JP2012249023A - Content reproduction device and representative reproduction apparatus specification method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily realize an operation for specifying a reproduction apparatus and continuously reproducing a content for an unspecified apparatus loaded with a general-purpose communication medium protocol.SOLUTION: A content reproduction device functions as a transmitter 110, transfers the content in reproduction to another apparatus (receiver 220) and performs continuous reproduction. An identification information generating section 111 generates identification information for specifying a representative reproduction apparatus performing the continuous reproduction. A content transmission section 112 transmits an apparatus identification content including identification information to the receiver 220. A camera section 113 or a microphone section 114 acquire reproduction information on the apparatus identification content reproduced in the receiver 220, and an apparatus identification section 115 identifies the representative reproduction apparatus for performing the continuous reproduction on the basis of reproduction information of the apparatus identification content. The content transmission section 112 transmits the content which is continuously reproduced to the apparatus (receiver 220) specified as the representative reproduction apparatus.

Description

  The present invention relates to a content reproduction apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for continuously reproducing content viewed by a user on another device.

  For example, a device such as a general mobile phone terminal or a portable information terminal in recent years has a content reproduction function, and can reproduce various contents as necessary. For example, various contents such as a TV program received by a TV tuner or a moving image such as a video recorded in the past, a still image such as a photo, an electronic book, or music can be reproduced for viewing by the user.

  On the other hand, an event such as an incoming voice call may occur when content such as a moving image is played on a mobile phone terminal and the user is viewing the content. In this case, the user performs an operation corresponding to the incoming call to start a voice call, and the display screen of the mobile phone terminal is switched to the call display mode. For this reason, the reproduction of the content is interrupted, and the user cannot view the content.

  Therefore, if the user wants to continue viewing the content while making a voice call, the user must find another appropriate device capable of reproducing the corresponding content and perform various operations for continuous reproduction. I must.

  For example, there may be a plurality of devices capable of reproducing the content in the room where the user is currently present, and there may be a device capable of reproducing the content in the room of the adjacent room. Therefore, when content is to be continuously played back using another device, it may be difficult to specify a device to be used for continuous playback, and the user's operation becomes troublesome.

  As conventional techniques related to the present invention, techniques disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are known.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a technique for cooperation between a mobile phone terminal and a digital camera. Specifically, when sending an image captured by a digital camera to a receiving device such as a mobile phone terminal, a barcode representing the address of the receiving device is displayed on the receiving device, and the displayed barcode is captured by the digital camera. The information is read to identify the destination address.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a device specifying system that has a control device and a controlled device that can communicate with each other via a network, and that can specify a counterpart device between these devices. Specifically, a device that transmits content using a dedicated communication protocol transmits the ID of its own device to the receiving device, and the receiving device transmits the other device to the device with the transmitted ID. Identify.

JP 2007-166660 A JP 2010-141816 A

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a transmission destination partner cannot be specified unless the user manually operates the transmission source digital camera and the transmission destination mobile phone terminal. Therefore, content such as photographs cannot be transferred from the digital camera to the mobile phone terminal unless troublesome operations are performed.

  Further, in the technique of Patent Document 2, the transmission-side device and the reception-side device must use a proximity communication module having directivity such as infrared rays and execute a dedicated communication protocol. For this reason, a dedicated communication protocol and a dedicated function corresponding thereto are required.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to perform an operation for specifying a playback device and continuously playing back content for an unspecified device equipped with a general-purpose communication media protocol. It is to make it easy to implement.

  The present invention is a content playback apparatus capable of playing back content, and is specific to a device for specifying a proxy playback device that performs the continuous playback in order to transfer the content being played back to another device for continuous playback. An identification information generation unit that generates identification information, an identification information transmission unit that transmits device identification content including the identification information to an unspecified device capable of communication, and a device that has transmitted the device identification content. A reproduction information acquisition unit that acquires reproduction information of the device identification content that is reproduced in a predetermined device, and continuous reproduction is performed based on the reproduction information of the device identification content acquired by the reproduction information acquisition unit A device identification unit for identifying a proxy playback device, and playback content transmission for transmitting content to be continuously played back to the device specified as the proxy playback device And, equipped with a.

  According to the present invention, an operation for specifying a playback device and continuously playing back content can be easily realized for an unspecified device equipped with a general-purpose communication media protocol. At this time, various existing devices equipped with general-purpose communication media protocols can be used as proxy devices for continuous content playback.

The figure which shows the specific example of the environment where the content reproduction apparatus of this embodiment is used. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a content reproduction system including a content reproduction apparatus according to the present embodiment and another device that continuously reproduces content. The flowchart which shows the outline | summary of operation | movement in the content reproduction apparatus of this embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a transition of the operation state of each apparatus shown in FIG. The figure which shows the 1st example of identification data generation The figure which shows the 2nd example of identification data generation The figure which shows the example of delivery of the content for apparatus identification The figure which shows the example which acquires the content for apparatus identification reproduced with the apparatus of the receiving side with a camera The figure which shows the example of the state transition of the screen display of each apparatus in the specific example 1 of the apparatus identification method shown in FIG.7 and FIG.8. The figure explaining the specific example 2 of the method of specifying the apparatus which carries out continuous reproduction | regeneration The figure which shows the example of the state transition of the screen display of each apparatus in the specific example 2 of the apparatus identification method shown in FIG. The figure explaining the specific example 1 of the method of identifying the performance of the apparatus which carries out continuous reproduction | regeneration The figure explaining the specific example 2 of the method of identifying the performance of the apparatus which carries out continuous reproduction | regeneration The figure which shows the example of the state transition of the screen display of each apparatus in the specific example 1 of the apparatus performance identification method shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration example regarding the content reproduction apparatus of the present embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the viewing-and-listening interruption detection process in the content reproduction apparatus of this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the apparatus specific data creation process in the content reproduction apparatus of this embodiment The flowchart which shows the procedure of the apparatus specific data transmission process in the content reproduction apparatus of this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the apparatus identification process in the content reproduction apparatus of this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the apparatus selection process in the content reproduction apparatus of this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the content conversion process in the content reproduction apparatus of this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the content transmission process in the content reproduction apparatus of this embodiment.

<Overview of this embodiment>
Before describing a specific embodiment of the content reproduction apparatus according to the present invention, an outline of this embodiment will be described.

[Specific example of environment to which this embodiment is applied]
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that when an electronic device having a wireless communication unit such as a mobile phone terminal is used as the content playback device, the content is continuously played back on another device. Further, it is assumed that a general-purpose communication media protocol such as DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is used between the content playback apparatus and another device that continuously plays back the content.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a specific example of an environment in which the content reproduction apparatus of this embodiment is used.

  In FIG. 1, in a home or the like, adjacent rooms A and B exist in a wireless LAN (WLAN) communicable area, and the user uses the mobile phone terminal 100 existing in the room A. Assume the situation. Here, the mobile phone terminal 100 corresponds to a content playback device (first playback device) that plays back content. In room A, there are devices (second playback devices) 201 and 202 capable of reproducing content in addition to the mobile phone terminal 100, and devices 203 capable of reproducing content are present in room B. is doing. The mobile phone terminal 100 and the devices 201, 202, and 203 can communicate with each other wirelessly via a wireless LAN.

  For example, assume a situation in which content such as a TV program received by the mobile phone terminal 100 is played back on the mobile phone terminal 100 and the user is viewing the content on the display screen of the mobile phone terminal 100. Here, when an incoming call or an e-mail arrives at the mobile phone terminal 100, the user must respond to the incoming call, and the mobile phone terminal 100 interrupts the reproduction of the content. However, the user may want to make a voice call or view an incoming mail while continuing to view the content.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, it is assumed that the device 201 has a function of playing back the content currently being viewed. In this case, if the content data being viewed by the user is transferred from the mobile phone terminal 100 to the device 201 by performing an appropriate operation, the content can be continuously played back on the device 201. Yes, the user can continue viewing the content.

  However, when the mobile phone terminal 100 and the devices 201, 202, and 203 capable of reproducing the content have only the communication media protocol such as the highly versatile DLNA standard, the special feature is required to continue viewing the content. Simple means and troublesome operations are required. That is, the user has to perform various operations in order to select the device 201 desired by the user from among the plurality of devices 201, 202, and 203 and specify the device as a device for playing content instead of the mobile phone terminal 100. Absent.

  In order to facilitate the user's operation for continuation of such content viewing, the function of the content reproduction apparatus of the present embodiment is installed in the mobile phone terminal 100 shown in FIG. Of course, it is also assumed that the function of the content reproduction apparatus of this embodiment is installed in an apparatus other than the mobile phone terminal 100.

[Description of operation overview]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a content reproduction system including the content reproduction apparatus according to the present embodiment and another device (proxy reproduction device) that continuously reproduces content.

  The content reproduction system includes a transmitter 110 as a content reproduction device (corresponding to the first reproduction device, the mobile phone terminal 100, etc.) and a proxy reproduction device (second reproduction device, device 201) that continuously reproduces the content. ) As a receiver 220.

  The transmitter 110 includes an identification information generation unit 111, a content transmission unit 112, a camera unit 113, a microphone unit 114, and a device identification unit 115. The identification information generation unit 111 creates device-specific identification data (also referred to as identification information) determined in advance to identify a destination proxy playback device to which content data is transferred in order to perform continuous content playback. To do. The content transmission unit 112 transmits device identification content data including identification data to the receiver 220.

  The receiver 220 includes a content reception unit 221 and a content reproduction unit 222. The content receiving unit 221 receives content data transmitted from the transmitter 110. The content reproduction unit 222 reproduces the content received by the content reception unit 221. When receiving the device identification content including the identification data, the receiver 220 reproduces the device identification content.

  The camera unit 113 captures and acquires image information of the device identification content reproduced by the receiver 220. The microphone unit 114 collects and acquires audio information of the device identification content reproduced by the receiver 220. An information input device including at least one of the camera unit 113 and the microphone unit 114 realizes the function of the reproduction information acquisition unit. The device identification unit 115 is capable of playing back the content currently being played back by the transmitter 110 based on the information on the content for device identification acquired by the camera unit 113 or the microphone unit 114, and is a target for continuous playback. Identify the proxy playback device. In addition, the device identification unit 115 outputs device identification information of a device that performs continuous content reproduction to the content transmission unit 112. The content transmission unit 112 transmits content data to be continuously played back to the target device in accordance with the device identification information from the device identification unit 115. Here, the content transmission unit 112 realizes functions of an identification information transmission unit and a reproduction content transmission unit.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation in the content reproduction apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a transition example of the operation state of each device illustrated in FIG. 1. Here, it is assumed that the mobile phone terminal 100 in FIG. 1 corresponds to the transmitter 110 in FIG. 2, and the device 201 in FIG. 1 corresponds to the receiver 220 in FIG.

  In the mobile phone terminal 100 (corresponding to the transmitter 110), when an incoming call such as a call or e-mail occurs, the mobile phone terminal 100 confirms the incoming call (step S101). Here, when the mobile phone terminal 100 is reproducing the content as in the display screen 101 shown in FIG. 4, it is necessary to interrupt the reproduction of the content or continuously reproduce the content on another device.

  When the content is to be continuously reproduced, the mobile phone terminal 100 distributes device identification content data including device-specific identification data determined in advance to the device 201 (corresponding to the receiver 220) capable of communication. (Step S102). At this time, the identification information generation unit 111 generates and holds identification data of the receiving device, and the content transmission unit 112 transmits the device identification content including the identification data. In addition, when there are a plurality of communicable devices, such as when there are a plurality of devices within the wireless LAN communication range, device-specific identification data is prepared for each device and distributed to each device.

  Data distribution in this case is performed by push-based information delivery. Push-type information distribution (PUSH transmission) sends data to a receiving target device under the control of a transmitting device. Thereby, even if a user does not perform special operation, information can be directly sent to the apparatus 201 from the mobile phone terminal 100. The receiving device is assumed to have a push playback function. The PUSH playback function is a function for receiving data sent by PUSH transmission and performing automatic playback under the control of a transmission-side device. At this time, the content reception unit 221 receives the content, and the content reproduction unit 222 reproduces the device identification content including the identification data. Accordingly, the device identification content received from the mobile phone terminal 100 can be automatically played back by the device 201.

  As the device identification content including identification data, content including at least one of image information and sound information can be used. For example, displayable still images, videos such as moving images, sounds, and the like are assumed. The functions required for the receiving-side device 201 are only a function for playing back content, a general-purpose communication function, and a PUSH playback function, and various existing devices can be used.

  The cellular phone terminal 100 is activated so that the camera unit 113 and the microphone unit 114, which are information input devices, can be used (step S103). Then, information on content for device identification reproduced in the device 201 is input from the camera unit 113 or the microphone unit 114 (step S104). That is, the video and sound of the device identification content reproduced by the device 201 shown in FIG. 4 are acquired using the camera unit 113 and the microphone unit 114.

  The device identification content reproduced by the device 201 includes device-specific identification data. Accordingly, the cellular phone terminal 100 identifies whether or not the identification data is included in the information input from the camera unit 113 or the microphone unit 114 in step S104 (step S105). If included, the next step S106 is performed. Proceed to

  The mobile phone terminal 100 uses the device identification unit 115 to compare the identification data of the device identification content transmitted in step S102 with the identification data detected in step S105, and identify and identify the partner device (step S106). For example, when the mobile phone terminal 100 acquires identification data corresponding to the device 201, the device identification unit 115 specifies that the device from which the identification data has been acquired is the device 201, and performs continuous playback for the device 201. It is determined that the content can be transmitted. In this case, it is assumed that the user has selected the device 201 as the device for continuous playback of content.

  Then, the cellular phone terminal 100 starts distributing data of content to be continuously played to the proxy playback device identified in step S106, for example, the device 201 shown in FIG. 4 (step S107). Data distribution in this case is performed by push type information distribution (PUSH transmission).

  With the above operation, information is directly transmitted from the mobile phone terminal 100 to the device 201 without any special operation by the user. Since the device 201 has a push playback function, the device 201 automatically starts playing the content received from the mobile phone terminal 100. Accordingly, the same content as the content being reproduced on the display screen 101 shown in FIG. 4 can be continuously reproduced on the display screen 201a of the device 201.

  Here, an example of generating device-specific identification data will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a first example of identification data generation, and illustrates an example in which identification data of a target device is generated when another communicable device is recognized. In this case, when the mobile phone terminal 100 moves from the outside of the service area to the WLAN area in the state where the wireless communication by the wireless LAN is formed as the WLAN area, a device that can communicate with the mobile phone terminal 100 is detected as a trigger. The identification data corresponding to the device is generated.

  At this time, when a plurality of devices 701 and 702 exist in the WLAN area as shown in FIG. 5, device information (for example, device name, ID, IP address, MAC address) for identifying the recognized device for each device. Etc.) and the device list 151 is created. Then, the identification data 152 corresponding to each device is generated, and the device list 151 and the identification data 152 are associated with each other and retained internally.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a second example of identification data generation, and illustrates an example in which identification data of a target device is generated when an incoming call such as a telephone call is received as an event that requires continuous playback. In this case, when a mobile phone terminal 100 receives an incoming call or an incoming e-mail, a device capable of communication is detected as a trigger, and identification data corresponding to each device is generated.

  At this time, when a plurality of devices 701 and 702 are recognized as shown in FIG. 6, identification data corresponding to each device is generated and stored in association with device information for specifying the device.

  Next, some specific examples of processing in the content playback apparatus of this embodiment and other devices that perform continuous playback of content are shown.

[Specific Example 1 of Method for Identifying Continuously Playing Device (Image Identification Data)]
7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining a specific example 1 of a method for specifying a device for continuous playback. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of distribution of content for device identification. FIG. 8 is a diagram for playback on a receiving device. It is a figure which shows the example which acquires the content for apparatus identification performed with the camera.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, there is a case where the mobile phone terminal 100 exists as a transmission-side device, and devices 301, 302, 303, and 304 that can reproduce content exist as reception-side devices. Suppose.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 7, device-specific identification data is sent from the mobile phone terminal 100 to the devices 301, 302, 303, and 304 so that the four types of devices 301, 302, 303, and 304 can be identified. As contents for device identification including, contents of different images are distributed by PUSH transmission.

  As a result, the devices 301, 302, 303, and 304 automatically reproduce the contents of the distributed images. For example, images having different contents are displayed on the screens of the devices 301, 302, 303, and 304 as shown in FIGS. Here, by directing the shooting direction of the camera mounted on the mobile phone terminal 100 to any one of the screens of the devices 301, 302, 303, and 304, one image can be shot and input.

  In the example shown in FIG. 8, since the mobile phone terminal 100 takes an image displayed on the screen of the receiving device 302 with a camera, the identification data of the device identification content distributed to the device 302 is used as the mobile phone terminal. 100 will acquire. That is, the mobile phone terminal 100 recognizes the identification data included in the image taken by the camera of the mobile phone terminal 100, and specifies and selects the device 302 as the continuous playback destination of the content.

[Specific example 1 of screen display]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the state transition of the screen display of each device in the specific example 1 of the device specifying method illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. The operation example shown in FIG. 9 will be described below.

  On the display screen 101 of the mobile phone terminal 100, an image of the content being reproduced is displayed. Here, when an incoming call occurs to the mobile phone terminal 100, the reproduction of the content is interrupted, and information related to the incoming call is displayed like the display screen 102.

  At this time, the mobile phone terminal 100 distributes device identification content including device-specific identification data, which is different for each device, to the devices 301 and 302 that can communicate with each other by PUSH transmission. Each of the devices 301 and 302 automatically plays the distributed device identification content and displays it on the screen by the PUSH playback function.

  The mobile phone terminal 100 acquires information on content for device identification being played back by any one of the devices 301 and 302 using a camera unit or a microphone unit, and displays information on identification data included in the acquired content for device identification on a display screen. 103. In the example shown in FIG. 9, since the display content of the screen of the device 302 is captured by the camera unit of the mobile phone terminal 100, the mobile phone terminal 100 can recognize and specify the device 302 as the device to be selected. However, in order to ask the user to confirm the final selection, a message including the name representing the device 302 (“TV monitor” in the example of FIG. 9) is displayed on the display screen 104.

  Here, when the user operates the “OK” button on the display screen 104, PUSH transmission of the content being played back by the mobile phone terminal 100 is started to the selected device 302. As a result, the receiving device 302 automatically starts continuous playback of the content.

[Specific Example 2 of Method for Identifying Continuously Playing Device (Sound Identification Data)]
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a specific example 2 of a method for specifying a device to be continuously played back, and is a schematic diagram showing an example in which device identification content played back by a receiving device is acquired by a microphone.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 10, it is assumed that the mobile phone terminal 100 exists as a transmission-side device, and devices 401 and 402 capable of reproducing content exist as reception-side devices.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 10, device identification content including device-specific identification data is provided from the mobile phone terminal 100 to the devices 401 and 402 so that two types of devices 401 and 402 can be identified. PUSH transmission of different acoustic content.

  As a result, the devices 401 and 402 automatically reproduce the distributed acoustic content. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, “buzzy” sound is output from the device 401 from the speaker, and “gargar” sound is output from the speaker from the device 402.

  Here, when the user directs the microphone unit mounted on the mobile phone terminal 100 toward the devices 401 and 402, it is possible to input “pippy” sound and “gargar” sound. The cellular phone terminal 100 can identify the devices 401 and 402 by recognizing the identification data of each device based on the input acoustic characteristics (for example, frequency difference). When the identification data of a plurality of devices 401 and 402 are detected at the same time, the devices 401 and 402 are utilized by utilizing the difference in the timing of reproducing each sound and the difference in the directivity and volume of the microphone to collect sound. Can be distinguished.

[Specific example 2 of screen display]
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the state transition of the screen display of each device in the specific example 2 of the device specifying method illustrated in FIG. 10. The operation example shown in FIG. 11 will be described below.

  On the display screen 101 of the mobile phone terminal 100, an image of the content being reproduced is displayed. Here, when an incoming call occurs to the mobile phone terminal 100, the reproduction of the content is interrupted, and information related to the incoming call is displayed like the display screen 102.

  At this time, the cellular phone terminal 100 PUSH transmits device identification content including device-specific identification data, which is different for each device, to the devices 501 and 502 capable of communication. Each of the devices 501 and 502 automatically reproduces the distributed device identification content using the PUSH playback function, and outputs the content as sound from a speaker. For example, on the basis of the identification data, the device 501 outputs “beep” and the device 502 outputs “gargar”.

  The mobile phone terminal 100 acquires the acoustic information of the device identification content reproduced by each of the devices 501 and 502 by the microphone unit, detects the information of the identification data included in the acquired device identification content, and the device 501 , 502 are recognized. In the example shown in FIG. 11, since the mobile phone terminal 100 recognizes the two devices 501 and 502, the recognition result is displayed on the display screen 103B. For example, the name “TV monitor” corresponding to the recognized device 501 and the name “recorder” corresponding to the device 502 are displayed on the display screen 103B.

  The user can select one of the two recognized devices while the display screen 103B is displayed. When the user selects “1. TV monitor” on the display screen 103B, a name (“TV monitor” in the example of FIG. 11) representing the device 501 is used to ask the user to confirm the final selection. The message including the message is displayed on the display screen 104. Here, when the user operates the “OK” button on the display screen 104, PUSH transmission of the content being played back by the mobile phone terminal 100 is started to the selected device 501. As a result, the receiving device 501 automatically starts continuous playback of the content.

[Method for identifying the performance of a device to be continuously played]
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a specific example 1 of a method for identifying the performance of a device for continuous reproduction. The content being played back by the mobile phone terminal 100 cannot be played back as it is on another device. That is, since the performance of various devices that can be used by the user is not uniform, the desired content may or may not be reproduced as it is on another device. Therefore, it is necessary to specify the performance related to content reproduction for other devices that intend to continuously reproduce the content instead of the mobile phone terminal 100.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 12, it is assumed that the content being played back by the mobile phone terminal 100 is to be continuously played back on another device 600 instead. In this case, the mobile phone terminal 100 uses a still image content, an audio content, and a video content as the above-described device identification content in order to grasp the performance of the device 600 that is going to perform continuous reproduction. Delivered to the device 600 in order.

  Then, the mobile phone terminal 100 recognizes the content reproduction capability of the device 600 by using the camera unit and the microphone unit to acquire information on the content actually reproduced by the device 600 with respect to the transmitted device identification content. it can. For example, if the device 600 is a device that supports only still image playback, such as a photo frame device, audio content and moving image content are not played back, so the mobile phone terminal 100 assumes that the device 600 is a still image compatible device. Can be recognized.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a specific example 2 of the method for identifying the performance of a device for continuous reproduction. In the example illustrated in FIG. 13, it is assumed that two devices 601 and 602 exist in the vicinity of the mobile phone terminal 100. The device 601 is a video compatible device, and the device 602 is an audio compatible device.

  In this case, in the same manner as described above, the mobile phone terminal 100, as described above, for the device identification content, in order to grasp the performance of the devices 601 and 602 for which continuous playback is to be performed, The contents of the moving image are distributed to the devices 601 and 602 in order. Then, the mobile phone terminal 100 acquires information on the content actually reproduced by the devices 601 and 602 with respect to the transmitted device identification content by using the camera unit and the microphone unit, thereby enabling the content reproduction capability of each device. Recognize In this example, it can be recognized that the device 601 has the capability of reproducing a moving image, and the device 602 has the capability of reproducing only sound.

[Specific example 3 of screen display]
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the state transition of the screen display of each device in the specific example 1 of the device performance identification method illustrated in FIG. The operation example shown in FIG. 14 will be described below.

  On the display screen 101 of the mobile phone terminal 100, an image of the content being reproduced is displayed. Here, when an incoming call occurs to the mobile phone terminal 100, the reproduction of the content is interrupted, and information related to the incoming call is displayed like the display screen 102.

  At this time, the mobile phone terminal 100 pushes the moving image content as the first device identification content including device identification data to the communicable device 600. In the example of FIG. 14, since the device 600 does not have the ability to reproduce the content of the distributed video, this content is not reproduced on the display screen 600a.

  The mobile phone terminal 100 captures and inputs the output of the display screen 600a with the camera unit, and recognizes that the content is not normally reproduced. In the state of the display screen 105, the mobile phone terminal 100 recognizes that the device 600 cannot play back moving images.

  Subsequently, the mobile phone terminal 100 PUSH transmits the still image content as the second device identification content including the device identification data to the device 600. In the example of FIG. 14, since the device 600 has a capability of reproducing the distributed still image content, the still image content is reproduced on the display screen 600b by the PUSH reproduction function.

  The mobile phone terminal 100 captures and inputs the output of the display screen 600b with the camera unit, and recognizes that the content is being reproduced normally. In the state of the display screen 106, the mobile phone terminal 100 recognizes that the device 600 can reproduce a still image.

  In this case, the mobile phone terminal 100 displays a corresponding message on the display screen 107 in order to ask the user to confirm whether or not the content is to be continuously reproduced as a slide show in accordance with the capability of the device 600. Here, when the user operates the “OK” button on the display screen 107, the content being played back by the mobile phone terminal 100 is PUSH transmitted to the selected device 600 as a slide show. At this time, the mobile phone terminal 100 converts the moving image content into a set of a plurality of still images arranged in time series, and sequentially transmits the data of these still images. Accordingly, the device 600 continuously reproduces the content on the display screen 600c as a still image slide show, that is, as a group of still images that are sequentially switched.

<Description of Specific Configuration Example of Content Playback Device>
[Configuration of content playback device]
FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a specific configuration example regarding the content reproduction apparatus of the present embodiment. This content playback apparatus is one of the specific examples of the transmitter 110 shown in FIG. 2, and is mounted on, for example, the mobile phone terminal 100 described above. Here, a case where the present invention is applied to the mobile phone terminal 100 will be described.

  The content reproduction apparatus includes a mail unit 11, a telephone communication unit 12, a microphone unit 13, a camera unit 14, a GUI unit 15, a tuner unit 16, a file system unit 17, a speaker unit 18, a display unit 19, a device management unit 20, and content management. Unit 30, WLAN receiving unit 41, WLAN transmitting unit 42, DEMUX unit 43, audio processing unit 44, and video processing unit 45.

  The device management unit 20 includes a viewing interruption detection unit 21, a device identification unit 22, a device selection unit 23, a device specific data creation unit 24, and a device specific data transmission unit 25. The content management unit 30 includes a content transmission unit 31 and a content conversion unit 32.

  Of the constituent elements shown in FIG. 15, functional blocks relating to the functions of the control system are realized by a microcomputer (not shown) and a program executed by the microcomputer. Of course, it can also be realized using dedicated hardware.

  The mail unit 11 communicates with a server existing on a network such as the Internet, and performs transmission and reception processing related to an e-mail message. When an e-mail is received, an e-mail event is detected by the mail unit 11.

  The telephone communication unit 12 connects a line with a communication network of a mobile phone by wireless communication, and realizes a function related to a user's voice call. When a call is made from an arbitrary terminal to the mobile phone terminal 100 corresponding to the content reproduction apparatus, the telephone communication unit 12 detects an event indicating an incoming voice call.

  The microphone unit 13 includes a sound input device such as a microphone that converts sound, that is, an air vibration waveform, into an electric signal, and a signal processing unit that processes the electric signal. That is, the microphone unit 13 inputs an acoustic waveform such as voice generated outside the casing of the mobile phone terminal 100, converts it into a digital voice signal suitable for processing, and outputs it.

  The camera unit 14 incorporates an imaging device such as a CMOS type or CCD type image sensor and a signal processing unit for processing an imaging signal. That is, the camera unit 14 shoots an arbitrary subject, generates a still image or moving image video signal, converts the video signal into a digital image signal suitable for processing, and outputs the digital image signal. Here, at least one of the microphone unit 13 and the camera unit 14 realizes a function as a reproduction information acquisition unit.

  The GUI (graphical user interface) unit 15 is an interface for generating and executing an image object related to user operation input and output to the user. For example, an appropriate operation button is displayed graphically on the screen of the display unit 19 or an appropriate message is displayed according to the situation at that time, and an appropriate input process is executed for the user's operation input.

  The tuner unit 16 receives radio waves from a television broadcast content, and performs processing for generating and outputting content data such as a moving image and sound that can be reproduced from the received signal.

  A file system unit 17 holds content data obtained by the tuner unit 16 in the past as a reproducible file, or holds content data prepared in advance by a user as a reproducible file. Has a function for.

  The speaker unit 18 converts an electrical signal such as sound into sound and outputs the sound. For example, acoustic information such as voice included in the content reproduced by the mobile phone terminal 100, voice of the other party received during a voice call, and the like are output from the speaker unit 18 as sound.

  The display unit 19 has a display screen configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display, and can display characters, figures, images, and the like as visible information. The display unit 19 is used to display information such as a still image, a moving image, and a message to the user that are included in the content reproduced by the mobile phone terminal 100.

  The WLAN receiving unit 41 communicates with other devices in the wireless LAN communication range via the wireless LAN communication interface provided in the mobile phone terminal 100 and inputs the received signal to the device management unit 20. . Similarly, the WLAN transmission unit 42 transmits data to other devices existing within the wireless LAN communication range.

  Note that the WLAN receiving unit 41 and the WLAN transmitting unit 42 have a function of performing communication in accordance with the specifications of the DLNA guidelines. That is, communication is performed using a combination of existing standards including DLNA and general-purpose protocols using a wireless LAN. Therefore, a unique communication protocol is not adopted for continuous playback of content, and communication with various existing devices that conform to the DLNA standard is possible.

  The device management unit 20 performs processing for managing other devices that can operate in cooperation with the content reproduction apparatus (the mobile phone terminal 100).

  The viewing interruption detection unit 21 of the device management unit 20 detects a viewing interruption related to the content being played back on the mobile phone terminal 100. For example, when a mail incoming event occurs in the mail unit 11 or when a telephone incoming event occurs in the telephone communication unit 12, the content reproduction is interrupted, and the viewing interruption detection unit 21 detects it.

  The device identification unit 22 identifies a communicable counterpart device including a proxy reproduction device that performs continuous reproduction based on information of identification data acquired by the microphone unit 13 and the camera unit 14. The counterpart device corresponds to each of the devices 301 to 304 shown in FIG.

  When there is one or more other devices that can play back content instead of the mobile phone terminal 100, the device selection unit 23 selects and specifies a proxy playback device to be used for continuous playback of the content. When determining the proxy playback device to be used, the device selection unit 23 accepts a user input operation to the GUI unit 15.

  The device specific data creation unit 24 implements the function of the identification information generation unit, and creates device specific data as identification data. The device-specific data creation unit 24 creates device-specific data that can identify each device when communication can be performed between the mobile phone terminal 100 and another device that can reproduce the content.

  The device specific data transmission unit 25 realizes the function of the identification information transmission unit, and transmits device specific data as identification data. When the device management unit 20 attempts to specify a device to be used for continuous playback of content, the device specific data transmission unit 25 sends the corresponding device specific data generated by the device specific data generation unit 24 to each device. Including device identification content. In this case, the content data is transmitted by push type information distribution using the WLAN transmission unit 42.

  The content management unit 30 manages the corresponding content when the content being reproduced is continuously reproduced using another device.

  The content transmission unit 31 of the content management unit 30 realizes the function of the reproduction content transmission unit, and transmits data of content to be continuously reproduced to the device selected by the device selection unit 23. In this case, the content data is transmitted by push type information distribution using the WLAN transmission unit 42.

  The content conversion unit 32 converts the content to be transmitted when necessary according to the playback capability of the device used for continuous playback of the content. The content conversion unit 32 converts the moving image into a digest still image group, converts the content codec type and data format, and converts the image frame size so that the corresponding device can play back the content. Change the presence or absence of audio.

  A DEMUX (demultiplexer) unit 43 separates and outputs each signal component from an input signal input in a state where a plurality of signals are multiplexed. For example, in the case of content in which a video signal and an audio signal are multiplexed, such as video content data, the DEMUX unit 43 outputs the video data and the audio data separately from each other. .

  The audio processing unit 44 inputs audio data output from the DEMUX unit 43 when decoding content including sound such as audio, performs decoding processing, and then performs digital / analog conversion to generate an audio signal. This audio signal is output to the speaker unit 18.

  The video processing unit 45 inputs video data output from the DEMUX unit 43 and outputs the decoded image signal to the display unit 19 when playing back content including still images and moving images.

  When the content output from the tuner unit 16 or the file system unit 17 is reproduced on the mobile phone terminal 100, the content video is displayed on the screen of the display unit 19, and the audio of the content is output as sound from the speaker unit 18. Is done. In addition, when continuous playback of content is performed, the content transmitted by the content transmission unit 31 of the content management unit 30 is extracted from the output of the DEMUX unit 43 or the output of the audio processing unit 44 and the video processing unit 45. Then, it is transmitted after being converted by the content conversion unit 32.

[Operation of content playback device]
The outline of the operation in the case where the content reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. 15 interrupts the reproduction of the content and continuously reproduces the same content in another device is as described above. A more detailed operation will be described below.

(Viewing interruption detection operation)
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the viewing interruption detection process in the content reproduction apparatus of the present embodiment. This viewing interruption detection process is executed by the viewing interruption detection unit 21 of the device management unit 20.

  The viewing interruption detection unit 21 monitors the status of each of the mail unit 11, the telephone communication unit 12, and the GUI unit 15 and confirms the occurrence of some event related to the viewing interruption factor (step S11). Then, the viewing interruption detection unit 21 determines the presence / absence of a viewing interruption factor (step S12), and detects the presence of a viewing interruption factor.

  For example, when an incoming e-mail occurs, when an incoming call occurs, or when viewing is interrupted due to a user input operation, as a result of monitoring in step S11 and determination in step S12, Since it is considered to be present, the process proceeds to step S13.

  Then, the viewing interruption detection unit 21 notifies the device-specific data transmission unit 25 of information indicating “viewing interruption cause exists” (step S13).

(Device-specific data creation process)
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a procedure of device-specific data creation processing in the content reproduction apparatus of this embodiment. This device unique data creation process is executed by the device unique data creation unit 24 of the device management unit 20.

  The device specific data creation unit 24 monitors the state of the WLAN reception unit 41, checks whether there is a communicable device connected by DLNA, and detects a connected device (step S21). For example, in the situation shown in FIG. 1, other devices 201, 202, and 203 exist in the same WLAN area as the mobile phone terminal 100, so if these devices comply with the DLNA standard, the devices 201 to 203 are Detected as a communicable device.

  Then, the device-specific data creation unit 24 identifies whether or not a new device has been detected in step S21 in addition to the device that has already created device-specific data as identification data (step S22). Proceed to step S23.

  Next, when it is determined that there is a new device in step S22, the device unique data creation unit 24 creates device unique data including identification information for identifying each device, and applies the device unique data to the corresponding device unique data. It allocates to the apparatus to perform (step S23). The device-specific data created by the device-specific data creation unit 24 is content such as audio, still images, and moving images so that each device can play back.

  Specific examples of identification information included in the device identification content include display color, display luminance, QR code, barcode, and the like in the case of image information such as still images and moving images. That is, as image information, at least one of elements such as color, luminance, and light / dark distribution is used. When the difference in display color is used as identification information, for example, when there are four devices 301 to 304 as devices capable of reproducing and displaying video as shown in FIG. 7, the devices 301, 302, 303, and 304 It is possible to assign content display colors such as yellow, pink, blue, and green, respectively. When using the light and shade distribution as identification information, the identification information of each device is set by, for example, a QR code or a barcode.

  As a result, even when there are a plurality of devices that can be used for continuous playback of content, the content playback device side can easily make a difference in device identification content (identification information based on different image information) displayed on each device. Can be distinguished.

  As specific examples of identification information included in device identification content, in the case of audio (acoustic) information, it may be expressed by a difference in sound frequency, or a special signal sound (for example, a characteristic of the corresponding device) It is also possible to use a sound envelope, a sound rhythm, etc. that differ. Further, a characteristic may be given by a combination of the frequency axis characteristic of sound and the time axis characteristic. For example, as in the example illustrated in FIG. 10, it is conceivable that a “pip” sound is assigned to the device 401 and a “gargar” sound is assigned to the device 402.

  As a result, even when there are a plurality of devices that can be used for continuous playback of content, the difference in device identification content played back by each device (identification information based on different acoustic information) can be detected on the content playback device side. It becomes possible to distinguish easily.

  Further, as the device identification content, a combination of video including device-specific identification information and sound including device-specific identification information may be used.

(Timing for creating device-specific data)
The timing at which the device-specific data creation unit 24 of the device management unit 20 executes the device-specific data creation process shown in FIG. 17 does not need to be specified, but in reality, the timing as shown in the example below. It is assumed that it will be processed by.

(Example 1)
As shown in FIG. 5, when the mobile phone terminal 100 moves from the outside of the service area to the WLAN area in a state where the wireless LAN communication area is formed as the WLAN area, the device specific data is detected as a trigger. Execute the creation process. At this time, when a plurality of devices 701 and 702 exist in the WLAN area as shown in FIG. 5, unique identification data is created for each device, and a device list is created.

(Example 2)
As shown in FIG. 6, when a mobile phone terminal 100 receives an incoming call or an incoming e-mail, this is detected as a trigger, and device-specific data creation processing is executed. If an incoming call occurs, content viewing may be interrupted. If an interruption occurs, the device-specific data transmission processing described below is executed after the device-specific data creation processing is executed. , Device identification content including device specific data is individually transmitted to each of the devices 701 and 702.

  As described above, the device-specific data creation unit (identification information generation unit) 24 of the content reproduction device creates and creates unique identification information independent for each device every time a new communicable device is detected. It operates to associate the identification information with the device.

  Therefore, even if there are a plurality of devices as candidate devices used for continuous playback of content, the plurality of devices can be recognized separately on the content playback device side. In addition, since the identification information is created on the content playback device side, it is not necessary to install a special function in the counterpart device, so that the existing device can be used for continuous playback of content. Furthermore, there is no need for the user to perform a special input operation on the counterpart device.

(Device-specific data transmission processing)
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a procedure of device-specific data transmission processing in the content reproduction apparatus of this embodiment. This device specific data transmission process is executed by the device specific data transmission unit 25 of the device management unit 20.

  The device specific data transmission unit 25 confirms the notification of the presence of the viewing interruption factor transmitted from the viewing interruption detection unit 21 (step S31). Next, the device-specific data transmission unit 25 transmits device-specific data created and assigned for the corresponding device as a device identification content to a device capable of communicating with the mobile phone terminal 100 (step S100). S32). In this case, the content data is transmitted by push type information distribution using the WLAN transmission unit 42.

  Then, the device specific data transmission unit 25 determines whether there is a device that has not transmitted device specific data among communicable devices (step S33). If there is an untransmitted device, the process returns to step S32 to transmit device-specific data to the corresponding device.

  That is, the device specific data is transmitted as device identification content to each of all devices that can communicate with the mobile phone terminal 100. For example, in the situation shown in FIG. 7, device identification data including device-specific data (identification information) that is different for each device is transmitted from the mobile phone terminal 100 to each of the devices 301 to 304 by the device-specific data transmission process. be delivered.

  Note that the device identification content transmitted by the device specific data transmission unit 25 to each device in the device specific data transmission processing is not limited to one type. Since the content reproduction capability of each device varies, it is unclear whether the corresponding device can actually reproduce the transmitted content. Therefore, in order to know the playback capability of each device, various types of device identification content are transmitted as device-specific data. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 12, it is assumed that three types of device identification content, that is, a still image, audio, and moving image are transmitted in order.

(Device identification processing)
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a procedure of device identification processing in the content reproduction apparatus of this embodiment. This device identification process is executed by the device identification unit 22 of the device management unit 20.

  The device identification process is executed after the device specific data transmission process by the device specific data transmission unit 25 is completed. For example, when device identification content including device-specific data is distributed to each of the devices 301 to 304 in the situation shown in FIG. 7, for example, the device identification content distributed by each of the devices 301 to 304 is automatically played back ( PUSH playback) and the situation shown in FIG. 8 is obtained. In this state, the device identification process of FIG. 19 is executed.

  The device identification unit 22 acquires device specific data using the microphone unit 13 and the camera unit 14 (step S41).

  For example, in the situation shown in FIG. 8, when the device identification content distributed to the devices 301 to 304 includes images, the images reproduced by the devices 301 to 304 are respectively captured by the camera unit 14 of the mobile phone terminal 100. The acquired information can be input to the device identification unit 22. In this case, the device identification content reproduced by the devices 301 to 304 includes device-specific data (identification information) that can identify each device, for example, as a difference in display color of the image. Data can be acquired.

  Next, the device identification unit 22 identifies the target device that has played back the device-specific data, that is, the device that receives the content for continuous playback (the content transmission target device) based on the acquired device-specific data (step S42). At this time, the device-specific data transmitted from the device-specific data transmission unit 25 to each device is compared with the device-specific data acquired by the device identification unit 22 to identify a matching device.

  For example, in the situation shown in FIG. 8, a case is assumed where the display colors of the device identification contents displayed on the devices 301 to 304 are yellow, pink, blue, and green, respectively. Here, when the user points the camera of the mobile phone terminal 100 toward the screen of a desired device, a display image including any one of yellow, pink, blue, and green can be taken. When the display color of the captured image is pink, the device specific data (pink) transmitted from the device specific data transmission unit 25 to the device 302 and the device specific data (pink) acquired by the device identification unit 22 are displayed. Therefore, the receiving device (content transmission target device) is identified as the device 302.

  Then, the device identification unit 22 identifies the type of the acquired device specific data (step S43).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 12, when content for device identification of still images, audio, and moving images is distributed in order, the data of the device identification content can be acquired in step S41. However, in actuality, there are cases where playback is not possible due to differences in the capabilities of the corresponding devices, and device-specific data of all types of device identification content cannot always be acquired. Therefore, the type of the device specific data actually acquired is identified in step S43.

  Here, when moving image data is acquired, the device identification unit 22 recognizes that the corresponding device is compatible with moving images, that is, has the ability to reproduce moving image content (step S44). When the still image data is received, the device identifying unit 22 recognizes that the corresponding device is compatible with the still image, that is, has the ability to reproduce the content of the still image (step S45). If the audio data is received, the device identification unit 22 recognizes that the corresponding device is compatible with audio, that is, has the ability to reproduce audio content (step S46).

  As described above, the device identification unit 22 of the content reproduction apparatus, as an information input device, captures an image and converts it into an electrical signal (camera unit 14), and an acoustic input device (microphone) that converts sound into an electrical signal. At least one of the parts 13) is used. An information input device including at least one of the imaging device and the acoustic input device realizes a function as a reproduction information acquisition unit.

  By using the imaging device, it is possible to recognize a device that can reproduce the content of a still image or a moving image based on identification information included in the image displayed on the reproduction screen of the device. In addition, by using an acoustic input device, a device capable of reproducing sound content such as voice or music can be recognized based on identification information included in sound reproduced and output from a speaker unit or the like of the device. it can.

  As described above, the device-specific data transmission unit (identification information transmission unit) 25 of the content reproduction apparatus includes, as device identification content, presence / absence of audio information, still image / video classification, image size, codec type, and file format. The content including the reproduction capability identification data indicating the type of the content is transmitted. For example, at least one of these types of reproduction capability identification data is different, and a plurality of different types of reproduction capability identification contents are transmitted to each device. Then, the device identification unit 22 automatically identifies the difference in reproduction capability of the corresponding device based on the reproduction information of the device identification content acquired using the information input device. For example, as in the example shown in FIG. 12, by transmitting still image device identification content, audio device identification content, and moving image device identification content, and acquiring reproduced content, It becomes possible for the content reproduction apparatus to recognize which type of content the counterpart device supports.

(Device selection processing)
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a procedure of device selection processing in the content reproduction apparatus of this embodiment. This device selection process is executed by the device selection unit 23 of the device management unit 20.

  The device selection unit 23 monitors the user's input operation to the GUI unit 15 to confirm the operation input of the determination key, and determines the selected device (step S51). Since one or more candidate devices to be used for continuous playback of content are identified by the device identification processing shown in FIG. 19, the device to be finally used selected from the candidate devices is selected in step S51. Check.

  For example, when only one device is detected as a candidate, a screen 104 for requesting the user's final confirmation as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed, and an operation input in which the “OK” button is operated by the user is accepted. When a plurality of devices are detected as candidates, a list of candidate devices is displayed as shown in the screen 103B in FIG. 11 and a user's selection operation input is accepted.

  Next, the device selection unit 23 acquires information regarding the content playback capability for the determined specific receiving device (proxy playback device), and confirms the corresponding status of the content (step S52). At this time, information representing the results recognized in steps S44, S45, and S46 of FIG. 19 is acquired for the corresponding device.

  Then, the device selection unit 23 notifies the content management unit 30 of the reception device information representing the selected reception device (step S53). As a specific example of the receiving device information to be notified, for example, the IP address of the device is assumed.

  In addition, the device selection unit 23 notifies the content management unit 30 of information regarding the content correspondence status (content reproduction capability) of the selected receiving device (step S54). For example, information indicating whether or not the corresponding device has the ability to play back each content of a moving image, a still image, and audio, the format of data supported by the device, and the like are notified.

(Content conversion process)
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a procedure of content conversion processing in the content reproduction apparatus of this embodiment. This content conversion process is executed by the content conversion unit 32 of the content management unit 30.

  The content conversion unit 32 confirms the information on the content correspondence status notified from the device management unit 20, and recognizes the content playback capability of the device used for continuous playback of the content (step S61). At this time, it is determined whether or not the device selected as the transmission destination has a reproduction capability corresponding to, for example, moving image, still image, and audio content.

  Next, the content conversion unit 32 acquires content data to be continuously reproduced from the output of the DEMUX unit 43 or the outputs of the audio processing unit 44 and the video processing unit 45 (step S62).

  Then, the content conversion unit 32 determines whether it is necessary to separate the video and audio constituting the content when the content to be processed is, for example, a moving image including video and audio. (Step S63). When it is necessary to separate the content, the content conversion unit 32 separates the input content into video and audio (step S64).

  Further, the content conversion unit 32 determines whether or not the content to be continuously played back on the selected device needs to be converted before transmission (step S65). At this time, the type of the corresponding content is compared with the content reproduction capability of the destination device. For example, if the type of content to be continuously played is a video, and the destination device used for continuous playback only supports playback of still images, the video content cannot be played back, so content conversion is required. Recognize that there is sex.

  When it is necessary to convert the content, the content conversion unit 32 converts the content data in accordance with the content reproduction capability of the transmission destination device (step S66). For example, if the content to be continuously played is a video, and the destination device only supports playback of still images, a digest content including a plurality of still images that can be played back as a slide show is used instead of the video. Generate. In other words, moving image content data is input and converted into a set of still images representing typical scenes of the moving image.

  Next, the content conversion unit 32 delivers the processed content data to the content transmission unit 31 (step S67).

  As described above, the content conversion unit 32 of the content playback device converts the content data to be transmitted according to the difference in playback capability of the device selected as the proxy playback device. Accordingly, it is possible to perform continuous playback of content in a desired state using various devices having different playback capabilities.

(Content transmission processing)
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a procedure of content transmission processing in the content reproduction apparatus of this embodiment. This content transmission process is executed by the content transmission unit 31 of the content management unit 30.

  The content transmission unit 31 confirms the reception device information notified from the device management unit 20, and acquires information for specifying a transmission destination device used for continuous reproduction of content, for example, the IP address of the corresponding device (step S71). ).

  Next, the content transmission unit 31 receives content data to be continuously played back from the content conversion unit 32 (step S72).

  Then, the content transmission unit 31 transmits the data of the content received in step S72 to the proxy reproduction device (reception device) of the transmission destination specified in step S71 (step S73). In this case, the content data is transmitted by push type information distribution using the WLAN transmission unit 42.

  As described above, when the device-specific data transmission unit 25 transmits the device identification fixed content to each unspecified communicable device, the content reproduction device transmits the information by push-type information distribution. In addition, when the content transmission unit 31 transmits content to be continuously played to a specific device selected as the proxy playback device, the content transmission unit 31 transmits the content by push-type information distribution. At this time, data is sent (PUSH transmission) using a push type information distribution protocol in a general communication standard such as DLNA. Thereby, even if a user does not perform special operation with respect to the other party's apparatus, the applicable apparatus can reproduce | regenerate automatically the content received by the PUSH reproduction | regeneration function. Therefore, the operability for the user when the content is continuously played back by another device is greatly improved.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a device that performs proxy playback is identified from unspecified devices equipped with a highly versatile communication media protocol such as DLNA, and the content is transferred and continuously played back. be able to. At this time, it is not necessary to provide a special function and configuration in the counterpart device, the user's operation can be simplified, the device to be continuously played back can be specified, and the content can be transferred. In addition, the user's operation is unnecessary in the counterpart device. Therefore, various existing devices equipped with highly versatile communication media protocols can be used as substitute reproduction device candidates.

  Various aspects of the embodiment according to the present invention include the following.

A content playback apparatus capable of playing back content, and generates device-specific identification information for identifying the proxy playback device that performs the continuous playback in order to transfer the content being played to another device for continuous playback An identification information generating unit that transmits the device identification content including the identification information to an unspecified communicable device, and a predetermined one of the devices that transmitted the device identification content A reproduction information acquisition unit that acquires reproduction information of the device identification content that is reproduced in the device, and a proxy reproduction device that performs continuous reproduction based on the reproduction information of the device identification content acquired by the reproduction information acquisition unit A device identification unit for identifying, and a playback content transmission unit for transmitting content to be continuously played back to the device specified as the proxy playback device. That the content reproduction apparatus.
With the above configuration, there is no need to provide a special function and configuration in the counterpart device, and an operation for specifying a proxy playback device and continuously playing back content for an unspecified device equipped with a general-purpose communication media protocol Can be realized easily.

In the content reproduction apparatus, the device identification unit compares the identification information of the device identification content transmitted to each device and the reproduction information of the device identification content acquired by the reproduction information acquisition unit. And a content playback apparatus for identifying the proxy playback device.
Continuing by comparing the identification information of the device identification content transmitted from the device itself to the partner device with the playback information of the device identification content reproduced by the target partner device and acquired by the own device. It becomes possible to identify and specify a proxy playback device that performs playback.

In the above content reproduction device, the identification information generation unit detects the identification for each device at least one of when a communicable device is detected or an event that requires continuous reproduction occurs. A content playback device that generates information.
With the above-described configuration, it is possible to generate identification information for each device as necessary, and transmit device identification content including the identification information to the target device when continuous playback is performed.

In the content reproduction apparatus, the identification information transmission unit transmits the device identification content by a push type information distribution protocol, and the reproduction content transmission unit transmits the content to be continuously reproduced by a push type information distribution protocol. A content playback apparatus that transmits the content by means of
With the above configuration, by transmitting the device identification content and the content to be continuously played by the push type information distribution protocol, the receiving side counterpart device can automatically play the content distributed by the PUSH playback function.

The content reproduction device, wherein the identification information includes at least one of image information and sound information.
With the above configuration, it is possible to identify and specify the proxy playback device by the device identification content including image information, sound information, and the like.

In the content reproduction apparatus, the reproduction information acquisition unit includes at least one of an imaging device that acquires image information of the identification information and an acoustic input device that acquires sound information of the identification information. A content reproduction apparatus having an information input device.
With the above configuration, it is possible to acquire reproduction information of device identification content including image information or sound information reproduced by the counterpart device.

In the content reproduction apparatus, the device identification unit recognizes the content reproduction capability in the device selected as the proxy reproduction device based on the reproduction information of the device identification content acquired by the reproduction information acquisition unit. Content playback device.
With the above-described configuration, reproducible content can be identified by the device identification content reproduced by the counterpart device, and the content reproduction capability of the counterpart device can be recognized. For example, by transmitting a plurality of device identification contents having different types and data formats and recognizing reproducible contents, it is possible to recognize the content reproduction capability.

The content playback apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a content conversion unit that converts the content to be continuously played back according to the content playback capability of the proxy playback device recognized by the device identification unit.
With the configuration described above, it is possible to reproduce the content converted according to the content reproduction capability in the proxy reproduction device.

  In a content playback apparatus capable of playing back content, a proxy playback device specifying method for specifying a proxy playback device for transferring content being played back to another device for continuous playback, wherein the proxy playback device performs the continuous playback Generating device-specific identification information for identifying the device, transmitting device identification content including the identification information to an unspecified device capable of communication, and transmitting the device identification content A step of obtaining reproduction information of the device identification content that is reproduced in a predetermined device of the devices, and a proxy for performing continuous reproduction based on the reproduction information of the device identification content acquired by the reproduction information acquisition unit A step of identifying a playback device and transmitting content to be continuously played back to the device specified as the proxy playback device Proxy reproducing device identification method comprising the steps, a.

  A program that causes a computer to execute each step of the above-described proxy reproduction device specifying method.

  The present invention is intended to be variously modified and applied by those skilled in the art based on the description in the specification and well-known techniques without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Included in the scope for protection. In addition, the constituent elements in the above embodiment may be arbitrarily combined without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  The present invention has an effect that an operation for specifying a playback device and continuously playing back content can be easily realized for an unspecified device equipped with a general-purpose communication media protocol. It is useful as a content playback apparatus having a function of continuously playing back content such as images and music on another device and a proxy playback device identification method.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Mail part 12 Telephone communication part 13 Microphone part 14 Camera part 15 GUI part 16 Tuner part 17 File system part 18 Speaker part 19 Display part 20 Equipment management part 21 Viewing interruption detection part 22 Equipment identification part 23 Equipment selection part 24 Equipment specific data Creation unit (identification information generation unit)
25 Device-specific data transmitter (identification information transmitter)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 Content management part 31 Content transmission part 32 Content conversion part 41 WLAN receiving part 42 WLAN transmission part 43 DEMUX part 44 Audio | voice processing part 45 Video | video processing part 100 Mobile phone terminal (1st reproduction | regeneration apparatus, content reproduction apparatus)
110 Transmitter 111 Identification Information Generation Unit 112 Content Transmission Unit (Identification Information Transmission Unit, Playback Content Transmission Unit)
113 Camera unit (reproduction information acquisition unit)
114 Microphone unit (reproduction information acquisition unit)
115 Device identification unit 201, 202, 203, 301, 302, 303, 304, 401, 402, 501, 502, 600, 601, 602 Device (second playback device)
220 receiver 221 content receiver 222 content playback unit

Claims (10)

A content playback device capable of playing back content,
An identification information generating unit that generates device-specific identification information for identifying the proxy playback device that performs the continuous playback in order to transfer the content being played back to another device for continuous playback;
An identification information transmitting unit for transmitting device identification content including the identification information to an unspecified device capable of communication;
A reproduction information acquisition unit that acquires reproduction information of the device identification content that is reproduced in a predetermined device among the devices that transmitted the device identification content;
A device identification unit for identifying a proxy reproduction device that performs continuous reproduction based on the reproduction information of the device identification content acquired by the reproduction information acquisition unit;
A playback content transmission unit that transmits content for continuous playback to the device identified as the proxy playback device;
A content playback apparatus comprising: The content playback device according to claim 1,
The device identification unit compares the identification information of the device identification content transmitted to each device with the reproduction information of the device identification content acquired by the reproduction information acquisition unit, and identifies the proxy reproduction device , Content playback device. The content playback device according to claim 1,
The content reproduction device, wherein the identification information generation unit generates the identification information for each device when at least one of the devices capable of communication is detected or when an event that requires continuous reproduction occurs. The content playback device according to claim 1,
The identification information transmitting unit transmits the device identification content by a push type information distribution protocol,
The content reproduction apparatus, wherein the reproduction content transmission unit transmits the content to be continuously reproduced by a push type information distribution protocol. The content playback device according to claim 1,
The content reproduction apparatus, wherein the identification information includes at least one of image information and sound information. The content playback apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
The reproduction information acquisition unit includes an information input device including at least one of an imaging device that acquires image information of the identification information and an acoustic input device that acquires sound information of the identification information. . The content playback device according to claim 1,
The device identification unit is a content reproduction device that recognizes content reproduction capability in a device selected as the proxy reproduction device based on reproduction information of the device identification content acquired by the reproduction information acquisition unit. The content playback device according to claim 7,
A content reproduction apparatus comprising: a content conversion unit that converts the content to be continuously reproduced in accordance with the content reproduction capability of the proxy reproduction device recognized by the device identification unit. In a content playback apparatus capable of playing back content, a proxy playback device specifying method for specifying a proxy playback device for transferring the content being played back to another device for continuous playback,
Generating device-specific identification information for identifying the proxy playback device that performs the continuous playback;
Transmitting device identification content including the identification information to an unspecified device capable of communication;
Obtaining reproduction information of the device identification content to be reproduced in a predetermined device among the devices that transmitted the device identification content;
Identifying a proxy playback device for performing continuous playback based on the playback information of the device identification content acquired by the playback information acquisition unit;
Transmitting content for continuous playback to the device identified as the proxy playback device;
A method for identifying a substitute reproduction device having   A program that causes a computer to execute the steps of the proxy reproduction device specifying method according to claim 9.

Images