JP2008017149A - Reproducing apparatus, data storage device, and their control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for more shortening the time required up to initiating reproduction since instructing reproduction on receiving data. <P>SOLUTION: A data reproducing apparatus 100 receives a head frame group transmitted from a data storage device 200, and stores it in a memory. The data reproducing apparatus 100, when detecting a reproduction instruction for a moving image of a reproduction object, reads a head frame group of the moving image of the reproduction object from the memory and reproduces it, and simultaneously transmits a transmission request of a remaining frame group to the data storage device 200. The data reproducing apparatus 100 receives the remaining frame group transmitted from the data storage apparatus 200 in response to the transmission request, and reproduces them after reproducing the head frame group. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data reproduction technique.

  Conventionally, when data is reproduced by performing data communication between network home appliances, there has been a problem that a delay that occurs during data transfer has been a stress on the user. As a data reproduction method for the purpose of shortening the time until the start of reproduction, there is a method in which data is divided and stored in a plurality of disk devices (see Patent Document 1).

In this method, specific data is assigned to each disk device, and the data is periodically rearranged in the order of reproduction by the data distribution device and distributed to the client terminal.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-320455

  However, in the conventional data reproduction method in the distributed environment, the waiting time of the user is shortened by increasing the number of disk devices. However, there is a problem that there is always a waiting time when transferring to the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a technique for further shortening the time required from the reproduction instruction to the reproduction start when data is received and reproduced. And

  In order to achieve the object of the present invention, for example, the playback apparatus of the present invention comprises the following arrangement.

That is, storage means for receiving a first frame group of frames constituting the moving image transmitted from an external device holding moving image data and storing the first frame group in a memory;
When a reproduction instruction for the moving image to be reproduced is detected, the first frame group of the moving image to be reproduced is read from the memory, the read first frame group is reproduced, and the moving image to be reproduced is displayed. First reproducing means for transmitting a transmission request of a second frame group to be reproduced after the first frame group among the constituting frame groups to the external device;
Receiving means for receiving the second frame group transmitted from the external device in response to a transmission request for the second frame group;
And second reproducing means for reproducing the second frame group received by the receiving means after reproducing the first frame group by the first reproducing means.

  In order to achieve the object of the present invention, for example, a data storage device of the present invention comprises the following arrangement.

That is, a data storage device capable of data communication with the above playback device,
An acquisition means for acquiring moving image data from the outside;
Transmitting means for storing, in a memory, moving image data acquired by the acquiring means, and transmitting a first frame group among the frame groups constituting the moving image to the playback device;
In response to the transmission request transmitted by the first reproduction means, a second frame group reproduced after the first frame group among the frame groups constituting the moving image is returned to the reproduction apparatus. And means.

  In order to achieve the object of the present invention, for example, a playback apparatus control method of the present invention comprises the following arrangement.

That is, a storing step of receiving a first frame group among frames constituting the moving image transmitted from an external device holding moving image data and storing the first frame group in a memory;
When a reproduction instruction for the moving image to be reproduced is detected, the first frame group of the moving image to be reproduced is read from the memory, the read first frame group is reproduced, and the moving image to be reproduced is displayed. A first reproduction step of transmitting, to the external device, a transmission request for a second frame group reproduced after the first frame group among the constituting frame groups;
Receiving the second frame group transmitted from the external device in response to a transmission request for the second frame group;
A second reproduction step of reproducing the second frame group received in the reception step after the reproduction of the first frame group in the first reproduction step.

  In order to achieve the object of the present invention, for example, a method for controlling a data storage device of the present invention comprises the following arrangement.

That is, a method for controlling a data storage device capable of data communication with the playback device,
An acquisition process for acquiring moving image data from the outside;
Storing the moving image data acquired in the acquisition step in a memory, and transmitting a first frame group among the frame groups constituting the moving image to the playback device;
In response to the transmission request transmitted in the first reproduction step, a second frame group reproduced after the first frame group among the frame groups constituting the moving image is returned to the reproduction apparatus. And a process.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, when data is received and reproduced, the time required from the reproduction instruction to the reproduction start can be further shortened.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail according to preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the system according to the present embodiment includes a data reproducing device 100 and a data storage device 200, each of which is connected to a network 150 such as a LAN or the Internet. As a result, the data reproducing apparatus 100 and the data storage apparatus 200 can perform data communication with each other via the network 150.

  In the present embodiment, the data storage device 200 holds data of one or more moving images, and the data reproduction device 100 acquires a desired moving image from the data storage device 200 among the one or more moving images. Reproduce. Hereinafter, processing performed by the data storage device 200 and the data reproduction device 100 in order for the data reproduction device 100 to acquire and reproduce a desired moving image from the data storage device 200 will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the data reproducing apparatus 100.

  In the figure, a data receiving unit 101 receives data transmitted from the data storage device 200 via the network 150.

  When the data received by the data receiving unit 101 is the first plurality of frames (hereinafter referred to as the first frame group) among the frames constituting the moving image, the reproduction start partial data storage unit 102 selects the first frame group. Store.

  The data storage unit 103 during reproduction stores the remaining frame group when the data receiving unit 101 receives a frame group after the first frame group (hereinafter, remaining frame group). That is, one moving image is composed of a leading frame group and a remaining frame group, the leading frame group is stored in the reproduction start partial data storage unit 102, and the remaining frame group is stored in the reproducing data storage unit 103. .

  When a playback instruction for moving images is input from the operator of the apparatus, the playback instruction receiving unit 104 detects the playback instruction and notifies the data playback unit 105 and the data transfer request transmission unit 107 of the operation instruction. When the data reproducing unit 105 receives a notification from the reproduction instruction receiving unit 104, first, the data reproducing unit 105 starts a process of sequentially reproducing each frame constituting the first frame group stored in the reproduction start partial data storage unit 102.

  The data display unit 106 sequentially displays the frames reproduced by the data reproduction unit 105. When the data transfer request transmission unit 107 receives the notification from the reproduction instruction reception unit 104, the data transfer request transmission unit 107 transmits a transmission request for the remaining frame group of the moving image currently reproduced or about to be reproduced to the data storage device 200.

  Note that the above-described units may be realized by software or hardware.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the data reproducing apparatus 100.

  A CPU 1001 controls the entire apparatus using programs and data stored in the RAM 1002 and the ROM 1003, and executes each process described later performed by the apparatus.

  Reference numeral 1002 denotes a RAM having an area for temporarily storing data received via the communication unit 1007, programs and data loaded from the ROM 1003, programs and data loaded from the HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 1006, and the like. . Furthermore, the RAM 1002 has a work area that is used by the CPU 1001 to execute various processes. That is, the RAM 1002 can provide various areas as appropriate.

  Reference numeral 1003 denotes a ROM which stores setting data for the entire apparatus, programs and data for causing the CPU 1001 to execute processes described later performed by the apparatus. This program includes, for example, a program for causing the CPU 1001 to execute the functions of the data reception unit 101, the reproduction instruction reception unit 104, the data reproduction unit 105, and the data transfer request transmission unit 107 illustrated in FIG.

  Reference numeral 1004 denotes an operation unit, which includes a group of buttons, and is used by an operator of the apparatus to instruct a moving image to be reproduced or to instruct to start reproduction.

  A display device 1005 includes a CRT, a liquid crystal screen, and the like, and displays a processing result by the CPU 1001, for example, each frame of a reproduced moving image. The display device 201 corresponds to the data display unit 106 shown in FIG.

  Reference numeral 1006 denotes an HDD, in which data of each frame received via the communication unit 1007 can be stored.

  A communication unit 1007 functions as an interface for performing data communication with the data storage device 200 via the network 150.

  Reference numeral 1008 denotes a bus connecting the above-described units.

  Next, the data storage device 200 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the data storage device 200.

  In the figure, a data reading unit 201 reads a moving image data recorded on a recording medium such as a CD or a DVD, or this device when a device for holding moving image data is connected to the network 150. The moving image data is acquired by, for example, downloading the moving image data.

  The data storage unit 202 stores moving image data acquired by the data reading unit 201. The data transfer instruction receiving unit 203 receives a request transmitted from the data transfer request transmitting unit 107 included in the playback device 100. When the request is accepted, the fact is notified to the data transfer processing control unit 205 at the subsequent stage.

  When the data reading unit 201 acquires moving image data, the data transfer processing control unit 205 controls the subsequent data transfer unit 204 to transmit the first frame group to the data reproducing device 100. Further, when receiving the notification from the data transfer instruction receiving unit 203, the data transfer processing control unit 205 reads out the data according to the request from the data storage device 200 and transmits the data to the data reproducing device 100, so that the subsequent data transfer unit 204 is controlled.

  The data transfer unit 204 transfers the instructed data to the data reproducing apparatus 100 according to control by the data transfer processing control unit 205.

  Note that the above-described units may be realized by software or hardware.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the data storage device 200.

  In the figure, reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU which controls the entire apparatus based on programs and data stored in the RAM 302 and executes each process described later performed by the apparatus.

  A RAM 302 has an area for temporarily storing programs and data loaded from the external storage device 306 at the subsequent stage, a work area used when the CPU 301 executes various processes, and the like. That is, the RAM 302 can appropriately apply various areas.

  A communication unit 303 functions as an interface for communicating with the data reproduction device 100 via the network 150, and the data storage device 200 communicates with the data reproduction device 100 via the communication unit 303. Data communication.

  A display device 304 includes a CRT, a liquid crystal screen, and the like, and displays a processing result by the CPU 301 using an image or a character.

  Reference numeral 305 denotes an input device, which includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. Various instructions can be input to the CPU 301 by an operator of the device.

  Reference numeral 306 denotes an external storage device, which is a large-capacity information storage device typified by a hard disk drive, in which an OS (Operating System) and programs and data for causing the CPU 301 to execute each process described below performed by this device are stored. Saved. The program stored in the external storage device 306 is, for example, a program for causing the CPU 301 to execute the functions of the data reading unit 201, the data transfer instruction receiving unit 203, the data transfer processing control unit 205, and the data transfer unit 204. including.

  Further, when a device that holds moving image data is connected to the network 150, the external storage device 306 can store moving image data received from the device via the communication unit 303. . Further, when a device for reading moving image data from a storage medium such as a CD or a DVD on which moving image data is recorded is connected to an I / F (interface) 307 in the subsequent stage, this device reads the I / F. Data of moving images acquired via / F307 can be saved in the external storage device 306. That is, the acquired moving image data is stored in the external storage device 306 regardless of the moving image data acquisition mode.

  Reference numeral 307 denotes an I / F for connecting a device for reading moving image data from a storage medium such as a CD or DVD on which moving image data is recorded to the data storage device 200.

  A bus 308 connects the above-described units.

  Next, a series of processing relating to the acquisition of moving image data by the data storage device 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 showing a flowchart of the processing. Note that a program and data for causing the CPU 301 to execute processing according to the flowchart of FIG. 10 are stored in the external storage device 306 and are appropriately loaded into the RAM 302 according to control by the CPU 301. Then, when the CPU 301 executes processing using the loaded program and data, the apparatus executes each processing described below.

  First, in step S101, the CPU 301 functions as the data reading unit 201, and receives moving image data from a device connected to the I / F 307 or from a device connected to the network 150 via the communication unit 303. The received data is stored in the external storage device 306 functioning as the data storage unit 202 in step S102.

  In step S103, the CPU 301 functions as the data transfer processing control unit 205 and the data transfer unit 204, and transmits the first frame group among the frames constituting the moving image stored in step S102 to the data reproduction device 100. .

  Note that the number of frames in the first frame group depends on the activation time of the data reproducing apparatus 100 (activates when the data reproducing apparatus 100 is turned off), the data transfer speed via the network 150, and the like. It shall be determined in advance. However, parameters such as data transfer rate change dynamically. In such a case, a table describing the correspondence between some dynamic parameters and the number of frames corresponding to them is created in advance and registered in the external storage device 306. In step S103, this table is referred to, and the number of frames of the first frame group is determined according to the current parameter.

  When the above processing is completed, the data storage device 200 waits for a subsequent request from the data reproduction device 100.

  Next, processing performed by the data storage device 200 when a request is received from the data reproducing device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 showing a flowchart of the processing. Note that a program and data for causing the CPU 301 to execute processing according to the flowchart of FIG. 10 are stored in the external storage device 306 and are appropriately loaded into the RAM 302 according to control by the CPU 301. Then, when the CPU 301 executes processing using the loaded program and data, the apparatus executes each processing described below.

  The data reproducing apparatus 100 transmits a transmission request for the remaining frame group to be reproduced after the first frame group to the data storage apparatus 200 during reproduction of the first frame group transmitted in step S103 or at the start of reproduction. This transmission request includes information indicating which frame group of the remaining frame is requested.

  In step S201, first, the CPU 301 functions as the data transfer instruction receiving unit 203 and receives this transmission request. In this step, the CPU 301 further functions as the data transfer processing control unit 205, and specifies the data of the remaining frame group of the moving image requested by the transmission request from the external storage device 306. In step S202, the CPU 301 functions as the data transfer unit 204, and transmits the data of the remaining frame group specified in step S201 to the data reproduction device 100.

  Next, when the data storage device 200 performs processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 to transmit the first frame group to the data playback device 100, the processing performed by the data playback device 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of the processing. This will be described with reference to FIG. Note that programs and data for causing the CPU 1001 to execute the processing according to the flowchart of FIG. 10 are stored in the HDD 1006 and are appropriately loaded into the RAM 1002 under the control of the CPU 1001. Then, when the CPU 1001 executes processing using the loaded program or data, the apparatus executes each processing described below.

  First, in step S301, the CPU 1001 functions as the data receiving unit 101, and receives the data of the first frame group transmitted in step S103 from the data storage device 200. In step S302, the CPU 1001 stores the data of the first frame group in a storage area as the reproduction start partial data storage unit 102 in the HDD 1006.

  When the above processing is completed, the data reproducing apparatus 100 waits for an instruction from the operator of this apparatus.

  Next, processing performed by the present apparatus when the operator of the data reproducing apparatus 100 inputs an instruction to reproduce desired moving image data will be described with reference to FIG. 8 showing a flowchart of the process. Note that programs and data for causing the CPU 1001 to execute the processing according to the flowchart of FIG. 10 are stored in the HDD 1006 and are appropriately loaded into the RAM 1002 under the control of the CPU 1001. Then, when the CPU 1001 executes processing using the loaded program or data, the apparatus executes each processing described below.

  When an operator of this apparatus inputs an instruction to reproduce desired moving image data using the operation unit 1004, the CPU 1001 functions as the reproduction instruction receiving unit 104 and detects this instruction. When detecting this instruction, the CPU 1001 functions as the data reproduction unit 105 and the data transfer request transmission unit 107. Thereby, the subsequent processing is started.

  First, in step S401, the CPU 1001 functions as the data reproducing unit 105, and reads the data of the first frame group stored in the HDD 1006 in step S302 to the RAM 1002. Of course, the read data of the first frame group is in the desired moving image data.

  Further, in the same step, the CPU 1001 functions as the data reproducing unit 105, and sequentially reproduces from the first frame using the read data of the first frame group. This reproduction process includes, for example, a process of converting data of each frame into an image signal and a process of expanding the data of each frame when the data is compressed.

  In step S402, the result of the reproduction process is transferred to the display device 1005. As a result, on the display screen of the display device 1005, each frame constituting the head frame group is sequentially displayed from the head.

  On the other hand, in parallel with the processing in steps S401 and S402, the processing in steps S403 to S405 described below is performed. Note that the processing in steps S403 to S405 may be started together with the start of the regeneration control processing in steps S401 and S402, or may be performed during the regeneration control processing.

  In step S <b> 403, the CPU 1001 functions as the data transfer request transmission unit 107 and transmits a transmission request for the remaining frame group to be reproduced after the first frame group to the data storage device 200. This transmission request is as described above.

  In step S404, the CPU 1001 functions as the data receiving unit 101, and receives the data of the remaining frame group transmitted by the data storage device 200 performing the above-described processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. In step S 405, the received data of the remaining frame group is stored in a storage area as the data-reproducing data storage unit 103 in the HDD 1006.

  In step S406, the CPU 1001 functions as the data reproducing unit 105. When all the reproductions constituting the first frame group are completed, the data of the remaining frame group stored in step S405 is sequentially read out to the RAM 1002. Further, in the same step, the CPU 1001 functions as the data reproducing unit 105 and sequentially reproduces from the head of the remaining frame group. This reproduction process is the same as that in step S402.

  In step S407, the result of the reproduction process is transferred to the display device 1005. As a result, on the display screen of the display device 1005, each frame constituting the remaining frame group subsequent to the first frame group is sequentially displayed.

  4 shows a case where the data reproducing apparatus 100 reproduces the file A in a system in which the hard disk recorder 402, the desktop PC 403, the notebook PC 404, and the data reproducing apparatus 100 as the data storage apparatus 200 are connected to the network 150. It is a figure which shows a mode. Here, the file refers to a moving image file (data).

  As shown in the figure, the hard disk recorder 402 stores files A and B. In each file, the hatched portion indicates the first frame group in each file.

  The desktop PC 403 stores the file C, and the hatched portion in the file C indicates the first frame group in this file.

  The notebook PC 404 stores the file D, and the hatched portion in the file D indicates the first frame group in the file.

  Here, when files are stored in the hard disk recorder 402, the desktop PC 403, and the notebook PC 404, the respective devices perform the above processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. The frame group is transferred to the data reproducing apparatus 100. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the data reproducing apparatus 100 stores the first frame group of each file (file A, file B, file C, file D).

  In addition, since the data reproducing apparatus 100 side receives an instruction to reproduce the file A, the data reproducing apparatus 100 reproduces the first frame group of the file A by performing processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. The remaining frame group of file A is requested to the hard disk recorder 402. Upon receiving this request, the hard disk recorder 402 performs processing according to the flowchart of FIG. 6 and transmits the remaining frame group of the file A held by itself to the data reproducing apparatus 100.

  Since the data reproducing apparatus 100 receives this remaining frame group, the remaining frame group (“remaining portion of data being reproduced”) is stored in the data reproducing apparatus 100 as shown in FIG.

  Note that the above description can be applied to the data reproduction device 100 and the data storage device 200 in any of one-to-many, many-to-one, and many-to-many.

  In addition, when the free space in the HDD 1006 of the data reproducing apparatus 100 becomes less than a predetermined amount, the data of a frame that has been reproduced, or a moving image that has passed for a predetermined period since the last reproduction. These data may be deleted.

[Second Embodiment]
When a reproduction interruption instruction is input from the operation unit 1004 while the data reproduction apparatus 100 is reproducing the remaining frame group, the CPU 1001 detects this and interrupts reproduction. In that case, a plurality of frames may be newly left in the HDD 1006 as the first frame group from the currently displayed frame, and the rest may be deleted.

  When an instruction to resume playback is input using the operation unit 1004, the data playback device 100 requests the data storage device 200 for a remaining frame group after the first frame group (see FIG. 8). The same processing as in the flowchart shown) is performed. As a result, the data reproducing apparatus 100 can resume reproduction from the point where reproduction is interrupted.

[Third Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, when the data storage device 200 acquires moving image data, the data of the first frame group in the moving image is unconditionally transmitted to the data reproducing device 100. However, depending on the type of moving image, there is a moving image that is unlikely to be reproduced in the future, regardless of the operator's hobby on the data reproducing apparatus 100 side. Therefore, when transmitting the first frame group of the moving image, the data storage device 200 determines whether or not the genre of the moving image matches the hobby of the user of the transmission destination, and when it does, This first frame group is transmitted.

  Therefore, the user of the data reproducing device 100 needs to register his / her favorite genre in the data storage device 200 in advance. Thereby, the data storage device 200 can determine whether or not to transmit the first frame group with reference to the registered genre. It should be noted that information indicating the genre of the moving image is added to the moving image data as metadata and used for the determination process.

  The data storage device 200 may take the form of ranking the genres that are frequently accessed by the user and transmitting the first frame group for the top five genres.

  The condition for determining whether to transmit the first frame group is not limited to this, and various conditions can be considered.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the case where a plurality of data reproducing apparatuses 100 are connected to the network 150, it is also possible to consider a mode in which the reproduction processing of a moving image reproduced by a certain data reproducing apparatus is interrupted and the subsequent data is reproduced by another data reproducing apparatus. It is done.

  In that case, the data storage device associates the device information (for example, the network ID of the device) unique to one or more data reproducing devices that the user will use in advance with the user information (for example, the user ID) of the user Register with 200.

  After this registration process, a case will be described in which the reproduction is interrupted while the moving image is being reproduced by the user as the data reproduction apparatus A and the continuation is reproduced by the data reproduction apparatus B. The data reproducing apparatus A newly sets a plurality of subsequent frames from the frame displayed at the time of the interruption as the first frame group, and transfers the first frame group to the data reproducing apparatus B.

  Prior to the transfer, the data storage device 200 is asked to check whether the device information of the data reproducing device B is associated with the same user information as the data reproducing device A. If they are not associated with the same user information, the data storage device 200 prohibits this transfer and transmits error information to the data reproducing device A. On the other hand, when it is associated with the same user information, this transfer is permitted. This transfer may be a copy or a move.

  Then, as described in the second embodiment, the data reproduction device B starts the reproduction process from the continuation thereof. Note that the head frame group is deleted from the data reproducing apparatus B after the reproduction on the data reproducing apparatus B side is completed.

[Fifth Embodiment]
The number of frames in the first frame group may be appropriately edited on the data storage device 200 side.

[Sixth Embodiment]
The remaining frame groups after the first frame group may be received in a streaming format. In the streaming format, it is necessary to store frames for the time required for buffering as a first frame group, as in the case of transferring data in a batch. Furthermore, when the power source of the device storing the data to be reproduced is turned off, the start time of this device must be taken into consideration in order to determine the number of frames of the first frame group.

  The above embodiments can be used in appropriate combination.

  According to each of the embodiments described above, by storing the first frame group in the playback device, the waiting time until the start of playback is shortened. Further, by storing data after the start portion of the remaining frame group in a storage device other than the playback device, it is possible to store more head frame groups in the playback device.

  In addition, during the reproduction of the first frame group, it is only necessary to start the storage device that holds the subsequent data. Therefore, it is possible to turn off the power of unnecessary devices and reduce power consumption.

  In each of the above embodiments, a predetermined frame group in the moving image, for example, the most viewed frame group may be used instead of the head frame group.

[Other Embodiments]
Needless to say, the object of the present invention can be achieved as follows. That is, a recording medium (or storage medium) that records a program code of software that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus. Then, the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program code stored in the recording medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the recording medium on which the program code is recorded constitutes the present invention.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, an operating system (OS) or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, the process includes the case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized.

  Furthermore, it is assumed that the program code read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. After that, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU included in the function expansion card or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing. Needless to say.

  When the present invention is applied to the recording medium, program code corresponding to the flowchart described above is stored in the recording medium.

2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a data reproduction device 100. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a data storage device 200. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a data storage device 200. FIG. The figure which shows a mode in case the data reproduction apparatus 100 reproduces | regenerates the file A in the system with which the hard disk recorder 402, the desktop PC403, the notebook PC404, and the data reproduction apparatus 100 as the data storage apparatus 200 are connected to the network 150. It is. 5 is a flowchart of a series of processes related to acquisition of moving image data by the data storage device 200. 10 is a flowchart of processing performed by the data storage device 200 when a request is received from the data reproduction device 100. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of processing performed by the data reproduction device when the data storage device transmits a first frame group to the data reproduction device by performing processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 is a flowchart of processing performed by the apparatus when an operator of the data reproduction apparatus 100 inputs an instruction to reproduce desired moving image data. It is a figure which shows the structure of the system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a data reproduction device 100. FIG.

Claims (12)

Storage means for receiving a first frame group of frames constituting the moving image transmitted from an external device holding moving image data and storing the first frame group in a memory;
When a reproduction instruction for the moving image to be reproduced is detected, the first frame group of the moving image to be reproduced is read from the memory, the read first frame group is reproduced, and the moving image to be reproduced is displayed. First reproducing means for transmitting a transmission request of a second frame group to be reproduced after the first frame group among the constituting frame groups to the external device;
Receiving means for receiving the second frame group transmitted from the external device in response to a transmission request for the second frame group;
A playback apparatus comprising: a second playback unit that plays back the second frame group received by the receiving unit after the first playback unit plays back the first frame group.   The first frame group includes frames corresponding to the number of frames determined from the first frame of the frame group constituting the moving image according to the data communication speed between the playback device and the external device and the start time of the playback device. The playback apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: An interruption means for interrupting reproduction by the second reproduction means when an instruction to interrupt reproduction by the second reproduction means is detected;
A third reproduction means for resuming reproduction by the second reproduction means when an instruction to resume reproduction is detected after interruption by the interruption means;
The interruption means sets a frame group including a frame being reproduced when reproduction is interrupted as a third frame group, and deletes data of a fourth frame group reproduced after the third frame group. ,
When the third reproduction means detects an instruction to resume reproduction, the third reproduction means reproduces the third frame group and transmits a transmission request for the fourth frame group to the external device; The fourth frame group transmitted from the external device in response to the transmission request is received, and the fourth frame group is reproduced after reproducing the third frame group. The playback device described in 1. A data storage device capable of data communication with the playback device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An acquisition means for acquiring moving image data from the outside;
Transmitting means for storing, in a memory, moving image data acquired by the acquiring means, and transmitting a first frame group among the frame groups constituting the moving image to the playback device;
In response to the transmission request transmitted by the first reproduction means, a second frame group reproduced after the first frame group among the frame groups constituting the moving image is returned to the reproduction apparatus. A data storage device comprising: means. Furthermore,
Determining means for determining the number of frames of the first frame group;
5. The data storage device according to claim 4, wherein the transmission unit transmits the first frame group for the number of frames determined by the determination unit to the playback device.   The transmitting unit stores the moving image data acquired by the acquiring unit in a memory and, when information about the moving image satisfies a condition, a first frame group among the frame groups constituting the moving image The data storage device according to claim 4, wherein the data storage device is transmitted to the playback device.   The data storage device according to claim 6, wherein the condition is a genre given in advance. Furthermore,
When the data storage device is capable of data communication with a plurality of playback devices, registration means for registering user information unique to a user and device information unique to one or more playback devices used by the user in association with each other Prepared,
The continuation of the processing performed for the noticeable playback device can be executed for any playback device associated with the user information registered in association with the device information of the noticeable playback device. The data storage device according to claim 4. A storage step of receiving a first frame group of frames constituting the moving image transmitted from an external device holding moving image data and storing the first frame group in a memory;
When a reproduction instruction for the moving image to be reproduced is detected, the first frame group of the moving image to be reproduced is read from the memory, the read first frame group is reproduced, and the moving image to be reproduced is displayed. A first reproduction step of transmitting, to the external device, a transmission request for a second frame group reproduced after the first frame group among the constituting frame groups;
Receiving the second frame group transmitted from the external device in response to a transmission request for the second frame group;
And a second reproduction step of reproducing the second frame group received in the reception step after the reproduction of the first frame group in the first reproduction step. Method. A method for controlling a data storage device capable of data communication with the playback device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An acquisition process for acquiring moving image data from the outside;
Storing the moving image data acquired in the acquisition step in a memory, and transmitting a first frame group among the frame groups constituting the moving image to the playback device;
In response to the transmission request transmitted in the first reproduction step, a second frame group reproduced after the first frame group among the frame groups constituting the moving image is returned to the reproduction apparatus. And a process for controlling the data storage device.   The program for making a computer perform the control method of Claim 9 or 10.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 11.

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