JP2008027536A - Device, method and program for reproducing content - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reproduce desired contents more easily than before. <P>SOLUTION: One of a plurality of channel playlists PL is selected according to the operation of an up or down direction button B13 or B14. Music data Ad registered in the selected channel playlist PL is reproduced, According to the operation of a left or right direction button B15 or B16, one of the music data Ad registered in the selected channel playlist PL is selectively reproduced. Thus, desired contents are reproduced more easily than before. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a content reproduction apparatus, a content reproduction method, and a content reproduction program. For example, the present invention is suitable for application when reproducing a content desired by a user (hereinafter also referred to as desired content) among a plurality of contents. Is.

  In recent years, content playback apparatuses that read and play back content (for example, music data) stored in a hard disk or the like, and download and play back content stored in a server have become widespread as content playback devices. In such a content reproduction apparatus, since the number of contents to be reproduced is as large as several hundred to several thousand, it is required to facilitate reproduction of the desired content.

  Therefore, conventionally, music data is classified by artist, album, etc., and a playlist of music data is prepared for each classification, so that a user can select a desired playlist from a single playlist containing all music data. Compared with the case where the music data is selected and reproduced, a content reproduction apparatus that facilitates reproduction of desired content has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

More specifically, the content reproduction apparatus first displays a plurality of playlist titles (for example, classified artist names), and causes the user to select and operate the playlist titles using operation keys. After that, when the selection confirmation operation is performed with the operation key in a state where the title of the desired playlist is selected, the titles of the music data registered in the playlist selected at this time are displayed as a list. When the title of the desired music data is selected by the operation key, the content playback apparatus plays back the selected music data.
JP 2003-162285 A

  By the way, in the case of the above-described conventional content reproduction apparatus, a playlist selection operation, a playlist selection confirmation operation, and a selection operation of music data registered in the selected playlist are performed until desired music data is reproduced. Thus, it is necessary to let the user perform a three-step operation. Also, once the playlist selection is confirmed, the music data registered in the other playlist cannot be selected as it is. In this case, the user is again required to return to the playlist selection. I had to.

  Here, if such an operation can be further simplified, it is considered that reproduction of desired content can be further facilitated as compared with the conventional case.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and intends to propose a content reproduction apparatus, a content reproduction method, and a content reproduction program that make it easier to reproduce desired content than in the past.

  In order to solve this problem, in the present invention, first input means for inputting an operation amount in a first direction, second input means for inputting an operation amount in a second direction, and first input means. Alternatively, a reproduction unit that reproduces content specified by input by the second input unit, a content storage unit that stores one or more contents, a list storage unit that stores a plurality of lists having identification information of the content, and a first If there is an input from the input means, one list among a plurality of lists stored in the list storage means is selected according to the input operation amount in the first direction, and content identification information in the selected list is selected. The content corresponding to is read from the content storage means and played back by the playback means, and when there is an input from the second input means, it is selected according to the input operation amount in the second direction. Selecting one of content identification information in the list that was to the content corresponding to the selected content identification information is read from the content storage means is provided and control means for controlling so as to reproduce the reproduction means.

  In this way, the list is selected by the input of the first input means, the content registered in the selected list is reproduced, and the content registered in the list being selected by the input of the second input means By selecting and playing, it is only necessary to perform at most two-stage selection operations of selecting a list and selecting content registered in the list until the desired content is played. Since the first input means corresponding to the selection of the list and the second input means corresponding to the selection of the contents are different input means, the selection of the list and the selection of the contents can be performed in parallel. it can.

  According to the present invention, the list is selected by the input of the first input means, the content registered in the selected list is reproduced, and the list registered in the selected list is input by the input of the second input means. Since the selected content is selected and played back, it is only necessary to perform at most two-stage selection operations of selecting the list and selecting the content registered in the list until the desired content is played back. In addition, since the first input unit corresponding to the selection of the list and the second input unit corresponding to the selection of the content are separate input units, the selection of the list and the selection of the content are performed in parallel. Thus, it is possible to implement a content playback apparatus, a content playback method, and a content playback program that make it easier to play back the desired content as compared with the prior art. It can be.

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

(1) Basic configuration of the present invention First, the basic configuration of the present invention will be described. Incidentally, after describing this basic configuration, the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention will be described based on this basic configuration.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a functional block of a content playback apparatus which is a basic configuration of the present invention. In the content playback apparatus 1, the control unit 3 controls each unit according to an operation command obtained from the operation unit 2. Various processes are executed.

  The content playback apparatus 1 handles music data as content, and has a plurality of functions (functions) related to recording and playback of music data. The control unit 3 receives these functions from the operation unit 2. The screen can be switched in accordance with an operation command, and a GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen corresponding to each function is displayed on the display unit 4. Incidentally, it is assumed that the music data here is data corresponding to a music piece (also called a music piece).

  That is, when the control unit 3 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 is instructed to switch to a function for downloading music data (hereinafter also referred to as a download function) via the operation unit 2, for example, a GUI corresponding to the download function. When the screen is displayed on the display unit 4 and then the music data is instructed to be downloaded, the music data provided from the music providing server (not shown) is received by the communication unit 5 via the network NT. This is stored in the storage unit 6.

  Further, when the control unit 3 of the content playback apparatus 1 is instructed to switch to a function for recording a CD (Compact Disc) (also called a CD recording function) via the operation unit 2, a GUI screen corresponding to the CD recording function is displayed. Is displayed on the display unit 4 and then a CD is recorded, the music data is read from a CD (not shown) loaded in the content reproduction apparatus 1 at this time. After performing the conversion process, the data is stored in the storage unit 6.

  Further, when the control unit 3 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 is instructed to switch to a function for reproducing music data stored in the storage unit 6 (also referred to as a normal reproduction function) via the operation unit 2, the control unit 3 corresponds to the normal reproduction function. When the GUI screen is displayed on the display unit 4 and then the music data is instructed to be played back, the music data is read from the storage unit 6 in response to this, and the playback unit 7 Music (that is, music) based on the music data is output by performing reproduction processing such as decoding processing, equalizing processing, digital-analog conversion processing, and amplification processing.

  Further, when the control unit 3 of the content playback apparatus 1 is instructed to switch to a function for playing a CD (also called a CD playback function) via the operation unit 2, a GUI screen corresponding to the CD playback function is displayed on the display unit 4. And then, when instructed to play the CD, music data is read from a CD (not shown) loaded in the content playback device 1 at this time, and the playback unit 7 plays back the read music data. To output music (song) based on the music data.

  In this way, the control unit 3 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 executes processing according to various functions.

  In addition to the above-described function, the content reproduction apparatus 1 provides a user with music (song) based on music data stored in the storage unit 6 as if listening to music broadcast from a radio station. (Hereinafter, this is also referred to as a MusicStation function), and this MusicStation function will be described below.

  First, a description will be given of a music data management method performed by the content reproduction apparatus 1 in correspondence with the reproduction of music data by the MusicStation function.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a database DB that manages music data Ad is constructed in the storage unit 6. The database DB is configured to individually manage each of the plurality of music data Ad by each of the plurality of music data management information Am (Am1 to AmX), and each of the music data management information Am includes the music data Ad. In addition, information including the song name, artist name, genre, recording date / time, playback time length, jacket image, number of playbacks, importance, and song characteristics corresponding to the music data Ad (hereinafter referred to as attribute information) (Referred to also as “Ti”) and characteristic position information Ct indicating a characteristic reproduction position (a rust position, a melody switching position, etc., hereinafter also referred to as a characteristic position) based on the music data Ad. Are included (for example, three of Ct1 to Ct3).

  Here, the feature of the song indicated by the attribute information Ti is, for example, the impression value (numerical value indicating the tempo, brightness, timbre, etc.) of the song obtained as a result of analyzing the 12 sounds of the music data Ad. . Further, it is assumed that the attribute information Ti and the feature position information Ct (Ct1 to Ct3) are information provided from a music providing server, for example.

  In addition to the database DB, the storage unit 6 stores a plurality of playlists PL (PL1 to PL3,...) For managing the order of music pieces reproduced from the music data Ad. Incidentally, each of the plurality of playlists PL (PL1 to PL3,...) Corresponds to a list of songs broadcast on each channel of the radio station. Hereinafter, channel playlists PL (PL1 to PL3,. ).

  Each of the plurality of channel playlists PL (PL1 to PL3,...) Is a list in which music data information Ai (Ai1 to Ai5,...), Which is content identification information for each music data Ad to be reproduced, is arranged in the order of the reproduced music. The music data Ad playback order is managed by the music data information Ai (Ai1 to Ai5,...) Arranged in this playback music order. Incidentally, the playback song order of the music data information Ai (Ai1 to Ai5,...) Becomes the song number of each music data information Ai (Ai1 to Ai5,...) As it is.

  Here, each of the music data information Ai (Ai1 to Ai5,...) Includes a link AK to the music data Ad on the database DB, and the music data Ad to be reproduced is designated by this link AK. Each of the music data information Ai (Ai1 to Ai5,...) Also includes a music data playback setting Adi indicating that the playback of the music data Ad specified by the link AK is permitted or prohibited in units of music data Ad. It is.

  In other words, each of the plurality of channel playlists PL (PL1 to PL3,...) Shows the order of the music data Ad to be played and the playback setting (playback permission or playback prohibition) in units of music data Ad. .

  Further, each of the plurality of channel playlists PL (PL1 to PL3,...) Includes list information Li that is list identification information for each channel playlist PL, and this list information Li is assigned to the channel playlist PL. The channel number Cn, the list reproduction setting Ldi indicating that the reproduction of the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL is permitted or prohibited for each channel playlist, and the music data information Ai in the channel playlist PL. (That is, the number of music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL, hereinafter referred to as the number of registered data) Tn, the list name Lt which is the name of the channel playlist PL, and the channel playlist List description Lde, which is an explanation of PL, And the song order setting Ls of the channel play list PL has been written.

  Incidentally, the list reproduction setting Ldi can be normally set to either “reproduction permitted” or “reproduction prohibited” by a user operation (the setting method will be described later), but this list reproduction setting Ldi is “reproduction permitted”. There is at least one channel playlist PL fixed to. In other words, this channel playlist PL is always a list in which reproduction of the music data Ad is permitted, and hereinafter this is also referred to as a default playlist DPL. The list description Lde includes text (for example, “collected bright songs”) that is a specific description of the channel playlist PL, and keywords (for example, “bright”) that indicate the characteristics of the channel playlist PL. ) Is marked. Further, in the song order setting Ls, the music data Ad is played back in a fixed playback song order (that is, list order) shown in the channel playlist PL, or the playback song order shown in the channel playlist PL is randomly arranged. In other words, it is indicated that playback (shuffle playback) is performed.

  Furthermore, in addition to the plurality of channel playlists PL (PL1 to PL3,...), The storage unit 6 stores a list of channels that can be used with the MusicStation function (hereinafter also referred to as a channel list) CL. . This channel list CL is a list of a plurality of channel numbers CN (CN1 to CN3,...) Arranged in numerical order, and this channel number CN corresponds to the channel number Cn assigned to the channel play list PL. That is, this channel list CL is configured to manage a plurality of channel lists PL (PL1 to PL3,...) By the channel number CN.

  By the way, the channels that can be used in the MusicStation function and the channel playlists PL (PL1 to PL3,...) Do not necessarily have a one-to-one correspondence, and a plurality of channel playlists PL are assigned to one channel. It may be done.

  In this way, the content reproduction apparatus 1 is configured to manage the plurality of channel playlists PL by the channel list CL, and further to manage the order of the reproduction music of the music data Ad by each of the plurality of channel playlists PL. Has been made.

  By the way, as the above-mentioned channel playlist PL (PL1 to PL3,...) Handled by the MusicStation function, for example, a channel playlist composed of music data Ad corresponding to a newly added song (hereinafter referred to as a new addition list). Music data, such as a channel play list (hereinafter referred to as a low-reproduction (or high-reproduction) music list) PL composed of music data Ad corresponding to a music with a low (or high) number of playbacks. A channel playlist PL configured based on the number of reproductions indicated by the attribute information Ti of Ad, and a channel playlist configured of music data Ad corresponding to a song having a good score (hereinafter also referred to as a glue song list). PL, a channel block composed of music data Ad corresponding to bright songs It corresponds to a channel playlist PL constituted based on the impression value of the music indicated by the attribute information Ti of the music data Ad or a classical music, such as an Elist (hereinafter also referred to as a clear music list) PL. Channel playlist composed of music data Ad (hereinafter also referred to as classic list) PL, channel playlist composed of music data Ad corresponding to heavy metal songs (hereinafter also referred to as snake metalist) PL As described above, a channel playlist PL configured based on the genre indicated by the attribute information Ti of the music data Ad is prepared in advance.

  Here, the channel playlist PL based on the number of times of reproduction is automatically updated when the music data Ad is newly stored in the storage unit 6 or when the music data Ad is reproduced. Yes.

  More specifically, for example, the playback multi-music list PL includes “number of playbacks” and “top 10” as keywords, and the control unit 3 of the content playback apparatus 1 stores the music data Ad in the storage unit 6. After newly storing or playing back the music data Ad, the 10 music data Ad stored in the storage unit 6 based on the keywords “number of times played” and “top 10” are played back. The music data Ad is selected, and the reproduction multi-song list PL is updated so as to be composed of the selected music data Ad.

  The channel playlist PL based on the impression value of the music and the channel playlist PL based on the genre are automatically updated when the music data Ad is newly stored in the storage unit 6. . Specifically, for example, in the clear song list PL, “bright” is written as a keyword, and the control unit 3 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 newly stores the music data Ad in the storage unit 6. If the value indicating the brightness of the impression value of the newly stored music data Ad based on the keyword “bright” is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the music data Ad is additionally registered in the clear music list PL. The clear song list PL is updated. The classic list PL includes “classic” as a keyword, and the control unit 3 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 newly stores the music data Ad in the storage unit 6, and then, based on the keyword “classic”, If the genre of the newly stored music data Ad is “classic”, the classic list PL is updated by additionally registering the music data Ad in the classic list PL.

  In this way, with the MusicStation function, channel play is performed for each category that the user may request, such as newly added songs, songs with a small number of playbacks, songs with good playing, bright songs, classic songs, heavy metal songs, etc. A list PL is prepared, and the content reproduction apparatus 1 selects the music data Ad stored in the storage unit 6 based on the number of reproductions, the impression value of the song, the genre, and the like according to the storage or reproduction of the music data Ad. The channel playlist PL is automatically updated by registering it in the corresponding channel playlist PL of the prepared channel playlists PL.

  Then, the content playback apparatus 1 performs channel play classified as a newly added song, a song with a small number of playbacks, a good song, a bright song, a classic song, a heavy metal song, etc. on a GUI screen described later. By selecting the list PL as a channel according to a user operation, the user can easily find a desired song with the feeling of switching radio channels.

  Next, the GUI screen in this MusicStation function will be described. When the content reproduction apparatus 1 activates the MusicStation function in response to the MusicStation function activation operation on the operation unit 2, the content reproduction apparatus 1 displays a selection screen 10 for selecting a channel and music as shown in FIG. To display.

  The selection screen 10 has a channel selection area 11 that is long in the vertical direction at the left corner of the screen and a music selection area 12 at the remaining portion. In the center portion of the channel selection area 11, the channel number CNs (for example, “3”) of the currently selected channel among the channel numbers CN (CN1 to CN3,...) In the channel list CL is displayed. In addition, on the upper side and the lower side of the channel selection area 11, the channel number CNr (selectable channel number CNr (switchable from the currently selected channel) according to the order of the channel numbers CN (CN1 to CN3,...) In the channel list CL. For example, “2”) and CNt (for example, “4”) are displayed.

  Further, a triangular first mark M1 with the apex facing upward is displayed near the upper side of the channel number CNr, while a triangular shape with the apex facing downward is located near the lower side of the channel number CNt. The second mark M2 is displayed. Each of the first mark M1 and the second mark M2 indicates that the channel selected by the operation of the operation unit 2 can be switched to the channel with the channel number CNr or the channel with the channel number CNt.

  Then, the control unit 3 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 sets the channel number CNs to be displayed in the channel selection area 11 according to the channel switching operation on the operation unit 2 to the channel number CN (CN1 to CN3,. Switching is performed according to the order (that is, the channel is switched), so that the user can easily recognize the channel switching.

  On the other hand, in the song selection area 12, the list name of the channel playlist (hereinafter also referred to as the selected list) PL assigned to the selected channel is displayed on the left side thereof (for example, “Heart-Beat Hard Disk”). And a list explanation (for example, “Gathered songs of Nori Nori”) is displayed. Then, the control unit 3 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 switches the list name and list description displayed in the song selection area 12 in accordance with the channel switching operation on the operation unit 2, thereby allowing the user to select the channel being selected. The contents of can be easily recognized.

  A jacket image Jp corresponding to the selected song (that is, a song based on the music data Ad corresponding to the music data information Ai selected from the selected list PL) is displayed on the right portion of the song selection area 12. The song name and artist name corresponding to the currently selected song are displayed below the jacket image Jp.

  Further, a triangle-shaped third mark M3 with the vertex directed to the left is displayed near the left side of the jacket image Jp, while a triangle-shaped fourth mark M3 with the vertex directed to the right is displayed near the right side. Is displayed. Each of the third mark M3 and the fourth mark M4 is a song based on the previous music data Ad according to the selected list PL, or the next music data according to the selection list PL. It shows that it is possible to switch to a music based on Ad.

  Then, the control unit 3 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 switches the jacket image Jp, the song name, and the artist name to be displayed in the song selection area 12 in response to the song switching operation on the operation unit 2 (that is, switches the song). On the other hand, the contents of the music based on the selected music data Ad can be easily recognized.

  As described above, the content playback apparatus 1 switches the channel and selects the music to be played back according to the operation of the operation unit 2 while allowing the user to visually recognize the content of the channel and the content of the music via the selection screen 10. To be selected.

  Incidentally, when starting the MusicStation function, the control unit 3 of the content playback apparatus 1 selects, for example, the channel selected at the end of the previous MusicStation function and is registered in the channel playlist PL assigned to this channel. One music data Ad is selected and playback is automatically started from the characteristic position. Therefore, on the selection screen 10 immediately after starting the MusicStation function, a channel at the end of the previous MusicStation function and a song based on one music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL assigned to this channel are selected. Display state.

  Further, when a song determination operation is performed by the operation unit 2 while the selection screen 10 is displayed, the control unit 3 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 displays the GUI screen from the selection screen 10 as shown in FIG. The playback screen 20 is switched to.

  The playback screen 20 has a selected channel display area 21 at the left corner of the screen and a selected music display area 22 at the remaining portion. In the selected channel display area 21, only the channel number CNs (for example, “3”) of the currently selected channel is displayed. On the other hand, the selected song display area 22 has a list name of the channel playlist (that is, selected list) PL assigned to the selected channel, a song name and an artist name corresponding to the selected song, on the left side. Is displayed. A jacket image Jp corresponding to the currently selected song is displayed on the right part of the selected song display area 22.

  In this way, the content reproduction apparatus 1 can make the user visually recognize the selected channel and the content of the song via the reproduction screen 20.

  Incidentally, the control unit 3 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 also displays a GUI when no operation is performed on the operation unit 2 for a predetermined time after the selection screen 10 is displayed, as in the case where the music determination operation is performed. The screen is switched from the selection screen 10 to the reproduction screen 20.

  Further, when the control unit 3 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 recognizes that the channel switching operation has been performed on the operation unit 2 while the reproduction screen 20 is displayed, the control unit 3 displays the GUI screen from the reproduction screen 20 again. The screen is switched to the selection screen 10.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 5, the screen switching of the GUI screen and the accompanying reproduction control of the music data Ad will be described. When the MusicStation function is activated, the control unit 3 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 displays the selection screen 10 and shifts to a partial reproduction mode in which the music data Ad is reproduced from the characteristic position.

  In this partial playback mode, the control unit 3 of the content playback apparatus 1 switches the channel according to the channel switching operation on the selection screen 10 and switches the music to the channel music after the switching, and also according to the music switching operation. It is designed to switch songs within the same channel. The control unit 3 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 is configured to reproduce the music data Ad corresponding to the music after switching from the characteristic position each time the music is switched.

  Here, many users learn a characteristic part of a song (such as a chorus part or a part where a melody changes), and listen to this characteristic part to recognize each song. That is, the content playback apparatus 1 can make the user easily recognize a song based on the reproduced music data Ad by reproducing the music data Ad from the characteristic position and allowing the user to listen to the characteristic part. Yes.

  In addition, each time the channel switching operation and the music switching operation are performed, the content reproduction apparatus 1 reproduces the music data Ad corresponding to the music after the switching from the characteristic position, so that the channel and the music can be zapped to the user in a sense of zapping. It can be switched.

  Furthermore, the content playback apparatus 1 also plays music data from a radio station without switching interruption of the music data Ad after the channel switching by switching the music and playing the music data corresponding to the switched music even when the channel is switched. You can listen to music as if you were listening to music.

  Furthermore, in the content reproduction apparatus 1, as described above, the user can easily switch to a desired channel by assigning the channel playlist PL for each category that the user may request to the selectable channels. It is designed so that a desired song can be found.

  Then, the control unit 3 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 switches the display to the reproduction screen 20 and performs the music data Ad when a song determination operation is performed on the operation unit 2 or when a predetermined time elapses without a user operation in the partial reproduction mode. Shift to normal playback mode for normal playback. In this normal playback mode, the music data Ad corresponding to the selected song is played to the end so that the user can listen to the entire part of the song.

  Thereafter, the control unit 3 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 sequentially reproduces the music data Ad from the head position according to the selection list PL until a channel switching operation or a music switching operation is performed on the operation unit 2. Then, when the channel switching operation or the music switching operation for the operation unit 2 is performed, the control unit 3 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 is again shifted to the partial reproduction mode.

  In this way, the control unit 3 of the content playback apparatus 1 is appropriately switched between the partial playback mode and the normal playback mode, and the music data Ad is always interrupted during execution of the MusicStation function regardless of which mode is switched to. It is made to play without.

  Accordingly, when the MusicStation function is executed, the content playback apparatus 1 can switch the channel playlist PL in units of channels as if switching radio preset stations as shown in FIG. The music can be switched, thereby allowing the user to listen to the desired music as if listening to music broadcast from a radio station.

  Here, procedures for starting the Music Station function (hereinafter also referred to as “Music Station function starting process”), channel switching process, and music switching process will be described.

  First, the procedure of the Music Station function activation process will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, when the control unit 3 of the content playback apparatus 1 recognizes that the MusicStation function activation operation has been performed via the operation unit 2, the control unit 3 starts the MusicStation function activation processing procedure RT1 and performs step SP1. Move on.

  In step SP1, the control unit 3 acquires the channel number CN of the channel selected at the end of the previous activation of the MusicStation function, and proceeds to the next step SP2. Incidentally, the control unit 3 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 stores information indicating the channel number CN of the currently selected channel (hereinafter also referred to as “selected channel information”) in the storage unit 6, and stores this selected channel information. The channel number CN is updated whenever necessary. That is, the channel number CN indicated in the selected channel information stored in the storage unit 6 at this time is the channel number CN selected last at the time of the previous activation, and the control unit 3 By acquiring the information, the channel number CN selected at the end of the previous activation is acquired.

  In step SP2, the control unit 3 designates a channel playlist PL corresponding to the acquired channel number CN based on the channel list CL, and designates the designated channel playlist (hereinafter also referred to as a designated list) PL. The data is read from the storage unit 6 and the process proceeds to the next step SP3.

  In step SP3, the control unit 3 determines whether or not the designated list PL has been read correctly. If a negative result is obtained in step SP3, this means that the specified list PL could not be read correctly, for example, because the data of the specified list PL is damaged. At this time, the control unit 3 Then, the Music Station function activation processing procedure RT1 is terminated with an error.

  On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP3, the control unit 3 recognizes that the specified list PL has been read correctly at this time, and proceeds to step SP4.

  In step SP4, the control unit 3 executes an initialization process for the designated list PL (hereinafter also referred to as a channel initialization process). As the channel initialization processing, for example, when the song order setting Ls of the channel playlist PL indicates that shuffle playback is performed, the playback song order shown in the channel playlist PL is randomly rearranged. is there. After executing such channel initialization processing, the controller 3 proceeds to the next step SP5.

  In step SP5, the control unit 3 determines whether or not the information of the designated list PL (that is, the list information Li and the music data information Ai) after the channel initialization process is correct. If a negative result is obtained in step SP5, this indicates, for example, that the reproduction of music data Ad by the designated list PL is prohibited in the list reproduction setting Ldi included in the list information Li of the designated list PL. This means that the information of the designated list PL is not correct. At this time, the control unit 3 moves to step SP6 and is permitted to reproduce the music data Ad, for example, a default playlist DPL is assigned. A new channel number CN of the obtained channel is acquired, and the process returns to step SP2, and the channel playlist PL corresponding to the newly acquired channel number CN is read.

  On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP5, the control unit 3 recognizes that the information in the designated list PL is correct at this time, and proceeds to step SP7.

  In step SP7, the control unit 3 designates one music data Ad (for example, the music data Ad having the first playback music order) from the designation list PL, and designates the designated music data (hereinafter also referred to as designated music data). Ad is read from the storage unit 6 and the process proceeds to the next step SP8.

  In step SP8, the control unit 3 determines whether the designated music data Ad has been read correctly. If a negative result is obtained in step SP8, this means that the designated music data Ad could not be read correctly, for example, because the designated music data Ad is damaged. Then, the Music Station function activation processing procedure RT1 is terminated with an error.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP8, the control unit 3 recognizes that the designated music data Ad has been read correctly at this time, and proceeds to step SP9. In step SP9, the control unit 3 displays the channel number CN obtained in step SP1 or step SP6 as the channel number CNs of the channel being selected, and the list information Li () of the designated list PL read in step SP2 above. The selection screen 10 displaying the list name Lt, the list description Lde) and the attribute information Ti (jacket image, song name, artist name) of the designated music data Ad read in step SP7 is displayed on the display unit 4 and designated. The reproduction of the music data Ad is started from a characteristic position (for example, a position indicated by one of the three pieces of characteristic position information Ct1 to Ct3), and this MusicStation function activation processing procedure RT1 is completed.

  The music playback device 1 is configured to activate the MusicStation function by such a MusicStation function activation processing procedure RT1.

  In this way, the control unit 3 of the content playback apparatus 1 automatically starts playing the music data Ad after starting the MusicStation function, thereby listening to music based on the music data Ad as if it were broadcast from a radio station. It can be provided to the user with such a feeling.

  Next, a procedure for channel switching processing in the MusicStation function will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 3 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 activates the MusicStation function and the channel switching operation is performed via the operation unit 2 while the music data Ad is being reproduced. Is recognized, the channel switching processing procedure RT2 is started, and the process proceeds to step SP10.

  In step SP10, the control unit 3 responds to the channel switching operation with reference to the channel number CN (that is, the channel number CNs displayed on the selection screen 10) of the channel selected until just before the channel switching operation. The number shifted by -1 (namely, channel number CNr) or the number shifted by +1 (namely, channel number CNt) is set as the channel number CN after switching, and the process proceeds to the next step SP11.

  Incidentally, the control unit 3 is configured to control the switching of the channel number CN in an annular manner so as to connect the head and the tail of the channel number CN. That is, in step SP10, the control unit 3 recognizes the first channel number CN-1 as the last channel number CN, and recognizes the last channel number CN + 1 as the first channel number CN. .

  In step SP11, the control unit 3 designates the channel playlist PL corresponding to the channel number CN after switching based on the channel list CL, and reads out the designated channel playlist (designated list) PL from the storage unit 6. Then, the process proceeds to the next step SP12.

  In step SP12, the control unit 3 determines whether or not the designated list PL has been read correctly. If a negative result is obtained in step SP12, this means that the specified list PL could not be read correctly, for example, because the data of the specified list PL is damaged. At this time, the control unit 3 The channel switching processing procedure RT2 ends with an error.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP12, the control unit 3 recognizes that the specified list PL has been read correctly at this time, and proceeds to step SP13.

  In step SP13, the control unit 3 executes a process for the designated list PL (hereinafter also referred to as a channel change process). As the channel change process, for example, a process of reconfiguring a channel playlist PL composed of music data Ad corresponding to a song with a large number of reproductions according to the number of reproductions of each music data Ad up to this point. is there. After executing such a channel change process, the controller 3 proceeds to the next step SP14.

  In step SP14, the control unit 3 determines whether display of the channel to which the designated list PL is assigned is permitted based on the list reproduction setting Ldi included in the list information Li of the designated list PL after the channel change process. To do. If a negative result is obtained in step SP14, this indicates that the reproduction of the music data Ad registered in the designated list PL is prohibited in the list reproduction setting Ldi. This means that the display of the assigned channel is prohibited. At this time, the control unit 3 returns to step SP10 and sets the number obtained by further shifting the previously acquired channel number CN after switching by +1 or -1. The channel number CN after the new switching is assumed.

  On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP14, the control unit 3 indicates that the reproduction of music data Ad registered in the designated list PL is permitted in the list reproduction setting Ldi. Then, it recognizes that the display of the channel to which this designated list PL is assigned is permitted, and moves to step SP15.

  In step SP15, the control unit 3 designates one music data Ad (for example, the music data Ad having the first reproduction song order) from the designation list PL, and designates the designated music data (designated music data) Ad from the storage unit 6. Read and move to next step SP16.

  In step SP16, the control unit 3 determines whether or not the designated music data Ad has been read correctly. If a negative result is obtained in step SP16, this means that the designated music data Ad could not be read correctly, for example, because the designated music data Ad is damaged. The channel switching processing procedure RT2 ends with an error.

  On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP16, at this time, the control unit 3 recognizes that the designated music data Ad has been correctly read, and proceeds to step SP17. In step SP17, the control unit 3 stops the reproduction of the music data Ad currently being reproduced, displays the channel number CN after switching obtained in step SP10 as the channel number CNs being selected, and the steps described above. Selection that displays the list information Li (list name Lt, list description Lde) of the designated list PL read in SP11 and the attribute information Ti (jacket image, song name, artist name) of the designated music data Ad read in step SP15 described above The screen 10 is displayed on the display unit 4 and the reproduction of the designated music data Ad is started from a characteristic position (for example, a position indicated by one of the three characteristic position information Ct1 to Ct3), and this channel switching process is performed. The procedure RT2 is terminated.

  The content reproduction apparatus 1 is configured to switch channels by such a channel switching processing procedure RT2.

  Next, the procedure of the music switching process using the MusicStation function will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 3 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 activates the MusicStation function and the music switching operation is performed via the operation unit 2 while the music data Ad is being reproduced. Is recognized, the music switching process procedure RT3 is started, and the process proceeds to step SP20.

  In step SP20, the control unit 3 sets the song number to the currently selected channel based on the song number of the music data information Ai corresponding to the song selected immediately before the song switching operation according to the song switching operation. In the assigned channel playlist PL, the number shifted by -1 or +1 is set as the music number after switching, and the process proceeds to the next step SP21.

  Incidentally, the control unit 3 is configured to control the switching of the music numbers in a ring shape so as to connect the head and the tail of the music numbers. That is, in step SP20, the control unit 3 recognizes the first music number-1 as the last music number, and recognizes the last music number + 1 as the first music number.

  In step SP21, the control unit 3 permits the reproduction of the music data (designated music data) Ad specified by the music data information Ai based on the music data reproduction setting Adi of the music data information Ai corresponding to the music number after switching. Determine whether it has been. If a negative result is obtained in step SP21, this means that the reproduction of the designated music data Ad is prohibited. At this time, the control unit 3 returns to step SP20, and the previously acquired music piece after switching is obtained. The number further shifted by +1 or -1 is used as a new switched music number.

  On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP21, the control unit 3 recognizes that the reproduction of the designated music data Ad is permitted, and proceeds to step SP22.

  In step SP22, the control unit 3 stops the reproduction of the music data Ad currently being reproduced, and proceeds to the next step SP23. In step SP23, the attribute information Ti (jacket image, song name, artist name) of the designated music data Ad. Is displayed on the display unit 4 and the reproduction of the designated music data Ad is started from a characteristic position (for example, a position indicated by one of the three characteristic position information Ct1 to Ct3). This music switching processing procedure RT3 is terminated.

  The content reproducing apparatus 1 is configured to switch the music piece by such a music piece switching processing procedure RT3.

  Here, a method of setting the list reproduction setting Ldi of the channel playlist PL (PL1 to PL3,...) Assigned to each channel will be described. Incidentally, in the MusicStation function, as described above in the description of the channel switching processing procedure RT2, the reproduction of the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL is permitted to the list reproduction setting Ldi of the channel playlist PL. Is displayed, the display of the channel to which the channel playlist PL is assigned is permitted, while the reproduction of the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL is prohibited. In this case, display of the channel to which this channel playlist PL is assigned is prohibited.

  That is, the MusicStation function can set display / non-display of channels on the GUI screen based on the list reproduction setting Ldi. Therefore, here, the setting method of the list reproduction setting Ldi will be described as a channel display setting method.

  Specifically, when the control unit 3 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 recognizes that a setting call operation for the operation unit 2 has been performed during the execution of the MusicStation function, the control unit 3 displays a channel display setting screen 30 as shown in FIG. Part 4 is displayed.

  At the center of the channel display setting screen 30, a channel information list 31 in which information for each channel that can be used by the MusicStation function (hereinafter also referred to as channel information) is arranged in the order of the channel list CL is arranged. In the lower right corner, a close button 32 for finishing the setting and closing the channel display setting screen 30 is arranged.

  In the channel information list 31, for example, only channel information for 4 channels (that is, 4 rows) is displayed among the channel information of all channels due to the restriction of the display unit 4. , A check box CB indicating the display setting of the channel, a channel number (for example, “Ch2”), a list name of the channel playlist PL assigned to the channel (for example, “new song”), and the channel playlist PL The number of registered music data Ad (for example, “35 songs”) is displayed. Incidentally, the check box CB indicates that the channel display setting is “display” if a check mark is added, and the channel display setting is “non-display” otherwise. A channel for which the check box CB is not displayed is a channel to which a default channel DPL whose channel display setting is fixed to “display”, that is, a default playlist DPL whose list playback setting Ldi is fixed to “playback permission” is assigned. .

  Further, the channel information list 31 displays the focus Fc for the selected channel information.

  Further, in the vicinity of the upper side of the channel information list 31, a triangular fifth mark M5 with the apex facing upward is displayed, while in the vicinity of the lower side of the channel information list 31, the apex is on the lower side. A triangle-shaped sixth mark M6 is displayed. Each of the fifth mark M5 and the sixth mark M6 indicates that the focus Fc displayed in the channel information list 31 can be shifted to the channel information one level higher or lower by the operation of the operation unit 2. Show.

  Then, the control unit 3 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 selects channel information by moving the focus Fc in the channel information list 31 in accordance with a focus movement operation via the operation unit 2.

  Incidentally, the channel information list 31 displays only channel information for four channels at a time. For example, when the focus Fc is displayed in the uppermost channel information, the focus Fc is further moved up by one level. Displayed in the channel information list 31 when a focus movement operation is performed, or when a focus movement operation is performed to move the focus Fc down one level while the focus Fc is displayed in the lowest channel information. The channel information is scrolled up or down one step at a time, so that the user can confirm the channel information of all the channels.

  Further, at this time, the control unit 3 of the music playback device 1 reads the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL of the channel corresponding to the channel information selected by the focus Fc, for example, every several seconds from the characteristic position. By continuously playing, it is possible to make the user listen to the music flowing on the channel.

  When the display setting change operation is performed on the operation unit 2 in a state where the channel information is selected, the control unit 3 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 adds a check mark to the check box CB of the selected channel information. If it is, remove this to change the channel display setting from “Display” to “Hide”, while if it is not attached, add it anew to change the channel display setting from “Hide” to “Display”. change.

  Thereafter, when the close button 32 on the channel display setting screen 30 is pressed by the operation on the operation unit 2, the control unit 3 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 sets the channel display setting on the channel display setting screen 30 (that is, the check box CB). The channel display setting screen 30 is closed by reflecting the presence or absence of a check mark in the list reproduction setting Ldi of the channel playlist PL assigned to each channel.

  Thus, the channel display setting screen 30 can change the channel display setting for each channel. Then, the channel whose channel display setting is changed to “non-display” is not displayed on the GUI screen (that is, the selection screen 10 and the playback screen 20), and naturally cannot be selected.

  As a result, the content reproduction apparatus 1 can allow the user to set which channel is displayed on the selection screen 10 and the reproduction screen 20 and can be selected. For example, the channel configuration displayed on the selection screen 10 is A channel configuration that suits the user's preference can also be used.

  Next, the procedure of the channel display setting process (hereinafter also referred to as channel display setting process) will be described. When the control unit 3 of the content playback apparatus 1 recognizes that a setting call operation has been performed via the operation unit 2 during execution of the MusicStation function, the control unit 3 switches the GUI screen of the MusicStation function to the channel display setting screen 30. As shown in FIG. 11, the channel display setting processing procedure RT4 is started, and the process proceeds to step SP30.

  In step SP30, the control unit 3 determines whether a display setting change operation has been received via the operation unit 2 in a state where channel information is selected by the focus Fc. If an affirmative result is obtained in step SP30, the control unit 3 moves to step SP31 at this time.

  In step SP31, the control unit 3 determines whether or not the current display setting of the channel information being selected is “display”. If an affirmative result is obtained in step SP31, this means that the current display setting of the channel information being selected is “display”, that is, the check box CB is checked. Then, the control unit 3 moves to step SP32.

  In step SP32, the control unit 3 changes the display setting from “display” to “non-display” by removing the check mark attached to the check box CB of the channel information being selected, and proceeds to the next step SP34. .

  On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP31 described above, this means that the current display setting of the channel information being selected is “non-display”, that is, a check mark is added to the check box CB. In this case, the control unit 3 moves to step SP33.

  In step SP33, the control unit 3 adds a check mark to the check box CB of the channel information being selected, thereby changing the display setting from “non-display” to “display”, and proceeds to the next step SP34.

  On the other hand, when a negative result is obtained in step SP30 described above, the control unit 3 omits steps SP31 to SP33 and moves to step SP34.

  In step SP34, the control unit 3 determines whether or not the close button 32 on the channel display setting screen 30 has been pressed via the operation unit 2. If a negative result is obtained in step SP34, this means that the user is still trying to continue the channel display setting. At this time, the control unit 3 returns again to step SP30 to determine whether to accept the display setting change operation. I do.

  On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP34, this means that the user is about to finish the channel display setting. At this time, the control unit 3 moves to step SP35 and the channel display setting screen 30 is displayed. The channel display setting performed above is reflected in the list reproduction setting Ldi of the channel playlist PL assigned to each channel, the channel display setting screen 30 is closed, and this channel display setting processing procedure RT4 is ended. .

  By such channel display setting processing procedure RT4, the content reproduction apparatus 1 changes the channel display setting.

  As described so far, the content playback apparatus 1 which is the basic configuration of the present invention has the MusicStation function as one of the music data playback functions, and music (that is, music) based on the music data Ad is obtained by this MusicStation function. It is possible to provide a user with the feeling of listening to music broadcast from a radio station.

  Hereinafter, first to fourth embodiments of the present invention based on such a basic configuration having a MusicStation function will be described.

(2) First Embodiment (2-1) Overview of First Embodiment First, an overview of the first embodiment will be described. By the way, after describing this outline, the description moves to a specific example of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the content reproduction apparatus 100 includes a first input unit 101 that inputs an operation amount in a first direction, a second input unit 102 that inputs an operation amount in a second direction, A playback unit 103 that plays back content specified by input from one input unit 101 or the second input unit 102, a content storage unit 104 that stores one or more contents, and a plurality of lists having content identification information When there is an input from the list storage unit 105 and the first input unit 101, one list among a plurality of lists stored in the list storage unit 105 is selected according to the input operation amount in the first direction. The content corresponding to the content identification information in the selected list is read from the content storage unit 104 and played back by the playback unit 103, and input from the second input unit 102 is performed. If there is, one content identification information in the selected list is selected according to the input operation amount in the second direction, and the content corresponding to the selected content identification information is read from the content storage unit 104 and reproduced. And a control unit 106 that controls the unit 103 to reproduce.

  Note that the first input unit 101 and the second input unit 102 correspond to the operation unit 2 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 (FIG. 1) having the basic configuration described above, and the content storage unit 104 and the list. The storage unit 105 corresponds to the storage unit 6 of the content reproduction device 1, and the reproduction unit 103 and the control unit 106 correspond to the reproduction unit 7 and the control unit 3 of the content reproduction device 1, respectively.

  By having such a configuration, the content reproduction apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment selects a list by the first input unit 101 and a list by the second input unit 102 until the desired content is reproduced. The first input unit 101 corresponding to the selection of the list and the second input unit corresponding to the selection of the content need only be performed at most in two steps of the selection of the content registered in 102 is a separate input unit, the selection of the list by the first input unit 101 and the selection of the content by the second input unit 102 can be performed in parallel. Therefore, it is possible to easily reproduce the desired content.

(2-2) Specific Example of First Embodiment Next, a specific example of the first embodiment will be described. A music playback device 110 shown in FIG. 13 is a specific example of the content playback device 100 described above, and an operation signal transmitted from the remote controller RM1 is received by the reception unit 111 and converted into an operation command. Accordingly, the control unit 112 controls each unit to execute various processes.

  The music playback device 110 has a plurality of functions (functions) related to recording and playback of music data, and the control unit 112 can switch the plurality of functions in accordance with an operation on the remote controller RM1. In addition, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen corresponding to each function is displayed on the display unit 113. Incidentally, it is assumed that the music data here is data corresponding to music (music) that is music.

  That is, when the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 is instructed to switch to, for example, a download function for downloading music data via the remote controller RM1, a GUI screen corresponding to the download function is displayed on the display unit 113, Thereafter, when an instruction is given to download music data, in response to this, music data provided from a music providing server (not shown) is received by the network connection unit 114 via the network NT, and is received by the content storage unit 115. To remember.

  Further, when the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 is instructed to switch to the CD recording function for recording a CD via the remote controller RM1, the GUI screen corresponding to the CD recording function is displayed on the display unit 113, and thereafter When the recording of the CD is instructed, the music data is read from the CD (not shown) loaded in the music playback device 110 at this time, and the read music data is subjected to compression encoding processing, and then the content Store in the storage unit 115.

  Further, when the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 is instructed to switch to the normal playback function for playing back the music data stored in the content storage unit 115 via the remote controller RM1, the GUI screen corresponding to the normal playback function is displayed. When the music data is displayed on the display unit 113 and then instructed to reproduce the music data, the music data is read from the content storage unit 115 in response to this, and the reproduction unit 116 decrypts the read music data. Music (that is, music) based on the music data is output by performing reproduction processing such as equalizing processing, digital-analog conversion processing, and amplification processing.

  Further, when the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 is instructed to switch to the CD playback function for playing the CD via the remote controller RM1, the GUI screen corresponding to the CD playback function is displayed on the display unit 113, and thereafter When the CD is instructed to be played, music data is read from a CD (not shown) loaded in the music playback device 110 at this time, and the playback unit 116 performs playback processing on the read music data. Output music (song) based on music data.

  In this way, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 is configured to execute processing according to various functions.

  Here, the configuration of the remote controller RM1 will be described with reference to FIG. The remote controller RM1 has a volume operation unit Bg1 including a power button B1 to which a power on / off command for the music playback device 110 is assigned, volume control buttons B2 and B3 to which a volume increase / decrease command is assigned, and music data reproduction. A playback operation unit Bg2 including playback control buttons B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, and B10 to which control commands (play, stop, fast forward, rewind, music forward, music back, pause) are assigned, and a function A function switching button B11 to which a switching command is assigned, a setting button B12 to which a call command for various settings is assigned, an up button B13 and a down button B14 to which an operation command in the vertical direction on the GUI screen is assigned. The left direction button B15 and the right direction button B16 to which an operation command in the left / right direction is assigned The cross operation section BG3, and the decision button B17 for determination command on GUI screen is assigned, and Random buttons B18 that preset channel selection command is allocated to be described later is provided.

  That is, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 switches functions in response to a user operation on the function switching button B11 provided on the remote controller RM1, and in response to a user operation on the playback operation unit Bg2. For example, the playback of music data at the time of the normal playback function is controlled, and the music data to be downloaded is selected and determined at the time of the download function, for example, according to the user operation on the cross operation unit Bg3 and the determination button B17. It is made like that.

  Note that the upward button B13 and the downward button B14 of the remote controller RM1 correspond to the first input unit 101 of the content reproduction apparatus 100 (FIG. 12) described above, and the left button B15 and the right button B15 corresponds to the second input unit 102. In addition, the control unit 112, the content storage unit 115, the playback unit 116, and the list storage unit 117 of the music playback device 110 are respectively connected to the control unit 106, content storage unit 104, playback unit 103, and list storage unit 105 of the content playback device 100 described above. It corresponds to.

  Further, the music playback device 110 has a MusicStation function as in the basic configuration described above, and the MusicStation function will be described below. The MusicStation function of the music playback device 110 corresponds to the operation of the remote controller RM1 based on the MusicStation function described in the basic configuration described above, and the operation system will be mainly described below.

  First, a method for managing music data Ad using the MusicStation function of the music playback device 110 will be described. Regarding this management method, except that the database DB is constructed in the content storage unit 115 (that is, the music data Ad is stored in the content storage unit 115), and the channel playlist PL and the channel list CL are stored in the list storage unit 117. This is the same as the management method according to the basic configuration described above, and the details are referred to the description of the basic configuration described above.

  That is, as in the basic configuration described above, this music playback device 110 is also configured to manage a plurality of channel playlists PL by the channel list CL as shown in FIG. 2, and further, according to each of the plurality of channel playlists PL. The playback music order of the music data Ad is managed.

  In addition to the basic configuration described above, the MusicStation function is requested by the user, such as newly added songs, songs with a small number of playbacks, good songs, bright songs, classic songs, heavy metal songs, etc. A channel playlist PL is prepared for each possible classification, and the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 plays back the music data Ad stored in the content storage unit 115 in accordance with the storage or playback of the music data Ad. Based on the number of times, the impression value of the song, the genre, etc., the channel playlist PL is automatically updated by registering it in the corresponding channel playlist PL among the prepared channel playlists PL. Yes.

  Then, the music playback device 110 performs channel play classified on the GUI screen, which will be described later, such as newly added songs, songs with a small number of playbacks, good songs, bright songs, classic songs, heavy metal songs, and the like. By selecting the list PL as a channel according to a user operation on the remote controller RM1, the user can easily find a desired song with the feeling of switching the radio channel.

  Next, a GUI screen in the MusicStation function will be described. This GUI screen has the same screen configuration as the GUI screen having the basic configuration described above, but differs in that it corresponds to the operation of the remote controller RM1, so this point will be mainly described.

  That is, when the music playback function 110 starts the Music Station function in response to the Music Station function start operation by the function switching button B11 of the remote controller RM1, the selection screen 120 shown in FIG. 15 in which the same parts as those in FIG. Is displayed on the display unit 113 as a GUI screen.

  As in the selection screen 10 having the basic configuration described above, the selection screen 120 has a channel selection area 11 that is long in the vertical direction at the left corner of the screen and a music selection area 12 at the remaining portion. The channel number CNs (for example, “3”) of the currently selected channel is displayed in the center portion of the channel selection area 11, and the channel selection area 11 is switched from the currently selected channel above and below the channel selection area 11. Channel numbers CNr (for example, “2”) and CNt (for example, “4”) of the selectable channels are displayed.

  Further, a triangular first mark M10 with the apex facing upward is displayed near the upper side of the channel number CNr, while a triangular shape with the apex facing downward is displayed near the lower side of the channel number CNt. The second mark M11 is displayed. Each of the first mark M10 and the second mark M11 has a shape corresponding to the upward button B13 and the downward button B14 provided on the remote controller RM1, and is currently selected by pressing the upward button B13. This indicates that the channel in the middle can be switched to the channel having the channel number CNr, and the currently selected channel can be switched to the channel having the channel number CNt by pressing the down button B14.

  Then, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 displays the channel number CNs to be displayed in the channel selection area 11 in the channel list CL according to the channel switching operation via the up button B13 and the down button B14 of the remote controller RM1. Are switched according to the order of the channel numbers CN (CN1 to CN3,...) (That is, the channels are switched), so that the user can easily recognize the channel switching.

  On the other hand, in the music selection area 12, the list name of the channel play list (selected list) PL assigned to the channel being selected and the list description are displayed on the left part thereof. Then, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 switches the list name and list description displayed in the song selection area 12 in accordance with the channel switching operation via the up button B13 and the down button B14 of the remote controller RM1. This allows the user to easily recognize the contents of the currently selected channel.

  A jacket image Jp corresponding to the selected song (that is, a song based on the music data Ad corresponding to the music data information Ai selected from the selected list PL) is displayed on the right portion of the song selection area 12. The song name and artist name corresponding to the song being played are displayed below the jacket image Jp.

  Further, a triangle-shaped third mark M12 with the apex directed to the left is displayed near the left side of the jacket image Jp, while a triangle-shaped fourth mark M13 with the apex directed to the right is displayed near the right side. Is displayed. Each of the third mark M12 and the fourth mark M13 has a shape corresponding to the left button B15 and the right button B16 provided on the remote controller RM1, and is selected by pressing the left button B15. The song can be switched to the song based on the previous music data Ad according to the selected list PL, and if the right button B16 is pressed, the song to be selected is based on the next music data Ad according to the selected list PL. It shows that it can be switched to a song.

  Then, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 displays the jacket image Jp, the song title, and the artist name to be displayed in the song selection area 12 according to the song switching operation via the left button B15 and the right button B16 of the remote controller RM1. Switching (that is, switching of music) is performed so that the user can easily recognize the content of the currently selected music.

  As described above, the music playback device 110 allows the user to visually recognize the content of the channel and the content of the song via the selection screen 120, and sets the channel according to the user operation on the up button B13 and the down button B14 of the remote controller RM1. In addition to switching and selecting, songs are switched and selected according to user operations on the left button B15 and right button B16 of the remote controller RM1.

  In addition, when the determination button B17 of the remote controller RM1 is pressed while the selection screen 120 is displayed, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 displays the GUI screen from the selection screen 120 as shown in FIG. Are switched to the reproduction screen 130 shown in FIG.

  In the playback screen 130, the selected channel display area 21 is arranged at the left corner of the screen, and the selected song display area 22 is arranged in the remaining part. In the selected channel display area 21, only the channel number CNs (for example, “3”) of the currently selected channel is displayed. On the other hand, the selected song display area 22 has a list name of the channel playlist (that is, selected list) PL assigned to the selected channel, a song name and an artist name corresponding to the selected song, on the left side. Is displayed. A jacket image Jp corresponding to the currently selected song is displayed on the right part of the selected song display area 22.

  As described above, the music playback device 110 can make the user visually recognize the selected channel and the content of the song via the playback screen 130.

  Incidentally, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 does not perform any user operation on the remote controller RM1 for a predetermined time after displaying the selection screen 120, or when the determination button B17 of the remote controller RM1 is pressed. Similarly to the above, the GUI screen is switched from the selection screen 120 to the reproduction screen 130.

  Furthermore, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 displays that the playback screen 130 is being displayed, and that the channel switching operation has been performed via the up button B13 and the down button B14 of the remote controller RM1, or left When it is recognized that the music switching operation has been performed via the direction button B15 and the right direction button B16, the GUI screen is switched from the reproduction screen 130 to the selection screen 120 again.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 17, the screen switching of the GUI screen and the accompanying reproduction control of the music data Ad will be described. When the MusicStation function is activated, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 displays the selection screen 120 and shifts to the partial playback mode in which the music data Ad is played back from the characteristic position.

  In this partial playback mode, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 switches the channel according to the channel switching operation by the remote controller RM1 on the selection screen 120, switches the music to the music of the channel after the switching, and switches the music. The song is switched within the same channel according to the operation. The control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 plays back music data Ad corresponding to the music after switching from the characteristic position each time the music is switched.

  Then, in this partial playback mode, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 displays a display on the playback screen 130 when the determination button B17 of the remote controller RM1 is pressed or when a predetermined time elapses without a user operation on the remote controller RM1. At the same time, the music data Ad is switched to the normal playback mode for normal playback.

  Thereafter, the control unit 112 of the music reproducing device 110 sequentially reproduces the music data Ad from the head position according to the selection list PL until a channel switching operation or a music switching operation is performed via the remote controller RM1. When the channel switching operation or the music switching operation is performed via the remote controller RM1, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 is shifted to the partial playback mode again.

  In this way, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 is appropriately switched between the partial playback mode and the normal playback mode, and the music data Ad is always interrupted during execution of the MusicStation function regardless of which mode is switched to. It is made to play without.

  Thus, when the MusicStation function is executed, the music playback device 110, as shown in FIG. 18, is as if switching radio preset stations in accordance with the operation of the up button B13 and the down button B14 of the remote controller RM1. The channel playlist PL can be switched on a channel-by-channel basis, and the music to be played back within the channel can be switched in accordance with the operation of the left button B15 and the right button B16. It is possible to listen to a desired song more easily as if listening to the music being broadcast.

  Here, procedures of the Music Station function starting process, the channel switching process, and the music switching process will be described. The processing contents of these processes are almost the same as the processes in the basic configuration described above, but are the processes corresponding to the operation of the remote controller RM1, so this point will be mainly described.

  First, the procedure of the Music Station function activation process will be described. As shown in FIG. 19, when the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 recognizes that the switching operation to the MusicStation function has been performed via the remote controller RM1, the control unit 112 starts the MusicStation function activation processing procedure RT10. Control goes to step SP100.

  In step SP100, the control unit 112 acquires the channel number CN of the channel selected at the end of the previous activation of the MusicStation function, and proceeds to the next step SP101. Incidentally, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 stores the selected channel information indicating the channel number CN of the channel being selected in the content storage unit 115 or the list storage unit 117, and stores the selected channel information in the channel number CN. It is updated as needed at the timing of switching.

  In step SP101, the control unit 112 designates the channel playlist PL corresponding to the acquired channel number CN based on the channel list CL, and reads out the designated channel playlist (designated list) PL from the list storage unit 117. Then, the process proceeds to the next step SP102.

  In step SP102, the control unit 112 determines whether or not the designated list PL has been read correctly. If a negative result is obtained in this step SP102, the control unit 112 at this time ends this MusicStation function activation processing procedure RT10 with an error. On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP102, the control unit 112 at this time proceeds to step SP103.

  In step SP103, the control unit 112 executes a channel initialization process (for example, a process of randomly rearranging the playback song order in the designated list PL) for the designated list PL, and proceeds to the next step SP104. In step SP104, the control unit 112 determines whether or not the information of the designated list PL after the channel initialization process (that is, the list information Li and the music data information Ai) is correct. If a negative result is obtained in step SP104, the control unit 112 moves to step SP105 at this time, for example, newly acquires the channel number CN of the channel to which the default playlist DPL is assigned, and returns to step SP101. The channel playlist PL corresponding to the newly acquired channel number CN is read out.

  On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP104, the control unit 112 moves to step SP106 at this time. In step SP106, the control unit 112 designates one music data Ad (for example, the music data Ad having the first reproduction song order) from the designation list PL, and the designated music data (designated music data) Ad is the content storage unit 115. Are read out, and the process proceeds to the next step SP107.

  In step SP107, the control unit 112 determines whether the designated music data Ad has been read correctly. If a negative result is obtained in step SP107, the control unit 112 at this time ends this MusicStation function activation processing procedure RT10 with an error. On the other hand, when a positive result is obtained in step SP107, the control unit 112 moves to step SP108 at this time.

  In step SP108, the control unit 112 displays the channel number CN obtained in the above-described step SP100 or step SP105 as the channel number CNs of the selected channel, and the list information Li () of the designated list PL read out in the above-described step SP101. The selection screen 120 displaying the list name Lt, the list description Lde) and the attribute information Ti (jacket image, song name, artist name) of the designated music data Ad read in step SP106 is displayed on the display unit 113 and designated. The reproduction of the music data Ad is started from a characteristic position (for example, a position indicated by one of the three pieces of characteristic position information Ct1 to Ct3), and this MusicStation function activation processing procedure RT10 is completed.

  The music playback device 110 starts the MusicStation function according to the MusicStation function start processing procedure RT10.

  Next, a procedure for channel switching processing in the MusicStation function will be described. As shown in FIG. 20, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 activates the MusicStation function and plays the music data Ad via the up button B13 or the down button B14 of the remote controller RM1. When it is recognized that the channel switching operation has been performed, the channel switching processing procedure RT11 is started, and the process proceeds to step SP110.

  In step SP110, the control unit 112 presses the up button B13 of the remote controller RM1 with reference to the channel number CN of the channel selected until immediately before the channel switching operation (that is, the channel number CNs displayed on the selection screen 120). If the channel number CN is shifted by -1 (ie, the channel number CNr), the channel number CN after switching is set, and if the down button B14 is pressed, the channel number CN is incremented by +1. The shifted number (that is, channel number CNt) is set as the channel number CN after switching, and the process proceeds to the next step SP111.

  Incidentally, the control unit 112 is configured to control the switching of the channel number CN in a ring shape so as to connect the head and the tail of the channel number CN.

  In step SP111, the control unit 112 designates the channel playlist PL corresponding to the channel number CN after switching based on the channel list CL, and designates the designated channel playlist (designated list) PL from the list storage unit 117. Read and move to next step SP112.

  In step SP112, the control unit 112 determines whether or not the designated list PL has been read correctly. If a negative result is obtained in step SP112, the control unit 112 at this time ends this channel switching processing procedure RT11 with an error. On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP112, the control unit 112 at this time moves to step SP113.

  In step SP113, the control unit 112 executes channel change processing for the designated list PL (for example, processing for reconfiguring the designated list PL), and proceeds to the next step SP114. In step SP114, the control unit 112 determines whether display of the channel to which the designated list PL is assigned is permitted based on the list reproduction setting Ldi included in the list information Li of the designated list PL after the channel change process. To do. If a negative result is obtained in step SP114, the control unit 112 then returns to step SP110, and the channel number CN after switching obtained earlier is further shifted by +1 or -1 to the new channel number after switching. Let it be CN.

  On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP114, the control unit 112 moves to step SP115 at this time. In step SP115, the control unit 112 designates one music data Ad (for example, the music data Ad having the first reproduction music order) from the designation list PL, and the designated music data (designated music data) Ad is the content storage unit 115. Are read out, and the process proceeds to the next step SP116.

  In step SP116, the control unit 112 determines whether or not the designated music data Ad has been read correctly. If a negative result is obtained in step SP116, at this time, the control unit 112 ends this channel switching processing procedure RT11 in error. On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP116, the control unit 112 at this time moves to step SP117.

  In step SP117, the control unit 112 stops the reproduction of the music data Ad currently being reproduced, displays the channel number CN after switching obtained in step SP110 as the channel number CNs being selected, and the steps described above. Selection that displays the list information Li (list name Lt, list description Lde) of the designated list PL read in SP111 and the attribute information Ti (jacket image, song name, artist name) of the designated music data Ad read in step SP115 described above The screen 120 is displayed on the display unit 113, and reproduction of the designated music data Ad is started from a characteristic position (for example, a position indicated by one of the three characteristic position information Ct1 to Ct3). The procedure RT11 is terminated.

  With such a channel switching processing procedure RT11, the music playback device 110 switches channels according to the operation of the remote controller RM1.

  Next, the procedure of the music switching process using the MusicStation function will be described. As shown in FIG. 21, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 activates the MusicStation function and plays back music data Ad via the left button B15 or the right button B16 of the remote controller RM1. When it is recognized that the music switching operation has been performed, the music switching processing procedure RT12 is started, and the process proceeds to step SP120.

  In step SP120, the control unit 112 selects the left button B15 of the remote controller RM1 when the left button B15 of the remote controller RM1 is pressed on the basis of the song number of the music data information Ai corresponding to the song selected immediately before the song switching operation. In the channel playlist PL assigned to the middle channel, the number obtained by shifting this song number by -1 is set as the number after switching, and when the right button B16 is pressed, the currently selected channel is selected. In the channel playlist PL assigned to, the number shifted by +1 is set as the number after switching, and the process proceeds to the next step SP121.

  Incidentally, the control unit 112 controls the switching of the music numbers in a ring shape so as to connect the head and the tail of the music numbers.

  In step SP121, the control unit 112 permits the reproduction of the music data (designated music data) Ad specified by the music data information Ai based on the music data reproduction setting Adi of the music data information Ai corresponding to the music number after switching. Determine whether it has been. If a negative result is obtained in this step SP121, then the control unit 112 returns to step SP120, and the number obtained by further shifting the previously acquired music number after switching by +1 or −1 is set as the new music number after switching. To do.

  On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP121, the control unit 112 moves to step SP122 at this time. In step SP122, the control unit 112 stops the reproduction of the music data Ad that is currently being reproduced, and moves to the next step SP123. In step SP123, the attribute information Ti (jacket image, song name, artist name) of the designated music data Ad. Is displayed on the display unit 113, and reproduction of the designated music data Ad is started from a characteristic position (for example, a position indicated by one of the three characteristic position information Ct1 to Ct3). This music switching processing procedure RT12 is terminated.

  With such a music switching processing procedure RT12, the music playback device 110 switches music in accordance with the operation of the remote controller RM1.

  Next, a channel display setting method will be described. This display setting method is also substantially the same as the display setting method in the basic configuration described above, but differs in that it corresponds to the operation of the remote controller RM1, so this point will be mainly described.

  That is, when the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 recognizes that the setting button B12 provided on the remote controller RM1 is pressed during the execution of the MusicStation function, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same parts as those in FIG. A channel display setting screen 140 as shown in FIG.

  In the center of the channel display setting screen 140, a channel information list 31 in which channel information for each channel that can be used by the MusicStation function is arranged in the order of the channel list CL is arranged, and the setting is finished in the lower right corner. A close button 32 for closing the channel display setting screen 140 is provided.

  In the channel information list 31, the focus Fc is displayed for the selected channel information.

  In the vicinity of the upper side of the channel information list 31, a triangular fifth mark M14 with the apex directed upward is displayed, while in the vicinity of the lower side of the channel information list 31, the apex is directed downward. A triangular sixth mark M15 is displayed. Each of the fifth mark M14 and the sixth mark M15 has a shape corresponding to the upward button B13 and the downward button B14 provided on the remote controller RM1, and channel information can be obtained by pressing the upward button B13. This indicates that the focus Fc displayed in the list 31 can be shifted to the channel information one level higher, and the focus Fc can be shifted to the channel information one level lower by pressing the down button B14.

  Then, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 moves the focus Fc in the channel information list 31 in accordance with the focus movement operation via the up button B13 and the down button B14 of the remote controller RM1, and changes the channel information. Have been made to choose.

  Incidentally, the channel information list 31 displays only channel information for four channels at a time. For example, when the focus Fc is displayed in the uppermost channel information, the up button B13 of the remote controller RM1 is pressed. When operated, or when the down button B14 of the remote controller RM1 is pressed while the focus Fc is displayed in the bottom channel information, the channel information displayed in the channel information list 31 is changed upward. Alternatively, scrolling is performed one step at a time in the downward direction so that the user can confirm channel information of all channels.

  Further, at this time, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 reads the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL of the channel corresponding to the channel information selected by the focus Fc, for example, every several seconds from the feature position. By continuously playing, it is possible to make the user listen to the music flowing on the channel.

  When the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 selects the channel information and the determination button B17 of the remote controller RM1 is pressed, a check mark is added to the check box CB of the selected channel information. If this is the case, removing this will change the channel display setting from “Display” to “Hide”, while if not, it will be added to the channel display setting from “Hide” to “Display”. Change to

  Thereafter, when the close button 32 of the channel display setting screen 140 is pressed by a user operation on the remote controller RM1, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 performs channel display setting (that is, the check box CB) on the channel display setting screen 140. Is reflected in the list playback setting Ldi of the channel playlist PL assigned to each channel, and the channel display setting screen 140 is closed.

  As described above, on the channel display setting screen 140, the channel display setting can be changed for each channel in accordance with the operation of the remote controller RM1. Then, the channel whose channel display setting is changed to “non-display” is not displayed on the GUI screen (that is, the selection screen 120 and the reproduction screen 130), and naturally cannot be selected.

  As a result, the music playback device 110 can allow the user to set which channel is displayed on the selection screen 120 and the playback screen 130 and can be selected. For example, the music playback device 110 displays on the selection screen 120 and the playback screen 130. The channel configuration may be a channel configuration that suits the user's preference.

  Next, the channel display setting process will be described. When the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 recognizes that the setting button B12 of the remote controller RM1 has been pressed during execution of the MusicStation function, the control unit 112 switches the GUI screen of the MusicStation function to the channel display setting screen 140, and FIG. As shown, the channel display setting processing procedure RT13 is started, and the process proceeds to step SP130.

  In step SP130, the control unit 112 determines whether or not the determination button B17 of the remote controller RM1 has been pressed with the channel information selected by the focus Fc, that is, whether or not a display setting change operation has been accepted. If a positive result is obtained in step SP130, at this time, the control unit 112 proceeds to step SP131.

  In step SP131, the control unit 112 determines whether or not the current display setting of the channel information being selected is “display”. If a positive result is obtained in step SP131, the control unit 112 at this time moves to step SP132.

  In step SP132, the control unit 112 changes the display setting from “display” to “non-display” by removing the check mark attached to the check box CB of the channel information being selected, and proceeds to the next step SP134. .

  On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP131, the control unit 112 moves to step SP133. In step SP133, the control unit 112 changes the display setting from “non-display” to “display” by adding a check mark to the check box CB of the channel information being selected, and proceeds to the next step SP134.

  On the other hand, when a negative result is obtained in step SP130 described above, the control unit 112 omits steps SP131 to SP133 and proceeds to step SP134.

  In step SP134, the control unit 112 determines whether or not the close button 32 on the channel display setting screen 140 has been pressed via the remote controller RM1. If a negative result is obtained in step SP134, then the control unit 112 returns to step SP130 again, and determines whether to accept a display setting change operation.

  On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP134, the control unit 112 moves to step SP135 and sets the channel display setting on the channel display setting screen 140 of the channel playlist PL assigned to each channel. Reflecting on the list reproduction setting Ldi, the channel display setting screen 140 is closed and the channel display setting processing procedure RT13 is ended.

  With such a channel display setting processing procedure RT13, the music playback device 110 changes the channel display setting in accordance with the operation of the remote controller RM1.

  As described above, the music playback device 110 according to the first embodiment has the MusicStation function corresponding to the operation of the remote controller RM1, and starts up the MusicStation function, channel switching, song switching, channel display setting, and the like. Can be easily performed by operating the remote controller RM1.

  By the way, in the music playback device 110 according to the first embodiment, a channel playlist assigned according to a time zone (for example, morning, noon, evening, night, midnight) as one of channels handled by the MusicStation function. There is a special channel (this is also referred to as “Random channel”) that automatically switches the PL.

  Further, as the channel playlist PL assigned to the automatic channel, the music playback device 110 has a channel playlist (hereinafter also referred to as a morning list) PL composed of music data Ad corresponding to music suitable for the morning. Channel playlist (hereinafter also referred to as day list) PL composed of music data Ad corresponding to songs suitable for the day, and channel playlist (hereinafter referred to as music data Ad corresponding to songs suitable for the evening) PL (also called evening list) PL, channel play list (hereinafter also referred to as night list) PL composed of music data Ad corresponding to music suitable for night, music data Ad corresponding to music suitable for midnight Time such as a channel playlist (hereinafter also referred to as midnight list) PL composed of music data Ad to be played Channel play list PL in response to are prepared.

  Here, the channel play list PL corresponding to this time zone is automatically updated when the music data Ad is stored in the content storage unit 115.

  More specifically, for example, “quiet” is written as a keyword in the night list PL, and the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 newly stores the music data Ad in the content storage unit 115. Thereafter, based on the keyword “quiet”, music data Ad having a value indicating the quietness of the impression value of the music is selected from the music data Ad stored in the content storage unit 115 and selected. The configuration of the night list PL is updated so as to include the music data Ad.

  Then, when the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 selects the automatic channel according to the channel switching operation via the up button B13 and the down button B14 of the remote controller RM1 during execution of the MusicStation function, the control unit 112 obtains from the time measuring unit 118. The current time zone is specified based on the time, and the morning list PL, the day list PL, the evening list PL, the night list PL, and the midnight list assigned to the Omakase Channel according to the specified time zone. One of the PLs is designated, and the music data Ad is reproduced according to the designated list.

  As described above, when the automatic playback channel is selected, the music playback device 110 selects the channel playlist PL according to the current time zone, and plays back the music data Ad according to the selected channel playlist PL. The user can listen to a song suitable for the time zone.

  In addition, when the automatic button B18 provided on the remote controller RM1 is pressed down, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 immediately selects the currently selected channel regardless of the order of the channel numbers CN in the channel list CL. It is also possible to switch to a channel. As described above, the music playback device 110 immediately switches to the automatic channel when the automatic button B18 of the remote controller RM1 is pressed, so that the channel via the upward button B13 and the downward button B14 of the remote controller RM1 is switched. The switching operation is omitted, and the user can listen to a song suitable for the current time zone with a simpler operation.

  Here, the process of specifying the channel play list PL (hereinafter also referred to as a list specifying process) when switching to the automatic channel will be described with reference to FIG. Incidentally, this process is a process that is executed in step SP111 when the channel number CN after switching is the channel number CN of the entrusted channel in step SP110 of the above-described channel switching processing procedure RT11 (FIG. 20). .

  That is, when the channel number CN after switching is the channel number CN of the entrusted channel, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 starts the list designation processing procedure RT14 as processing in step SP111, and proceeds to step SP140.

  In step SP140, the control unit 112 specifies the current time zone based on the time obtained from the time measuring unit 118, and proceeds to the next step SP141. In step SP141, the control unit 112 selects one of the morning list PL, the day list PL, the evening list PL, the night list PL, and the midnight list PL assigned to the automatic channel according to the specified time zone. The designation list PL is read from the list storage unit 117, and this list designation processing procedure RT14 is terminated (the process proceeds to step SP112 of the channel switching processing procedure RT11).

  By such list designation processing procedure RT14, the music playback device 110 causes one of the morning list PL, the day list PL, the evening list PL, the night list PL, and the midnight list PL assigned to the automatic channel. One is specified.

  By the way, when the automatic button B18 is pressed, the channel number CN after switching becomes the channel number CN of the automatic channel, so step SP110 of the above-described channel switching processing procedure RT11 is omitted and this list specifying processing procedure is immediately performed. What is necessary is just to start RT4.

(2-3) Operation and Effect According to First Embodiment In the above configuration, the music playback device 110 stores a plurality of music data Ad stored in the content storage unit 115 in the list storage unit 117. It is managed by a plurality of channel playlists PL in which music data information Ai, which is content identification information of music data Ad, is listed.

  Then, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 selects one of the plurality of channel playlists PL through channel selection according to the operation of the up button B13 and the down button B14 of the remote controller RM1. One of the music data Ad registered in the selected channel playlist PL is arbitrarily selected and played back, and is being selected in accordance with the operation of the left button B15 and the right button B16 of the remote controller RM1. One of the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL is selected and reproduced.

  As a result, the music playback device 110 selects the channel playlist PL by the up button B13 and the down button B14 of the remote controller RM1 and the left button B15 and the right before playing the music data Ad desired by the user. The selection of the music data Ad by the direction button B16 only needs to be performed in two steps at most, and the selection of the upward button B13 and the downward button B14 corresponding to the selection of the channel playlist PL and the music data Ad are performed. Since the left button B15 and the right button B16 corresponding to the buttons are separate buttons, the channel play list PL is selected by the up button B13 and the down button B14, and the left button B15 and the right button B16 are used. Performing music data Ad selection in parallel Kill.

  In addition, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 includes information on the selected channel playlist PL (assigned channel number, list name, list description) and information on the selected music data Ad (jacket image, song name). , Artist name) is displayed on the same screen, so that the user can confirm the contents of the channel playlist PL and the contents of the music data Ad on the same screen, and the channel playlist PL and the music data Ad. Can be selected.

  Further, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 lists channel playlists PL corresponding to time zones such as a morning list PL, a day list PL, an evening list PL, a night list PL, and a late night list PL. A song suitable for the current time zone is stored in the storage unit 117, and one of these is selected according to the current time zone, and the music data Ad is reproduced according to the selected channel playlist PL. Can be heard by the user.

  According to the above configuration, the music playback device 110 according to the first embodiment performs channel play using the up button B13 and the down button B14 of the remote controller RM1 until the music data Ad desired by the user is played back. The selection of the list PL and the selection of the music data Ad using the left direction button B15 and the right direction button B16 need only be performed in two stages, and the up direction button corresponding to the selection of the channel playlist PL. Selection of the channel playlist PL by the upward button B13 and the downward button B14 is performed by the B13 and downward button B14 and the leftward button B15 and the rightward button B16 corresponding to the selection of the music data Ad being separate buttons. And music data by the left button B15 and the right button B16. Can be performed in parallel with selection of the data Ad, more than the conventional one, it is possible to easily reproduce the desired content.

(2-4) Other Embodiments to the First Embodiment In the first embodiment, the channel in which the MusicStation function is selected at the end of the previous activation is the same as the basic configuration described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the channel selected at the time of activation may be fixed to an arbitrary channel.

  In this case, the channel to be selected at the time of startup is set via a startup channel setting screen 150 as shown in FIG. 25, for example. When the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 recognizes that the setting button B12 of the remote controller RM1 is pressed during the execution of the MusicStation function, the control unit 112 displays the startup channel setting screen 150 on the display unit 113.

  Incidentally, since the call command for the channel display setting screen 140 described above is also assigned to the setting button B12, for example, every time the setting button B12 is pressed, the display of the channel display setting screen 140 and the channel setting at startup are set. The display on the screen 150 may be switched. Further, the remote controller RM1 may be provided with two buttons, a setting button corresponding to the call command on the channel display setting screen 140 and a setting button corresponding to the call command on the startup channel setting screen 150.

  On the startup channel setting screen 150, a startup channel display box 151 in which the channel number (eg, “Ch1”) of the channel selected at startup is displayed, and to close the startup channel setting screen 150 after finishing the setting. The close button 152 is arranged.

  Then, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 switches the channel number to be displayed in the startup channel display box 150 according to the operation of the up button B13 and the down button B14 of the remote controller RM1, and closes by the operation of the remote controller RM1. When 152 is pressed, the content storage unit displays the channel number currently displayed in the startup channel display box 151 as information indicating the channel number of the channel selected at startup (hereinafter also referred to as startup channel information). 115 or the list storage unit 117.

  In this way, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 can allow the user to set a channel to be selected at startup. In this case, the processing in step SP100 of the above-described MusicStation function activation processing procedure RT10 does not acquire the channel number of the channel selected last at the time of the previous activation, but the channel number indicated in the activation channel information. What is necessary is just to change so that it may acquire.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to this, and the user selects whether the channel selected at the time of starting up the MusicStation function is the channel selected at the end of the previous activation or the channel set as the activation channel. You may make it set. In this case, for example, either the channel number of the channel selected at the end of the previous activation or the channel number of the channel set as the activation channel may be written in the activation channel information.

  Incidentally, here, the channel information at start-up is used as information indicating the channel number of the channel selected at start-up, that is, list selection information indicating the channel play list PL to be selected first. Various other information may be used as long as the information indicates the list PL.

  In the first embodiment, similarly to the basic configuration described above, when the music play order setting Ls of the channel playlist PL indicates that shuffle playback is performed, at the time of channel initialization processing (MusicStation function starting processing procedure) In step SP103) of RT10, a case has been described in which random playback within the channel playlist is realized by randomly rearranging the playback song order shown in the channel playlist PL. Not limited to this, at the time of channel change processing (step SP113 of the channel switching processing procedure RT11), the playback song order shown in this channel playlist PL may be rearranged at random.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, at the time of switching songs, by randomly selecting one of the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL, random playback within the channel playlist PL is performed. May be realized. Specifically, for example, when the processing in step SP120 of the music switching processing procedure RT12 indicates that the channel playlist PL assigned to the selected channel is shuffled to the music order setting Ls. In this case, a process may be added in which a song number is randomly selected in the channel playlist PL and the song number is changed to a song number after switching.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the case where the remote controller RM1 is used as the operation unit has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, functions similar to various buttons provided on the remote controller RM1 are provided. Various buttons may be provided on the housing of the music playback device 110 and used as an operation unit.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the up button B13 and the down button B14 of the remote controller RM1 are used as the first input unit 101, and the left button of the remote controller RM1 is used as the second input unit 102. Although the case where the B15 and the right direction button B16 are used has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first input unit 101 and a jog dial that can be rotated in the vertical direction are used and the second input is used. A jog dial that can be rotated in the left-right direction may be used for the unit 102, and various other input devices may be used.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the reproduction of the selected music data Ad is performed from the characteristic position (such as the chorus position, the position where the melody is switched) in accordance with the channel switching operation and the music switching operation via the remote controller RM1. Although the case of starting is described, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be started from the top.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 combines the morning list PL, the day list PL, the evening list PL, the night list PL, and the late night list PL. When selecting an Omakase channel as a specific list, select one of the morning list PL, the day list PL, the evening list PL, the night list PL, and the midnight list PL according to the time zone at that time In the above description, the music data Ad is reproduced according to the selected channel playlist PL. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the volume or sound quality at the time of reproducing the music data Ad is changed according to the time zone. You may make it do.

  In this case, the music playback device 110 is provided with, for example, morning volume settings, daytime volume settings, evening volume settings, night volume settings, and midnight volume settings as volume settings during music data Ad playback. Yes. Specifically, for example, the volume of the morning volume setting is the highest, and then the volume is set to decrease in the order of the daytime volume setting, the evening volume setting, the night volume setting, and the midnight volume setting. .

  Then, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110, when playing back the music data Ad, according to the time zone at that time, morning volume setting, daytime volume setting, evening volume setting, night volume setting, midnight One of the volume settings is selected, and amplification in the playback unit 116 is controlled so that the music data Ad is played at a volume based on the selected volume setting. Thereby, the music playback device 110 can make the user listen to music at a volume suitable for the current time zone.

  On the other hand, the music playback device 110 is provided with, for example, morning sound quality settings, daytime sound quality settings, evening sound quality settings, night sound quality settings, and late-night sound quality settings as sound quality settings during music data Ad playback. ing. Specifically, for example, the bass enhancement in the morning sound quality setting is the largest, followed by the bass enhancement in the order of daytime volume setting, evening volume setting, night volume setting, and midnight volume setting. Is set.

  Then, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110, when playing back the music data Ad, according to the time zone at that time, morning sound quality setting, daytime sound quality setting, evening sound quality setting, night sound quality setting, midnight use One of the sound quality settings is selected, and equalization in the reproduction unit 116 is controlled so that the music data Ad is reproduced with the sound quality based on the selected sound quality setting. Thereby, the music playback device 110 can make the user listen to music with sound quality suitable for the current time zone.

  Further, not only the volume or sound quality but also the brightness or color of the display unit 113 may be changed. In this case, in the music playback device 110, as the brightness setting of the display unit 113, for example, morning brightness setting, daytime brightness setting, evening brightness setting, night brightness setting, and midnight brightness setting. Is prepared. More specifically, for example, the morning brightness setting is set to be the darkest, and then the daytime volume setting, the evening volume setting, the night volume setting, and the midnight volume setting are set to become brighter in this order.

  Then, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 sets the morning brightness setting, the daytime brightness setting, the evening brightness setting, the nighttime brightness setting, the midnight at the time of starting the device according to the time zone at that time. One of the brightness settings is selected, and the GUI screen is displayed on the display unit 113 with the brightness based on the selected brightness setting. Thereby, the music playback device 110 can show the GUI screen to the user with brightness suitable for the current time zone.

  On the other hand, as the color setting of the display unit 113, for example, a morning color setting, a daytime color setting, an evening color setting, a night color setting, and a midnight color setting are prepared in the music playback device 110. . Specifically, for example, the morning color setting is the brightest color, and then the dark color is set in the order of daytime volume setting, evening volume setting, night volume setting, and midnight volume setting. Is set.

  Then, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 performs the setting of the morning color setting, the daytime color setting, the evening color setting, the night color setting, and the midnight color setting according to the time zone at the time of starting the device. One of them is selected, and the GUI screen is displayed on the display unit 113 with a color based on the selected color setting. Thereby, the music playback device 110 can show the GUI screen to the user in a color suitable for the current time zone.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the list reproduction setting Ldi included in the list information Li is used as the list selection availability information indicating whether or not the channel playlist PL can be selected (that is, whether or not to display). As described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and various other information may be used as long as the information indicates whether or not the channel playlist PL can be selected (that is, whether or not to display).

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the case has been described in which the song order setting Ls is used as the list playback order information that defines the playback order in the channel playlist PL. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Various other information may be used as long as the information defines the playback order in the channel playlist PL.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the case where the playback screen 130 as the first display and the selection screen 120 as the second display are switched and displayed has been described. Not limited to these, the screen different from the selection screen 120 and the reproduction screen 130 may be switched as the first screen and the second screen.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, a case has been described in which a keyword indicating the characteristics of the channel playlist PL is written as character information (for example, “bright”) in the list description Lde of the list information Li. The present invention is not limited to this, and may be described as information other than character information, for example, as identification information for identifying a keyword such as “KW01”. In this case, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 110 recognizes the keyword “bright” based on the identification information “KW01” written in the list description Lde, for example.

  Further, in the first embodiment, when a channel switching operation or a song switching operation is performed while the playback screen 130 is displayed, the GUI screen is switched from the playback screen 130 to the selection screen 120. Although the present invention is not limited to this, the GUI screen is switched from the playback screen 130 to the selection screen 120 only when a channel switching operation is performed while the playback screen 130 is displayed. When a music switching operation is performed, the music title, artist name, and jacket image Jp displayed on the playback screen 130 may be switched while the playback screen 130 is maintained.

(3) Second Embodiment (3-1) Outline of Second Embodiment Next, an outline of the second embodiment will be described. By the way, after describing this outline, the description moves to a specific example of the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 26, the content reproduction apparatus 200 includes a content storage unit 201 that stores one or more contents, a list storage unit 202 that stores a plurality of lists having content identification information for identifying content, and a list storage unit. A playback unit 203 that plays back content stored in the content storage unit 201 based on the list stored in 202, an input unit 204 that receives operation input, and one list among the lists stored in the list storage unit 202 And when a predetermined operation input from the input unit 204 is detected when the playback unit 203 is playing back content based on the selected list, the content identification information of the content being played back is selected. Is stored in the temporary storage unit 205, and again from the input unit 204. When the predetermined operation input is detected, it is determined whether or not the list identification information of the list currently selected matches the list identification information stored in the temporary storage unit 205. And a control unit 206 that controls to add the content identification information stored in the temporary storage unit 205 to the list.

  The content storage unit 201 and the list storage unit 202 correspond to the storage unit 6 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 (FIG. 1) having the basic configuration described above, and the input unit 204 is the operation unit 2 of the content reproduction apparatus 1. In addition, the playback unit 203 and the control unit 206 correspond to the playback unit 7 and the control unit 3 of the content playback device 1, respectively.

  By having such a configuration, the content reproduction apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment allows the user to recognize the content and then to perform a predetermined operation on the content desired by the user. Since it can be added to another list by a simple operation of repeating the operation, editing as intended by the user can be further facilitated as compared with the conventional case.

(3-2) Specific Example of Second Embodiment Next, a specific example of the second embodiment will be described. A music playback device 210 shown in FIG. 27 is a specific example of the above-described content playback device 200. As shown in FIG. 27, the same parts as those in FIG. Compared with the apparatus 110, the point which does not have the time measuring part 118 and the point which has the temporary memory | storage part 211 newly have a different structure.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 28 in which the same reference numerals are assigned to the same parts as in FIG. 14, the remote controller RM2 of the music playback device 210 is the same as the remote controller RM1 of the music playback device 110 of the first embodiment. In comparison, a request button B20 (described later) is provided instead of the automatic button B18.

  Note that the request button B20 provided in the remote controller RM2 corresponds to the input unit 204 of the content reproduction device 200 (FIG. 26) described above, and also includes the control unit 112 and the content storage unit 115 of the music reproduction device 210. , Playback unit 116, list storage unit 117, and temporary storage unit 211 correspond to control unit 206, content storage unit 201, playback unit 203, list storage unit 202, and temporary storage unit 205 of content playback device 200 described above, respectively. It is.

  The music playback apparatus 210 has a download function, a CD recording function, a normal playback function, a CD playback function, and a MusicStation function, as with the music playback apparatus 110 of the first embodiment described above, and an operation for the remote controller RM2. Accordingly, the control unit 112 executes processing corresponding to these functions.

  Here, the MusicStation function of the music playback apparatus 210 will be described. First, a method for managing music data Ad using the MusicStation function of the music playback device 210 will be described. This management method is the same as the management method performed by the music playback device 110 according to the first embodiment described above, and the details thereof are referred to the description of the first embodiment described above.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the music playback device 210 according to the second embodiment is configured to manage a plurality of channel playlists PL using a channel list CL, and further, according to each of the plurality of channel playlists PL. The playback music order of the music data Ad is managed.

  In addition, like this first embodiment, the MusicStation function includes a newly added song, a song with a small number of playbacks, a good song, a bright song, a classic song, a heavy song, etc. A channel playlist PL is prepared for each category that is considered to be requested by the user, and the music data Ad stored in the content storage unit 115 is controlled by the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 in accordance with the storage or playback of the music data Ad. Is registered in the corresponding channel playlist PL of the prepared channel playlists PL based on the number of times of reproduction, the impression value of the song, the genre, etc., and the channel playlist PL is automatically updated. It is made like that.

  Then, the music playback device 210 displays a channel playlist PL that is classified as a newly added song, a song with a small number of playbacks, a good song, a bright song, a classic song, a heavy song, etc. on the GUI screen. Is selected as a channel according to a user operation on the remote controller RM2, so that the user can easily find a desired song with the feeling of switching the radio channel.

  Further, the GUI screen in the MusicStation function has the same screen configuration as the GUI screen of the music playback device 110 of the first embodiment described above, and the details thereof are the same as those described in the first embodiment. For reference.

  That is, the music playback device 210 according to the second embodiment allows the user to visually recognize the contents of the channel and the contents of the song via the selection screen 120 shown in FIG. The channel is switched and selected according to the user operation on the direction button B14, and the music is switched and selected according to the user operation on the left direction button B15 and the right direction button B16 of the remote controller RM2.

  Also, the music playback device 210 switches the selection screen 120 to the playback screen 130 based on a predetermined condition (a predetermined time has elapsed without pressing or operating the determination button B17), and the selected channel and music are selected via the playback screen 130. The contents can be visually recognized by the user.

  Further, the playback control of the music data Ad accompanying the switching of the GUI screen is the same as the playback control by the music playback device 110 of the first embodiment described above, and details thereof are described in the first embodiment described above. Reference is made to the description of the embodiments.

  That is, the music playback device 210 according to the second embodiment shifts to the partial playback mode in which the selected music data Ad is played from the characteristic position when the selection screen 120 is displayed, and the selected music data when the playback screen 130 is displayed. A transition is made to a normal playback mode in which Ad is normally played back, and music data Ad is always played back without interruption during execution of the MusicStation function, regardless of which mode is switched to.

  Thus, when the MusicStation function is executed, the music playback device 210, as with the music playback device 110 of the first embodiment, follows the operation of the up button B13 and the down button B14 of the remote controller RM2 as if the radio The channel playlist PL can be switched on a channel-by-channel basis as if switching preset stations, and the music to be played in the channel can be switched according to the operation of the left direction button B15 and the right direction button B16. On the other hand, it is possible to make it easier to listen to a desired song as if listening to music broadcast from a radio station.

  Further, the procedure of the Music Station function starting process, the channel switching process, and the song switching process is the same as the procedure of the process executed by the music playback device 110 according to the first embodiment described above. Reference is made to the description of the first embodiment.

  Further, the display setting method of the channel in the MusicStation function is the same as the display setting method by the music playback device 110 of the first embodiment described above, and details thereof are described in the description of the first embodiment. Is referred to.

  That is, the music playback apparatus 210 according to the second embodiment can change the channel display setting to “display” or “non-display” for each channel via the channel display setting screen 140 shown in FIG. ing.

  As described above, the music playback device 210 according to the second embodiment has the MusicStation function corresponding to the operation of the remote controller RM2, as in the first embodiment described above, and activates the MusicStation function. Channel switching, music switching, channel display setting, and the like can be easily performed by operating the remote controller RM2.

  By the way, in the MusicStation function according to the second embodiment, as described above, a channel playlist PL is prepared for each category that the user is expected to request, and the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 performs the content storage unit 115. The music data Ad stored in is automatically registered in the corresponding channel playlist PL based on the number of reproductions, the impression value of the song, the genre, and the like.

  As described above, the music playback device 210 can automatically reduce the burden on the user by registering the music data Ad in the channel playlist PL corresponding to the classification, while the channel of the music data Ad is thus set. When the registration to the playlist PL is automatically performed, the music data Ad is not necessarily registered to the channel playlist PL as intended by the user.

  Therefore, the music playback device 210 according to the second embodiment automatically registers the music data Ad in the channel playlist PL, and then plays back the music data being played in response to a request (request) from the user. The Ad can be deleted from the currently registered channel playlist PL or additionally registered in another channel playlist PL.

  Here, a procedure of a method of deleting music data Ad being reproduced from the currently registered channel playlist PL or additionally registering it in another channel playlist PL (hereinafter also referred to as a list editing method) will be described. .

  When the request button B20 provided on the remote controller RM2 is pressed during execution of the MusicStation function, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 requests the music data Ad being played at this time (the currently registered channel). (Removal from playlist PL or additional registration to another channel playlist PL) Recognizing that the user has instructed to designate, music data information Ai of the music data Ad being reproduced, and the channel being selected The music information Ad being played back is requested by storing the list information Li of the channel playlist PL assigned to (that is, the channel play list PL where the music data Ad being played is currently registered) in the temporary storage unit 211. In addition to specifying the target, Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 5, a request reception dialog 220 for notifying the user that the music data Ad being played back is designated as a request target is displayed so as to overlap the selection screen 120 or the playback screen 130 displayed at this time. To do.

  In the request reception dialog 220, character information indicating that the music data Ad being played back is designated as a request target (for example, “currently playing song“ watching the rainbow ”was saved in the request box”) 221. And a close button 222 for closing the request reception dialog 220 is provided.

  The control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 closes the request reception dialog 220 when the close button 222 is pressed by a user operation on the remote controller RM2.

  Thereafter, when the request button B20 is pressed again, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 has selected the channel playlist PL of the channel selected at this time when the previous request button B20 was pressed. It is determined from the list information Li stored in the temporary storage unit 211 whether or not it is the same as the channel playlist PL of the channel.

  When it is determined that they are the same, the control unit 112 presses the previous request button B20 again because the request button B20 is pressed again with the same channel selected as when the previous request button B20 was pressed. When the user requests to delete the music data Ad designated as the request target from the channel playlist PL of the selected channel (that is, the channel playlist PL in which the request target music data Ad is currently registered). At the same time, as shown in FIG. 30, the music data Ad to be requested is deleted from the channel playlist PL of the selected channel so as to overlap the selection screen 120 or the playback screen 130 displayed at this time. Delete confirmation die to confirm To view the log 230.

  In the deletion confirmation dialog 230, text information (for example, “request box song“ rainbow ”is displayed for confirming whether or not the music data Ad to be requested may be deleted from the channel playlist PL of the selected channel. "Will you delete it from Ch3 Head Beat Hard Juke?") 231 is written, delete execution button 232 for executing the deletion process, deletion stop button 233 for canceling the deletion process, and request A request release button 234 for removing the target music data Ad from the request target and canceling the request is provided.

  Then, when the deletion execution button 232 is pressed by a user operation on the remote controller RM2, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 executes a deletion process.

  Specifically, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 plays music data of music data information Ai that matches the music data information Ai stored in the temporary storage unit 211 in the currently selected channel playlist PL. The setting Adi is changed from “reproduction permitted” to “reproduction prohibited”. In this MusicStation function, if the music data playback setting Adi is “playback permitted”, the GUI screen of the attribute information Ti (jacket image, song name, artist name) of the music data Ad corresponding to the music data playback setting Adi. On the other hand, if “reproduction prohibited” is permitted, the display of the attribute information Ti of the corresponding music data Ad on the GUI screen is prohibited.

  That is, setting the music data reproduction setting Adi of the music data Ad to be requested to “reproduction prohibited” prevents the music data Ad from being reproduced from the registered channel playlist PL and the attribute information Ti of the GUI data on the GUI screen. As a result, it is synonymous with deleting the requested music data Ad from the currently registered channel playlist PL.

  Therefore, when the delete execution button 232 is pressed, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 changes the music data playback setting Adi of the music data Ad to be requested to “playback prohibited”, so that the music data Ad is stored. The deletion confirmation dialog 230 is closed by deleting from the selected channel playlist PL. Further, after executing the deletion process in this way, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 cancels the designation of the request target by deleting the music data information Ai and the list information Li from the temporary storage unit 211. It is made like that.

  When the deletion stop button 233 is pressed, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 closes the deletion confirmation dialog 230 without executing the deletion process. In this case, since the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 has not yet performed processing according to the request, the music data information Ai and the list information Li stored in the temporary storage unit 211 are retained as they are. Has been made.

  Further, when the request cancel button 234 is pressed, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 cancels the designation of the request target by deleting the music data information Ai and the list information Li from the temporary storage unit 211, and this The deletion confirmation dialog 230 is closed.

  As described above, when the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 is requested to delete the requested music data Ad from the currently registered channel playlist PL, the control unit 112 deletes the request via the deletion confirmation dialog 230. After the user confirms whether or not to do so, the user is instructed to execute, delete, cancel, and cancel the request.

  On the other hand, when the channel playlist PL of the channel selected when the request button B20 is pressed again is different from the channel playlist PL of the channel selected when the request button B20 was pressed last time. The control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 makes a request when the previous request button B20 is pressed because the request button B20 has been pressed again in a state where a channel different from that when the previous request button B20 was pressed is selected. Recognizing that the user has requested that the music data Ad designated as a target be additionally registered in the channel playlist PL of the currently selected channel, as shown in FIG. 31, the selection screen 120 displayed at this time or the playback is displayed. Overlay the screen 130 and To view additional confirmation dialog 240 in order to confirm that you want to add registration of Est target music data Ad in the channel play list PL of the currently selected channel.

  In this addition confirmation dialog 240, character information (for example, “request box song“ rainbow ”in the request box) confirms whether or not the music data Ad to be requested may be additionally registered in the channel playlist PL of the selected channel. “Would you like to add additional registration to Ch4 Zen Style?”) 241 is written, and an additional registration execution button 242 for executing additional registration processing and an additional registration stop button for canceling additional registration processing 243 and a request release button 244 for releasing the request target music data Ad from the request target and releasing the request.

  Then, when the additional registration execution button 242 is pressed by a user operation on the remote controller RM2, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 stores it in the temporary storage unit 211 at the end of the selected channel playlist PL. By additionally registering the existing music data information Ai, the requested music data Ad is additionally registered in the selected channel playlist PL, and the addition confirmation dialog 240 is closed. In addition, after executing the additional registration processing in this way, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 cancels the designation of the request target by deleting the music data information Ai and the list information Li from the temporary storage unit 211. It is made to do.

  When the additional registration cancel button 243 is pressed, the additional confirmation dialog 240 is closed without performing additional registration processing. In this case, since the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 has not yet performed processing according to the request, the music data information Ai and the list information Li stored in the temporary storage unit 211 are retained as they are. Has been made.

  Further, when the request release button 244 is pressed, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 cancels the designation of the request target by deleting the music data information Ai and the list information Li from the temporary storage unit 211, The addition confirmation dialog 240 is closed.

  As described above, when the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 is requested to additionally register the music data Ad to be requested in another channel playlist PL, the control unit 112 performs additional registration via the addition confirmation dialog 240. After making the user confirm whether or not, based on the user's instruction, the additional registration process is executed, canceled, and the request is canceled.

  As described so far, in this music playback apparatus 210, the music data Ad being played back when the request button B20 is pressed is designated as a request target, and is selected when the request button B20 is pressed again. If the current channel is the same channel as the channel that was selected when the previous request button B20 was pressed, the requested music data Ad is deleted from the channel playlist PL of the selected channel, while the same channel is deleted. If it is not a channel, the request target music data Ad is additionally registered in the channel playlist PL of the selected channel.

  As a result, the music playback device 210 listens to the music based on the music data Ad and makes the user recognize the content, and then repeats the pressing of the request button B20 twice. It can be deleted from the registered channel playlist PL or additionally registered in another channel playlist PL, that is, the channel playlist PL can be edited.

  Next, the procedure of the list editing process (hereinafter also referred to as “list editing process”) will be described. When recognizing that the request button B20 of the remote controller RM2 is pressed during execution of the MusicStation function, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 starts a list editing process procedure RT20 as shown in FIG. Control goes to step SP200.

  In step SP200, the control unit 112 determines whether or not the music data information Ai and the list information Li are already stored in the temporary storage unit 211. If a negative result is obtained in step SP200, this means that the music data Ad to be requested is not designated, and at this time, the control unit 112 moves to step SP201.

  In step SP201, the control unit 112 stores the music data information Ai of the music data Ad being reproduced in the temporary storage unit 211, and proceeds to the next step SP202. In step SP202, the control unit 112 stores the list information Li of the channel playlist PL assigned to the currently selected channel in the temporary storage unit 211, and proceeds to the next step SP203. In step SP203, the control unit 112 displays the request reception dialog 220, and ends this list editing processing procedure RT20.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP200 described above, this means that the music data Ad to be requested is specified, and at this time, the control unit 112 proceeds to step SP204. Move.

  In step SP204, the control unit 112 determines whether or not the channel playlist PL identified by the list information Li stored in the temporary storage unit 211 is the same as the channel playlist PL of the currently selected channel. . If an affirmative result is obtained in step SP204, this means that the request button B20 has been pressed again on the same channel as when the previous request button B20 was pressed, that is, the music data to be requested is selected in the selected channel. Means that it is requested to be deleted from the channel playlist PL. At this time, the control unit 112 proceeds to step SP205.

  In step SP205, the control unit 112 displays a deletion confirmation dialog 230, and proceeds to the next step SP206. In step SP206, the control unit 112 determines whether or not the delete execution button 232 of the delete confirmation dialog 230 has been pressed. If an affirmative result is obtained in this step SP206, then the control unit 112 moves to step SP207 and changes the music data reproduction setting Adi of the requested music data Ad to “reproduction prohibited” (that is, the display setting of the attribute information Ti). The music data Ad is deleted from the currently selected channel playlist PL, the deletion confirmation dialog 230 is closed, and the music data information Ai and the temporary data are stored in the temporary storage unit 211. After canceling the designation of the request target by deleting the list information Li, this list editing processing procedure RT20 is terminated.

  On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP206 described above, at this time, the control unit 112 closes the deletion confirmation dialog 230 without executing the deletion process, and ends this list editing processing procedure RT20.

  On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP204 described above, this means that the request button B20 has been pressed again on a channel different from that at which the previous request button B20 was pressed, that is, the music data to be requested is stored. , Means that it is requested to be additionally registered in the channel playlist PL of the currently selected channel. At this time, the control unit 112 proceeds to step SP208.

  In step SP208, the control unit 112 displays an addition confirmation dialog 240, and proceeds to the next step SP209. In step SP209, the control unit 112 determines whether or not the additional registration execution button 242 of the addition confirmation dialog 240 has been pressed. If an affirmative result is obtained in step SP209, the control unit 112 moves to step SP210 and additionally registers the music data information Ai of the requested music data Ad in the selected channel playlist PL and adds the confirmation dialog. 240 is closed, and further, the music data information Ai and the list information Li are deleted from the temporary storage unit 211 to cancel the request target designation, and then the list editing processing procedure RT20 is terminated.

  On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP209 described above, the control unit 112 at this time closes the addition confirmation dialog 240 without executing the additional registration processing, and ends this list editing processing procedure RT20.

  The music reproducing apparatus 210 performs list editing by such list editing processing procedure RT20.

  By the way, as described so far, this MusicStation function is a function that provides a user with music based on the music data Ad stored in the content storage unit 115 as if listening to the radio. A song cannot be provided unless at least one piece of music data Ad is stored in the content storage unit 115. In other words, in this MusicStation function, it can be said that as the number of music data Ad stored in the content storage unit 115 increases, a variety of channels can be provided.

  Therefore, for example, when no music data Ad is stored in the content storage unit 115, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 stores music in the content storage unit 115 as shown in FIG. 33 when the MusicStation function is activated. A no-data notification dialog 250 for notifying the user that no data Ad is stored is displayed on the display unit 113.

  In this data non-notification dialog 250, character information indicating that no music data Ad is stored in the content storage unit 115 (for example, “there is no music to be played in MusicStation”) 251, and the music data Ad. Text information of contents prompting the user to add (recording, downloading, etc.) (for example, “Music Recording can be enjoyed by recording and importing music”) 252 is written, and this data non-notification dialog A close button 253 for closing 250 is provided.

  When the close button 253 is pressed by a user operation on the remote controller RM2, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 closes the no-data notification dialog 250 and ends the MusicStation function.

  As a result, when no music data Ad is stored in the content storage unit 115, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 notifies the user via the no data notification dialog 250. In addition, it is possible to make the user recognize that the MusicStation function can be enjoyed by adding the music data Ad. As a result, the user can be prompted to add the music data Ad. ing.

  In addition, in this MusicStation function, even if the playlist reproduction setting Ldi is a channel playlist PL whose playback is permitted (that is, the channel playlist PL displayed on the GUI screen as a channel), the registered music data Ad Is less than a predetermined number (for example, less than 3), the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL is not reproduced.

  In practice, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 determines that, for example, the number of music data Ad registered is “playback permitted” while the list playback setting Ldi is “playback permitted” in response to a channel switching operation or the like during execution of the MusicStation function. When a channel to which 0 channel playlist PL is assigned is selected, playback of the music data Ad that is currently being played back is stopped and, as shown in FIG. When the number of music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL of the channel reaches a predetermined number, character information indicating that the music data Ad starts to be played on this channel (for example, “3 songs are played from this channel. It will start. ”) 260 is displayed.

  As described above, the music playback device 210 can make the user recognize that a new channel can be enjoyed by adding the music data Ad, and further prompts the user to add the music data Ad. It has been made so that it can.

  Thus, the music playback device 210 can further inform the user that the MusicStation function becomes more enjoyable as the number of music data Ad stored in the content storage unit 115 increases, and can further encourage the addition of the music data Ad. It is made like that.

  Incidentally, when the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 selects a default channel or a channel that has played music data Ad at least once, the channel play assigned to these channels is an exception. Even if the number of music data Ad registered in the list PL is less than the predetermined number, the music data Ad is reproduced without displaying the character information 260 as long as at least one music data Ad is registered. It is made to do.

  By doing so, it is possible to avoid a situation where there is no reproducible channel playlist PL even though the music data Ad is stored in the content storage unit 115.

  Next, a procedure for such a process for prompting the addition of the music data Ad (hereinafter also referred to as an additional prompting process) will be described. When starting the MusicStation function, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 starts an additional prompting processing procedure RT21 as shown in FIG. 35, and proceeds to step SP220.

  In step SP220, the control unit 112 confirms the number of music data Ad stored in the content storage unit 115, and proceeds to the next step SP221. In step SP221, the control unit 112 determines whether or not the music data Ad exists in the content storage unit 115 based on the confirmation result in step SP220.

  If a negative result is obtained in step SP221, this means that no music data Ad is stored in the content storage unit 115. At this time, the control unit 112 proceeds to step SP222. In step SP222, the control unit 112 displays the no-data notification dialog 250, and then terminates this additional prompting processing procedure RT21.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP221, this means that at least one piece of music data Ad is stored in the content storage unit 115. At this time, the control unit 112 proceeds to step SP223. Move. In step SP223, the control unit 112 determines whether or not a predetermined number or more of music data Ad is registered in the channel playlist PL of the currently selected channel.

  If a negative result is obtained in step SP223, this means that the number of music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL of the currently selected channel has not reached the predetermined number, and at this time, the control unit 112 Moves to step SP224.

  In step SP224, the control unit 112 determines whether the currently selected channel playlist PL is the default playlist DPL or the channel playlist PL that has played the music data Ad at least once. Incidentally, the information indicating whether or not the music data Ad has been played even once in the channel playlist PL is stored in the content storage unit 115 or the list storage unit 117, and the music data Ad is played back only in accordance with the channel playlist PL. When updated, it is updated.

  If a negative result is obtained in this step SP224, this means that the currently selected channel playlist PL is not the default playlist DPL but the channel playlist PL that has never played the music data Ad. At this time, the control unit 112 proceeds to step SP225.

  In step SP225, the control unit 112 stops the reproduction of the music data Ad being reproduced, and the number of music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL of the selected channel is displayed in the song selection area 12 of the selection screen 120. When the predetermined number is reached, the character information 260 indicating that the reproduction of the music data Ad is started on this channel is displayed, and the additional prompting processing procedure RT21 is terminated.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP223, this means that the number of music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL of the currently selected channel has reached a predetermined number. The control unit 112 moves to step SP226. Also, when an affirmative result is obtained in step SP224, the control unit 112 proceeds to step SP226.

  In step SP226, the control unit 112 performs normal processing at the time of channel selection (that is, processing in steps SP106 to SP108 of the MusicStation function activation processing procedure RT10 shown in FIG. 19 or step SP115 of the channel switching processing procedure RT11 shown in FIG. 20). After executing step SP118), this additional prompting procedure RT21 is terminated.

  By such an additional prompting processing procedure RT21, the music playback device 210 prompts the addition of music data Ad according to the number of music data Ad stored in the content storage unit 115.

  For convenience of explanation, this additional prompting processing procedure RT21 has been described separately from the above-described MusicStation function activation processing procedure RT10 (FIG. 19) and channel switching processing procedure RT11 (FIG. 20). This is a process executed in the function activation process procedure RT10 and the channel switching process procedure RT11.

  For example, steps SP220 and SP221 of the additional prompting process procedure RT21 are processes executed in the preceding stage of step SP100 of the MusicStation function starting process procedure RT10, and step SP222 of the additional prompting process procedure RT21 is a MusicStation function starting process. This processing is executed in place of steps SP100 to SP108 of procedure RT10. Further, steps SP223 and SP224 of this additional prompting processing procedure RT21 are the previous stage of step SP106 of MusicStation function activation processing procedure RT10 and the channel switching processing procedure RT11. This processing is executed in the preceding stage of step SP115, and step SP225 of this additional prompting processing procedure RT21 is a Music This is a process executed in place of steps SP106 to SP108 of the station function activation process procedure RT10 and steps SP115 to SP118 of the channel switching process procedure RT11. Further, step SP226 of this additional prompting process procedure RT21 is a MusicStation function activation process procedure RT10 This is processing corresponding to steps SP106 to SP108 and steps SP115 to SP118 of the channel switching processing procedure RT11.

  Further, the music playback device 210 prompts the user to add the music data Ad in this way, while the music data Ad is added (that is, when the music data Ad is newly stored in the content storage unit 115), With this addition, the user is notified that the channel playlist PL has been updated.

  In practice, when the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 newly stores music data Ad in the content storage unit 115, the music data Ad is stored in the corresponding channel play based on the impression value, genre, etc. of the song. It is additionally registered in the list PL, and this channel play list PL is updated.

  When the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 selects a channel to which the updated channel playlist PL is assigned in accordance with a channel switching operation or the like during execution of the MusicStation function, a selection screen is displayed as shown in FIG. An update notification icon 270 for notifying that the channel playlist PL of this channel has been updated is displayed in 120 music selection areas 12. Incidentally, although not shown, this update notification icon 270 is also displayed in the selected song display area 22 of the playback screen 130.

  In this way, the music playback device 210 can make the user recognize that the channel playlist PL of the selected channel has been updated.

  Next, a procedure of processing for notifying the user that such channel playlist PL has been updated (hereinafter also referred to as update notification processing) will be described. When the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 selects one channel playlist PL in response to a channel switching operation or the like during execution of the MusicStation function, the control unit 112 starts an update notification processing procedure RT22 as shown in FIG. Control goes to step SP230.

  In step SP230, the control unit 112 checks the number of music data Ad currently registered in the selected channel playlist PL, and proceeds to the next step SP231. Here, the control unit 112 recognizes the number of currently registered music data Ad by confirming the number of music data information Ai in the channel playlist PL.

  In step SP231, the control unit 112 determines whether or not the number of music data Ad currently registered is larger than the number of music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL when the MusicStation function was last activated. Here, the control unit 112 recognizes the number of music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL at the previous activation by confirming the number Tn of registered data in the channel playlist PL to be updated at the end of the MusicStation function. It is made like that.

  If a negative result is obtained in step SP231, this means that the number of music data Ad currently registered in the selected channel playlist PL is equal to or less than the number of music data Ad registered at the previous activation. That is, this means that the channel playlist PL has not been updated from the end of the previous MusicStation function to the present, and at this time, the control unit 112 ends the update notification processing procedure RT22.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP231, this indicates that the number of music data Ad currently registered in the selected channel playlist PL is greater than the number of music data Ad registered at the previous activation. That is, it means that the channel playlist PL has been updated from the end of the previous MusicStation function to the present time, and at this time, the control unit 112 proceeds to step SP232.

  In step SP232, the control unit 112 displays an update notification icon 270 for notifying that the channel playlist PL has been updated in the song selection area 12 of the selection screen 120, and ends this update notification processing procedure RT22.

  Through such an update notification processing procedure RT22, the music playback device 210 informs the user that the channel playlist PL has been updated.

  Incidentally, here, for convenience of explanation, the update notification processing procedure RT22 has been described separately from the above-described MusicStation function starting processing procedure RT10 and channel switching processing procedure RT11. However, actually, the MusicStation function starting processing procedure RT10 and channel switching are described. This is a process executed in the processing procedure RT11. That is, the update notification processing procedure RT22 is, for example, processing executed in step SP108 of the MusicStation function activation processing procedure RT10 and step SP118 of the channel switching processing procedure RT11.

  Furthermore, the procedure of the process of updating the number of registered data Tn of the channel playlist PL described above (hereinafter also referred to as a registered data number update process) will be described. When recognizing that the MusicStation function end operation has been performed, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 starts the registered data number update processing procedure RT23 as shown in FIG. 38, and proceeds to step SP240.

  In step SP240, the control unit 112 compares the number of music data Ad currently registered for each channel play list PL with the number of registered data Tn. After updating to the number of registered music data Ad, this registered data number update processing procedure RT23 is terminated.

  The music reproducing device 210 updates the registered data number Tn of each channel playlist PL by such a registered data number update processing procedure RT23.

(3-3) Operations and Effects According to Second Embodiment In the above configuration, the music playback device 210 stores a plurality of music data Ad stored in the content storage unit 115 in the list storage unit 117. It is managed by a plurality of channel playlists PL in which music data information Ai, which is content identification information of music data Ad, is listed.

  Then, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 selects one of the plurality of channel playlists PL through channel selection and plays back the music data Ad according to the selected channel playlist PL. When the request button B20 of the remote controller RM2 is pressed, the music data information Ai for identifying the music data Ad being reproduced and the list information Li for identifying the channel playlist PL being selected are temporarily stored 211. Is stored, the music data Ad being reproduced is designated as a request target.

  Thereafter, when the request button B20 is pressed again, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 selects the channel play list PL selected at this time when the channel play list selected when the previous request button B20 was pressed. Whether the list PL is the same as the list PL is determined by comparing the list information Li of the currently selected channel playlist PL with the list information Li stored in the temporary storage unit 211.

  If the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 determines that they are the same, the channel play list PL in which the request target music data Ad is selected (that is, the channel play in which the request target music data Ad is currently registered). When it is determined that they are different from each other while being deleted from the list PL), the channel playlist PL in which the music data Ad to be requested is being selected (that is, the channel playlist PL to which the music data Ad to be requested is currently registered is registered). To another channel playlist PL).

  In this way, the music playback device 210 allows the user to listen to the music based on the music data Ad and recognize the contents thereof, and then requests the music data Ad desired by the user twice with the request button B20. It can be deleted from the current list or added to another list by a simple operation of pressing.

  In addition, the music reproducing device 210 can reproduce the music data Ad from the characteristic position, thereby allowing the user to listen to the characteristic portion of the music based on the music data Ad. It is also possible to recognize the contents of

  According to the above configuration, the music playback device 210 according to the second embodiment allows the user to recognize the content of the music data Ad that is the content, and then obtains the music data Ad desired by the user. Since it is possible to add to the other list by a simple operation of repeating the pressing operation of the request button B20 twice, it is possible to further facilitate editing as intended by the user as compared with the conventional case.

(3-4) Other Embodiments for the Second Embodiment In the second embodiment, the reproduction control of the music data Ad is the same as the basic configuration described above and the first embodiment. Similarly, the case where the selected music data Ad is played back in either the partial playback mode or the normal playback mode has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the requested music data Ad is designated. During this time, only the music data Ad subject to the request may be repeatedly reproduced.

  Here, the processing procedure of such reproduction control will be described. When starting the MusicStation function, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 210 starts a playback control processing procedure RT24 as shown in FIG. 39, and proceeds to step SP250. In step SP250, the control unit 112 determines whether the music data information Ai and the list information Li are stored in the temporary storage unit 211.

  If a negative result is obtained in step SP250, this means that the music data information Ai and the list information Li are not stored in the temporary storage unit 211, that is, the music data Ad to be requested is not specified. At this time, the control unit 112 moves to step SP251, reproduces the music data being selected, and returns to step SP250 again.

  On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP250, this means that the music data information Ai and the list information Li are stored in the temporary storage unit 211, that is, the music data Ad to be requested is designated. In this case, the control unit 112 moves to step SP252, and requests the music data Ad (music data Ad corresponding to the music data information Ai stored in the temporary storage unit 211). So that the process returns to step SP250. In this case, the control unit 112 repeatedly reproduces the request target music data Ad until the request is executed or canceled.

  As a result, the music playback device 210 switches the channel according to a user operation while allowing the user to listen to a song based on the requested music data Ad, for example, and allows the user to perform channel play as an additional registration destination of the music data Ad. Since the list PL can be selected, the usability when editing the list can be further improved.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to this, while the request target music data Ad is specified, a request target specifying icon 280 indicating this is displayed in the song selection area 12 of the selection screen 120 as shown in FIG. It may be continued. Incidentally, although not shown, this request target designation icon 280 is also displayed in the selected song display area 22 of the reproduction screen 130.

  Further, in the second embodiment, when the request button B20 is pressed again in a state where a channel different from that when the previous request button B20 was pressed is selected, the requested music data Ad is currently registered. Although the case of additionally registering (that is, copying) a channel playlist PL different from the existing channel playlist PL has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and at this time, this music data Ad is originally registered as a channel play. It may be deleted (that is, moved) from the list PL.

  Further, in the second embodiment, when the music data Ad to be requested is deleted from the currently registered channel playlist PL by pressing the request button B20, the music data information Ai corresponding to the music data Ad is deleted. It is considered that the music data Ad to be requested is deleted from the currently registered channel playlist PL by setting the music data playback setting Adi to “reproduction prohibited”. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. In addition, the music data information Ai corresponding to the music data Ad may be deleted from the channel playlist PL.

  By the way, in the second embodiment, the music data Ad that is the request target is set to “play prohibited” by setting the music data playback setting Adi of the music data information Ai corresponding to the music data Ad to the currently registered channel play. By assuming that the deleted music data Ad is to be restored, for example, it is only necessary to change the music data playback setting Adi of the music data Ad to “playback permission”. Usability when editing the list can be further improved. Further, when executing the process of restoring the music data Ad deleted in this way, it may be executed for all channel playlists PL or for any channel playlist PL. Good.

  Furthermore, in this second embodiment, the deletion confirmation dialog 230 or the addition confirmation dialog 240 is superimposed on the selection screen 120 or the reproduction screen 130 as a message for confirming that the deletion process or the additional registration process is performed. Although the case where it is made to display was described, this invention is not limited to this, For example, the character information which shows performing a deletion process and an additional registration process directly on the selection screen 120 or the reproduction | regeneration screen 130 is displayed. In other words, as long as the user can confirm that the deletion process or the additional registration process is performed on the GUI screen, various other information may be displayed as a message.

  Furthermore, in the second embodiment, a case has been described in which the request reception dialog 220 and the data no notification dialog 250 are closed in response to pressing of the close button 222 and the close button 253 respectively arranged. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, after displaying the request reception dialog 220 and the no-data notification dialog 250, it may be automatically closed when a predetermined time elapses.

  Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the case where the music data information Ai and the list information Li are not erased from the temporary storage unit 211 when the deletion cancellation button 233 and the additional registration cancellation button 243 are pressed has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the music data information Ai and the list information Li may be deleted from the temporary storage unit 211 even when the deletion cancel button 233 and the additional registration cancel button 243 are pressed. .

  Furthermore, in the second embodiment, when a default channel or a channel that has been played back once in the music data Ad is selected, the music registered in the channel playlist PL of these channels is selected. Even when the number of data Ad is less than the predetermined number, the case where music data Ad is reproduced as long as at least one piece of music data Ad is registered has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even when a channel whose channel display setting is changed to “display” on the channel display setting screen 140 is selected in accordance with a user operation, at least one piece of music data Ad is registered in the channel playlist PL of this channel. The music data Ad may be reproduced as long as it is available.

(4) Third Embodiment (4-1) Outline of Third Embodiment Next, an outline of the third embodiment will be described. By the way, after describing this outline, the description moves to a specific example of the third embodiment.

  A display control apparatus 300 shown in FIG. 41 is an apparatus that controls display of a playlist that defines the playback order of a plurality of contents, and extracts features of the playlist based on the plurality of contents registered in the playlist. The playlist feature extraction unit 301, the display pattern selection unit 302 that selects a display pattern for displaying a playlist based on the playlist features extracted by the playlist feature extraction unit 301, and the display pattern selection unit 302 A display control unit 304 that controls the display unit 303 to display a playlist on the display unit 303 according to the display pattern.

  The playlist feature extraction unit 301, the display pattern selection unit 302, and the display control unit 304 correspond to the control unit 3 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 (FIG. 1) having the basic configuration described above.

  By having such a configuration, the display control apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment can display a playlist with a display pattern that matches the characteristics of the playlist. Can provide a fun way to enjoy.

(4-2) Specific Example of Third Embodiment Next, a specific example of the third embodiment will be described. A music playback device 310 shown in FIG. 42 is a specific example of the display control device 300 described above, and the same parts as those in FIG. 13 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the music playback of the first embodiment described above is performed. Compared with the device 110, it has a different configuration in that it does not have the timer 118.

  In addition, the music playback device 310 includes a playlist feature extraction unit 112A that plays a role of extracting the characteristics of the channel playlist PL, which will be described later, in the control unit 112, and a channel based on the extracted features of the channel playlist PL. A display pattern selection unit 112B that plays a role of selecting a display pattern at the time of displaying the playlist PL, and a display control unit 112C that plays a role of controlling the display unit 113 so as to display a GUI screen according to the selected display pattern are provided. It has been.

  Further, the music playback device 310 has the same remote controller RM1 as in the first embodiment.

  Note that the playlist feature detection unit 112A, the display pattern selection unit 112B, and the display control unit 112C of the music playback device 310 are respectively connected to the playlist feature detection unit 301, the display pattern selection unit 302, and the display control of the display control device 300 described above. This corresponds to the unit 304.

  The music playback apparatus 310 has a download function, a CD recording function, a normal playback function, a CD playback function, and a MusicStation function, as with the music playback apparatus 110 of the first embodiment described above, and an operation for the remote controller RM1. Accordingly, the control unit 112 executes processing corresponding to these functions.

  Here, the MusicStation function of the music playback device 310 will be described. First, a method for managing music data Ad using the MusicStation function of the music playback device 310 will be described. This management method is the same as the management method performed by the music playback device 110 according to the first embodiment described above, and the details thereof are referred to the description of the first embodiment described above.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the music playback device 310 according to the third embodiment is configured to manage a plurality of channel playlists PL by the channel list CL, and further by each of the plurality of channel playlists PL. The playback music order of the music data Ad is managed.

  In addition, like this first embodiment, the MusicStation function includes a newly added song, a song with a small number of playbacks, a good song, a bright song, a classic song, a heavy song, etc. A channel playlist PL is prepared for each category that is considered to be requested by the user, and the control unit 112 of the music playback device 310 stores the music data Ad stored in the content storage unit 115 in accordance with the storage or playback of the music data Ad. Is registered in the corresponding channel playlist PL of the prepared channel playlists PL based on the number of times of reproduction, the impression value of the song, the genre, etc., and the channel playlist PL is automatically updated. It is made like that.

  On the GUI screen, the music playback device 310 displays a channel playlist PL that is categorized as a newly added song, a song with a small number of playbacks, a good song, a bright song, a classic song, a heavy song, etc. Is selected as a channel according to a user operation on the remote controller RM1, so that the user can easily find a desired song with the feeling of switching the radio channel.

  Further, the GUI screen in the MusicStation function has the same screen configuration as the GUI screen of the music playback device 110 of the first embodiment described above, and the details thereof are the same as those described in the first embodiment. For reference.

  That is, the music playback device 310 according to the third embodiment allows the user to visually recognize the contents of the channel and the contents of the song via the selection screen 120 shown in FIG. The channel is switched and selected according to the user operation on the direction button B14, and the music is switched and selected according to the user operation on the left direction button B15 and the right direction button B16 of the remote controller RM1.

  In addition, the music playback device 310 switches the selection screen 120 to the playback screen 130 based on a predetermined condition (a predetermined time has elapsed without pressing or operating the determination button B17), and the selected channel and music are selected via the playback screen 130. The contents can be visually recognized by the user.

  Further, the playback control of the music data Ad accompanying the switching of the GUI screen is the same as the playback control by the music playback device 110 of the first embodiment described above, and details thereof are described in the first embodiment described above. Reference is made to the description of the embodiments.

  That is, the music playback device 310 according to the third embodiment shifts to the partial playback mode in which the selected music data Ad is played back from the characteristic position when the selection screen 120 is displayed, and the selected music data when the playback screen 130 is displayed. A transition is made to a normal playback mode in which Ad is normally played back, and music data Ad is always played back without interruption during execution of the MusicStation function, regardless of which mode is switched to.

  Accordingly, when the MusicStation function is executed, the music playback device 310, as with the music playback device 110 of the first embodiment, follows the operation of the up button B13 and the down button B14 of the remote controller RM1, as if the radio The channel playlist PL can be switched on a channel-by-channel basis as if switching preset stations, and the music to be played in the channel can be switched according to the operation of the left direction button B15 and the right direction button B16. On the other hand, it is possible to make it easier to listen to a desired song as if listening to music broadcast from a radio station.

  Further, the procedure of the Music Station function starting process, the channel switching process, and the song switching process is the same as the procedure of the process executed by the music playback device 110 according to the first embodiment described above. Reference is made to the description of the first embodiment.

  Further, the display setting method of the channel in the MusicStation function is the same as the display setting method by the music playback device 110 of the first embodiment described above, and details thereof are described in the description of the first embodiment. Is referred to.

  That is, the music playback apparatus 310 according to the third embodiment can change the channel display setting to “display” or “non-display” for each channel via the channel display setting screen 140 shown in FIG. ing.

  As described above, the music playback device 310 according to the third embodiment has the MusicStation function corresponding to the operation of the remote controller RM1 as in the first embodiment described above, and activates the MusicStation function. Channel switching, music switching, channel display setting, and the like can be easily performed by operating the remote controller RM1.

  By the way, in this MusicStation function, as described above, the default playlist PL whose list playback setting Ldi is fixed to “playback permission” and other channel playlists, that is, the list playback setting Ldi from “playback permission” to “playback”. There is a channel playlist (hereinafter also referred to as a setting-changeable playlist) PL that can be changed to “prohibited” or vice versa, and the music playback device 310 sets the list playback setting Ldi of the setting-changeable playlist PL. In response to a user operation on the channel display setting screen 140, the channel display setting of the channel to which the setting changeable playlist PL is assigned is changed.

  In this manner, the music playback device 310 according to the third embodiment is changed while changing the list playback setting Ldi (that is, the channel display setting of each channel) of each setting-changeable playlist PL based on a user instruction. Automatically changes the list playback setting Ldi (channel display setting of each channel) of each setting changeable playlist PL according to the characteristics of each setting changeable playlist PL (for example, the number of registered music data Ad). It is also made to select.

  Specifically, the music playback device 310 acquires the number of music data Ad registered in each setting-changeable playlist PL by the playlist feature extraction unit 112A of the control unit 112, and according to the acquired number Thus, the display pattern selection unit 112B of the control unit 112 selects the list reproduction setting Ldi (channel display setting of each channel) of each setting changeable playlist PL.

  In this case, for example, when the number of music data Ad registered in the setting changeable playlist PL acquired by the playlist feature extraction unit 112A is 0, the display pattern selection unit 112B performs this setting changeable play. By setting the list playback setting Ldi of the list PL to “reproduction prohibited”, the channel display setting of the channel to which this setting changeable playlist PL is assigned is made “hidden”, and the playlist feature extracting unit 112A performs When the number of music data Ad registered in the acquired setting changeable playlist PL is one or more, the setting changeable playlist PL is assigned by setting the list reproduction setting Ldi to “reproduction permitted”. The channel display setting of the selected channel is set to “display”.

  Then, the display control unit 112C of the control unit 112 displays the selection screen 120 and the reproduction screen 130 on the display unit 113 in accordance with the channel display setting automatically selected by the display pattern selection unit 112B. .

  That is, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 310, for example, immediately after purchase, when no music data Ad has been registered in the setting-changeable playlist PL, By setting the channel display setting of the assigned channel to “hidden” (that is, the list information Li of the setting changeable playlist PL is not displayed on the selection screen 120), this channel (that is, the setting changeable playlist PL) is displayed. Can be selected on the selection screen 120, and when even one piece of music data Ad is registered in the playlist PL that can be changed with the addition of the music data Ad, the channel display of the channel to which the playlist PL that can be changed is assigned is displayed. Change the setting to “Display” (that is, reset the playlist PL whose settings can be changed). Display channel information Li on the selection screen 120), this channel (that is, the setting-changeable playlist PL) can be selected on the selection screen 120.

  As a result, in the MusicStation function, for example, only the default channel can be selected at first (that is, only the default playlist DPL can be selected), but the number of channels that can be selected increases as music data Ad is added (that is, the setting change that can be selected). Possible playlists PL will increase).

  By doing so, the music playback device 310 can make the user recognize that if the music data Ad is added, the number of channels that can be enjoyed with the MusicStation function will increase. As a result, the user can recognize the music data Ad. In addition to being able to encourage further additions, in addition to the enjoyment of simply listening to songs, it is possible to provide enjoyment of increasing the number of channels and enjoyment of searching for new channels.

  In addition, when a newly selectable channel is added in this manner, the music playback device 310 notifies the user when the MusicStation function is activated or when a channel is selected.

  Specifically, as described above, when the music playback device 310 adds a newly selectable channel, for example, when the MusicStation function is activated, the selection screen displayed at this time is displayed as shown in FIG. Overlaid on 120, a channel addition notification dialog 320 for notifying the user that a newly selectable channel has been added is displayed.

  In this channel addition notification dialog 320, character information (for example, “new channel added. Ch4“ Zen Style ”Ch8“ vocal ””) 321 indicating that a newly selectable channel has been added is described. In addition, a close button 322 for closing the channel addition dialog 320 is provided.

  When the close button 322 is pressed by a user operation on the remote controller RM1, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 310 closes the channel addition dialog 320.

  In addition, when a newly selectable channel is added, for example, when the newly added channel is selected in response to a channel switching operation, the music playback device 310 displays a selection screen 120 as shown in FIG. An addition notification icon 330 is displayed in the song selection area 12 to notify that this channel is a newly added channel. Incidentally, although not shown, this addition notification icon 330 is also displayed in the selected song display area 22 of the playback screen 130.

  In this way, the music playback device 310 can make the user recognize that a newly selectable channel has been added. Incidentally, the channel addition dialog 320 and the addition notification icon 330 are displayed on the display unit 113 by the display control unit 112C based on an instruction from the display pattern selection unit 112B.

  Continuing, the procedure of the process of automatically changing the list reproduction setting Ldi (that is, the channel display setting) according to the characteristics of the setting changeable playlist PL described above (hereinafter also referred to as the channel display setting changing process). explain.

  When the control unit 112 of the music playback device 310 adds (stores) new music data Ad to the content storage unit 115 by downloading the music data Ad using a download function based on a user instruction, for example, FIG. As shown, the channel display setting change processing procedure RT30 is started, and the process proceeds to step SP300.

  In step SP300, the control unit 112 acquires the number of registered data Tn from each of the list information Li of all channel playlists PL by the playlist characteristic unit 112A, and calculates the number of registered data Tn for each acquired channel playlist PL. The contents are temporarily stored in the content storage unit 115 or the list storage unit 117, and the process proceeds to the next step SP301. Incidentally, since the number of registered data Tn is updated at the end of the MusicStation function, the number of music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL at the previous activation, that is, music data Ad is added. This indicates the number of music data Ad registered in the previous channel playlist PL.

  In step SP301, the control unit 112 establishes in the content storage unit 115 whether there is unprocessed music data Ad (that is, music data Ad that is not registered in any channel playlist PL) in the content storage unit 115. The determination is made based on the channel playlist PL stored in the database DB and the list storage unit 117.

  If an affirmative result is obtained in step SP301, this means that all of the newly added music data Ad has not yet been registered in the channel playlist PL, and at this time, the control unit 112 performs step SP302. In step SP302, the music data Ad that has not been registered is transferred to the corresponding channel playlist PL of the prepared channel playlist PL based on the number of times of reproduction, the impression value of the song, the genre, and the like. Register and return to step SP301 again.

  In this way, when all the newly added music data Ad has been registered in the channel playlist PL, the control unit 112 obtains an affirmative result in step SP301 and proceeds to step SP303.

  In step SP303, in confirming the channel display setting (that is, the list reproduction setting Ldi of the channel playlist PL) for all channels, the control unit 112 first confirms whether the channel display setting has been confirmed for all channels. Determine. Here, since one channel has not been confirmed yet, a negative result is obtained, and the control unit 112 proceeds to step SP304.

  In step SP304, the control unit 112 confirms the channel display setting of the channel corresponding to, for example, the first channel number CN of the channel list CL (hereinafter also referred to as the first channel) by the playlist feature extraction unit 112A (that is, the first channel). And confirm whether the channel display setting is “non-display” (that is, whether the list reproduction setting Ldi is “reproduction prohibited”). If a negative result is obtained in step SP304, this means that the channel display setting of the first channel is “display”, that is, the first channel is a channel that can be displayed (selectable) by the MusicStation function. Meaning, at this time, the control unit 112 returns to step SP303.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in this step SP304, this means that the channel display setting of the first channel is “non-display”, that is, the first channel is not currently displayed by the MusicStation function (cannot be selected). This means that the channel is a channel. At this time, the controller 112 proceeds to step SP305.

  In step SP305, the control unit 112 reads out the registration data number Tn of the channel playlist PL of the first channel from the content storage unit 115 or the list storage unit 117 that temporarily stores the registration data number Tn for each channel playlist. The playlist feature extraction unit 112A confirms the number of music data information Ai (that is, the number of music data Ad currently registered) in the channel playlist PL of the first channel, and the registered data number Tn is less than the threshold ( For example, whether it is less than one, that is, zero) and the number of music data information Ai is equal to or greater than a threshold (for example, one or more), that is, at least one music data Ad in the channel playlist PL of the first channel. Determine if it is registered.

  If a negative result is obtained in step SP305, this means that no music data Ad has been registered in the channel playlist PL of the first channel. At this time, the playlist feature extraction unit 112A Return to SP303.

  On the other hand, when a positive result is obtained in step SP305, this means that at least one piece of music data Ad is registered in the channel playlist PL of the first channel. At this time, the playlist feature extraction unit In step 112A, the process proceeds to step SP306. In step SP306, the control unit 112 causes the display pattern selection unit 112B to change the channel display setting of the first channel from “non-display” to “display”, thereby newly displaying the first channel with the MusicStation function (selection). As a possible channel, the process proceeds to the next step SP307.

  In step SP307, the control unit 112 stores information indicating that the first channel is a newly added channel (hereinafter also referred to as channel addition information) in the content storage unit 115 or the list storage unit 117. Then, the process returns to step SP303. Incidentally, this channel addition information is used when a newly added channel is specified when the MusicStation function is activated.

  Then, the control unit 112 that has returned to step SP303 executes the processing of steps SP303 to SP307 for all the channels after the first channel and finishes executing all the channels (that is, all the channels). When the confirmation of the channel display setting is completed), an affirmative result is obtained in step SP303, and this channel display setting change processing procedure RT30 is terminated.

  By such a channel display setting change processing procedure, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 310 automatically changes the channel display setting of each channel.

  Furthermore, in this MusicStation function, the selection screen 120 and the playback screen when the channel to which the channel playlist PL is assigned are selected according to the characteristics of the channel playlist PL (for example, the number of registered music data Ad). It is also made to change the saturation of 130.

  More specifically, the music playback device 310 determines the channel playlist PL according to the number of music data numbers Ad registered in the channel playlist PL acquired by the playlist feature extraction unit 112A of the control unit 112. The display pattern selection unit displays the saturation of the selection screen 120 and the playback screen 130 (that is, the selection screen 120 and the playback screen 130 when the list information Li of the channel playlist PL is displayed) when the channel to which is assigned is selected. 112B is selected.

  In this case, for example, when the number of music data numbers Ad registered in the channel playlist PL acquired by the playlist feature extraction unit 112A is 5 or less, the display pattern selection unit 112B performs the channel play. As the saturation of the selection screen 120 when the list information Li of the list PL is displayed, as shown in FIG. 46A, the lowest first saturation is selected, and the number is 6 or more and 10 or less. 46B, a second saturation higher than the first saturation is selected, and if it is 11 or more, as shown in FIG. 46C, the second saturation is selected. The third saturation higher than the saturation of 2 is selected. Incidentally, although not shown, the saturation of the reproduction screen 130 is selected in the same manner.

  The display control unit 112C of the control unit 112 displays the selection screen 120 and the reproduction screen 130 on the display unit 113 according to the saturation automatically selected by the display pattern selection unit 112B.

  By doing so, the music playback device 310 adds the music data Ad and listens to a new song, and adds the music data Ad to view the channel playlist PL displayed more vividly. A way of enjoying can be provided to the user, and as a result, the user can be further encouraged to add music data Ad.

  Next, a procedure of processing for selecting the saturation of the selection screen 120 and the reproduction screen 130 (hereinafter also referred to as screen saturation selection processing) will be described. Incidentally, here, for convenience of explanation, a case where the saturation of the selection screen 120 is selected will be described as an example. When the MusicStation function is activated, the control unit 112 selects one channel playlist PL through channel selection, or during the MusicStation function activation, the control unit 112 selects one channel through channel selection according to the channel switching operation. When the channel playlist PL is selected, the screen saturation selection processing procedure RT31 is started as shown in FIG. 47, and the process proceeds to step SP310.

  In step SP310, the control unit 112 acquires the number of music data Ad currently registered in the selected channel playlist PL by the playlist feature extraction unit 112A, and proceeds to the next step SP311. Here, the playlist feature extraction unit 112A acquires the number of music data Ad currently registered by acquiring the number of music data information Ai in the channel playlist PL.

  In step SP311, the control unit 112 determines whether or not the number of acquired music data Ad is equal to or less than a first threshold value (eg, “5”). If an affirmative result is obtained in step SP311, this means that the number of music data Ad registered in the selected channel playlist PL is 5 or less. At this time, the control unit 112 performs step Move to SP312.

  In step SP312, the control unit 112 displays the highest saturation as shown in FIG. 46A as the saturation of the selection screen 120 on which the list information Li of the currently selected channel playlist PL is displayed by the display pattern selection unit 112B. The low first saturation is selected, and this screen saturation selection processing procedure RT31 is completed.

  On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP311 described above, this means that the number of music data Ad registered in the selected channel playlist PL is 6 or more, and at this time The control unit 112 moves to step SP313.

  In step SP313, the control unit 112 determines whether or not the number of acquired music data Ad is equal to or less than a second threshold value (for example, “10”). If an affirmative result is obtained in step SP313, this means that the number of music data Ad registered in the selected channel playlist PL is 6 or more and 10 or less. The extraction unit 112A moves to step SP314.

  In step SP314, the control unit 112 causes the display pattern selection unit 112B to display the saturation of the selection screen 120 on which the list information Li of the currently selected channel playlist PL is displayed, as shown in FIG. The second saturation higher than the saturation of 1 is selected, and this screen saturation selection processing procedure RT31 is ended.

  On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP313 described above, this means that the number of music data Ad registered in the currently selected channel playlist PL is 11 or more. The control unit 112 moves to step SP315.

  In step SP315, the control unit 112 uses the display pattern selection unit 112B to display the saturation of the selection screen 120 on which the list information Li of the currently selected channel playlist PL is displayed, as shown in FIG. The third saturation higher than the saturation of 2 is selected, and this screen saturation selection processing procedure RT31 is ended.

  With such a screen saturation selection processing procedure RT31, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 310 selects the saturation of the selection screen 120 corresponding to the currently selected channel playlist PL.

  Incidentally, here, for convenience of explanation, the screen saturation selection processing procedure RT31 has been described separately from the above-described MusicStation function starting processing procedure RT10 and channel switching processing procedure RT11. However, actually, the MusicStation function starting processing procedure RT10 and This is a process executed in the channel switching process procedure RT11. That is, this screen saturation selection processing procedure RT31 is, for example, processing executed in step SP108 of the MusicStation function activation processing procedure RT10 and step SP118 of the channel switching processing procedure RT11.

  Therefore, the selection screen 120 displayed in step SP108 of the MusicStation function activation processing procedure RT10 and step SP118 of the channel switching processing procedure RT11 is displayed by the display control unit 112C with the saturation selected by the display pattern selection unit 112B. .

(4-3) Operation and Effect According to Third Embodiment In the above configuration, the music playback device 310 stores a plurality of music data Ad stored in the content storage unit 115 in the list storage unit 117. It is managed by a plurality of channel playlists PL in which music data information Ai, which is content identification information of music data Ad, is listed.

  When the control unit 112 of the music playback device 310 selects one of the plurality of channel playlists PL according to the user operation of the remote controller RM1, the list information Li (list name) of the selected channel playlists PL is displayed. Lt and list description Lde) are displayed on the selection screen 120.

  Here, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 310 uses the playlist feature extraction unit 112A to extract the features of each channel playlist PL (the number of registered music data Ad), and according to the extracted features. The display pattern selection unit 112B selects a display pattern (display / non-display and saturation) when each channel playlist PL is displayed on the selection screen 120.

  More specifically, if the number of music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL is 0, the display pattern selection unit 112B hides this channel playlist PL and puts it in the channel playlist PL. If the number of registered music data Ad is one or more, this channel playlist PL is displayed.

  That is, the music playback device 310 displays the channel playlist PL and indicates its presence to the user only after registering at least one music data Ad in the channel playlist PL as the user adds the music data Ad. By teaching, it is possible to provide the user with a new way of enjoying such as adding music data Ad to increase the selectable channel playlist PL or searching for a new channel playlist PL. it can.

  Further, if the number of music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL is equal to or less than a first threshold value (for example, 5), the display pattern selection unit 112B displays the saturation when displaying this channel playlist PL. If the first saturation is selected, and this number is greater than the first threshold and less than or equal to the second threshold (eg, 10), then the second saturation is selected and this number is the second If it is larger than the threshold, the third saturation is selected.

  That is, the music playback device 310 displays the channel playlist PL with different saturation depending on the number of music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL, so that the registered music data Ad can be displayed. It is possible to provide the user with a new way of enjoying, such as viewing the channel play list PL displayed with the saturation changed according to the number.

  In addition, as described above, by selecting the display pattern for displaying each channel playlist PL on the selection screen 120 according to the number of music data Ad registered in each channel playlist PL, The music playback device 310 can make the user recognize that a new way of enjoying is provided by adding the music data Ad, and as a result, can further encourage the user to add the music data Ad.

  According to the above configuration, the music playback device 310 can display the channel playlist PL in a display pattern that matches the characteristics of the channel playlist PL, so that a new way of enjoying music data Ad that is different from the conventional one can be provided. Can be provided to the user.

(4-4) Other Embodiments to the Third Embodiment In the third embodiment, the selection screen 120 and the reproduction screen 130 are displayed as display patterns to be selected according to the characteristics of the channel playlist PL. Although the case where the saturation is selected has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the brightness (that is, the brightness of the backlight of the display unit 113) may be selected.

  Here, a procedure of such a process for selecting the brightness of the screen (hereinafter also referred to as a screen brightness selection process) will be described. Incidentally, here, for convenience of explanation, a case where the brightness of the selection screen 120 is selected will be described as an example. When the MusicStation function is activated, the control unit 112 selects one channel playlist PL through channel selection, or during the MusicStation function activation, the control unit 112 selects one channel through channel selection according to the channel switching operation. When the channel playlist PL is selected, the screen brightness selection processing procedure RT32 is started as shown in FIG. 48, and the process proceeds to step SP320.

  In step SP320, the control unit 112 uses the playlist feature extraction unit 112A to acquire the number of music data Ad currently registered in the selected channel playlist PL, and proceeds to next step SP321. Here, the playlist feature extraction unit 112A acquires the number of music data Ad currently registered by acquiring the number of music data information Ai in the channel playlist PL.

  In step SP321, the control unit 112 determines whether or not the number of acquired music data Ad is equal to or less than a first threshold value (eg, “5”). If a positive result is obtained in step SP321, the control unit 112 moves to step SP322 at this time.

  In step SP322, the control unit 112 selects the lowest first brightness as the brightness of the selection screen 120 on which the list information Li of the currently selected channel playlist PL is displayed by the display pattern selection unit 112B. The brightness selection processing procedure RT32 is terminated.

  On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP321 described above, the control unit 112 moves to step SP323 at this time. In step SP323, the control unit 112 determines whether or not the number of acquired music data Ad is equal to or less than a second threshold value (eg, “10”). If a positive result is obtained in step SP323, then the playlist feature extraction unit 112A moves to step SP324.

  In step SP324, the control unit 112 selects the second lightness higher than the first lightness as the lightness of the selection screen 120 on which the list information Li of the currently selected channel playlist PL is displayed by the display pattern selection unit 112B. Then, this screen brightness selection processing procedure RT32 is completed.

  On the other hand, when a negative result is obtained in step SP323 described above, the control unit 112 proceeds to step SP325 at this time. In step SP325, the control unit 112 selects a third lightness higher than the second lightness as the lightness of the selection screen 120 on which the list information Li of the currently selected channel playlist PL is displayed by the display pattern selection unit 112B. Then, this screen brightness selection processing procedure RT32 is completed.

  As a result, the display control unit 112C of the control unit 112 displays the selection screen 120 and the reproduction screen 130 on the display unit 113 according to the lightness selected by the display pattern selection unit 112B.

  By doing so, the music playback device 310 provides the user with a new way of enjoying that has not been seen before, such as viewing the channel playlist PL displayed with the brightness changed according to the number of registered music data Ad. You can also. The display pattern is not limited to saturation and lightness, but may be selected from color, density, transparency, and the like.

  In this case, not only the display pattern of the selection screen 120 and the entire playback screen 130 is selected, but a part of the display pattern may be selected. That is, for example, the display pattern of the song selection area 12 on the selection screen 120 and the selection song display area 22 on the reproduction screen 130 may be selected, or the character information and the reproduction screen 130 recorded on the selection screen 120 may be selected. The character information display pattern (font, character size, character color, etc.) may be selected.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIGS. 49A, 49B, and 49C, a character icon 340 unique to each channel playlist PL is displayed on the selection screen 120, and the display pattern of the character icon 340 is changed. You may make it select. In this case, for example, the music playback device 310 displays a character icon 340 that imitates a living thing, and the character icon 340 grows as the number of music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL increases. Thus, the display pattern of the character icon 340 is changed. By doing so, the music playback device 310 can provide the user with a new way of enjoying that has not been achieved in the past, such as growing the channel playlist PL by adding the music data Ad.

  Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the number of pieces of music data information Ai in the channel playlist PL is confirmed instead of the number of registered data Tn in the channel playlist PL, thereby registering in the channel playlist PL. Although the case where the number of music data Ad is acquired has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the registration data number Tn is not updated at the end of the MusicStation function, but registered in the channel playlist PL. Occasionally, this registered data number Tn may be acquired as the number of music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL.

  Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the characteristics of the channel playlist PL are extracted based on the number of registered music data Ad that is the statistical value of the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL. However, the present invention is not limited to this, the date when the first music data Ad is registered in the channel playlist PL, the date when the music data Ad is last registered, and the channel. Based on one of the reproduction frequency of the music data Ad registered in the playlist PL and the importance of the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL, the characteristics of the channel playlist PL are extracted. A display pattern may be selected.

  More specifically, for example, the music reproduction device 310 additionally records the date when the first music data Ad is registered in the channel playlist PL in the list information Li for each channel playlist PL, and the display pattern is displayed based on this date. Be selected. By doing so, the music playback device 310 can make the user recognize the newness of the channel playlist PL by the display pattern, for example, by making the color of the channel playlist PL more prominent this date. it can.

  Further, for example, the music playback device 310 additionally records the date when the music data Ad was last registered in the channel playlist PL in the list information Li for each channel playlist PL, and selects the display pattern based on this date. To. By doing so, the music playback device 310 can cause the user to recognize the age of the channel playlist PL by the display pattern, for example, by making the color of the channel playlist PL that has an older date darker. it can.

  Furthermore, the music playback device 310 adds, for example, a statistical value (for example, a total value or an average value of the number of playbacks) of the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL to the list information Li for each channel playlist PL. As described above, the display pattern is selected according to the reproduction frequency. By doing so, the music playback device 310 can make the user recognize the preference of the channel playlist PL by the display pattern, for example, by increasing the brightness of the channel playlist PL that is often listened to. Incidentally, in this case, the statistical value of the number of times of reproduction is described in the list information Li, but the number of times of reproduction for each music data Ad may be acquired from the attribute information Ti, and this statistical value may be calculated each time. .

  Furthermore, the music playback device 310 lists, for example, the statistical value of the importance level of the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL (for example, the total value or the average value of the values indicating the importance level) for each channel playlist PL. In addition to Li, a display pattern is selected based on this importance. By doing so, the music playback device 310 causes the user to recognize the importance level of the channel playlist PL by the display pattern, for example, by displaying the channel playlist PL having a higher importance level in a more conspicuous color. You can also. Incidentally, in this case, the statistical value of the importance is described in the list information Li. However, the importance for each music data Ad may be acquired from the attribute information Ti, and the statistical value may be calculated each time. . The importance may be set in advance in the music data Ad or may be set by the user.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to this, and the characteristics of the channel playlist PL are extracted based on the genre and the impression value of the song included in the attribute information Ti that is additional information of the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL. A display pattern may be selected.

  More specifically, for example, the music playback device 310 displays a channel playlist PL composed of music data Ad of a bright genre (such as pop) in a brighter color. By doing so, the music playback device 310 can also make the user recognize the genre of the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL by the display pattern.

  In addition, the music playback device 310 calculates, for example, the statistical value (total value or average value) of the impression value of the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL, and indicates the brightness of the statistical value. The channel playlist PL having a larger value is displayed in a brighter color. By doing so, the music playback device 310 can also make the user recognize the impression of the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL by the display pattern.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to this, but is a keyword (for example, “bright”) indicating the characteristics of the channel playlist PL, which is attribute information of the channel playlist PL, and the music data Ad actually registered in the channel playlist PL. The display pattern may be selected based on the degree of matching with the feature (for example, the impression value of the song).

  In practice, the music playback device 310, for example, has a value indicating the brightness of the impression value of a song over a predetermined value for a channel playlist (clear song list) PL with “bright” as a keyword. Although the case where the data Ad is registered has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, among the music data Ad stored in the content storage unit 115, the value indicating the brightness of the impression value of the song is the top 10 The music data Ad entering may be registered in the clear music list PL.

  Thus, when the number of music data Ad stored in the content storage unit 115 is small, the music data Ad of a bright song is not necessarily registered in the clear song list PL. Therefore, for example, an average value of values indicating the brightness of the impression value of the music data Ad registered in the clear music list PL is calculated, and the bright music list PL is expressed in a brighter color as the average value increases. indicate. In this way, the music playback device 310 recognizes, for the user, the degree of conformity between the characteristics of the channel playlist PL and the characteristics of the music data Ad actually registered in the channel playlist PL using the display pattern. It can also be made.

  Further, in the third embodiment, in the screen saturation selection processing procedure RT31, according to the number of music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL, the first saturation, the second saturation, In addition, although the case where three display patterns of the third saturation are used has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be two patterns or four or more patterns, for example, registered in the channel playlist PL. The saturation may be linearly changed according to the number of registered music data Ad by associating the number of music data Ad with the numerical value of saturation.

  Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the case where the channel addition dialog 320 is closed in response to pressing of the close button 322 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the channel addition dialog 320 May be automatically closed when a predetermined time elapses.

(5) Fourth Embodiment (5-1) Outline of Fourth Embodiment Next, an outline of the fourth embodiment will be described. By the way, after describing this outline, the description moves to a specific example of the fourth embodiment.

  A content playback device 400 shown in FIG. 50 is a device that plays back content based on a playlist that defines the playback order of a plurality of contents. The content playback device 400 is based on a playback unit 401 that plays back content and a plurality of contents that belong to the playlist. A playlist feature extraction unit 402 that extracts the features of the playlist, and an effect selection unit that selects an effect related to reproduction of content belonging to the playlist based on the features of the playlist extracted by the playlist feature extraction unit 402 403, and a playback control unit 404 that controls the playback unit 401 to play back the content belonging to the playlist based on the effect selected by the effect selection unit 403.

  The playback unit 401 corresponds to the playback unit 7 of the content playback apparatus 1 (FIG. 1) having the basic configuration described above, and the playlist feature extraction unit 402, the effect selection unit 403, and the playback control unit 404 are controlled. This corresponds to part 3.

  By having such a configuration, the display control apparatus 400 according to the fourth embodiment can reproduce the content belonging to the playlist with an effect that matches the characteristics of the playlist. It can provide a new and different way of enjoying.

(5-2) Specific Example of Fourth Embodiment Next, a specific example of the fourth embodiment will be described. A music playback device 410 shown in FIG. 51 is a specific example of the above-described content playback device 400. As shown in FIG. Compared with the device 110, it has a different configuration in that it does not have the timer 118.

  In addition, the music playback device 410 includes, in the control unit 112, a playlist feature extraction unit 112D that plays a role of extracting a feature of the channel playlist PL, which will be described later, and a channel based on the extracted feature of the channel playlist PL. An effect selection unit 112E that plays a role of selecting an effect when playing back music data Ad registered in the playlist PL, and a role of controlling the playback unit 116 to play back the music data Ad according to the selected effect. A playback control unit 112F is provided.

  Further, the music playback device 410 has a remote controller RM1 similar to that in the first embodiment.

  Note that the playlist feature detection unit 112D, the effect selection unit 112E, and the playback control unit 112F of the music playback device 410 are the playlist feature detection unit 402, the effect selection unit 403, and the display control unit 404 of the above-described content playback device 400, respectively. It corresponds to.

  The music playback apparatus 410 has a download function, a CD recording function, a normal playback function, a CD playback function, and a MusicStation function, as with the music playback apparatus 110 of the first embodiment described above, and operates on the remote controller RM1. Accordingly, the control unit 112 executes processing corresponding to these functions.

  Here, the MusicStation function of the music playback device 410 will be described. First, a method of managing music data Ad using the MusicStation function of the music playback device 410 will be described. This management method is the same as the management method performed by the music playback device 110 according to the first embodiment described above, and the details thereof are referred to the description of the first embodiment described above.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the music playback device 410 according to the fourth embodiment is configured to manage a plurality of channel playlists PL by the channel list CL, and further by each of the plurality of channel playlists PL. The playback music order of the music data Ad is managed.

  In addition, like this first embodiment, the MusicStation function includes a newly added song, a song with a small number of playbacks, a good song, a bright song, a classic song, a heavy song, etc. A channel playlist PL is prepared for each category that is considered to be requested by the user, and the control unit 112 of the music playback device 410 stores the music data Ad stored in the content storage unit 115 in accordance with the storage or playback of the music data Ad. Is registered in the corresponding channel playlist PL of the prepared channel playlists PL based on the number of times of reproduction, the impression value of the song, the genre, etc., and the channel playlist PL is automatically updated. It is made like that.

  Then, the music playback device 410 displays a channel playlist PL that is categorized as a newly added song, a song with a small number of playbacks, a good song, a bright song, a classic song, a heavy song, etc. on the GUI screen. The user can easily find a desired tune with the feeling of switching the radio channel by selecting the channel to which the is assigned according to the user operation on the remote controller RM1.

  Further, the GUI screen in the MusicStation function has the same screen configuration as the GUI screen of the music playback device 110 of the first embodiment described above, and the details thereof are the same as those described in the first embodiment. For reference.

  That is, the music playback device 410 according to the fourth embodiment allows the user to visually recognize the contents of the channel and the contents of the song via the selection screen 120 shown in FIG. The channel is switched and selected according to the user operation on the direction button B14, and the music is switched and selected according to the user operation on the left direction button B15 and the right direction button B16 of the remote controller RM1.

  In addition, the music playback device 410 switches the selection screen 120 to the playback screen 130 based on a predetermined condition (a predetermined time has elapsed without pressing or operating the determination button B17), and the selected channel and music are selected via the playback screen 130. The contents can be visually recognized by the user.

  Further, the playback control of the music data Ad accompanying the switching of the GUI screen is the same as the playback control by the music playback device 110 of the first embodiment described above, and details thereof are described in the first embodiment described above. Reference is made to the description of the embodiments.

  That is, the music playback device 410 according to the fourth embodiment shifts to the partial playback mode in which the selected music data Ad is played back from the characteristic position when the selection screen 120 is displayed, and the selected music data when the playback screen 130 is displayed. A transition is made to a normal playback mode in which Ad is normally played back, and music data Ad is always played back without interruption during execution of the MusicStation function, regardless of which mode is switched to.

  Accordingly, when the MusicStation function is executed, the music playback device 410, as with the music playback device 110 of the first embodiment, follows the operation of the up button B13 and the down button B14 of the remote controller RM1, as if the radio The channel playlist PL can be switched on a channel-by-channel basis as if switching preset stations, and the music to be played in the channel can be switched according to the operation of the left direction button B15 and the right direction button B16. On the other hand, it is possible to make it easier to listen to a desired song as if listening to music broadcast from a radio station.

  Further, the procedure of the Music Station function starting process, the channel switching process, and the song switching process is the same as the procedure of the process executed by the music playback device 110 according to the first embodiment described above. Reference is made to the description of the first embodiment.

  Further, the display setting method of the channel in the MusicStation function is the same as the display setting method by the music playback device 110 of the first embodiment described above, and details thereof are described in the description of the first embodiment. Is referred to.

  That is, the music playback device 410 according to the fourth embodiment can change the channel display setting to “display” or “non-display” for each channel via the channel display setting screen 140 shown in FIG. ing.

  As described so far, the music playback device 410 according to the fourth embodiment also has the MusicStation function corresponding to the operation of the remote controller RM1 as in the first embodiment described above, and the activation of the MusicStation function, Channel switching, music switching, channel display setting, and the like can be easily performed by operating the remote controller RM1.

  By the way, in the MusicStation function according to the fourth embodiment, when a channel to which the channel playlist PL is assigned is selected according to the characteristics of the channel playlist PL (for example, the number of registered music data Ad). The equalizing setting in the reproducing unit 116 is also changed.

  More specifically, the music playback device 410 has its channel playlist PL according to the number of music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL acquired by the playlist feature extraction unit 112D of the control unit 112. The effect selection unit 112E changes the equalizing setting in the playback unit 116 when the channel assigned with is selected (that is, when the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL is played back). .

  In this case, for example, if the number of music data numbers Ad registered in the channel playlist PL acquired by the playlist feature extraction unit 112D is 5 or less, the effect selection unit 112E displays the channel playlist. As equalizing setting when reproducing music data Ad registered in PL, as shown in FIG. 52A, each frequency band (for example, 31 Hz, 62 Hz, 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 300 Hz, 1 KHz, 2 KHz, 4 KHz, When the first equalizing setting with the signal level at 8 KHz and 16 KHz) as the reference level (0 dB) is selected and the signal level is 6 or more and 10 or less, as shown in FIG. Select the second equalizing setting that raises the signal level of the low and high frequencies compared to the equalizing setting When the number is 11 or more, as shown in FIG. 52 (C), the third equalizing setting in which the signal level of the low frequency and the high frequency is further increased than the second equalizing setting is selected. ing.

  That is, the effect selection unit 112E increases the equalizing effect when reproducing the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL as the number of music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL increases. The equalizing settings are changed.

  Then, the reproduction control unit 112F of the control unit 112 causes the reproduction unit 116 to reproduce the music data Ad with the equalizing setting automatically selected by the effect selection unit 112E.

  In this way, in addition to the enjoyment of listening to new music by adding music data Ad, the music playback device 410 adds new music data Ad and listens to music played with different equalization settings. A way of enjoying can be provided to the user, and as a result, the user can be further encouraged to add music data Ad.

  Next, a procedure of such processing for changing the equalizing setting (hereinafter also referred to as equalizing setting changing processing) will be described. The control unit 112 of the music playback device 410 selects one channel playlist PL via channel selection when the MusicStation function is activated, or selects one channel via channel selection according to the channel switching operation while the MusicStation function is activated. When the channel playlist PL is selected, the equalizing setting change processing procedure RT40 is started as shown in FIG. 53, and the process proceeds to step SP400.

  In step SP400, the control unit 112 acquires the number of music data Ad currently registered in the selected channel playlist PL by the playlist feature extraction unit 112D, and proceeds to the next step SP401. Here, the playlist feature extraction unit 112D acquires the number of music data Ad currently registered by acquiring the number of music data information Ai in the channel playlist PL.

  In step SP401, the control unit 112 determines whether or not the number of acquired music data Ad is equal to or less than a first threshold value (eg, “5”). If an affirmative result is obtained in step SP401, this means that the number of music data Ad registered in the currently selected channel playlist PL is 5 or less. Move on to SP402.

  In step SP402, the control unit 112 selects the first equalizing setting having the lowest equalizing effect as shown in FIG. 52A as the equalizing setting in the reproducing unit 116 by the effect selecting unit 112E. The equalizing setting change processing procedure RT40 is terminated.

  On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP401 described above, this means that the number of music data Ad registered in the currently selected channel playlist PL is six or more. The control unit 112 moves to step SP403.

  In step SP403, the control unit 112 determines whether or not the number of acquired music data Ad is equal to or less than a second threshold (eg, “10”). If an affirmative result is obtained in step SP403, this means that the number of music data Ad registered in the currently selected channel playlist PL is 6 or more and 10 or less. At this time, the controller 112 Moves to step SP404.

  In step SP404, the control unit 112 causes the effect selecting unit 112E to set the equalizing setting in the reproducing unit 116 as the second equalizing setting having a higher equalizing effect than the first equalizing setting as shown in FIG. Is selected, and the equalizing setting change processing procedure RT40 is terminated.

  On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP403 described above, this means that the number of music data Ad registered in the currently selected channel playlist PL is 11 or more. The control unit 112 moves to step SP405.

  In step SP405, the control unit 112 causes the effect selection unit 112E to set the equalizing setting in the playback unit 116 to a third equalizing setting having a higher equalizing effect than the second equalizing setting as shown in FIG. Is selected, and the equalizing setting change processing procedure RT40 is terminated.

  By such an equalizing setting change processing procedure RT40, the control unit 112 of the music reproducing device 410 changes the equalizing setting when the reproducing unit 116 reproduces the music data Ad registered in the selected channel playlist PL. It is made like that.

  Incidentally, here, for convenience of explanation, the equalizing setting change processing procedure RT40 has been described separately from the MusicStation function activation processing procedure RT10 and the channel switching processing procedure RT11 of the first embodiment described above, but actually, the MusicStation is changed. This is a process executed in the function activation process procedure RT10 and the channel switching process procedure RT11. That is, the equalizing setting change processing procedure RT40 is processing executed in, for example, step SP108 of the MusicStation function activation processing procedure RT10 and step SP118 of the channel switching processing procedure RT11.

  Therefore, the music data Ad reproduced in step SP108 of the MusicStation function activation processing procedure RT10 and step SP118 of the channel switching processing procedure RT11 is reproduced by the reproduction control unit 112F with the equalizing setting changed by the effect selection unit 112E. .

(5-3) Operation and Effect According to Fourth Embodiment In the above configuration, the music playback device 410 stores a plurality of music data Ad stored in the content storage unit 115 in the list storage unit 117. It is managed by a plurality of channel playlists PL in which music data information Ai, which is content identification information of music data Ad, is listed.

  When the control unit 112 of the music playback device 410 selects one of the plurality of channel playlists PL in accordance with the user operation of the remote controller RM1, the music data registered in the selected channel playlist PL is displayed. The playback of the Ad is started by the playback unit 116.

  Here, the control unit 112 of the music playback device 410 extracts the feature (number of registered music data Ad) of each channel playlist PL by the playlist feature extraction unit 112D, and according to the extracted feature. The effect selection unit 112E selects an effect (effect for changing equalizing setting) in the playback unit 116.

  Specifically, if the number of music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL is equal to or less than a first threshold value (for example, 5), the effect selection unit 112E is registered in the channel playlist PL. The first equalizing setting is selected as the equalizing setting when playing the music data Ad, and if this number is larger than the first threshold and not larger than the second threshold (for example, 10), the second equalizing setting is set. If selected and this number is greater than the second threshold, the third equalizing setting is selected.

  That is, the music playback device 410 plays back the music data Ad with different equalization settings according to the number of music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL, so that the number of music data Ad registered. Thus, it is possible to provide the user with a new way of enjoying such as listening to the music to be played while changing the equalizing setting.

  In addition, as described above, the effect for reproducing the music data Ad registered in each channel playlist PL is selected according to the number of music data Ad registered in each channel playlist PL. Accordingly, the music playback device 310 can make the user recognize that a new way of enjoying is provided by adding the music data Ad, and as a result, further prompting the user to add the music data Ad. You can also.

  According to the above configuration, the music playback device 410 can play back the music data Ad belonging to the channel playlist PL with an effect that matches the characteristics of the channel playlist PL. Can be provided to the user.

(5-4) Other Embodiments to the Fourth Embodiment In the fourth embodiment, the equalizing setting is changed as an effect to be selected according to the characteristics of the channel playlist PL. As described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and the music order setting Ls in the channel playlist PL may be changed.

  Here, a procedure of such a process of changing the music order setting Ls (hereinafter also referred to as a music order changing process) will be described. The control unit 112 of the music playback device 410 selects one channel playlist PL via channel selection when the MusicStation function is activated, or selects one channel via channel selection according to the channel switching operation while the MusicStation function is activated. When the channel playlist PL is selected, the music order change processing procedure RT41 is started as shown in FIG. 54, and the process proceeds to step SP410.

  In step SP410, the control unit 112 acquires the number of music data Ad currently registered in the selected channel playlist PL by the playlist feature extraction unit 112D, and proceeds to the next step SP411. Here, the playlist feature extraction unit 112D acquires the number of music data Ad currently registered by acquiring the number of music data information Ai in the channel playlist PL.

  In step SP411, the control unit 112 determines whether or not the number of acquired music data Ad is equal to or less than a first threshold value (for example, “5”). If a positive result is obtained in step SP411, the control unit 112 at this time moves to step SP412.

  In step SP412, the control unit 112 selects, for example, the first song order setting Ls in random order as the song order setting Ls in the selected channel playlist PL by the effect selection unit 112E, and proceeds to the next step SP416. Move.

  On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP411 described above, the control unit 112 proceeds to step SP413 at this time. In step SP413, the control unit 112 determines whether or not the number of acquired music data Ad is equal to or less than a second threshold value (eg, “10”). If a positive result is obtained in step SP413, the control unit 112 moves to step SP414 at this time. In step SP414, the control unit 112 uses the effect selection unit 112E to set, for example, the second song order setting in the order of decreasing values indicating the brightness of the impression value of the song as the song order setting Ls in the selected channel playlist PL. Ls is selected and the process proceeds to the next step SP416.

  On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP413 described above, the control unit 112 proceeds to step SP415 at this time. In step SP415, the control unit 112 causes the effect selection unit 112E to select, for example, the third song order setting Ls in ascending order of the value indicating the tempo of the impression value of the song as the song order setting Ls in the selected channel playlist PL. Is selected, and the flow advances to next Step SP416.

  In step SP416, the control unit 112 reflects the song order setting Ls selected by the effect selection unit 112E in the song order setting Ls of the currently selected channel playlist PL, and ends this song order selection processing procedure RT41.

  As a result, the reproduction control unit 112F of the control unit 112 reproduces the music data Ad according to the song order setting Ls of the currently selected channel playlist PL.

  By doing so, the music playback device 410 can also provide the user with a new way of enjoying the music that is played by changing the order of the songs according to the number of registered music data Ad. As a result, the music playback device 410 can allow the user to listen to music based on the music data Ad with a fresh feeling even when the same channel playlist PL is selected.

  The present invention is not limited to this, and as an effect, the reproduction start position of the music data Ad may be changed (that is, the reproduction pattern is changed). Here, the procedure of such a process of changing the reproduction start position of the music data Ad (hereinafter also referred to as a reproduction start position changing process) will be described. Incidentally, in this case, it is assumed that the music data Ad is configured as, for example, a prelude, A melody, A melody, B melody, chorus, interlude,..., As shown in FIG.

  The control unit 112 of the music playback device 410 selects one channel playlist PL via channel selection when the MusicStation function is activated, or selects one channel via channel selection according to the channel switching operation while the MusicStation function is activated. When the channel playlist PL is selected, as shown in FIG. 55 (B), the reproduction start position change processing procedure RT42 is started, and the process proceeds to step SP420.

  In step SP420, the control unit 112 acquires the number of music data Ad currently registered in the selected channel playlist PL by the playlist feature extraction unit 112D, and proceeds to the next step SP421. Here, the playlist feature extraction unit 112D acquires the number of music data Ad currently registered by acquiring the number of music data information Ai in the channel playlist PL.

  In step SP421, the control unit 112 determines whether or not the number of acquired music data Ad is equal to or less than a first threshold value (eg, “5”). If a positive result is obtained in step SP421, at this time, the control unit 112 proceeds to step SP422.

  In step SP422, the control unit 112 causes the effect selection unit 112E to select, for example, the start position of the prelude (that is, the beginning of the song) t1 as the playback start position of the music data Ad registered in the selected channel playlist PL. Thus, the reproduction start position change processing procedure RT42 is completed.

  On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP421 described above, the control unit 112 proceeds to step SP423 at this time. In step SP423, the control unit 112 determines whether or not the number of acquired music data Ad is equal to or less than a second threshold value (eg, “10”). If a positive result is obtained in step SP423, at this time, the control unit 112 proceeds to step SP424. In step SP424, the control unit 112 selects, for example, the B melody start position t2 as the reproduction start position of the music data Ad registered in the selected channel playlist PL by the effect selection unit 112E, and starts the reproduction. The position change processing procedure RT42 is terminated.

  On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP423 described above, the control unit 112 proceeds to step SP425 at this time. In step SP425, the control unit 112 selects, for example, the chorus start position t3 as the playback start position of the music data Ad registered in the selected channel playlist PL by the effect selection unit 112E. The processing procedure RT42 is terminated.

  As a result, the reproduction control unit 112F of the control unit 112 reproduces the music data Ad from the reproduction start position selected by the effect selection unit 112E.

  By doing so, the music playback device 410 can also provide the user with a new way of enjoying the music that is played back by changing the playback start position according to the number of registered music data Ad and listening to the music played back. . Further, as the number of registered music data Ad increases, the user can more easily recognize the music from the start position t1 of the prelude to the start position t2 of the B melody and the start position t3 of the chorus. By changing to the position, it is possible to make the user recognize that the music can be easily searched if the music data Ad is added, and as a result, the user can be prompted to add music data.

  Incidentally, the start position t1 of the prelude, the start position t2 of the B melody, and the start position t3 of the chorus used as the playback start position are, for example, the characteristic position information Ct1, Ct2, It is assumed that it is stored in the content storage unit 115 as Ct3 (FIG. 2). The playback start position is not limited to the start position t1 of the prelude, the start position t2 of the B melody, and the start position t3 of the chorus, but the start position of the A melody, the start position of the interlude, and the like may be used.

  In addition to changing the playback start position as the playback pattern of the music data Ad, for example, rust playback, intro playback, normal playback, and accompaniment playback are prepared as the playback pattern of the music data Ad. The playback pattern may be changed by randomly selecting.

  In addition, the effects are not limited to the above-described change of equalizing setting, change of song order setting, change of playback pattern, change of volume, change of sound quality (bit rate, compression rate, etc.), change of added amount of noise, You may make it select the change of a tempo.

  More specifically, for example, when changing the bit rate, the effect selection unit 112E is registered in the channel playlist PL as the number of music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL is larger. For example, the bit rate is changed so that the sound quality when reproducing the music data Ad is increased from FM radio sound quality to cassette tape sound quality, MD sound quality, and CD sound quality. In this way, the music playback device 410 can provide the user with a new way of enjoying listening to songs played back at different bit rates by adding the music data Ad. In this case, the higher the number of music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL, the higher the sound quality when reproducing the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL. Thus, the addition of the music data Ad can be urged, and a way to enjoy the channel playlist PL by adding the music data Ad can be provided.

  Similarly, when changing the amount of added noise, the effect selecting unit 112E increases the music data registered in the channel playlist PL as the number of music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL increases. The amount of added noise may be changed so that noise during playback of Ad is reduced (that is, the sound quality is improved).

  Further, in the fourth embodiment, the number of pieces of music data information Ai in the channel playlist PL is confirmed instead of the number of registered data Tn in the channel playlist PL, thereby registering in the channel playlist PL. Although the case where the number of music data Ad is acquired has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the registration data number Tn is not updated at the end of the MusicStation function, but registered in the channel playlist PL. Occasionally, this registered data number Tn may be acquired as the number of music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL.

  Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the characteristics of the channel playlist PL are extracted based on the number of registered music data Ad that is the statistical value of the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The date when the first music data Ad is registered in the channel playlist PL, the date when the music data Ad is last registered, and the channel play are described. Based on one of the reproduction frequency of the music data Ad registered in the list PL and the importance of the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL, the characteristics of the channel playlist PL are extracted and effects are extracted. May be selected.

  More specifically, for example, the music playback device 410 additionally records the date when the first music data Ad is registered in the channel playlist PL in the list information Li for each channel playlist PL, and the effect is applied based on this date. Make a selection. By doing so, the music playback device 410 can make the user recognize the newness of the channel playlist PL by the effect, for example, by improving the sound quality of the channel playlist PL with a newer date.

  Further, for example, the music playback device 410 additionally records the date when the music data Ad was last registered in the channel playlist PL in the list information Li for each channel playlist PL, and selects an effect based on this date. To do. In this way, the music playback device 410 causes the user to recognize the age of the channel playlist PL by the effect, for example, by increasing the amount of noise added to the channel playlist PL with an older date. be able to.

  Furthermore, the music playback device 410 adds, for example, a statistical value (for example, the total value or average value of the number of playbacks) of the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL to the list information Li for each channel playlist PL. As described above, the effect is selected based on the reproduction frequency. By doing so, the music playback device 410 can make the user recognize the preference of the channel playlist PL by the effect, for example, by increasing the equalizing effect for the channel playlist PL that is often listened to. Incidentally, in this case, the statistical value of the number of times of reproduction is described in the list information Li, but the number of times of reproduction for each music data Ad may be acquired from the attribute information Ti to calculate this statistical value.

  Furthermore, the music playback device 410 lists, for example, the statistical value of the importance level of the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL (for example, the total value or the average value of the values indicating the importance level) for each channel playlist PL. As described in addition to Li, an effect is selected based on this importance. By doing so, the music playback device 410 can also make the user recognize the importance of the channel playlist PL by the effect, for example, by increasing the volume of the channel playlist PL having a higher importance. Incidentally, in this case, the statistical value of the importance is described in the list information Li. However, the statistical value may be calculated by acquiring the importance for each music data Ad from the attribute information Ti. The importance may be set in advance in the music data Ad or may be set by the user.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to this, and the characteristics of the channel playlist PL are extracted based on the genre and the impression value of the song included in the attribute information Ti that is additional information of the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL. You may select an effect.

  More specifically, for example, when playing music data Ad of a channel playlist PL composed of music data Ad whose genre is rock, the music playback device 410 selects equalizing settings suitable for rock. By doing so, the music playback device 410 can allow the user to listen to the song with an effect suitable for the genre of the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL.

  In addition, the music playback device 410 calculates, for example, a statistical value (total value or average value) of the impression value of the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL, and an equalizing setting suitable for the statistical value. Is selected. By doing so, the music playback device 410 can also make the user recognize the impression of the music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL by the effect.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to this, but is a keyword (for example, “bright”) indicating the characteristics of the channel playlist PL, which is attribute information of the channel playlist PL, and the music data Ad actually registered in the channel playlist PL. The effect may be selected based on the degree of matching with the feature (for example, the impression value of the song).

  In practice, the music playback device 410, for example, has a value indicating the brightness of the impression value of a song over a predetermined value for a channel playlist (clear song list) PL with “bright” as a keyword. Although the case where the data Ad is registered has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, among the music data Ad stored in the content storage unit 115, the value indicating the brightness of the impression value of the song is the top 10 The music data Ad entering may be registered in the clear music list PL.

  Thus, when the number of music data Ad stored in the content storage unit 115 is small, the music data Ad of a bright song is not necessarily registered in the clear song list PL. Therefore, for example, the average value of the values indicating the brightness of the impression value of the music data Ad registered in the clear music list PL is calculated, and the music data Ad of the clear music list PL increases as the average value increases. Improve sound quality when playing. In this way, the music playback device 410 allows the user to recognize the degree of matching between the characteristics of the channel playlist PL and the characteristics of the music data Ad actually registered in the channel playlist PL by using an effect. You can also.

  Further, in the fourth embodiment, in the equalizing setting selection processing procedure RT40, the first equalizing setting, the second equalizing setting, and the like according to the number of music data Ad registered in the channel playlist PL, Although the case where three patterns of the third equalizing setting are used has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and two patterns or four or more patterns may be used.

(6) Fifth Embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. A content playback apparatus 500 shown in FIG. 56 is an example in which the content playback apparatus 1 having the functional block configuration, which is the basic configuration described above, is realized by a hardware configuration. The content playback apparatus 500 has a housing surface and a remote controller (not shown). When the operation input unit 501 including various operation buttons provided by the user is operated by the user, the operation input unit 501 recognizes this and sends an operation input signal corresponding to the operation to the input processing unit 502. The input processing unit 502 converts the operation input signal into an operation command by performing predetermined processing on the supplied operation input signal, and converts the operation input signal into a central processing unit (CPU) via the bus 503. Send to 504.

  The central processing unit 504 reads various programs such as basic programs and application programs stored in advance in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 505 or a hard disk drive 506 to a RAM (Random Access Memory) 507 via a bus 503. The central processing unit 504 controls the whole in accordance with these various programs developed on the RAM 507, and executes predetermined arithmetic processing and various processing in accordance with operation commands given from the input processing unit 502.

  For example, the central processing unit 504 accesses a music providing server (not shown) on the network NT through the communication processing unit 508 and the network interface 509 sequentially.

  When the user inputs an operation input signal for requesting download of the desired music data via the operation input unit 501, the central processing unit 504 sends the desired music data to the music providing server accordingly. Request download. As a result, the central processing unit 504 downloads desired music data provided from the music providing server via the network interface 509 and the communication processing unit 508 sequentially. The central processing unit 504 stores the downloaded music data in the hard disk drive 506.

  In addition, when an operation input signal for recording music data recorded on a recording medium such as a CD is input by the user via the operation input unit 501, the central processing unit 504 receives from the recording medium by the media drive 510. The music data is read and the read music data is sent to the data processing circuit 511. The data processing circuit 511 compresses and encodes the music data provided from the media drive 510 and stores it in the hard disk drive 506.

  Further, when the music data in the hard disk drive 506 is designated by the user via the operation input unit 501 and the operation input signal for requesting reproduction is input, the central processing unit 504 designates from the hard disk drive 506 accordingly. The read music data is read out and sent to the data processing circuit 511. After decoding the music data, the data processing circuit 511 performs audio processing such as equalizing processing, digital-analog conversion processing, and amplification processing, and sends the resulting music signal to the speaker 512. As a result, music (that is, music) based on the music signal is output from the speaker 512.

  The hard disk drive 506 stores a plurality of playlists, and the central processing unit 504 designates a playlist via the operation input unit 501 by the user, and reproduces music data according to the playlist. When the requested operation input signal is input, the designated play list is read out from the hard disk drive 506 accordingly.

  Then, the central processing unit 504 reads out the music data registered in this playlist from the hard disk drive 506 in the order shown in the playlist and sends it to the data processing circuit 511. After decoding the music data, the data processing circuit 511 performs audio processing such as equalizing processing, digital-analog conversion processing, and amplification processing, and sends the resulting music signal to the speaker 512. As a result, music (song) based on the music signal is output from the speaker 512 in the order of the playlist.

  Further, the central processing unit 504 generates display data according to the execution results of various programs (for example, download, recording, and reproduction of music data) and sends this to the display processing unit 513. The display processing unit 513 displays a screen based on the display data on the display 514.

  By the way, in the content reproduction apparatus 500, the central processing unit 504 executes various processes according to various programs stored in the ROM 505 or the hard disk drive 506 in advance. That is, in the content reproduction apparatus 500, various programs to be stored in the ROM 505 or the hard disk drive 506 are appropriately selected according to various functions (that is, processes to be executed) of the content reproduction apparatus 1 (FIG. 1) having the above-described functional block configuration. Thus, the operation input unit 501 and the input processing unit 502 can function in the same manner as the operation unit 2 of the content reproduction apparatus 1, and the display 514 can function in the same manner as the display unit 4.

  Furthermore, the content reproduction device 500 can cause the central processing unit 504 and the display processing unit 513 to function in the same manner as the control unit 3 of the content reproduction device 1, and further, the communication processing unit 508 and the network interface 509 are connected to the communication unit 5. The hard disk drive 506 can function similarly to the storage unit 6, and the media drive 510, the data processing circuit 511, and the speaker 512 can function similarly to the playback unit 7. .

  Similarly, the content playback device 500 causes the functional blocks of the content playback devices 100, 200, 400, and the display control device 300 having the content playback device 1 as a basic configuration to function according to their own hardware configuration. be able to. Incidentally, as for the temporary storage unit 205 of the content playback device 200 that is not included in the basic configuration of the content playback device 1, the RAM 507 of the content playback device 500 may be similarly operated.

  Therefore, the content reproduction device 500 has various functions of the content reproduction devices 1, 100, 200, 400, and the display control device 300 (that is, processes executed by the content reproduction devices 1, 100, 200, 400, and the display control device 300). Can be realized with its own hardware configuration, and thus the same effects as those of the first to fourth embodiments described above can be obtained.

  In the fifth embodiment, the central processing unit 504 follows the various programs stored in advance in the ROM 505 or the hard disk drive 506, and the content playback apparatus 1 and the content playback apparatus having the content playback apparatus 1 as a basic configuration. Although the case where various functions of the 100, 200, 400 and the display control device 300 are realized has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and various programs are recorded on a recording medium such as a CD or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). In addition, according to the various programs read out from the recording medium by the central processing unit 504, the content playback device 1, and the content playback devices 100, 200, 400, and the display control device 300 having the content playback device 1 as a basic configuration. You may make it realize various functions Then, various programs may be installed in the hard disk drive 506 from this recording medium.

(7) Other Embodiments for the First to Fifth Embodiments In the first to fifth embodiments described above, the case where music data of a song is used as content has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and various other contents such as music data other than music, video data, and program data may be used. In addition, the present invention provides a personal computer, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), a portable audio play, an audio component, and a DVD (Digital Versatile) as the content playback device 1, 100, 200, 400, 500 and the display control device 300. The present invention can be widely applied to devices that handle various other contents such as a (Disc) recorder and a hard disk recorder.

  In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the case where the impression value of a song obtained as a result of 12-tone analysis is used as the feature of the song indicated by the attribute information Ti has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a value obtained as a result of various other analysis methods such as frequency analysis may be used as a feature of a song, or a human impression value of a song may be used. Also good.

  The present invention can be widely used in content reproduction apparatuses such as an audio player that reproduces music data according to a playlist.

It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the content reproduction apparatus used as the basic composition of this invention. It is a basic diagram regarding description of management of music data by a content reproduction apparatus. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of a selection screen. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of a reproduction | regeneration screen. It is an approximate line figure about explanation of screen control and accompanying reproduction control. It is a basic diagram which shows the mode of switching of a channel and switching of a music. It is a flowchart which shows a MusicStation function starting process sequence. It is a flowchart which shows a channel switching process procedure. It is a flowchart which shows a music switching process procedure. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of a channel display setting screen. It is a flowchart which shows a channel display setting process procedure. It is a basic diagram which shows the outline | summary of the content reproduction apparatus by 1st Embodiment. It is an approximate line figure showing the composition of the music reproducing device by a 1st embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the remote controller by 1st Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the selection screen by 1st Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the reproduction | regeneration screen by 1st Embodiment. It is a basic diagram regarding the description of the screen switching by the 1st Embodiment, and the accompanying reproduction | regeneration control. It is a basic diagram which shows the mode of the switching of the channel by 1st Embodiment, and the switching of a music. It is a flowchart which shows the MusicStation function starting process sequence by 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the channel switching process procedure by 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the music switching process procedure by 1st Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the channel display setting screen by 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the channel display setting process procedure by 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the list designation | designated process sequence by 1st Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the channel setting screen at the time of starting by other embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the outline | summary of the content reproduction apparatus by 2nd Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the music reproduction apparatus by 2nd Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the remote controller by 2nd Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the request reception dialog by 2nd Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the deletion confirmation dialog by 2nd Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the addition confirmation dialog by 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the list edit processing procedure by 2nd Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the data no notification dialog by 2nd Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the example of a display of the selection screen by 1st Embodiment (1). It is a flowchart which shows the additional prompting process sequence by 2nd Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the example (2) of a display of the selection screen by 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the update notification process sequence by 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the registration data number update process sequence by 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the reproduction | regeneration control processing procedure by other embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the example of a display of the selection screen by other embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the outline | summary of the display control apparatus by 3rd Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the music reproduction apparatus by 3rd Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the channel addition notification dialog by 3rd Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the example of a display of the selection screen by 3rd Embodiment (1). It is a flowchart which shows the channel display setting change process sequence by 3rd Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the example of a display pattern of the selection screen by 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the screen saturation selection process sequence by 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the screen brightness selection process sequence by other embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a display pattern of the selection screen by other embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the outline | summary of the content reproduction apparatus by 4th Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the music reproduction apparatus by 4th Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the equalizing setting example by 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the equalizing setting change process sequence by 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the music order change process sequence by other embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the reproduction | regeneration start position change process sequence by other embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the content reproduction apparatus by 5th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  1, 100, 200, 400, 500... Content reproduction apparatus, 2... Operation unit, 3, 106, 112, 206... Control unit, 4, 113, 303. ... Storage section 7, 103, 116, 203, 401 ... Playback section 10, 120 ... Selection screen, 20, 130 ... Playback screen, 30, 140 ... Channel display setting screen, 101 ... First 102, second input unit, 104, 115, 201 ... content storage unit, 105, 117, 202 ... list storage unit, 110, 210, 310, 410 ... music playback device, 111 ... ... Receiving unit, 118 ... Timer unit, 150 ... Start-up channel setting screen, 204 ... Input unit, 205, 211 ... Temporary storage unit, 300 ... Display control device, 112A, 112D, 301, 402 ... Playlist feature extraction unit, 112B, 302 ... display pattern selection unit, 112C, 304 ... display control unit, 112E, 403 ... effect selection unit, 112F, 404 ... display control unit, 501 ... operation input unit, 502 ... Input processing unit, 504 ... CPU, 505 ... ROM, 506 ... Hard disk drive, 507 ... RAM, 510 ... Media drive, 511 ... Data processing circuit, 512 ... Speaker, 513 ... Display Processing unit, 514... Display, Ad .. Music data, B13... Up button, B14... Down button, B15... Left button, B16 .. Right button, B18. ... Request button, CL ... Channel list, PL ... Channel playlist, RM1, RM2 ... Remote controller.

Claims (16)

First input means for inputting an operation amount in a first direction;
Second input means for inputting an operation amount in the second direction;
Playback means for playing back the content designated by the input by the first input means or the second input means;
Content storage means for storing one or more contents;
List storage means for storing a plurality of lists having identification information of the content;
When there is an input from the first input means, one list among a plurality of lists stored in the list storage means is selected according to the input operation amount in the first direction, and the selected list The content corresponding to the content identification information is read from the content storage means and reproduced by the reproduction means. When there is an input from the second input means, the content is selected according to the input operation amount in the second direction. Control means for selecting a piece of content identification information in the list and controlling the content corresponding to the selected content identification information to be read from the content storage means and played back by the playback means. A content playback device. The control means includes
When the reproduction unit is reproducing the content, if there is an input from the first input unit, a plurality of lists stored in the list storage unit according to the input operation amount in the first direction. 2. The control according to claim 1, wherein one of the lists is selected, and the content corresponding to the content identification information in the selected list is read from the content storage unit and is played back by the playback unit. Content playback device. The control means includes
2. The reproduction means is controlled so that the reproduction of the content corresponding to the content identification information in the list selected by the input from the first input means is started from the characteristic position of the content. The content reproduction apparatus described in 1. The control means includes
2. The reproduction unit according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction unit is controlled to start reproduction of the content corresponding to the content identification information selected by the input from the second input unit from a characteristic position of the content. Content playback device. The list storage means includes
The list selection availability information indicating whether or not the list can be selected is stored in association with the list,
The control means includes
Whether the list selected by the input from the first input means is selectable is determined based on the list selectability information stored in the list storage means, and if selectable, the content identification information in the selected list is displayed. The content corresponding to content identification information in a list next to the selected list is played back by the playback means when the corresponding content is played back by the playback means. Content playback device. The list storage means includes
Storing list reproduction order information defining the reproduction order in the list in association with the list;
The control means includes
The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content to be selected by input from the second input means is selected based on the list reproduction order information. In addition, the display means
The control means includes
When the reproduction means is reproducing the content, if there is an input from the first input means or the second input means, the display content displayed on the display means is changed from the first display to the first display. The content playback apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content playback apparatus is controlled to switch to the display of 2. The control means includes
Control is performed so that the display content displayed on the display means is switched from the second display to the first display after a predetermined time has elapsed since the playback means started playing the content. The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 7. The first display is a display that displays the content of the content being played back, and the second display is a display that displays the content of the content being played back and the content of the selected list. The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 7. The list storage means includes
Stores list selection information indicating the list to be selected first,
The control means includes
First, based on the list selection information, one list is selected from a plurality of lists stored in the list storage means, and the content corresponding to the content identification information in the selected list is reproduced by the reproduction means. The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: In addition, it has a timekeeping means to keep time,
The list storage means includes
Multiple lists corresponding to each of multiple time zones are stored together as a specific list,
The control means includes
When the list selected by the input from the first input means is the specific list, it corresponds to a time zone corresponding to the time obtained from the time measuring means among a plurality of lists stored as the specific list The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a list to be selected is selected and content corresponding to content identification information in the selected list is reproduced by the reproduction unit. And further comprising a third input means,
The control means includes
When there is an input from the third input means, a list corresponding to the time zone corresponding to the time obtained from the time measuring means is selected from the plurality of lists stored as the specific list, and the selected list The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the content corresponding to the content identification information is reproduced by the reproduction unit. The control means includes
12. The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the reproduction unit is caused to change a volume or a sound quality at the time of content reproduction according to a time zone corresponding to a time obtained from the time measuring unit. The control means includes
The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the display unit is caused to change display according to a time zone corresponding to a time obtained from the time measuring unit. A list selection step of selecting one list among a plurality of lists according to the input operation amount in the first direction when there is an input from the first input means for inputting the operation amount in the first direction; ,
A first reproduction step of reproducing content corresponding to the content identification information in the list selected in the list selection step;
When there is an input from the second input means for inputting the operation amount in the second direction, one piece of content identification information in the list selected in the list selection step is determined according to the input operation amount in the second direction. A content selection step to select;
A content reproduction method comprising: a second reproduction step of reproducing content corresponding to the content identification information selected in the content selection step. Against the computer,
A list selection step of selecting one list among a plurality of lists according to the input operation amount in the first direction when there is an input from the first input means for inputting the operation amount in the first direction; ,
A first reproduction step of reproducing the content corresponding to the content identification information in the list selected in the list selection step;
When there is an input from the second input means for inputting the operation amount in the second direction, one piece of content identification information in the list selected in the list selection step is determined according to the input operation amount in the second direction. A content selection step to select;
And a second reproduction step of reproducing the content corresponding to the content identification information selected in the content selection step.

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