JP5738365B2 - Information processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus for controlling download of contents, such as data and programs.

  With the spread of broadband Internet services, services that deliver content such as video, photos (still images), music, multimedia data, application programs, etc. via networks such as the Internet are attracting attention.

  When such various contents are purchased and downloaded, an information processing apparatus such as a PC (personal computer) is linked from HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) contents on the Web page of the download portal using an Internet browser. The content can be purchased and downloaded by the user performing a predetermined operation with an operation device of the information processing apparatus and giving an instruction.

In this way, when a user purchases desired content, an information processing apparatus such as a television receiver can easily and efficiently purchase content to be distributed via the Internet. Then, the browser acquires the download control file from the content server, activates the download agent as a plug-in, the download agent executes the download based on the information described in the download control file, and performs the DRM processing to the DRM agent. A technology has been proposed in which a license is acquired by controlling the execution of a request to request acquisition of a file constituting the content from the content server (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-159703 A

  By the way, as described in Patent Document 1, there is known a technique in which desired information is downloaded by an information processing apparatus. However, in order to improve the convenience of downloading content, a large number of contents are downloaded. Provide the ability to download all at once, download content that is regularly distributed, or update the downloaded content to this new content when a new version of the content is distributed It is desirable. This point is not considered in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1.

  As a method of realizing such a download function, there is a method of using metadata describing information related to contents necessary for executing download. Examples of the metadata of the content include a content name, data type, and size, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) indicating the location of the content on the Internet, a delivery date and time, and the like. In addition, there is a case where information for downloading regarding a plurality of contents is included in one metadata.

  In the content download processing, generally, at the time of purchasing the content, the information processing apparatus acquires the download control metafile from the provider server that provides the content, and the metadata corresponding to the content according to the acquired download control metafile. And the data body of this content. As a result, when the download processing of the purchased content is completed, the data body of the content is stored in the recording medium of the recording unit of the information processing apparatus, and the user confirms the downloaded content on the list screen or the search screen. Can do.

  However, in such a download process, unless the purchased content is completely downloaded, this content cannot be displayed on the list screen or the search screen. Therefore, the user confirms it even though the purchase has been made. It is inconvenient.

  For example, when a user purchases a plurality of contents, all the purchased contents are downloaded and stored, but the capacity of the recording device of the information processing apparatus may be insufficient, so when the contents are purchased Then, the user may instruct to download only a part of the purchased content, and the remaining content may be downloaded later.

  In such a case, the downloaded content can be confirmed on the list screen, etc., but the content that has not been downloaded or the content that is being downloaded can be confirmed on the list screen even though it has been purchased. There is a problem that you can not. In addition, when the user wants to check the content that has been purchased but has not been downloaded, the user has to start a web browser and access the portal of the content to be downloaded on the distribution server, which is troublesome for the user. Such a thing is inconvenient.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to allow the purchased content to be confirmed on the content list screen or the like regardless of whether the download has been completed or not. An information processing apparatus is provided.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus for receiving content from an external server via a network, wherein content information including content acquired via the network and detailed information of the content is stored . a download control means for downloading, a monitor for displaying a recording device for recording content information including detailed information of the content and the content acquired by said download control means, said content recorded in said recording means, from said server A content list screen is created based on the received content information and displayed on the monitor; an input unit for inputting an instruction to purchase content selected by the user from the content list screen; Create a list screen and download is complete Selected content and a content that has not been downloaded yet are displayed on the monitor in different forms, and a menu of downloaded content is selected on the purchased content list screen. First content detail screen display means for displaying on the monitor a first content detail screen on which detailed information of the content that has been displayed and a “playback” button for enabling playback of the content are displayed; By selecting the completed content menu, the second content detail screen on which the detailed information of the content is displayed is displayed on the monitor without displaying the “play” button that enables the selected content to be played. a second content detail screen display means, further comprising the features of It is intended to.

  In addition, the present invention displays a third content detail screen having a “download” button that enables downloading of the corresponding content by selecting a menu of content that has not been downloaded yet to be downloaded on the content list screen. It is characterized by doing.

  In addition, according to the present invention, when a “download” button is selected on the third content detail screen, downloading of the corresponding content starts and a fourth content detail screen showing the progress of the content download is displayed. It is characterized by this.

  In addition, the present invention displays a fifth content detail screen displaying a “play” button that enables playback of content when the content download progress status reaches a predetermined status on the fourth content detail screen. It is a feature.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the “play” button is selected on the fifth content detail screen, the corresponding content is read from the recording means and displayed on the monitor, and the content corresponding to the playback screen is displayed. The download progress status is displayed.

  In addition, when the “play” button is selected on the fifth content detail screen, the present invention continues or pauses download of other purchased content when other purchased content is being downloaded at the same time. A warning screen for inquiring whether or not to do so is displayed, and when an instruction to pause the download of other purchased content is given, a playback screen is displayed.

  According to the present invention, when a content is purchased, a content metafile including metadata for each content can be acquired. Even if there is content that has not yet been downloaded, A list screen of all purchased contents can be displayed, and all the purchased contents can be confirmed and a detailed screen thereof can be displayed.

It is a system configuration figure showing one embodiment of a download control device by the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the download control metafile stored in the Web server in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the content metafile stored in the content metafile server in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the general download processing operation | movement of the system shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of screen transition on a monitor when a local navigation program is being executed on a downloaded content main body stored in an HDD in the information processing apparatus in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the download processing operation in embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of the content list screen in FIG. 5 displayed on the display screen of the monitor in FIG. 1 based on information obtained by the processing operation shown in FIG. 6. It is a figure which shows one specific example of the content detailed screen with respect to the content selected in the content list shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the other specific example of the content detail screen with respect to the content of download incomplete selected from the content list shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the other specific example of the content detail screen in 3rd Embodiment of the download control apparatus by this invention. It is a figure which shows a content detailed screen when the download progress status display bar in a download progress status display column becomes predetermined length on the content detail screen shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a specific example of a playback screen displayed when a “play” button in FIG. 11 is selected. It is a figure which shows one specific example of the warning screen in 4th Embodiment of the download control apparatus by this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a download control apparatus according to the present invention, where 100 is a Web server, 110 is a Web page, 120 is a download control metafile, 200 is a content metafile server, and 210 is for content. Metafile, 220 is a thumbnail file, 300 is a content server, 310 is a content body, 400 is an Internet network, 410 is a router, 500 is an information processing device, 510 is a LAN I / F (local area network interface), 520 is a CPU (Central processing unit) 530 is a memory, 540 is an HDD I / F (Hard Disk Drive Interface), 550 is an HDD, 560 is a monitor, and 570 is a receiving unit.

  In this figure, this embodiment includes a Web server 100, a content metafile server 200, a content server 300, and an information processing device 500. The information processing device 500 is connected to the Internet network 400 via a router 410. The Internet server 400 is connected to the Web server 100, the content metafile server 200, and the content server 300.

In the information processing apparatus 500, the CPU 520 executes programs stored in the memory 530 and the HDD 550, thereby controlling each unit and performing various processes (for example, a browser that references a Web page of the Web server 100, a content metafile) Downloading to acquire the content metafile 210 of the server 200 and the content (data main body) of the content server 300, writing the downloaded various data to the HDD 550, local navigation displaying a list of contents recorded in the HDD 550, HDD 550 (Execution of a program such as reproduction of the content recorded on the screen and display of the content on the monitor 560).

  The information processing apparatus 500 is, for example, a television receiver, a recorder, or a PC that can be connected to a network (in this case, the Internet network 400) and has a recording function.

  In the information processing apparatus 500, the HDD 550 is connected to the CPU 520 via the HDD I / F 540. By executing a data writing program, writing / reading processing of a large amount of data in the HDD 550 is performed. Can do. Note that a recording medium such as an optical disk or a flash memory may be used instead of the HDD 550, and such a recording medium may be built-in or externally attached.

  The information processing apparatus 500 is connected to the Internet network 400 via a router 410 by a LAN I / F 510, thereby exchanging data with the Web server 100, the content metafile server 200, and the content server 300. Can be done. Note that a gateway may be used instead of the router 410.

  Furthermore, the information processing apparatus 500 is provided with a built-in or external monitor 560 as a user interface for displaying a browser, a content list screen, a search screen, and content reproduced from the HDD 550. A receiving unit 570 is provided for receiving operation signals from a remote controller, a keyboard, and a mouse.

  Here, the Web server 100, the content metafile server 200, and the content server 300 are used as servers that are accessed from the information processing apparatus 500 via the Internet network 400.

  The content server 300 stores data bodies (hereinafter simply referred to as contents) 310 of all contents that can be downloaded by the information processing apparatus 500.

  In addition, the Web server 100 has a charging processing function, and the Web page 110 displayed by the browser function in the information processing apparatus 500 and the content main body 310 in the content server 300 requested by the information processing apparatus 500 are displayed. A download control metafile 120 describing control information necessary for downloading to the information processing apparatus 500 is held. The content metafile server 200 includes a content metafile 210 including content metadata information necessary for displaying the content main body 310 downloaded by the information processing apparatus 500 and reproducing the content main body 310 from the HDD 550, and the content server 300. The thumbnail file 220 of each content body 310 is held.

  Note that the Web server 100, the content metafile server 200, and the content server 300 have a hardware configuration like the information processing apparatus 500. For example, the CPU 520 executes a program on the memory 530 to perform information processing. Various processes are performed in response to the request of the apparatus 500.

  Here, it is assumed that the functions of the Web server 100, the content metafile server 200, and the content server 300 are provided in separate servers, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any one of these functions is provided. It is also possible to have two or all of them on one server.

  Furthermore, when purchasing and downloading desired content, a billing server that realizes customer management and billing management functions, content playback control information that controls playback of content, and DRM to realize copyright protection of content A server or the like that holds key data in (Digital Rights Management) may be added, or the Web server 100 may have such a function.

  In a general content download process, the information processing apparatus 500 requests and obtains a content metafile 210 from the content metafile server 200, and the content server is based on the obtained content metafile 210. This content is requested from the content server 300, and the content requested from the content server 300 is distributed via the Internet 400. The downloaded content is distributed via the HDD I / F 540 and the HDD 550. To be recorded. Thereby, the download process is completed.

  More specifically, the service provider executes an authentication process for the ID (identification code) of the information processing apparatus 500 (or its user), and then the information processing apparatus 500 displays the HTML web page 110 of the web server 100. By acquiring and performing a predetermined operation on the Web page 110, the content package ID and the information processing apparatus 500 (or its user) ID are transmitted to the customer-managed charging server and charged. In this case, if the Web server 100 has a charging processing function, this charging processing is performed by the Web server 100. When the accounting process is completed, the download control metafile 120 is downloaded from the Web server 100 to the information processing apparatus 500, and the information processing apparatus 500 creates a content package corresponding to the content metafile server 200 according to the download control metafile 120. When the content meta file 210 including the corresponding metadata is requested, the content meta file 210 is downloaded. When the information processing apparatus 500 requests a package storing the content main body 310 corresponding to the content server 300 based on the downloaded content metafile 210, the content server 300 sends the content to the information processing apparatus 500. The package of the main body 310 is downloaded. The downloaded content main body 310 is recorded on the HDD 550 and a monitor output program is executed and displayed on the monitor 560 in accordance with an operation signal received by the receiving unit 570 by an operation of a remote controller or the like. When the HDD 550 reproduces the content main body 310, a reproduction control metafile and DRM key data are acquired as necessary.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the download control metafile 120 stored in the Web server 100 in FIG. 1, wherein 121 is download control information, 121a is the name of the download control metafile 120, and 121b is the same. Location information (URL), 121c is the same description, 121d is the purchase package ID, 121e is the batch download destination information (URL) of the metafile for the content in the purchase package, 122 is the download execution information, 122a is the distribution content (content body) , 122b is the description date, 122c is the delivery date, 122d is the same location information (URL), 122e is the same type, 122f is the same location information (URL) of the content metafile, and 122g is the same size.

  In the figure, a download control metafile 120 includes download control information 121 describing the contents of the download control metafile 120 itself and download execution information used for downloading one or more content bodies. For example, it is described in RSS (RDF Site Summary) and can be created (prepared) for a plurality of content bodies in one package, but it does not extend over a plurality of packages. In addition, a plurality of download control metafiles 120 can be prepared for one package, but all content bodies in one package can always be downloaded.

  The download control information 121 includes a download control metafile name 121a indicating the name (for example, download reservation name, file name, ID, etc.) of the download control metafile 120 including the download control metafile 120, and the location of the download control metafile 120. Location information (URL) 121b of the download control metafile indicating the location (for example, the URL on the Internet of the Web site that provides the download reservation), and description of the download control metafile 120 (for example, description and language of the download reservation) Download control metafile description 121c, purchase package ID 121d indicating the package to be purchased of the content body, content metafile 1 of all content bodies in the purchased package 0 so as to be able to batch download, for example, it contains information such as the purchase package in the content meta-file batch download destination information (URL) 121e including clear information of the download.

  A plurality of download execution information 122 may exist in one download control metafile 120, and a distribution content title 122a indicating a title (program name, file name, ID, etc.) for each content body to be downloaded. For example, the description 122b of the distribution content, such as its characteristics and remarks, the distribution date and time 122c indicating the date and time (day, hour, minute, etc.) when the distribution content is distributed, The distribution content location information (URL) 122d indicating the location of the distribution content, the distribution content type 122e indicating the type of the content (genre such as video, music, drama, and sports), and the content metafile 210 corresponding to the distribution content Distribution content indicating the location Meta location information (URL) of the file 122f, includes information such as the size 122g of the distribution content that indicates the size of the distribution content.

  Here, the delivery date and time 122c describes the release date and scheduled release date of the content body 310 stored in the content server 300 (FIG. 1), and the contents of the temporarily delivered content body 310 are updated. In this case, the update date / time becomes the delivery date / time 122c.

  The distribution content type 122e indicates, for example, whether the content body 310 to be transferred from the content server 300 is a type of video, photo (still image), music, program, multimedia data, or the like. In addition, for example, the type of video may be subdivided to indicate whether it is a movie, news, sports or the like, and in the case of music, it may indicate any of classical, rock, jazz, etc. .

  The download control metafile location information 121b, the purchase package content metafile batch download destination information 121e, the delivery content location information 122d, and the delivery content metafile location information 122f are address information other than URLs. In addition, it may include a search instruction relating to downloading of the target content body.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the content metafile 210 stored in the content metafile server 200 in FIG. 1, where 211 is program information, 211a is a program title, and 211b is a program summary text. 211c is the program genre, 211d is the program audio / vido identification information, 211e is the program language information, 211f is the program thumbnail location information (URL), 212 is the series information, 212a is the series title information, 212b Is the summary text information of the series, 212c is the location information (URL) of the thumbnail of the series, 213 is the license information, 213a is the license type, 213b is the copy restriction information, 214 is the purchase information, 214a is the content viewable period information, 214b Is the price information of the content .

  In the figure, a content metafile 210 is created for each content body, and is composed of metadata of the corresponding content. Information on the content body corresponding to the content metafile 210 is shown in FIG. Program information 211 for explaining the content, series information 212 for explaining the series to which the corresponding content body belongs (for example, serial drama, etc.), license information 213 for explaining whether or not the downloaded content body can be copied, download Metadata such as the purchase price 214 of the content body to be included.

The program information 211 includes a program title 211a indicating the name of the corresponding content body (program), a program summary text 211b describing the outline of the corresponding content body, a type of the corresponding content body such as comedy, action, and horror. Program genre 211c, video resolution and bit rate of the corresponding content body, audio / vido identification information 211d indicating the number of audio channels, etc., for identifying the language used in the corresponding content body The language information 211e of the program, the location information (URL) 211f of the thumbnail of the program for obtaining the thumbnail information of the content main body of the thumbnail file 220 in the content metafile server 200, and the like regarding the corresponding content (program) It is intended to include the broadcast.

  The series information 212 includes series title information 212a indicating the name of the series to which the corresponding content body belongs, series outline text information 212b indicating the outline of the series, and the location of the series thumbnail indicating the location of the thumbnail of the series. Information such as information (URL) 212c is included.

For example, when the corresponding content body is downloaded to one information processing apparatus 500 (FIG. 1), the license information 213 is recorded from the information processing apparatus 500 to a recording medium or recording of another information processing apparatus 500. It includes information such as a license type 213a indicating whether the content can be copied to a layer and copy restriction information 213b for limiting the type of media that can be copied for the downloaded content.

  The purchase information 214 includes information such as content viewable period information 214a indicating a period during which the content body can be viewed (downloaded) and content price information 214b indicating the price of the content body.

  Next, the download processing operation of the system shown in FIG. 1 will be described. First, a general processing operation will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in the information processing apparatus 500, when a user operates an operation device such as a remote controller, a keyboard, or a mouse (not shown), the operation signal is received by the reception unit 570. The CPU 520 executes a browser program stored in the memory 530 according to the instruction of the received operation signal, and transmits the information processing apparatus 500 and each of the information processing apparatus 500 and the like via the router 410 and the Internet network 400 from the LAN I / F 510. The communication with the servers 100, 200, and 300 is not described here), the download portal site of the Web server 100 of the provider that provides the content distribution service is accessed, and content distribution is requested (step S101). . In response to this request from the information processing apparatus 500, the Web server 100 transfers a Web page 111 that includes a list of contents that can be provided and includes information related to each content on the list to the information processing apparatus 500. As a result, the CPU 520 executes the browser program and causes the monitor 560 to display a screen of a list of contents that can be purchased, that is, the Web page 111 (step S102).

  In this list screen, for example, the name or thumbnail is displayed for each content, and a check box is provided for each name or thumbnail, and the check box for the content that the user desires to purchase by operating the operation device. When a check mark is added to the URL and then an operation of pressing a purchase button displayed on the Web page is performed, a purchase command is transferred from the information processing apparatus 500 to the Web server 100 (step S103).

  The screen operation on the monitor 560 by such an operation device is to move the cursor on the screen and operate the setting button on the operation device when the cursor is at a predetermined position such as a check box or a purchase button. Is done by. When the display of the monitor 560 is a touch panel, a predetermined position such as a check box or a purchase button may be directly touched with an instruction member such as a fingertip.

  The purchase command transferred from the information processing apparatus 500 includes information such as an operation ID or user ID of the information processing apparatus 500 and information on a package of content for which purchase is specified. The server 100 performs billing processing (step S104). When the accounting process is completed, the Web server 100 transfers the Web page 112 including a list of contents that the user desires to purchase and can be downloaded (purchased) and information related to these contents to the information processing apparatus 500 (step S105). ).

  In the information processing apparatus 500, when the Web page 112 is acquired, the CPU 520 executes the browser program, and the Web page 112, that is, the content that has been made available for purchase by the user who has already been charged is purchased. A list screen (list page) similar to the list screen in step S102 is displayed on monitor 560 (step S106). When the user operates the operation device to select content desired to be downloaded from the content list screen and presses a download start button on this screen, a download command is transferred to the We server 100 (step S107). .

  Upon receiving this download command, the Web server 100 obtains the corresponding download control information 121 (FIG. 2) from the purchase package ID 121d for each content desired to be downloaded designated by this download command, and obtains the download control information 121 thus obtained. The download control metafile 120 including the URL is issued (steps S108 and S109) and transferred to the information processing apparatus 500.

When the information processing apparatus 500 acquires the download control metafile 120 (step S110), the information processing apparatus 500 analyzes the download control metafile 120 (step S111), and downloads the download request from the download execution information 122 (FIG. 2) of the download control metafile 120. For each content, the location information (URL) 122f of the distribution content metafile is acquired, and based on this, the content metafile server 200 is requested to acquire the distribution content metafile 210 (step S112). At the same time, the location information (URL) 122d of the distribution content is acquired from the download execution information 122 of the download control metafile 120 for each content desired to be downloaded, and based on this, the content server 300 is requested, by this Content body 310 wishes to downloaded is downloaded (step S113).

The distribution content metafile 210 and content body 310 acquired in this way are recorded and saved in the HDD 550 (step S114). When the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation device, the CPU 520 executes the local navigation program, whereby the distribution content metafile 210 is read from the HDD 550 to the downloaded content main body 310, and the program is displayed. A list screen and a search screen of the downloaded content main body 310 recorded and held in the HDD 550 are created from the information 211 (FIG. 3) and displayed on the monitor 560. Then, by designating desired content on the list screen or search screen, the designated downloaded content body 310 is read from the HDD 550 and displayed on the monitor 560.

  In this way, the downloaded content body 310 and the corresponding content metafile 210 are recorded in the HDD 550 in association with each other. Therefore, when the content body 310 is recorded in the HDD 550, the corresponding content metafile 210 is also recorded in the HDD 550. In the HDD 550, the content metafile 210 in which the content body 310 is not recorded is not recorded. In addition, the content main body 310 in which the content metafile 210 is not recorded is not recorded.

  FIG. 5 shows a specific example of screen transition on the monitor 560 when a program (local navigation program) is being executed on the downloaded content main body stored in the HDD 550 in the information processing apparatus 500 in FIG. In the figure, 600 is a content list screen, 700 is a content detail screen, and 800 is a playback screen.

  In this figure, after the user operates the operating device to activate the information processing apparatus 500 and then operates the “menu” button of the operating device, a menu screen including a list of menus is displayed on the display screen of the monitor 560. The When the user operates the operation device and selects, for example, the menu “local navigation” on this menu screen (or when this operation device is provided with a dedicated operation button for starting a local navigation program, this operation is performed. When the button is operated, the CPU 520 activates and executes the local navigation program recorded in the HDD 550 (step S301). When this local navigation program is executed, a content list screen 600 representing a list of downloaded content main bodies 310 recorded in the HDD 550 is displayed on the display screen of the monitor 560. On the content list screen 600, the downloaded content main body 310 recorded in the HDD 550 is displayed using the corresponding thumbnails and icons, and the thumbnails and icons are displayed.

  When the content list screen 600 is displayed, when the user operates the operation device to indicate a thumbnail or icon of the desired content main body 310 on the content list screen 600 and operates the “select” button, the display screen is displayed. (Step S303), a content detail screen 700 showing details of the content body 310 created based on the program information 211 (FIG. 3) of the content metafile 210 is displayed on the display screen of the monitor 560. Is displayed. Here, when the “return” button of the operation device is operated, the display returns to the original content list screen 600 (step S303).

  In addition, when the content list screen 600 is displayed, the user operates the operation device to indicate a desired thumbnail or icon of the content body 310 on the content list screen 600 and operates the “play” button. The content main body 310 to be reproduced is reproduced from the HDD 550 (step S302), and the content reproduction screen 800 is displayed on the display screen of the monitor 560. When the “stop” button of the operating device is operated in this display state, the display returns to the original content list screen 600 (step S303).

  Further, when the user operates the “play” button of the operation device while the content detail screen 700 is displayed, the corresponding content body 310 is played from the HDD 550 (step S304), and the content playback screen 800 is displayed on the monitor 560. Displayed on the display screen. When the “stop” button of the operating device is operated in this display state, the display returns to the original content detail screen 700 (step S304).

  In the general processing procedure of download as described above, the content list screen 600 is displayed only for the downloaded content main body 310 of the purchased content. For content that has not been downloaded, There is a problem that it is not possible to confirm all the purchased contents because it does not appear in the list on the contents list screen.

  Further, in the above general download processing procedure, as shown in FIG. 4, the user performs an operation for purchasing content (step S107) and an operation for downloading the purchased content (step S107). If you forget to do either of these operations, the content will not be downloaded and you will not be able to obtain the content you want to purchase. There is a problem.

  This embodiment solves such a problem, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a download processing operation according to the embodiment of the download control apparatus of the present invention in the system shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, as in FIG. 4, first, in the information processing apparatus 500 in FIG. 1, when the user operates the operation device, the operation signal is received by the receiving unit 570. The CPU 520 executes the browser program stored in the memory 530 according to the instruction of the received operation signal, accesses the download portal site of the Web server 100 of the provider that provides the content distribution service, and distributes the content. Is requested (step S201). In response to this request from the information processing apparatus 500, the Web server 100 transfers a Web page 111 that includes a list of contents that can be provided and includes information related to each content on the list to the information processing apparatus 500. As a result, the CPU 520 executes the browser program and causes the monitor 560 to display the screen of the list of contents that can be purchased, that is, the Web page 111 (step S202).

  On the screen of this list, as in FIG. 4, for example, the name or thumbnail is displayed for each content, and a check box is provided for each name or thumbnail, and the user operates the operation device to purchase. If a check mark is added to the check box of the content that the user desires to be displayed, and then a purchase button displayed on the Web page 111 is pressed, a purchase command is transferred from the information processing apparatus 500 to the Web server 100 ( Step S203).

The purchase command transferred from the information processing apparatus 500 includes information such as an operation ID or user ID of the information processing apparatus 500 and information on a package of content for which purchase is specified. The server 100 performs billing processing (step S104). When the charging process is completed, the Web server 100 obtains the corresponding download control information 121 (FIG. 2) from the purchase package ID 121d for each content (package) purchased by the purchase command from the information processing apparatus 500 ( Step S205), the download control metafile 120 including the obtained download control information 121
Is transferred to the information processing apparatus 500 (step S206).

  When the information processing apparatus 500 acquires the download control metafile 120 (step S207), the information processing apparatus 500 analyzes the download control metafile 120 (step S208), and purchases content from the download execution information 122 (FIG. 2) of the download control metafile 120. Every time, the location information (URL) 122f of the distribution content metafile is acquired, and based on this, the content metafile server 200 is requested to acquire the content metafile 210 corresponding to all purchased content. (Step S209). Then, the content metafile 210 is sequentially analyzed (step S210), and the location information (URL) of the program thumbnail in the program information 211 of the content metafile 210 and the location information of the series thumbnail in the series information 212 are displayed. Based on (URL), a thumbnail image corresponding to the purchased content is acquired from the thumbnail file 220 of the content metafile server 200 (step S211).

  In this way, the information processing apparatus 500 acquires the download control metafile 120, the content metafile 210, and the thumbnail image for all the purchased contents specified in step S203, and these are stored in the HDD 550. It is recorded (step S12). By acquiring the content meta file 210, as shown in FIG. 3, metadata of purchased content such as a program title, summary text, genre, and series title can be acquired.

  When the above processing operation is completed, in the information processing apparatus 500, the CPU 520 reads and analyzes the download control metafile 120 one by one from the HDD 550, and the distribution content in the download execution information 122 of the download control metafile 120 (FIG. 2). The content body 310 purchased from the content server 300 is downloaded based on the location information (URL) 122d. As a result, the purchased content body 310 is downloaded to the information processing apparatus 500 in order and recorded in the HDD 550.

  In this way, the purchased content body 310 is downloaded. Even if the content body 310 is being downloaded, if the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation device, the CPU 520 causes the local navigation program to be downloaded. Is executed, the content metafile 210 and thumbnail images recorded in the HDD 550 are read out, and a list screen and a search screen for all the contents desired to be purchased are created based on these and displayed on the monitor 560. Is done.

  On such a list screen or search screen, a list of all the contents desired to be purchased (step S203) is displayed, so that it is possible to confirm all the contents desired to be purchased. However, the list of the downloaded content and the content that has not been downloaded is displayed separately, so that it is also possible to confirm whether the content is already downloaded.

  Note that content that has not yet been downloaded is content that has not started downloading (that is, content that has not been downloaded), but downloading has started, but part of it has been downloaded. Thus, content that has not been downloaded (that is, content that is being downloaded) is also included.

  7 is a diagram showing a specific example of the content list screen 600 in FIG. 5 displayed on the display screen of the monitor 560 in FIG. 1 based on the information obtained by the processing operation shown in FIG. A content list screen, 611 and 612 are program menus, and 613 is a scroll unit.

In this figure, the content list screen 610 is created from the metadata of the content meta file 210 recorded in the HDD 550 of the information processing apparatus 500 as described above. Program menus 611 and 612 are arranged and displayed for each content. Here, the program menus 611 and 612 are obtained from the content metafile server 200 and recorded in the content metafile 210 (FIG. 3) recorded in the HDD 550 of the information processing apparatus 500 (the program title 211a and the program The metadata 211 such as the genre 211c and the series title 212a) are displayed, and the program menus 611 and 612 correspond to the purchased contents one by one. The thumbnail image 220 acquired from the thumbnail file 220 and recorded in the HDD 550 of the information processing apparatus 500 may be added.

  Here, the program menu 611 is for content that has been downloaded and is desired to be purchased, for example, surrounded by a thick frame, and the thumbnail 612 is for content that is desired to be purchased but has not yet been downloaded. In this way, it is possible to easily identify whether the download has been completed or the download has not been completed by changing the display state.

  In addition, in order to be able to distinguish whether it has been downloaded or not yet downloaded, it is not limited to such a display state. For example, the frames of the program menus 611 and 612 are displayed in different colors, or different icons that can be distinguished. Of course, other methods may be used, for example, displaying the downloaded program menu 611 as a color image, and displaying the incomplete download as a black and white image.

  In addition, even for content that has not yet been downloaded, the program menu 612 can be distinguished between content that has not been downloaded and content that is being downloaded, for example, the former is indicated by a blue dotted frame and the latter is indicated by a red dotted frame. You can also.

  On the content list screen 610, when the program menus 611 and 612 for all purchased content cannot be displayed on the entire screen, that is, there are many purchased contents, and the content list screen 610 can be displayed on the content list screen 610. When there are no program menus 611 and 612, a scroll unit 613 is displayed, and by operating the scroll unit 613 by operating the operation device, the arrangement of the program menus 611 and 612 is scrolled up and down. It is also possible to display program menus 611 and 612 that were not displayed.

  When one of the program menus 611 and 612 is selected on the content list screen 610 by operating the operation device, the content detail screen 700 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display screen of the monitor 560.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of the content detail screen 700. FIG. 8A shows the content details when the program menu 611 for the downloaded content is selected on the content list screen 610 shown in FIG. The screen 700 shows the content detail screen 700 when the program menu 612 for the content that has not been downloaded is selected. 710 and 720 are content detail screens, and 711 and 721 are thumbnails. Images, 712 and 722 are detailed program information, 713 is a “play” button, 714 and 724 are “return” buttons, and 715 and 725 are scroll units.

When the program menu 611 for the downloaded content is selected on the content list screen 610 shown in FIG. 7, the content detail screen 710 shown in FIG. 8A is displayed on the display screen of the monitor 560. On the content detail screen 710, the thumbnail image 711 read from the HDD 550 and the program title 211a in the content meta file 210 (FIG. 3) read from the HDD 550, etc., regarding the selected content desired to purchase. Detailed program information 712 based on the program information 211, series information 212, license information 213, purchase information 214, etc. is displayed, and a scroll section 715 is displayed in the display column of the program detailed information 712, and the program detailed information 712 is scrolled. I can do it.

  In addition, on this content detail screen 710, a “play” button 713 and a “return” button 714 are displayed. When the “play” button 713 is selected, the corresponding content body 310 is played from the HDD 560 and displayed on the display screen of the monitor 560. When the “return” button 714 is selected, the display state of the content list screen 610 shown in FIG. 7 is restored.

7 is selected on the content list screen 610 shown in FIG. 7, the content details screen 720 shown in FIG. 8B is displayed on the display screen of the monitor 560. In the content details screen 720, similar to the content details screen 710 shown in FIG. 8A, regarding the selected content that has not been downloaded yet and desired to be purchased, the thumbnail image 711 and the program details information on which the scroll unit 725 is displayed are displayed. 722 and a “return” button 724 are displayed, but since the corresponding content body 310 has not been downloaded, the “play” button is not displayed. When this “return” button 724 is also selected, it returns to the display state of the content list screen 610 shown in FIG.

  In this way, in this embodiment, a list of all purchased content program menus (including metadata in the above case) is displayed on the content list screen, whereby the content can be confirmed. it can. In addition, since the list is displayed on this content list screen so that downloaded content and incompletely downloaded content can be distinguished, it is possible to recognize whether the purchased content has been downloaded or not yet completed. Therefore, it is possible to reliably determine the content that can be reproduced.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another specific example of the content detail screen 700 in the second embodiment of the download control apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 9A shows the content detail screen 700 for the content that has not been downloaded. FIG. 5B shows a content detail screen for the content being downloaded. 730 and 740 are content detail screens, 731 is a “download” button, and 741 is a message display field. Note that portions corresponding to those in FIG. 8B are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  When the program menu 612 for the content that has not been downloaded yet is not downloaded is selected on the content list screen 610 shown in FIG. 7, the content detail screen 730 shown in FIG. 9A is displayed on the display screen of the monitor 560. In this content detail screen 730, similar to the content details screen 720 shown in FIG. 8B, with respect to the selected content that has not been downloaded yet and has not been downloaded, detailed program information in which a thumbnail image 721 and a scroll unit 725 are displayed is displayed. 722 and a “return” button 724 are displayed, and a “download” button 731 is further displayed.

  When the “download” button 731 is selected by operating the operation device on the content detail screen 730, the download control metafile 120 (FIG. 2) is downloaded for the purchased content corresponding to the content detail screen 730. Based on the location information (URL) 122d of the distribution content in the information 122, the content server 300 (FIG. 1) is requested to download the purchased content. In response to this request, the content server 300 downloads the corresponding content body 310 to the information processing apparatus 500. As a result, the information processing apparatus 500 records the downloaded content main body 310 in the HDD 550.

  Note that when another download incomplete content is being downloaded at the time when the “download” button 731 is selected (usually in such a state), the completion of the download of this content is awaited, Download will start.

  When the program menu 612 for the content that is not yet downloaded and is being downloaded is selected on the content list screen 610 shown in FIG. 7, the content detail screen 740 shown in FIG. 9B is displayed on the display screen of the monitor 560. Similarly to the content details screen 720 shown in FIG. 8B, the content details screen 740 also displays the thumbnail image 721 and the program details information on which the scroll unit 725 is displayed for the selected content that has not been downloaded yet. 722 and a “return” button 724 are displayed, and a message display field 741 is further displayed. For example, a message for notifying that downloading is in progress such as “currently downloading” is displayed. Is displayed.

  In this way, it is possible to check the current state of content that has not yet been downloaded. For content that has not been downloaded, operation on the content details screen 730 allows other content that has not been downloaded to be incomplete content. You can start downloading with priority.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing still another specific example of the content detail screen 700 in the third embodiment of the download control apparatus according to the present invention, where 750 is a content detail screen, 751 is a download progress status display column, and 752 is a download. It is a progress status display bar, and parts corresponding to those in FIG.

  When the program menu 612 for the content that is not yet downloaded is selected on the content list screen 610 shown in FIG. 7, or the “download” button 731 is selected on the content details screen 730 shown in FIG. 9A. When the download of the corresponding content main body 310 is started, the content detail screen 750 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display screen of the monitor 560. In the content details screen 750, similar to the content details screen 720 shown in FIG. 8B, the program details information 722 in which the thumbnail image 721 and the scroll unit 725 are displayed regarding the selected content that has not been downloaded yet and is being downloaded. In addition, a “return” button 724 is displayed, and a download progress status display column 751 is further displayed. The length of the download progress status display column 751 changes (increases) according to the download progress status. A download progress display bar 752 is displayed. When this download progress display bar 752 is the entire download progress display field 751, the download is complete.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the content details screen 700 when the download progress status display bar 752 in the download progress status display column 751 has a predetermined length in the content details screen 750 shown in FIG. The content detail screen 761 is a “playback” button, and parts corresponding to those in FIG.

  When the content detail screen 750 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed, the download of the selected purchased content body 310 proceeds, and the download progress display bar 752 in the download progress display column 751 has a predetermined length. (In other words, when the purchased content has been downloaded by a predetermined ratio with respect to the entire size and can be played back at the same time), the content detail screen 760 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed. The

  In the content details screen 760, as with the content details screen 750 shown in FIG. 10, the thumbnail image 721, the program details information 722 on which the scroll unit 725 is displayed, A “return” button 724 and a download progress status display field 751 are displayed, and a “playback” button 761 is also displayed to notify that the content body 310 being downloaded can be played back.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a specific example of a playback screen 800 (FIG. 5) displayed when the “play” button 761 in FIG. 11 is selected, where 810 is a playback screen, 811 is a content display area, and 812 is This is a reproduction progress status display bar, and parts corresponding to those in FIG.

  When the “play” button 761 is selected on the content details screen 760 shown in FIG. 11, the content main body 310 being downloaded recorded in the HDD 550 (FIG. 1) is also played back from the head thereof, and is displayed on the monitor 560. A playback screen 810 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the display screen.

  The playback screen 810 displays a content display area 811 in which the played content main body 310 is played, and a download progress status display column 751 is displayed so as to overlap the download progress status display bar 752. Thus, a playback progress display bar 812 indicating the playback progress of the content body 310 is displayed. The playback progress status display bar 812 becomes longer as the playback of the content body 310 progresses. When the entire length of the download progress status display column 751 is reached, the entire content body 310 is played back. Become. However, as described above, when the content body can be played back (FIG. 11), the playback position on the HDD 550 does not overtake the recording position.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of a warning screen in the fourth embodiment of the download control apparatus according to the present invention. 900 is a warning screen, 901 is a warning message display area, 902 is a “Yes” button, and 903. Is a “No” button.

  This fourth embodiment is the same as each of the previous embodiments. However, while the content detail screen 730 shown in FIG. 11 is being displayed, in addition to the selected content, another content body 310 is also being downloaded. If a “play” button 761 is selected on this content detail screen 760 when there are two content bodies 310 being downloaded simultaneously, a warning screen 900 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. It is.

  In this warning screen 900, when there is another program (content body 310) being downloaded and the download of the selected content body 310 without download is started, the download of the container body 310 currently being downloaded is temporarily stopped. A warning message to that effect is displayed, and at the same time, an inquiry is made as to whether or not to start downloading the selected content body 310 without download, and a “Yes” button 902 and “ No "button 903 is displayed.

  Here, when the “No” button 903 is selected, the display returns to the content detail screen 750 shown in FIG. 10 until the download of at least one of the two content bodies 310 is completed. The content detail screen 760 on which the “play” button 761 is displayed is not displayed.

  When the “Yes” button 902 is selected, the download of the other content body 310 is paused, and the selected content body 310 being downloaded is reproduced from the HDD 550 while continuing to download, The display is switched to the reproduction screen 810 shown in FIG.

100 Web Server 110 Web Page 120 Download Control Metafile 200 Content Metafile Server 210 Content Metafile 220 Thumbnail File 300 Content Server 310 Content Main Body 500 Information Processing Device 520 CPU (Central Processing Unit)
530 Memory 550 HDD
560 monitor 570 receiving unit 600,610 content list screen 611,612 program menu 613 scroll unit 700-760 content detailed screen 711,721 thumbnail image 712,722 program detailed information 713 "play" button 714,724 "return" button 715 725 Scroll unit 731 “Download” button 741 Message display field 751 Download progress display field 752 Download progress display bar 761 “Play” button 800,810 Playback screen 811 Content display area 812 Playback progress display bar 900 Warning screen 901 Warning message Display area 902 “Yes” button 903 “No” button

Claims (7)

An information processing apparatus that receives content from an external server via a network,
Download control means for downloading content information acquired through the network and detailed information of the content;
Recording means for recording content information including the content acquired by the download control means and detailed information of the content;
A monitor for displaying the content recorded in the recording means;
Content list display means for creating a content list screen based on the content information received from the server and displaying it on the monitor;
Input means for inputting an instruction to purchase content selected by the user from the content list screen;
A purchased content list display means for creating a list screen of purchased content and displaying the content that has been downloaded and the content that has not been downloaded on the monitor in different forms;
When a menu of downloaded content is selected on the purchased content list screen, detailed information on the selected content and a “play” button that enables playback of the content are displayed. First content detail screen display means for displaying on the monitor;
By selecting a menu of content that has not been downloaded on the content list screen, a second content in which detailed information of the content is displayed without displaying a “play” button that enables playback of the selected content. A second screen that displays a detailed screen on the monitor
Content detail screen display means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: In claim 1,
The second content detail screen display means, said the second content detail screen, the information processing apparatus and displaying the "download" button that allows the download of the selected content. In claim 2,
When the “download” button is selected on the second content detail screen, the download control means starts downloading the content,
The second content detail screen display means, said in the second content details screen, and hides the "Download" button, the information which the contents and displaying the indication that is being downloaded Processing equipment. In claim 2,
When the “download” button is selected on the second content detail screen, the download control means starts downloading the content,
The second content detail screen display means, in the second content detail screen, the "Download" button hidden, information processing and displaying a display representing the progress of the download of the content apparatus. In claim 3 or claim 4,
The second content detail screen display means, the download progress of the content becomes a predetermined situation, in the second content detail screen displaying a "play" button which enables the reproduction of the content A characteristic information processing apparatus. In claim 5,
When the “playback” button is selected on the second content detail screen, the content is read from the recording means and displayed , and the playback progress of the content and the download progress of the content are displayed. An information processing apparatus comprising playback screen display means for displaying a screen on the monitor. In claim 6,
When the “play” button is selected on the second content detail screen, when content other than the content is being downloaded, a warning inquiring whether to continue downloading or pause the other content A warning screen display means for displaying a screen on the monitor;
When the instruction to pause the download of the other content is given on the warning screen, the playback screen display means displays the playback screen on the monitor.

Images