JP4030400B2 - Content playback device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a content reproduction apparatus, and more particularly to a content reproduction apparatus that reproduces content such as music and images recorded on a recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
This type of conventional content reproduction apparatus reproduces music data instructed from content data such as a plurality of music data recorded on a recording medium when a user inputs a reproduction instruction. Until the user gives an instruction to stop reproduction, a plurality of pieces of music data are continuously reproduced according to the order recorded on the recording medium or the order rearranged by the user.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in this conventional content reproduction apparatus, in order to protect the copyright of the music data, it is determined whether or not the reproduction authority (license) exists prior to the reproduction of each music data. Therefore, when music data without a valid license is continuous, only the authentication process is executed continuously, but the music data is not played back, so there is a problem that blanks between songs become unnecessarily long. It was.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a content reproduction apparatus in which a blank space between songs does not become unnecessarily long even when content having a license and content without a license are mixed. .
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, in a content reproduction apparatus that reproduces a plurality of contents recorded on a recording medium, each of the plurality of contents is discriminated whether it is a first content having a license or a second content having no license. A content playback apparatus comprising: 1 determination means; assignment means for assigning an identification number to the first content in preference to the second content; and playback means for playing back a plurality of contents in an order according to the identification number.
[0006]
[Action]
The content reproduction device reproduces a plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium. An identification number is assigned to the first content having a license in preference to the second content having no license. At the time of reproduction, the contents are reproduced in the order according to the identification number. That is, the first content having a license is continuously reproduced.
[0007]
For example, even if a license is provided, the content cannot be reproduced if the license is invalid due to restrictions such as the number of reproductions or a reproduction time limit. That is, the presence / absence of a license is determined, and if the license is present, the validity of the license is further determined. Accordingly, an identification number is assigned to the first content having a valid license in preference to the second content having no license and the first content not having a valid license.
[0008]
In addition, when the user changes the playback order, the presence / absence and validity of the license for the content related to the change is determined. If the content is the second content or the first content without a valid license, the order is changed. Is prohibited. It is possible to prevent contents that cannot be reproduced from being included in a collection of contents that can be reproduced.
[0009]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, since the licensed content is continuously reproduced, the authentication process can be completed in a short time. That is, even when content with a license and content without a license are mixed, the inter-song blank does not become longer than necessary.
[0010]
The above object, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
【Example】
Referring to FIG. 1, a content recording / reproducing apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as “recording / reproducing apparatus”) 10 of this embodiment includes a memory card 12, and this memory card 12 is detachable (detachable) from the recording / reproducing apparatus 10. ). The memory card 12 is inserted into a slot 14 provided in the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 and connected to a CPU 18 via a memory interface (I / F) 16.
[0012]
In the memory card 12, content data (music data in this embodiment) is recorded in a compressed state for a plurality of songs. The music data is compressed according to an arbitrary format such as MP3, and is compressed at an arbitrary compression rate (bit rate). The memory card 12 also records decoding software (decoding program) for decompressing (demodulating) each music data.
[0013]
Note that the music data may be compressed and modulated in accordance with any other compression format such as WMA (Windows Media (registered trademark) Audio) or AAC.
[0014]
Such music data is not permitted to be freely reproduced for copyright protection, and can be reproduced when the music data has a valid reproduction authority (license). Therefore, if a license for reproducing music data is provided and the license satisfies the restrictions on the number of reproductions and the reproduction period, that is, if the license is a valid license (valid license), the music data is reproduced. Is done. On the other hand, if there is no license, the music data cannot be reproduced. Even if a license is provided, the music data cannot be reproduced if the restrictions on the number of reproductions and the reproduction period are not satisfied, that is, if the license is invalid (invalid license).
[0015]
However, music data that is not copyright-protected can be freely played regardless of the presence or absence of a license.
[0016]
Returning to FIG. 1, an operation key 20 is connected to the CPU 18. By operating the operation key 20, a mode is switched, a menu is selected, recording (recording), playback, stop, and feed (FF) are performed. ), Return (RW) and volume adjustment instructions can be input, or the order of songs can be changed, songs can be added, or songs can be deleted.
[0017]
Further, the USB terminal 24 is connected to the CPU 18 via the external I / F 22. A computer such as a personal computer (not shown) can be connected to the USB terminal 24. Therefore, music data downloaded from any site on the Internet using a computer or music data recorded on a CD-ROM attached to the computer can be provided to the CPU 18 via the USB terminal 24 and the external I / F 22. it can. Then, the music data is encoded (compressed / modulated) according to a predetermined format such as MP3 by the processing of the DSP 30 under the instruction of the CPU 18 and then transferred to the memory card 12 via the memory I / F 16.
[0018]
However, music data downloaded by a computer and compressed and modulated in a format such as MP3 in advance is transferred to the memory card 12 via the memory I / F 16 as it is.
[0019]
A liquid crystal display 26 is connected to the CPU 18 via a liquid crystal driver (not shown). The display 26 displays the current time (calendar), current mode, operation state during playback (playback, stop, FF, RW, etc.), remaining battery level, volume, playlist, song name being played back and related information ( For example, artist name or album name) is displayed.
[0020]
Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the reproduction list is displayed in the order of reproducing the song name and artist name of the music data based on management information described later stored in the memory card 12. That is, as can be seen from FIG. 2, in the reproduction list, the artist name is described corresponding to the song name, and a number is assigned to each song. Normally, music data is reproduced in the order according to this number.
[0021]
For example, when the user operates a mode key included in the operation keys 20, the sound quality of music to be recorded / reproduced can be set, and the display method of the display 26 can be set. At this time, the user can determine what setting is made (current mode) by viewing the display 26. In setting, various keys (not shown) such as a jog dial and volume key included in the operation keys 20 are operated.
[0022]
In the case of playing music, a cursor for selecting a play list and music (song) as described above is displayed on the display 26. Although depending on the size of the display screen of the display 26, since the playlist includes a large number of songs, a part of the playlist is displayed on the display 26 and the other part is displayed on the display 26 by scrolling. .
[0023]
Here, when the user rotates the jog dial included in the operation key 20 to one of them, the cursor is scrolled up and down on the screen of the display 26, so that a desired song can be selected. Next, when the jog dial is pressed (turned on), that is, when a reproduction instruction is input, reproduction processing of the music pointed to by the cursor is started.
[0024]
In this way, the CPU 18 starts the reproduction process, but before the reproduction of the music, the presence / absence of an effective license for the music (music data) to be reproduced and the validity of the license are determined. Management information about music data as shown in FIG. 3 is recorded in the memory card 12. By referring to this management information, the CPU 18 determines whether or not there is a license. Further, when the license is possessed, the validity of the license is determined by referring to the content of the license recorded in the memory card 12.
[0025]
Referring to FIG. 3, management information describes header information including information on the total number of songs (N) at the head. Further, the header information includes information on the head address where each of the song information (1), song information (2),..., Song information (N) corresponding to each song (music data) is described. Following this header information, the song information (1) to (N) is described in the order to be reproduced. In this embodiment, the song information includes content ID, song name, artist name, album name, file name, playback time (performance time), and license information.
[0026]
Therefore, the CPU 18 obtains information on the presence / absence of a license included in the song information for the song (music data) for which reproduction has been instructed. If there is no license, the music data is not allowed to be reproduced, so that the display 26 displays that there is no license and cannot be reproduced. That is, a warning is given that playback cannot be performed.
[0027]
On the other hand, if there is a license, it is further determined whether it is a valid license or an invalid license. If it is a valid license, the music data is read from the memory card 12 and the decoding software for the music data is read and given to the DSP 30. . Then, a reproduction instruction is given to the DSP 30.
[0028]
Then, the DSP 30 decodes (decompresses) the music data according to the MP3 format using the decoding software. The decoded music data is converted into an analog music signal by the D / A converter 32. The converted music signal is amplified by an audio amplifier (AMP) 34 and then input from an output terminal (jack terminal) 36 to a headphone 38. As a result, the user can listen to the music for which playback has been instructed.
[0029]
However, if the license is invalid, the license is invalid, and a message indicating that the license is invalid and cannot be reproduced is displayed on the display 26 as in the case where there is no license.
[0030]
During playback of music data, when the jog dial is rotated in one direction, fast-forward playback is performed or the next song is transmitted. On the other hand, when the jog dial is rotated in the reverse direction, rewinding playback is performed or the previous song is returned. Furthermore, by operating a volume key included in the operation key 20, the volume of the song being played can be reduced or increased. When the stop key included in the operation key 20 is operated, the reproduction of the music can be stopped (terminated).
[0031]
However, when the reproduction of the music is not finished, the reproduction processing of the next music indicated by the reproduction list is executed when the reproduction of the music designated by the user is finished. At this time, the license authentication process as described above is executed for the next song.
[0032]
Specifically, the CPU 18 executes reproduction processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the case of reproducing a song, as described above, the reproduction list is displayed on the display 26, and the CPU 18 determines whether or not there is a reproduction instruction in step S1. If “NO” in the step S1, that is, if there is no reproduction instruction, the process returns to the step S1 as it is.
[0033]
Although illustration and the like are omitted, at this time, the user selects a desired song, and accordingly, a cursor movement process and a scrolling process for the play list are executed.
[0034]
On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S1, that is, if there is a reproduction instruction, the license of the music instructed in the step S3, that is, the music to be reproduced is checked. In other words, the CPU 18 refers to the music information of the music to be reproduced from the management information recorded in the memory card 12 to check the presence / absence of a license and the validity of the license.
[0035]
In a succeeding step S5, it is determined whether or not there is a valid license. If “NO” in the step S5, that is, if there is no valid license, a warning is given in the step S9 that the reproduction cannot be performed, that is, the display 26 has no license (because it is invalid) and a warning message that the reproduction cannot be performed. Display and go to step S13.
[0036]
On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S5, that is, if there is a valid license, the music reproduction process instructed in the step S7 is executed. That is, the music data corresponding to the instructed music and the decoder software of the music data are read from the memory card 12 and given to the DSP 30, and the DSP 30 is instructed to play.
[0037]
In step S11, it is determined whether or not the reproduction of the music has ended. If “NO” in the step S11, that is, if the reproduction of the music is not finished, the process returns to the step S11 as it is. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S11, that is, if the reproduction of the music is ended, it is determined whether or not there is a next music in a step S13. That is, referring to the reproduction list, it is determined whether there is a song assigned the next number.
[0038]
If “NO” in the step S13, that is, if there is no next song, the reproduction processing is ended as it is. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S13, that is, if there is a next song, the license of the next song is checked in a step S15, and the process returns to the step S5.
[0039]
Although not shown in this flowchart, the reproduction of the music is also terminated when the user inputs a reproduction stop instruction, and in this case, the reproduction process is terminated as it is.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 5A, the reproduction process is executed as described above. When music (music data) that does not have a valid license is mixed in music data that has a valid license, as shown in FIG. There is a problem that the blank between songs becomes longer than necessary due to the time for processing and the time for displaying the warning message. In particular, when there are a plurality of songs having no license or a valid license, it takes a considerable time until the next song is played.
[0041]
In order to avoid such a problem, in this embodiment, the reproduction list is rearranged to change the reproduction order. Specifically, a young number in the playlist is assigned to a song with a valid license in preference to a song without a license or a song with an invalid license. That is, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), a song having a valid license is roughly divided from other songs, and the song order of the song having a valid license is set in front. Although illustration is omitted, in the case of rearranging the playlist, in this embodiment, after all the numbers, song names, and artist names are moved (sorted), the playlist should be moved from the top to the bottom of the playlist. The numbers are changed to be consecutive.
[0042]
However, when changing the song order, the numbers in the reproduction list may be fixed and the song names and artist names may be sorted.
[0043]
Specifically, the CPU 18 executes a playlist reordering process according to the flowchart shown in FIG. For example, the CPU 18 starts rearrangement processing when the main power of the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 is turned on, and determines whether the memory card 12 is valid in step S21. That is, it is determined whether the memory card 12 is attached, the memory card 12 is damaged, or the data (music data or the like) recorded on the memory card 12 is damaged.
[0044]
If “NO” in the step S21, that is, if the memory card 12 is not attached, or if the memory card 12 itself or data recorded on the memory card 12 is damaged, the memory card 12 is invalid. Is determined, and the playlist rearrangement process is returned as it is.
[0045]
On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S21, that is, if the memory card 12 is mounted and the memory card 12 itself and data recorded on the memory card 12 are not damaged, it is determined that the memory card 12 is valid. In step S23, it is determined whether the playlist has been edited. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the edited flag of the playlist is on. If “YES” in the step S23, that is, if the edited flag is on, the reproduction list rearrangement processing is directly returned.
[0046]
However, if “NO” in the step S23, that is, if the edited flag is off, the presence or absence of a license is confirmed for all the songs in a step S25. That is, the presence / absence of a license is confirmed by referring to music information included in the management information recorded on the memory card 12. In subsequent step S27, the validity of the license is confirmed. That is, from the result of confirmation in step S25, the substance of the license for all licensed songs is confirmed with reference to the memory card 12 to determine whether the license is valid or invalid.
[0047]
Subsequently, in step S29, the music with no license and the music with an invalid license are moved to the end of the reproduction list. Thereafter, in step S31, the numbers are changed so that they are consecutive in the order of ascending from the top to the bottom of the playlist. In other words, a song with a valid license is moved up the playlist. That is, a young number in the playlist is assigned. In step S33, the edit flag of the play list is turned on, and the play list rearrangement process is returned.
[0048]
Although illustration is omitted, when the reproduction list is rearranged, the management information recorded on the memory card 12 is also rearranged according to the rearranged music order.
[0049]
When the user operates the operation key 20 to select a playlist editing process from the menu, as shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 18 starts the playlist editing process, and whether there is a song addition in step S41. Judge whether. That is, it is determined whether or not a song (music data) has been added to the memory card 12. If “NO” in the step S41, that is, if no music is added, the process proceeds to a step S47 as it is.
[0050]
On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S41, a number is assigned to the song added in the step S43 and added to the end of the reproduction list. Specifically, the CPU 18 detects the final number of the current reproduction list recorded on the memory card 12, and the song information of the added song (music data) included in the management information recorded on the memory card 12. Get song name and artist name from. Then, the number next to the final number is assigned to the acquired song name and artist name and added to the reproduction list. In step S45, the playlist editing flag is turned off, and the playlist editing process is returned.
[0051]
In step S47, it is determined whether there is an instruction to change the music order. That is, it is determined whether or not the user has operated the operation key 20 to instruct a change in the reproduction order of a desired song. If “NO” in the step S47, that is, if there is no instruction to change the music order, the process proceeds to a step S57 as it is.
[0052]
On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S47, that is, if there is an instruction to change the music order, it is determined whether or not a valid license is held for the music instructed by the user in a step S49. If “YES” in the step S49, that is, if there is a valid license for the music instructed to change the music order, the music is moved to a designated position in the reproduction list in a step S51. That is, the management information is rearranged according to a user instruction. At this time, the music information number is also changed. Therefore, the reproduction list based on the management information is also rearranged, and the designated song number, song name, and artist name are moved. In step S53, the numbers are changed so that the numbers are consecutive in ascending order from the top to the bottom of the playlist, and the playlist editing process is returned.
[0053]
However, if “NO” in step S49, that is, if there is no license or an invalid license for the song instructed to change the song order, a warning is given in step S55 that the song cannot be moved to the designated position. Return to the playlist editing process. In other words, the CPU 18 drives the liquid crystal driver and displays a warning message such as “The song cannot be moved because the license is invalid” on the display 26. That is, change of the music order is prohibited.
[0054]
In this embodiment, for songs that do not have a valid license, movement of the song order is not allowed at all. However, the song is moved only when it is moved to a collection of songs with a valid license. You may make it display the warning message that it cannot do.
[0055]
In step S57, it is determined whether or not the song is to be deleted. If “NO” in the step S57, that is, if the tune is not deleted, it is determined that no instruction is input from the user, and the reproduction list editing process is directly returned. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S57, that is, if deletion of the song is instructed, the substance (music data) of the instructed song is deleted from the memory card 12 in the step S59. Delete the song information of the song from the management information. Therefore, the song (number, song name, and artist name) is deleted from the reproduction list based on the management information. In step S61, the playlist number is changed, and the playlist editing process is returned.
[0056]
For example, in step S61, after deleting the playlist number, song name, and artist name for the song instructed to be deleted, in order of ascending from the top of the playlist to the bottom of the playlist so that there is no missing number. The number is changed. However, after deleting the song name and artist name for the song for which deletion was instructed after fixing the playlist number, the deleted item (song name and artist name) is not lost. All lower items may be sorted upward.
[0057]
Although illustration is omitted, when a song is added, a song order is changed, or a song is deleted in the reproduction list editing process, the display on the display 26 is also changed accordingly.
[0058]
According to this embodiment, songs that do not have a valid license are moved to the end of the playlist, so that songs that have a valid license and songs that do not have a valid license can be broadly divided. Even when a song is played, the time required for license authentication can be reduced. That is, since the blank between music does not become unnecessarily long, a user does not feel uncomfortable.
[0059]
In addition, even if the song order is changed by user editing, the change of the song order is prohibited based on the presence or absence of the license of the moving song and its validity, so it is effective for a collection of songs with a valid license. Unlicensed songs are never moved.
[0060]
In this embodiment, only the music data is described as the content data. However, the present invention should not be limited to this. That is, the content data includes various data protected by copyright, such as image (video) data, map data, and document data. When reproducing such image (video) data, map data, and document data, the image (video), map, and document are each displayed on a display.
[0061]
In this embodiment, music data or the like is recorded on a removable recording medium. However, a built-in recording medium may be used.
[0062]
Furthermore, in this embodiment, only the recording / reproducing apparatus having no communication function or the like has been described. However, a recording / reproducing apparatus having a communication function and / or a call function may be configured. When a communication function is provided, music data can be directly downloaded as described in the embodiment.
[0063]
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the recording / reproducing apparatus for music data and the like has been described, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to an apparatus having only a reproducing function.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an illustrative view showing an electrical configuration of a recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an illustrative view showing a reproduction list based on management information shown in FIG. 1 embodiment;
3 is an illustrative view showing management information of music data recorded on the memory card shown in FIG. 1 embodiment; FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a reproduction process of a CPU shown in FIG. 1 embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an illustrative view showing changes in the reproduction list when the reproduction list recorded in the EEPROM shown in FIG. 1 embodiment is rearranged;
6 is a flowchart showing processing for rearranging a reproduction list by a CPU shown in FIG. 1 embodiment; FIG.
7 is a flowchart showing processing for editing a play list of the CPU shown in FIG. 1 embodiment; FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
10: Recording / reproducing apparatus
12 ... Memory card
18 ... CPU
20 ... operation keys
26 ... Display
28… EEPROM
30 ... DSP

Claims (3)

In a content reproduction apparatus for reproducing a plurality of contents recorded on a recording medium,
First discriminating means for discriminating whether each of the plurality of contents is a first content having a license or a second content not having the license;
An apparatus for reproducing content, comprising: assigning means for assigning an identification number to the first content in preference to the second content; and reproducing means for reproducing the plurality of contents in an order according to the identification number. A second determining means for determining the validity of the license for the first content;
2. The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the assigning unit assigns the identification number to the first content having the valid license in preference to the first content not having the valid license. When changing the order, the detection unit detects at least one of the presence or absence of the license and the validity of the license for the content to be changed, and the second content or the valid license from the detection result of the detection unit The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a prohibiting unit that prohibits the change of the order when it is determined that the content is not the first content.

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