JP5336401B2 - REPRODUCTION DEVICE, REPRODUCTION METHOD, PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a playback device that plays back content stored in an external recording device, and playback thereof.

  In recent years, televisions (television receivers) capable of reproducing stored content in addition to broadcast content have become common. In such a television, various contents are stored in advance in an internal memory. Examples of the contents stored in advance include function explanation contents and demonstration contents (sales promotion contents).

  As a technique for storing content in advance on a television, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which handling information is recorded in advance on a television and the handling information is displayed on a display screen according to a user instruction.

  In Patent Document 2, a code corresponding to a phrase is recorded in advance in an internal memory, and a code corresponding to the phrase selected by the user is recorded in an external storage device. Based on the code, the code is stored in another electronic device. The technology which can see the functional explanation is disclosed.

JP 2006-211315 A (released on August 10, 2006) JP 2007-148760 A (released on June 14, 2007)

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the content cannot be easily rewritten and the content to be played cannot be changed because the content is recorded on a television or a remote controller (remote controller). It was. Further, since contents are recorded in advance in the internal memory of the television, there is a problem that the capacity of the internal memory is reduced.

  Also in the technique described in Patent Document 2, since it is necessary to store the content and the corresponding code in the internal memory, the content cannot be easily rewritten, and the content to be reproduced cannot be changed. There was a problem. There is also a problem that the capacity of the internal memory is reduced.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a playback device that can reduce the consumption of internal memory and can easily play back various contents. It is in.

  In order to solve the above problem, the playback device according to the present invention has a file name that is a file stored in the external storage device when the external storage device is connected, and includes a predetermined identifier. It is characterized by comprising selection means for selecting a file, and reproduction means for reproducing the content read from the selected file when the file is selected by the selection means.

  According to the above configuration, if the external storage device stores a file in which content to be played back by the playback device is stored, and the file name including the identifier is assigned to the file, the external storage device is By simply connecting to the playback device, the content that the playback device wants to play can be played back by the playback device. For example, if a file storing demo content is stored in the external storage device and a file name including the identifier is given to the file, the external storage device can be connected to the playback device, The content for demonstration to be played back by the playback device can be played back by the playback device. In addition, since it is not necessary to use the internal memory at this time, the consumption of the internal memory is not increased. Further, by storing a file in which new content is stored in the external storage device and giving the file a file name including the identifier, the new content can be played back on the playback device.

  In the playback apparatus according to the present invention, the selection unit further selects a file having a file name including the identifier and having a file name that does not include a character string that does not match the attribute or setting of the playback apparatus. It is preferable.

  According to said structure, the content reproduction apparatus can be made to reproduce | regenerate the content suitable for the attribute or setting of the said reproduction | regeneration apparatus.

  Further, in the playback device according to the present invention, the selection means is a file having a file name including the identifier and having a file name not including a character string that does not match the attribute or setting of the playback device. It is preferable to select a file having a file name including the largest number of character strings that match the attributes or settings of the playback device.

  According to said structure, the content reproduction apparatus can be made to reproduce | regenerate the content most suitable for the attribute or setting of the said reproduction | regeneration apparatus.

  In the playback device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the attribute is at least one of a model name of the playback device and a display size of the playback device, and the setting is a language setting in the playback device. .

  According to said structure, the content reproduction apparatus can be made to reproduce | regenerate the content suitable for the language setting of the said reproduction apparatus at least any one of the model name and display size of the said reproduction apparatus.

  The playback method of the playback device according to the present invention is a playback method in which the playback device plays back the content stored in the external storage device. When the external storage device is connected to the playback device, the playback device A selection step of selecting a file stored in an external storage device and having a file name including a predetermined identifier, and content read by the playback device from the file selected in the selection step And a reproduction step for reproducing.

  According to the above configuration, if the external storage device stores a file in which content to be played back by the playback device is stored, and the file name including the identifier is assigned to the file, the external storage device is By simply connecting to the playback device, the content that the playback device wants to play can be played back by the playback device. For example, if a file storing demo content is stored in the external storage device and a file name including the identifier is given to the file, the external storage device can be connected to the playback device, The content for demonstration to be played back by the playback device can be played back by the playback device. In addition, since it is not necessary to use the internal memory at this time, the consumption of the internal memory is not increased. Further, by storing a file in which new content is stored in the external storage device and giving the file a file name including the identifier, the new content can be played back on the playback device.

  A program for operating the receiving apparatus according to the present invention, which is a program characterized by causing a computer to function as each of the above-described means, and a computer-readable recording medium on which these programs are recorded are also provided. It is included in the category of the invention.

  As described above, when the external storage device is connected, the playback device according to the present invention selects a file stored in the external storage device and having a file name including a predetermined identifier. Selecting means for reproducing, and when the file is selected by the selecting means, a reproducing means for reproducing the content read from the selected file.

  Therefore, the content desired to be played back by the playback device can be played back by the playback device simply by connecting the external storage device to the playback device without providing an internal memory. In addition, the content to be played back by the playback device can be easily changed.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the television which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) is the figure which illustrated the file name given to the file for demonstration, (b) is the attribute and setting of a television, and the file name given to the file for demonstration reproduced on television. It is the figure which illustrated the relationship. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part with which a television is provided.

  An embodiment of a playback apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the playback device according to the present embodiment is realized as a television receiver, and is hereinafter referred to as a television.

  The configuration of the television 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the television 1. In short, the television 1 is a television configured to automatically reproduce the demonstration content stored in the external device 30 when the external device 30 is connected. Here, the demonstration content refers to sales promotion content suitable for reproduction at home appliance stores or the like. The demonstration content may be any of a still image, a moving image, and audio.

  The external device 30 is an external recording device such as a USB memory. The external device 30 stores a file (hereinafter also referred to as “demo file”) in which demo content is stored, along with other files. The external device 30 stores file / folder information. In the file / folder information, the file name of each file stored in the external device 30 is recorded in association with the folder name of the folder containing the file.

  The television 1 (1) reads out the demo file from the external device 30, and reproduces the demo content stored in the read demo file, and (2) is reproduced by the control unit 10. A display unit 20 for displaying the demonstration content, and (3) a memory 21 for storing an attribute value indicating the attribute of the television 1, a setting value indicating the setting of the television 1, and the like. Examples of attribute values stored in the memory 21 include the model name of the television 1 and the inch size (display size expressed in inches) of the television 1. Further, examples of the setting value stored in the memory 21 include a setting value related to language setting.

  In addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the television 1 has a configuration for reproducing broadcast content broadcasted by terrestrial digital broadcasting or the like, and VOD (video on demand) distributed via a network. A configuration for reproducing content is provided, but since all are known configurations, description thereof is omitted here.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 10 of the television 1 includes (1) a file / folder information acquisition unit 11 that acquires file / folder information from the external device 30, and (2) a file / folder information acquisition unit 11 that acquires the file / folder information. A file name selection unit 12 for selecting a file name of a demonstration file storing a demonstration content to be reproduced, based on the file / folder information and various information stored in the memory 21, and (3) a file A demo file having a file name selected by the name selection unit 12 is read from the external device 30 and a content reproduction unit 13 for reproducing the demo content stored in the read demonstration file.

  Hereinafter, the file name selection process in which the file name selection unit 12 selects the file name of the demonstration file in which the demonstration content to be reproduced is stored will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating file names given to the demonstration files.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the file name of the demonstration file includes an identifier indicating that the content stored in the file is the demonstration content. In the example shown in FIG. 2A, the character string “Demo” included in the file names of the demonstration files F1 to F4 corresponds to this identifier.

  The file name of the demonstration file includes a reproduction environment designation character string that designates a reproduction environment in which the content stored in the file is to be reproduced. In the example shown in FIG. 2A, characters indicating that the content for demonstration to be played back on the TV whose model name is “model a”, which is included in the file name of the file F1, is stored. The column “model a”, (2) the character string “46in” indicating that the content for demonstration to be played back on the TV having the inch size “46” is stored, and (3) the setting value of the language setting is “ The character string “eng” indicating that the content for demonstration to be reproduced on the television “English” is stored corresponds to the reproduction environment designation character string. The same applies to the files F2 to F3.

  When multiple playback environment specification strings are included in one file name, each playback environment specification string is separated by a separator “_” and arranged in order from the playback environment specification string that specifies the playback environment with the highest priority. The Here, it is assumed that the model name is the playback environment with the highest priority, the inch size is the playback environment with the next highest priority, and the language setting is the playback environment with the lowest priority, and the file name of the file F1 is “Demo_”. "Model a_46in_eng.mpg". The end of the file name is an extension indicating the file type, and “.mpg” indicates that the demonstration file is an MPEG file (moving image file).

  It should be noted that a file storing general-purpose demo contents regardless of the playback environment (hereinafter also referred to as “default file”) is given a file name composed only of the identifier and extension described above. . In the example shown in FIG. 2A, the file name “Demo.jpg” assigned to the file F4 corresponds to this.

  The file name selection unit 12 selects the file name of the file in which the demo content to be reproduced is stored by using the reproduction environment designation character string included in the file name of the demonstration file as follows.

  STEP 1: Among the file names included in the file / folder name information, a file name including the identifier “Demo” is set as a candidate file name to be selected.

  STEP 2: A file name including a reproduction environment designation character string that does not match the attribute or setting of the television 1 is excluded from the file name candidates to be selected. For example, when the inch size of the television 1 is “32”, a file name including a reproduction environment designation character string (for example, “40in”, “42in”, etc.) that designates an inch size other than “32” is selected. Exclude it from the file name candidates.

  STEP 3: The file name including the most reproduction environment designation character string among the candidates narrowed down in STEP 2 is selected as the file name of the file storing the demo content to be reproduced. For example, if the candidates narrowed down in STEP 2 are “Demo_model a_46in_eng.mpg” and “Demo_model a.mpg”, the former including more playback environment designation character strings should be played back. Select as the file name of the file containing the content for use.

  STEP 4: If the number of file names selected in STEP 3 is two or more, a file name including a reproduction environment designation character string that designates a reproduction environment with the highest priority among the file names selected in STEP 3 The file name of the file storing the demo content to be reproduced is selected. For example, if the file names selected in STEP 3 are “Demo_46in.mpg” and “Demo_model a.mpg”, a playback environment designation that designates a model name that has a higher priority than the inch size The latter including the character string “model a” is selected as the file name of the file storing the demo content to be reproduced.

  If all the file names selected in STEP 1 are excluded from candidates in STEP 2, the file name of the default file storing the contents for general-purpose demonstration regardless of the playback environment, that is, the identifier and the extension From the above, the file name “Demo.jpg” is selected as the file name of the file storing the demo content to be played.

  FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the display devices A to D having different attributes and settings and the file names of the demonstration files selected in the display devices A to D.

  In the display device A shown in FIG. 2B (model name is “model a”, inch size is “46”, and language setting is “English”), all the file names of the files F1 to F3 are selected. A file name “Demo_model a_46in_eng.mpg” including the reproduction environment specification character string most frequently is selected from the candidates of the file names to be selected.

  In the display device B shown in FIG. 2B (model name is “model a”, inch size is “46”, and language setting is “Japanese”), the file F1 shown in FIG. Among the file names of .about.F3, the file name “Demo_model a_46in_eng.mpg” including the reproduction environment designation character string “eng” that does not match the setting of the display device B is excluded from the file name candidates to be selected. Since the remaining file names “Demo_model a.mpg” and “Demo_46in.mpg” which are not excluded include one playback environment specification character string, a higher priority playback environment specification character string is used. The included file name “Demo_model a.mpg” is selected as the file name of the file in which the demo content to be played back is stored.

  In the display device C shown in FIG. 2B (model name is “model b”, inch size is “46”, and language setting is “Japanese”), the file F1 shown in FIG. File names “Demo_model a_46in_eng.mpg” and “Demo_model a.mpg” including the playback environment designation character string “model a” that do not match the attributes of the display device C are selected from the file names of F3 to F3. Excluded from candidate file names. Then, the only file name “Demo_46in.mpg” remaining without being excluded is selected as the file name of the file in which the demo content to be reproduced is stored.

  In the display device D shown in FIG. 2B (model name is “model b”, inch size is “42”, and language setting is “English”), the files F1 to F1 shown in FIG. None of the file names of F3 match the attributes or settings of display device D. Each of the file names of the files F1 to F3 includes a reproduction environment designation character string “model a” that does not match the attribute of the display device D or a reproduction environment designation character string “46in” that does not match the attribute of the display device D. Because. Therefore, the file name “Demo.jpg” of the file F4 storing the general-purpose demo content is selected.

  By adopting the configuration in which the file name is selected using the reproduction environment designation character string included in the file name in this way, the display device A can reproduce the demonstration content most suitable for the display device A. In addition, the display device B can reproduce the demonstration content most suitable for the display device B.

  Here, the case where four files are recorded in the external device 30 has been described as an example, but it goes without saying that a larger number of files may be stored in the external device 30.

  Further, the file recorded in the external device 30 is not limited to the file distributed from the manufacturer, and may be, for example, a file downloaded from the manufacturer or a file uniquely created at the store.

  Here, the priority of the playback environment is set in the order of model name, inch size, and language setting. However, the priority is not limited to this. For example, language setting, model name, and inch size may be used in this order. Also, here, the model name, inch size, and language setting have been described as examples of the playback environment that can be specified by the playback environment specification character string. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other playback is also possible. The environment may be specifiable.

  In addition, here, the configuration for specifying the demo file to be reproduced with reference to the file name has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, a configuration may be adopted in which a folder in which a demo file is stored is identified with reference to the folder name, and then the file stored in the folder is read as a demo file. In this case, a folder name as shown in FIG. 2A may be assigned to the folder storing the demonstration file.

[Operation of control unit]
The operation of the control unit 10 included in the television 1 will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 10 provided in the television 1.

  The control unit 10 determines whether or not the external device 30 is connected (step S1). If the control unit 10 determines that the external device 30 is not connected (NO in step S1), the control unit 10 determines again whether the external device 30 is connected (step S1). Until the control unit 10 determines that the external device 30 is connected (YES in step S1), the operation in step S1 is repeated.

  When it is determined that the external device 30 is connected (YES in step S1), the file / folder information acquisition unit 11 acquires file / folder information stored in the external device 30 (step S2).

  After acquiring the file / folder information stored in the external device 30, the file name selection unit 12 reproduces the file by referring to the reproduction environment designation character string included in each file name included in the file / folder information. The file name (specific file name) of the file storing the demo content to be selected is selected (step S3). When the file name cannot be selected in step S3 (when there is no file name that does not include the reproduction environment designation character string that does not match the attribute or setting of the television 1), the file name selection unit 12 A file name (file name of the default file) consisting only of an identifier indicating the content for demonstration and an extension is selected (step S4). When the file name of the default file is not included in the file / folder information (NO in step S4), the control unit 10 again determines whether or not the external device 30 is connected (step S1). The operations from step S1 to S4 are repeated until a specific file name is selected (YES in step S3) or until a file name of a default file is selected (YES in step S4).

  When a specific file name is selected (YES in step S3), or when a file name of a default file is selected (YES in step S4), the content reproduction unit 13 changes the file having the selected file name. It is determined whether or not the stored content can be reproduced (step S5). When it is determined that the content stored in the file having the selected file name is not reproducible (NO in step S5), the control unit 10 determines again whether or not the external device 30 is connected (step S1). . Until it is determined that the file with the selected file name can be reproduced (YES in step S5), the operations from step S1 to S5 are repeated.

  When it is determined that the content stored in the file having the selected file name can be played back (YES in step S5), the content playback unit 13 uses the demonstration stored in the file having the selected file name. The content is reproduced, and the reproduced demonstration content is displayed on the display unit 20 (step S6).

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the demonstration content is played when the external device 30 is connected to the television 1 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the external device 30 is connected, the demo content is played when power is supplied to the television 1, and the demo content is played when an instruction to play the demo content is obtained from the user. For example, a configuration in which demo content is played back when the television 1 is initialized as a device for demonstration at a store may be adopted.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration for reproducing the demonstration content recorded in the external device 30 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a dedicated server and the television 1 are connected via a network. A configuration may be adopted in which demo content recorded on a dedicated server is played by connecting.

  Since the control unit 10 has the above-described configuration, it is not necessary to record demonstration content in the memory 21 (not shown) of the television 1, and it is possible to prevent the capacity of the memory 21 from being reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to increase the capacity of the memory 21 in order to record the demonstration contents, the capacity can be reduced as compared with the case where the demonstration contents are recorded in the memory 21.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration is shown in which it is determined whether the external device 30 is connected again when the specific file name is not selected and the file name of the default file is not selected. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is not something. For example, when a specific file name is not selected and a file name of a default file is not selected, a configuration for reproducing demo content recorded in advance on the television 1 may be employed.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the demonstration content is recorded in the external device 30 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a moving image for explaining the function of the television 1 may be recorded. Thereby, the function of the television can be displayed using a moving image.

[Program and recording medium]
The control unit 10 included in the television 1 may be configured by hardware logic. Alternatively, it may be realized by software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as follows.

  That is, the control unit 10 includes a CPU such as an MPU that executes instructions of a program that realizes each function, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the program, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that expands the program into an executable format. ), And a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data.

  The object of the present invention is not limited to the case where the program is stored in the program memory of the control unit 10, but a record in which the program code (executable program, intermediate code program, or source program) of the program is recorded. This can also be achieved by supplying a medium to the television 1 and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium.

  The recording medium is not limited to a specific structure or type. That is, the recording medium includes, for example, a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. System, a card system such as an IC card (including a memory card) / optical card, or a semiconductor memory system such as a mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  Further, even if the control unit 10 (or the television 1) is configured to be connectable to a communication network, the object of the present invention can be achieved. In this case, the program code is supplied to the control unit 10 via the communication network. The communication network is not limited to a specific type or form as long as it can supply the program code to the control unit 10. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication network, etc. may be used.

  The transmission medium constituting the communication network may be any medium that can transmit the program code, and is not limited to a specific configuration or type. For example, even with wired lines such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) line, infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth (registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone It can also be used by radio such as a telephone network, a satellite line, and a terrestrial digital network. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in the embodiments are also included. It is included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in the embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can be suitably applied to televisions, recorders (BD recorders, etc.), personal computers, and the like.

1 TV (playback device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Control part 11 File / folder information acquisition part 12 File name selection part (selection means)
13 Content playback unit (content playback means)
20 Display unit 21 Memory 30 External device (external recording device)

Claims (5)

A playback device for playing back content stored in an external storage device,
When the external storage device is connected, the plurality of characters from the file stored in the external storage device and having a file name consisting of a plurality of character strings and extensions separated by a separator any one of the strings of the string matches the predetermined identifier, and all strings other than the character string that matches the identifier of the plurality of strings in the attributes or settings of the reproduction apparatus A selection means for selecting a file having a file name including the largest number of character strings that match the attribute or setting of the playback device among the matching files;
Replaying means for replaying content read from the selected file when a file is selected by the selecting means;
A reproducing apparatus characterized by that. The attribute is at least one of the model name of the playback device and the display size of the playback device, and the setting is a language setting in the playback device.
The reproducing apparatus according to claim 1 . A playback method in which a playback device plays back content stored in an external storage device,
When the external storage device is connected to the reproducing apparatus, the file name the reproducing apparatus, a file stored in the external storage device, comprising a plurality of strings and extension are separated by a separator From the file having a character string, any one of the plurality of character strings matches a predetermined identifier, and all the character strings other than the character string that matches the identifier among the plurality of character strings There among the files that match the attributes or settings of the reproducing apparatus, a selecting step of selecting a file having a file name containing the most strings that match the attributes or settings of the playback apparatus,
The playback device includes a playback step of playing back the content read from the file selected in the selection step;
A reproduction method characterized by the above. A program for operating a computer included in the playback apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 for causing the computer to function as each of the means. The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of Claim 4 .

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