JP2008294878A - Audio/video signal transmission apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a signal transmission apparatus which, when it is impossible to download audio data or video data from network during the downloading and reproduction of the downloaded data, switches the operation to reproducing data from a recording medium to actualize continuous viewing, so that a user can be prevented from losing interest or feeling uncomfortable due to a change in category of data before and after switching the reproduction of the data. <P>SOLUTION: When a detection section 4 detects that downloading of data from an Internet 15 is stopped, a control section 9 reads data from a table 13 in the order of approximation in contents or in the order of user preference regarding a category discriminated by a discrimination section 5, of the data just before the stop of downloading, and controls a DVD playback section 10 to play back a DVD recording medium in accordance with the order. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

In general, data reproducing apparatuses that reproduce and output audio and video data from a storage medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) are widely used.
On the other hand, nowadays, the data reproducing apparatus is not only reproducing audio / video data from a normal DVD or the like but also an apparatus (file server) connected to the Internet, an in-house LAN, etc., which is a telecommunication line, due to the spread of so-called broadband Etc.) is connected to the data reproducing apparatus having the above-described configuration, and external audio data and video data are downloaded, and each audio data and video data is added and used as an output target. Showing.

That is, there is known an apparatus configured to have both a reproducing unit for data from an external network and a built-in reproducing unit for a recording medium, and selectively outputting signals from each.
By the way, a device connected to a network by a telecommunication line is often used to transmit and receive various types of data by connecting another line.
If a highly reliable network is established and the data reproducing apparatus is connected to the highly reliable network, it can be sufficiently expected that the function intended by the user can be realized.

However, when the data reproducing apparatus is connected to a low-reliability network, it is often difficult to reliably realize the function desired by the user.
In addition, a normal network has a property that a communication state is different every time it is used, and the quality of the network varies.

  The present invention relates to a function for reproducing and outputting data recorded on a recording medium, and to an information network such as the Internet or an in-house LAN via an electric communication line, and audio data / video data from the connection destination network. In particular, a device having a function of downloading and reproducing the downloaded data and outputting the data, particularly when a data connection cannot be obtained due to a problem with a cable connecting the information network and the device. The present invention relates to a technique in which data is switched to and output, and as a result, audio / video signals are continuously transmitted.

  Disclosure in the following literature is a technique for reproducing data from a DVD, which is a recording medium, accessing data on a network via a modem to an address recorded on the DVD, and downloading and reproducing the data. The invention is known.

JP 2006-33873 A

In the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 (hereinafter referred to as “prior invention”), when audio / video data is reproduced and output from a recording medium, in addition to reproduction of a title, predetermined stream information is added. This is done for the purpose of easily obtaining such related information.
In order to solve such an object, a Web page related to stream information on the screen is accessed by linking to a Web server on the Internet by clicking the Web mark on the screen displaying the information of the recording medium. It is configured to do.

However, since the prior invention is not configured to monitor the connection state between the network and the device, the state of the network is downloaded when audio / video data is downloaded from the network and the audio / video data is received / reproduced. If there is a problem with the device, that is, for example, an accident that the user hooks the cable connecting the network and the device to the foot and disconnects the cable from the device, or accidentally removes the cable from the functioning device. In the case where the cable is substantially disconnected from the device and the data download stops as a result, no consideration is given to such a situation.
Therefore, according to the prior invention, when the audio / video data is downloaded, if a problem occurs in the cable connecting the network and the device, and the download of the audio / video data from the network is substantially interrupted, the user If there is a problem with downloading audio / video data or if there is a problem with the cable, and the data output will stop, it will not be viewed by those who are viewing the audio / video data. There is a problem that a blank period occurs.

In response to this problem, in recent years, wireless network technology using wireless communication has been established and put into practical use for connection between a network and a device. However, considering reliability such as reliable signal exchange, it is certain that the network and the apparatus are connected by wire (cable), and cable connection is still mainstream at present.
Therefore, problems caused by connecting the above network and device, for example, accidentally disconnecting the network cable from the device or connecting the cable to the wrong connection terminal different from the original purpose of the device There is a risk of inconvenience due to a mistake.

When such a problem occurs, a disconnection state occurs in downloading audio / video data from the network, and as a result, there is a missing portion in the obtained audio / video data corresponding to the disconnected portion. Thus, there is a problem that the audio / video data cannot be completely downloaded, and the audio / video data continues to be lost for the time during which the malfunction occurred.
Also, some users do not realize that there is a problem with the connection cable, thinks that there is a problem with the supply of audio / video data, misses an important opportunity to receive audio / video data, and interrupts viewing The problem is that the condition continues.

In response to such a problem, when reception of audio / video data downloaded from the Internet is interrupted, means for detecting the interruption and means for reproducing other audio / video data and outputting the signal are provided. , If reception of audio / video data downloaded from the Internet is interrupted, it may be possible to detect the interruption, and then add a function to reproduce other audio / video data and output the signal. .
In a device with such a function, there is a problem with the download of audio / video data on the Internet itself, or there is a problem with the cable connecting the device and the Internet, and the device cannot receive audio / video data from the Internet. In this case, other audio / video signals are sent as an alternative, so that the user can continue viewing.

However, in such a configuration, for example, in the case where the audio / video data from the Internet before disconnection relates to a cooking program, and the audio / video signal sent by switching relates to a horror movie, When the viewer enjoys viewing with a great appetite before the audio / video signal is switched, there is a case where the viewer suddenly feels a sense of fear without a previous notice.
In such a case, it is suitable for the initial purpose that the viewer wants to enjoy the viewing state for a long time. However, by switching to a significantly different type of audio / video before and after the change of the audio / video to be viewed, you will feel awkwardness and discomfort in the viewing itself, and the viewing state simply continues for a long time. This means that there is a possibility that the viewing enjoyment originally desired by the viewer may be impaired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is capable of reproducing audio data / video data from a network via a cable and reproducing audio / video data from a recording medium. When input of downloaded audio / video data is stopped due to a problem with the connection status of the device, it will be switched to playback of audio / video data from the previous recording medium, and this will allow the user to continue to view continuously. In addition, the present invention provides a signal transmission device that is less likely to make the viewer feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable with the continued viewing after switching.

  In the present invention, when audio / video data is supplied from a network via a telecommunication line, a problem occurs in the cable connecting the apparatus main body and the telecommunication line, and the signal to be transmitted is data from the recording medium. Among the data recorded on the recording medium, or data that is more similar to the data that has been downloaded from the network before switching, or the content that the user prefers. This is a signal transmission device configured to be reproduced preferentially from data and transmitted as a signal.

The detailed configuration is connected to a network via a telecommunication line, downloads video data and / or audio data from the connected network, and performs predetermined processing on the video data or / and audio data. When the downloading of data from the telecommunication line is stopped, another video signal or / and audio signal obtained by reproducing the data on the recording medium is transmitted. A signal transmission device configured to transmit,
A discriminating unit that discriminates the genre of video data and / or audio data downloaded from the telecommunication line, and a detecting unit that detects when video data or / and audio data input from the telecommunication line stops A data reproducing unit that selectively reproduces video data and / or audio data of a plurality of genres recorded on a recording medium, and a genre related to video data and / or audio data downloaded from the telecommunication line When receiving from the detection unit that the input of video data or / and audio data from the telecommunication line has been stopped, and a table in which the order of the genre is approximated or the order of the genre preferred by the user is recorded, Based on the discriminating unit and the table, the data reproducing unit identifies and reproduces the order of data to be reproduced. A signal transmission apparatus characterized by being configured to include a control unit for performing controlled so.

Here, “favorite” in the “genre preferred by users” includes not only the meaning of “like” but also the meaning of preference in terms of psychology and business studies, etc. If it changes, it will include content that this genre is desirable.
The reason is that if a user wants to enjoy viewing for a long time, it means that the user wants to enjoy viewing with good content for a long time.

The discriminating unit is a signal indicating a genre included in the video data or / and audio data downloaded via the telecommunication line, or the video data currently downloaded via the telecommunication line or / Further, there is a configuration in which the genre is determined based on a signal indicating the genre input by the user with respect to the audio data.
The genres of video data and / or audio data downloaded via telecommunication lines are specifically news / topics, sports, music / entertainment, drama, travel / landscape / promotion, animals / plants.・ Pets are listed.
On the other hand, specific examples of the genre related to the data from the recording medium include drama series, travel / landscape series, animal / plant / pet series, sports live recording system, music / entertainment series, and the like.

The table is determined by the approximate k of the genre related to the data of the recording medium with respect to the genre related to the data related to download via the telecommunication line, but whether a plurality of genres are more approximate to a specific genre. Since it depends on the user's subjectivity, the table can be arbitrarily rewritten. Moreover, the structure by which only the number corresponding to the number of the users to be used is built in is also mentioned.
Further, the ordering of the table is specifically, for example, when the genre of the video data or / audio data to be downloaded via the telecommunication line is a sports system, the genre related to the data from the recording medium is the sports live recording system. Examples include low approximations in the order of music / entertainment, animals / plants / pets, travel / scenery.

  The present invention downloads video data or / and audio data from a network via a telecommunication line and sends out a video signal or / and audio signal, and when the video data or / and audio data from the network stops loading. From among a plurality of genre data, the video signal or the video signal or Compared with the genre of the video signal and / or audio signal that was output before the stop when the download of video data or / and audio data from the network is stopped A video signal or / and an audio signal of a genre that is approximate or relatively favorite is output, Eventually, the user can continuously enjoy the video and / or audio without feeling uncomfortable when the video or / and audio by the network and the video or / and audio by the recording medium are switched. Device.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.
The signal transmission device 1 includes a cable 2, a receiving unit 3, a detecting unit 4, a determining unit 5, a buffer unit 6, a reproducing unit 7, an output end 8, a control unit 9, and a DVD reproducing unit 10. , An operation unit 11, a memory 12, a table 13, and a display unit 14 are provided.
FIG. 1 shows a state in which the signal transmission device 1 is connected to the Internet 15 as a network via an electric communication line (not shown).

The cable 2 is used to send a control signal for selecting audio / video data to be downloaded to the Internet 15 via an electric communication line (not shown). It is for downloading.
The cable 2 has a configuration in which connectors are attached to both ends, and these connectors are integrated and connected to the telecommunications line and the apparatus main body, and the connection is released by releasing the integration. It has become.
Therefore, there is a problem that a user or a person who is present at the same time easily catches the cable 2 and the connection state is easily released, and as a result, downloading of data is likely to stop.

The receiving unit 3 receives audio / video data that is downloaded and input via the cable 2 in accordance with a file transfer rule. Subsequently, the control unit 3 sends the received audio / video data to the detection unit 4.
The receiving unit 3 receives a control signal from the control unit 9 and sends a control signal to the cable 2 for the control to the Internet 15.

The detection unit 4 is interposed between the reception unit 3 and the determination unit 5 and sends audio / video data from the reception unit 3 to the determination unit 5.
When the detection unit 4 stops receiving the audio / video data from the receiving unit 3 due to a problem in the Internet 15 itself or the connection of the cable 2 to the telecommunications line or / and the device main body is disconnected. The stop of the reception is detected and the fact is notified to the control unit 9.

The determination unit 5 is interposed between the detection unit 4 and the buffer unit 6, and sends audio / video data from the detection unit 4 to the buffer unit 6.
The genre of the currently downloaded audio / video data is discriminated, and the discrimination result is sent to the control unit 9.
The genres of downloaded audio / video data are specifically news / topics, sports, music / entertainment, drama, travel / landscape / promotion, animals / plants / pets, etc. It is done.

In addition, when information for specifying the genre of the currently input audio / video data that has been input is attached to the determination unit 5, the determination unit 5 indicates the genre of the current input data based on the information. The signal is sent to the control unit 9.
On the other hand, if the current input data that is input does not include information specifying the genre, the determination unit 5 is configured to send a signal to that effect to the control unit 9.

When the control unit 9 receives a signal indicating that information specifying the genre is not attached to the current input data input from the determination unit 5, the control unit 9 displays the genre in the current input data on the display unit 14. A control signal for displaying that no specific information is attached is output.
When the display unit 14 receives the control signal from the control unit 9 and displays that effect, the user sees the display and sends a signal indicating the genre of the current input data to the memory 12 from the operation unit 11. ing.

The buffer unit 6 is interposed between the determination unit 5 and the reproduction unit 7, buffers the audio / video data from the determination unit 5, and sends it to the reproduction unit 7.
The buffer unit 6 discards unnecessary audio / video data when starting playback or restarting playback based on the control signal from the control unit 9, and performs buffering according to the timing of input audio / video data. Configured to do the start.

The reproducing unit 7 is interposed between the buffer unit 6 and the output terminal 8 and converts the digital audio / video data (compressed data) input after being buffered into a corresponding analog signal, and returns this analog signal. It functions to expand in the format specified at the time, and further controls the volume of the analog audio signal obtained based on the control signal from the control unit 9.
The output terminal 8 is connected to the subsequent stage of the playback unit 7 and the DVD playback unit 10, receives an audio signal and a video signal from the playback unit 7 and the DVD playback unit 10, and receives an external speaker and a video device (both not shown). To send to.

The control unit 9 selects the type of audio / video data to be downloaded from the Internet 15 based on the operation content from the operation unit 11, and shows a state in which the load-down audio / video data from the detection unit 4 is stopped. Control for outputting the DVD playback unit 10 based on the signal, control of display output of the display unit 14 based on signals from the operation unit 11, the detection unit 3, the determination unit 5, and the like are performed.
The DVD reproduction unit 10 reproduces audio / video data of a specific type from among a plurality of audio / video data on the DVD recording medium based on a control signal from the control unit 9 and sends it to the output terminal 8. .

Here, the genre related to the audio / video data of the DVD recording medium includes drama series, travel / landscape series, animal / plant / pet series, sports live recording system, music / entertainment series, and the like.
The genre mentioned here indicates that it belongs to a range that is close to the content for the user, and the user can change it by defining the content of the genre as appropriate. is there. That is, the user can arbitrarily receive and process information specifying the genre attached to the audio / video data downloaded from the Internet 15 as a different genre.

The operation unit 11 receives an operation corresponding to a function having a content desired by the user, and sends a signal corresponding to the control unit 9.
The memory 12 stores audio / video data necessary for the control unit 9 to function. The audio / video data in the memory 12 includes audio / video data of a type that can be rewritten by an input from the operation unit 11.

The table 13 shows the genre related to the audio / video data obtained by downloading from the Internet 15 in the order in which the genre and contents of a plurality of types of audio / video data that can be reproduced by the DVD reproducing unit 10 are approximated or the genre preferred by the user. Are recorded.
Specifically, it is as shown in FIG. In this figure, the symbol “>” in the figure means that it has higher priority or is equal in the order of the reproduction genre.

That is, for example, “A> B” means that the user gives priority to the genre A over the genre B, or B has the same order as A as the priority order.
Note that the priority mentioned here means that the genre is more similar or the user likes the genre more.

Specifically, in FIG. 2, the genre of the audio / video data obtained by downloading from the Internet 15 is news / topics, and the genre of the audio / video data obtained by reproduction from the DVD playback unit 10 is the actual sports situation. In the case of recording system, music / entertainment system, drama system, travel / landscape system, and animal / plant / pet system, and downloading of audio / video data from the Internet 15 stops, Priority order of landscape audio / video data, animal / plant / pet audio / video data, sports live recording audio / video data, music / entertainment audio / video data, drama audio / video data Will be played and output.
The audio / video data indicating the genre priority order shown in FIG. 2 is stored in the table 13, but the user can arbitrarily change the audio / video data indicating the genre priority order as desired. ing.

If the audio / video data corresponding to the genre shown in the genre priority order shown in FIG. 2 is not recorded on the DVD recording medium to be reproduced at that time, the missing genre is skipped. Thus, the control unit 9 is configured to perform control so that audio / video data of a genre with a lower priority order is reproduced.
Specifically, for example, in the genre priority order shown in FIG. 2, the user loads and downloads music / entertainment audio / video data as a genre from the Internet 15 at that time, and the DVD playback unit 10 performs the process. If the genre of the sports live recording system is lacking as reproducible audio / video data, the audio / video data playback / transmission is switched to the DVD playback unit 10 when downloading of the audio / video data from the Internet 15 is stopped. In this case, audio / video data is played / sent in the genre priority order of music / entertainment, drama, travel / scenery, animal / plant / pet.

The genre priority order includes not only the priority that the content of the genre of the audio / video data reproduced from the DVD reproduction unit 10 is more similar to the genre of the audio / video data downloaded from the Internet 15; Since it is based on the preference of the user's genre, the genre priority may be different for each user. In other words, the genre approximation can be sequentially applied to some extent objectively, but the preference for individual selection is not uniform.
Therefore, considering such a case, the table 13 is configured to store the audio / video data of the genre priority order of a plurality of users.

The display unit 14 displays the current functional state of the apparatus, the operation contents from the operation unit 11, the contents of audio / video data stored in the table 13, and the like.
The Internet 15 supplies audio / video data desired by the user to the apparatus of the present invention via the telecommunication line. The user is configured to search for desired audio / video data by sending a control signal to the Internet 15 by operating the operation unit 11.

The signal transmission device 1 is configured as described above. Hereinafter, functions of the signal transmission device 1 will be described.
The user confirms the connection between the cable 2 and the telecommunication line and between the cable 2 and the receiving unit 3 in advance.

Subsequently, a DVD recording medium (not shown) is placed on a turntable (not shown) of the DVD playback unit 10.
Note that this DVD recording medium includes audio / video data of the sports genre, music / entertainment audio / video data, drama audio / video data, travel / landscape audio / video data, and animals.・ Voice / pet audio / video data is recorded.

At this time, the table 13 of the signal transmission device 1 stores the genre priority order data having the contents shown in FIG.
After confirming that the user can download the audio / video data from the Internet 15 by operating the operation unit 11, the user searches the audio / video data of the desired travel / landscape genre at this time. Find and specify.

That is, 20 types of travel / scenery audio / video data hit as applicable genres. However, when the user saw the titles of the 20 types of travel / landscape audio / video data, there were already audio / video data that had already been viewed and audio / video data that was not interesting, and it was a hit in the search. Specify 5 types of travel / landscape audio / video data.
Further, the user operates the operation unit 11 to store in the memory 12 that the genre of the audio / video data to be downloaded from the Internet 15 and reproduced is travel / scenery.

Here, the user downloads and reproduces audio / video data A, audio / video data B, audio / video data C, audio / video data D, and audio / video data E whose genre is travel / landscape system, The operation unit 11 is operated so as to continuously output signals.
Based on the control signal from the control unit 9, the reception unit 3 receives the audio / video data A downloaded from the Internet 15 and input from the cable 2 via the telecommunication line according to the file transfer rule, and receives it to the detection unit 4. send.

The detection unit 4 receives the audio / video data A from the reception unit 3, confirms that there is no disconnection in the reception of the audio / video data A, and sends it to the determination unit 5.
The discrimination unit 5 receives the audio / video data A from the detection unit 4 and originally discriminates the genre of the audio / video data A, but this time the user has already stored the genre in the memory 12 in advance, so that the control is performed. The determination is omitted by the function of the unit 9.

When the user does not specify the genre of the audio / video data to be downloaded from the Internet 15, the determination unit 5 specifies the genre of the audio / video data being downloaded and stores the genre in the memory 12. Function.
However, since the audio / video data to be downloaded is not always provided with information indicating the genre, the user inputs the genre of the audio / video data to be downloaded from the operation unit 11 as much as possible. The signal transmission device 1 can more reliably specify the genre of the audio / video data being downloaded.

In addition, the audio / video data to be downloaded may overlap in multiple genres, and in such a case, it is desirable for the user that the user arbitrarily specifies the genre of the audio / video data. become.
The audio / video data A from the discriminating unit 5 is sent to the buffer unit 6, and the buffer unit 6 discards unnecessary audio / video data when starting playback, restarting playback, etc. based on the control signal from the control unit 9. Start buffering according to the timing of the input audio / video data.

As a result, the audio / video data A is buffered in the buffer unit 6 and sent to the reproduction unit 7.
The reproduction unit 7 converts the audio / video data A (compressed data) buffered and input from the buffer unit 6 into a corresponding analog signal a, and sends the analog signal a to the output terminal 8.
The playback unit 7 functions to expand in the format when returning to the analog signal a corresponding to the audio / video data A, and further, an analog audio signal obtained based on the control signal from the control unit 9 Control the volume of the.

When the output terminal 8 receives the analog signal a input from the reproduction unit 7, it sends it to the external speaker and video device (not shown).
Here, each of these external speakers and video devices receives the analog signal a from the output terminal 8 and outputs audio and video based on the analog signal a, and the user can view the audio and video.

As described above, the user continuously downloads audio / video data A, audio / video data B, and audio / video data C from the Internet 15, and the downloaded audio / video data A, audio / video data B, Audio / video data C is D / A converted to obtain the corresponding analog signal a, analog signal b, and analog signal c, and audio and video based on the analog signal a, analog signal b, and analog signal c are viewed. When the audio and video based on the analog signal d corresponding to the audio / video data D is viewed, the audio and video output is interrupted, and the audio / video data D from the Internet 15 is provided to the user. It seems that there was a problem downloading.
Therefore, the user thinks that there is a problem in the connection between the cable 2 and the telecommunications line, and the connection between the cable and the apparatus body. I lost my connection to the main unit by hanging on my foot.

Here, since the downloaded audio / video data D is not input from the cable 2, the receiving unit 3 does not send the audio / video data D to the detection unit 4.
Since the detection unit 4 has no input of audio / video data from the reception unit 3, a problem occurs in the signal transmission device 1 downloading the audio / video data from the Internet 15, and as a result, the reception unit 3 detects that the reception of the audio / video data has been stopped, and informs the controller 9 accordingly.

Here, the control unit 9 determines that the download of the audio / video data from the Internet 15 is stopped based on the signal from the detection unit 4, reproduces the audio / video data of the DVD recording medium, and outputs the signal. Functions to output.
First, the control unit 9 reads from the memory 12 that the genre of the audio / video data D that has been downloaded and reproduced so far is travel / scenery.

Subsequently, when the user downloads the travel / landscape audio / video data and reads the subsequent audio / video data from the DVD recording medium and reproduces the audio / video data, the control unit 9 downloads the audio / video data. The priority order of the genre of data is read from the table 13.
Next, based on the audio / video data indicating the priority order stored in the table 13, as shown in FIG. From the audio / video data recorded on the DVD recording medium, travel / landscape audio / video data, animal / plant / pet audio / video data, drama audio / video data, sports live recording system The control unit 9 controls the DVD playback unit 10 so that the audio / video data and the audio / video data of music / entertainment system are reproduced in this order and the audio / video signals are output.

Here, the DVD reproducing unit 10 first reproduces the travel / landscape audio / video data from the DVD recording medium, and sends the corresponding audio / video signal to the output terminal 8.
When the output terminal 8 receives an audio / video signal relating to a travel / landscape system reproduced from the DVD recording medium by the DVD reproducing unit 10, the output terminal 8 sends it out to the external speaker and video apparatus.
Here, when each of these speakers and video devices receives an analog signal from the output terminal 8 and outputs audio and video based on the analog signal, the user views the audio and video.

When the genre of the DVD recording medium finishes reproducing the travel / scenery audio / video data, the DVD reproducing unit 10 determines whether the genre is animal / plant / plant from the DVD recording medium based on a control signal from the control unit 9. The pet audio / video data is reproduced and output to the output terminal 8.
Here, as in the case where the genre is travel / scenery audio / video data, the viewer views the audio / video having the genre of animal / plant / pet system from the speaker and video device. .

When the DVD playback unit 10 finishes reproducing the audio / video data of the animal / plant / pet system of the DVD recording medium, the control unit 9 reproduces the audio / video data of the drama system of the genre. However, the fact that no drama-based audio / video data is recorded on the DVD recording medium that is currently being played back is immediately recorded after being placed on the turntable of the DVD playback unit 10. Since the genre of the video data is read and recognized, the audio / video data whose genre is the sports live recording system according to the priority shown in FIG. Play back.
Here, as in the case where the genre is travel / scenery audio / video data, the DVD genre is a live sports event following the audio / video of the genre is animal / plant / pet. The audio / video data of the recording system is reproduced as an audio / video signal and transmitted from the output terminal 8. As a result, the viewer views the audio and video from the speaker and the video device.

The signal transmission device 1 further reproduces and transmits the audio / video data whose genre is a sports live recording system as an audio / video signal from the VDV recording medium, and stops the transmission of the audio / video data.
Now, when the user can identify and reconnect the location where the connection between the cable 2 and the apparatus main body has been released, the cable 2 and the receiving unit 3 are substantially connected, and the electrical The genre travel / landscape-related audio / video data is downloaded and imported again from the Internet 15 via the communication line, and the signal transmission device 1 functions in the same manner as described above, and is related to the audio / video data by the restarted download. An audio / video signal is sent from the output terminal 8.

As described above, when the signal transmission device 1 downloads and reproduces the audio / video data from the Internet 15 via the telecommunication line and transmits the corresponding audio / video signal, the download is stopped. Even so, the DVD playback unit 10 is switched to play back the DVD recording medium and continue sending audio / video signals to external speakers and video devices.
Therefore, as a result, the user can continue to view audio from the speaker and video from the video device.

In addition, the genre of the audio / video signal reproduced from the DVD playback unit 10 is set in anticipation of switching to the same genre as the audio / video data from the Internet 15 until the download stops, or a more similar genre. It has become a favorite genre.
Therefore, even if the audio / video data is suddenly switched from the content downloaded from the Internet 15 to the content reproduced by the DVD playback unit 10, the user feels a sense of incongruity in each genre of the two data related to the switching. There is very little.

That is, even if the viewing can be continued, the genre is largely different before and after the switching of the audio / video data, or the user does not have a favorite genre.
When a plurality of audio / video data is reproduced from the DVD recording medium, the reproduction is performed based on the priority order according to the genre recorded in the table 13, and the genre corresponding to the DVD recording medium is reproduced. When the data is missing, it is assumed that the audio / video data of the genre is reproduced, and the audio / video data of the next genre with the priority of the interlaced reproduction is reproduced.

Therefore, when downloading audio / video data is stopped and there is no audio / video data to be played back, playback is stopped at that point, and as a result, transmission of audio / video signals is stopped. The audio / video signal is reproduced / transmitted for a time corresponding to the reproduction of all the audio / recorded data recorded on the DVD recording medium, and as a result, the user can view it for a longer time.
In the function of the signal transmission device 1 described above, the genre of the audio / video data downloaded from the Internet 15 is input from the operation unit 11 by the user, but information indicating the genre is added to the audio / video data from the Internet 15. If so, the determination unit 5 determines the genre and sends it to the memory 12 via the control unit 9.

When the audio / video data downloaded from the Internet 15 is stopped, the control unit 9 reads out the genre of the audio / video data downloaded from the Internet 15 immediately before from the memory 12, and the read audio / video data. Based on the genre of the video data, a control signal is sent to the DVD playback unit 10 so that the genre is specified and played in the priority order shown in the table 13.
In the signal transmission device 1 described above, the data to be downloaded is audio data and video data, but it may be the case of only audio data or only video data.

That is, even if the download of the data is stopped halfway due to the disconnection of the cable 2 or a malfunction of the Internet 15 itself, even if the downloaded data is audio data or video data Since the discriminating unit 5 specifies the genre of the data and sends it to the control unit 9, the control unit 9 reproduces and outputs the data according to the priority order with respect to the stop of the data download. Is configured to send a control signal.
In the signal transmission device 1, a single DVD recording medium is cited as an object to be reproduced by the DVD reproducing device 10. It is possible to make a medium an object of reproduction.

It is a configuration explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration in a state in which the Internet is connected to the best embodiment of the present invention with a block. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, it is a table which shows an example of the priority order of reproduction for each genre when being stored in a table and reproduced by a DVD reproduction unit.

Explanation of symbols

1: Signal transmission device 2: Cable 4: Detection unit 5: Discrimination unit 7: Playback unit 9: Control unit 10: DVD playback unit 13: Table 15: Internet

Claims (2)

Connected to a network via a telecommunication line, downloads video data and / or audio data from the connected network, performs predetermined processing on the video data or / and audio data, and outputs video signals or / and Sending as an audio signal and, when downloading of data from the telecommunications line is stopped, sending other video signals and / or audio signals obtained by reproducing data on the recording medium A device,
A discriminating unit that discriminates the genre of video data and / or audio data downloaded from the telecommunication line, and a detecting unit that detects when video data or / and audio data input from the telecommunication line stops A data reproducing unit that selectively reproduces video data and / or audio data of a plurality of genres recorded on a recording medium, and a genre related to video data and / or audio data downloaded from the telecommunication line When receiving from the detection unit that the input of video data or / and audio data from the telecommunication line has been stopped, and a table in which the order of the genre is approximated or the order of the genre preferred by the user is recorded, Based on the discriminating unit and the table, the data reproducing unit identifies and reproduces the order of data to be reproduced. Signal transmitting apparatus characterized by being configured to include a control unit for performing controlled so.
The discriminator is a user for a signal indicating a genre included in video data and / or audio data downloaded from the telecommunication line, or for video data and / or audio data currently downloaded from the telecommunication line. The signal transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the genre of the data is determined based on a signal indicating the genre input by.

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