JP2008135985A - Content reproducing device, content reproduction controller, content reproducing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify content reproducing operation by a user. <P>SOLUTION: A content reproducing device 20 connected to at least another content reproducing device and a content storage device through a network 80 comprises: a content reproduction processing part 21 for obtaining a content from the content storage device to reproduce the obtained content; an operation input part 10 comprised to be operable by the user, for accepting selection of the content to be reproduced; and a controller 23 for obtaining class information of the content selected from the content storage device, and selecting a content reproducing device corresponding to the class of the content from content reproducing devices connected through the network 80 so as to give the selected content reproducing device an instruction to reproduce the content. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a content playback device, a content playback control device, and a content playback method in a content playback system in which a plurality of types of content playback devices and content storage devices are connected to each other via a network.

  In recent years, home networks have been constructed as audio / visual systems (hereinafter referred to as AV systems) for reproducing video content, music content, and the like. In this AV system, a content storage device that stores various contents, a content playback device that plays back content, and the like are connected to each other via a network.

An example of such an AV system is described in a conventional document (Patent Document 1). In the AV system of this conventional document, video playback devices are arranged at a plurality of positions in the home. When the user instructs video display using a mobile terminal, the mobile terminal is detected after the position of the mobile terminal is detected. Video content is distributed to a video playback device close to the position of the terminal, and video display is performed by the video playback device.
JP 2002-49556 A

  As a result of the expansion of the AV system, there are cases where a plurality of types of content playback devices such as television devices and speakers are connected to the AV system. Also, the types of content to be played back vary, and the playable content varies depending on the type of content playback device. As described above, in a situation where there are various content playback devices and content types, there is a possibility that the content playback operation by the user becomes difficult.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a content playback device, a content playback control apparatus, and a content playback method capable of simplifying a content playback operation by a user. To do.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, a content playback device according to the present invention is a content playback device connected to at least one other content playback device and content storage device via a network. A content reproduction processing unit that reproduces the acquired content, an operation unit configured to be operable by the user and accepting selection of the content to be reproduced, and type information of the content selected from the content storage device And a control unit that selects a content playback device corresponding to the type of the content from the content playback devices connected to the network, and instructs the selected content playback device to play back the content. And

  The content playback control device according to the present invention is a content playback control device for controlling a content playback system in which a plurality of types of content playback devices and content storage devices are connected to each other via a network, and is selected by a user. Content information acquisition means for acquiring the type information of the content that has been played, and playback equipment selection means for selecting a content playback device corresponding to the content type information acquired by the content information acquisition means from among the content playback devices connected to the network And content reproduction command means for instructing the content reproduction device selected by the reproduction device selection means to reproduce the content selected by the user.

  The content playback method according to the present invention is a content playback method in a content playback system in which a plurality of types of content playback devices and content storage devices are connected to each other via a network, and the content type information selected by the user A content information acquisition step for acquiring the content playback device, a playback device selection step for selecting a content playback device corresponding to the acquired content type information from the content playback devices connected to the network, and the selected content playback device for the user And a content reproduction command step for commanding reproduction of the content selected by.

  The present invention can provide a content playback device of a content playback system, a control device of the content playback system, and a content playback method that can simplify a content playback operation by a user.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description, the same reference numerals are used for the same elements or elements having the same function, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 1 shows an outline of a content reproduction system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The content reproduction system 1 is a home network used in a home, and a plurality of audio / visual devices (hereinafter referred to as AV devices) via a network 80 such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or a wireless local area network (LAN). Are connected to each other.

  The content reproduction system 1 includes a control point 10 that is a remote controller for controlling the operation of the system, a television device A20 and a television device B30 that are content reproduction devices capable of reproducing video content and audio content, and audio. It includes a speaker A40, a speaker B50, and a speaker C60 that are content playback devices capable of playing back content, and a server 70 that is a content storage device that stores various types of content.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the content reproduction system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In addition, FIG. 3 shows a list of specifications of content reproduction devices.

  The control point 10 includes an operation input unit 11 that is operated by a user and acquires an instruction according to the operation, a control unit 12 that generates an operation command according to the instruction acquired by the operation input unit 11, and a control A wireless transmission unit 13 for transmitting an operation command for the AV devices 20 to 70 generated by the unit to the television set A20.

  The television device A20 includes a video display unit 21 for playing back video content, an audio output unit 22 for playing back audio content, a control unit 23 for controlling the operation of the television device A20, and control points. And a radio reception unit 24 for receiving operation commands for the AV devices 20 to 70 from the network 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the video playback function of the television set A20 is compatible with standard definition (SD) video and high definition (HD), and further includes MPEG2 (Moving Picture). Corresponds to Expert Group 2). Further, the audio reproduction function of the television apparatus A20 corresponds to monaural and stereo, and further corresponds to LPCM (Linear Pulse Code Modulation).

  The television device B30 includes a video display unit 31 for reproducing video content, an audio output unit 32 for reproducing audio content, and a control unit 33 for controlling the operation of the television device B30. ing. As shown in FIG. 3, the video playback function of the television device B30 corresponds to a standard definition SD video, and further corresponds to MPEG4 and MPEG2. Further, the audio reproduction function of the television device B30 is compatible with monaural and further compatible with LPCM.

  The speaker A40 includes an audio output unit 41 for reproducing audio content and a control unit 42 for controlling the operation of the speaker A40. As shown in FIG. 3, the speaker A40 supports monaural, stereo, and 5.1Ch, and further supports LPCM and AAC (Advanced Audio Coding).

  The speaker B50 includes an audio output unit 51 for reproducing audio content and a control unit 52 for controlling the operation of the speaker B50. As shown in FIG. 3, the speaker B50 supports monaural and stereo, and further supports LPCM.

  The speaker C60 includes an audio output unit 61 for reproducing audio content and a control unit 62 for controlling the operation of the speaker C60. As shown in FIG. 3, the speaker C60 corresponds to monaural, and further corresponds to LPCM, AAC, and MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer-3).

  The server 70 includes a content storage unit 71 that stores a large number of contents, and a control unit 72 for controlling the operation of the server 70. The content storage unit 71 stores a plurality of types of content such as video content, audio content, and character content. The content storage unit 71 stores content list information shown in FIG.

  The content list information shown in FIG. 4 stores a list of content attributes such as a content number, content type information, and content format information. The content type information is information for identifying video content, audio content, character content, and the like. The content format information is information for identifying the content in more detail. For video content, it is information such as SD, HD, MPEG2, and MPEG4. For audio content, LPCM, AAC. , Information such as MP3. Note that one content may include two or more contents of different types, and may include two or more contents of the same type. Hereinafter, such content including two or more contents is referred to as a content unit.

  Next, content reproduction processing by the content reproduction system 1 described above will be described. FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of processing by the control point 10.

  In step 501, the control point 10 communicates with the AV devices 20 to 70 connected to the network 80 at a timing when the power is turned on and connected to the network, or at a later timing. Information such as types 20 to 70, specifications, and IP addresses is acquired (see FIG. 3). In step 502, the control point 10 registers the information acquired from the other AV devices 20 to 70 in the memory.

  In step 503, the control point 10 communicates with the server 70 to acquire content list information (including title name, type information, format information, etc.) held by the server 70, and uses a list of content title names as a monitor. A command to be displayed is transmitted to the television set A20. Thus, a list of content title names is displayed on the monitor of the television device A20, and the user can search for the content.

  In step 504, when the user selects any one content by operating the control point 10, the control point 10 extracts the type information and format information of the content selected by the user from the content list information.

  In step 505, the control point 10 selects a content playback device that can play back the content selected by the user. That is, the control point 10 selects a content playback device corresponding to the extracted type information and format information. When a content unit is selected by the user, a content playback device capable of playing back the content is selected for each content included in the content unit.

  In step 506, the control point 10 transmits the reproduction information including the content number of the content to be reproduced, the reproduction start time information, etc. to each of the selected content reproduction devices, and acquires the content of the content number from the server 70. Let Subsequently, in step 507, when the user operates the control point 10 to input a content processing method, the control point 10 sends a command corresponding to the processing method to each of the selected content playback devices. Send to. More specifically, the control point 10 transmits a reproduction request if the processing method input by the user is a content reproduction process (S508), and transmits a suspension request if the processing method is a reproduction interruption process (S509). If it is a reproduction restart process, a reproduction restart request is transmitted (S510), and if it is a reproduction stop process, a stop request is transmitted (S511).

  If the user operates the control point 10 in step 512, the processing by the control point 10 returns to step 503 to search for content, or returns to step 506 to transmit playback information to the content playback device. On the other hand, when the user turns off the power without operating the control point 10, the processing of the control point 10 ends.

  Next, processing performed by the content reproduction devices 20 to 60 in accordance with the processing of the control point 10 described above will be described. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of processing by the content reproduction device.

  In step 601, the control unit of the content reproduction device initializes the content reproduction device at a timing when the power is turned on and connected to the network or at a later timing. Here, the plurality of content playback devices connected to the network 80 set their clocks using a protocol such as NTP (Network Time Protocol).

  In step 602, the control unit of the content playback device stands by for receiving playback information from the control point 10, and receives the playback information when it arrives. Subsequently, in step 603, the control unit of the content reproduction device receives processing method information (reproduction request, interruption request, reproduction resume request, stop request) from the control point 10.

  In step 604, the control unit of the content reproduction device determines the processing method specified by the processing method information, and shifts to processing according to the processing method. Steps 605 to 608 are content reproduction processing, Steps 609 to 611 are content reproduction interruption processing, Steps 612 to 615 are content reproduction resumption processing, and Steps 616 to 617 are steps. This is content reproduction stop processing.

  In the content reproduction processing in steps 609 to 611, the control unit of the content reproduction device confirms the IP address of the server 70 from which the content is acquired (S605), and issues a command for requesting distribution of the content with a specific content number. Is transmitted to the server 70, and content acquisition is started (S606). Then, the control unit of the content playback device sets to start playback of the content when the internal clock reaches the playback start time (S607), and starts playback of the content when the playback start time comes (S608). ).

  In the content reproduction interruption processing in steps 609 to 611, the control unit of the content reproduction device records information on the interruption position of the content being reproduced in the memory (S609), and then stops acquiring the content from the server 70. Then, the content reproduction is interrupted (S611). In the above interruption processing, the interruption position information is recorded in the control unit of the content reproduction device, but the interruption position information may be recorded in the control unit of the control point 10.

  In the content reproduction restart processing in steps 612 to 615, the control unit of the content reproduction device reads out and acquires the interruption position information of the content for which reproduction has been interrupted from the memory (S612), and acquires the content from the interruption position of the content. The acquisition is started (S613), the playback start time is set (S614), and the playback of the content is resumed when the playback start time is reached (S615). In this interruption process, when there are a plurality of other content reproduction devices that interrupt content reproduction, a reproduction start time that is common to the other content reproduction devices is set. In the above interruption process, when interruption position information is recorded in the control unit of the control point 10, the control unit of the content reproduction device acquires interruption position information from the control point 10.

  In the content reproduction stop processing in step 616 to step 617, the control unit of the content reproduction device stops acquisition of the content from the server 70 (S616) and stops reproduction of the content (S617).

  Steps 618 to 620 are time synchronization processing of the content reproduction device. Time synchronization processing in a plurality of content playback devices is performed at regular time intervals (for example, 30 seconds). The control unit of the content playback device adjusts the playback start time of the content by adjusting the playback start time of the content when the shift of the playback position of the content with respect to a specified time at the start of content playback or during the content playback is equal to or greater than a reference value. Set the playback start time after synchronizing the time. On the other hand, when the deviation of the playback position of the content with respect to a specified time is equal to or less than the reference value, the control unit of the content playback device sets the playback start time without time synchronization between the content playback devices.

  Note that FIG. 7 shows a schematic sequence of processing of the control point 10, the content playback device, and the content storage device described above, and FIG. 8 shows a sequence when the content playback device is a television device and a speaker. Is shown in In FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the number of television devices and speakers is small, but there are actually more content playback devices.

9 to 11 show usage examples of the content reproduction system 1.
In the usage example of the content reproduction system 1 shown in FIG. 9, the content of content number 1 shown in FIG. 4 is reproduced. The content of content number 1 includes video content and audio content, the video content format is MPEG2 and HD (high definition), and the audio content format is LPCM and 5.1Ch. Therefore, in the content reproduction system 1, the television device A20 is selected as a device for reproducing video content, and the speaker A40 is selected as a device for reproducing audio content.

  In the usage example of the content reproduction system 1 shown in FIG. 10, the content of content number 2 shown in FIG. 4 is reproduced. The content of content number 2 includes video content and audio content. The video content format is MPEG4 and SD (standard definition), and the audio content format is AAC and stereo. Therefore, in the content reproduction system 1, the television device B30 is selected as a device for reproducing video content, and the speaker B50 is selected as a device for reproducing audio content.

  In the usage example of the content reproduction system 1 shown in FIG. 11, the content of content number 3 shown in FIG. 4 is reproduced. The content of content number 3 includes video content and audio content, the video content format is MPEG2 and HD (high definition), and the audio content format is MP3 and monaural. Therefore, in the content reproduction system 1, the television device A20 is selected as a device for reproducing video content, and the speaker C60 is selected as a device for reproducing audio content.

  According to the content reproduction system 1 of the above-described embodiment, when a content unit composed of a plurality of types of content is reproduced, the user only performs a simple operation using the control point 10, and the content reproduction system 1 The type and format of each content is compared with the specifications of each content reproduction device, and the optimum content reproduction device for reproducing each content is selected. Therefore, one content unit can be suitably reproduced by cooperation of a plurality of selected content reproduction devices.

  Next, a modified example of the content reproduction system 1 according to the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the first modification of the content reproduction system 1 shown in FIG. 12, the content with the content number 4 shown in FIG. 4 is reproduced. The content with content number 4 includes two video contents. The first video content is, for example, a movie, and a main angle 1 is set as additional information. The second video content is, for example, a commentary about the movie, and sub-angle 2 is set as additional information. On the other hand, in the content reproduction system 1, the television device A20 is set as a device for displaying a main-angle video, and the television device B30 is set as a device for displaying a sub-angle video.

  In step 502 of FIG. 5, the angle information of the television device is registered in the control unit of the control point 10 as device information. In step 505, the control unit of the control point 10 selects the television device A20 corresponding to the main angle as a device for playing back the first video content, and sub-selects it as a device for playing back the second video content. The television apparatus B30 corresponding to the angle is selected. In Steps 508 to 511, the control unit of the control point 10 transmits the reproduction request information for the first video content to the television apparatus A20, and transmits the reproduction request information for the second video content to the television apparatus B30. To do. With the above-described processing, in the first modification of the content reproduction system 1, the first video content is reproduced on the television device A20, and the second video content is reproduced on the television device B30.

  In the second modification of the content reproduction system 1 shown in FIG. 13, the content with the content number 5 shown in FIG. 4 is reproduced. The content of content number 5 includes video content and text content. The video content is, for example, a movie, and the text content is, for example, meta information thereof. On the other hand, the content reproduction system 1 includes a personal computer (PC) 90 capable of recording character content in addition to the television device A20 capable of reproducing video content.

  In step 505 of FIG. 5, the control unit of the control point 10 selects the television device A20 as a device for playing back video content, and selects a personal computer as a device for recording character content. In steps 508 to 511, the control unit of the control point 10 transmits the video content reproduction request information to the television set A20 and transmits the character content recording request information to the personal computer. Through the above-described processing, in the second modification of the content reproduction system 1, video content is reproduced by the television device A20, and character content is recorded and collected by a personal computer.

  In the third modification of the content reproduction system 1 shown in FIG. 14, the content with the content number 6 shown in FIG. 4 is reproduced. The content of content number 6 includes image content and audio content. The image content is, for example, a photo album, and includes a plurality of image data. The audio content is, for example, music.

  In step 505 of FIG. 5, the control unit of the control point 10 selects the television device A20 as a device for playing back image content, and selects the speaker A40 as a device for playing back audio content. In Steps 508 to 511, the control unit of the control point 10 transmits the reproduction request information for the image content to the television device A 20 and transmits the reproduction request information for the audio content to the speaker A 40. Through the above-described processing, in the third modification of the content reproduction system 1, the image content is reproduced at regular intervals like a slide show on the television device A20, and the audio content is reproduced on the speaker A40 to play music.

  According to the content reproduction system 1 of the above-described modification, when reproducing a content unit composed of the same or a plurality of types of content, the user only performs a simple operation using the control point 10, and the content reproduction system 1, the type and format of each content and the specifications of each content playback device are compared, and the optimum content playback device for playing back each content is selected. Therefore, one content unit can be suitably reproduced by the cooperation of the selected plurality of content reproduction devices.

  In the above-described embodiment, the control point 10 is a content reproduction control device for controlling the content reproduction system 1, but in other embodiments, the control unit of the content reproduction devices 20 to 60 is a content reproduction control device. The content reproduction control apparatus for controlling the reproduction system 1 may be performed, and the same processing as that of the control point 10 may be performed.

1 is a schematic diagram of a content reproduction system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of a content reproduction system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a table | surface which shows the specification of a content reproduction apparatus. It is a table | surface which shows content list information. It is a flowchart of the process by a control point. It is a flowchart of the process by a content reproduction apparatus. It is a schematic sequence diagram of processing of a control point, a content reproduction device, and a content storage device. It is a sequence diagram in case a content reproduction apparatus is a television apparatus and a speaker. It is a figure which shows the 1st usage example of a content reproduction system. It is a figure which shows the 2nd usage example of a content reproduction system. It is a figure which shows the 3rd usage example of a content reproduction system. It is a figure which shows the 1st modification of a content reproduction system. It is a figure which shows the 2nd modification of a content reproduction system. It is a figure which shows the 3rd modification of a content reproduction system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Content reproduction system, 10 ... Control point, 20, 30 ... Television apparatus, 40, 50, 60 ... Speaker, 70 ... Server, 80 ... Network.

Claims (11)

A content playback device connected to at least one other content playback device and content storage device via a network,
A content playback processing unit that acquires content from the content storage device and plays back the acquired content;
An operation unit configured to be operated by a user and receiving selection of content to be played;
The content type information selected from the content storage device is acquired, the content playback device corresponding to the content type is selected from the content playback devices connected to the network, and the content is played back on the selected content playback device. A control unit that commands
A content playback device comprising:   When there are a plurality of pieces of content type information acquired from the content storage device, the control unit selects a content playback device corresponding to each of the content types from the content playback devices connected to the network. 2. The content reproduction device according to claim 1, wherein each content reproduction device is instructed to reproduce a corresponding type of content.   The control unit acquires the format information of the content together with the content type information from the content storage device, and selects a content playback device corresponding to the content type and format from the content playback devices connected to the network. 2. The content playback device according to claim 1, wherein the content playback device is instructed to play back the content to the selected content playback device.   The control unit commands the reproduction and transmits reproduction start time information, and causes a plurality of content reproduction devices selected by the device selection function to start reproduction of content from the reproduction start time. 3. The content playback device according to 3.   The control unit acquires the angle information of the content together with the content type information from the content storage device, and selects a content playback device corresponding to the content type and angle from the content playback devices connected to the network. 2. The content playback device according to claim 1, wherein the content playback device is instructed to play back the content to the selected content playback device.   When the selected content includes text content, the control unit selects a content playback device corresponding to the text content from content playback devices connected to the network, and selects the selected content playback device. 2. The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein recording of character content is instructed.   When the selected content includes image content, the control unit selects a content reproduction device corresponding to the image content from content reproduction devices connected to the network, and selects the selected content reproduction device. 2. The content playback apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content playback apparatus commands display of the image content at regular intervals.   When the selected content includes music content, the control unit selects a content playback device corresponding to the music content from content playback devices connected to the network, and selects the selected content playback device. The content playback device according to claim 7, wherein playback of music content is instructed.   The content reproduction device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is a control point configured separately from a main body of the content reproduction device. A content playback control apparatus for controlling a content playback system in which a plurality of types of content playback devices and content storage devices are connected to each other via a network,
Content information acquisition means for acquiring type information of the content selected by the user;
Reproduction device selection means for selecting a content reproduction device corresponding to the content type information acquired by the content information acquisition means from among the content reproduction devices connected to the network;
Content reproduction command means for instructing the content reproduction device selected by the reproduction device selection means to reproduce the content selected by the user;
A content reproduction control apparatus for a content reproduction system, comprising: A content playback method in a content playback system in which a plurality of types of content playback devices and content storage devices are connected to each other via a network,
A content information acquisition step for acquiring type information of the content selected by the user;
A playback device selection step of selecting a content playback device corresponding to the acquired content type information from content playback devices connected to the network;
A content playback instruction step for instructing the selected content playback device to play back the content selected by the user;
Content playback method.

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