JP2010213156A - Video playback apparatus, method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To relax dissatisfaction of a user with respect to a waiting time by playing back and displaying video contents when awaiting activation of any other device. <P>SOLUTION: A video playback apparatus 1 includes a connection management section 15, an acquisition section 17 and a control section 13. The connection management section 15 confirms a situation of activating another video playback apparatus 2, requests activation if the other video playback apparatus is in a standstill state, and requests transmission of first contents when the other video playback apparatus completes activation processing. The acquisition section 17 acquires second contents corresponding to key information during the activation processing of the other video playback apparatus. The control section 13 causes a display section 12 to play back and display the second contents thereon during the activation processing of the other video playback apparatus, and causes the display section to play back and display the first contents thereof when the first contents are received from the other video playback apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a video playback apparatus, method, and program.

  When enjoying video content at home, devices (hereinafter referred to as video playback devices) having a video content playback function such as a television, a DVD player, a DVD recorder, and a hard disk recorder are used.

  In recent years, in order to make it possible to handle higher-definition video content, video playback devices have become more sophisticated, and as a result, operation waiting time such as startup time has become longer. This is partly due to the fact that the configuration of the video playback device approaches a so-called computer such as a PC in order to support the advancement of functions.

  In addition, a plurality of video playback devices are interconnected and operated in cooperation. For example, the first video playback device receives the video signal from the second video playback device as an input in accordance with an operation instruction from the user, and plays back and displays it. The first video playback device requests a video signal from the second video playback device, but the second video playback device may not be activated (stopped) at this time. In this case, the first video playback device transmits a startup request to the second video playback device, and requests a video signal after the startup of the second video playback device (for example, non-patent document). 1).

  The user who uses the first video playback device feels frustrated because the video content display on the first video playback device is awaited until the start of the second video playback device is completed. There is known a digital broadcast receiver that reproduces commercial content during the waiting time when the power of the device itself is turned on or during the waiting time when the channel is switched (for example, see Patent Document 1). However, the commercial content to be reproduced is not the user's favorite content, and the user's dissatisfaction with the waiting time is not alleviated. Also, there is no known video playback device configured to play back another content according to the user's preference when starting up other devices and waiting for video content display.

JP 2005-80102 A

HDMI Specification Version 1.3a Supplement 1 Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) CEC Features Description Give Device Power Status

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a video playback apparatus, method, and program for reproducing and displaying video content when waiting for activation of another device and alleviating user dissatisfaction with the waiting time.

  The video playback device according to one aspect of the present invention checks the startup status of the other video playback device, requests startup when the other video playback device is in a stopped state, and the other video playback device has completed the startup process. A connection management unit that requests transmission of the first content, an acquisition unit that acquires second content corresponding to key information during the startup process of the other video playback device, and a startup process of the other video playback device A control unit that reproduces and displays the second content on a display unit, and reproduces and displays the first content on the display unit when the first content is received from the other video reproduction device.

  The present invention is also a method and program capable of executing the video playback device.

  According to the present invention, video content can be reproduced and displayed while waiting for activation of another device, and the user's dissatisfaction with the waiting time can be alleviated.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a video reproduction system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the video reproduction device according to the embodiment. It is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the video playback apparatus according to the embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame format of a starting request message. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame format of the message which inquires a starting condition and key information. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame format of the response message of a starting condition and key information. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame format of the response message which shows starting completion. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame format of the message which notifies the transmission instruction | indication of a video signal. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame format of the message which notifies the transmission path | route of a video signal. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the video reproduction apparatus by a modification. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the key information acquisition operation | movement of the video reproduction apparatus concerning the embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame format of the reproduction | regeneration instruction | indication message to which the extended flag was provided. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame format of the response message to which key information was provided. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the key information acquisition operation | movement of the video reproduction apparatus concerning the embodiment.

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

  The video playback apparatus according to the present embodiment is connected to other video playback apparatuses, and transmits and receives video signals and control signals. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a video playback system using a video playback device according to the present embodiment. Here, a television 1 and a DVD recorder 2 will be described as examples of video playback devices connected to each other.

  The television 1 and the DVD recorder 2 are connected using an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cable 3a, and transmit / receive a video signal or a control signal. The DVD recorder 2 is connected to the broadcast wave receiver 4 via an HDMI cable 3b. The DVD recorder 2 receives the TV video received by the broadcast wave receiver 4 via the HDMI cable 3b. The broadcast wave receiver 4 may be configured so that the DVD recorder 2 is built therein. The DVD recorder 2 records TV video and the like, and passes video content to the TV 1 via the HDMI cable 3a according to an operation instruction from the user. The television 1 reproduces and displays the received video content.

  Further, the television 1 and the DVD recorder 2 may be able to access the Internet via the router 5. For example, the television 1 or the DVD recorder 2 may be able to acquire electronic program guide data from the Internet, and to reproduce and display or store video content that can be used on the Internet.

  The user operates the television 1 and the DVD recorder 2 using a device such as a remote controller. However, since using both the remote control of the TV 1 and the remote control of the DVD recorder 2 makes the operation complicated, for example, the basic function of the DVD recorder 2 is called using only the remote control of the TV 1 and the DVD 1 is set to the TV 1. It is possible to display the video content of the recorder 2. HDMI is used as one of the standard specifications for signal exchange between the television 1 and the DVD recorder 2 for doing this.

  The television 1 obtains the first content from the DVD recorder 2 when a display instruction of the video content (first content) of the DVD recorder 2 is given by the user. At this time, if the DVD recorder 2 is not activated, the television 1 first transmits an activation request to the DVD recorder 2. Then, the television 1 reproduces the video content (second content) preferred by the user while the DVD recorder 2 performs the activation process. When the start of the DVD recorder 2 is completed, the television 1 acquires the first content from the DVD recorder 2 and plays it.

  FIG. 2 shows a block configuration of a television 1 that is a video playback apparatus according to the present embodiment and a DVD recorder 2 connected to the television 1.

  The television 1 includes an operation reception unit 11, a display unit 12, a control unit 13, a tuner unit 14, a connection management unit 15, a recorder connection interface unit (hereinafter referred to as a recorder connection I / F unit) 16, and a second content acquisition unit 17. Prepare.

  The operation reception unit 11 receives an operation instruction given from a user via a device such as a remote controller. The operation reception unit 11 notifies the control unit 13 of the received operation instruction.

  The control unit 13 controls the overall operation of the video playback device (TV 1), and operates based on the operation instruction content notified from the operation receiving unit 11. The control unit 13 instructs the tuner unit 14 to select a tuner and receives a video signal from the tuner unit 14. Further, the control unit 13 transmits a video signal to be displayed to the display unit 12. In addition, the control unit 13 transmits and receives video signal (video content) information to and from other video playback devices (DVD recorder 2) on the network via the connection management unit 15.

  The display unit 12 reproduces and displays the video signal (video content) received from the control unit 13. The display unit 12 includes a video panel for reproducing and displaying video content realized by liquid crystal, plasma, or the like.

  The tuner unit 14 directly receives a video signal (video content) of a television broadcast selected based on a channel selection instruction from the control unit 13. The video content received by the tuner unit 14 is given to the display unit 12 via the control unit 13 and reproduced and displayed on the display unit 12.

  The connection management unit 15 manages transmission / reception of video signals and control signals to / from other video playback devices (DVD recorder 2) using video signal transmission means such as HDMI. The connection management unit 15 confirms the activation status of the DVD recorder 2, gives an activation instruction, and requests video content.

  Further, the connection management unit 15 acquires key information from the DVD recorder 2 and passes it to the second content acquisition unit 17. The key information will be described later.

  In the present embodiment, the connection management unit 15 performs transmission / reception and interpretation of video signals and control signals in accordance with the HDMI specification. Control signals and video signals are transmitted to the control unit 13 as necessary. The connection management unit 15 can also be considered as an HDMI controller.

  The recorder connection I / F unit 16 is an interface that terminates a cable (HDMI cable 3) connected to the DVD recorder 2, and performs signal transmission to the DVD recorder 2 and signal reception from the DVD recorder 2. The recorder connection I / F unit 16 is controlled by the connection management unit 15.

  The second content acquisition unit 17 receives key information from the connection management unit 15, acquires video content (second content) based on the key information, and stores or outputs the video content to the connection management unit 15.

  Here, the key information is, for example, information related to the time required to complete the startup of the DVD recorder 2, or the current setting information and status information of the DVD recorder 2, or a video content medium inserted into the DVD recorder 2. Identifier information, operation history information of the DVD recorder 2, or a combination of these pieces of information.

  The setting information and status information of the DVD recorder 2 are, for example, current setting time information, a model identification number of the DVD recorder 2, an individual identification number of the DVD recorder 2, a destination information of the DVD recorder 2, and setting channel information. .

  The identifier information of the inserted video content media includes, for example, ContentID information and Indexing information of the DVD media inserted in the DVD drive, ContentID information and Indexing information of the SD card media inserted in the SD card drive, HDD Title information, metadata information, etc. of the video content stored in the.

  The operation history information is, for example, the content of the immediately preceding operation, information on the time zone with the most viewing (use), information on the media with the most use, and the like.

  As a method for acquiring video content (second content) based on the key information, the second content acquisition unit 17 is a method of acquiring from an external content server, a method of connecting to and acquiring from other devices in the home, A method of selecting and acquiring from video content stored in the television 1 itself can be used.

  A method for acquiring the second content from the external content server will be described. The second content acquisition unit 17 creates a second content request message including at least a part of the key information, and transmits this to a content server on the external network.

  In transmitting this message, data exchange between the television 1 and the content server may be encrypted or authenticated to ensure security. The security function may be realized by a home device (such as a remote connection device in a home broadband router) different from the television 1.

  When the content server receives the second content request message, the content server confirms the key information included in the message. Here, when a security function such as encryption or authentication is added to the request message, the message may be decrypted or verified (confirmed). If the decryption or verification of the message fails, the content server may ignore the request message or may respond by sending an error message to the television 1.

  The content server selects the second content corresponding to the key information from the video content database held by the content server. At this time, all the key information included in the request message may be used, or only a part of the key information may be used.

  Depending on the second content selection method of the content server, the video content service may be provided to the user or the commercial content may be provided. For example, generally, when the corresponding video content is specified from the Content ID information of a certain DVD medium, if the video content of a character appearing in the DVD content is the second content, this means that the DVD medium is purchased. The video service provides additional information of the DVD content to the user who is watching.

  On the other hand, if the video content of the character of another DVD content that does not appear directly in the DVD content is the second content, this provides commercial content that calls the user to purchase another DVD content. .

  In the present embodiment, the former video service, the latter commercial content, or both may be used.

  Another example of the service is a one-point help function. When a certain user repeats the same operation many times or fails, the user may misunderstand or do not understand the operation method. In such a case, the operation history information of the video playback device and the model identification information of the video playback device are used as the key information, and the correct operation method of the operation that the user has failed is set as the second content. Conceivable.

  The content server transmits the video content (second content) specified as described above to the second content acquisition unit 17.

  Next, a method for acquiring the second content from another device in the house will be described. This corresponds to the case where the content server in the above-mentioned “method of obtaining from an external content server” is another device in the home network (for example, other video playback device or home server), and the difference in the obtaining method itself. There is almost no.

  Next, a method for selecting and acquiring the second content from the video content stored in the television 1 itself will be described. The second content acquisition unit 17 is suitable for the second content from the video content data (stored in a storage unit (not shown) mounted on the television 1) stored by itself based on the key information. Select or clip video content.

  Thus, the second content corresponding to the key information is a video content that the user is interested in.

  When the key information includes information related to the estimated time required for completing the start-up of the DVD recorder 2, the second content acquisition unit 17 selects the content having an appropriate length for reproduction at the designated time. Obtained as two contents. For example, the second content acquisition unit 17 acquires, as the second content, video content whose reproduction time falls within the predicted time.

  The second content acquisition unit 17 may be realized as a part of the HDMI controller (connection management unit 15).

  The DVD recorder 2 includes a TV connection interface unit (hereinafter referred to as TV connection I / F unit) 21, a connection management unit 22, a recorder function unit 23, and a storage unit 24.

  The TV connection I / F unit 21 is an interface that terminates a cable (HDMI cable 3) connected to the TV 1. The TV connection I / F unit 21 is controlled by the connection management unit 22.

  The connection management unit 22 manages transmission / reception of video signals and control signals with other video playback devices (TV 1) using video signal transmission means such as HDMI. Here, it is assumed that video signals and control signals are transmitted / received and interpreted in conformity with the HDMI specification.

  The recorder function unit 23 has a recorder function in the DVD recorder 2. In addition, the recorder function unit 23 controls the entire operation of the DVD recorder 2 and executes a startup process. The recorder function unit 23 stores the key information in the storage unit 24.

  The storage unit 24 is, for example, a nonvolatile memory, and can constitute an HDMI controller together with the connection management unit 22. The key information stored in the storage unit 24 is transferred to the television 1 via the connection management unit 22 and the television connection I / F unit 21 during the startup process of the DVD recorder 2. The key information may be set in the storage unit 24 in advance.

  Next, an example of the operation of the television 1 and the DVD recorder 2 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. In the sequence shown in FIG. 3, the television 1 instructs the start of starting the DVD recorder 2, waits for the start of starting the DVD recorder 2, and starts playing and displaying the video content (first content) provided from the DVD recorder 2. To do. The television 1 reproduces and displays the second content while waiting for the completion of activation of the DVD recorder 2.

  This sequence refers to HDMI Specification Version 1.3a Supplement 1 Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) CEC Features Description Give Device Power Status. All messages transmitted and received between the TV 1 and the DVD recorder 2 are composed of four elements, Start, Header Block, Data Block 1 (opcode blocks), and Data Block 2 (oprand blocks).

  A fixed special start bit is always stored in Start. In the Header Block, the type of message source and destination, a flag indicating whether the message is a final message, and a flag indicating whether it is a response are stored. Data Block1 (opcode blocks) stores instruction information in the message. Data Block 2 (oprand blocks) stores a plurality of data determined by Data Block 1 (opcode blocks).

  (Step S0) First content held by the DVD recorder 2 while the user is viewing the video content by operating the television 1 (video content on a DVD disc or video content recorded on a TV program, etc.) Is instructed to the television 1 by a remote controller or the like.

  (Step S <b> 1) The operation reception unit 11 receives an instruction from the user and notifies the control unit 13 of the instruction. The control unit 13 interprets that it is necessary to acquire a video signal from the DVD recorder 2 and reproduce and display it on the display unit 12 in order to respond to the user's instruction.

  The control unit 13 requests the connection management unit 15 to select a video channel of the DVD recorder 2 and to acquire a video signal from the DVD recorder 2 and pass it to the control unit 13.

  (Step S2) The connection management unit 15 tries to transmit a video channel selection request to the DVD recorder 2, but identifies that the DVD recorder 2 is not currently activated. In order to identify that the DVD recorder 2 is not activated, an HDMI Give Power Status message and a Report Power Status message described later may be exchanged.

  Therefore, the connection management unit 15 transmits a message requesting activation to the DVD recorder 2. The activation request message is notified to the connection management unit 22 via the connection I / F unit 16 of the television 1, the HDMI cable 3, and the connection I / F unit 21 of the DVD recorder 2.

  An example of an HDMI CEC frame format used for transmitting the activation request message is shown in FIG. This is a <User Control Pressed> message, and Data Block 2 (oprand blocks) is Power.

  (Step S3) Although the DVD recorder 2 is not activated, since the connection management unit 22 and the storage unit 24 corresponding to the HDMI controller are always energized, the activation request message from the television 1 can be received.

  The connection management unit 22 interprets the received activation request message and instructs the recorder function unit 23 to start activation. Thereby, the DVD recorder 2 starts the activation process.

  (Step S4) The connection management unit 15 of the television 1 transmits a message for inquiring the activation status to the connection management unit 22 of the DVD recorder 2. Here, the connection management unit 15 not only inquires about the activation status but also inquires about the key information for the second content to be reproduced and displayed on the television 1 before the activation of the DVD recorder 2 is completed.

  An example of the HDMI CEC frame format used in this step is shown in FIG. This is a <Give Power Status> message, and an extended flag is transmitted to inform Data Block 2 (oprand blocks) to inquire about the key information. The extension flag is an extension to the HDMI CEC protocol standard.

  (Step S5) The connection management unit 22 of the DVD recorder 2 interprets the received inquiry request, refers to the recorder function unit 23, and confirms the activation status.

  In many cases, the DVD recorder 2 receives an initial startup status inquiry from the television 1 during the startup process. In the following, it is assumed that when the DVD recorder 2 first receives an inquiry request, activation of the DVD recorder 2 is not completed.

  (Step S <b> 6) The connection management unit 22 acquires key information from the storage unit 24.

  (Step S <b> 7) The connection management unit 22 of the DVD recorder 2 transmits a message for responding the activation status and key information to the connection management unit 15 of the television 1. FIG. 6 shows the HDMI CEC frame format used as the response message. This response message is a <Report Power Status> message, and Data Block 2 (oprand blocks) includes “In transition Standby to On” indicating the startup status (Power Status) of the DVD recorder 2 and Content Key indicating key information. Is included. Content Key is an extension to the HDMI CEC protocol standard.

  (Step S8) The connection management unit 15 of the television 1 interprets the response message received from the DVD recorder 2. Here, it is identified that the DVD recorder 2 is being activated. Thereby, the connection management unit 15 performs setting for transmitting a message for inquiring the activation status to the DVD recorder 2 again after a predetermined time.

  In addition, the connection management unit 15 notifies the second content acquisition unit 17 of the key information included in the response message.

  (Step S9) Based on the notified key information, the second content acquisition unit 17 acquires video content (second content) to be reproduced and displayed while waiting for the completion of activation of the DVD recorder 2. For example, the second content acquisition unit 17 acquires the second content from the external content server based on the key information.

  (Step S <b> 10) The second content acquisition unit 17 outputs the acquired second content to the connection management unit 15.

  (Step S11) The connection management unit 15 passes the second content as a video signal to the display unit 12 via the control unit 13. Simultaneously with this processing, the connection management unit 15 may accumulate the second content. Thereby, when the connection management unit 15 receives the same key information from the next time, the second content stored by itself can be reused.

  The display unit 12 reproduces and displays the video signal of the second content received from the connection management unit 15.

  (Step S12) The connection management unit 15 of the television 1 transmits a message for inquiring the activation status to the connection management unit 22 of the DVD recorder 2 at a predetermined time interval. This is the same as step S4.

  However, an extended flag for inquiring key information may or may not be added to the give power status message to be transmitted.

  (Step S13) The connection management unit 22 interprets the received inquiry message, refers to the recorder function unit 23, and confirms the activation status. This is the same as step S5.

  However, when an extended flag for inquiring key information is added to the received Give Power Status message, key information acquisition processing as in step S6 may be further executed.

  (Step S <b> 14) The connection management unit 22 of the DVD recorder 2 transmits a message for responding to the activation status to the connection management unit 15 of the television 1. This is the same as step S7.

  However, if the key information acquisition process is performed in step S12, the response message includes the Content Key. However, if the key information acquisition process is not performed, the Content Key may not be included.

  If the activation process has not been completed, a response message <Report Power Status> [“In transition Standby to On”] shown in FIG. 6 is transmitted, and steps S12 to S14 are repeated until the activation is completed.

  When the activation process is completed, a response message <Report Power Status> [“On”] in a frame format as shown in FIG. 7 is transmitted, and the television 1 that has received this response message executes step S15.

  (Step S15) The connection management unit 15 of the television 1 interprets the received response message. When the connection management unit 15 identifies that the start of the DVD recorder 2 has been completed, the connection management unit 15 transmits a message notifying the selection instruction of the video channel and the transmission instruction of the video signal to the connection management unit 22 of the DVD recorder 2.

  An example of an HDMI CEC frame format used when transmitting this message is shown in FIG. Data Block 1 (opcode blocks) is a Set Stream Path, and Data Block 2 (oprand blocks) is a physical address of a video signal.

  (Step S16) The connection management unit 22 of the DVD recorder 2 interprets the received instruction. The connection management unit 22 accesses the recorder function unit 23, extracts the instructed video signal (first content), and transmits it to the connection management unit 15 of the television 1.

  An example of the frame format of a message for notifying the transmission path of the video signal is shown in FIG. Data Block 1 (opcode blocks) is the active source, and Data Block 2 (oprand blocks) is the physical address of the video signal.

  (Step S <b> 17) The connection management unit 15 of the television 1 passes the video signal (first content) received from the DVD recorder 2 to the control unit 13. The control unit 13 passes this video signal to the display unit 12. Thereby, the display unit 12 displays the video signal of the DVD recorder 2. The video signal displayed here is the one instructed by the user in step S0.

  When the second content is being reproduced and displayed on the display unit 12 at the time of step S17, the reproduction and display of the second content is forcibly terminated and the video signal received from the DVD recorder 2 is reproduced and displayed. Alternatively, the video signal may be reproduced and displayed after waiting for the reproduction and display of the second content being reproduced to end.

  While waiting for the DVD recorder 2 to start, the television 1 acquires video content reflecting the user's preference based on the key information, and reproduces and displays it. Since the user can view such video content during the waiting time until the instructed content is reproduced and displayed, dissatisfaction with the waiting time is alleviated.

  As described above, the video playback apparatus according to the present embodiment can play back and display video content when waiting for activation of another device, and can alleviate user dissatisfaction with the waiting time.

  In the embodiment described above, the television 1 can acquire the second content before the activation of the DVD recorder 2 by passing the key information between the television 1 and the DVD recorder 2.

  On the other hand, when the key information can be determined in advance on the television 1 or fixedly determined, the key information may not be transferred between the television 1 and the DVD recorder 2.

  Thus, in the sequence shown in FIG. 3, the extension flag is assigned to the <Give Power Status> message (step S4), the key information is acquired (step S6), and the key information is assigned to the <Report Power Status> message (step S7). ) And the process for determining the second content (step S9) can be omitted.

  In this case, the stage before receiving the <Report Power Status> [“In transition Standby to On”] message from the DVD recorder 2 (step S7), specifically, <User Control Pressed> From the point of time when the ["Power"] message is transmitted (step S4), the second content acquisition process (step S9) and the reproduction / display of the second content can be started. An example of the sequence in this case is shown in FIG. In this sequence, no extension to the message occurs.

  In addition, as an example of a method for the TV 1 to determine in advance the key information of the second content to be played back and displayed by the TV 1, the <Play> ["Forward"] message in the HDMI CEC Deck Control Feature use case and A method using the <Deck Status> [“Play”] message or a method using the <Vendor Command> [“Event”] message in the HDMI CEC Vendor Specific Command use case is conceivable.

  FIG. 11 shows a sequence of a method using the <Play> [“Forward”] message and the <Deck Status> [“Play”] message in the HDMI CEC Deck Control Feature use case. This is an exchange of messages that occurs when the television 1 instructs the DVD recorder 2 to reproduce.

  Extended flag information is added to the <Play> ["Forward"] message, which is a message transmitted from the TV 1 to the DVD recorder 2, and the message transmitted from the DVD recorder 2 that has received this information to the TV 1 Key information is added to the <Deck Status> ["Play"] message. Thereby, the DVD recorder 2 can pass the key information to the television 1. The connection management unit 15 of the television 1 stores this key information.

  FIG. 12 shows the frame format of the <Play> ["Forward"] message used at this time. Data Block 1 (opcode blocks) is Play, and Data Block 2 (oprand blocks) is Play Forward. An extension flag is added to Data Block 2 (operand blocks).

  The frame format of the <Deck Status> ["Play"] message is shown in FIG. Data Block1 (opcode blocks) is Deck Status, and Data Block2 (oprand blocks) is Play. Data Block 2 (operand blocks) may include a plurality of Content Keys.

  FIG. 14 shows a sequence of a method of using the <Vendor Command> [“Event”] message in the HDMI CEC Vendor Specific Command use case. This is message transmission executed when some event such as DVD playback occurs in the DVD recorder 2.

  According to the vendor extension specification, it is possible to send a <Vendor Command> ["Event"] message from the DVD recorder 2 to the TV 1. By adding key information to this message, the DVD recorder 2 Key information can be passed to the television 1. The connection management unit 15 of the television 1 stores this key information.

  By these methods, the television 1 can acquire key information from the DVD recorder 2 in advance.

  In the above embodiment, the TV and DVD recorder have been described as examples of the video playback device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to various devices having a video content playback function, such as a DVD player and a hard disk recorder.

  In the above embodiment, the video playback apparatuses are connected by the HDMI cable, but may be connected by an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable or the like.

  At least a part of the video playback device described in the above-described embodiment may be configured by hardware or software. When configured by software, a program for realizing at least a part of the functions of the video playback apparatus may be stored in a recording medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM, and read and executed by a computer. The recording medium is not limited to a removable medium such as a magnetic disk or an optical disk, but may be a fixed recording medium such as a hard disk device or a memory.

  Further, a program that realizes at least a part of the functions of the video playback device may be distributed via a communication line (including wireless communication) such as the Internet. Further, the program may be distributed in a state where the program is encrypted, modulated or compressed, and stored in a recording medium via a wired line such as the Internet or a wireless line.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Television 2 DVD recorder 3 HDMI cable 4 Broadcast wave receiver 5 Router 11 Operation reception part 12 Display part 13 Control part 14 Tuner part 15, 22 Connection management part 16, 21 Connection I / F part 17 2nd content acquisition part 23 Recorder Function unit 24 Storage unit

Claims (10)

A connection that confirms the startup status of the other video playback device, requests startup when the other video playback device is in a stopped state, and requests transmission of the first content when the other video playback device completes startup processing The management department,
An acquisition unit for acquiring second content corresponding to the key information during the startup process of the other video reproduction device;
A control unit that reproduces and displays the second content on a display unit during the startup process of the other video reproduction device, and reproduces and displays the first content on the display unit when the first content is received from the other video reproduction device. When,
A video playback device comprising:   The connection management unit inquires of the other video reproduction device about an activation status, requests the key information, and acquires the key information from the other video reproduction device together with a response to the inquiry. 2. The video reproduction device according to 1. The key information includes information on an estimated time required to complete startup of the other video playback device,
The video reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the acquisition unit acquires content having a playback time shorter than the predicted time as the second content.   The acquisition unit transmits a request message for requesting the second content including at least a part of the key information to a device on an external network, and receives the second content transmitted from the device. The video playback apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the video playback apparatus is characterized in that: A storage unit for storing a plurality of video contents;
The video reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires video content corresponding to the key information from the storage unit as the second content.   The connection management unit holds the key information, and the acquisition unit acquires the second content in response to an activation request to the other video reproduction device by the connection management unit. The video playback device described in 1.   The video playback apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit ends playback display of the second content and starts playback display of the first content in response to reception of the first content.   The video playback apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reception unit that receives a playback display instruction of the first content held by the other video playback apparatus. Accepting a playback display instruction for the first content held in the other video playback device,
Requesting the other video playback device to start,
Inquires about the activation status to the other video playback device and requests key information,
Obtaining the key information together with a response to the inquiry from the other video reproduction device;
Acquiring the second content based on the key information;
Replaying and displaying the second content on a display unit;
Requesting the first content to the other video playback device for which the startup process has been completed;
Obtaining the first content from the other video reproduction device;
A video reproduction method for reproducing and displaying the first content on the display unit. Receiving a reproduction display instruction of the first content held in the other video reproduction device;
Requesting the other video playback device to start; and
Inquiring the other video playback device for the activation status and requesting key information;
Obtaining the key information together with a response to the inquiry from the other video reproduction device;
Obtaining second content based on the key information;
Replaying and displaying the second content on a display unit;
Requesting the first content to the other video playback device for which the startup process has been completed;
Obtaining the first content from the other video reproduction device;
A video reproduction program for causing a computer to execute the step of reproducing and displaying the first content on the display unit.

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