JP2014044761A - Content reproduction device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to easily confirm whether to use an external storage during reproducing content in a content reproduction device.SOLUTION: A BD player is provided with an optical disk drive having a disk detection part. When the disk detection part detects that a BD disk is loaded (S1), an optical disk drive is driven to read "index.bdmv" data from the BD disk (S2). Whether to use an external storage during reproducing content is determined with reference to a table in which information about the BD disk in the "index.bdmv" data is recorded (S3).

Description

  The present invention relates to a content playback apparatus capable of playing back content recorded on a recording medium.

  In recent years, some moving image content recorded on a Blu-ray disc (hereinafter referred to as a BD disc) can be played back in a state where the data is expanded on an external storage such as a USB memory or an SD card. Are known. When a BD player that does not have an external storage reproduces this type of content, it is necessary to reproduce the content after connecting the external storage to the BD player.

JP 2009-110661 A JP 2008-84488 A

  By the way, it is general that whether or not to use an external storage at the time of content reproduction is unknown until the content is reproduced. Some contents display a message “external storage is required” when the contents are played back, but many contents do not display such a message. Therefore, when content using external storage is played back using a BD player that does not have external storage, for example, there is a problem that the black screen remains displayed and the content cannot be played back normally. Furthermore, since it is not known that some users need to connect an external storage to the BD player, there is a case where the user may misrecognize that the content cannot be reproduced due to a device failure.

  In the field of content playback devices, Patent Document 1 discloses video data recorded on a recording medium such as a BD-ROM and additional content of the removable medium when attachment of a removable medium is detected by a detection module. A playback apparatus that plays back in combination dynamically is disclosed. However, since this playback device does not know whether or not to use an external storage (removable medium) during content playback, the above problem cannot be solved.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an extraction unit that extracts a URL from read information based on reflected light of a laser beam, a communication unit that communicates with an external device via a network, and a communication unit that detects when the extraction unit detects a URL. And a control unit that generates and outputs a display signal that displays a message prompting connection setting if the information can be downloaded by accessing the external device indicated by the URL using URL An optical disc reproducing apparatus that can reliably download the resources is disclosed. However, even this optical disk playback device cannot solve the above problem because it is not known whether or not to use an external storage during content playback.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a content playback apparatus that allows a user to easily check whether or not to use an external storage during content playback. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, a content playback apparatus according to the present invention reads content data and playback control data indicating whether or not to use an external storage at the time of content playback from a recording medium; and And reproducing means for reproducing the content data read by the recording means, and before the reproducing means reproduces the content data, the content is recorded on the recording medium based on the content of the reproduction control data read by the reading means. Determining means for determining whether or not to use the external storage when reproducing the content.

  In the above configuration, before the reproduction unit reproduces the content data, the reading unit reads the reproduction control data from the recording medium, and the determination unit uses the external storage when reproducing the content recorded on the recording medium. Determine whether. Therefore, the user can easily confirm whether or not to use the external storage when reproducing the content before reproducing the content.

  The content playback apparatus further comprises external storage determination means for determining whether or not the external storage is usable, and communication means for transmitting / receiving data to / from a server capable of developing data. The means determines whether or not the external storage can be used by the external storage determining means when reproducing the content determined to use the external storage by the determining means, and as a result, the external storage cannot be used. When it is determined, it is desirable to reproduce the content while expanding the data on the server using the communication means.

  In the above configuration, even if it is determined that the external storage cannot be used by the external storage determining means, the content is reproduced on the server to reproduce the content using the external storage. It is possible to improve convenience when doing so.

  The content playback apparatus includes an external storage determination unit that determines whether or not the external storage is usable, and a connection unit that transmits and receives data by connecting to an external device having a recording medium capable of developing data. The reproducing means determines whether the external storage can be used by the external storage determining means when reproducing the content determined to use the external storage by the determining means, and as a result, When it is determined that the external storage cannot be used, it is desirable to reproduce the content while developing the data on the recording medium of the external device using the connection unit.

  In the above configuration, even when it is determined that the external storage cannot be used by the external storage determining means, the content that uses the external storage is reproduced by expanding the data on the recording medium of the external device. Convenience when reproducing the content can be improved.

  The content reproduction apparatus includes: an external storage determination unit that determines whether the external storage is usable; a communication unit that transmits / receives data to / from a server that can expand data; A reproducing means for connecting to an external device having a recording medium and transmitting / receiving data; and a selecting means for instructing which of the communication means or the connecting means to select. Determines whether or not the external storage can be used by the external storage determining means when reproducing the content determined to use the external storage by the determining means, and as a result, determines that the external storage cannot be used. If the communication means is selected by the selection means, the communication means is used on the server. The content is reproduced while expanding the data, and when the connection means is selected by the selection means, the content of the content is expanded while expanding the data on the recording medium of the external device using the connection means. It is desirable to perform regeneration.

  In the above configuration, even when the external storage determining unit determines that the external storage cannot be used, the data is expanded on the server when the communication unit is selected, and when the connecting unit is selected, the external device By deploying the data on the recording medium, the content using the external storage is reproduced, so that the convenience in reproducing the content can be improved.

  The content reproduction apparatus preferably further includes output means for outputting a message to that effect when the determination means determines that an external storage is to be used when reproducing the content recorded on the recording medium.

  In the above configuration, when it is determined that the external storage is used when reproducing the content recorded on the recording medium, a message to that effect is output, so that the user can easily use the external storage when reproducing the content. Can know.

  According to the present invention, before the content is played, whether or not the user uses the external storage without playing the content is determined in order to determine whether or not to use the external storage when playing the content. Can be easily confirmed. Thus, for example, the user can make the external storage available before the content is played, and then can play the content. Therefore, when the content cannot be played because the external storage cannot be used, the user can Can be prevented from being mistakenly recognized as a device failure.

1 is a schematic diagram of a content reproduction system including a BD player and a TV receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the internal structure of the said BD player. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the content reproduction process of the said BD player. Explanatory drawing which shows the example of a message display in the said content reproduction | regeneration processing. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the external storage use process in the said content reproduction process. A continuation of the flowchart showing the operation of the external storage use process. Explanatory drawing which shows the example of a message display in the said external storage use process. Explanatory drawing which shows the example of a message display in the said external storage use process. Explanatory drawing which shows the example of a message display in the said external storage use process. Schematic which shows the modification of the said content reproduction system.

  A Blu-ray disc (hereinafter referred to as BD) player according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a content reproduction system 1 including a BD player (content reproduction device) 2 and a television (hereinafter referred to as TV) receiver (external device) 3 connected to the BD player 2. FIG. 2 shows an electrical block configuration of the BD player 2.

  The BD player 2 and the TV receiver 3 are connected to each other via an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cable 60. The BD player 2 and the TV receiver 3 can transmit and receive a CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) command based on the HDMI standard and response data for the CEC command. The BD player 2 transmits a video signal and an audio signal to the TV receiver 3 via the HDMI cable 60.

  The TV receiver 3 includes a display 31, a speaker 32, and a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD; recording medium in claims) 33 capable of recording data. The TV receiver 3 displays video based on the video signal received from the BD player 2 on the display 31 and outputs audio based on the audio signal from the speaker 32. The TV receiver 3 can record various data in the HDD 33 based on the content of the CEC command transmitted from the BD player 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the BD player 2 includes a USB port 21, a LAN module (communication means) 22, an HDMI communication section (connection means) 23, an optical disk drive 24, a memory 25, and a remote control signal receiving section 26. And a remote control device (selection means) 27. The BD player 2 supports BD-J (Blu-ray Disc Java (registered trademark)) and is a device compatible with BD-Live.

  The USB port 21 is connected to a device that conforms to the USB standard (hereinafter referred to as a USB device). Examples of the USB device include a USB memory (external storage) 50 and a WiFi USB device for providing a WiFi function, as shown in FIG. The USB port 21 can transmit / receive data to / from a connected USB device. For example, when the USB memory 50 is connected to the USB port 21, the USB port 21 can perform processing such as data storage (development), data reading, and data deletion on the USB memory 50. it can.

  A LAN (Local Area Network) cable 70 is connected to the LAN module 22, and data is transmitted to and received from each server 80 a to 80 c on the Internet N via a modem (not shown) connected to the Internet N. Here, it is assumed that the server 80a is a server (own server) operated by the manufacturer of the BD player 3.

  The other end side of the HDMI cable 60 whose one end is connected to the TV receiver 3 is connected to the HDMI communication unit 23. The HDMI communication unit 23 transmits video signals and audio signals to the TV receiver 3, and transmits / receives CEC commands and various data.

  The optical disk drive (reading means) 24 has a disk detection unit 24a, and a BD disk (recording medium) d is mounted therein. The BD disc d stores content data and “index.bdmv” data (playback control data) d1 in which information indicating whether or not to use an external storage during content playback is stored. The optical disc drive 24 reads content data, data such as “index.bdmv” data d1 from the BD disc d loaded therein, and transfers the read data to the control unit 20. The disc detection unit 24a detects whether or not the BD disc d is installed in the optical disc drive 24. When the installation of the BD disc d is detected, the disc detection unit 24a transmits a signal to that effect to the control unit 20.

  The memory 25 stores a program 25a for operating the control unit 20, setting information 25b, and the like. The setting information 25b stores on / off settings for whether or not to display various messages. The on / off setting can be arbitrarily changed by the user.

  The remote control signal receiving unit 26 receives a remote control signal (infrared signal) transmitted from a remote control device 27 operated by a user, converts the received remote control signal into an electrical signal, and transfers the electrical signal to the control unit 20.

  The remote control device 27 has a plurality of operation keys (not shown) such as a “decision” key operated by the user and an “up / down / left / right” key for moving the cursor, and corresponds to the operation key operated by the user. Send a remote control signal. By operating the remote control device 27, the user can issue an instruction to play or stop the content of the BD disc d, an instruction to select on / off settings for various settings, and the like.

  The control unit 20 includes a reproduction processing unit (reproduction unit, external storage determination unit) 20a, an OSD unit (output unit) 20b, an external storage use determination unit (determination unit) 20c, an external storage control unit 20d, and the like. Each part of the BD player 2 is controlled. Further, the control unit 20 performs processing for determining whether or not the USB memory 50 is usable. Specifically, for example, the control unit 20 determines that the USB memory 50 cannot be used when a USB device is not connected to the USB port 21.

  The reproduction processing unit 20 a performs processing for reproducing the content data transferred from the optical disc drive 24 and outputting the reproduced video signal and audio signal to the TV receiver 3 using the HDMI communication unit 23. The OSD unit 20 b performs processing for generating a video signal of an OSD image and outputting it to the TV receiver 3 using the HDMI communication unit 23. The video signal of the OSD image generated by the OSD unit 20b can be combined with the video signal reproduced by the reproduction processing unit 20a and output to the TV receiver 3.

  The external storage usage determining unit 20c reads the “index.bdmv” data d1 from the BD disc d using the optical disc drive 24, and determines whether to use the external storage when reproducing the content based on the contents of the data d1. Judging.

  The external storage control unit 20d temporarily records (decompresses) data on the USB memory 50 connected to the USB port 21, the servers 80a to 80c on the Internet, and the HDD 33 of the TV receiver 3, and the recorded data The process of reading out is performed. For example, the external storage control unit 20d performs processing of expanding data on the USB memory 50, reading the expanded data, and transferring the expanded data to the reproduction processing unit 20a when reproducing the content.

  Next, content reproduction processing of the BD disc d in the BD player 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of content reproduction processing of the BD disc d in the BD player 2. Here, it is assumed that a BD disc d corresponding to BD-Live is installed in the optical disc drive 24 by the user. It is assumed that the display of various messages stored in the setting information 25b is set to ON.

  When the disc detector 24a detects that the BD disc d is loaded (S1), the controller 20 drives the optical disc drive 24 to read the “index.bdmv” data d1 from the BD disc d (S2).

  Then, the control unit 20 uses the external storage use determination unit 20c to refer to a table in which information related to the BD disc d is recorded from the contents of the “index.bdmv” data d1, and to store the external storage when reproducing the content. It is determined whether or not to use (S3). As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the external storage is to be used during content playback (YES in S4), the control unit 20 uses the OSD unit 20b to display the message shown in FIG. 4 on the display 31 of the TV receiver 3. After the display (S5), external storage use processing is performed (S6). As shown in FIG. 4, the message displayed in S <b> 5 is a message that informs the user that the external storage is to be used during content playback.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in S3, when it is determined that the external storage is not used when reproducing the content (NO in S4), the control unit 20 reads the content data from the BD disc d using the optical disc drive 24, The content is reproduced using the reproduction processing unit 20a (S7).

  Next, the external storage use process will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the operation of the external storage use process. 7 to 9 show examples of messages displayed on the display 31 of the TV receiver 3.

  First, the control unit 20 detects whether or not a USB device is connected to the USB port 21 (S11). If the USB device is connected to the USB port 21 (YES in S12), the type of the USB device is determined. Is determined (S13).

  As a result of this determination, if the USB device is not the USB memory 50 (NO in S14), the control unit 20 displays a message prompting the user that the USB memory 50 needs to be connected to the USB port 21 of the TV receiver 3. The image is displayed on the display 31 (S16), and the process ends. Specifically, for example, when a WiFi USB device is connected to the USB port 21, the control unit 20 displays the message shown in FIG. 7 on the display 31 of the TV receiver 3 (corresponding to the above S16). The process ends.

  On the other hand, if the result of the determination in S13 is that the USB memory 50 is connected to the USB port 21 (YES in S14), the control unit 20 uses this USB memory 50 to reproduce the content of the BD disc d ( S15). That is, the control unit 20 uses the reproduction processing unit 20a and the external storage control unit 20d to perform content reproduction processing while developing the content data in the USB memory 50 when reproducing the content of the BD disc d.

  On the other hand, if no USB device is connected to the USB port 21 as a result of the detection in S11 (NO in S12), that is, if the USB memory 50 cannot be used, the control unit 20 determines that the own device 3 is an external storage replacement function. It is judged whether it corresponds to (S17). The external storage replacement function refers to a function of developing data by developing data on a server 80a on the Internet N or a recording medium of an external device compatible with the HDMI standard.

  If the result of the determination in S17 is that the device 3 does not support the external storage alternative function (NO in S18), that is, if the BD player 2 cannot communicate with its own server 80a on the Internet N, If the external device has no HDMI connection, a message prompting the user to connect the USB memory 50 to the USB port 21 is displayed on the display 31 of the TV receiver 3 (S19), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in S17 is that the device 3 is compatible with the external storage alternative function (YES in S18), the message shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display 31 of the TV receiver 3 (S21 in FIG. 6). ).

  As shown in FIG. 8, the message displayed in S21 indicates that the USB memory 50 is not connected to the USB port 21 and that the user is prompted to select “Next” when performing alternative settings. Message. Here, if “reproduction cancellation” is selected by the user (NO in S22), the control unit 20 ends the process without reproducing the content. On the other hand, when “next” is selected by the user (YES in S22), the control unit 20 displays the message shown in FIG. 9 on the display 31 of the TV receiver 3 (S23).

  As shown in FIG. 9, the message displayed in S <b> 23 prompts the user to select an alternative setting method for the USB memory 50. The user can select either “Internet server” or “HDD of connected device”. Here, when the “Internet server” is selected by the user (YES in S24), the control unit 20 sends content to the company server 80a on the Internet N when the accounting procedure is completed (YES in S25). Settings are made so as to expand the data required during playback of the file (S26). Specifically, for example, the MAC address of the LAN module 22 of the BD player 2 is linked to the data area on the company server 80a, and settings are made so that data necessary for content reproduction can be expanded in this area. (Corresponding to S26 above). Then, the control unit 20 expands the content data (uses it like an external storage) on the company server 80a and reproduces the content (S27). Here, for example, charging is performed according to the size of the storage capacity of the data recorded in the company server 80a and the length of the storage period.

  On the other hand, when the user selects “HDD of connected device” (NO in S24), the control unit 20 transmits a vendor command based on the CEC standard for inquiring whether the connected device has an HDD. (S31). Then, when a reply indicating that the HDD 33 is provided is received from the TV receiver 3 (YES in S32), the control unit 20 develops data necessary for reproducing the content on the HDD 33 of the TV receiver 3 by CEC communication. (S33), the content data is expanded on the HDD 33 (used like an external storage), and the content is reproduced (S34).

  On the other hand, when a reply command indicating that the HDD is not included is received from the connected device (NO in S32), the control unit 20 ends the process without reproducing the content.

  As described above, according to the BD player 2 of the present embodiment, when the disc detection unit 24a detects the mounting of the BD disc d, the “index.bdmv” data d1 is read from the BD disc d, and the BD disc d It is determined whether or not the USB memory 50 is to be used when reproducing the content recorded in the above. Therefore, the user can easily confirm whether or not to use the USB memory 50 when reproducing the content before reproducing the content. Therefore, for example, the user can play the content after connecting the USB memory 50 to the BD player 2 and preparing the USB memory 50 for use before playing the content. It is possible to prevent the user from misrecognizing that the device is out of order when the content cannot be reproduced due to the fact that the device cannot be used.

  Further, when the BD player 2 determines that the content recorded on the BD disc d is content that uses the USB memory 50 during reproduction, a message to that effect is displayed on the display 31 of the TV receiver 3. The user can easily know that the USB memory 50 is used when reproducing the content.

  Further, even when the BD player 2 cannot use the USB memory 50, it is possible to reproduce the content using the USB memory 50 by expanding the data on the company server 80a. Can be improved.

  Further, even when the BD player 2 cannot use the USB memory 50, the content using the USB memory 50 can be played back by developing data on the HDD 33 of the TV receiver 3. Convenience can be improved.

  Further, even when the USB memory 50 cannot be used in the BD player 2, when “Internet server” is selected, data is expanded on the company server 80a, and when “HDD of connected device” is selected, By deploying data to the HDD 3 of the TV receiver 3, the content using the USB memory 50 can be reproduced, so the convenience in reproducing the content can be improved.

  Next, a modification of the content reproduction system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the configuration is the same as that of the content reproduction system 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 except that the external HDD 90 is connected to the BD player 2.

  In this case, the control unit 20 of the BD player 2 can reproduce the content by expanding the data on the external HDD 90 when the content is reproduced.

  In addition, this invention is not restricted to the structure of the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible in the range which does not change the meaning of invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the content playback device described in the claims is a BD player is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a content playback device such as a BD recorder may be used. In the above embodiment, an example in which the external storage indicated in the claims is a USB memory has been described. However, an external storage capable of recording data such as an SD card may be used.

  In the above embodiment, when a USB memory is connected to the USB port, an example is shown in which content is reproduced using the USB memory. However, the free space of the USB memory connected to the USB port is shown. After the determination, the content may be reproduced when there is sufficient free space. Specifically, for example, content may be played back when the free space of the USB memory is 1 GB or more. In this case, when the content is played back, the free space of the USB memory is insufficient and the playback of the content is not stopped. Therefore, the convenience for the content playback for the user is further improved.

  In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which either “Internet server” or “HDD of connected device” is selected by the user. However, priorities are set for these two options, respectively. The control unit may automatically select the higher option. Specifically, for example, when the priority of “Internet server” is set higher than “HDD of connected device”, the control unit of the BD player automatically selects “Internet server” to Is used to perform content playback processing. In this case, since the user can reduce the trouble of operation, convenience at the time of content reproduction is further improved.

  In the above embodiment, when the BD disc is detected by the disc detection unit, the “index.bdmv” data is read from the BD disc, and the external storage is used when reproducing the content based on the content of the data. In this example, when the user operates the remote control device to instruct the reproduction of the content, the “index.bdmv” data is read from the BD disc before the content data is reproduced. Thus, it may be determined whether or not to use the external storage when reproducing the content.

  In the above embodiment, when a USB device is not connected to the USB port (NO in S12 in FIG. 5), it is determined whether or not the own device supports the external storage alternative function (in FIG. 5). S17) Although an example is shown, when the external device cannot be used, such as when the USB device connected to the USB port is not a USB memory or when the free space of the USB memory is insufficient, the device itself is external It may be determined whether or not the storage alternative function is supported.

  Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which the content reproduction apparatus reproduces moving image content has been described, but the content using the external storage may be game content.

2 BD player (content playback device)
3 TV receiver (external device)
20a Reproduction processing unit (reproduction means, external storage determination means)
20b OSD section (output means)
20c External storage use determination unit (determination means)
22 LAN module (communication means)
23 HDMI connection (connection means)
24 Optical disk drive (reading means)
27 Remote control device (selection means)
33 HDD (recording medium)
50 USB memory (external storage)
d BD disc (recording media)
d1 index. bdmv (playback control data)

Claims (5)

Reading means for reading content data and reproduction control data indicating whether or not to use an external storage at the time of content reproduction from a recording medium;
Reproducing means for reproducing data of the content read by the reading means;
Whether or not to use an external storage when reproducing the content recorded on the recording medium based on the content of the reproduction control data read by the reading unit before the reproduction unit reproduces the content data. A content reproduction apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines. External storage determining means for determining whether or not the external storage is usable;
A communication means for transmitting / receiving data to / from a server capable of deploying data;
The reproduction means determines whether or not the external storage can be used by the external storage determination means when reproducing the content determined to use the external storage by the determination means, and as a result, uses the external storage. 2. The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the content cannot be reproduced, the content is reproduced while expanding data on the server using the communication unit. External storage determining means for determining whether or not the external storage is usable;
A connection means for transmitting and receiving data by connecting to an external device having a recording medium capable of developing data;
The reproduction means determines whether or not the external storage can be used by the external storage determination means when reproducing the content determined to use the external storage by the determination means, and as a result, uses the external storage. 2. The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the content cannot be reproduced, the content is reproduced while expanding the data on the recording medium of the external device using the connection unit. External storage determining means for determining whether or not the external storage is usable;
A communication means for transmitting / receiving data to / from a server capable of deploying data;
A connection means for transmitting and receiving data by connecting to an external device having a recording medium capable of developing data;
A selection means for instructing which of the communication means or the connection means is selected;
The reproduction means determines whether or not the external storage can be used by the external storage determination means when reproducing the content determined to use the external storage by the determination means, and as a result, uses the external storage. If it is determined that it is not possible,
When the communication unit is selected by the selection unit, the content is reproduced while expanding the data on the server using the communication unit,
The content is played back while expanding the data on the recording medium of the external device using the connection unit when the connection unit is selected by the selection unit. Content playback device.   5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an output unit that outputs a message to that effect when the determination unit determines that an external storage is to be used when reproducing the content recorded on the recording medium. The content reproduction device according to any one of the above.

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