JP2008294537A - Information recording/reproducing device, and information recording/reproducing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable surely reproduction of contents without being influenced by a connection environment of a communication network even if a temporary storage device does not have sufficient capacity in an information recording/reproducing device mounted on a moving object and capable of reproducing both a content recorded in an information recording medium and a content downloaded via a communication network. <P>SOLUTION: The information recording/reproducing device 2 searches an area where a communication network 3 is not connectable on the basis of the information of an area where the communication network 3 is connectable and stored in a DB 205 of a communication network connectable area, the position information of the moving object acquired by a positioning system 202 and the information of a set route, calculates the capacity of content required for reproduction in the area where connection is not available, and previously downloads the calculated content capacity from a content providing server 1 and stores the content in a temporary storage unit 206 for storing content. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information recording / reproducing apparatus that reproduces content in a mobile body, and more particularly to an information recording / reproducing apparatus that downloads and reproduces content via a communication network.

  A next-generation DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) player (for example, a Blu-ray Disc player or an HD DVD player) can support a network connection function. In such an apparatus, additional content can be downloaded via a network and enjoyed by linking with content existing on an optical disc.

  By the way, in an indoor environment, if a network connection environment such as ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) or FTTH (Fiber To The Home) is in place, it is possible to always connect to the Internet. There is no hindrance. On the other hand, when such a device is installed in a moving body such as an automobile, it is conceivable that the area connectable to the Internet is limited. For example, in the case of Japan, mobile phone communication is currently the dominant means of outdoor network connection, but mobile phone infrastructure is not well developed throughout the country, including in mountainous areas. . In addition, the use of a wireless LAN is also conceivable, but also in this case, the connectable area is limited to a local range. In addition, even within the internet connectable area, there is a possibility that the connection is interrupted due to physical factors such as a tunnel or terrain.

  As described above, in the mobile body, it is not always possible to connect to the network.

  Here, as an example, only the story of the introductory part is recorded on a recording medium such as an optical disc, and the remaining stories are downloaded from the Internet in response to user interaction and the story is advanced. Consider AV content. In the case of such content, in order to advance the story, it is necessary to download the sequel content existing on the Internet, so an Internet connection environment is essential. In other words, since the content cannot be downloaded when the Internet connection is not possible, the sequel cannot be viewed.

  In order to avoid such a situation, for example, a method of pre-reading and downloading downloadable content in an environment connectable to the Internet is conceivable (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2001-101063 A JP-A-2005-130087

  However, when content on a network is downloaded in advance, there is a problem that the capacity of a temporary storage device such as an HDD is necessarily squeezed. In particular, in the next-generation DVD, it is expected that the content data capacity will be relatively large because Hi Definition high-definition video can be used. Space saving may be required, and the capacity of a temporary storage device tends to be limited as compared with home appliances.

  That is, in an information reproducing apparatus having limited hardware resources, it may not be practical to download all content in advance.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and as an example of the problem, for example, the content mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle and recorded on an information recording medium, and downloaded via a communication network Information recording / reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing both contents and information recording / reproducing apparatus capable of reliably reproducing contents without being affected by the connection environment of the communication network even if the capacity of the temporary storage device is not sufficient To provide a playback program.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, as one aspect thereof, records a part of the content on an information recording medium, and a content providing server provides the other part of the content When reproducing the content, the first content that is a part of the content recorded on the information recording medium is reproduced, and the second content that is another part of the content is transmitted from the content providing server via a communication network. An information recording / reproducing apparatus installed on a mobile unit that downloads and plays back content, the communication network connectable area information storage unit storing area information connectable to the communication network, and the mobile unit Route setting means for setting the movement route of the vehicle, and position information acquisition means for acquiring the current position information of the moving body The communication path determines whether or not there is an area that cannot be connected to the communication network ahead of the moving body from the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means of the movement path set by the movement path setting means. With reference to the network connectable area information storage means, it is determined that there is an area incapable of connecting to the communication network by the communication network inaccessible area determining means and the communication network inaccessible area determining means. When the communication network connection calculates the first transit time required to pass through the non-connectable area based on the distance of the non-connectable area on the moving route and the speed of the mobile object Impossible area passage time calculating means and content capacity calculation for calculating the capacity of the second content reproduced during the first passage time And the second content having the content capacity calculated by the content capacity calculating means is downloaded in advance from the content providing server before entering the area where the mobile body cannot connect to the communication network, Prefetched content download means stored in the storage unit, and when the second content provided from the content providing server is reproduced when the communication network is not connectable, the prefetched content download means Prefetched content reproducing means for reproducing the second content stored in the predetermined storage unit.

  The information recording / reproducing program according to the present invention, as one aspect thereof, records a part of the content on an information recording medium, and reproduces the content in a form provided by the content providing server for the other part of the content. The first content that is a part of the content recorded on the information recording medium is reproduced, and the second content that is another part of the content is downloaded from the content providing server via a communication network and reproduced. An information recording / reproducing program readable by an information recording / reproducing apparatus installed on a mobile body, the communication network connectable area information storing means storing area information connectable to the communication network, and A moving path setting means for setting a moving path of the moving body; and current position information of the moving body. There is an area that cannot be connected to the communication network in the moving body traveling direction ahead of the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means on the movement route set by the movement route setting means. The communication network connectable area information storage means for determining whether or not the communication network connectable area determining means and the communication network connectable area determining means determine whether or not the communication network connectable area information storage means When it is determined that there is a first transit time required to pass through the non-connectable area, based on the distance of the non-connectable area on the movement route and the speed of the mobile object A communication network inaccessible area transit time calculating means, and calculating a capacity of the second content reproduced during the first transit time. Content capacity calculating means that performs the second content of the content capacity calculated by the content capacity calculating means from the content providing server before entering the area where the mobile body cannot connect to the communication network. The prefetch content download means for downloading and storing the prefetch content in the predetermined storage unit and the prefetch when the second content provided from the content providing server is played back when the communication network is not connectable. The information recording / reproducing apparatus is made to function as pre-read content reproducing means for reproducing the second content stored in the predetermined storage unit by the content download means.

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

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a content download system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The content download system 100 enables a content providing server 1 that provides content, an information recording / reproducing device 2 installed in a mobile body such as an automobile, and the content providing server 1 and the information reproducing device 2 to communicate with each other. A communication network 3 such as an Internet network is provided.

  The information recording / reproducing apparatus 2 is an information recording / reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing the content recorded on the optical disc 4 and capable of reproducing the content downloaded from the content providing server 1 via the communication network 3, and includes a display 5 and a speaker. 6 constitutes a content reproduction system 10 in the moving body. Moreover, the information recording / reproducing apparatus 2 also has a function of a car navigation apparatus, and provides position information and route information of the moving body to the user. That is, the information recording / reproducing apparatus 2 is an AV (Audio Visual) function integrated car navigation apparatus.

  In the present embodiment, as an example of the content playback system 10 (information recording / playback device 2), a configuration in which a mobile phone device is connected to a car navigation device equipped with a BD (Blu-ray Disc) player as shown in FIG. I will give you a description. In this case, the mobile phone device functions as a communication means for connecting to the communication network 3, and the information recording / reproducing device 2 is connected to the content providing server 1 via the mobile phone network and the Internet network. Of course, the configuration of the content playback system 10 (information recording / playback device 2) is not limited to the above configuration, and any device capable of playing back both the content recorded on the optical disc 4 and the content provided by the content providing server 1 will be described. It can be anything. Hereinafter, a case will be described in which the information recording / reproducing apparatus 2 downloads and reproduces additional content on the BD from the content providing server 1 while reproducing the content recorded on the BD.

  In more detail, the information recording / reproducing apparatus 2 includes a communication unit 201 that communicates with the content providing server 1 via the communication network 3, a position positioning system 202 that measures the position of a mobile body (automobile), and an operation instruction from a user. A communication network connectable area database (database) including an operation section 203 to be transmitted to the control section 220, a mobile body information acquisition section 204 for acquiring information on the speed of the mobile body (automobile), and information about areas connectable to the communication network 3. Hereinafter, a communication network connectable area DB) 205, a content storage temporary storage unit 206 that temporarily stores content downloaded from the content providing server 1, a content recorded on the optical disc 4, and a content playback unit that plays back the downloaded content 207, display An image reproduction control unit 208 that controls image information that is reproduced and output via the i, an audio reproduction control unit 209 that controls audio information that is reproduced and output via the speaker 6, and a function of storing programs and data. A main storage unit including a ROM, a RAM, and the like, a CPU, and the like are provided.

  Here, the communication network connectable area DB 205 stores communication network connectable information in which position information (information on longitude and latitude) and information indicating whether the communication network 3 is usable are associated with each other. As shown in FIG. 3, the map information is divided into two areas, the communication network 3 usable area and the communication network 3 unusable area. In the present embodiment, the area where the communication network 3 can be used is an area where the mobile phone device can communicate. Of course, when using other communication means, the area where the communication means can communicate is stored in the communication network connectable area DB 205. For example, when a wide area wireless LAN is used, the area where the wide area wireless LAN can be connected is stored in the communication network connectable area DB 205.

  Specifically, the control unit 220 includes a route setting function 221, a communication network inaccessible area determination function 222, a communication network inaccessible area transit time calculation function 223, a prefetch content capacity calculation function 224, and a prefetch content download function. 225 and a prefetch content playback function 226.

  The route setting function 221 is a function for setting the travel route of the moving body based on the map information provided in the position positioning system 202. For example, the user inputs a departure point, a destination, and the like via the operation unit 203. Automatically set by

  The communication network inaccessible area determination function 222 is a function for determining whether or not there is an area that cannot be connected to the communication network 3 on the travel route of the mobile body (a forward direction of the mobile body from the current location). Specifically, the determination is made based on the current position of the moving body acquired from the position positioning system 202, the communication network connectability information stored in the communication network connectable area DB, and the travel route set by the route setting function 221.

  The communication network inaccessible area transit time calculation function 223 is connected to the communication network 3 when there is an area that cannot be connected to the communication network 3 on the travel route of the mobile body by the communication network inaccessible area determination function 222. It is a function that calculates the time required to pass through an area where it cannot. Specifically, the calculation is based on the distance on the travel route in an area that cannot be connected to the communication network 3, information on the speed of the moving object acquired by the moving object information acquisition unit 204, and the like.

  The pre-read content capacity calculation function 224 is a function that calculates the capacity of content that is played while passing through an area that cannot be connected to the communication network 3 from the transit time calculated by the communication network inaccessible area transit time calculation function 223. is there. Specifically, it is calculated from the average bit rate of the currently reproduced content and the transit time calculated by the communication network inaccessible area transit time calculation function 223.

  The prefetch content download function 225 downloads the content capacity calculated by the prefetch content capacity calculation function 224 in advance from the content providing server 1 until the mobile body enters the area where the communication network cannot be connected, and stores the content. This function is stored in the temporary storage unit 206. This is a measure that assumes a case where a download request for the content provided by the content providing server 1 is generated while the mobile body is traveling in a communication network inaccessible area, and the content must be played back. Even if it is not possible to connect to the communication network 3, the content reproduction is prevented from being interrupted by reproducing the content recorded in the content storage temporary storage unit 206.

  The pre-read content playback function 326 is a function for playing back content stored in the content storage temporary storage unit 206 when a mobile object travels in an area where communication network connection is not possible and content cannot be downloaded from the content providing server 1. is there.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, even if the mobile body travels in an area where the communication network cannot be connected, even if the content provided by the content providing server 1 has to be reproduced, the information recording / reproducing apparatus 2 Can reproduce prefetched content that has been downloaded in advance, so that content can be reliably reproduced.

  Further, since the download capacity of the prefetched content is limited to the content capacity that is reproduced while passing through the area where the communication network cannot be connected, even if the capacity of the temporary storage device of the information recording / reproducing apparatus 2 is small Don't squeeze temporary storage.

  Note that the above-described route setting function 321, communication network inaccessible area determination function 322, communication network inaccessible area transit time calculation function 323, prefetch content capacity calculation function 324, prefetch content download function 325, and prefetch A program for realizing the content reproduction function 326 is stored in the main storage unit, and this program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, or a DVD-ROM. Can also be distributed via a communication network.

  Next, referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the prefetch content download process of the information recording / reproducing apparatus 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of the moving path of the moving body in which the information recording / reproducing apparatus 2 is installed and the communication network connectable area. FIG. 5 shows the moving path of the moving body shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a prefetch content download process at the time. It is assumed that the information recording / reproducing apparatus 2 reproduces the content recorded on the optical disc 4 and does not reproduce the content provided by the content providing server 1 while traveling the section distance D1.

  First, the information recording / reproducing apparatus 2 detects a communication network inaccessible area ahead in the traveling direction based on the current location, the guide route, and the communication network connectable area DB 205, and a section distance D2 (see FIG. 4) is acquired (step S10).

  Next, the information recording / reproducing apparatus 2 acquires the average bit rate P (bit / sec) of the content currently being reproduced (step S20).

  Next, the information recording / reproducing apparatus 2 calculates the average speed V of the current moving body (automobile) (step S30). As the average speed V, the average speed in the latest predetermined time may be applied, or a constant value corresponding to the type of road (for example, 80 km / h for a highway, 30 km / for a general road) h)) may be applied.

  Next, the information recording / reproducing apparatus 2 calculates a time T2 (= D2 / V) required for the mobile body to pass the section distance D2 in the area where the communication network cannot be connected (step S40). At this time, for example, road traffic information such as traffic congestion and traffic regulation obtained from VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) or the like may be received, and the time T2 may be calculated in consideration of the received road traffic information.

  Next, the information recording / reproducing apparatus 2 calculates the capacity S (= P × T2) of the content that is reproduced while the mobile body passes the section distance D2 in the area where the communication network cannot be connected (step S50).

  Next, the information recording / reproducing apparatus 2 acquires the section distance D1 (see FIG. 4) until the mobile body reaches the communication network inaccessible area from the current location based on the guidance route (step S60).

  Next, the information recording / reproducing apparatus 2 uses the time T (= S / Q; here) required to download the capacity S of the content to be reproduced while the mobile body passes the section distance D2 in the area where the communication network cannot be connected. Q calculates the communication speed (bit / sec) of the communication network 3 (step S70).

  Next, the information recording / reproducing apparatus 2 calculates a time T1 (= D1 / V) required for the mobile body to pass the section distance D1 in the communication network connectable area (step S80).

  Next, the information recording / reproducing apparatus 2 compares the time T with the time T1 (step S90), and when the time T is equal to or less than the time T1 (step S90: YES), the content recording / reproducing apparatus 2 starts downloading the content from the content providing server 1. (Step S110). On the other hand, when the time T is larger than the time T1 (step S90: NO), since all the contents of the necessary capacity cannot be downloaded while passing the section distance D1, a warning message is displayed (step S100). The content download is started (step S110).

  Even if the information recording / reproducing apparatus 2 reproduces the content provided by the content providing server 1 while the mobile object travels the section distance D2 by such prefetched content download processing, it is downloaded in advance. Since the prefetched content can be reproduced, the content can be reliably reproduced without interruption of the content reproduction.

  In the prefetch content download process described above, the information recording / reproducing apparatus 2 reproduces the content recorded on the optical disc 4 while traveling the section distance D1, and does not reproduce the content provided by the content providing server 1. However, it is needless to say that the present invention can also be applied to the case where the content provided by the content providing server 1 is being reproduced while traveling the section distance D1. In this case, the pre-read content is downloaded in addition to the content that is provided by the content providing server 1 and is currently reproduced while traveling the section distance D1.

  As described above, according to the information recording / reproducing apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, the information recording / reproducing apparatus installed in the mobile body and connectable to the communication network 3 is stored in the communication network connectable area DB 205. Based on the area information that can be connected to the communication network 3, the position information of the moving body acquired by the position positioning system 202, and the set route information, the area that cannot be connected to the communication network 3 is searched for, and the connection The volume of content required for playback in an impossible region is calculated, and the calculated content volume is downloaded in advance from the content providing server 1, so that content should be provided while traveling in the inaccessible region. Even if the content provided by the server 1 is to be reproduced, the content can be reliably reproduced.

  Further, since the content download capacity is the capacity of content necessary for reproduction in the unconnectable region, the capacity of the temporary storage device of the information recording / reproducing apparatus 2 is not compressed.

  That is, in an information recording / reproducing apparatus that can reproduce both content recorded on an information recording medium and content downloaded via a communication network mounted on a mobile body, communication is possible even if the capacity of the temporary storage device is not sufficient. The content can be reliably played back without being affected by the network connection environment.

  While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications and changes can be made to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in the route setting function 221, the route setting may be made in consideration of the contents of the communication network connectable area DB 205. For example, the travel route is set so that the distance traveled in the communication network connectable area becomes the shortest. May be. As a result, the information recording / reproducing apparatus 2 only needs to execute the minimum necessary amount of prefetched content download processing, and can reduce the load of the prefetched content download processing.

  Further, the information recording / reproducing apparatus 2 of the above embodiment is configured to be able to reproduce both the content recorded on the optical disc 4 and the content provided by the content providing server 1, but the content provided by the content providing server 1 is A reproducible information recording / reproducing apparatus may be used. That is, an information recording / reproducing apparatus that does not have a reproduction function of the optical disc 4 and performs streaming reproduction of content downloaded from the content providing server 1 may be used.

It is a schematic block diagram of the information recording / reproducing apparatus and content download system which concern on embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the content reproduction | regeneration system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the communication network connectable area DB of the information recording / reproducing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a path | route figure of the mobile body for demonstrating the prefetch content download process of the information recording / reproducing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the prefetch content download process of the information recording / reproducing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Content provision server 2 Information recording / reproducing apparatus 3 Communication network 4 Optical disk 5 Display 6 Speaker 10 Content reproduction system 100 Content download system 201 Communication part 202 Positioning system 203 Operation part 204 Mobile body information acquisition part 205 Communication network connection area DB
206 Content Storage Temporary Storage Unit 207 Content Playback Unit 208 Image Playback Control Unit 209 Audio Playback Control Unit 220 Control Unit 221 Route Setting Function 222 Communication Network Unavailable Area Determination Function 223 Communication Network Unavailable Area Passing Time Calculation Function 224 Prefetch Content capacity calculation function 225 Prefetch content download function 226 Prefetch content playback function

Claims (5)

When a part of the content is recorded on the information recording medium and the other part of the content is reproduced by the content providing server, the first part that is a part of the content recorded on the information recording medium An information recording / reproducing apparatus installed on a mobile unit that reproduces content and downloads and reproduces the second content, which is another part of the content, from the content providing server via a communication network,
Communication network connectable area information storage means storing area information connectable to the communication network;
A moving route setting means for setting a moving route of the moving body;
Position information acquisition means for acquiring current position information of the mobile body;
The communication network determines whether or not there is an area that cannot be connected to the communication network ahead of the moving body traveling direction from the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means of the movement route set by the movement route setting means. Referring to the connectable area information storage means, and determining the communication network inaccessible area determining means;
When it is determined by the communication network inaccessible area determination means that there is an area that cannot be connected to the communication network, a first transit time required to pass through the inaccessible area is set as the movement time. A communication network inaccessible area transit time calculating means for calculating based on the distance of the inaccessible area on the route and the speed of the moving body;
Content capacity calculating means for calculating the capacity of the second content to be played during the first passage time;
Before the mobile body enters an area where connection to the communication network is impossible, the second content having the content capacity calculated by the content capacity calculating means is downloaded in advance from the content providing server, and a predetermined storage unit Prefetched content download means stored in
When it is impossible to connect to the communication network and the second content provided from the content providing server is reproduced, the second content stored in the predetermined storage unit by the prefetched content download unit Prefetch content playback means for playing back content;
An information recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: The movement route setting means includes
2. The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a route is set so that a distance traveled in an area that cannot be connected to the communication network is the shortest. The prefetched content download means includes
Download time calculating means for calculating the time required for downloading;
A second transit time required for the mobile body to enter an area where it is impossible to connect to the communication network from a current location, a distance from the current location on the movement path to an area where the communication network cannot be connected, and A communication network unreachable area arrival time calculating means for calculating based on the speed of the moving body;
When the download time calculated by the download time calculation means is compared with the second passage time calculated by the communication network unreachable area arrival time calculation means, and the download time is less than or equal to the second passage time Download start control means for starting the download;
The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by comprising: The download start control means includes:
4. The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the download time is longer than the second passage time, the download is started while outputting a warning message. When a part of the content is recorded on the information recording medium and the other part of the content is reproduced by the content providing server, the first part that is a part of the content recorded on the information recording medium The information recording / reproducing apparatus installed on the mobile body is readable, and reproduces the content and downloads and reproduces the second content which is another part of the content from the content providing server via the communication network. An information recording / reproducing program,
Communication network connectable area information storage means storing area information connectable to the communication network;
A moving route setting means for setting a moving route of the moving body;
Position information acquisition means for acquiring current position information of the mobile body;
The communication network determines whether or not there is an area that cannot be connected to the communication network ahead of the moving body traveling direction from the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means of the movement route set by the movement route setting means. Referring to the connectable area information storage means, and determining the communication network inaccessible area determining means;
When it is determined by the communication network inaccessible area determination means that there is an area that cannot be connected to the communication network, a first transit time required to pass through the inaccessible area is set as the movement time. A communication network inaccessible area transit time calculating means for calculating based on the distance of the inaccessible area on the route and the speed of the moving body;
Content capacity calculating means for calculating the capacity of the second content to be played during the first passage time;
Before the mobile body enters an area where connection to the communication network is impossible, the second content having the content capacity calculated by the content capacity calculating means is downloaded in advance from the content providing server, and a predetermined storage unit Prefetched content download means stored in
When it is impossible to connect to the communication network and the second content provided from the content providing server is reproduced, the second content stored in the predetermined storage unit by the prefetched content download unit Prefetch content playback means for playing back content;
An information recording / reproducing program for causing the information recording / reproducing apparatus to function.

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