowing execution of the other process, and the first period Thereafter, the step of prohibiting the execution of the other processing,
A content playback apparatus control method comprising:   The program for functioning a computer as each means of the content reproduction apparatus in any one of Claims 1-9.

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