JP4563474B2 - Distribution system, audio device, and continuous playback method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a distribution system, an audio device, and a continuous reproduction method.

In recent years, with the increase in communication speed in networks and the development of data compression technology, distribution systems that distribute music data and the like have become widespread. In such a distribution system, a user generally connects to the Internet using a personal computer (personal computer) and accesses an arbitrary distribution site.
As an example, a user operates a personal computer to access a music distribution site. Then, desired music data is downloaded from a music distribution site to a personal computer, and the music data is reproduced on the personal computer (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-74814 A (page 6-7, FIG. 1)

  Nevertheless, generally, music playback on a personal computer is inadequate in sound quality, volume and the like as compared with a dedicated audio device. For this reason, a user who wants to listen to high-quality music often writes music data downloaded to a personal computer to a predetermined recording medium and then plays the music on an audio device that can play the recording medium.

However, it is very complicated for the user to perform such work frequently. In particular, music data downloaded from a music distribution site is appropriately copyright protected, and random writing (duplication, etc.) to a recording medium is prohibited. For this reason, the user cannot reproduce music on the audio device unless the complicated procedure is properly performed.
Also, music distribution sites, called streaming, perform the type of music distribution in which music data is sequentially received and played without waiting for the download of all music data (for example, one music). In this case, music playback is possible only on a personal computer connected to a music distribution site, and this has left dissatisfaction for users who want to listen to high-quality music.

In order to eliminate such inconvenience, there has been a long-awaited development of an audio device that can be directly connected to a music distribution site without using a personal computer or the like.
When audio devices that can be connected to music distribution sites are developed and put on the market, such audio devices are positioned as home appliances that are easy to operate, and are more convenient than personal computers. It will be required.
Incidentally, music distribution sites are currently designed on the assumption that they are accessed from a personal computer. Therefore, the menu information (menu screen) and music list information (music list screen) sent from the music distribution site to the personal computer are defined so that they are properly displayed on the personal computer display (for example, the browser display area). Has been. On the menu screen or music list screen displayed on the personal computer, selection items for selecting music etc. are arranged. When the selection item is instructed (clicked) with a mouse or the like, the object is selected. Music data is distributed from music distribution sites.

  On the other hand, audio devices have a limitation that the display section (display area) is extremely small compared to a personal computer, so even if menu information or music list information adapted to the personal computer is received, the display is remarkably high. Expected to be difficult.

The audio device that can be connected to the music distribution site described above may not have an input device such as a mouse even if it can display a menu screen, a music list screen, etc. to some extent, and the user selects an item for selection. In that case, it is expected to be very difficult.
For this reason, even in audio equipment, it has been desired that the user can easily request the music distribution site to distribute music data.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a distribution system, an audio device, and a continuous reproduction method that can easily perform distribution requests.

In order to achieve the above object, a distribution system according to the first aspect of the present invention provides:
A distribution system in which a server and an audio device are connected via a network,
The server
Content storage means for storing content that can be distributed;
Data storage means for storing XML data including an association description with content stored in the content storage means;
Transmitting means for returning XML data stored in the data storage means in response to an access from the audio device;
In response to a distribution request from the audio device to which the transmission unit has transmitted XML data, a content distribution unit that distributes the target content stored in the content storage unit to the audio device,
The audio device is
Receiving means for receiving XML data sent from the server;
Extracting means for extracting description elements having a specific definition from the XML data received by the receiving means;
Distribution request means for requesting the server to distribute content associated with the description element extracted by the extraction means;
Content receiving means for receiving content distributed from the server in response to a request from the distribution request means;
Reproducing means for reproducing the content received by the content receiving means;
Display means for displaying a predetermined screen;
Storage means for preliminarily storing a style sheet including the contents of exclusion of image data unnecessary for display on the display means, which defines conversion contents for enabling a screen based on XML data to be displayed on the display means ,
E Bei and a conversion means for data conversion according to the style sheet XML data received by the receiving unit stored in the storage means,
The conversion means converts the description of the image data that cannot be displayed on the display means to exclude from the XML data according to the style sheet.
It is characterized by that.

Before Symbol display means displays the content list screen that contains the item that you want to select a continuous playback,
When the continuous reproduction is selected on the content list screen, the extraction unit extracts a description element having a specific definition for the content from the XML data by a tag,
The distribution request means sequentially requests distribution of a plurality of contents associated with the description elements extracted by the extraction means according to a predetermined order,
The content receiving means sequentially receives a plurality of contents distributed from the server,
The reproducing unit may sequentially reproduce each content received by the content receiving unit.

In order to achieve the above object, an audio device according to the second aspect of the present invention provides:
An audio device connected via a network to a server that stores XML data including content to be distributed and a description of association with the content;
Receiving means for receiving XML data sent from the server;
Extraction means for extracting a description element having a specific definition from the XML data received by the reception means;
Distribution request means for requesting the server to distribute content associated with the description element extracted by the extraction means;
Content receiving means for receiving content distributed from the server in response to a request from the distribution request means;
Playback means for playing back the content received by the content receiving means;
Display means for displaying a predetermined screen;
Storage means for preliminarily storing a style sheet including the contents of exclusion of image data unnecessary for display of the display means, which defines conversion contents for enabling a screen based on XML data to be displayed on the display means ,
Conversion means for converting the XML data received by the receiving means according to a style sheet stored in the storage means ,
The conversion means converts the description of the image data that cannot be displayed on the display means according to the style sheet so as to be excluded from the XML data.
And wherein a call.

Before Symbol display means displays the content list screen that contains the item that you want to select a continuous playback,
When the continuous reproduction is selected on the content list screen, the extraction unit extracts a description element having a specific definition for the content from the XML data by a tag,
The distribution request means sequentially requests distribution of a plurality of contents associated with the description elements extracted by the extraction means according to a predetermined order,
The content receiving means sequentially receives a plurality of contents distributed from the server,
The reproducing unit may sequentially reproduce each content received by the content receiving unit.

In order to achieve the above object, a continuous reproduction method according to the third aspect of the present invention includes:
A continuous reproduction method in an audio device having a server for storing XML data including a content to be distributed and a description of association with the content, and a display unit connected via a network,
A receiving step of receiving XML data sent from the server;
An extraction step of extracting a descriptive element having a specific definition from the XML data received in the reception step;
A distribution request step for sequentially requesting the server to distribute a plurality of contents associated with the description elements extracted in the extraction step;
A content receiving step of receiving a plurality of contents distributed from a server in response to the request of the distribution request step;
A reproduction step of sequentially reproducing each content received in the content reception step;
The XML data received in the receiving step is preliminarily defined as a conversion content for enabling a screen based on the XML data to be displayed on the display unit, and contents of exclusion of image data unnecessary for display on the display unit are described. A conversion step for converting data according to the style sheet included in
The conversion step converts the description of the image data that cannot be displayed on the display unit according to the style sheet so as to be excluded from the XML data.
And wherein a call.

  According to the present invention, a distribution request can be made easily.

  A distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a distribution system applied to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, this system is configured by connecting an audio device 1 and a data server 3 via a network 9 such as the Internet.

  First, the audio device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the audio device 1. As shown in the figure, the audio device 1 includes a tuner unit 11, an MD recording / reproducing unit 12, a signal processing unit 13, a network adapter 14, a hard disk 15, a flash memory 16, a timing unit 17, and an operation unit 18. A display unit 19, a control unit 20, a source selection unit 21, an amplifier 22, and a speaker 23.

The tuner unit 11 is a unit that receives AM broadcast, FM broadcast, and the like via a predetermined antenna, and supplies the sound of an arbitrary broadcast station (broadcast program) to the source selection unit 21.
Specifically, the tuner unit 11 is controlled by the control unit 20, tuned to an arbitrary reception frequency, and demodulates an audio signal of a program (broadcast program) broadcast on a predetermined broadcast station. Then, the demodulated audio signal is supplied to the source selection unit 21.

The MD (minidisc) recording / reproducing unit 12 is controlled by the signal processing unit 13 and records music data on the MD (recording MD).
For example, the MD recording / reproducing unit 12 is a recording / reproducing unit conforming to the NetMD (registered trademark) standard, and records music data stored in the hard disk 15 (for example, music data downloaded from the data server 3) on the MD. (Check out) and return the music data recorded in the MD to the hard disk 15 (check in).
The MD recording / reproducing unit 12 reproduces an audio signal from the music data recorded on the MD, and supplies the reproduced audio signal to the source selection unit 21.

The signal processing unit 13 includes, for example, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) and controls the recording / reproducing operation of the MD recording / reproducing unit 12 in accordance with an operation command supplied from the control unit 20.
Further, the signal processing unit 13 extracts and decrypts music data (encrypted ATRAC3 data, PCM data, etc.) stored in the hard disk 15, and reproduces an audio signal. Then, the reproduced audio signal is supplied to the source selection unit 21.

The network adapter 14 includes, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) card, a high-speed modem, and the like, and is controlled by the control unit 20 to transmit / receive necessary information to / from the data server 3 via the network 9.
For example, the network adapter 14 receives XML (eXtensible Markup Language) data sent from the data server 3. In addition, the data server 3 is requested to distribute music data associated with the received XML data (more specifically, data after conversion of the structure and the like). In addition, music data distributed from the data server 3 in response to the distribution request is received.

The hard disk 15 is composed of a magnetic disk unit having a predetermined capacity, and stores music data received by the network adapter 14.
The hard disk 15 is controlled by the control unit 20 and supplies the stored music data to the signal processing unit 13 and the like.

The flash memory 16 includes an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) or the like, and stores a user ID, a password, a device ID, and the like.
These user IDs, passwords, and the like are appropriately read by the control unit 20 and used for user authentication when the audio device 1 first accesses the data server 3 via the network 9.
The flash memory 16 stores a style sheet S as shown in FIG. The style sheet S is described in, for example, XSL (eXtensible Stylesheet Language) or XSLT (eXtensible Stylesheet Language Transformations), and conversion rules for adapting the structure of XML data to the audio device 1 are defined.
As an example, the style sheet S defines a conversion rule that excludes a description about image data or the like that cannot be displayed by the display unit 19 from the XML data.
Such a style sheet S is used by the structure conversion processing unit P described later.

Returning to FIG. 2, the timing unit 17 includes a clock circuit and the like, and measures the current date (year / month / day) and the current time (hour / minute / second).
The time measuring unit 17 also has a timer function, and instructs the control unit 20 to start a predetermined operation when the set date and time comes.

The operation unit 18 includes a plurality of key switches, analog switches, and the like disposed on the front surface of the audio device 1. The operation unit 18 inputs instruction information according to a user operation and supplies the instruction information to the control unit 20.
For example, the operation unit 18 includes a movement key, a determination key, and the like for designating an arbitrary selection item from a menu screen, a music list screen, or the like displayed on the display unit 19.

The display unit 19 includes a fluorescent display tube, a liquid crystal display unit, and the like. The display unit 19 is controlled by the control unit 20 and displays symbols, messages, and the like indicating the operation status of the audio device 1.
The display unit 19 displays a menu screen, a music list screen, and the like based on the converted data after the XML data structure and the like are converted so as to be compatible with the audio device 1.

  The control unit 20 includes a one-chip microcomputer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and controls the entire audio device 1.

For example, the control unit 20 accesses the data server 3 and receives XML data sent from the data server 3. After the XML data is verified, the structure of the XML data is converted according to the style sheet.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 20 includes a structure conversion processing unit P (for example, an XSLT processor), and the structure conversion processing unit P stores the style sheet S stored in the flash memory 16. According to the above, the structure of XML data is converted. For example, the structure conversion processing unit P excludes the description relating to the image data and the like from the XML data and converts the description so as to be compatible with the audio device 1.
And the control part 20 displays a menu screen, a music list screen, etc. on the display part 19 based on the data after conversion.

Further, when an arbitrary selection item is selected from the operation unit 18 in a state where the music list screen or the like is displayed on the display unit 19 and an acquisition of music data or the like is instructed, the control unit 20 sets the selection item. The storage location of the associated (linked) DB (content management DB 31 described later) is designated, and the data server 3 is requested to distribute music data and the like.
In response to the distribution request, when music data or the like is distributed from the data server 3 (for example, streaming distribution), the control unit 20 transmits the received music data or the like (for example, stream data) to the signal processing unit 13. The music signal is decoded (reproduced) and the music sound is output from the speaker 23.

  The source selection unit 21 includes an input changeover switch and the like, and is controlled by the control unit 20 to select any one of the tuner unit 11, the MD recording / playback unit 12, and the signal processing unit 13 as an input source. The source selection unit 21 supplies an audio signal output from the selected input source to the amplifier 22.

  The amplifier 22 includes a predetermined amplifier circuit and the like, amplifies the audio signal supplied via the source selection unit 21 as appropriate, and supplies the amplified audio signal to the speaker 23.

  The speaker 23 is a stereo speaker or the like, and outputs sound (musical sound or the like) according to the sound signal amplified by the amplifier 22.

  Next, the data server 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the data server 3. As illustrated, the data server 3 includes a database 30, a processing control unit 41, an XML data storage unit 42, and a communication control unit 43.

The database 30 includes, for example, a content management DB 31 and a user management DB 32.
The content management DB 31 is a database that manages a plurality of contents such as music data and image data, for example. Each content is arranged in a directory (folder) arranged in advance according to a predetermined rule or the like.

  The user management DB 32 is a database that manages information about users who can use services (content distribution, etc.) in the data server 3. For example, the user management DB 32 stores user IDs, passwords, and user names for identifying users, preference information for setting genres of music that the user likes to listen to, song names, artists, and the like. To do.

The process control unit 41 includes a predetermined computer unit and controls the entire data server 3.
For example, the processing control unit 41 generates image data (for example, a music jacket image) stored in the content management DB 31 at predetermined timing or XML data associated with the music data, and stores the generated XML data in the XML data storage unit 42. .
When the process control unit 41 receives the distribution request for the music data after transmitting the XML data to the audio device 1 (via the communication control unit 43), the process control unit 41 stores the target music data or the like as content. Read from the management DB 31 and distribute to the audio device 1 (via the communication control unit 43).

The XML data storage unit 42 stores XML data in a storage location corresponding to a predetermined address (URL or the like).
For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the XML data storage unit 42 stores XML data D including an XML declaration, a DTD (Document Type Definition), and an XML instance (a tagged document excluding DTD). ing.

Specifically, in the XML declaration, an XML version, a character code, and the like are declared.
In DTD, elements, attributes, entities, and the like appearing in tagged documents are defined. For example, “data surrounded by a specific tag represents music data for trial listening” is defined in DTD.
The DTD is used for verification of XML data (XML instance).
Furthermore, an XML instance is a document that is actually tagged and structured.
For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, an XML instance is associated (linked) with image data (for example, a music jacket image) and music data stored in the content management DB 31.
The XML data having such a configuration is read in response to an access from the audio device 1 and transmitted to the audio device 1.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the communication control unit 43 includes a line control device, a gateway device, and the like, and transmits and receives necessary information between the data server 3 and the audio device 1 via the network 9.

The operation of the distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
First, a description will be given with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining display processing executed in the audio device 1. This display process is started, for example, in response to an operation of the operation unit 18 by the user.

First, the control unit 20 of the audio device 1 accesses the data server 3 according to an address (URL or the like) designated by the user or a predetermined address, and requests transmission of XML data (step S11). .
On the other hand, the data server 3 reads the target XML data from the XML data storage unit 42 and transmits it to the audio device 1.

  The control unit 20 verifies the received XML data (step S12). That is, when the control unit 20 receives the XML data configured as shown in FIG. 5A, the control unit 20 verifies the XML instance according to the DTD.

When the verification of the XML data is completed, the control unit 20 converts the XML data according to the style sheet (step S13).
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 described above, the control unit 20 refers to the style sheet S stored in the flash memory 16, and the structure conversion processing unit P converts the XML data structure and the like. . For example, the structure conversion processing unit P excludes a description relating to image data (for example, a jacket image of music) from the XML data, and converts the description so as to be compatible with the audio device 1.

  And the control part 20 produces | generates display data from the data after conversion, and displays it on the display part 19 (step S14). For example, the control unit 20 displays a menu screen, a music list screen, and the like suitable for the audio device 1 on the display unit 19 based on the data converted by removing unnecessary image data and the like. When the image data is permitted by the style sheet S, the control unit 20 displays a music list screen including image data (jacket image or the like) without excluding the image data.

  As described above, the XML data sent from the data server 3 is converted in accordance with the style sheet stored in the audio device 1 by the display process described with reference to FIG. At this time, since the XML data is converted so as to be compatible with the audio device 1, the audio device 1 can appropriately display a menu screen, a music list screen, and the like.

Next, the operation of the distribution system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a reproduction process executed by the audio device 1 and a distribution process executed by the data server 3.
The reproduction process is started in a state where the above-described display process is completed and the music list screen is displayed on the display unit 19. In addition, it is assumed that the distribution process has already started with the start of the service of the data server 3.

  First, the control unit 20 of the audio device 1 determines whether or not individual reproduction is instructed by the user via the operation unit 18 (step S21). For example, it is determined whether or not a plurality of selection items are arranged on the music list screen or the like displayed on the display unit 19, an arbitrary selection item is selected from the operation unit 18, and individual music playback is instructed. To do.

When determining that the individual reproduction is not instructed, the control unit 20 advances the processing to step S24 described later.
On the other hand, when determining that the individual reproduction is instructed, the control unit 20 requests the data server 3 to distribute the selected music data (step S22). For example, the control unit 20 specifies the storage location of the content management DB 31 associated with the instructed selection item, and requests the data server 1 to distribute music data.

On the other hand, the process control unit 41 of the data server 3 waits for the subsequent process to be executed until a distribution request is sent (step S31).
Eventually, when distribution of music data is requested from the audio device 1, the processing control unit 41 reads target music data from the content management DB 31 in response to the distribution request (step S32).
And the process control part 41 distributes the read music data toward the audio equipment 1 (step S33). After the music data is distributed, the process control unit 41 returns the process to step S31 and repeatedly executes the processes of steps S31 to S33 described above.

  When the music data is distributed from the data server 3, the control unit 20 of the audio device 1 reproduces the distributed music data (step S23). For example, when music data or the like is streamed from the data server 3, the control unit 20 supplies the received music data (stream data) to the signal processing unit 13 to decode (reproduce) the music signal, Sound is output from the speaker 23.

  Further, the control unit 20 determines whether or not continuous reproduction is instructed by the user via the operation unit 18 (step S24). For example, a special selection item is arranged on the music list screen or the like displayed on the display unit 19, and it is determined whether or not this selection item is selected from the operation unit 18 and continuous music reproduction is instructed. .

When the control unit 20 determines that continuous playback is not instructed, the control unit 20 ends the playback process. Note that the processing may be returned to the above-described step S21, and the processing may be resumed from the determination of individual reproduction again.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the continuous reproduction is instructed, the control unit 20 sequentially requests the data server 3 to distribute the music data defined in the XML data (step S25). For example, the control unit 20 selects one selection item from the converted XML data (data used for display) in a predetermined order, and stores it in the content management DB 31 associated with the selected selection item. The destination is specified and the data server 1 is requested to distribute music data.

  Similarly to the above, the process control unit 41 of the data server 3 reads the target music data from the content management DB 31 in response to the distribution request (step S32), and distributes the read music data to the audio device 1. (Step S33).

When the music data is distributed from the data server 3, the control unit 20 of the audio device 1 sequentially reproduces the distributed music data (step S26).
And the control part 20 discriminate | determines whether the download of all the music was complete | finished (step S27). That is, it is determined whether or not all the music data associated with the XML data has been downloaded.

If the control unit 20 determines that the downloading of all the music pieces has not been completed, the control unit 20 returns the process to step S25, and repeatedly executes the processes of steps S25 to S27 described above.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the downloading of all the music pieces is completed, the control unit 20 finishes the reproduction process when the reproduction of all the downloaded music pieces is completed. Note that the processing may be returned to the above-described step S21, and the processing may be resumed from the determination of individual reproduction again.

As described above, the music data is individually reproduced or continuously reproduced by an easy operation by the reproduction process and the distribution process described with reference to FIG.
As a result, it is possible to easily make a distribution request while displaying an appropriate screen.

In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which, in the reproduction process shown in FIG. 7, all music data associated with XML data is automatically reproduced during continuous reproduction. However, the music data to be played back may be limited during continuous playback.
For example, in the XML data, when “trial music data” is defined by a tag, the control unit 20 extracts only the trial music data definition during continuous playback, and distributes only the trial music data. You may request to the server 3 sequentially.

In the above embodiment, the case where individual reproduction or continuous reproduction is performed when an item for selection such as a music list screen is selected from the operation unit 18 has been described. However, the music data may be automatically reproduced according to the description of the XML data.
For example, on the data server 3 side, each piece of music data to be reproduced, each reproduction time, and the like are described in XML data in SMIL (Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language). The audio device 1 that has received such XML data sequentially requests the data server 3 to distribute the defined music data in accordance with the description of SMIL, and reproduces the received music data.
In this case, automatic reproduction of music data can be easily performed.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the audio device 1 side accesses the data server 3 and receives the XML data has been described. However, the XML data may be automatically updated by applying a push technique.
For example, on the data server 3 side, update timing and the like are described in XML data in CDF (Channel Definition Format). Then, the audio device 1 that has received such XML data receives the XML data again at a defined update timing according to the description of the CDF.
In this case, the music list screen displayed on the audio device 1 and the like are appropriately updated along with the automatic update of the XML data, so that the operation load on the user can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the case where the data server 3 distributes music data and the like has been described, but the information to be distributed is not limited to these music data and the like, and is arbitrary.
For example, when updating the software (firmware or the like) of the audio device 1, the data server 3 describes the program to be updated structured by XML data. Then, the audio device 1 that has received such XML data verifies the received XML data, converts the structure and the like, and then stores and updates the program in a predetermined storage area.
Thereby, even a complicated program can be updated relatively easily.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where XML data is sent from the data server 3 to the audio device 1 has been described. However, this XML data is an example, and other data (others only when a predetermined condition is satisfied) Markup language) may be substituted as appropriate.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a distribution request can be easily made.

It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a structure of the delivery system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of an audio equipment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the detail of the control part and flash memory in an audio equipment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of a data server. (A) is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the XML data memorize | stored in an XML data storage part, (b) is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the link information described in XML data. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the display process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the reproduction | regeneration processing and delivery processing which concern on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Audio equipment 11 Tuner unit 12 MD recording / reproducing unit 13 Signal processing part 14 Network adapter 15 Hard disk 16 Flash memory 17 Timekeeping unit 18 Operation part 19 Display part 20 Control part 21 Source selection part 22 Amplifier 23 Speaker 3 Data server 30 Database 31 Content Management DB
32 User management DB
41 processing control unit 42 XML data storage unit 43 communication control unit

Claims (5)

A distribution system in which a server and an audio device are connected via a network,
The server
Content storage means for storing content that can be distributed;
Data storage means for storing XML (eXtensible Markup Language) data including an association description with content stored in the content storage means;
Transmitting means for returning XML data stored in the data storage means in response to an access from the audio device;
In response to a distribution request from the audio device to which the transmission unit has transmitted XML data, a content distribution unit that distributes the target content stored in the content storage unit to the audio device,
The audio equipment is
Receiving means for receiving XML data sent from the server;
Extraction means for extracting a description element having a specific definition from the XML data received by the reception means;
Distribution request means for requesting the server to distribute content associated with the description element extracted by the extraction means;
Content receiving means for receiving content distributed from the server in response to a request from the distribution request means;
Playback means for playing back the content received by the content receiving means;
Display means for displaying a predetermined screen;
Storage means for preliminarily storing a style sheet including the contents of exclusion of image data unnecessary for display of the display means, which defines conversion contents for enabling a screen based on XML data to be displayed on the display means ,
Conversion means for converting the XML data received by the receiving means according to a style sheet stored in the storage means,
The conversion means converts the description of the image data that cannot be displayed on the display means according to the style sheet so as to be excluded from the XML data.
A distribution system characterized by that. The display means displays a content list screen including items for selecting continuous playback,
When the continuous reproduction is selected on the content list screen, the extraction unit extracts a description element having a specific definition for the content from the XML data by a tag,
The distribution request means sequentially requests distribution of a plurality of contents associated with the description elements extracted by the extraction means according to a predetermined order,
The content receiving means sequentially receives a plurality of contents distributed from the server,
The reproducing means sequentially reproduces each content received by the content receiving means;
The distribution system according to claim 1. An audio device connected via a network to a server that stores XML data including content to be distributed and a description of association with the content;
Receiving means for receiving XML data sent from the server;
Extraction means for extracting a description element having a specific definition from the XML data received by the reception means;
Distribution request means for requesting the server to distribute content associated with the description element extracted by the extraction means;
Content receiving means for receiving content distributed from the server in response to a request from the distribution request means;
Playback means for playing back the content received by the content receiving means;
Display means for displaying a predetermined screen;
Storage means for preliminarily storing a style sheet including the contents of exclusion of image data unnecessary for display of the display means, which defines conversion contents for enabling a screen based on XML data to be displayed on the display means ,
Conversion means for converting the XML data received by the receiving means according to a style sheet stored in the storage means,
The conversion means converts the description of the image data that cannot be displayed on the display means according to the style sheet so as to be excluded from the XML data.
Audio equipment characterized by that. The display means displays a content list screen including items for selecting continuous playback,
When the continuous reproduction is selected on the content list screen, the extraction unit extracts a description element having a specific definition for the content from the XML data by a tag,
The distribution request means sequentially requests distribution of a plurality of contents associated with the description elements extracted by the extraction means according to a predetermined order,
The content receiving means sequentially receives a plurality of contents distributed from the server,
The reproducing means sequentially reproduces each content received by the content receiving means;
The audio device according to claim 3. A continuous reproduction method in an audio device having a server for storing XML data including a content to be distributed and a description of association with the content, and a display unit connected via a network,
A receiving step of receiving XML data sent from the server;
An extraction step of extracting a descriptive element having a specific definition from the XML data received in the reception step;
A distribution request step for sequentially requesting the server to distribute a plurality of contents associated with the description elements extracted in the extraction step;
A content receiving step of receiving a plurality of contents distributed from a server in response to the request of the distribution request step;
A reproduction step of sequentially reproducing each content received in the content reception step;
The XML data received in the receiving step is preliminarily defined as a conversion content for enabling a screen based on the XML data to be displayed on the display unit, and contents of exclusion of image data unnecessary for display on the display unit are described. A conversion step for converting data according to the style sheet included in
The conversion step converts the description of the image data that cannot be displayed on the display unit according to the style sheet so as to be excluded from the XML data.
A continuous reproduction method characterized by the above.

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