JP4363117B2 - Content reproduction apparatus, content management apparatus, content reproduction control system, content reproduction method, content management method, content reproduction control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a content playback device and content playback method for playing back content, a content management device and content management method for managing transmission / reception of content with the content playback device, a content playback control system and a content playback control method, And program.

  In recent years, portable music players that can easily play and listen to music in various places have gained popularity. Since such a player stores music data in an MD (Mini Disk) or a memory, it can be smaller in size than a portable CD (Compact Disk) player and can realize higher portability. In addition, it has the advantage that it can be used continuously for a long time and is resistant to vibration.

  The music data stored in the MD or the memory is usually compression-coded data such as MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer 3) or ATRAC3 (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding 3), and these data are operated by the user. Thus, it is stored in the MD such as the music player or the memory from a recording medium such as a CD via a personal computer (PC) or the like. The provider of music data is not limited to the recording media such as the CD as described above, but is diverse. For example, music data can be downloaded from a store terminal or a server on the Internet.

  In order to record music data in a portable music player, a PC application (program) operating on a PC is often used. The PC and the music player are connected by, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus). The user instructs the music player to copy the music data recorded in a recording device such as a hard disk provided in the PC using a GUI (Graphical User Interface). The instruction by the user is performed by, for example, dragging a list of predetermined music pieces in the hard disk with a mouse or the like and dropping it on a display portion indicating the storage area of the connected music player.

  As described above, music data is now recorded not only on recording media but also on recording means in various devices. For this reason, it has become necessary to appropriately manage the copyright of music data, and in the above-described application, in order to prevent the music data from being copied indefinitely, copying to a music player is predetermined. The number of times is limited. With this function, each music data is allowed to exist at the same time for the predetermined number of times. Further, some portable type memories have such a copyright protection function, and the memory is controlled so as to record only data recognized as valid.

  Therefore, if the user has already copied the music he / she wants to listen to to several music players and has used up the predetermined number of copies, he / she wants to copy the music to another music player once. Then, the music is returned from the original music player to the hard disk or the like of the PC by the PC application, and the music is loaded into a new music player in a state where copying is possible. In this specification, the movement of music from the portable music player to the PC as described above is referred to as “check-in”, and conversely, downloading music from the PC to the music player is referred to as “check-out”. To.

  As described above, there are types of portable music players that record music data in a memory. This memory is generally built into the music player and a slot of the music player. It is categorized as a portable external memory that is used by plugging it into a device. These memories are generally composed of flash memory, and usually have a capacity of several hundred megabytes. Some external memories have a capacity of 1 gigabyte.

  Such an increase in memory capacity means that more music data can be stored, which is a great attraction for users. Assuming that the music data for one song is 4 megabytes in a compressed state, the music data for 250 songs is stored in the 1 gigabyte memory.

  By the way, when a conventional portable music player suspends playback of music data and then replays it, it starts playing from the beginning of the playlist or from the beginning or continuation of the suspending song. It has become. The playlist is a list showing the contents of music data stored in the memory of the music player.

  Such an operation is similarly performed when the reproduction of the music player is temporarily interrupted for the check-in or check-out described above. This situation will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 schematically shows the contents of a playlist in the checkout process, and shows a playlist 101 and a playlist 103 of the music player. The playlist 101 is a playlist before checkout, and the playlist 103 is a playlist after checkout. Here, the contents of the music data actually stored in the memory of the music player are conceptually expressed using this playlist. A track (for example, TRK1 or TRK2) shown in the playlist corresponds to music data of one music piece.

  The playlist 101 includes three groups (GP1, GP2, GP3) and tracks (TRK1, TRK2, etc.) belonging to each group. The music player normally performs playback in the order of this playlist, that is, TRK1 of GP1, TRK2 of GP1, and so on.

  In this example, the music data 102 of two tracks (TRK1, TRK2) belonging to the group GP4 is copied (checked out) from the hard disk of the PC to the music player by the PC application. At this time, the reproduction of the music player is interrupted for this work. As a result of the checkout process, two tracks TRK1 and TRK2 belonging to the group GP4 are added to the music player's memory as shown in the playlist 103.

  When the music player is instructed to play music data after the checkout process is completed, the music player tries to play the first song in the playlist, or the beginning or the continuation of the song that was played immediately before, as described above. And In this example, as indicated by an arrow 104, reproduction is performed from the track TRK1 of the group GP1 at the head of the playlist 103.

On the other hand, the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1 discloses a playback apparatus that can set from where a playback starts after a user interrupts playback from a predetermined pattern. According to this prior art, the user can select one of three modes: resume off, resume on, and resume track on. If resumption of playback is instructed when resume-off is selected, playback is started from the top music regardless of the music that was played immediately before. When resume-on is selected, playback starts from the position immediately after the interruption. If resume track on is selected, playback starts from the beginning of the interrupted music.
JP 2000-331466 A

  However, when the reproduction performed after the reproduction is interrupted in this way is not the reproduction of the desired music, the user must perform an operation of selecting the music in order to reproduce the music to be listened to. A music player usually includes a fast-forward button and a fast-rewind button. For example, the user skips music by operating these buttons and selects a music to be listened to. There is also a method of scrolling through the playlist displayed on the display screen and selecting a song to be listened to.

  Such user operations have not been a major problem for music players of the type that can record about 10 or 20 music data at most, but in music players that can record hundreds of music data as described above. There is a possibility that the music being reproduced and the desired music are very far apart from each other on the playlist, and in this case, the user is forced to perform an extremely complicated operation. On the other hand, some music players try to alleviate the above problems by allowing stored music data to be stored in predetermined folders (groups) and managing them hierarchically. The operation for moving has to be performed separately, and the complexity has not been completely avoided.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a content reproduction apparatus and a content reproduction method capable of starting reproduction from music data at an arbitrary position according to an instruction from a user. A further object of the present invention is to provide a content reproduction apparatus and a content reproduction method that are controlled to start reproduction from checked-out music data.

  A further object of the present invention is to provide a content management apparatus and a content management method for providing necessary information to a connected content reproduction apparatus so as to start reproduction from music data at an arbitrary position in accordance with a user instruction. It is to provide. A further object of the present invention is to provide a content management device and a content management method for providing necessary information to a connected content playback device so as to start playback from the checked-out music data. .

The present invention includes a first connection unit that communicates with a content management apparatus that manages content, a storage unit that stores content, and a playback unit that controls playback of the content stored in the storage unit, The content is received from the content management apparatus by communication performed through the first connection means, and includes the number of the group in the storage means to which the content belongs and the number of the track in the group corresponding to the content . Content that receives information specifying content from the content management device, and the playback unit controls to start playback from the received content specified by the information when the content is played back for the first time after receiving the information It is a playback device.

The present invention is subject to reproduction when the content reproduction apparatus starts the second connection means for communicating with the content reproduction apparatus for storing and reproducing the content, and the reproduction of the content stored in the content reproduction apparatus. A determination unit configured to determine content, and performs transmission / reception of the content with the content reproduction device through communication performed via the second connection unit. To determine the transmitted content that is determined to include the transmitted content as a reproduction target , including the group number in the storage unit to which the content belongs and the track number in the group corresponding to the content Is a content management apparatus that transmits the information to the content reproduction apparatus via the second connection means.

The present invention relates to a content playback apparatus having first connection means for communicating with other devices, storage means for storing content, and playback means for controlling playback of the content stored in the storage means, A content management apparatus comprising: a second connection unit that communicates with a device; and a determination unit that determines a content to be reproduced when the reproduction of the content stored in the other device is started by the other device. When the content playback device and the content management device are connected by the first and second connection means, the content management device transmits and receives the content, and the content management device transmits the content when it is transmitted to the content playback device. determine the content so as to be reproduced, glue corresponding to the group number and the content in the storage means the content belongs And a number of tracks of the inner were determined, the information for identifying the transmitted content transmitted to the content reproducing apparatus, content reproducing apparatus receives the content and information transmitted from the content management apparatus This is a content reproduction control system that is controlled to start reproduction from the received content specified by the information when the content is first reproduced after the information is received from the content management apparatus.

The present invention includes a step of communicating with a content management apparatus that manages content via a first connection unit, and a reproduction step that controls reproduction of content stored in a storage unit that stores content, The content is received from the content management apparatus by communication performed through the first connection means, and includes the number of the group in the storage means to which the content belongs and the number of the track in the group corresponding to the content . Content that receives information specifying content from the content management apparatus, and the playback step controls to start playback from the received content specified by the information when the content is first played after receiving the information It is a playback method.

The present invention includes a step of communicating via a second connection means with a content playback device that stores and plays back content, and playback when playback of content stored in the content playback device is started by the content playback device A determination step for determining the content to be subject to transmission and reception of the content with the content reproduction device by communication performed via the second connection means. In the determination step, the content is transmitted to the content reproduction device. The transmitted content is determined to include the number of the group in the storage unit to which the content belongs and the number of the track in the group corresponding to the content. A container for transmitting information for specifying the content to the content reproduction apparatus via the second connection means. Tsu is a management method.

The present invention communicates with another device via the first connection means, and controls the reproduction of the content stored in the storage means for storing the content, and the other device and the second connection means. And a content management apparatus that determines the content to be reproduced when the reproduction of the content stored in the other device is started by the other device using the first and second connection means When the connection is made, the content is transmitted and received. When the content is transmitted to the content reproduction device, the content management device determines that the transmitted content is to be reproduced, and the group in the storage unit to which the content belongs. of including a number and a number of tracks in the group corresponding to the content, has been determined, the content information for identifying the transmitted content The content playback device receives the content and information sent from the content management device, and is specified by the information when the content is first played after receiving the information from the content management device. This is a content playback control method for controlling playback to start from received content.

The present invention includes a step of communicating with a content management apparatus that manages content via a first connection unit, and a reproduction step that controls reproduction of content stored in a storage unit that stores content, The content is received from the content management apparatus by communication performed through the first connection means, and includes the number of the group in the storage means to which the content belongs and the number of the track in the group corresponding to the content . Content that receives information specifying content from the content management apparatus, and the playback step controls to start playback from the received content specified by the information when the content is first played after receiving the information A program for causing a computer apparatus to execute a reproduction method.

The present invention includes a step of communicating via a second connection means with a content playback device that stores and plays back content, and playback when playback of content stored in the content playback device is started by the content playback device A determination step of determining content to be subject to the determination, wherein the determination step determines that the transmitted content is to be reproduced when the content is transmitted to the content reproduction device, and the second connection means The determined transmitted content including the group number in the storage means to which the content belongs and the track number in the group corresponding to the content are transmitted / received to / from the content reproduction apparatus through communication performed via A container for transmitting information for specifying the content to the content reproduction apparatus via the second connection means. Is a program for executing the tool management method in a computer system.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a content playback apparatus and a content playback method capable of starting playback from music data at an arbitrary position based on information provided by an instruction from a user. Furthermore, it is also possible to automatically control to start playback from the checked-out music data.

  In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided a content management apparatus and a content management method for providing necessary information to a connected content reproduction apparatus so as to start reproduction from music data at an arbitrary position in accordance with a user instruction. Provided. Furthermore, it is also possible to automatically control to start playback from the checked-out music data.

  By using the content playback device and the content management device, the user can control to start playback from arbitrary content or content of a predetermined condition when the content playback device starts playback. As a result, it is possible to avoid a complicated act of selecting content to be played back on the content playback device.

  First, the configuration of the content reproduction apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. A content playback apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a content playback apparatus 1 that records music data compressed and encoded by ATRAC 3 in the internal memory 8 or the external memory 2, decodes the data, and outputs the decoded data to the headphones 4. .

  However, the target of recording and reproduction is not limited to the music data as described above, and it is also possible to target document data, still image data, moving image data, and the like. In this example, only the output to the headphones 4 is performed, but a sound may be output by providing a speaker or the like, and when reproducing image data, a display device for displaying those images May be provided.

  Further, the content reproduction apparatus 1 as shown in the drawing is merely exemplified with respect to the minimum configuration, and may include other configurations as long as it has the features of the present invention described below. For example, in addition to the function of reproducing content, a function of recording or recording content may be provided.

  The content playback apparatus 1 includes a CPU 5, a decoder 6, a built-in memory interface 7, a built-in memory 8, an external memory interface 9, a USB interface 10, a USB connector 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, an input unit 14, and a D / A (Digital to Analog) converter. 15, a headphone amplifier 16, a headphone connector 17, and a bus 18 for connecting them.

  In addition, the content reproduction apparatus 1 is connected to the external memory 2 via the external memory interface 9. The external memory 2 is a flash memory such as a memory stick (product name), for example, and is connected by being inserted into a slot or the like provided in the content reproduction apparatus 1. The content management apparatus 3 is connected to the content reproduction apparatus 1 via the USB interface 10, the USB connector 11, and the USB cable. In this example, the USB is used for connection with the content management apparatus 3, but it may be connected by other methods and need not be limited to a wired connection. However, since a relatively large amount of data such as music data is transferred between the content reproduction apparatus 1 and the content management apparatus 3 as described later, a certain amount of bandwidth is required.

  The content management device 3 is, for example, a personal computer on which a content management application described in detail later operates. The headphone 4 is connected to the content playback apparatus 1 via a D / A converter 15, a headphone amplifier 16, a headphone connector 17, and a cable, and provides playback sound of music data to the user. The content reproduction apparatus 1 corresponds to the music player described above with respect to the conventional example, and the content management apparatus 3 corresponds to a personal computer (PC).

  The CPU 5 controls each component of the content reproduction device 1 in accordance with instructions from an OS (Operating System) program, a control program, and an application program, and realizes each function of the content reproduction device 1. The content reproduction apparatus 1 has many functions. The function deeply related to the present invention is a function (checkout) of receiving music data from the content management apparatus 3 and storing the data in the internal memory 8 or the external memory 2. Function), a function for returning music data stored in the internal memory 8 or the external memory 2 to the content management device 3 (check-in function), and information on the playback start position from the content management device 3 and storing the information. This is a function (playback function) for playing back music data stored in the built-in memory 8 or the external memory 2.

  The decoder 6 takes out the target music data from the internal memory 8 or the external memory 2 and performs a decoding process when a reproduction instruction is given from the user. The decoded music data is transmitted to the D / A converter 15, and finally the music is output from the headphones 4. As described above, the music data stored in the built-in memory 8 or the external memory 2 is usually compression-encoded data such as ATRAC3 or MP3, so the decoder performs a decoding process according to these compression formats. .

  The built-in memory 8 inputs or outputs music data via the built-in memory interface 7. The built-in memory 8 is composed of, for example, a flash memory similar to the external memory 2.

  The ROM 12 stores an OS program, a control program, an application program, and necessary data (basically at the time of manufacture). The RAM 13 can also record these programs and data. In the RAM 13, for example, a program provided via the USB interface 10 and the USB connector 11 or by another route can be recorded. The CPU 5 operates according to the instructions of the program and realizes each function of the present invention.

  Further, the reproduction start position information received from the content management apparatus 3 is recorded in the RAM 13. When reproduction is instructed by the user after the reproduction is interrupted, the music to be reproduced is selected based on the information of the reproduction start position in the RAM 13.

  The input unit 14 is an input means for the user to instruct reproduction, interruption of reproduction, fast forward, fast reverse, and the like, and is usually prepared as several buttons.

  Next, the configuration of the content management apparatus 3 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the content management apparatus 3 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, an input unit 24, a display unit 25, a recording unit 26, a USB interface 27, a USB connector 28, and a bus 29 for connecting these components. Prepare. Further, the content reproduction apparatus 1 is connected to the content management apparatus 3 via the USB interface 27, the USB connector 28, and the USB cable.

  The content management device 3 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 2 as long as it can connect to the content reproduction device 1, transfer data between them, and input user instructions. For example, in addition to a general personal computer, the content management apparatus 3 can be configured using a home game machine or the like.

  The CPU 21 controls each component of the content management device 3 in accordance with instructions from an OS (Operating System) program, a control program, and an application program, thereby realizing the functions of the content management device 3. In relation to the present invention, for example, execution of a content management application described later is controlled. In this content management application, various windows and instruction buttons are displayed on the display unit 25, and music data is transmitted from the content management device 3 to the content reproduction device 1 or the content reproduction device 1 when the user gives an instruction based on the display. Is transferred to the content management apparatus 3 and information on the reproduction start position is transmitted to the content reproduction apparatus 1.

  The recording unit 26 is a large-capacity external storage device such as a hard disk. In the recording unit 26, music data compressed and encoded by ATRAC3 or the like is stored, for example, in a folder after hierarchical management. These music data are taken from a recording medium such as a CD or the Internet. A program such as a content management application is also recorded in the recording unit 26 and loaded into the RAM 23 as necessary.

  The ROM 22 stores a basic input / output system (BIOS) program and the like, which is activated when the content management apparatus 3 is turned on and controls the input / output device. The RAM 23 is loaded with an OS program, a content management application, and the like and executed.

  The input unit 24 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The user uses these input devices to specify music data to be transferred in the content management application or to specify information about the playback start position. The display unit 25 is a display device such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display. A screen provided by the content management application is displayed on the display unit 25.

  In the content reproduction apparatus 1, the storage means for storing the content is constituted by the built-in memory 8 and the external memory 2, and the reproduction means for controlling the content reproduction is generally based on the operation of the CPU 5 based on the control program in the RAM 13. Realized.

  On the other hand, in the content management apparatus 3, the connection means for connecting to the content reproduction apparatus 1 is configured by the USB interface 27 and the USB connector 28 in the example shown in FIG. The determining means for determining the content to be reproduced and the transmitting means for transmitting information for specifying the content to the content reproducing apparatus are generally realized by the operation of the CPU 5 based on the control program in the RAM 13. The display control means for controlling to display the content list is also generally realized by the operation of the CPU 5 based on the control program in the RAM 13.

  The information specifying the content stored in the storage unit of the content playback apparatus 1 corresponds to the information of the playback start position. Further, if each of the content reproduction apparatus 1 in FIG. 1 and the content management apparatus 3 in FIG. 2 is regarded as one component, it can be considered as one system (reproduction control system) as a whole.

  Next, how the music data in the content reproduction apparatus 1 is handled according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic diagrams showing the contents of the memory of the content reproduction apparatus 1 (music player) as a playlist, as in FIG.

  For the content reproduction apparatus 1, a play list 31 before check-out and a play list 33 after check-out are shown. Here, the content reproduction device 1 and the content management device 3 are connected by USB or the like, and in a content management application running on the content management device 3, the user instructs to check out music data, that is, the content management device 3 A case in which music data stored in the hard disk or the like is instructed to be transferred to the content reproduction apparatus 1 will be described.

  As is clear from the playlist 31 before checkout, before the checkout is performed, the content reproduction apparatus 1 has three groups GP1, GP2, and GP3, and GP1 has three tracks TRK1 to TRK3. GP2 includes two tracks TRK1 and TRK2, and GP3 includes four tracks TRK1 to TRK4. One track corresponds to music data of one music piece. Therefore, a group can be associated with a specific artist or album.

  In this state, the user performs checkout using the content management application. The data 32 to be checked out is a group GP4, which includes two tracks, TRK1 and TRK2. These are transferred to the content reproduction apparatus 1 in accordance with a user instruction.

  Looking at the playlist 33 after check-out, it can be seen that the group GP4 transferred by the user using the content management application is copied. In the conventional music player shown in FIG. 10, the playback start position is the top of the playlist. In the present invention, as indicated by the arrow 34, the top of the music data that is automatically checked out, that is, The playback start position is set in TRK1 of group GP4. As a result, the content reproduction device 1 starts reproduction from TRK1 of the group GP4 when performing reproduction thereafter.

  In FIG. 3, the setting of the reproduction start position is schematically shown. More specifically, when the user instructs the checkout by the content management application, the reproduction start position information is included together with the target music data. The group number “4” and the track number “1” are transmitted to the content reproduction apparatus 1. The content reproduction apparatus 1 records the group number and the track number in the RAM 13 and starts reproduction from the music specified by the group number and the track number when a reproduction instruction is given from the user.

  Normally, in the content reproduction apparatus 1, when the reproduction of the music at the reproduction start position is completed, the reproduction is continued in the order of the playlist. Therefore, in the case of the playlist 33, after the TRK1 of the GP4 is reproduced for the first time, the TRK2 of the GP4 is reproduced, and then the TRK1 of the GP1 is reproduced by returning to the top of the playlist.

  Since the playback start position information identifies the first song when playback is resumed, it is necessary to specify that playback is performed randomly after that, or in reverse order of the playlist. Is also possible. Further, when reproduction is resumed, control may be performed so that a plurality of specific music pieces are reproduced sequentially.

  FIG. 4 shows a situation in which music data stored in the memory of the content reproduction device 1 is edited using a content management application operating on the content management device 3. FIG. 4 shows a playlist 41 before editing and a playlist 42 after editing. As can be seen from the comparison of both playlists, the order of the group GP1 and the group GP3 is changed, and the track TRK4 is deleted (checked in) for the group GP3. Here, the user can specify to start playback from TRK1 of group GP2 when the content playback device 1 performs playback next time by operating the content management application (arrow 43).

  The group number (GP2) and the track number (TRK1) designated by the user are transmitted from the content management application to the RAM 13 of the content reproduction apparatus 1 as described above.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, the content playback apparatus 1 can store predetermined content in the RAM 13 in the first playback instruction after check-out or the first playback instruction after editing the playlist. Information to be specified, that is, in this example, a group number and a track number are referred to, and reproduction is started from the specified content. Even when there is an operation such as the above checkout, it is possible to control to start playback from the beginning of the playlist or the music played immediately before by default.

  In addition, the editing of the playlist as illustrated in FIG. 4 may simply change the reproduction order of the music data and may not add or delete the music data. In this case, only the index table (file management table) for managing the reproduction order of the music data is updated, and the data portion is not updated.

  Next, the operation of the content management application on the content management device 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the screen 50 of the content management application displayed on the display unit 25 of the content management device 3. The screen 50 includes three windows (51, 52, 53) and four buttons (54, 55, 56, 57).

  A window 51 and a window 52 indicate music data stored hierarchically in the hard disk of the content management apparatus 3. The window 51 displays a folder portion, and the window 52 displays data in the lowest layer, that is, music data in the format of ATRAC3 or MP3.

  There are two types of folders shown in the window 51. Folders such as AA, BB, CC, and DD are upper folders 58, and folders subordinate to the upper folder 58 such as D1 are lower folders 59. The numbers (No.) and titles of the music data 60 included in the lower folder 59 (for example, D1) are displayed in a list in the window 52.

  Therefore, if an artist name is assigned as the name of the upper folder 58 and an album name is assigned as the name of the lower folder 59, the music data 60 becomes a song included in the album, and can be managed relatively easily. Of course, this hierarchy management method and display method are merely examples, and music data can be managed and displayed by other methods.

  On the other hand, the window 53 represents the music data stored in the memory of the content reproduction device 1, and this display is automatically performed when the content reproduction device 1 and the content management device 3 are connected, for example. Done. In this example, the memory of the content reproduction apparatus 1 also stores music data in a hierarchical manner, and music data 62 such as S1 and S2 is stored under a folder 61 such as SS.

  The button 54 is used to instruct check-in. By clicking the button 54 with a mouse, the music data stored in the memory of the content reproduction device 1 is returned to the hard disk of the content management device 3. . When the content management apparatus 3 holds the music data, only the copyright information may be updated, and at that time, the actual transfer of the music data is not performed.

  The button 55 is used to instruct a checkout, and the music data stored in the hard disk of the content management device 3 is copied to the memory of the content reproduction device 1 by clicking or the like. As described above, the content reproduction apparatus 1 can include the built-in memory 8 and the external memory 2, but a GUI that can instruct which memory to record in checkout can be included in the screen 50.

  The button 56 is used to instruct the content reproduction apparatus 1 to transfer the information on the reproduction start position. The button 57 is for stopping the operation by the button.

  The state displayed in FIG. 5 is that when the sixth music data “D1-006” in the lower folder D1 belonging to the upper folder DD is checked out by the user. When the user selects the lower folder D1 in the window 51 (by clicking a mouse or the like), a list of music data included in D1 is displayed in the window 52. Subsequently, the user selects a music piece to be transferred to the content reproduction apparatus 1 from the window 52 by clicking the mouse or the like. For example, the selected row of music data is displayed with high luminance so that it can be seen that it has been selected.

  The user clicks the button 55 in this state. Then, the music data “D1-006” is transferred to the memory of the content reproduction apparatus 1, and at the same time, the currently transferred “D1-006” and the folder D1 are displayed in the window 53 with high luminance, for example.

  At this time, the group number corresponding to the folder D1 and the track number corresponding to the music data “D1-006” are automatically transmitted to the RAM 13 of the content reproduction apparatus 1. The user can also select a plurality of music data to be checked out in the window 52. In this case, the group number and the track number to be transferred basically correspond to the head music data.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing another screen 80 of the content management application. The screen 80 includes three windows (81, 82, 83) and four buttons (84, 85, 86, 87), similarly to the screen 50 of FIG. In this example, after the music data is checked out as shown in FIG. 5, information on the reproduction start position is transmitted to the content reproduction apparatus 1 in accordance with a user instruction.

  The selection of music data to be checked out, the click of a button 85 (checkout button), etc. are the same as those in FIG. In FIG. 6, after that, the user designates the reproduction start position.

  Specifically, in the window 83, the music to be played is selected by clicking the mouse or the like. In FIG. 6, music data 88 “S3” in the folder SS different from the checked-out music data “D1-006” is selected and displayed in high brightness. After this selection, the user clicks the button 86 to instruct the content reproduction apparatus 1 to start reproduction from the music data “S3”.

  By this operation, the user can instruct to start reproduction from music data at an arbitrary position unrelated to the position of the checked-out music data.

  Next, operations of the content management device 3 and the content reproduction device 1 will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 7 shows processing in the content management application of the content management device 3 when the user designates an arbitrary reproduction start position. In step S11, it is determined whether or not the user has clicked on a button for instructing the reproduction start position. If it is determined that the button has been clicked, the group number and track number of the music selected at that time are acquired in step S12.

  Thereafter, in step S13, the group number and the track number of the reproduction start position are transmitted to the content reproduction apparatus 1. This information may be a command for setting a group number and a track number in a predetermined area of the RAM 13 such as “SET_START_TRK (GpNo, TrkNo)”. Here, the first command parameter GpNo is a group number, and the second command parameter TrkNo is a track number.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing in the content reproduction apparatus 1. First, in step S21, it is determined whether or not the content reproduction apparatus 1 and the content management apparatus 3 are connected via USB. If there is no connection, the process ends without any particular processing. If it is determined that the USB connection is established, in step S22, the group number and track number of the music data currently being reproduced by the content reproducing apparatus 1 or being reproduced immediately before are stored in the RAM 13.

  Next, music data transfer processing is performed with the content management application of the content management apparatus 3 (step S23). In step S24, it is determined whether or not the USB connection is disconnected, and the transfer process is repeated until the disconnection is performed. The transfer process may be controlled to end when there is no music data to be transferred and to proceed to step S25.

  In step S25, a playlist is constructed according to the contents of the music data checked out and checked in by the transfer process in step S23.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the details of the transfer process in step S23 of FIG. In step S31, music data transmitted from the content management application of the content management device 3 is received and stored in the memory. When the content reproduction apparatus 1 has both the internal memory 8 and the external memory 2, it can be instructed from the content management application which memory to record. Music data is received and recorded in the memory when the user instructs a checkout in the content management application. On the other hand, when the check-in is instructed, the designated music data is deleted from the memory.

  Further, when the content reproduction apparatus 1 has both the internal memory 8 and the external memory 2, even if there is no instruction from the content management application as to which music data is to be recorded, either of the memories by default You can also set it to record in

  Next, in step S32, it is determined whether information specifying the content to be reproduced, that is, the group number and track number, has been received from the content management application. If it has not been received, the process is terminated without doing anything. If received, for example, the information (group number and track number) is acquired in step S33, and the playback start position is updated based on these information in step S34. The information on the reproduction start position is stored in the RAM 13 of the content reproduction apparatus 1, for example.

  Thereafter, when the content reproduction apparatus 1 starts reproduction, the content reproduction apparatus 1 refers to the information of the reproduction start position stored in the RAM 13 and grasps the group number and track number of the music data to be reproduced. With the above-described configuration, when the user performs an operation such as checkout with the content management application, the music data specified by the group number and track number specified at that time (or determined by default) is stored in the content management apparatus 3. Is transferred to the content playback apparatus 1 and playback is started from the music data. Such an operation is as described above with reference to FIG.

  In this example, the group number and the track number are used to specify the playback start position, that is, the music data to start playback, but this is merely an example, and many other specifying methods are conceivable. . For example, the start position of music data or the position in the music can be specified using the address of the memory storing the music data, the address related to the table for managing the data storage position, or the like.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the content reproduction apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the personal computer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an approximate line figure showing change of a play list at the time of performing checkout processing in a contents management application. It is an approximate line figure showing change of a play list at the time of performing edit processing in a contents management application. It is a basic diagram which shows the example of the screen display of a content management application. It is a basic diagram which shows another example of the screen display of a content management application. It is a flowchart showing the process sequence of the content management application in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart showing the process sequence of the content reproduction apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart showing the data transfer process of the content reproduction apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is an approximate line figure showing change of a play list at the time of performing checkout processing in the conventional music player.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Content reproduction apparatus, 2 ... External memory, 3 ... Content management apparatus, 4 ... Headphone, 5,21 ... CPU, 6 ... Decoder, 8 ... Built-in memory, 10, 27 ... USB interface, 13, 23 ... RAM, 14, 24 ... input unit, 25 ... display unit, 26 ... recording unit

Claims (14)

First connection means for communicating with a content management apparatus for managing content;
Storage means for storing content;
Reproduction means for controlling reproduction of the content stored in the storage means,
The content is received from the content management apparatus through communication made via the first connection means, and the group number in the storage means to which the content belongs and the track number in the group corresponding to the content Including, from the content management device, information specifying the received content,
The content reproduction apparatus that controls the reproduction to start from the received content specified by the information when the content is first reproduced after receiving the information. Second connection means for communicating with a content reproduction apparatus for storing and reproducing content;
Determining means for determining content to be reproduced when reproduction of the content stored in the content reproduction device is started by the content reproduction device;
Through communication performed via the second connection means, content is transmitted to and received from the content reproduction device,
The determining means determines that the transmitted content is to be the reproduction target when the content is transmitted to the content reproduction device;
The determined information for specifying the transmitted content, including the group number in the storage unit to which the content belongs and the track number in the group corresponding to the content. A content management apparatus that transmits to the content reproduction apparatus via a connection means. The content management apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein
The content management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination by the determination means is performed according to a user instruction. The content management apparatus according to claim 3 .
Display control means for controlling to display a list of contents stored in the content reproduction device; the determination by the determination means is performed by a user selecting a predetermined content from the list of contents; A content management apparatus, which is performed by instructing content to be the target of reproduction. The content management apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein
Display control means for controlling to display a list of contents stored in the content reproduction apparatus; the determination by the determination means is stored in the content reproduction apparatus by a user using the content list; A content management apparatus, which is automatically performed when an instruction to change the playback order of existing contents, an instruction to delete predetermined contents, or an instruction to transfer new contents to the content playback apparatus is given. First connection means for communicating with other devices;
Storage means for storing content;
A content playback device having playback means for controlling playback of the content stored in the storage means;
A second connection means for communicating with other devices;
A content management device having a determination unit that determines the content to be played when the playback of the content stored in the other device is started by the other device;
When the content reproduction device and the content management device are connected by the first and second connection means,
Send and receive content,
The content management device includes:
When the content is transmitted to the content reproduction device, the content is determined to be the reproduction target,
The determined information for specifying the transmitted content including the number of the group in the storage unit to which the content belongs and the number of the track in the group corresponding to the content is transmitted to the content reproduction apparatus. Send to
The content playback device
Receiving the content and the information transmitted from the content management device;
A content reproduction control system that is controlled to start reproduction from the received content specified by the information when content is first reproduced after the information is received from the content management apparatus. Communicating with a content management apparatus for managing content via a first connection means;
A reproduction step for controlling reproduction of the content stored in the storage means for storing the content,
The content is received from the content management apparatus through communication made via the first connection means, and the group number in the storage means to which the content belongs and the track number in the group corresponding to the content Including, from the content management device, information specifying the received content,
The content playback method, wherein the playback step controls to start playback from the received content specified by the information when the content is played back for the first time after receiving the information. Communicating with a content reproduction device for storing and reproducing content via a second connection means;
Determining a content to be reproduced when the reproduction of the content stored in the content reproduction device is started by the content reproduction device;
Through communication performed via the second connection means, content is transmitted to and received from the content reproduction device,
In the determining step, when the content is transmitted to the content playback device, the determined content is determined to be the playback target,
The determined information for specifying the transmitted content, including the group number in the storage unit to which the content belongs and the track number in the group corresponding to the content. A content management method for transmitting to the content reproduction apparatus via a connection means. The content management method according to claim 8 , wherein
A content management method, wherein the determination in the determination step is performed according to a user instruction. The content management method according to claim 9 ,
A display control step for controlling to display a list of content stored in the content playback device, wherein the determination by the determination step is performed by a user selecting a predetermined content from the content list and selecting the selected content A content management method, which is performed by instructing content to be a target of reproduction. The content management method according to claim 8 , wherein
A display control step for controlling to display a list of contents stored in the content reproduction device; the determination in the determination step is performed by a user stored in the content reproduction device using the content list; A content management method, which is automatically performed when an instruction to change the playback order of existing contents, an instruction to delete predetermined contents, or an instruction to transfer new contents to the content playback apparatus is given. A content playback device that communicates with other devices via the first connection means and controls the playback of the content stored in the storage means for storing the content;
Content management for communicating with another device via the second connection means, and determining the content to be played when the playback of the content stored in the other device is started by the other device When connecting the device with the first and second connection means,
Send and receive content,
The content management device includes:
When the content is transmitted to the content reproduction device, the content is determined to be the reproduction target,
The determined information for specifying the transmitted content including the number of the group in the storage unit to which the content belongs and the number of the track in the group corresponding to the content is transmitted to the content reproduction apparatus. Send to
The content playback device
Receiving the content and the information transmitted from the content management device;
A content playback control method for controlling playback to start from the received content specified by the information when the content is first played after receiving the information from the content management device. Communicating with a content management apparatus for managing content via a first connection means;
A reproduction step for controlling reproduction of the content stored in the storage means for storing the content,
The content is received from the content management apparatus through communication made via the first connection means, and the group number in the storage means to which the content belongs and the track number in the group corresponding to the content Including, from the content management device, information specifying the received content,
The reproduction step causes the computer apparatus to execute a content reproduction method for controlling reproduction to start from the received content specified by the information when the content is reproduced for the first time after receiving the information. . Communicating with a content reproduction device for storing and reproducing content via a second connection means;
Determining a content to be reproduced when the reproduction of the content stored in the content reproduction device is started by the content reproduction device;
In the determining step, when the content is transmitted to the content playback device, the determined content is determined to be the playback target,
Through communication performed via the second connection means, content is transmitted to and received from the content reproduction device,
The determined information for specifying the transmitted content, including the group number in the storage unit to which the content belongs and the track number in the group corresponding to the content. A program for causing a computer device to execute a content management method to be transmitted to the content reproduction device via a connection unit.

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