JP2007300563A - Multimedia reproduction device, menu screen display method, menu screen display program, and computer readable storage media storing menu screen display program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multimedia reproduction system which further increases user friendliness in a multimedia reproduction device connected to an Internet. <P>SOLUTION: A function icon array 70 comprising multiple icons showing types of reproduction functions and a content icon array 72 comprising multiple content icons showing items of reproducible contents are displayed on a menu screen 50. When the function icon displayed in an intersection 76 where the function icon array 70 and the content icon array 72 intersect with each other is a network icon 63, the content icons are displayed hierarchically with an XML file obtained through the Internet. The content icon 641A showing a classification of the contents and the content icons 643A, 643B, 643C and 643D included in the classification of the content icon 641A and showing more detailed classifications are displayed hierarchically. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a multimedia playback device and a menu screen display method. In particular, the present invention relates to a user interface technique for instructing multimedia playback.

  Conventionally, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a menu screen is displayed in a form in which a plurality of function icons symbolizing the type of content playback function and a plurality of content icons symbolizing content items are two-dimensionally arranged. There is a multimedia playback device. Content is information content including moving images, still images, audio, text, and programs. The content reproduction function is a function for reproducing, displaying, or executing content acquired through a plurality of types of information transmission means such as a hard disk, an optical disk, a memory card, a broadcast line, and a network. On such a menu screen, the user can intuitively understand what content can be selected from a plurality of types of playback functions, and can easily select desired content.

JP 2004-356774 A

  Some of such multimedia playback devices can perform data communication with various other external devices via the Internet. In such a multimedia playback device, it is considered that the convenience of the user should be further improved by taking advantage of the Internet connection.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to further improve user convenience in a multimedia playback apparatus that can be connected to the Internet.

  A multimedia playback device according to the present invention is a device capable of playing back content, and includes an operation unit that obtains an instruction related to content playback through a user operation, and a plurality of function icons that symbolize the type of content playback function. Classification of content to be reproduced by accessing an external device via a network, a storage unit for holding data, content to be reproduced by the device, and data of a plurality of content icons symbolizing content items And a network control unit that acquires content classification information indicating an item of the classified content from the external device, and outputs image data of a menu screen related to the reproduction of the content to a display device, and is acquired by the operation unit The storage unit or the network control according to a user instruction A display output unit for reproducing the content acquired from the first, a first array in which the plurality of function icons are arranged in a specific direction on the screen, and a direction in which the plurality of content icons intersect the first array on the screen And a display control unit that generates image data of the menu screen in a two-dimensional array including a second array arranged in a row. When the content playback function acquired from the external device is selected from the plurality of playback functions according to a user instruction acquired by the operation unit, the display control unit causes the network control unit to The content classification information acquired via the external device is analyzed, the content acquired from the external device is classified, the content classification icon symbolizing the classification is displayed on the menu screen as the content icon, and acquired by the operation unit When the content category icon is selected in response to a user instruction, a content icon symbolizing an item of content belonging to the category is displayed on the menu screen.

  Note that “content” refers to information content including moving images, still images, audio, text, and programs that are played, displayed, or executed through a plurality of types of information transmission means, and may include information for entertainment purposes in particular. The term “content” abstractly indicates the entire playback target, whereas “content item” refers to data such as moving image data, still image data, audio data, text data, program data, etc. Each file unit may be indicated. In addition, “acquisition of content item” may indicate an operation of acquiring data such as a list of content names or a list of file names as “content item”. “Playback” may indicate playback of an image or sound, or may indicate execution of a program. The “external device” may be an information processing device similar to this aspect having functions such as a content holding function, a content reproduction function, and a network communication function.

  According to this multimedia playback device, the content classification information indicating the classification of the content held by the external device and the item of the classified content is obtained, thereby classifying the content held by the external device, Content classification can be represented on the menu screen. Therefore, the user can more easily select desired content from various contents. Therefore, even if the content storage location is another device on the network, it is possible to provide a user interface that can realize good operability.

  A multimedia playback device according to another aspect of the present invention is a device capable of playing back content, and represents an operation unit that obtains an instruction related to content playback through a user operation and a type of content playback function. A storage unit that holds data of a plurality of function icons, content to be played back by the device, and data of a plurality of content icons that symbolize content items, and access to the external device via the network for playback A network control unit that acquires content information related to the target content from the external device, and outputs image data of a menu screen related to the reproduction of the content to a display device, and according to a user instruction acquired by the operation unit A display output unit for playing back content acquired from the storage unit; The menu screen in a two-dimensional array including a first array in which function icons are arrayed in a specific direction on the screen and a second array in which the plurality of content icons are arrayed in a direction intersecting the first array on the screen A display control unit for generating the image data. The display control unit, when any one of the plurality of content icons is selected according to a user instruction acquired by the operation unit, together with a content icon that symbolizes an item of content acquired from the storage unit, Content related information regarding the content acquired by the network control unit is displayed on the menu screen.

  Note that content-related information related to the content represents the content, content recommendation, content that introduces other content related to the content, or any user comment on the content. It may be.

  According to this multimedia playback apparatus, content-related information related to content can be acquired via a network, and user convenience can be further improved when selecting content.

  According to the present invention, user convenience in multimedia playback can be enhanced.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the common part in each figure. Moreover, this Example shows one aspect | mode of this invention, This invention is not limited, It can change arbitrarily in the scope of the present invention.

[Example]
(1) Configuration <Configuration of Multimedia Playback Device 20>
The multimedia playback system in the present invention example is a composite device that can play back or execute a plurality of contents such as still images, moving images, music, broadcasts, and games. The screen of the television receiver is used as the display screen, and the display contents on the screen and the operation buttons of the controller are used as the operation means. If a plurality of contents are reproduced on a PC, it is necessary to use an individual program such as a viewer corresponding to the type of contents. These individual programs are produced by different vendors, and usually do not have a common interface, and there is no sense of unity in each operation method. Further, even if these are integrated into a common interface such as a so-called portal screen, it is merely a gathering, and it takes time to start each program.

  The multimedia playback system according to the present embodiment integrates a plurality of content playbacks under a common interface and gives a common operability to the user. In addition, it provides an interface that achieves visual appeal and simple operability that appeal to the user's intuition so that the user can easily instruct playback of the desired content regardless of where the content is stored on the network. By doing so, the convenience of the user is enhanced.

  FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of a multimedia playback system. The multimedia playback system 10 functions mainly with the multimedia playback device 20. A television receiver 30 and a controller 42 are connected to the multimedia playback device 20. The television receiver 30 has a function of displaying or outputting video and audio output from the multimedia playback device 20 and is externally connected to the multimedia playback device 20. The controller 42 is a device that acquires various instructions related to content playback when operated by a user, and functions as a part of the multimedia playback system 10. The controller 42 may be realized by a game controller as shown in the figure, or may be realized by a remote controller used for controlling various functions of the multimedia playback device 20.

  Information is input to the multimedia playback device 20 through various recording media and various cables. For example, information such as video and audio of a program that is broadcast content is input to the multimedia playback device 20 via the antenna cable 32. Broadcast content may be recorded by the multimedia playback device 20, or may be output to the television receiver 30 through image processing by the multimedia playback device 20.

  In addition, various contents and XML files described later are input to the multimedia playback device 20 from the external device (in this case, the information providing server 37) connected to the Internet 35 via the network cable 34 and a modem (not shown). The The input content is played back after being stored or buffered in the multimedia playback device 20.

  The multimedia playback device 20 causes the television receiver 30 to display a menu screen for instructing content playback. In the menu screen, items of content held in the multimedia playback device 20 and items of content acquired from the information providing server 37 are displayed, and each content is played back by the multimedia playback device 20 based on a user instruction. can do.

  The multimedia playback device 20 has a data reading function and a writing function for an optical disk 36 such as a DVD and a CD, and a data reading function and a writing function for a removable memory card. The multimedia playback device 20 may read data such as movies and music albums from the optical disk 36, and may read data such as shot images and shot videos from the memory card 38.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the multimedia playback device 20. The multimedia playback device 20 includes an operation unit 40, an input / output unit 44, a display output unit 46, a display control unit 48, a storage unit 80, and a game execution unit 82. The multimedia playback device 20 can be realized in terms of hardware by a configuration such as a CPU, a hard disk, a RAM, a ROM, and a drawing circuit, and in software terms such as a data input function, a data holding function, an image processing function, and a drawing function. Although implemented by a program that exhibits various functions, FIG. 2 depicts functional blocks that are implemented by their cooperation. Therefore, these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by a combination of hardware and software.

  The operation unit 40 includes a direction determination unit 92 that acquires an instruction regarding any one of the four directions of up, down, left, and right through the operation of the controller 42 by the user, content reproduction, reproduction stop, menu screen call, and the like. An instruction determination unit 94 that acquires an instruction through an operation of the controller 42 by a user, an input / output unit 44, a display output unit 46, a display control unit 48, based on instructions acquired by the direction determination unit 92 and the instruction determination unit 94, An operation control unit 95 that controls each unit of the game execution unit 82.

  The input / output unit 44 inputs the content and various data held in an external device such as the broadcast input unit 84 and the information providing server 37 for inputting broadcast content via the antenna cable 32, and outputs various data. Data is input / output to / from the memory card 38, a network control unit 86 for processing via a modem (not shown), a disk control unit 88 for controlling input of data stored in the optical disc 36 and data writing to the optical disc 36, and the like. A memory card control unit 90. The network control unit 86 controls data communication with an external device via the Internet 35. The network control unit 86 obtains and stores network information such as an IP address and a MAC address from an external device, information such as a device name and ID, a content category ID, a content thumbnail, a name, and a data size. Save to the unit 80. Data input through each unit constituting the input / output unit 44 is sent to the display output unit 46, the display control unit 48, the storage unit 80, and the game execution unit 82.

  The storage unit 80 includes broadcast contents input via the antenna cable 32, XML files and contents from an external device input via the network cable 34, contents such as music and movies read from the optical disc 36, memory card The contents such as still images and moving images read from 38 are stored. In the storage unit 80, data of a plurality of function icons symbolizing the type of the playback function, content played back by the display output unit 46 and content executed by the game execution unit 82, and each stored in the storage unit 80 A plurality of content icons symbolizing content items or data of content icons symbolizing a plurality of content classifications are further stored. The content icons stored in the external device, the optical disc 36, and the memory card 38 are acquired from the information providing server 37, the optical disc 36, and the memory card 38 by the network control unit 86, the disc control unit 88, and the memory card control unit 90. It is stored in the storage unit 80. These function icons and content icons are used for displaying items on the menu screen.

  The display output unit 46 is a decoding processing unit 96 that decodes encoded data, an output buffer 100 that temporarily stores reproduction data to be output to the television receiver 30, and an on-screen display that is output to the television receiver 30. An on-screen buffer 102 that temporarily stores image data for display before output, and a synthesis processing unit 98 that synthesizes reproduction data and image data are included. The decoding processing unit 96 decodes encoded reproduction data such as broadcast contents, movies, music, and the like received from the input / output unit 44 or the storage unit 80 based on a user instruction acquired by the operation unit 40 and outputs the decoded reproduction data to the output buffer 100. Store. In the on-screen buffer 102, for example, image data of the menu screen generated by the display control unit 48 is stored as image data for on-screen display. The composition processing unit 98 synthesizes the reproduction data stored in the output buffer 100 and the image data of the menu screen stored in the on-screen buffer 102, converts this into an analog signal, and outputs it to the television receiver 30. .

  The display control unit 48 includes a menu management unit 104 that manages the types of playback functions and content items corresponding to the respective playback functions as menu items, a content control unit 106 that controls playback or execution of each content, and icons on the menu screen. An effect processing unit 108 that processes an operation and an image generation unit 110 that generates image data of a menu screen are included. The menu management unit 104 stores content items stored in the storage unit 80 and content items input via the input / output unit 44, and stores the currently selected playback function and content. The reproduction function here includes, for example, a still image reproduction function, a music reproduction function, a moving image reproduction function, a broadcast display function, and a game execution function, and further includes various setting functions and a network selection function. Based on a user instruction acquired by the operation unit 40, the content control unit 106 switches the playback function, starts and stops playback of the content, inputs data by the input / output unit 44, reads data from the storage unit 80, and game execution unit 82. Control the processing by.

  The image generation unit 110 generates a menu screen including an array in which a plurality of function icons are arranged in a horizontal direction and an array in which a plurality of content icons are arranged in a vertical direction. These two arrays intersect in the vicinity of the approximate center of the screen to form a cross array, and the image generation unit 110 emphasizes that the function icon and the content icon displayed at the intersection position and the vicinity thereof can be distinguished from other icons in appearance. indicate. The effect processing unit 108 processes the scroll display of the function icon array and the content icon array, and the highlighted function icon and content icon highlight display. Icon highlighting is expressed in a format different from that of other icons, for example, display and change in a color different from that of other icons, enlarged display of an icon, and movement of the icon.

  The game execution unit 82 executes a game program read from the optical disc 36 by the disc control unit 88 or a game program read from the storage unit 80. The game execution unit 82 processes the operation of the game program based on a user instruction acquired by the operation unit 40 and sends the video and audio of the game to the display output unit 46.

  FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a menu screen generated by the multimedia playback device 20. On the menu screen 50, a two-dimensional array is displayed in which a function icon array 70 in which a plurality of function icons are arranged in the horizontal direction and a content icon array 72 in which a plurality of content icons are arranged in the vertical direction intersect. The function icon array 70 includes a photo icon 52, a music icon 54, a moving image icon 56, a broadcast icon 58, a game icon 62, a setting icon 60, and a network icon 63 as marks symbolizing the type of playback function of the multimedia playback device 20. Is included. The content icon array 72 includes icons such as thumbnails of a plurality of contents stored in the storage unit 80 and icons symbolizing the classification of the plurality of contents. The menu screen 50 including the function icon array 70 and the content icon array 72 is an on-screen display, and is displayed superimposed on the front of the content video. When the content video currently being played is displayed in the background area (not shown), the effect processing unit 108 can easily distinguish the appearance from the background area in the entire area of the function icon array 70 and the content icon array 72. Coloring may be applied, and appearance may be easily distinguished by adjusting the brightness of the content video.

  The function icons located in the area where the function icon array 70 and the content icon array 72 intersect are enlarged and displayed in a different color from the other function icons as shown in the figure. The intersection area 76 is left at the approximate center of the menu screen 50, and the entire function icon array 70 moves in the left-right direction in response to a user's left-right direction instruction via the operation unit 40. The color and icon size of the function icon located at 76 change. Therefore, the user can select a desired reproduction function only by giving a left / right direction instruction, and a determination instruction such as a mouse click operation normally performed on the PC is not necessary.

  The effect processing unit 108 realizes the movement of the function icons in the left-right direction by scrolling the entire area of the function icon array 70 in the left-right direction. The effect processing unit 108 displays the function icons in the same color and size while moving the function icons to the left and right, but changes the color and size of only the function icons located in the intersection area 76. The effect processing unit 108 may change elements such as brightness, saturation, and hue of the function icon as the color change, or may change the color by blinking display. Thus, since the function icon located in the intersection area | region 76 is displayed with the display mode different from another function icon, the user can select a medium easily.

  The effect processing unit 108 does not display the content icon array 72 when the function icon is moving in the left-right direction and no function icon is located in the intersection area 76, and any function icon is displayed in the intersection area 76. When positioned, the content icon array 72 is unfolded and displayed so as to be drawn up and down from the intersection area 76. The user can recognize the content corresponding to the playback function only by scrolling the function icon left and right with the intersection area 76 as the target point, and recognize the type of the playback function from the expanded display content. You can also. Conversely, when there is an instruction in the left-right direction while the content icon array 72 is displayed, the effect processing unit 108 displays the expanded content icon array 72 in such a manner that it is stored toward the intersection area 76. .

  The attention area 75 located at the approximate center of the menu screen 50 is an area where the icon of the content to be operated by the user is to be displayed, and the position is set at the approximate center position of the menu screen 50. The image generation unit 110 displays the function icon array 70 so that the intersection region 76 is positioned in the vicinity of the attention region 75, that is, immediately above the attention region 75. The attention area 75 constitutes a part of the content icon array 72, and the effect processing unit 108 enlarges and displays the content icon positioned in the attention area 75 as the attention icon 64. Other content icons are displayed in a size smaller than the attention icon 64. Content information 65 such as a moving image title and a recording date is displayed as an attribute of the content indicated by the attention icon 64 in the vicinity of the attention icon 64, that is, on the right side.

  While the operation unit 40 acquires an instruction in the vertical direction by the user, each content icon moves in the vertical direction in accordance with the instruction. The effect processing unit 108 realizes the vertical movement of the content icon by scrolling the entire area of the content icon array 72 in the vertical direction.

  The effect processing unit 108 displays each content icon in the same size while moving it up and down, but only the content icon located in the attention area 75 is enlarged as the attention icon 64. The effect processing unit 108 may further change elements such as the lightness, saturation, and hue of the attention icon 64, or may display the blinking display. When the operation unit 40 obtains an instruction to determine the reproduction of the content displayed as the attention icon 64 from the user, the image generation unit 110 hides the image data on the menu screen, and the content control unit 106 starts reproduction of the selected content. Control. During content reproduction, when the user instructs to call a menu screen via the operation unit 40, the menu screen is displayed superimposed on the content reproduction screen. On the menu screen displayed here, the state when the content is determined to be reproduced is reproduced.

  The image generation unit 110 displays the function icon array 70 slightly above the center in the vertical direction of the menu screen 50 and displays the content icon array 72 slightly to the left of the center in the horizontal direction of the menu screen 50. Thereby, the combination of the attention icon 64 and the content information 65 is displayed at a substantially central position on the menu screen 50. The user can see the attention icon 64 and the content information 65 in the center of the menu screen 50, and can easily recognize these contents.

  The photo icon 52 symbolizes a still image reproduction function, and is an icon to be selected when reproducing a still image. The image to be played back is a still image taken mainly with a digital camera, and is read from, for example, the memory card 38. The content icon displayed when the photo icon 52 is positioned in the intersection area 76 is a thumbnail of a still image. As the content information 65, shooting information such as a shooting date and a file size is displayed.

  The music icon 54 symbolizes a music playback function, and is an icon to be selected when playing music data. The music data to be reproduced is generated, for example, by encoding data read from the optical disc 36 in a specific compression format. The content icon developed and displayed when the music icon 54 is located in the intersection area 76 may be displayed in units of music or may be displayed in units of album. As the content information 65, information such as the titles of music and albums and playback times is displayed. The music data may include moving image data such as a music promotion video. In that case, a thumbnail of the moving image may be used as a content icon.

  The moving image icon 56 is an icon that represents a moving image reproduction function and should be selected when a moving image is reproduced. A moving image to be played back is a recorded video of a TV program input from the antenna cable 32, a recorded video shot by a digital video camera, or a video read from an optical disc 36 or an external device, and has a specific compression. It is encoded in the format. In these cases, a thumbnail obtained by reducing a frame included in a moving image is set as a content icon. As the content information 65, information such as a recording date and a reproduction time is displayed.

  The broadcast icon 58 symbolizes a broadcast display function, and is an icon to be selected when viewing a television program input from the antenna cable 32. A content icon developed as a viewing target may be a program unit, or a broadcast station or a broadcast channel unit. As the content information 65, information such as a broadcast station name, a broadcast channel name, a program title, and a broadcast time acquired based on EPG (electronic program guide) data is displayed.

  The game icon 62 symbolizes a game execution function and is an icon to be selected when executing a game program. The execution target is a game program stored in the storage unit 80 or a game program read from the optical disc 36. If the game program includes a game icon as data, the icon is displayed as a content icon. As the content information 65, information such as the title of the game program is displayed.

  The setting icon 60 symbolizes various setting functions, and is an icon to be selected when changing various settings of the multimedia playback device 20.

  The network icon 63 symbolizes a network selection function, and is an icon that should be selected when playing content input via the Internet 35. Here, the content icon developed as a reproduction target is defined by an XML file stored in the storage unit 80 (hereinafter, referred to as “own device XML file”). In this own device XML file, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) indicating the storage location of an XML file (referred to as another device XML file) stored in an external device such as the information providing server 37 connected to the Internet 35 is described. ing. In this other apparatus XML file, the content classification structure classified by hierarchy and type for the content stored in the information providing server 37 is described in a tree structure, for example. In the upper layer of the tree structure, a classification name indicating the classification of content is described. In the lowest layer of the tree structure, item names of contents included in the folders and URLs storing the contents are described. This content is a still image, a moving image, music data, a game, or the like. Note that the hierarchical structure of content described in the XML file may be two or more layers, or only one layer.

  When the XML file stored in the URL described in the own device XML file is input to the display control unit 48 via the network control unit 86, the display control unit 48 interprets the contents of the XML file. The menu screen is displayed on the display output unit 46 according to the interpretation result. For example, a menu screen 50 as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. In the figure, content icons indicating content classification names are displayed in two layers. Specifically, a content icon 641A symbolizing the classification “karaoke” is displayed in the area 641 on the right side of the attention area 75, and classification information 642 representing the classification name is displayed on the right side. Further, in the area 643 on the right side of the area 641, content icons 643A, 643B, 643C, and 643D symbolizing further classifications belonging to the category “Karaoke” are displayed. Representing classification information 644A, 644B, 644C, 644D is displayed. In addition, when the content classification includes a plurality of layers, the number of content icon layers displayed on the menu screen 50 may be limited to a predetermined number.

<Configuration of information providing server>
Although not shown, the information providing server 37 includes a control unit, a storage unit, and a communication unit. The storage unit stores the above-described XML file and various contents. The information providing server 37 transmits various XML files and various contents stored in the storage unit to the multimedia reproducing device 20 via the communication unit in response to a request from the multimedia reproducing device 20.

(2) Operation FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation process of the multimedia playback device 20. When the user turns on the multimedia playback device 20, the display control unit 48 reads its own device XML file stored in the storage unit 80, interprets the contents of the file (S6), and is described in the file. The other device XML file stored in the URL is acquired via the network control unit 86 and the Internet 35 (S7), and is stored in the storage unit 80. For example, when this URL indicates a storage location in the information providing server 37, the network control unit 86 accesses the information providing server 37 and acquires the other device XML file. The display control unit 48 interprets the contents of the other device XML file and stores the content icon based on the interpretation result in the storage unit 80 (S8). The image generation unit 110 acquires items such as various function icons and content icons from the storage unit 80, and also acquires content icons based on the interpretation result in step S8 described above from the storage unit 80 to generate a menu screen. Then, the display output unit 46 displays this on the television receiver 30 (S10). When the operation unit 40 acquires a left or right direction instruction from the user (S12: YES), the effect processing unit 108 moves the function icon in either the left or right direction according to the instruction (S14), and enters the intersection area 76. The positioned function icon is highlighted (S16), and the content icon corresponding to the reproduction function is acquired from the storage unit 80, and these are expanded and displayed in the vertical direction (S18). S14 to S18 are skipped while there is no left / right instruction from the user (S12: NO).

  When the operation unit 40 obtains an up / down direction instruction from the user (S20: YES), the effect processing unit 108 moves the content icon in either the up / down direction according to the instruction (S22), and immediately below the intersection area 76. The content icon located in the attention area 75 is highlighted (S24). Further, if the function icon located in the intersection area 76 is not the network icon 63, the content information 65 is displayed on the right side (S26). When the function icon located in the intersection area 76 is the network icon 63, that is, when the network icon 63 is selected, the content icons are hierarchically expanded and displayed as shown in FIG. In this case, if any one of the content icons 643A, 643B, 643C, and 643D expanded and displayed is selected by a combination of one of the upper and lower direction instructions and the left and right direction instruction, The content icon is highlighted as an attention icon. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, a content icon indicating an item of content belonging to the content classification indicated by the content icon (here, content icon 643A) is displayed in area 645. In the figure, content information 646A and 646B representing content names and the like are displayed on the right side of the content icons 645A and 645B.

  S22 to S26 are skipped while there is no up / down instruction from the user (S20: NO).

  Until the operation unit 40 obtains a content reproduction determination instruction from the user, the processing of S12 to S26 is repeated (S28: NO). When the operation unit 40 obtains a content reproduction decision instruction (S28: YES), the position is located in the intersection region 76. If the function icon is not the network icon 63, the content control unit 106 starts reproduction of the content highlighted in the attention area 75 (S30). Note that the function icon located in the intersection area 76 is the network icon 63, and corresponds to the content icons expanded and displayed in a hierarchical manner corresponding to the network icon 63 (in FIG. 6, they are the content icons 646A and 646B). When the operation unit 40 acquires an instruction to determine reproduction of content to be performed, the network control unit 86 acquires the content based on the URL of the content described in the other device XML file, and the content control unit 106 Then, reproduction of the content is started.

  When the operation unit 40 obtains an instruction to call the menu screen by the user during content reproduction (S32: YES), the process jumps to S10 and executes the processes of S10 to S28 again. If there is no instruction for calling the menu screen by the user, the reproduction of the content is continued (S32: NO). When the operation unit 40 acquires an instruction to stop the reproduction of the content by the user during the content reproduction, the content control unit 106 performs the content reproduction. Stop (S34: YES).

As described above, the multimedia playback device 20 can significantly increase the content that can be played back by acquiring content from the information providing server 37 via the Internet 35. In addition, by acquiring information related to a user interface for providing reproducible content as an XML file from the information providing server 37, various variations of user interfaces can be provided to the user.
In addition, the information providing server 37 can dynamically provide information by appropriately updating the XML file provided to the multimedia playback device 20, and can further improve the convenience for the user.

[Modification]
<Modification 1>
Note that a plurality of the above-described own device XML files may be stored in the storage unit 80, and URLs described in each own device XML file may be different from each other. The multimedia playback device 20 interprets each XML file, identifies each URL described in the XML file, and acquires each other device XML file stored in the storage location indicated by each URL. You can do that.

<Modification 2>
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the content icon representing the content acquired via the network icon 63 and the Internet 35 as the function icon is defined by the XML file. Other function icons or content icons may also be defined by the XML file.

  In the above-described embodiment, the content acquired via the Internet 35 is associated with the network icon 63. However, the content may be associated with a function icon for each content type. That is, for example, when the content acquired via the Internet 35 is music data, when the music icon 54 is located in the intersection area 76, the content icon representing the content is expanded and displayed in the content icon array 72. To do.

<Modification 3>
Further, when content is acquired via the Internet 35, billing processing may be performed. For example, when a content icon symbolizing the classification of content acquired via the Internet 35 is located in the attention area 75 and one of the content icons symbolizing content items belonging to the classification is instructed, the user An option menu is displayed on the menu screen in response to further instructions from. When an instruction to perform billing processing is given in the option menu, data communication relating to billing is performed with a billing server (which may be the information providing server 37) (not shown) via the Internet 35. You may comprise so that the said content can be acquired from the information provision server 37. FIG.

<Modification 4>
Further, the multimedia playback device 20 may be configured to include a content browser. The content browser may classify content corresponding to each playback function, and expand and display icons that symbolize content classification based on the classification result. For example, in FIG. 7, the music icon 54 is located in the intersection area 76, and an icon symbolizing the storage device or storage medium in which the music data is stored is expanded and displayed in the content icon array 72. The storage device is, for example, a hard disk, and the storage medium is, for example, an optical disk 36, a memory card 38, or the like. When the icon symbolizing the storage device or the storage medium is positioned in the attention area 75 immediately below the intersection area 76, the content item belonging to the classification symbolized by the content icon is symbolized based on the classification result by the content browser. The content icon 700 to be expanded is displayed in the right direction, and the classification name information 701 indicating the classification name of the content is displayed on the right side of the content icon 700.

<Modification 5>
The various playback functions described above may be managed as a widget (widget). For example, information acquired via the Internet 35 may be displayed as content related information for content stored on the memory card 38 or the optical disc 36 as well as content acquired via the Internet 35. good.

  Specifically, for example, instead of displaying the content information 65 for the attention icon 64, a browser image is displayed. For example, when the content icon is an icon symbolizing a game program, the browser image 78 displays content-related information such as a summary of a game executed by the game program. This content-related information may be stored in advance in the storage unit 80 corresponding to the game, for example, acquired via the Internet 35 from a predetermined URL linked in advance to the game program. You may do it. In addition to information representing the summary of the game, the content-related information may include, for example, information indicating the score ranking of the game and information such as a recommendation level. The image generation unit 110 generates such a browser image and causes the display output unit 46 to display the image on the television receiver 30. For example, in the menu screen shown in FIG. 8, the browser image 78 is displayed on the right side of the content icon located in the attention area 75 immediately below the intersection area 76.

  When the network control unit 86 detects that the multimedia playback device 20 is not connectable to the Internet 35, the information displayed on the browser image 78 is limited to the information stored in the storage unit 80 in advance. May be. In addition, information is displayed on the browser image 78 over a plurality of pages, information stored in advance in the storage unit 80 is displayed on the first page, and the second and subsequent pages are acquired via the Internet 35. The information may be displayed.

  In addition, operations such as turning a page of information displayed in the browser image 78 and scrolling may be performed via the controller 42. In this case, an operation in the browser image 78 (hereinafter referred to as a browser operation) and an operation related to selection of content icons and function icons and content reproduction (hereinafter referred to as menu operations) on the menu screen 50 described above are as follows. You may make it switch as follows. In other words, whether the operation in the controller 42 is associated with the browser operation or the menu operation may be switched as follows. Switching is performed by the user performing a predetermined operation on the controller 42. Alternatively, when a pointer to be moved and displayed in accordance with the operation in the controller 42 is displayed in the browser image 78, when it is detected that the movement display position of the pointer is outside the browser image 78, the operation in the controller 42 is changed to the menu operation. Switch to automatically.

  Further, a part or all of the browser image 78 may be made transparent or semi-transparent, and the background image of the browser image 78 may be superimposed and displayed on the transparent or semi-transparent part. Moreover, you may make it make the shape of the part made transparent into various shapes. For example, only the part of the image 78A in the browser image 78 may be made transparent. The designation and shape of the transparent color in the browser screen 78 may be stored in the storage unit 80 in advance, or may be acquired from the information providing server 37.

  When information is acquired from the information providing server 37, the character font of information displayed in the browser image 78 may be set according to the performance of the television receiver 30. That is, when the television receiver 30 has high-vision performance, the information providing server 37 provides information specifying a character font corresponding to the performance, and when the television receiver 30 has standard performance, The information providing server 37 is configured to provide information specifying the character font.

<Modification 6>
Further, for example, when the operation unit 40 acquires a predetermined instruction from the user, for example, when an option menu is displayed on the right side of the menu screen 50, the display area of the image of the option menu is displayed as a content. The information 65 may be variable according to the number of characters. For example, when the content is a still image, the option menu is for the user to instruct deletion of the image, change of the image name, copy of the image, and the like. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the number of characters of the content information 65 is less than a predetermined number, an option menu image is displayed on the right side near the end of the character representing the content information. When the number of characters of the content information 65 is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, as shown in FIG. 10, an option menu image is displayed in a predetermined area from the right end of the menu screen.

<Modification 7>
The above-described multimedia playback device 20 may be connectable to a network other than the Internet 35 (for example, a LAN). In such a configuration, the multimedia playback device 20 acquires content from an external device such as a digital home appliance connected to the network, displays a content icon related to the content on the menu screen, and displays the content on the menu screen. Control is performed so that the content is reproduced according to the operation.

<Modification 8>
In the above-described multimedia playback apparatus 20, the television receiver 30 that functions as a display unit and the controller 42 that functions as an operation unit are configured separately from the apparatus main body. However, the multimedia playback apparatus 20 according to the present invention may be configured such that the display means and the operation means are integrated with the apparatus main body, and may be configured as a portable apparatus.

  The above description of each embodiment is an example of the present invention. For this reason, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made even outside the above-described embodiments as long as they do not depart from the technical idea according to the present invention. Of course.

  The present invention is suitable for use in a multimedia playback system that displays a menu screen in a two-dimensional array of a plurality of function icons symbolizing the type of content playback function and a plurality of content icons symbolizing content items. is there.

1 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a multimedia playback system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the multimedia reproducing | regenerating apparatus based on the Example. It is a figure which shows the structure of the menu screen produced | generated by the multimedia reproduction apparatus based on the Example. It is a figure which shows the structure of the menu screen produced | generated by the multimedia reproduction apparatus based on the Example. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation process of the multimedia playback apparatus according to the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the menu screen produced | generated by the multimedia reproduction apparatus based on the Example. It is a figure which shows the structure of the menu screen produced | generated by the multimedia reproduction apparatus based on the Example. It is a figure which shows the structure of the menu screen produced | generated by the multimedia reproduction apparatus based on the Example. It is a figure which shows the structure of the menu screen produced | generated by the multimedia reproduction apparatus based on the Example. It is a figure which shows the structure of the menu screen produced | generated by the multimedia reproduction apparatus based on the Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Multimedia reproduction apparatus, 30 ... Television receiver, 37 ... Information provision server, 40 ... Operation part, 42 ... Controller, 46 ... Display output part, 48 ... Display control unit, 50 ... menu screen, 80 ... storage unit, 86 ... network control unit.

Claims (11)

A device capable of playing content,
An operation unit that obtains an instruction regarding content reproduction via a user operation;
A storage unit for holding data of a plurality of function icons symbolizing the type of content reproduction function, content to be reproduced by the device, and data of a plurality of content icons symbolizing a content item;
A network control unit that accesses an external device via a network, acquires content classification information indicating the classification of content to be reproduced and indicating items of the classified content, from the external device;
A display output unit that outputs the image data of the menu screen related to the reproduction of the content to a display device and reproduces the content acquired from the storage unit or the network control unit in accordance with a user instruction acquired by the operation unit When,
A two-dimensional array including a first array in which the plurality of function icons are arranged in a specific direction on the screen and a second array in which the plurality of content icons are arranged in a direction intersecting the first array on the screen. A display control unit that generates image data of the menu screen,
When the content playback function acquired from the external device is selected from the plurality of playback functions according to a user instruction acquired by the operation unit, the display control unit causes the network control unit to The content classification information acquired via the external device is analyzed, the content acquired from the external device is classified, the content classification icon symbolizing the classification is displayed on the menu screen as the content icon, and acquired by the operation unit When the content classification icon is selected in response to a user instruction, a content icon symbolizing an item of content belonging to the classification is displayed on the menu screen. The storage unit stores storage location information indicating a storage location of the content classification information;
The multimedia playback device according to claim 1, wherein the network control unit accesses the external device using the storage location information and acquires the content classification information. The content classification information indicates the storage location of the content,
The network control unit acquires the content from the storage location indicated in the content classification information according to a user's reproduction instruction acquired by the operation unit,
The multimedia playback device according to claim 2, wherein the display output unit plays back the content acquired by the network control unit. The content classification information indicates the content classification hierarchically,
The display control unit analyzes the content classification information and hierarchically displays a content classification icon symbolizing the classification and a content icon symbolizing an item of content belonging to the classification on the menu screen. The multimedia playback device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A device capable of playing content,
An operation unit that obtains an instruction regarding content reproduction via a user operation;
A storage unit for holding data of a plurality of function icons symbolizing the type of content reproduction function, content to be reproduced by the device, and data of a plurality of content icons symbolizing a content item;
A network control unit that accesses an external device via a network and acquires content information related to the content to be reproduced from the external device;
A display output unit that outputs image data of a menu screen related to reproduction of the content to a display device, and reproduces content acquired from the storage unit in response to a user instruction acquired by the operation unit;
A two-dimensional array including a first array in which the plurality of function icons are arranged in a specific direction on the screen and a second array in which the plurality of content icons are arranged in a direction intersecting the first array on the screen. A display control unit that generates image data of the menu screen,
The display control unit, when any one of the plurality of content icons is selected according to a user instruction acquired by the operation unit, together with a content icon that symbolizes an item of content acquired from the storage unit, Content-related information regarding the content acquired by the network control unit is displayed on the menu screen. The network control unit obtains the content to be played and the content item from the external device,
The display control unit, when a content icon symbolizing an item of content acquired from the external device is selected from the plurality of content icons in accordance with a user instruction acquired by the operation unit, The multimedia playback device according to claim 5, wherein content related information regarding the content acquired by the network control unit is displayed on the menu screen together with a content icon symbolizing an item of content acquired by the unit. A method for displaying a menu screen on a device capable of reproducing content,
A step of reading out data of a plurality of function icons symbolizing the type of content reproduction function, content to be reproduced by the device, and data of a plurality of content icons symbolizing items of the content;
An acquisition step of accessing the external device via the network, acquiring content classification information indicating the classification of the content to be reproduced and indicating the classified content item from the external device;
A two-dimensional array including a first array in which the plurality of function icons are arranged in a specific direction on the screen and a second array in which the plurality of content icons are arranged in a direction intersecting the first array on the screen. A generation step of generating image data of the menu screen;
Outputting the image data of the menu screen to a display device,
In the generation step, the content classification information acquired via the network in the acquisition step is selected when a content playback function acquired from the external device is selected from the plurality of playback functions according to a user instruction. Analyzing and classifying content acquired from the external device, generating image data in which the content classification icon symbolizing the classification is arranged on the menu screen as the content icon, and in response to a user instruction, the content classification icon A menu screen display method characterized in that, when is selected, image data in which content icons symbolizing content items belonging to the category are arranged on the menu screen is generated. A method for displaying a menu screen on a device capable of reproducing content,
A step of reading out data of a plurality of function icons symbolizing the type of content reproduction function, content to be reproduced by the device, and data of a plurality of content icons symbolizing items of the content;
An acquisition step of accessing an external device via a network and acquiring content information related to the content to be reproduced from the external device;
A two-dimensional array including a first array in which the plurality of function icons are arranged in a specific direction on the screen and a second array in which the plurality of content icons are arranged in a direction intersecting the first array on the screen. A generation step of generating image data of the menu screen;
Outputting the image data of the menu screen to a display device,
In the generation step, when any one of the plurality of content icons is selected according to a user instruction, the content icon symbolized in the content item read in the reading step and the content icon acquired in the acquisition step A method for displaying a menu screen, comprising: generating image data representing content-related information related to content on the menu screen. A program for causing a computer included in a device capable of reproducing content to execute the program,
A step of reading out data of a plurality of function icons symbolizing the type of content reproduction function, content to be reproduced by the device, and data of a plurality of content icons symbolizing items of the content;
An acquisition step of accessing the external device via the network, acquiring content classification information indicating the classification of the content to be reproduced and indicating the classified content item from the external device;
A two-dimensional array including a first array in which the plurality of function icons are arranged in a specific direction on the screen and a second array in which the plurality of content icons are arranged in a direction intersecting the first array on the screen. A generation step for generating image data of the menu screen;
Causing the computer to execute an output step of outputting the image data of the menu screen to a display device;
In the generation step, the content classification information acquired via the network in the acquisition step is selected when a content playback function acquired from the external device is selected from the plurality of playback functions according to a user instruction. Analyzing and classifying content acquired from the external device, generating image data in which the content classification icon symbolizing the classification is arranged on the menu screen as the content icon, and in response to a user instruction, the content classification icon A menu screen display program that generates image data in which content icons that symbolize content items belonging to the category are arranged on the menu screen when is selected. A program for causing a computer included in a device capable of reproducing content to execute the program,
A step of reading out data of a plurality of function icons symbolizing the type of content reproduction function, content to be reproduced by the device, and data of a plurality of content icons symbolizing items of the content;
An acquisition step of accessing an external device via a network and acquiring content information related to the content to be reproduced from the external device;
A two-dimensional array including a first array in which the plurality of function icons are arranged in a specific direction on the screen and a second array in which the plurality of content icons are arranged in a direction intersecting the first array on the screen. A generation step for generating image data of the menu screen;
An output step of outputting the image data of the menu screen to a display device and a computer,
In the generation step, when any one of the plurality of content icons is selected according to a user instruction, the content icon symbolized in the content item read in the reading step and the content icon acquired in the acquisition step A menu screen display program that generates image data representing content-related information related to content on a menu screen.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the menu screen display program according to claim 9 or 10.

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