JP2010033694A - Data reproducing device, data reproducing method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To find out easily a picture for index related to desired content data from a menu face. <P>SOLUTION: A data reproducing device 10 is provided with a display part 14, an operating part 13 moving a display region of a menu image M displayed on the display part 14 or specifying an picture pic for index, and a control part enabling to perform all processing for generating the menu picture M by arranging a plurality of the pictures pic for index on a whole surface, processing for moving the display region of the menu picture M displayed on the display part 14 by input from the operating part 13, and processing selecting content data related to the picture pic for index when the picture pic for index is specified by input from the operating part 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data reproduction device, a data reproduction method, and a computer program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, index data is attached to content data in order to make it easier to understand the content stored in a recording medium. For example, a jacket image is added to content data such as a movie or music stored on a recording medium such as a DVD, and the contents of the content data stored on the recording medium are visually displayed by the jacket image displayed on the menu screen. It is done to be able to grasp. In addition, a data reproducing apparatus configured to select desired music data by an operation of designating a jacket image from a menu screen according to such a data structure has been proposed (Patent Document 1, etc.). ).

  This data reproducing apparatus is configured to display a menu screen for allowing a user to visually grasp the contents of content stored in an information recording medium such as a DVD. This menu screen displays images (hereinafter referred to as “jacket images”) attached to a storage package (jacket) such as a DVD as an index image in a list format, so that the user can display the contents of a plurality of contents. It is intended to make it easy to grasp. For this purpose, a conventional data reproducing apparatus includes a menu generating unit that generates a menu screen based on information about a jacket image read from an information recording medium, and an image processing unit that changes a display size of the jacket image. I have.

JP 2001-344876 A

  FIG. 14 shows an example of a data reproducing apparatus for displaying a jacket image as described in Patent Document 1. In this data reproducing apparatus, music data (content data) is selected by an operation of designating a jacket image (index image) displayed on the display unit. The data reproducing apparatus 50 stores a plurality of music data and data of a plurality of jacket images 51 associated with the music data in a data storage unit (not shown). The jacket image 51 is arranged in “mass eyes” equally divided by invisible grids 52 arranged vertically and horizontally. The size of the jacket image is determined by the “mass eyes” formed by the grid 52.

  When music data is selected using a jacket image, a plurality of jacket images 51 arranged in a matrix are displayed on the display unit 53 of the data reproducing device 50. The user of the data reproduction device 50 operates the four direction keys (up key 55U, down key 55D, left key 55L, and right key 55R) of the operation unit 55 while watching the music selection screen 54 displayed on the display unit 53. As a result, any one of the plurality of jacket images 51 is designated, and the designated state is determined by the enter key 55e. At this time, only the jacket image 51 in the designated state is highlighted by a method such as changing the display color or enclosing a frame.

  FIG. 15 shows an operation example of the operation unit 55 when designating any one of the jacket images 51 from the music selection screen 54 displayed on the display unit 53. Here, in the initial state, the jacket image 51A ”is designated. In the following description, the images “A”, “B”,... Displayed on the reference numerals will be added and described as 51A, 51B,.

  In the initial state shown in FIG. 15A, when the right key 55R of the operation unit 55 is operated once, the jacket image 51 in the designated state is changed from the jacket image 51A to the jacket image 51B adjacent to the right, As shown in FIG. 15B, only the jacket image 51B in the first row and second column of the music selection screen 54 is highlighted. When the right key 55R is operated once more, the jacket image 51 in the designated state is changed from the jacket image 51B to the jacket image 51C on the right side, and the music selection screen 54 is displayed as shown in FIG. Only the jacket image 51C in the first row and the third column is highlighted. As described above, when the right key 55R is continuously operated, the jacket image 51 to be highlighted displays the first line from the left to the right, the second line from the left to the right, and the third line from the left. To the right, move down to the bottom row in a zigzag pattern. On the other hand, when the left key 55L is continuously operated, the direction is sequentially shifted in the opposite direction to that in the case where the right key 55R is operated.

  Here, when the right key 55R is operated once more, the number of columns of the music selection screen 54 is fixed to 3, so that the jacket image 51 in the designated state is the jacket image in the first row. The jacket image 51D in the second row is changed from 51C, and only the jacket image 51D in the second row and first column on the music selection screen 54 is highlighted as shown in FIG.

  Next, an operation performed by operating the lower key 55D will be described. When the down key 55D is operated once in the state shown in FIG. 15D, the jacket image 51 in the designated state is changed from the jacket image 51D in the second row to the jacket image 51G in the third row. As shown in FIG. 15E, only the jacket image 51G in the third row and first column of the music selection screen 54 is highlighted. When the down key 55D is operated once again, the jacket image 51 in the designated state is changed from the jacket image 51G in the third row to the jacket image 51J in the fourth row, as shown in FIG. Thus, only the jacket image 51J in the fourth row and first column of the music selection screen 54 is highlighted.

  Here, when the down key 55D is operated once more, the jacket image 51J in the fourth row is changed to the jacket image 51M in the fifth row, and the music selection screen 54 is displayed as shown in FIG. Only the jacket image 51M in the fifth row and first column is highlighted. At this time, since the jacket image 51 that can be simultaneously displayed on the display unit 53 is limited to 4 rows × 3 columns, the music selection screen 54 is automatically scrolled upward on the display unit 53. Then, the jacket image 51A, the jacket image 51B, and the jacket image 51C that are displayed in the first line of the music selection screen 54 are not displayed, and the jacket image 51M and the jacket that are not displayed in the initial state are displayed. The image 51N and the jacket image 51O are newly displayed on the display unit 53 and also displayed on the music selection screen 54. The operation by operating the upper key 55U is opposite to the operation by the operation of the lower key 55D.

  When the jacket image 51 to be specified by the user of the data reproduction device 50 is the jacket image 51M, the determination key 55e is operated while the jacket image 51M is highlighted, whereby the jacket image 51M is displayed. The specified state becomes deterministic. By this confirmation operation, the music data associated with the jacket image 51M is read from the data storage unit of the data reproduction device 50, reproduced, and output, so that the user can listen to the music.

  In the data reproduction apparatus 50 described above, the arrangement of the plurality of jacket images 51 displayed on the display unit 53 is automatically determined according to the number of jacket images 51 to be displayed and the data amount. Specifically, “mass eyes” formed by an invisible grid 52 so as to divide the horizontal length (width) of the display unit 53 into n equal parts are provided in a matrix, and each “mass eye” has a jacket. Images 51 are arranged in a predetermined order. 14 and 15, the display unit 53 of the data reproducing device 50 is provided with three rows of grids 52 (shown by broken lines) so as to divide the width into three, and each grid 52 has a jacket image. The case where 51 is arranged is shown.

  Here, if the size of the “mass eyes” by the grid 52 on which the jacket images 51 are arranged is reduced, the number of jacket images 51 displayed at the same time on the display unit 53 increases, so that the jacket images 51 can be easily listed. It becomes easy to find the jacket image 51. On the other hand, since the display size of each jacket image 51 is also reduced, it may be difficult to specify the target jacket image 51 while visually recognizing the jacket image 51. On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 16, when the size of the “male eye” by the grid 52 in which the jacket image 51 is arranged is enlarged (the jacket image 51 is enlarged), the jacket image 51 is visually recognized. Although the operation of designating the target jacket image 51 is facilitated, the number of jacket images 51 displayed simultaneously on the display unit 53 is extremely reduced. Therefore, each key of the operation unit 55 is used to view all the jacket images 51. Is required to scroll the jacket image 51 sequentially.

  As described above, the display size of the jacket image 51 included in the music selection screen 54 must be within a range in which the jacket image 51 can be easily seen and the designation operation can be easily performed. For this reason, in the data reproduction device 50, the number of columns of the jacket image 51 that can be simultaneously displayed on the display unit 53 is limited to about two to three columns, and the rows of the music selection screen 54 increase as the number of the jacket images 51 increases. The number may increase rapidly. In such a case, the user of the data reproducing device 50 must sequentially scroll the music selection screen 54 by operating each key of the operation unit 55 many times in order to specify the target jacket image 51.

  Further, in the data reproducing apparatus 50, the jacket image 51 arranged on each “mass” of the display unit 53 is drawn independently based on the individual jacket image data. For this reason, when the music selection screen 54 is scrolled on the display unit 53, a process in which the jacket images 51 are sequentially drawn is displayed, and smooth scrolling may not be performed.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of such circumstances, and can easily and quickly specify an index image such as a plurality of jacket images associated with content data such as music data, In addition, it is an object to provide a data reproducing apparatus, a data reproducing method, and a computer program that do not deteriorate the display quality of the screen.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, one aspect of the data reproduction device of the present invention provides a display unit in a data reproduction device in which content data associated with an index image is selected by designating the index image. An operation unit for moving the display area of the menu image displayed on the display unit or designating an index image, a process for generating a menu image by arranging a plurality of index images on one side, and an operation unit When the index image is designated by the process of moving the display area of the menu image displayed on the display unit by input from the input unit and the input from the operation unit, the content data associated with the index image is selected. And a control unit that can execute any of the processes.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the data reproduction device of the present invention, in the data reproduction device described above, the control unit is configured to display the index image in a predetermined area from the center position of the display unit or the center position of the display unit. It is preferable to display a selection means for designating.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an aspect of the data reproduction device according to the present invention is an index image in which the control unit overlaps the selection unit by an input from the operation unit in any of the data reproduction devices described above. It is preferable to start reproduction of the content data associated with the designated index image.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the data reproduction device of the present invention, in any of the above data reproduction devices, the operation unit arbitrarily sets a display area of the menu image displayed on the display unit. It is preferable to have a trackball that moves in the direction.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the data reproduction device of the present invention, in any of the above data reproduction devices, the operation unit arbitrarily sets a display area of the menu image displayed on the display unit. It is preferable to have a touch screen that moves in the direction.

  In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the data reproducing device of the present invention includes a tilt sensor that detects the tilt of the data reproducing device in any of the above data reproducing devices, and the control unit includes the tilt sensor. It is preferable to move the display area of the menu image displayed on the display unit based on the orientation corresponding to the inclination detected by the above.

  In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the data reproduction device of the present invention includes an acceleration sensor that detects a predetermined vibration of the data reproduction device and a direction of the vibration in any of the data reproduction devices described above. The control unit preferably moves the display area of the menu image displayed on the display unit based on the vibration detected by the acceleration sensor and the direction corresponding to the direction of the vibration.

  In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the data reproduction method of the present invention is a data reproduction method in which content data associated with an index image is selected by designating the index image. A step of arranging a plurality of index images on one side to generate a menu image, and a display area of the menu image displayed on the display unit is moved by an input from the operation unit and placed at a predetermined position on the display unit Designating an index image.

  Furthermore, in order to solve the above-described problem, one aspect of the computer program according to the present invention provides a computer program in which content data associated with an index image is selected by designating the index image. On the other hand, a step of arranging a plurality of index images on one side to generate a menu image, a step of displaying the generated menu image on the display unit, and a menu displayed on the display unit by input from the operation unit A step of moving an image display area and designating an index image placed at a predetermined position on the display unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily and quickly specify a policy citation image such as a plurality of jacket images associated with content data such as music data.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part of the data reproduction apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the operation surface of the data reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the information displayed on the display part of the data reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the data reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and is a figure where the music selection screen is displaying the left side of a menu image. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing main steps of a data reproduction method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram showing steps for acquiring and storing new index image data in the data reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the step which reproduces | regenerates and outputs predetermined content data in the data reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the case where the display size of a music selection screen is changed in the data reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the data reproduction apparatus which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the data reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the data reproduction apparatus which concerns on 3rd Example of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example which moves the display area of the menu image M currently displayed on the display part which has a touch screen function. It is the figure which showed the example which moves the display area of the menu image M using the inclination sensor incorporated in the data reproduction apparatus. It is the figure which showed the example which moves the display area of the menu image M using the acceleration sensor incorporated in the data reproduction apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the conventional data reproduction apparatus. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an operation for designating a jacket image in the data reproduction device illustrated in FIG. 14, (A) is an initial state, (B) is a state after the right key is operated once, and (C) is a right side. The state after the key is operated once more, (D) is the state after the right key is operated once more, (E) is the state after the down key is operated once, (F) is the bottom The state after the key is further operated once and (G) shows the state after the down key is operated once again and the music selection screen is scrolled. FIG. 15 is a diagram for describing a case where the display size of the music selection screen is changed in the data reproduction device shown in FIG. 14.

  Embodiments of a data reproducing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the data reproduction method and the computer program are also described together with the description of the data reproduction apparatus.

<First embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the data reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The data reproducing apparatus 10 is configured to be able to select and listen to arbitrary music data from a plurality of music data (content data) stored in the data storage unit 11. Unit 13, display unit 14, and reproduction output unit 15.

  The data storage unit 11 is means for storing a plurality of music data and jacket image data as index information for the music data. The data storage unit 11 is configured using a semiconductor memory or a disk-shaped recording medium. Note that the data storage unit 11 does not have to be configured integrally with the data reproducing device 10 and may be configured to be connected to the data reproducing device 10 by wire or wirelessly.

  The control unit 12 is a means for controlling the flow of data between the units of the data reproducing apparatus 10, and includes a microcontroller 21, a menu image generation unit 22, and a display control unit 23. The microcontroller 21 operates each unit of the data reproduction device 10 based on an operation input from the operation unit 13, reads out music data selected by the user of the data reproduction device 10 from the data storage unit 11, and outputs it to the reproduction output unit 15. Performs sending processing. Further, the display control unit 23 performs processing for causing the display unit 14 to display information sent from the microcontroller 21. The control unit 12 is configured by a microcontroller, but may be formed by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or other circuit members.

  The menu image generation unit 22 displays a plurality of jacket images pic as index images associated with each of a plurality of music data stored in the data on the display unit 14 as a single menu image M. Perform the process. Here, data of a plurality of jacket images pic may be actually combined as one menu image M, or processed so as to be virtually displayed on the display unit 14 as one menu image M. Good. Details of the menu image M will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 13 is provided on the operation panel on the surface of the main body of the data reproducing device 10, and includes four-way keys including an upper key 13 U, a lower key 13 D, a left key 13 L, and a right key 13 R The determination key 13e is arranged at the center of the four-way key. The user of the data reproducing apparatus 10 designates the target jacket image pic associated with the desired music data by operating each key of the four-way key, and further operates the decision key 13e to operate the jacket image pic. Make the specified state deterministic. By this series of designation operations, music data associated with the designated jacket image pic is read from the data storage unit 11 and reproduced and output by the reproduction output unit 15.

  Note that the amount of movement of the menu image M on the display unit 14 by operating each key of the operation unit 13 once is an amount corresponding to a unit pixel (1 dot) of the display unit 14, but one jacket image pic Minutes (for one column or for one row) may be set, and the user of the data reproducing apparatus 10 may be set. Further, the menu image M may be configured to continuously move on the display unit 14 when each key of the operation unit 13 is continuously operated for a predetermined time (so-called “long press”).

  The display unit 14 is provided on the operation panel of the data reproduction device 10 together with the operation unit 13, and displays a menu image M to be referred to when the user of the data reproduction device 10 selects music, information on the music being reproduced and output, and the like. It is a means for displaying. When the display unit 14 is used as a music selection screen, a pointer P (selection means) constituted by two short lines intersecting in a cross shape is displayed at the center of the display unit 14. The jacket image pic placed at the center (intersection) of the pointer P is set in a designated state. The jacket image pic in the designated state is highlighted, as in the conventional data reproducing device 50 shown in FIG. The display unit 14 is configured using a liquid crystal element, an organic EL element, or the like.

  Further, when the data reproducing apparatus 10 reproduces and outputs the designated music, information related to the music (album name, artist name, music name, etc.) may be displayed on the display unit 14. FIG. 3 shows an example of information related to music displayed on the display unit 14 while a specific jacket image pic is designated from the menu image M and music associated therewith is being reproduced. Yes. In this example, the jacket image pic is enlarged and displayed, and the album title, artist name, and song name are displayed below the enlarged image.

  The reproduction output unit 15 is means for reproducing the music data read from the data storage unit 11 and outputting it as a reproduction signal. By driving a speaker or headphones using this reproduction signal, the music data read from the data storage unit 11 is made audible. When the data storage unit 11 is a disc-shaped recording medium, the data storage unit 11 and the reproduction output unit 15 may be configured as an integrated disk reproduction unit.

  Next, regarding the data reproduction method according to the embodiment of the present invention, music data is selected by designating a specific jacket image pic from the menu image M displayed on the display unit 14 of the data reproduction apparatus 10 described above. As an example, this will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 together with FIGS.

  First, the storing process of the jacket image pic will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The microcontroller 21 of the control unit 12 always monitors whether or not any operation has been performed on the data reproducing apparatus 10, and at the same time, the microcontroller 21 stores the music data and the music data in the data storage unit 11. It is monitored whether or not jacket image data (index image) associated with is newly stored (step S1). When the microcontroller 21 detects that the index image is newly stored (“Y” in step S1), the microcontroller 21 reads out and acquires the jacket image data from the data storage unit 11 (step S2). While sending to the menu image production | generation part 22, the correspondence of new jacket image pic and music data is memorize | stored in a memory | storage part (illustration omitted).

  Next, content data playback / output processing in the music selection mode will be described with reference to FIG. The microcontroller 21 of the control unit 12 always monitors whether or not the music selection mode has been selected when the data reproducing apparatus 10 is in the operating state (step S21), and detects that the music selection mode has been selected (step S21). "Y"), the pointer P is displayed at the center of the display unit (step S22). The data reproducing apparatus 10 performs the process of the next step S23 after (or simultaneously with) this step S22 or before this step S22. That is, the menu image generation unit 22 performs a menu image generation process that allows a plurality of jacket image pic data acquired via the microcontroller 21 to be arranged in a matrix and displayed as one menu image M ( In step S23), the processing result is sent to the display control unit 23 as menu image data. At this time, the menu image generation unit 22 determines the number of rows and columns of the matrix of the menu image M according to the number of jacket images pic and the amount of data, or sets them to arbitrary values by user operation. Process. Further, the menu image generation unit 22 performs a process of determining the arrangement of the jacket image pic25. For example, the menu image generation unit 22 performs a process such as determining the arrangement order of the jacket images pic according to a predetermined condition. Note that the arrangement order of the jacket images pic in the menu image M is arbitrary, such as the order of music titles, the order of artist names, the order determined by the user, or random, and may be set by the user.

  Then, the display control unit 23 performs processing for displaying the menu image data received from the menu image generation unit 22 on the display unit 14, and then sends the processing result to the display unit 14. Thereby, the menu image M including a plurality of jacket images pic is displayed on the display unit 14 of the data reproducing apparatus 10 (step S24). Thereafter, the microcontroller 21 monitors whether or not any jacket image pic is designated from the menu image M by the user of the data reproducing apparatus 10 (step S25), and a specific jacket image pic is designated. ("Y" in step S25), the process proceeds to step S26. Then, the microcontroller 21 monitors whether or not the enter key 13e is operated (step S26). When the determination key 13e of the operation unit 13 is operated and the designated state of the jacket image pic is finalized (“Y” in step S26), the microcontroller 21 stores music data associated with the jacket image pic. The data is sent from the storage unit 11 to the reproduction output unit 15. Then, the reproduction output unit 15 reproduces the music data and outputs it as an audible reproduction signal (step S27). Then, the microcontroller 21 monitors whether or not the music selection mode is finished (step S28), and when the music selection mode is finished, the music selection mode is finished.

  Next, the menu image M displayed on the display unit 14 of the data reproduction device 10 will be described. The menu image M is an image in which jacket images pic are arranged in a tile shape (matrix shape) without gaps in the vertical and horizontal directions, as shown in FIGS. When the mode is switched to the music selection mode, the menu image M may be generated, or the menu image M may be generated after step S2, and the menu image M may be stored in the data reproduction device 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the menu image M generated by the menu image generation unit 22 is longer in the vertical and horizontal lengths than the vertical and horizontal lengths of the display unit 14. There is a case. Even in such a case, in the data reproduction device 10, the number of columns of the menu image M is not limited by the horizontal length (width) of the display unit 14, and the jacket image pic included in the menu image M is not limited. When the number exceeds the number of jacket images pic that can be simultaneously displayed on the display unit 14, the number of rows and the number of columns of the menu image M are both increased as necessary. As an example of such a case, FIG. 2 shows 49 sheets arranged in a matrix of 7 rows × 7 columns on the display unit 14 that can display only 25 jacket images pic arranged in 5 rows × 5 columns. A part of the menu image M including the jacket image pic is displayed. FIG. 7 shows a state where a part of the menu image M including 49 jacket images pic is displayed on the display unit 14 that can display only 12 jacket images pic in a total of 4 rows × 3 columns. Yes.

  As described above, even when only a part of the menu image M is displayed on the display unit 14, the user of the data reproduction device 10 operates each key of the operation unit 13 to display the menu image M on the display unit 14 in the vertical direction. All the jacket images pic can be seen by moving in the horizontal direction. As described above, the amount of movement of the menu image M on the display unit 14 by operating each key of the operation unit 13 of the data reproduction device 10 once is equivalent to one row (or one column) of the jacket image pic. It is not limited to minutes) and can be determined arbitrarily.

  In the state shown in FIG. 2, the jacket image pic in the first column and the seventh column is not displayed on the music selection screen displayed on the display unit 14. When the left key 13L is operated in this state, as shown in FIG. 4, the jacket image pic arranged in the first column is newly displayed on the display unit 14 and arranged in the sixth column. The jacket image pic is not displayed, and only the jacket image pic arranged in each column from the first column to the fifth column is displayed on the display unit 14. Further, the jacket image pic that is superposed on the pointer P provided at the central portion (central position) of the display unit 14 by this operation to be in the designated state is adjacent to the left from the jacket image pic of “25” in FIG. To the jacket image pic of “24”.

  When the enter key 13e is operated in a state where the jacket image pic of “24” is selected, the designation state of the jacket image pic of “24” becomes definite, and the music data associated with this is displayed. Selected. Then, the music data is reproduced by the reproduction output unit 15 and output as an audible reproduction signal.

  According to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the entire menu image M (the entire display area) is moved up and down on the display unit 14 by operating the keys of the operation unit 13 of the data reproducing apparatus 10. It is possible to move not only in the direction but also in the left-right direction, and further in the oblique direction by simultaneously operating one of the up / down keys and the left / right key. For this reason, when searching for the target jacket image pic, the jacket image pic around it can be viewed at the same time, so it is easy to visually grasp the target jacket image pic. In addition, the target jacket image pic can be set to a designated state simply by superimposing it on a pointer P as selection means provided at the center (center position) of the display unit 14, and the menu image M is displayed. There is no need to make a large movement on the portion 14. Such a configuration is particularly advantageous for a portable music data reproducing apparatus or the like in which the display unit 14 cannot be physically enlarged. Further, since a plurality of jacket images pic are displayed as one menu image M, each jacket image pic is smoothly switched without switching each jacket image one by one when moving the menu image M on the display unit 14. And it is displayed continuously.

<Second embodiment>
Next, a modified example of the data reproducing apparatus 10 described as the first embodiment of the present invention will be described as a second embodiment. Also in the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the components common to the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted as appropriate.

  FIG. 8 shows an operation surface of the data reproducing apparatus 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The data reproduction device 30 is configured to select music data associated with the jacket image pic by designating the jacket image pic from the menu image M. The operation panel 31 is provided on the operation panel. And a display unit 32.

  The display unit 32 of the data reproduction device 30 is configured in the same manner as the display unit 14 in the data reproduction device 10 described above. On the other hand, the operation unit 31 of the data reproduction device 30 is configured by a trackball 33 unlike the operation unit 13 of the data reproduction device 10 configured by four-way keys. According to the operation unit 31, the display area of the menu image M displayed on the display unit 32 can be continuously moved in an arbitrary direction by an arbitrary distance only by an operation of rotating the trackball 33. Therefore, when the display area of the menu image M is moved using the trackball 33, a plurality of keys (up key 13U, down key 13D, left key 13L, and right key are used as in the case of using the four-direction key. Since the operation for sequentially moving the menu image M on the display unit by operating the key 13R) many times is not necessary, the operation for designating the target jacket image pic can be performed easily and quickly.

  Note that the direction, speed, and amount of movement of the display area of the menu image M on the display unit 32 are determined by the rotation state of the trackball 33. For example, when the trackball 33 is rotated upward, the display area of the menu image M is moved upward from the area currently displayed on the display unit 32, and when the trackball 33 is rotated downward, the menu image M is displayed. The display area moves downward from the area currently displayed on the display unit 32. At this time, the movement amount of the display area of the menu image M on the display unit 32 corresponds to the rotation amount of the trackball 33. Further, the moving speed of the display area of the menu image M on the display unit 32 corresponds to the rotation speed of the trackball 33. That is, the moving speed of the display area of the menu image M displayed on the display unit 32 is increased by rotating the trackball 33 quickly, and the menu displayed on the display unit 32 by rotating the trackball 33 slowly. The moving speed of the display area of the image M also becomes slow. When the trackball 33 is not rotating, the display area of the menu image M does not change. The above is the same when moving the display area of the menu image M displayed on the display unit 32 in any direction.

  In the data reproducing apparatus 10 described above, when the display area of the menu image M displayed on the display unit 14 is to be moved obliquely, the up / down key (13U, 13D) and the left / right key (13L, 13R) are alternately displayed. Had to operate. On the other hand, in the data reproducing apparatus 30, the display area of the menu image M continuously moves according to the rotation direction of the trackball 33. For this reason, in the data reproducing apparatus 30, the display area of the menu image M displayed on the display unit 32 can be continuously moved in the oblique direction by simply rotating the trackball 33 in the oblique direction.

  Further, according to the data reproducing device 30 including the operation unit 31 and the trackball 33, the menu image M includes a large number of jacket images pic, and the target jacket image pic is arranged at the end of the menu image M. Can be specified without performing many key operations. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, even if the target jacket image pic is a jacket image pic “43” arranged at the corner of the menu image M, the display unit 32 can be simply rotated by rotating the trackball 33. The jacket image pic of “43” can be designated by being superimposed on the pointer P by continuously moving the display area of the menu image M displayed in FIG.

  Further, the trackball 33 of the operation unit 31 can be pressed and can also function as the determination key 13e of the data reproducing apparatus 10. Therefore, when the trackball 33 is pressed while a certain jacket image pic is selected, the jacket image pic is definitely selected, and reproduction of music data associated with the jacket image pic is started. Is output. According to such a configuration, the operation unit 31 can be configured only by the trackball 33, and the operability of the data reproducing device 30 is extremely good.

<Third embodiment>
Next, another modification of the data reproducing apparatus 10 described as the first embodiment of the present invention will be described as a third embodiment. Also in the following description, the same reference numerals are used for components common to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and the description is omitted as appropriate.

  FIG. 10 shows the display unit 41 of the data reproducing apparatus 40 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. A pointer Q (selection means) having a rectangular point area (focus area) is provided at the center of the display unit 41. The pointer Q has a planar point area, whereas the pointer P provided on the display unit 14 of the data reproducing apparatus 10 and the display unit 32 of the data reproducing apparatus 30 has a point-like point area. And it is comprised by the straight line surrounding the predetermined area | region from the center position of the display part 41. FIG. That is, only the jacket image pic having the largest overlapping area among the plurality of jacket images pic overlapping the rectangular point area of the pointer Q is set in the designated state. Note that the user of the data reproducing device 40 can grasp the jacket image pic in the designated state by highlighting only one jacket image pic in the designated state.

  The operation unit 13 provided on the operation panel of the data reproducing device 40 is configured to be the same as that of the data reproducing device 10, but instead of the four-direction key described above (or together with the four-way key), the trackball 33 is used. It can also be configured. In particular, by combining the display unit 41 including the pointer Q and the operation unit 31 including the trackball 33 described above, the target jacket image pic can be quickly specified from the menu image M. .

  According to the third embodiment of the present invention described above, since the pointer Q as the selection means is provided in the central portion (predetermined region from the central position) of the display unit 41 and has a planar point region, the menu image The target jacket image pic can be superimposed on the pointer Q simply by moving M roughly. That is, the operation of designating the target jacket image pic from the menu image M displayed on the display unit 41 of the data reproduction device 40 is facilitated.

  Although the data reproducing apparatuses 10, 30, 40 and the data reproducing method according to the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in each of the above embodiments, it is assumed that the jacket image data as index information is stored in the data storage unit 11 together with the music data that is the content data, but is acquired separately from the music data. The menu image M can be generated using the jacket image pic. That is, it is sufficient that the jacket image data displayed on the display units 14, 32, and 41 as the menu image M is associated in advance with the music data stored in the data storage unit 11, and is stored in the data storage unit 11 together with the music data. It does not have to be stored.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, it is assumed that the operation unit 13 configured by four-way keys is configured by keys that are pressed, but each key may be configured by a touch sensor. . In this case, each key can be arranged on the display surface of the display unit 14, 32, 41, or can be configured as a so-called touch screen.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of moving the display area of the menu image M displayed on the display unit 32 having a touch screen function. In the following description, a configuration in which the display unit 32 of the data reproducing device 30 of the second embodiment has a touch screen function is exemplified. However, the data reproducing device 10 of the first embodiment and the data reproducing device of the third embodiment are exemplified. 40 can also be applied.

  When the display area 32 having a touch screen function is traced with a finger or a stylus pen in the direction in which the display area of the menu image M is to be moved, the display area of the menu image M is moved in correspondence with the traced direction and the traced distance. . In the case of the example shown in FIG. 11, the display area of the menu image M is traced in the upper right direction, which is the same angle as the traced angle, by tracing the display unit 32 with the finger in the upper right direction. Move (or the corresponding distance). In this case, the moving speed of the display area of the menu image M may be associated with a speed of tracing on the display unit 32 having the touch screen function by a predetermined method. The target jacket image pic is designated by directly touching the jacket image pic displayed on the display unit 32, or the jacket image pic superimposed on the pointer P is determined as in the first embodiment. The determination may be made by pressing the key 13e or some key corresponding to the determination key 13e.

  Further, as another method of moving the display area of the menu image M, a direction and speed for moving the display area of the menu image M may be specified by using an inclination sensor or an acceleration sensor. In the following description, a configuration in which the data reproducing device 30 of the second embodiment incorporates a tilt sensor or an acceleration sensor (both not shown) is exemplified. However, the data reproducing device 10 of the first embodiment and the third embodiment are exemplified. This can be applied to the data reproducing apparatus 40 of FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the display area of the menu image M is moved using an inclination sensor built in the data reproduction device 30. Here, “inclination” means to operate in any direction from the state (attitude) of a certain reference position. When the reference position is that the data reproducing apparatus 30 is in the horizontal state, the display area of the menu image M can be moved in the upper right direction by tilting the upper right of the data reproducing apparatus 30 downward from the reference position. Note that the speed of moving the display area of the menu image M may be set so as to correspond to the tilt angle. Specifically, when the inclination is gentle, for example, when the inclination is about 5 to 15 degrees with respect to the reference position, the display area of the menu image M is moved in the inclined direction at a speed of about 3 to 5 mm / sec. It is preferable to perform the drawing process so that the drawing process is performed at a speed of about 10 mm / sec. If the data reproduction device 30 is returned to a reference position such as a horizontal state while the display area of the menu image M is moving, the drawing process for moving the display area of the menu image M is stopped and the menu image M is displayed. Fix the area.

  In the above-described example, the case where the data reproduction device 30 is in the horizontal state has been described as the reference position. However, the inclination sensor detects that the inclination state of the data reproduction device 30 is the same for a predetermined time (for example, about 10 seconds). In such a case, the inclination state may be reset so as to be the reference position. With such a setting, even when the portable data reproduction device 30 cannot be kept in a horizontal state, the display area of the menu image M can be moved with the specific tilt state as a reference position. It becomes possible.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which the display area of the menu image M is moved using the acceleration sensor built in the data reproducing device 30. As shown in FIG. An acceleration sensor (not shown) determines that the acceleration is an instruction that instructs the movement of the display area of the menu image M by detecting a vibration having a predetermined strength or more or detecting a predetermined pattern of vibration. In FIG. 13, when the user hits the upper left of the data reproduction device 30, the display area of the menu image M moves from the display area currently displayed on the display unit 32 to the lower left.

  Note that the vibration detected by the acceleration sensor by the hitting operation instructing the movement is preferably a vibration that is distinguished from the vibration that is unintentionally applied to the data reproduction device 30. For example, when the vibration of approximately the same amplitude is given twice within a predetermined time, specifically about 0.5 seconds, the data reproducing device 30 is a vibration instructing the movement of the menu screen. It is preferable to judge that.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the pointers such as the pointers P, Q, etc., which are in the form of dots, short lines, or planes, may have any shape, and the display units 14, 32, 41 It can be installed anywhere. For example, it may be a pointer having a circular planar point area, or may be a position slightly displaced in any direction from the center of the display unit 14, 32, 41. The pointer may be visible or invisible on the display surface of the display unit, and may be switched between visible and invisible. It is preferable that the music selection mode is visible and the other operation modes are invisible.

  Further, FIG. 9 shows a case where the outside of the menu image M displayed on the display unit 32 of the data reproducing device 30 is a blank area where the jacket image pic is not arranged. Are displayed in succession on the left side of the jacket image of “29”, “36”, “43” in the leftmost column of the menu image M, and the same applies to the other directions. As an alternative, substantially no blank portion may be displayed on the display unit 32. For example, the jacket image pic “35”, “34”,... On the left side of the jacket image pic “29”, and “42”, “41”,. Furthermore, the jacket images pic “49”, “48”,... Are continuously displayed on the left side of the jacket image pic “43”. Thereby, the pointer P does not point to a blank portion outside the range of the menu image M, and the jacket image on the other end side is displayed even when the pointer P points to the jacket image pic on the one end side of the menu image M. The specified operation can be performed quickly.

  Further, the jacket image pic constituting the menu image M is preferably composed of all the jacket image data stored in the data storage unit 11, but is not limited to this. The menu image M may be configured on a folder basis. Furthermore, when the data reproducing apparatus of the present invention can refer to the jacket image recorded in another device in addition to the data storage unit 11 in the own apparatus, and the music data corresponding to the jacket image can be reproduced, both The menu image M may be composed of the jacket image.

  In each of the above embodiments, the determination key 13e is arranged on the operation unit 13, but may be arranged separately from the operation key for moving the menu image M on the display unit. Further, when a certain jacket image pic is designated for a predetermined time, the jacket image pic may be definitely designated. In this case, the determination key can be omitted.

  Each step of the above-described data reproduction method may be created as a computer program, the program may be installed in a computer, and the above-described steps may be executed by the computer. Here, examples of the computer include various devices such as a personal computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a navigation device, and a mobile phone. The program is stored in a recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc) or installed in a computer via a network.

  Furthermore, the content data is not limited to music data, and the index image is not limited to a jacket image. For example, the content data can be moving image data such as a movie or a television broadcast program, still image data such as a photograph, or the like. The index image can be a position scene such as a movie or a television broadcast program, or a reduced image of the scene or photograph. Further, in each of the above embodiments, it is assumed that the data reproducing device is configured as a portable data reproducing device. However, for example, the data reproducing device may be configured as a part of a mobile phone. It may be configured as.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 30, 40 ... Data reproduction apparatus, 11 ... Data storage part, 12 ... Control part, 21 ... Microcontroller, 22 ... Menu image generation part, 23 ... Display control part 3, 31 ... operation unit, 13U ... up key, 13D ... down key, 13L ... left key, 13R ... right key, 13e ... enter key, 33 ... track Ball, 14, 32, 41 ... display unit, 15 ... reproduction output unit, M ... menu image, P, Q ... pointer (selection means)

Claims (9)

In the data reproduction device in which the content data associated with the index image is selected by designating the index image,
A display unit;
An operation unit for moving a display area of the menu image displayed on the display unit or designating the index image;
A process for generating the menu image by arranging a plurality of index images on one side, a process for moving a display area of the menu image displayed on the display unit by an input from the operation unit, and the operation When the index image is designated by an input from a unit, a control unit capable of executing any of the processes of selecting content data associated with the index image;
A data reproducing apparatus comprising: The data reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The control unit displays a selection unit for designating the index image in a predetermined area from the center position of the display unit or the center position of the display unit. The data reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
The control unit designates the index image that overlaps the selection unit by an input from the operation unit, and starts the reproduction of the content data associated with the designated index image. A data reproducing apparatus. The data reproduction apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
The data reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit includes a trackball that moves a display area of the menu image displayed on the display unit in an arbitrary direction. The data reproduction apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
The data reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit includes a touch screen that moves a display area of the menu image displayed on the display unit in an arbitrary direction. The data reproduction apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
An inclination sensor for detecting the inclination of the data reproducing device;
The data reproduction apparatus, wherein the control unit moves a display area of the menu image displayed on the display unit based on an orientation corresponding to an inclination detected by the inclination sensor. The data reproduction apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
An acceleration sensor for detecting a predetermined vibration of the data reproduction device and a direction of the vibration;
The control unit moves the display area of the menu image displayed on the display unit based on the vibration detected by the acceleration sensor and the direction corresponding to the direction of the vibration. . In a data reproduction method in which content data associated with an index image is selected by designating the index image,
A step of arranging a plurality of index images on one side to generate a menu image;
Displaying the generated menu image on the display unit;
Moving the display area of the menu image displayed on the display unit by an input from the operation unit and designating an index image placed at a predetermined position of the display unit;
A data reproduction method characterized by comprising: In a computer program in which content data associated with an index image is selected by designating the index image,
Against the computer,
Arranging the plurality of index images on one side to generate a menu image;
Displaying the generated menu image on the display unit;
Moving the display area of the menu image displayed on the display unit by an input from the operation unit and designating an index image placed at a predetermined position of the display unit;
A computer program for executing

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