JP2011077641A - Playback device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the possibility that pieces of content data of the same content are played back at shifted timing when each of a plurality of playback devices asynchronously plays back the content data. <P>SOLUTION: A memory 30 stores multiple content data, and a play list in which an order in which the plurality of pieces of content data should be played back is shown. A communication unit 22 accepts information regarding the content data to be played back in another playback device which can play back at least one of the plurality of pieces of content data from the other playback device. A control unit 24 controls playback timing of the plurality of pieces of content data based on the accepted information and the play list. A playback unit 26 plays back the plurality of pieces of content data according to control in the control unit 24. The communication unit 22 notifies the information regarding the content data to be played back in the playback unit 26. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a reproduction technique, and more particularly to a reproduction apparatus that reproduces a plurality of content data.

  Streaming is a technique for receiving content data such as music and video distributed over the Internet and reproducing the content data in real time. In such streaming, content data is played back in real time while being received, so the download waiting time is reduced and the free space of the hard disk is not limited. On the other hand, in order to execute streaming reproduction with high quality, the line speed needs to be sufficiently higher than the data rate of content data. Even when the line speed is not sufficiently high, the server accumulates the distributed content data in order to suppress the deterioration of the reproduction quality of streaming. The server also causes the user terminal to reproduce the advertisement content data (hereinafter referred to as “advertisement data”) stored in advance by the user terminal at a time when the content data is not sufficiently stored (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-6085 A

  According to the above-described technology, in streaming, not only deterioration of the reproduction quality of content data can be prevented, but also advertisement data can be reproduced. One of advertising media using digital technology is digital signage. Digital signage displays images and information on a flat display using digital technology for display and communication. Also, since digital signage stores a large number of display information received by digital communication in a built-in storage device, it is possible to switch display contents flexibly and develop various video advertisements. In order to improve the advertising effect by advertisement data, it is effective to arrange a plurality of playback devices in a store or the like and display various advertisement data on each of the plurality of playback devices. When a plurality of playback devices are playing back advertisement data having the same content asynchronously, it becomes difficult for the user to hear the voice, and the advertising effect may be reduced. For this purpose, it is desired to establish timing synchronization among a plurality of playback devices. However, in general, complicated processing is involved in establishing timing synchronization among a plurality of playback devices.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to reproduce content data of the same content at a timing shifted when each of a plurality of reproduction devices is reproducing content data asynchronously. It is to provide a technique for reducing the possibility.

  In order to solve the above problems, a playback device according to an aspect of the present invention is a playback device that plays back content data, and a playlist that indicates a plurality of content data and an order in which the plurality of content data should be played back And a receiving unit that receives information on content data to be played back on the other playback device from another playback device that can play back at least one of the plurality of content data stored in the storage unit. The control unit that controls the reproduction timing of the plurality of content data based on the information received in the receiving unit and the playlist stored in the storage unit, and the plurality of data stored in the storage unit according to the control in the control unit Information related to the playback unit that plays back the content data and the content data played back by the playback unit And a transmission unit for notifying. When the content data shown in the information received by the receiving unit overlaps with the content data to be reproduced in the playlist, the control unit is different from the content data shown in the information received by the receiving unit. The order of the content data in the playlist is changed.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, when each of a plurality of playback devices is playing content data asynchronously, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the content data having the same content is played back at a shifted timing.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the reproduction | regeneration system based on the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the data structure which shows the list of the content data memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the packet signal communicated in the communication part of FIG. FIGS. 5A to 5C are diagrams showing an outline of a reproduction procedure in the reproduction apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the identification number of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus memorize | stored in the control part of FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a playback procedure in the playback apparatus of FIG.

  Before describing the present invention in detail, an outline will be described. An embodiment of the present invention relates to a reproduction system formed by a plurality of reproduction apparatuses installed in a store or the like. Each playback device stores a plurality of content data, and also stores a playlist indicating the order in which the plurality of content data should be played back. The playback device displays the image of the content data and outputs the sound of the content data by playing back the content data according to the playlist. When a plurality of playback devices play back the same content data at different timings, it becomes difficult for the user to hear the voice. In order to cope with this and realize simple processing, the reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment executes the following processing.

  Each playback device has a wireless communication function and can communicate with each other. When the predetermined playback device plays back the content data in accordance with the playlist, the predetermined playback device transmits a packet signal including information on the content data. Other playback apparatuses receive the packet signal and acquire information related to the content data. Other playback devices confirm information about content data when playing back new content data according to the playlist. When the content data is duplicated, the other playback device plays back content data different from the content data in the information related to the content data by switching the order of the plurality of content data in the playlist. Through such processing, a plurality of playback devices play back different content data at a predetermined timing.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a playback system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The playback system 100 includes a first playback device 10a, a second playback device 10b, a third playback device 10c, a fourth playback device 10d, a fifth playback device 10e, and a server 14, which are collectively referred to as the playback device 10. Further, the reproduction system 100 is provided in the store 18, and the store 18 includes a first shelf 16a, a second shelf 16b, a third shelf 16c, a fourth shelf 16d, a fifth shelf 16e, 6 shelves 16f are included.

  The store 18 is, for example, a supermarket. The server 14 stores a plurality of content data. Further, the server 14 has a wireless communication function, and distributes a plurality of stored content data to a plurality of playback devices 10. Note that the server 14 does not stream content data to the playback device 10 but causes the playback device 10 to download a plurality of content data. When the content data is updated, the server 14 causes the playback device 10 to re-download the content data.

  In each shelf 16, prepared dishes, meat, fresh fish, vegetables and the like are arranged. Further, each shelf 16 is configured with a plurality of stages. The reproduction apparatus 10 is installed on the shelf 16. The playback device 10 has a wireless communication function and stores a plurality of content data. Here, the stored content data is downloaded from the server 14 as described above. The reproduction device 10 reproduces the content data in order according to the playlist, displays the reproduced content data image, and outputs the audio of the reproduced content data. The playback devices 10 can communicate with each other by a wireless communication function, and can also communicate with the server 14.

  The first playback device 10a and the second playback device 10b are installed facing each other. Therefore, when the first playback device 10a plays back the content data, the sound of the content data can be heard by users near the second playback device 10b. In addition, the sound of the content data reproduced by the second reproduction device 10b can be heard by users near the first reproduction device 10a. When the first playback device 10a and the second playback device 10b are playing back the same content data at the same time and the playback timing is shifted, the sound is shifted from the first playback device 10a and the second playback device 10b. Is output. As a result, it becomes difficult for the user to hear the voice. In order to cope with this, the reproducing apparatus 10 executes the following processing.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the playback apparatus 10. The playback device 10 includes an antenna 20, a communication unit 22, a control unit 24, a playback unit 26, an output unit 28, and a storage unit 30.

  The storage unit 30 stores a plurality of content data. The storage unit 30 is a storage medium such as a hard disk. Each content data stored in the storage unit 30 is assumed to be a moving image for advertising an item placed on the shelf 16. The content data is compressed by MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group, etc.) Here, the moving image itself and the moving image digital data are referred to as content data without being distinguished.

  FIG. 3 shows a data structure showing a list of content data stored in the storage unit 30. As shown, a number field 200, a content data field 202, and a playback time field 204 are included. In the number column 200, an identification number for identifying each content data is shown. Here, 1 to N are indicated. Content data is arranged in the content data column 202. The content data is associated with the number field 200 and indicated as “A1” to “AN”. The reproduction time column 204 shows the reproduction time for the content data arranged in the content data column 202. Returning to FIG.

  Furthermore, the storage unit 30 also stores a playlist showing the order in which all or part of the plurality of content data is to be reproduced. When content data “A1” to “A4” are to be reproduced in order, the playlist is indicated as “A1”, “A2”, “A3”, “A4”. The playlist is configured as digital data, and is generated in advance by a clerk of the store 18 or the like.

  The communication unit 22 performs wireless communication with another playback device 10 and server 14 (not shown) via the antenna 20. For example, the communication unit 22 performs wireless communication according to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) compliant with a standard such as IEEE 802.11. As the transmission process, the communication unit 22 receives data from the control unit 24 and generates a packet signal so as to store the data. The packet signal also includes information for identifying the playback device 10. The communication unit 22 modulates the generated packet signal. As a modulation method, BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM and the like are defined. Here, the result of modulation corresponds to an OFDM signal in the frequency domain.

  The communication unit 22 converts an OFDM signal in the frequency domain into an OFDM signal in the time domain by executing IFFT (Inverse Fast Fourier Transform) on the modulated result. The communication unit 22 performs frequency conversion on the time-domain OFDM signal to generate a radio frequency packet signal. Further, the communication unit 22 transmits a radio frequency packet signal from the antenna 20. As transmission, for example, broadcast is used. Note that the communication unit 22 also includes a PA (Power Amplifier), a mixer, and a D / A conversion unit. The packet signal is transmitted according to an access control function called CSMA / CA, similarly to a wireless LAN compliant with a standard such as IEEE 802.11.

  As a reception process, the communication unit 22 receives, by the antenna 20, a packet signal that is broadcast from another playback device 10 or server 14 (not shown). The communication unit 22 performs frequency conversion on the radio frequency packet signal received via the antenna 20 to generate a time domain OFDM signal. The communication unit 22 performs FFT on the time domain OFDM signal to convert the time domain OFDM signal into a frequency domain OFDM signal. The frequency domain OFDM signal is formed by a plurality of subcarrier signals. The communication unit 22 demodulates the OFDM signal in the frequency domain. The communication unit 22 outputs the demodulated result to the control unit 24. The communication unit 22 also includes an LNA (Low Noise Amplifier), a mixer, an AGC, and an A / D conversion unit.

  In such a configuration of the communication unit 22, there are mainly two types of packet signals received by the communication unit 22. One is a packet signal in which content data from a server 14 (not shown) is stored. Here, since the data capacity of the content data is generally larger than the data capacity that can be stored in the packet signal, the content data is stored in a plurality of packet signals. The subsequent control unit 24 combines the content data stored in the plurality of packet signals, and stores the combined content data in the storage unit 30. Similar to the content data, the communication unit 22 may receive a packet signal storing a playlist from the server 14. The playlist is also stored in the storage unit 30 in the same manner as the content data.

  Another packet signal is a packet signal from another playback device 10 that can play back at least one of the plurality of content data stored in the storage unit 30. This packet signal includes information regarding content data to be played back by the other playback device 10 (hereinafter referred to as “playback content information”). Another playback apparatus 10 is playing back the content data indicated in the playback content information or will play it back from now on. In addition, the reproduction content information includes identification information for identifying another reproduction device 10.

  FIG. 4 shows a data structure of a packet signal communicated in the communication unit 22. As shown, the playback device ID and playback content information are included. Here, the reproduction information ID is identification information for identifying the reproduction device 10 and is included in the reproduction content information as described above. Here, in order to clarify the configuration of the packet signal, the reproduction information ID is reproduced. Shown separately from content information. The playback content information includes a content data name. Further, the reproduction content information may include information regarding the reproduction start time of the content data. Returning to FIG. The communication unit 22 outputs the reproduction content information to the control unit 24.

  The control unit 24 extracts content data to be reproduced from the plurality of content data stored in the storage unit 30 and outputs the content data to the reproduction unit 26. Here, the control unit 24 extracts content data in accordance with the playlist stored in the storage unit 30. That is, the playback unit 26 controls the playback timing of a plurality of content data based on the playlist. For example, when the content data “A1” is currently being reproduced and the reproduction of “A1” ends, the control unit 24 selects the content data “A2” according to the playlist. When the control unit 24 receives the reproduction content information from the communication unit 22, the control unit 24 confirms the content data name included in the reproduction content information.

  When the confirmed content data name overlaps with the content data name to be reproduced in the playlist, the control unit 24 changes the order of the content data in the playlist so that it is different from the content data with the confirmed content data name. Replace. For example, the control unit 24 moves the next content data of the content data to be reproduced from now on to make the next content data to be reproduced, and sets the content data to be reproduced at the end of the playlist. Move. More specifically, it is assumed that the playlist is in the order of “A1”, “A2”, “A3”, “A4”, and the reproducing unit 26 is currently reproducing the content data “A1”.

  The control unit 24 selects “A2” according to the playlist as the content data to be reproduced. However, when “A2” is included in the reproduction content information, the control unit 24 changes the next content data “A3” to be a reproduction target. In addition, the control unit 24 moves “A2” to the subsequent stage of “A4” in the playlist. As a result, the control unit 24 controls the reproduction timing of a plurality of content data by considering the reproduction content information in addition to the playlist.

  FIGS. 5A to 5C schematically show the reproduction procedure in the reproduction apparatus 10. FIG. 5A shows the reproduction order of the content data shown in the playlist. As shown in the figure, the play list indicates the reproduction order of the content data “A1”, “A2”, “A3”, “A4”. FIG. 5B shows the order of a plurality of content data to be played back by another playback device 10. As shown in the drawing, in another reproducing apparatus 10, a plurality of content data are reproduced in the order of “A4”, “A2”, “A1”, “A3”. Another playback device 10 transmits a packet signal including playback content information before playing back each content data, and the control unit 24 of the playback device 10 acquires the playback content information.

  The control unit 24 tries to select “A2” after the content data “A1” in accordance with the playlist shown in FIG. However, at the timing of starting playback of “A2”, as shown in FIG. 5B, another playback device 10 plays back “A2”, and the control unit 24 also acquires playback content information corresponding thereto. Yes. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5C, the control unit 24 determines to reproduce “A3” without reproducing the content data “A2”. Further, “A2” is moved to the subsequent stage of “A4”. Returning to FIG.

  Here, depending on the arrangement of the playback device 10, content data played back by another playback device 10 may not affect the content data played back by the playback device 10. Or the influence may be small. For example, in FIG. 1, the third playback device 10c and the fifth playback device 10e are installed sufficiently apart from each other, so that they are not affected by each other. Here, there is no influence in the state where the sound of the content data reproduced on one playback device 10 is at a volume that is small enough not to be noticed by a user in the vicinity of the other playback device 10. is there.

  In this case, even if the two playback devices 10 play the same content data at different timings, it is difficult for the user to hear the voice. In consideration of such a situation, the control unit 24 does not need to consider the playback content information from all the other playback devices 10 and plays back from other playback devices 10 arranged around the playback device 10. Only content information needs to be considered. For example, the control unit 24 of the first playback device 10a in FIG. 1 considers only playback content information from the second playback device 10b and the fourth playback device 10d.

  In order to realize this, the control unit 24 stores in advance identification information of other playback devices 10 to be compared in order to determine the change of the order of the content data. FIG. 6 shows the identification number of the playback device 10 stored in the control unit 24. Here, it is assumed that the control unit 24 is included in the first playback device 10a of FIG. As illustrated, the adjacent playback device ID 206 stores the ID of the second playback device 10b and the ID of the fourth playback device 10d as comparison targets. Such data may be generated in advance by the user. Returning to FIG. If the playback device ID included in the playback content information is the same as the stored identification information, the control unit 24 performs the switching of the order of the content data in the playlist as described above.

  On the other hand, if the playback device ID included in the playback content information is different from the stored identification information, the control unit 24 ignores the playback content information. As a result of the above processing, when content data to be played back is determined, the control unit 24 generates playback content information so as to include information on the content data to be played back. The control unit 24 outputs the playback content information to the communication unit 22, and the communication unit 22 broadcasts a packet signal storing the playback content information from the antenna 20.

  The reproduction unit 26 sequentially reproduces a plurality of content data stored in the storage unit 30 according to control by the control unit 24. More specifically, the playback unit 26 plays back moving images and audio included in the content data. The reproduction unit 26 outputs the moving image and the sound to the output unit 28. The output unit 28 includes, for example, a display and a speaker. The output unit 28 displays the moving image reproduced by the reproduction unit 26 on a display, and outputs the sound reproduced by the reproduction unit 26 from a speaker.

  This configuration can be realized in terms of hardware by a CPU, memory, or other LSI of any computer, and in terms of software, it can be realized by a program loaded in the memory, but here it is realized by their cooperation. Draw functional blocks. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.

  The operation of the playback apparatus 10 having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a playback procedure in the playback apparatus 10. If it is not the reproduction timing of new content data (N in S10), the control unit 24 stands by. On the other hand, if it is the playback timing of new content data (Y of S10) and the same content data is not played back by another playback device 10 (N of S12), the control unit 24 plays back the new content data. The data is reproduced by the unit 26 (S16). If the same content data is being reproduced by another reproducing apparatus 10 (Y in S12), the control unit 24 changes the order of reproduction (S14). The control unit 24 causes the reproduction unit 26 to reproduce the replaced new content data (S16).

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, if the content data to be played back is played back by another playback device, the order of the playlist is changed, so that the same content data as the other playback device is played back. Can be reduced. In addition, since the occurrence of a situation in which the same content data as other playback devices is played back is reduced, the content data of the same content is shifted when each of the plurality of playback devices plays back the content data asynchronously. The possibility of being played back at the timing can be reduced.

  In addition, since the possibility that the content data with the same content is reproduced at a timing shifted is reduced, the user can easily understand the content data. Moreover, since it becomes easy for a user to understand the content of the content data, when the content data is advertisement data, the effect of the advertisement can be increased. In addition, since the synchronization process with other playback devices is not necessary, the processing amount can be reduced. In addition, since the content other than the playback content information from other playback devices to be compared in order to determine the change of the order of the content data is ignored, the processing amount can be reduced.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. .

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 24 changes the order of the content data in the playlist based on the reproduction content information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 24 may cancel the change of the order of the content data when the change of the order of the content data in the playlist occurs more than a predetermined number of times. At that time, the control unit 24 causes the reproduction unit 26 to reproduce data other than the content data stored in the storage unit 30. Data other than content data is, for example, streaming data transmitted from the server 14 to the playback device 10. The control unit 24 causes the reproduction unit 26 to reproduce the streaming data. According to this modification, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of a situation where nothing is reproduced.

  10 playback devices, 14 servers, 20 antennas, 22 communication units, 24 control units, 26 playback units, 28 output units, 30 storage units, 100 playback systems.

Claims (3)

A playback device for playing back content data,
A storage unit for storing a plurality of content data and a playlist showing an order in which the plurality of content data should be reproduced;
A receiving unit for receiving information on content data to be played back on the other playback device from another playback device capable of playing back at least one of the plurality of content data stored in the storage unit;
A control unit that controls the reproduction timing of a plurality of content data based on the information received in the receiving unit and the playlist stored in the storage unit;
A playback unit that plays back a plurality of content data stored in the storage unit in accordance with the control in the control unit;
A transmission unit for notifying information on content data reproduced in the reproduction unit,
The control unit, when the content data indicated in the information received in the receiving unit overlaps with the content data to be reproduced in the playlist, content data indicated in the information received in the receiving unit, A playback apparatus characterized in that the order of content data in a playlist is changed in a different manner. The information received in the receiving unit also includes identification information for identifying other playback devices,
The control unit stores in advance identification information for identifying another playback device to be compared in order to determine replacement of the order of content data, and the identification information received in the receiving unit stores the stored identification 2. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if the information is different from the information, the information received by the receiving unit is ignored.   3. The playback apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the playback unit to play streaming data when the order of content data in the playlist is changed more than a predetermined number of times. 4. .

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