JP2007318215A - Content reproducing system, content reproducing apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a content reproducing apparatus for acquiring content through an interface and reproducing the content, the content reproducing apparatus being capable of quickly displaying a content list and selecting a content by using the content list acquired at a previous time. <P>SOLUTION: A reproducing apparatus with a plurality of interfaces, when a connection destination is switched to an internal memory, can acquire and display the content list, however when the connection destination is switched to an external device via a network, the reproducing apparatus takes much time to acquire the content list. When connection is switched from an external medium 30 to a content server 20, an MPU 151 displays the content list acquired at a previous time on a display apparatus 40 in parallel with connection processing with the content server 20, so that a user can select a content on the basis of the content list. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a content reproduction system, a content reproduction apparatus, and a program that can acquire and reproduce content from a server device through an interface.

  2. Description of the Related Art Playback devices that have a plurality of interfaces, acquire content from a recording medium through the interfaces, and perform playback have become widespread.

  This type of playback device is connected to a server device or a recording medium that stores content, and acquires and plays back content by appropriately switching the connection destination. (Patent Document 1)

  This type of playback device expands and restarts the interface program each time the interface is switched, then establishes a connection with the server device or recording medium, reads the stored content list, and displays it in the GUI. Display and then accept selection of content. For this reason, the user cannot select the content until the playback apparatus displays the content information on the GUI, and it may take time until the content can be selected, which is inconvenient for the user.

  In addition, when connecting to a server apparatus or the like via a network and displaying a list of contents stored in the server apparatus to enable selection of the contents, depending on the communication status of the network, it may take time to select the contents. This may be inconvenient for the user.

In the case of a playback device having a plurality of interfaces, for example, when the connection destination is switched to the internal memory, the content list can be immediately acquired from the internal memory and displayed. However, when the connection destination is switched to an external device via a network, it takes time to acquire the content list. That is, depending on the connection destination, the time required to display the content list varies greatly, and the user may feel uncomfortable.
JP 2005-182762 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable quick display of a content list and selection of content.

  It is another object of the present invention to quickly display a content list and select a content when switching between interfaces in a content reproduction system having a plurality of interfaces.

  It is another object of the present invention to reduce variations in time taken to display a content list and select a content when switching content recording media.

In order to achieve the above object, a content reproduction system according to the first aspect of the present invention provides:
In a content reproduction system including a content recording medium for storing content and a client device,
The content recording medium stores a list of contents to be stored,
The client device is
Content recording medium connecting means for connecting to the content recording medium;
List storage means for storing a list of contents acquired from the content recording medium;
Display means;
When the content recording medium connecting means connects to the content recording medium, the list is acquired from the list storing means and displayed on the display means, and after the content recording medium connecting means is connected to the content recording medium, Control means for obtaining the latest list from the content recording medium, updating the display of the display means to display the latest list, and storing the latest list in the list storage means,
It is characterized by that.

Furthermore, the client device
Selection means for accepting selection of arbitrary content by the user from among the content posted on the list displayed by the display means;
Reproducing means for acquiring and reproducing the content selected by the selection means from the content recording medium,
When the content recording medium connection unit connects to the content recording medium, the selection unit temporarily prohibits the selection of content, and when the display unit displays the list, the content recording medium by the selection unit Cancel the prohibition of selection,
It is characterized by that.

In order to achieve the above object, a content reproduction system according to the second aspect of the present invention provides:
In a content reproduction system composed of a plurality of content recording media for storing content and a client device,
The client device is connected to one of the content recording media;
The content recording medium stores a list of contents to be stored,
The client device is
Switching means for switching the connection from the content recording medium connected to the client device to one of the other content recording media;
List storage means for storing a list of contents acquired from the content recording medium;
Display means;
When the switching unit performs connection switching, the list is acquired from the list storage unit and displayed on the display unit. After the switching unit is connected to the content recording medium, the latest list is switched. Control means for obtaining from a content recording medium, updating the display of the display means to display the latest list, and storing the latest list in the list storage means,
It is characterized by that.

Furthermore, the client device
Selection means for accepting selection of arbitrary content by the user from among the content posted on the list displayed by the display means;
Reproducing means for acquiring and reproducing the content selected by the selection means from the content recording medium,
When the switching unit switches connection to the other content recording medium, the selection unit temporarily prohibits the selection of content, and when the display unit displays the list, the content by the selection unit Remove the prohibition on the selection of
It is characterized by that.

In order to achieve the above object, a content playback apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention provides:
Content recording medium connecting means for connecting to the content recording medium;
List storage means for storing a list of contents;
When the content recording medium connecting means connects to the content recording medium, the list is acquired from the list storing means and displayed on the display device. After the content recording medium connecting means is connected to the content recording medium, the latest Control means for obtaining a list from the content recording medium, updating the display on the display device to display the latest list, and storing the latest list in the list storage means;
A selection means for accepting selection of any content from the content posted on the list displayed on the display device;
Reproduction means for obtaining and reproducing the content selected by the selection means from the content recording medium;
It is characterized by providing.

A content playback apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention provides:
Switching means for switching the connection from the connected content recording medium to one of the other content recording media;
List storage means for storing a list of contents acquired from the content recording medium;
Display means;
When the switching unit performs connection switching, the list is acquired from the list storage unit and displayed on the display unit. After the switching unit is connected to the content recording medium, the latest list is switched. Control means for obtaining from a content recording medium, updating the display of the display means to display the latest list, and storing the latest list in the list storage means;
A selection means for accepting selection of any content from the content posted on the list displayed on the display device;
Reproduction means for obtaining and reproducing the content selected by the selection means from the content recording medium;
It is characterized by providing.

A computer program according to the fifth aspect of the present invention provides:
Computer
Content recording medium connecting means for connecting to a content recording medium;
List storage means for storing a list of contents;
When the content recording medium connecting means makes a connection, the list is acquired from the list storing means and displayed on a display device. After the content recording medium connecting means is connected to the content recording medium, the latest list is displayed. Control means for obtaining from a content recording medium, updating the display of the display device to display the latest list, and storing the latest list in the list storage means;
Selection means for accepting selection of any of the contents listed in the list displayed on the display device;
Reproduction means for acquiring and reproducing the content selected by the selection means from the content recording medium,
To function as.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, in the content reproduction | regeneration system which acquires and reproduces | regenerates a content from an interface, the display of a content list and the selection of a content can be performed rapidly, and a user's usability improves.

  According to the present invention, in a content playback system that acquires and plays back content from a plurality of interfaces, it is possible to quickly display a content list and select a content when switching interfaces, improving user convenience.

  According to the present invention, in a content reproduction system that acquires and reproduces content from a plurality of interfaces, it is possible to reduce variations in time taken until the content list can be displayed and the content can be selected when the interface is switched. , User convenience is improved.

Hereinafter, a content reproduction system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in the figure, the content reproduction system 100 includes a content reproduction device 10, a content server 20, an external medium 30, a display device 40, an audio output device 50, a LAN (Local Area Network) 60, and a USB (Universal). (Serial Bus) 70.

  The content server 20 stores a plurality of contents and a list (content list) of the contents. The content may be an image such as a still image or a moving image, or may be a sound such as music. The content server 20 is connected to the content reproduction device 10 via the LAN 60.

  The external medium 30 stores a plurality of contents and a content list. The content may be an image or sound. The external medium 30 is connected to the content reproduction apparatus 10 via the USB 70.

  The display device 40 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display (PDP), and the like, and is a device that displays video, images, and the like. The display device 40 also displays a content list.

  The audio output device 50 is a device that reproduces audio.

  The content reproduction device 10 is a device that acquires content from the content server 20 and the external medium 30 and outputs the content to the display device 40 and the audio output device 50. The network IC 11, the USB host 12, the list storage unit 13, and the flash The memory 14, the system IC 15, and the operation unit 16 are configured.

  The network IC 11 is connected to the content server 20 via the LAN 60 and transmits / receives data to / from the content server 20 under the control of the MPU 151 to be described later.

  The USB host 12 is connected to the external medium 30 via the USB 70 and transmits / receives data to / from the external medium 30 under the control of the MPU 151.

  The list storage unit 13 is composed of a non-volatile memory or the like, and stores a content list as illustrated in FIG. 2A or FIG.

  The operation unit 16 includes key buttons and the like, and notifies the MPU 151 described later of a signal corresponding to a user operation instruction.

  The flash memory 14 stores a program for controlling the operation of the network IC 11 and a program for controlling the operation of the USB host 12. Details of the operation program will be described later.

  The system IC 15 is an IC chip that reproduces content by acquiring and decoding the content from the content server 20 and the external medium 30 and supplying an image signal to the display device 40 and an audio signal to the audio output device 50. The system IC 15 has a function of reading a content list from the content server 20 and the external medium 30 and displaying the content list on the display device 40 to accept selection from the operation unit 16 so that the content to be reproduced can be selected. In order to realize such a function, the system IC 15 includes an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) 151, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 152, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 153, a video decoder 154, an audio decoder 155, and the like. Is composed of.

  The MPU 151 executes an operation program stored in the ROM 152, thereby establishing a connection with the content server 20 or the external medium 30, selecting content, reading out the content, and performing processing. Details of the processing will be described later.

  The ROM 152 stores an operation program for the MPU 151.

  The RAM 153 functions as a main memory and work area for the MPU 151.

  Under the control of the MPU 151, the video decoder 154 decodes the content signal read from the content server 20 and the external medium 30 and the image signal of the content list read from the list storage unit 13, and converts them into a format that can be reproduced by the display device 40. And output to the display device 40.

  The audio decoder 155 decodes the audio signal read from the content server 20 and the external medium 30 under the control of the MPU 151, converts it into a format that can be played back by the audio output device 50, and outputs the audio signal to the audio output device 50.

  Next, the operation of the content reproduction system 100 configured as described above will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the normal operation of the content reproduction system 100 will be described.
The content reproduction apparatus 10 connects to the content server 20 or the external medium 30 as appropriate, acquires a content list from the connection destination, and displays it on the display apparatus 40. In response to the operation of the operation unit 16 by the user, the content reproduction apparatus 10 selects any content on the displayed list. The content reproduction apparatus 10 acquires the selected content from the content server 20 via the LAN 60 and the network IC 11, or acquires the selected content from the external medium 30 via the USB 70 and the USB host 12, and converts the image into the video decoder 154. Is decoded and supplied to the display device 40, and the audio signal is decoded by the audio decoder 155 and supplied to the audio output device 50 for reproduction.
Since the content playback apparatus 10 has two content sources with different interfaces, that is, the content server 20 and the external media 30, it is necessary to switch the interface according to the storage location of the content to be played back. Is required.

  This switching process will be described below with reference to FIG.

  First, in order to facilitate understanding, it is assumed that the content reproduction apparatus 10 is connected to the external medium 30 via the USB 70. It is assumed that the user operates the operation unit 16 and inputs an instruction to switch the connection destination from the external medium 30 to the content server 20.

  In response to a user input operation, the operation unit 16 transmits to the MPU 151 an instruction to switch the interface (connection destination) from the content server 20 to the external medium 30.

  In response to this instruction, the MPU 151 starts the interface switching process shown in FIG.

  First, the MPU 151 controls the USB host 12 to disconnect the USB 70 (step S1).

  Next, the MPU 151 is set so as not to receive a notification from the operation unit 16 (step S2). In other words, the input operation is not accepted.

  Next, the MPU 151 reads a LAN interface program for controlling the operation of the network IC 11 from the flash memory 14 and expands it in the RAM 153 (step S3).

  Subsequently, the MPU 151 determines whether or not the content list acquired at the previous timing is stored in the list storage unit 13 (step S4).

  When the MPU 151 determines that the content list is stored in the list storage unit 13 (step S4; Yes), the MPU 151 reads the content list as shown in FIG. Display on the display device 40 (step S5).

  Subsequently, the MPU 151 cancels the rejection of the notification from the operation unit 16 so that any content can be selected from the displayed content list (step S6). Subsequently, the MPU 151 proceeds to step S7.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the content list is not stored in the list storage unit 13 (step S4; No), the MPU 151 skips steps S5 and S6 and proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, the MPU 151 controls the network IC 11 according to the LAN interface program developed in step S3, and performs connection processing to the content server 20 via the LAN 60 (step S7).

  Subsequently, the MPU 151 determines whether or not the content server 20 and the content reproduction device 10 are connected (step S8). If it is determined that the connection to the content server 20 has not been completed (step S8; No), the process returns to step S7, and the same processing is repeated to wait until the content server 20 and the content reproduction apparatus 10 are connected.

  When it is determined that the content server 20 and the content reproduction apparatus 10 are connected (step S8; Yes), the MPU 151 instructs the content server 20 to transmit a content list. When the content server 20 transmits the content list in response to the instruction, the MPU 151 acquires the content list via the LAN 60 and the network IC 11, and stores the acquired content list in the list storage unit 13 (step S9).

  Subsequently, the MPU 151 compares the newly acquired content list with the content list stored in the list storage unit 13 and determines whether or not they are the same (step S10). If it is determined in step S4 that the content list is not stored in the list storage unit 13, it is determined that they are not identical.

  If it is determined that the content list acquired this time is the same as the content list stored in the list storage unit 13 (step S10; Yes), the current processing is terminated. For example, it is assumed that the content list stored in the list storage unit 13 has the contents shown in FIG. 2A, and the content list newly acquired in step S9 also has the contents shown in FIG. In this case, it is determined that the two content lists match, the current interface switching process ends, and the display of the content list on the display device 40 does not change.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S10 that the content list acquired this time is not the same as the content list stored in the list storage unit 13, or the previous content list is not stored in the list storage unit 13. When it is determined that it has been determined (step S10; No), the MPU 151 displays the acquired content list on the display device 40 (step S11). Subsequently, the MPU 151 cancels the input acceptance refusal from the operation unit 16 (step S12), and ends the current process. As a result, the content list displayed on the display device 40 is updated to the latest content list newly acquired from the content server 20 this time, and the content can be selected from the latest content list. For example, if the content list stored in the list storage unit 13 has the contents shown in FIG. 2A and the content list newly acquired in step S9 has the contents shown in FIG. Since the content list does not match, the content list on the display device 40 is updated to the latest one shown in FIG. 2B, and then the content can be selected from this list.

  Thereafter, when content is selected, the content reproduction device 10 reads the selected content from the content server 20, supplies it to the display device 40 and the audio output device 50, and reproduces it. In the course of processing, when a content list is acquired from the content server 20, it is desirable to store the content list in the list storage unit 13 each time.

  As described above, according to the content reproduction system 100 of the present embodiment, when the connection destination is switched from the external medium 30 to the content server 20, the previously acquired content list is temporarily displayed. It is possible to select content in the previous content list. On the other hand, connection processing to the content server 20 is performed in parallel. Therefore, since the content of the content server 20 can be selected during the connection process to the content server 20, the user is not stressed. At this time, after the connection process is completed, the latest content list is acquired from the content server 20, and when the content list is different from the displayed content list, the display is updated to enable selection. In this case, the content list that is initially displayed is provisional, but generally the content list is rarely changed, and even if it is changed, only a part of the content is added or deleted. is there. In addition, the content list appropriately acquired during the processing is also stored in the list storage unit 13. Therefore, it does not affect usability.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and application are possible.

  Further, although the content list is stored in the list storage unit 13, the storage location is arbitrary, and for example, the flash memory 14 may be used. Alternatively, a volatile memory such as the RAM 152 may be used. However, it is necessary to download the content list from the content server 20 at the first connection after the power is turned on.

  Further, a plurality of content servers 20 and external media 30 may be used.

  Also for the external media 30, the previous content list is stored in the list storage unit 13, etc., the previous content list is displayed once, and the selection of content is accepted, and then the latest content list read from the external media 30 May be displayed.

  In the above embodiment, the content playback apparatus 10 and the content server 20 are directly connected via the LAN 60. However, as shown in FIG. 4, the content server 20 and the content playback via the external network such as the Internet 80 are used. The device 10 may be connected. In general, it takes time to access the content server 20 via an external network, and the effect of adopting the content list display method described in the above embodiment becomes more remarkable.

  In the above embodiment, the content server 20 and the external medium 30 are exemplified as the content recording medium (content storage source) for storing the content to be played back. However, in the present invention, the content playback device 10 is directly or via a network. Thus, the present invention can be widely applied to systems connected to a plurality of content recording media. In this case, for a content recording medium that communicates and takes a long time to acquire the list, the previous content list is displayed once and the content can be selected, as shown in FIG. The content list may be acquired from the content recording medium and the display may be updated.

  The content reproduction apparatus 10 of the present invention is not limited to a dedicated machine, and can be realized using a general computer or the like. A computer program that causes a computer or processor to function as the above-described content reproduction apparatus is created and distributed. The program may be installed in a computer by performing transmission or the like to function as the above-described content reproduction apparatus.

It is a figure for demonstrating an example of a structure of the content reproduction system in embodiment of this invention. It is an example which shows the update of a content list. It is a flowchart which shows the interface switching operation | movement from a memory card to a content server in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the application example of the content reproduction system in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 Content Playback Device 11 Network IC
12 USB host 13 List storage unit 14 Flash memory 15 System IC
151 MPU
152 ROM
153 RAM
154 Video decoder 155 Audio decoder 16 Operation unit 20 Content server 30 External media 40 Display device 50 Audio output device 60 LAN
70 USB
80 Internet 100 Content playback system

Claims (7)

In a content reproduction system including a content recording medium for storing content and a client device,
The content recording medium stores a list of contents to be stored,
The client device is
Content recording medium connecting means for connecting to the content recording medium;
List storage means for storing a list of contents acquired from the content recording medium;
Display means;
When the content recording medium connecting means connects to the content recording medium, the list is acquired from the list storing means and displayed on the display means, and after the content recording medium connecting means is connected to the content recording medium, Control means for obtaining the latest list from the content recording medium, updating the display of the display means to display the latest list, and storing the latest list in the list storage means,
A content reproduction system characterized by the above. The client device is
Selection means for accepting selection of arbitrary content by the user from among the content posted on the list displayed by the display means;
Reproducing means for acquiring and reproducing the content selected by the selection means from the content recording medium,
When the content recording medium connection unit connects to the content recording medium, the selection unit temporarily prohibits the selection of content, and when the display unit displays the list, the content recording medium by the selection unit Cancel the prohibition of selection,
The content reproduction system according to claim 1. In a content reproduction system composed of a plurality of content recording media for storing content and a client device,
The client device is connected to one of the content recording media;
The content recording medium stores a list of contents to be stored,
The client device is
Switching means for switching the connection from the content recording medium connected to the client device to one of the other content recording media;
List storage means for storing a list of contents acquired from the content recording medium;
Display means;
When the switching unit performs connection switching, the list is acquired from the list storage unit and displayed on the display unit. After the switching unit is connected to the content recording medium, the latest list is switched. Control means for obtaining from a content recording medium, updating the display of the display means to display the latest list, and storing the latest list in the list storage means,
A content reproduction system characterized by the above. The client device is
Selection means for accepting selection of arbitrary content by the user from among the content posted on the list displayed by the display means;
Reproducing means for acquiring and reproducing the content selected by the selection means from the content recording medium,
When the switching unit switches connection to the other content recording medium, the selection unit temporarily prohibits the selection of content, and when the display unit displays the list, the content by the selection unit Remove the prohibition on the selection of
4. The content reproduction system according to claim 3, wherein Content recording medium connecting means for connecting to the content recording medium;
List storage means for storing a list of contents;
When the content recording medium connecting means connects to the content recording medium, the list is acquired from the list storing means and displayed on the display device. After the content recording medium connecting means is connected to the content recording medium, the latest Control means for obtaining a list from the content recording medium, updating the display on the display device to display the latest list, and storing the latest list in the list storage means;
A selection means for accepting selection of any content from the content posted on the list displayed on the display device;
Reproduction means for obtaining and reproducing the content selected by the selection means from the content recording medium;
A content playback apparatus comprising: Switching means for switching the connection from the connected content recording medium to one of the other content recording media;
List storage means for storing a list of contents acquired from the content recording medium;
Display means;
When the switching unit performs connection switching, the list is acquired from the list storage unit and displayed on the display unit. After the switching unit is connected to the content recording medium, the latest list is switched. Control means for obtaining from a content recording medium, updating the display of the display means to display the latest list, and storing the latest list in the list storage means;
A selection means for accepting selection of any content from the content posted on the list displayed on the display device;
Reproduction means for obtaining and reproducing the content selected by the selection means from the content recording medium;
A content playback apparatus comprising: Computer
Content recording medium connecting means for connecting to a content recording medium;
List storage means for storing a list of contents;
When the content recording medium connecting means makes a connection, the list is acquired from the list storing means and displayed on a display device. After the content recording medium connecting means is connected to the content recording medium, the latest list is displayed. Control means for obtaining from a content recording medium, updating the display of the display device to display the latest list, and storing the latest list in the list storage means;
Selection means for accepting selection of any of the contents listed in the list displayed on the display device;
Reproduction means for acquiring and reproducing the content selected by the selection means from the content recording medium,
A computer program that functions as a computer program.

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