JP4868225B2 - Information processing apparatus and method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing device, method, and program, and more particularly, to an information processing device, method, and program that enable appropriate use of content between a plurality of networks having different communication protocols.

  In recent years, for example, it has become possible to easily construct a network system including a plurality of networks such as HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), Ethernet (registered trademark), or ilink (trademark) at home. Content can be used between different networks by the network system.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a conventional network system composed of a plurality of networks (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  This network system has different communication protocols, such as HDMI, Ethernet (registered trademark), or ilink, such as a network 1-1 and a network 1-2 (hereinafter referred to simply as network 1 if it is not necessary to distinguish them individually). The same applies to the other cases).

  The network 1-1 includes a television receiver 11, a video recorder 12, and a video recorder 31, and the network 1-2 includes a video recorder 21, a video recorder 22, and a video recorder 31. That is, the video recorder 31 is configured to belong to both the network 1-1 and the network 1-2.

  According to this network system, content can be shared and used within each network 1.

  For example, content held by the video recorder 31 belonging to the network 1-1 can be similarly reproduced by the television receiver 11 belonging to the network 1-1.

  Further, according to this network system, the video recorder 31 operates as a relay device between the network 1-1 and the network 1-2, so that the content can be shared and used between the network 1-1 and the network 1-2. it can.

  For example, content recorded on the video recorder 21 belonging to the network 1-2 can be reproduced in real time on the television receiver 11 belonging to the network 1-1.

JP 2002-297466 A

  By the way, since the communication protocol is common in one network 1 and the format of data to be handled is the same, the use of contents in one network 1 can be performed without any inconvenience.

  For example, a protocol corresponding to an operation for using content such as fast-forwarding and fast-forwarding stop for devices connected to the same network 1 is common in the network 1, and processing such as protocol conversion is not necessary. The devices in the network 1 can be quickly controlled.

  Specifically, when the content held by the video recorder 31 belonging to the network 1-1 is reproduced on the television receiver 11 belonging to the network 1-1 in the same manner, For example, the contents of operations such as fast-forwarding and stopping fast-forwarding performed are quickly notified to the video recorder 31, so that fast-forwarding can be stopped without delay with respect to, for example, the fast-forwarding stop operation. . That is, fast-forwarding can be stopped at a position desired by the user.

  In addition, since the operation content for the device connected to the network 1 is recognized based on the communication protocol of the network 1, the devices in the network 1 that share the communication protocol recognize the operation content in a common sense. be able to.

  In this way, the use of content in one network 1 can be performed without any inconvenience.

  On the other hand, in the network 1-1 and the network 1-2, the communication protocol is different and the data format to be handled is also different. Therefore, when contents are used between the network 1-1 and the network 1-2, inconvenience may occur. .

  For example, the protocol according to the operation for using the content such as fast forward and fast forward stop for the devices connected to the network 1-1 and the network 1-2 is different between the network 1-1 and the network 1-2. Therefore, protocol conversion is necessary, and there are times when it is not possible to quickly control devices across the network 1.

  Specifically, when the content recorded on the video recorder 21 belonging to the network 1-2 is reproduced in real time on the television receiver 11 belonging to the network 1-1, the television of the network 1-1. The contents of the operation performed on the receiver 11, such as fast-forward stop, are converted into a protocol in the network 1-2 in the video recorder 31 as a relay device, and then notified to the video recorder 21 in the network 1-2. Is done. Accordingly, since the fast-forwarding is actually stopped by the amount corresponding to the conversion, the fast-forwarding cannot be stopped at the stop position desired by the user.

  When recording reservations are made across the network 1, even if a processing delay occurs due to protocol conversion or the like, the actual recording processing is usually performed much later in time, so there is no problem, but fast-forwarding In the control during real-time reproduction, such as stopping, if there is a delay between the operation and the actual processing, the operation result desired by the user may not be obtained.

  Since the operation content for the device connected to the network 1 is recognized based on the communication protocol of the network 1, if the communication protocol is different as in the network 1-1 and the network 1-2, for example, the network 1-1. In some cases, operations permitted within the network 1-2 are not permitted within the network 1-2.

  As described above, in the conventional network system including a plurality of networks, there is a case where inconvenience occurs when the contents are used between the network 1-1 and the network 1-2.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and relays the two so that the content can be used appropriately between different networks.

  An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention, in an information processing apparatus that relays between a first network and a second network having different communication protocols, reproduces content requested for reproduction from a device connected to the first network. A first request means for making a request to a device connected to the second network, and a content transmitted from the device connected to the second network in response to the request by the first request means. First transmission means for receiving data and transmitting to a device connected to the first network; second request means for making a content holding request to a device connected to the second network; Retention means for receiving content data transmitted from a device connected to the second network in response to a request from the second request means and storing the data in the storage unit The second transmission unit that transmits the content data stored in the storage unit by the holding unit to the device connected to the first network, and the device connected to the first network by the first transmission unit. Transmission control means for stopping transmission of the content data and starting transmission of the content data to the device connected to the first network by the second transmission means.

  When all of the content data is stored in the storage unit, the transmission control unit stops the content data transmission to the device connected to the first network by the first transmission unit, and the second transmission unit Transmission of content data to a device connected to the first network can be started.

  The second requesting unit can request the holding of the content when the first requesting unit requests the reproduction of the content.

  When the second requesting unit recognizes that a device that is connected to the second network stores content that is not played back by the device that is connected to the first network, the second requesting unit requests the retention of the content. can do.

  An information processing method according to one aspect of the present invention is an information processing method for relaying between a first network and a second network having different communication protocols, and reproducing content requested for reproduction from a device connected to the first network. A request is sent from the device connected to the second network in response to the request in the processing of the first request step and the first request step for the device connected to the second network. A first transmission step for receiving incoming content data and transmitting it to a device connected to the first network; and a second request for making a content holding request to the device connected to the second network In response to the request in the step and the processing of the second request step, the content data transmitted from the device connected to the second network is received. A holding step for storing in the storage unit, a second transmission step for transmitting content data stored in the storage unit in the processing of the holding step to a device connected to the first network, and a first transmission step The transmission of the content data to the device connected to the first network by the process is stopped, and the transmission of the content data to the device connected to the first network by the process of the second transmission step is started. A transmission control step.

  A program according to an aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to execute information processing that relays between a first network and a second network having different communication protocols, and a reproduction request is made from a device connected to the first network. In response to the request in the processing of the first request step and the first request step for making a content reproduction request to the device connected to the second network, the device connected to the second network A first transmission step of receiving data of content to be transmitted and transmitting it to a device connected to the first network, and a content holding request to a device connected to the second network 2 and sent from the device connected to the second network in response to the request in the processing of the second request step. A holding step for receiving the content data to be received and storing it in the storage unit; and a second transmission step for transmitting the content data stored in the storage unit in the processing of the holding step to a device connected to the first network And stopping the transmission of the content data to the device connected to the first network by the process of the first transmission step, and the content to the device connected to the first network by the process of the second transmission step The computer executes information processing including a transmission control step for starting transmission of the data.

  In the information processing apparatus, the information processing method, or the program according to one aspect of the present invention, a reproduction request for the content requested to be reproduced from the device connected to the first network is sent to the device connected to the second network. In response to the request, content data transmitted from the device connected to the second network is received and transmitted to the device connected to the first network, and a content holding request is issued. Is performed on a device connected to the second network, and in response to the request, content data transmitted from the device connected to the second network is received, stored in the storage unit, and stored. The content data stored in the unit is transmitted to the device connected to the first network, and connected to the second network in response to the playback request. The transmission of the content data transmitted from the device to the device connected to the first network is stopped, and the transmission of the content data stored in the storage unit to the device connected to the first network is started. To be controlled.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately use content between different networks.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Correspondences between the configuration requirements of the present invention and the embodiments of the specification or the drawings are exemplified as follows. This description is intended to confirm that the embodiments supporting the present invention are described in the specification or the drawings. Therefore, even if there is an embodiment which is described in the specification or the drawings but is not described here as an embodiment corresponding to the constituent elements of the present invention, that is not the case. It does not mean that the form does not correspond to the constituent requirements. Conversely, even if an embodiment is described here as corresponding to a configuration requirement, that means that the embodiment does not correspond to a configuration requirement other than the configuration requirement. It's not something to do.

An information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes:
An information processing device (for example, the relay device 41 in FIG. 2) that relays between a first network (for example, the network 1-1 in FIG. 2) and a second network (for example, the network 1-2 in FIG. 2) having different communication protocols. )
A first request to make a playback request for a content requested to be played from a device connected to the first network (for example, the output device 11 in FIG. 2) to a device connected to the second network. Means (for example, the control unit 59 in FIG. 3);
In response to a request by the first request means, a first data is received that is transmitted from a device connected to the second network and transmitted to the device connected to the first network. Transmission means (for example, the control unit 59 in FIG. 3),
Second request means (for example, the control unit 59 in FIG. 3) that makes a request for holding the content to a device connected to the second network;
In response to a request from the second request unit, the content data transmitted from the device connected to the second network is received and stored in the storage unit (for example, the data storage unit 58 in FIG. 3). Holding means (for example, the control unit 59 in FIG. 3) to
Second transmission means (for example, the control unit 59 in FIG. 3) for transmitting content data stored in the storage unit by the holding unit to a device connected to the first network;
The content transmission to the device connected to the first network by the second transmission means is stopped by stopping the transmission of the content data to the device connected to the first network by the first transmission means. Transmission control means (for example, the control unit 59 in FIG. 3) for starting transmission of the data.

  The transmission control unit, when all of the content data is stored in the storage unit, stops the data transmission of the content to the device connected to the first network by the first transmission unit, The transmission of the content data to the device connected to the first network by the second transmission means can be started (for example, the control in FIG. 3 for performing the processing in steps S11 to S13 in FIG. 10). Part 59).

  The second requesting unit can request the retention of the content when the reproduction of the content is requested by the first requesting unit (for example, the processing of step S1 and step S8 in FIG. 10 is performed). 3. Perform the control unit 59 of FIG.

An information processing method or program according to one aspect of the present invention provides an information processing method for relaying between a first network and a second network having different communication protocols, or a first network and a second network having different communication protocols. In a program that causes a computer to execute information processing to be relayed,
A first requesting step (for example, step S4 in FIG. 10) in which a reproduction request for the content requested to be reproduced from the device connected to the first network is made to the device connected to the second network. When,
In response to the request in the processing of the first request step, the content data transmitted from the device connected to the second network is received and transmitted to the device connected to the first network. A first transmission step (for example, step S5 to step S7 in FIG. 10);
A second requesting step (for example, step S8 in FIG. 10) for making a request for holding the content to a device connected to the second network;
In response to the request in the processing of the second request step, the content data transmitted from the device connected to the second network is received and stored in the storage unit (for example, FIG. 10). Step S9 and step S10),
A second transmission step (for example, step S13 in FIG. 10) for transmitting content data stored in the storage unit in the process of the holding step to a device connected to the first network;
The transmission of the content data to the device connected to the first network by the process of the first transmission step is stopped (for example, step S12 in FIG. 10), and the process of the second transmission step is performed. A transmission control step of starting transmission of the content data to a device connected to the first network (for example, step S13 in FIG. 10).

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of a network system using the video recorder 41 to which the present invention is applied as a relay device.

  This network system includes a network 1-1 and a network 1-2 such as HDMI, Ethernet (registered trademark), or ilink (trademark), which have different communication protocols, as in the example of FIG.

  The network 1-1 includes a television receiver 11, a video recorder 12, and a video recorder 41. The network 1-2 includes a video recorder 21, a video recorder 22, and a video recorder 41. That is, instead of the video recorder 31 of FIG. 1, a video recorder 41 is configured to belong to both the network 1-1 and the network 1-2.

  According to this network system, content can be shared and used in each network 1 as in the example of FIG.

  For example, content held by the video recorder 41 belonging to the network 1-1 can be similarly reproduced by the television receiver 11 belonging to the network 1-1.

  Further, according to this network system, the video recorder 41 operates as a relay device between the network 1-1 and the network 1-2, so that the content can be shared and used between the network 1-1 and the network 1-2. However, at this time, the video recorder 41 as a relay device not only relays the content to be used, but also holds and outputs the content by itself so that the use of the content can be performed within the same network 1. Can be used in the same way.

  For example, content data recorded in a video recorder 21 belonging to the network 1-2 (hereinafter appropriately referred to as a playback device 21) is transferred to a television receiver 11 belonging to the network 1-1 (hereinafter appropriately referred to as an output device 11). Video recorder 41 (hereinafter referred to as relay device 41) supplies the content data supplied from playback device 21 to output device 11 and simultaneously transmits the content data to network 1-1. For example, when the storage of the content data is completed, the content stored by itself is supplied to the output device 11 instead of the playback device 21.

  That is, content data held by the relay device 41 connected to the network 1-1 is supplied to the output device 11 connected to the network 1-1 to use the content, and is used in the so-called same network 1. Therefore, it does not occur when content is used between the different networks 1 as described above, and there is no inconvenience.

  FIG. 3 shows a configuration example for realizing the function of the video recorder 41 as a relay device.

  The communication unit 51-1 communicates with the television receiver 11 (that is, the output device 11) and the video recorder 12 configuring the network 1-1 in accordance with the communication method of the network 1-1. The content reproduction request is received, or the data of the content requested to be reproduced is transmitted to the output device 11. The communication unit 51-2 communicates with the video recorder 21 (that is, the playback device 21) or the video recorder 22 configuring the network 1-2 in accordance with the communication method of the network 1-2, for example, playback or copying of content. A request is transmitted to the playback device 21, and content data transmitted from the playback device 21 in response to the request is received.

  The protocol storage unit 52-1 stores a protocol used in the network 1-1, and the protocol storage unit 52-2 stores a protocol used in the network 1-2.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, if there is an input for specifying content, the protocol storage unit 52-1 returns an OK response if the content is available, and if the content is in use. When a play command is input, a content specification protocol that returns a NO response is returned. When playback is started, an OK response is returned. When playback cannot be started, a playback protocol that returns a NO response is stored. ing.

  In the protocol storage unit 52-2, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, when a content designation is input, if the content is available, an OK response is returned. If the content is in use, When there is an input of a content specification protocol that returns a NO response (the same protocol as the content specification protocol in FIG. 4) and a preparation command, preparation is completed and an OK response is returned, and then a play input is received In this case, a reproduction protocol (a protocol different from the reproduction protocol in FIG. 4) is returned that returns an OK response when starting reproduction, and returns an NO response when the reproduction cannot be started.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the decoding unit 53-1 interprets or decodes the uncompressed or compressed data used in the network 1-1, and the decoding unit 53-2 interprets the uncompressed or compressed data used in the network 1-2. Or decrypt.

  The output unit 54 outputs and displays a video signal obtained as a result of decoding by the decoding unit 53-1 or the decoding unit 53-2 on a display unit (not shown), and outputs an audio signal from a speaker (not shown). .

  The protocol correspondence storage 55 stores the correspondence between protocols used in the network 1-1 and the network 1-2.

  For example, the protocol of the network 1-1 shown in FIG. 4 and the protocol of the network 1-2 shown in FIG. 5 are stored in correspondence with each other as shown in FIG.

  The data correspondence storage unit 56 stores the correspondence of data formats used in the network 1-1 and the network 1-2.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, data formats for each system, video, and audio are stored in association with each network 1.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the encoding unit 57-1 converts or encodes the data supplied from the control unit 59 into uncompressed or compressed data used in the network 1-1, and the encoding unit 57-2 includes the control unit 59-2. The data supplied from 59 is converted or encoded into uncompressed or compressed data used in the network 1-2.

  For example, content data transmitted from the playback device 21 is stored in the data storage unit 58.

  The control unit 59 controls each unit.

  FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of the television receiver 11 (that is, the output device 11).

  The communication unit 81 communicates with the video recorder 12 or the video recorder 41 (that is, the relay device 41) configuring the network 1-1 in accordance with the communication method of the network 1-1. It requests content reproduction or receives content data transmitted from the relay device 41 in response to the request.

  The protocol storage unit 82 stores a protocol (for example, FIG. 4) used in the network 1-1.

  The decoding unit 83 interprets or decodes uncompressed or compressed data used in the network 1-1. For example, the content data from the relay device 41 received by the communication unit 81 is interpreted or decoded.

  The output unit 84 outputs a video signal obtained as a result of interpretation or decoding by the decoding unit 83 to a display unit (not shown) and displays an audio signal to a speaker (not shown).

  The operation unit 85 accepts a predetermined operation by the user and notifies the control unit 86 of the operation content.

  The control unit 86 controls each unit.

  FIG. 9 shows a configuration example of the video recorder 21 (that is, the playback device 21).

  The communication unit 91 communicates with the relay device 41 or the video recorder 22 configuring the network 1-2 in accordance with the communication method of the network 1-2, and receives a content reproduction request from the relay device 41, for example. The content data is transmitted to the relay device 41 in response to the request.

  The protocol storage unit 92 stores a protocol (for example, FIG. 5) used in the network 1-2.

  The decoding unit 93 interprets or decodes uncompressed or compressed data used in the network 1-2.

  The output unit 94 outputs a video signal obtained as a result of interpretation or decoding by the decoding unit 93 to a display unit (not shown) and outputs an audio signal to a speaker (not shown).

  The storage unit 95 stores content data supplied to the output device 11.

  The control unit 96 controls each unit.

  Next, the operation of the relay apparatus 41 (video recorder 41 in the example of FIG. 2) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Note that, here, the use of content between the video recorder 21 (that is, the playback device 21) belonging to the network 1-2 and the television receiver 11 (that is, the output device 11) belonging to the network 1-1 will be described as an example.

  In step S1, the control unit 59 of the relay device 41 determines whether or not a content reproduction request from the output device 11 has been received, and waits until it is determined that it has been received.

  When the control unit 59 of the relay device 41 receives the communication protocol transmitted from the output device 11 via the communication unit 51-1, the control unit 59 uses the network 1-1 stored in the protocol storage unit 52-1. Refer to the protocol and interpret its meaning.

  When a content reproduction request is received in step S1, in step S2, the control unit 59 of the relay device 41 determines whether or not the content requested to be reproduced is held.

  Specifically, for example, it is determined whether the content data of the content requested to be reproduced is stored in the data storage unit 58.

  If it is determined in step S2 that the content requested for reproduction is held, the process proceeds to step S3, where the control unit 59 of the relay device 41 transmits the content data of the content requested for reproduction from the data storage unit 58. Read and transmit to the output device 11 via the communication unit 51-1.

  In other words, in this case, the content is used in the network 1-1 by the output device 11 and the relay device 41.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the content requested for reproduction is not held, the process proceeds to step S4, and the control unit 59 of the relay device 41 indicates the reproduction request from the output device 11 received in step S1. The communication protocol of the network 1-1 is converted into the communication protocol of the network 1-2 to which the playback device 21 belongs.

  Specifically, the control unit 59 refers to the content designation protocol and the content reproduction protocol in the network 1-2 stored in the protocol correspondence storage unit 55, and controls the communication unit 51-2 according to those protocols. Then, the reproduction device 21 of the network 1-2 is requested to reproduce the content.

  Next, in step S5, the control unit 59 of the relay device 41 makes a copy request for the content requested for reproduction in step S4 to the reproduction device 21 via the communication unit 51-2.

  In step S6, the control unit 59 of the relay apparatus 41 transmits a certain amount (for example, in the output apparatus 11) in consideration of the reproduction speed in the output apparatus 11 transmitted from the reproduction apparatus 21 in response to the reproduction request in step S4. A certain amount of content data suitable for decryption of the content is received.

  Next, in step S7, the control unit 59 of the relay device 41 controls the decoding unit 53-2 to decode the content data from the reproduction device 21 received in step S6, and the encoding unit 57-1. Control is performed to convert or encode the data obtained as a result of decoding according to the data format in the network 1-1 stored in the data correspondence storage unit 56.

  In step S8, the control unit 59 of the relay device 41 controls the communication unit 51-1, and causes the output device 11 to transmit the content data obtained in the process of step S7.

  Next, in step S9, the control unit 59 of the relay apparatus 41 responds to the duplication request in step S5, and transmits the network 1-2 bandwidth margin (that is, the reproduction request in step S4) transmitted from the reproduction apparatus 21. A certain amount of content data is received according to a band that is not used for content transmission according to

  In step S10, the control unit 59 of the relay device 41 controls the decoding unit 53-2 to decode the content data from the playback device 21 received in the process in step S9, and also to the encoding unit 57-1. And the data obtained as a result of decoding is converted or encoded according to the data format in the network 1-1 stored in the data correspondence storage unit 56 and stored in the data storage unit 58.

  In step S11, the control unit 59 of the relay device 41 determines whether or not the storage (that is, copying) of the content requested to be played has been completed in the process of step S10, and determines that the copying has been completed. In step S12, the playback apparatus 21 is requested to stop playback of the content data via the communication unit 51-2. As a result, content data is not received in step S6, and data transmission to the output device 11 by the processes in steps S7 and S8 is also stopped.

  Next, in step S13, the control unit 59 of the relay device 41 reads data following the data transmitted to the output device 11 immediately before the processing of step S7 and step S8 is completed, from the data storage unit 58, and communicates it. The data is transmitted to the output device 11 via the unit 51-1.

  That is, instead of data transmission from the playback device 21 in the processing of steps S6 to S8, data held by the relay device 41 (that is, data converted into the data format of the network 1-1) is output from the output device 11. Therefore, the subsequent use of the content is the use of the content within the same network 1-1.

  Thereafter, in step S14, the control unit 59 of the relay device 41 determines whether or not the transmission of the content data started in step S13 is completed. If it is determined that the transmission is not completed, the control unit 59 returns to step S13 to store the data. Data to be reproduced next is read from the unit 58 and transmitted to the output device 11.

  If it is determined in step S11 that content copying has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S15, where the control unit 59 of the relay device 41 determines whether transmission of content data to the output device 11 has been completed, If it is determined that it has not been completed, the process returns to step S6 to receive content data further transmitted from the playback apparatus 21 in response to the playback request in step S4.

  While the processes in steps S6 to S10 and step S15 are repeatedly performed, the data from the playback device 21 is transmitted to the output device 11, so that the content is used between so-called different networks 1.

  When it is determined in step S14 or step S15 that the transmission of content data has been completed (that is, when all content data has been transmitted), the control unit 59 of the relay device 41 ends the relay process.

  Next, content playback processing of the playback device 21 corresponding to the operation of the relay device 41 described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S21, the control unit 96 of the playback device 21 stands by until a content playback request (step S4 in FIG. 10) is received from the relay device 41. When the content playback request is received, the control unit 96 proceeds to step S22.

  In step S <b> 22, the control unit 96 of the playback device 21 reads out the content data of the content requested to be played back from the storage unit 95, and at least a predetermined amount according to the playback speed of the output device 11 via the communication unit 91 ( For example, a certain amount of content data suitable for decryption by the output device 11 is transmitted to the relay device 41.

  In step S23, the control unit 96 of the playback device 21 reads the content data of the content requested to be copied from the storage unit 95 in response to the copy request from the relay device 41 (step S8 in FIG. 10), and the communication unit 91. Then, a certain amount of content data corresponding to the bandwidth of the network 1-2 that is not used in the transmission in step S22 is transmitted to the relay device 41.

  In step S24, the control unit 96 of the playback device 21 determines whether or not a stop of content playback is requested (step S12 in FIG. 10). If it is determined that the request is not made, the process returns to step S22. The subsequent processing is performed in the same manner.

  If it is determined in step S24 that a content reproduction stop request has been received, the control unit 96 of the reproduction device 21 proceeds to step S25, and stops transmission of content data to the relay device 21 in step S22.

  Note that the content transmission (content transmission for duplication) in step S23 is finished as soon as the transmission is completed.

  Thereafter, the process ends.

  As described above, when the content supplied from the playback device 21 of the network 1-2 different from the network 1-1 of the output device 11 is used by the output device 11, the relay device 41 receives the content data from the playback device 21. Is not only transferred to the output device 11 (steps S5 to S7 in FIG. 10), but is also held and supplied by itself (steps S9 and S10 in FIG. 10), the network 1-1 and the network The content usage between 1-2 can be performed as content usage within the same network 1-1.

  That is, since the communication protocol is common in the network 1-1 and the data format to be handled is the same, the control from the output device 11 to the relay device 41 can be performed quickly. As a result, the contents of the operation performed on the output device 11, such as fast-forward stop, are quickly notified to the relay device 41, so that the relay device 41 delays fast-forwarding according to the command. Can be stopped without.

  Further, since the output device 11 and the relay device 41 are devices in the same network 1-1, the relay device 41 recognizes an operation for use of content performed on the output device 11 in the same meaning as the output device 11. Therefore, operations in content use can be unified.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately use content between different networks 1-1 and 1-2.

  In the above description, the case where the number of hops is 1 has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to the case where the number of hops is 2 or more.

  That is, even when content is supplied from another network (not shown) connected to the network 1-2, the relay device 41 can relay both by the relay processing described above.

  As the number of hops increases and the number of networks straddling increases, the delay for the operation increases and the available operations are limited. However, if the present invention relays between networks, such inconvenience is solved. be able to.

  In the above description, the content of the playback device 21 is copied to the relay device 41 as an example. However, the content can be moved to the relay device 41. That is, when the content is stored in the relay device 41, the content is deleted from the playback device 21. In this way, the present invention can be used for content that is prohibited from being copied for copyright protection.

  In the above description, when content output is requested from the output device 11, the content stored in the playback device 21 is held in the relay device 41. For example, in the playback device 21, the output device 11 When content that is not played back is stored, the relay device 41 can also hold the content.

  In this case, the content is not stored in the relay device 41 after the reproduction request is made, but the content is stored in the relay device 41 in advance. Therefore, the content is used as the use in the same network 1 from the beginning. be able to.

  The series of processes described above can be performed by hardware or software. When a series of processing is performed by software, a program constituting the software is installed in a general-purpose computer or the like.

  Therefore, FIG. 12 shows a configuration example of an embodiment of a computer in which a program for executing the series of processes described above is installed.

  The program can be recorded in advance in a hard disk 114 or a ROM 112 as a recording medium built in the computer.

  Alternatively, the program is temporarily stored in a removable recording medium 131 such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), an MO (Magneto Optical) disk, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a magnetic disk, or a semiconductor memory. It can be stored permanently (recorded). Such a removable recording medium 131 can be provided as so-called package software.

  In addition to installing the program on the computer from the removable recording medium 131 as described above, the program can be transferred wirelessly to a computer via a digital satellite broadcasting artificial satellite, or LAN (Local Area Network), The program can be transferred to a computer via a network such as the Internet, and the computer can receive the program transferred in this way by the communication unit 119 and install it in the built-in hard disk 114.

  The computer incorporates a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111. An input / output interface 116 is connected to the CPU 111 via the bus 115, and the CPU 111 operates an input unit 118 including a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, and the like by the user via the input / output interface 116. When a command is input as a result, the program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112 is executed accordingly. Alternatively, the CPU 111 transfers the program stored in the hard disk 114, the program transferred from the satellite or the network, received by the communication unit 119 and installed in the hard disk 114, or the removable recording medium 131 installed in the drive 120. A program read and installed in the hard disk 114 is loaded into a RAM (Random Access Memory) 113 and executed. As a result, the CPU 111 performs processing performed by the configuration of the block diagram described above. Then, the CPU 111 outputs the processing result from the output unit 117 configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a speaker, or the like, for example, via the input / output interface 116, or from the communication unit 119 as necessary. Transmission and further recording on the hard disk 114 are performed.

  Here, the program may be processed by one computer, or may be distributedly processed by a plurality of computers. Furthermore, the program may be transferred to a remote computer and executed.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the conventional network system. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the network system to which this invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a relay device 41 in FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows the example of the protocol memorize | stored in the protocol memory | storage part 52-1 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the protocol memorize | stored in the protocol memory | storage part 52-2 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the correspondence of the protocol memorize | stored in the protocol correspondence storage 55 of FIG. The example of the correspondence of the data memorize | stored in the data correspondence storage part 56 of FIG. 3 is shown. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an output device 11 in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a playback device 21 in FIG. 2. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the relay device 41 in FIG. 2. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the playback device 21 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a personal computer.

Explanation of symbols

1 network, 11 output device, 21 playback device, 41 relay device, 51 communication unit, 52 protocol storage unit, 53 decoding unit, 54 output unit, 55 protocol correspondence storage unit, 56 data correspondence storage unit, 57 encoding unit , 58 Data storage unit, 59 Control unit

Claims (6)

In an information processing apparatus that relays between a first network and a second network having different communication protocols,
First request means for making a playback request for content requested to be played from a device connected to the first network to a device connected to the second network;
In response to a request by the first request means, a first data is received that is transmitted from a device connected to the second network and transmitted to the device connected to the first network. Means for sending
Second request means for making a request for holding the content to a device connected to the second network;
A holding unit that receives data of the content transmitted from a device connected to the second network in response to a request from the second request unit, and stores the data in a storage unit;
Second transmission means for transmitting content data stored in the storage unit by the holding means to a device connected to the first network;
The content transmission to the device connected to the first network by the second transmission means is stopped by stopping the transmission of the content data to the device connected to the first network by the first transmission means. An information processing apparatus comprising: transmission control means for starting transmission of the data. The transmission control unit, when all of the content data is stored in the storage unit, stops the data transmission of the content to the device connected to the first network by the first transmission unit, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein transmission of the content data to a device connected to the first network is started by the second transmission unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second requesting unit requests the holding of the content when the first requesting unit requests the reproduction of the content. When the second requesting unit recognizes that the device connected to the second network stores content that has not been played back by the device connected to the first network, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein holding is requested. In an information processing method for relaying between a first network and a second network having different communication protocols,
A first requesting step for making a playback request for content requested to be played back from a device connected to the first network to a device connected to the second network;
In response to the request in the processing of the first request step, the content data transmitted from the device connected to the second network is received and transmitted to the device connected to the first network. A first transmission step to:
A second requesting step for making a request for holding the content to a device connected to the second network;
A holding step of receiving the data of the content transmitted from a device connected to the second network in response to a request in the processing of the second request step, and storing the data in a storage unit;
A second transmission step of transmitting content data stored in the storage unit in the process of the holding step to a device connected to the first network;
A device that stops transmission of the content data to the device connected to the first network by the processing of the first transmission step and is connected to the first network by the processing of the second transmission step A transmission control step of starting transmission of the content data to the information processing method. In a program for causing a computer to execute information processing for relaying between a first network and a second network having different communication protocols,
A first requesting step for making a playback request for content requested to be played back from a device connected to the first network to a device connected to the second network;
In response to the request in the processing of the first request step, the content data transmitted from the device connected to the second network is received and transmitted to the device connected to the first network. A first transmission step to:
A second requesting step for making a request for holding the content to a device connected to the second network;
A holding step of receiving the data of the content transmitted from a device connected to the second network in response to a request in the processing of the second request step, and storing the data in a storage unit;
A second transmission step of transmitting content data stored in the storage unit in the process of the holding step to a device connected to the first network;
A device that stops transmission of the content data to the device connected to the first network by the processing of the first transmission step and is connected to the first network by the processing of the second transmission step A program for causing a computer to execute information processing including a transmission control step for starting transmission of the content data to the computer.

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