WO2009104263A1

WO2009104263A1 - Content reproducing device and content reproducing system

Info

Publication number: WO2009104263A1
Application number: PCT/JP2008/052956
Authority: WO
Inventors: 裕昭柴▲崎▼
Original assignee: パイオニア株式会社
Priority date: 2008-02-21
Filing date: 2008-02-21
Publication date: 2009-08-27

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To solve the problem that all the applications corresponding to various contents which a terminal is to reproduce are to be prepared beforehand. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] The terminal (11) is provided with DSP (15) reproducing the content by performing a processing for reproduction by using the application, an acquiring part (12) acquiring the application from outside such as a server (100) through a network (10) and a discriminating part (17) for permitting the acquiring part (12) to acquire the necessary application (3) when the application (3) required for reproducing the content when DSP (15) reproduces the content (14) does not exist.

Description

Content playback apparatus and content playback system

The present invention relates to a content playback apparatus that plays back content using a component program.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, content providing apparatuses such as home servers have become widespread at home. Such a home server is connected to a peripheral device such as a personal computer in the home and has a function of providing content to the peripheral device. In this peripheral device, a built-in application program is used, and video and sound are output to a display and a speaker device based on the content (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-221646 A

In the above prior art, it is necessary to incorporate an application in the peripheral device in advance according to the content to be reproduced. In recent years, there are various types of content formats, and it is becoming difficult to prepare all application programs corresponding to various types of content in peripheral devices in advance.

The problems to be solved by the present invention include the above-mentioned problems as an example.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that a playback means for playing back content by performing a playback process using a part program, and the part program from outside via a network. When the acquisition means, the storage means for storing the component program, and the reproduction program when the reproduction means reproduces the content, there is no component program necessary for reproducing the content. Control means for acquiring the necessary component program.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an invention described in claim 9 is a content reproduction device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and a server that provides the component program to the content reproduction device. Have.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a content reproduction system 50 as the first embodiment.
The content reproduction system 50 includes a server 100, a terminal 11, and a network 10. The server 100 and the terminal 11 are connected to the network 10. The network 10 performs data communication between the server 100 and the terminal 11 by wire or wireless using a predetermined protocol. The terminal 11 is a navigation terminal that searches and guides a route to a desired destination, for example. Then, an application program (hereinafter simply referred to as an application) as a component program described later is transmitted and received between the server 100 and the terminal 11 via the network 10.

Recently, there are various types of formats such as contents 14 related to so-called audio visual (AV), and the contents of various formats 14 have been handled by computers and media connected thereto. When an environment in which the terminal 11 can be easily connected to a computer, a memory medium, or the like is prepared, the contents 14 of various formats in the computer or the medium can be copied or moved to the terminal 11. In particular, assuming that such copying and moving are performed in a vehicle, there is a case where copying and moving are performed all together without selecting a data format without taking time and effort. Format content 14 is stored. On the other hand, a codec (CODEC (Compression / Decompression)) often exists in the form of an application that compresses / decompresses content 14 in various formats using a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and is installed in a built-in manner due to cost and other reasons. The codecs that can be limited are limited.

In the present embodiment, an application library as a part program is provided on the server 100, and the server 100 obtains format identification information regarding the format of one or a plurality of contents 14 acquired by the terminal 11 to be optimized. It has a function of managing the application configuration of the terminal 11 to be replaced.
Note that “replace the application configuration” refers to performing both distributions via a network of a plurality of applications in response to a request from the terminal 11 to the server 100 or a request from the server 100 to the terminal 11. The application is returned to the library of the server 100, and the server 100 distributes the application necessary for the terminal 11. Then, management is performed so that an optimum application for reproducing the content 14 is stored in the memory of the terminal 11.

The terminal 11 has a function of reproducing one or a plurality of contents 14 using an application acquired from the outside such as the server 100. The server 100 has a function of providing an application to the terminal 11 via the network 10. Details of the server 100 and the terminal 11 will be described later.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions of the server 100 and the terminal 11 illustrated in FIG. In FIG. 2, the network 10 is not shown.
The terminal 11 corresponds to a content reproduction apparatus, and includes a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 15, an acquisition unit 12, a memory 13, an HDD (hard disk drive) 19, and a determination unit 17.

The HDD 19 is a disk device capable of storing information on a magnetic disk such as a so-called hard disk. The HDD 19 is a storage device for storing the acquired one or more contents 14. The acquisition unit 12 corresponds to an acquisition unit, and has a function of acquiring an application from the outside of the server 100 or the like, or transmitting an application stored in the memory 13 to the outside of the server 100 or the like. For example, the server 100 has a function of transmitting information requesting an application to the server 100 and receiving an application transmitted in response to the request.

The DSP 15 corresponds to a reproducing means and has a function of reproducing one or a plurality of contents 14. The DSP 15 has a function of compressing / decompressing one or a plurality of contents 14 stored in the HDD 19 using an application necessary for the format of the contents 14, and performing a process for outputting to a speaker, a display, etc. Have. The DSP 15 reproduces the one or more contents 14 using one application or a combination of applications necessary for the format of the one or more contents 14 to be reproduced.

The memory 13 corresponds to a storage means, and the

applications

1, 2, and 3 as component programs and the format identification information relating to the format required by each application corresponding to each of the

applications

1, 2, and 3 are nonvolatile. It has a function to memorize. Note that the maximum number of applications that can be stored in the memory 13 is determined based on the storage capacity. The determination unit 17 corresponds to a control unit, and when the DSP 15 does not have an application necessary for reproducing the one or more contents 14 in the memory 13, the acquisition unit 12 acquires the necessary application or the necessity It has a function to send a low application. The determination unit 17 designates and executes at least one application existing in the memory 13 and causes the DSP 15 to reproduce one or a plurality of contents 14. The determination unit 17 determines the format of the content 14 by recognizing information indicating the format attribute of the content 14 attached to the content 14. The one or more contents 14 are stored in the HDD 19 in a state of being stored in a file folder as compressed data, for example. The file folder has an extension indicating the attribute of the compression format of the content 14. The determination unit 17 determines the compression format of the content 14 by extracting the extension. Then, it is checked whether or not an application necessary for decompressing and reproducing the content 14 exists in the memory, and if it does not exist, the obtaining unit 12 obtains the necessary application. For example, the extension (attribute) corresponds to the format identification information regarding the above-described format, and the acquisition unit 12 transmits the format identification information to the server 100 and requests an application corresponding to the format.

The server 100 includes a library 101 and an application providing unit 103. The library 101 has

applications

1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. These

applications

1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are a kind of component program used for reproducing the content 14 in various formats. The application providing unit 103 has a function of selecting one or a plurality of desired applications from the

applications

1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 and providing the selected terminal 11 to the terminal 11. The application providing unit 103 stores application return and distribution histories. The application providing unit 103 corresponds to reproduction history management means, and also manages the reproduction history of one or a plurality of contents 14 by the DSP 15 of the terminal 11. “Return application” means returning an application distributed to the terminal 11 to the library of the server 100 by transmitting the application from the terminal 11 to the server 100 in response to a request from the terminal 11 itself or the server 100. Say. “Application distribution” means that the server 100 itself distributes the application to the terminal 11 or that the server 100 distributes the application to the terminal 11 in response to a request from the terminal 11.

The content reproduction system 50 is one configuration example as described above. Next, an example of a content reproduction method according to the one configuration example will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of content reproduction processing. This content reproduction process shows an example of a processing procedure in the terminal 11.

First, in step S <b> 1, the terminal 11 has acquired one or more new contents 14 in response to the power source of the terminal 11 being activated or a content reproduction command being issued by a user operation input. Determine whether or not. Specifically, the determination unit 17 of the terminal 11 determines whether one or more new contents 14 are stored in the HDD 19.

If the terminal 11 has not acquired one or more new contents 14 in step S1 (step S1: N), the process proceeds to step S3, and application preparation processing 2 for the format of the contents 14 stored in the HDD 19 is performed. To do. On the other hand, when the terminal 11 has acquired one or more new contents 14 in step S1 (step S1: Y), the process proceeds to step S2.

Next, in step S2, an application preparation process 1 necessary for the format of the content 14 stored in the HDD 19 including those newly acquired by the terminal 11 is executed. These application preparation processes 1 and 2 include a procedure for preparing an application necessary for the terminal 11 to reproduce one or a plurality of contents 14. As such preparation, when there is an application that is insufficient when the terminal 11 reproduces one or a plurality of contents 14, the determination unit 17 obtains the lacking application from the outside of the server 100 or the like. Can do.

Next, in step S4, the terminal 11 reproduces one or a plurality of contents 14 using the application prepared as described above. Specifically, in the terminal 11, the DSP 15 reproduces one or a plurality of contents 14 using a necessary application among the applications in the memory 13.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a specific procedure of the application preparation processes 1 and 2 shown in FIG. The application preparation process shows an example of a specific processing procedure in the terminal 11.

In step S201, the determination unit 17 checks the necessity of the application from the format of one content 14 or each format of the plurality of content 14 stored in the HDD 19. In the present embodiment, this check processing is referred to as “format necessity determination processing”. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the format required by the application is one or a plurality of formats P as a result of the check.

<Determining the necessity of formatting>
In the determination process of the necessity level of the format, the determination unit 17 performs determination by adopting any one of the following determination method 1, determination method 2, determination method 3, and determination method 4. In the application preparation process 1, any one of the determination methods 1 to 4 is used for determination, and in the application preparation process 2, any one of the determination methods 2 to 4 is used for determination.

Determination method 1: The format of one or a plurality of contents 14 newly acquired this time is prioritized. Specifically, for example, the determination unit 17 determines a format corresponding to one or a plurality of contents 14 newly acquired this time, and counts the number of contents 14 corresponding to the format. And it determines as a format which an application requires in order with many numbers.

Determination method 2: The format of the recently reproduced content 14 is prioritized from the reproduction history of the content 14 stored in the HDD 19 (including one or a plurality of content 14 when the content 14 is newly acquired this time). Specifically, for example, the determination unit 17 first determines the format of the content 14 most recently reproduced from the content 14 stored in the HDD 19 and then reproduces the content most recently reproduced in a different format. 14 formats are discriminated. Then, the determined format is determined as a format required by the application.

In addition, when one or a plurality of contents 14 are newly acquired this time, the determination unit 17 preferentially determines the format of the one or a plurality of contents 14 (determination method 1.), and recently played content The 14 formats may be determined as a format required by the application.

Determination method 3: Prioritize the number of contents for each format. Specifically, for example, the determination unit 17 determines all the formats of the content 14 stored in the HDD 19 (including the content 14 when one or more content 14 is newly acquired this time). The number of contents 14 in the format is counted, and it is determined that the format is necessary for the application in the descending order of the number.

When the determination unit 17 newly acquires one or more contents 14 this time, the determination unit 17 preferentially determines the format of the one or more contents 14 (determination method 1), and the number of the contents 14 is large. The format may be determined as a format required by the application.

Further, the determination unit 17 may determine the format required by the application by giving priority to the number of contents for each format of the content 14 reproduced within the latest period.

Determination method 4: Priority is given to the format of the content 14 instructed to be reproduced. Specifically, for example, the format of one or a plurality of contents 14 instructed to be played by a user's operation input is determined and determined as a format required by the application. In the case of this determination, it is assumed that the application configuration is frequently changed every time reproduction is necessary. For example, if the application necessary for the format of the content 14 to be reproduced is not stored in the memory 13, the terminal 11 itself transmits an arbitrary application to the server 100, and the format of the content 14 to be reproduced. The server 100 is requested to distribute the application necessary for the format together with the format identification information. Then, an application necessary for reproducing the content 14 is acquired from the server 100. When the terminal 11 finishes reproducing the content 14, the used application is deleted, and the server 100 is requested to distribute any one application previously transmitted to the server 100. Then, the application necessary for the format of the content 14 is returned to the state where it is not stored in the memory 13. For example, the application to be deleted is selected according to one of the above priorities (for example, priority is given to a recently played format), and is left after obtaining an application necessary for the current playback. In addition, if it becomes a situation that requires replacement of the application configuration, the replacement may be performed in the same manner.

In step S202, the determination unit 17 selects one or a plurality of formats P as the type of one or a plurality of contents 14 as a result of using any one of the determination methods as described above. Next, in step S <b> 203, the determination unit 17 determines whether or not all the applications necessary for reproducing the one or more contents 14 (applications necessary for the selected format P) are stored in the memory 13.

In this step S203, when the determination unit 17 determines that all necessary applications are stored in the memory 13 (step S203: Y), the application preparation process is terminated. This determination is made, for example, by comparing the format identification information of the determined format P with the format identification information stored in the memory 13. On the other hand, when the determination unit 17 determines in step S203 that all necessary applications are not stored in the memory 13 (step S203: N), the next step S204 is executed.

In step S204, the determination unit 17 determines whether an application can be added to the memory 13 and stored. Specifically, for example, when the number of applications stored in the memory 13 is limited, the determination unit 17 determines whether or not the number of applications stored in the memory 13 reaches the limit number. For example, when the maximum number of applications that can be stored in the memory 13 is determined to be M, it is determined whether or not the number of applications stored in the memory 13 is less than the maximum number M. Alternatively, for example, when the storage capacity of the memory 13 is limited, the determination unit 17 determines whether or not a new application can be stored in the memory 13 in relation to the free capacity of the memory 13. In the present embodiment, it is exemplified that the determination unit 17 determines whether or not the number of applications stored in the memory 13 reaches the maximum number M.

When the determination unit 17 determines in step S204 that the number of applications stored in the memory 13 has not reached the maximum number M, that is, when it is determined that it is possible to further store applications in the memory 13 (step S204). S204: N), the number of applications that can be added: N is calculated (step S205). For example, the calculation is performed by subtracting the number of applications stored in the memory 13 from the maximum number M. Next, it is determined whether or not the number S of applications necessary for the selected format P (hereinafter simply referred to as “format P applications”) is equal to or less than the maximum number M (step S206). If it is determined that the number S of applications in the format P exceeds the maximum number M (step S206: N), the number S of applications in the format P is selected so as to be equal to or less than the maximum number M (step S207). For example, the application format P that fits in the remaining capacity of the memory 13 is selected from the relationship between the remaining capacity of the memory 13 and the capacity of the application of the format P. Then, the process of step S206 is performed again. On the other hand, when it is determined that the number S of applications in the format P is equal to or less than the maximum number M (step S206: Y), the applications stored in the memory 13 are necessary for some formats of the format P. It is determined whether there is an application (step S208). If it is determined that there is an application corresponding to the partial format (step S208: Y), the number R of the partial application is extracted (step S209). Then, it is determined whether or not the number obtained by subtracting the number R of extracted applications from the number S of applications in the format P is equal to or less than the number N of applications that can be added (step S210). On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no application required for some formats (step S208: N), it is determined whether or not the number S of applications in format P is equal to or less than the number N of applications that can be added (step S211). ). In step S210 and step S211, when it is determined that the number of applications that can be added is N or less (step S210: Y, step S211: Y), the format P for requesting the application to the server 100 is specified (step S212). ).

When the determination unit 17 determines in step S204 that the number of applications stored in the memory 13 has reached the maximum number M, that is, when it is determined that it is impossible to further store applications in the memory 13 ( Step S204: Y), it is determined whether or not the number S of applications in the format P is equal to or less than the maximum number M (Step S213). When it is determined that the number S of applications in the format P exceeds the maximum number M (step S213: N), the number of applications in the format P is selected so as to be equal to or less than the maximum number M (step S214). For example, the application format P that fits in the remaining capacity of the memory 13 is selected from the relationship between the remaining capacity of the memory 13 and the capacity of the application. Then, the process of step S213 is performed again. On the other hand, when it is determined that the number S of applications in the format P is equal to or less than the maximum number M (step S213: Y), the number of applications necessary for some formats of the format P in the applications stored in the memory 13 is determined. The presence or absence is confirmed (step S215). Then, the format P for requesting an application to the server 100 is specified (step S216).

The determination unit 17 selects an application to be returned to the server 100 from an application other than the format P stored in the memory 13 or deleted from the memory 13 (step S217). For example, even if the content 14 of the corresponding format is an application that is not stored in the HDD 19 or an application that is necessary for the format of the content 14 stored in the HDD 19, Select an application that is used less frequently. And the process which returns the selected application to the server 100 or deletes it from the memory 13 is performed (step S218). The selection process in step S217 and the return or deletion process in step S218 are performed so that the application specified in step S216 can be stored in the memory 13. For example, if the number of applications required for the format P specified in step S216 is 3, the number of applications to be returned or deleted is 3 (if it is determined in step S204 that the application cannot be added, The selection process and the return or deletion process are performed as a number greater than the number). Then, by transmitting the format identification information of the specified format P to the server 100, the distribution of the application is requested (step S219).

After specifying the format P that requires an application in step S212 described above, the process proceeds to step S219 without performing the processing in steps S217 and S218, and the application required for the specified format P is transferred to the server. Request to 100. In step S210 and step S211, when it is determined that the number N of applications that can be added is exceeded (step S210: Y, step S211: Y), the process proceeds to step S216, and the format for requesting the application to the server 100 is issued. After P is specified, the processing from step S217 to step S219 is performed. Then, it is determined whether or not the requested application has been acquired from the server 100 (step S220). If it is determined that it has not been acquired, the processing is continued until it is acquired (step S220: N loop). If it is determined that the requested application has been acquired from the server 100, the acquired application is stored in the memory 13 (step S221), and the series of application preparation processing ends.

FIG. 5 is an image diagram showing an example of application distribution from the server 100 to the terminal 11.
As described above, in the terminal 11, the determination unit 17 requests the server 100 for an application necessary for the format P of the content 14, for example. In this server 100, the application providing unit 103 receives this request and designates, for example, application 4 as an application necessary for this format P.

In the library 101,

applications

1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are prepared. The application providing unit 103 selects the application 4 necessary for the format P described above from the library 101 and distributes it to the terminal 11.
In this example, the

same applications

1, 2, and 3 exist in the library 101 of the server 100 and the memory 13 of the terminal 11. That is, when the application 4 is distributed, it is performed in a copying mode. When the maximum number of applications that can be stored in the memory 13 of the terminal 11 is determined and the number of applications stored in the memory 13 reaches the maximum number, the applications stored in the memory 13 are stored. One of these is deleted and a newly required application is stored.

FIG. 6 is an image diagram showing another configuration example of the content reproduction system 50. In addition, in this other configuration example, the description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment, and the description of the same parts as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

In another configuration example, unlike the first embodiment described above, the server 100 is provided with a determination unit 117 having substantially the same function as the determination unit 17 provided in the terminal 11. That is, the point which the discrimination | determination part is not provided in the terminal 11, and is provided in the server 100 differs from 1st Embodiment mentioned above.

Specifically, the determination unit 117 of the server 100 is triggered by a notification from the terminal 11 indicating that a reproduction instruction for the content 14 has been made by a user's operation input or that the power supply of the terminal 11 has been activated. Then, the format of the content 14 stored in the HDD 19 is checked to determine the format of the content 14. Based on the format identification information as the check result, the determination unit 117 identifies an application that is insufficient to reproduce the content 14 of the format P. For example, the determination unit 117 of the server 100 acquires information on the content 14 stored in the HDD 19 and format identification information when the notification is made from the terminal 11 described above. Examples of the information related to the content 14 include information related to a reproduction history, date / time information stored in the HDD 19, and the like. Then, based on these pieces of information, the determination unit 117 of the server 100 employs any of the determination methods 1 to 4 described above to determine the necessity of the format of the content 14 stored in the HDD 19 of the terminal 11. . Then, the format P required by the application is selected based on the determination result. Next, the application stored in the memory 13 of the terminal 11 is confirmed from the application return and distribution history, and the application necessary for the format P and not stored in the memory 13 is identified as the format identification information of the format P. Based on

The application providing unit 103 selects the specified application 4 from the library 101 and distributes it to the terminal 11 when, for example, the specified application is the application 4 as in the case of the first embodiment.

In this other configuration example, the terminal 11 does not make the above-described notification, and the application providing unit 103 of the server 100 requests the terminal 11 to periodically transmit the information regarding the content 14 stored in the HDD 19 and the format identification information. The application to be stored in the memory 13 of the terminal 11 may be checked.
In the other configuration example in FIG. 6 as well, the distribution from the application providing unit 103 of the server 100 is performed in the form of copying, as in the example of FIG.

FIG. 7 is an image diagram illustrating an example in which the terminal 11 acquires an application from the server 100. In this example, points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the same parts as those of the first embodiment will be omitted.

In this example, the determination unit 17 is provided in the terminal 11 as in the first embodiment described above. The function of the determination unit 17 is substantially the same as that of the determination unit 17 in the first embodiment. The determination unit 17 in this example limits the number of applications 14 that can be stored in the memory 13 to a maximum of three.

In this example, the application in the library 101 of the server 100 is different from the application stored in the memory 13 of the terminal 11. That is, delivery from the application providing unit 103 of the server 100 is performed in a moving manner. When the maximum number of three applications is stored in the memory 13 of the terminal 11 and a new application 4 is acquired from the library 101 of the server 100 and stored in the memory 13, the applications 1 to 3 are stored. One of them is returned to the library 101 of the server 100 and the application 4 is acquired.

FIG. 8 is an image diagram showing an example of replacement of the application configuration between the terminal 11 and the server 100. In this example, points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the same parts as those of the first embodiment will be omitted.

In this example, the determination unit 17 is provided in the terminal 11 as in the first embodiment described above. The function of the determination unit 17 exhibits substantially the same function as that of the determination unit 17 in the first embodiment. Also in this example, the number of applications 14 that can be stored in the memory 13 is limited to a maximum of three as in the case of the example of FIG. The determination unit 17 determines the necessity of the format of the content 14 stored in the HDD 19. Then, as a result of the determination, the determination unit 17 determines that the application 4 necessary for the selected format P does not exist in the application stored in the memory 13, and the number of applications stored in the memory 13 reaches the maximum number. Judge that Then, for example, the application 1 which is not frequently used is transmitted from the memory 13 to the library 101 of the server 100 and moved, and the format identification information of the format P is used to request the application 4 necessary for reproducing the content 14. Is transmitted to the server 100.

In the server 100, the application 1 received from the terminal 11 is returned to the library 101, and the application providing unit 103 identifies the application 4 from the library 101 based on the format identification information received from the terminal 11 and distributes it to the terminal 11.

In the terminal 11 (corresponding to the content playback apparatus) in the above embodiment, a DSP 15 (corresponding to playback means) that plays back content by performing playback processing using an application (part program), and a network from the outside 10, an acquisition unit 12 (equivalent to an acquisition unit) that acquires an application (corresponding to a part program), a memory 13 (equivalent to a storage unit) that stores the application, and the DSP 15 when the content 14 is played back When the application necessary for reproducing the content does not exist in the memory 13, the determination unit 17 (corresponding to a control unit) that causes the acquisition unit 12 to acquire the necessary application is included.

This eliminates the need for the DSP 15 to install, in the terminal 11, a low-necessity application such as a low usage frequency when reproducing the content 14, so the terminal 11 is necessary for various formats of the content 14 in recent years. Applications can be acquired from outside each time and prepared. This eliminates the need for the terminal 11 to prepare all applications necessary for formatting the various contents 14 in advance.

In the terminal 11 in the above embodiment, in addition to the above-described configuration, the memory 13 has a predetermined maximum number of component programs that can be stored. When the application necessary for reproducing the content does not exist in the memory 13 and the number of applications stored in the memory 13 reaches the maximum number, the acquisition unit 12 is controlled to control the stored application. Are transmitted to the outside via the network 10 and the necessary application is acquired from the outside via the network 10.

In the terminal 11 in the above embodiment, in addition to the above-described configuration, the determination unit 17 further determines the format of the content and determines the necessity of performing processing for reproduction on the determined format.

In the terminal 11 in the above-described embodiment, in addition to the above-described configuration, the determination unit 17 controls the acquisition unit 12 so that the application necessary for the format is determined according to the determination result of the necessity. The acquisition part 12 is made to acquire.

In this way, the determination unit 17 can prepare an application necessary for reproducing the target content 14 before the reproduction, and prevent the situation where the content 14 cannot be reproduced due to the absence of the application. Can do.

In the terminal 11 in the above-described embodiment, in addition to the above-described configuration, the determination unit 17 further adds the application to the acquisition unit 12 according to the necessity of the format of the content 14 that the DSP 15 is trying to reproduce. Get it.

In this way, the determination unit 17 can cause the acquisition unit 12 to acquire an application according to the degree of necessity in reproducing the target content, so that it is unnecessary to acquire an application with a low necessity format. Can be reduced.

In the terminal 11 in the above-described embodiment, in addition to the above-described configuration, the determination unit 17 returns the application stored in the memory 13 even when the number of applications that can be stored in the memory 13 is limited. (Or delete) and get new applications.

In this way, even when the number of applications that can be recorded in the memory 13 of the terminal 11 (the storage capacity of the memory 13) is limited, it is possible to prepare an application necessary for reproducing the target content.

The content reproduction system 50 in the embodiment includes each of the terminals 11 (corresponding to the terminal) and a server 100 that provides the

applications

1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 to the terminal 11.

This eliminates the need for the DSP 15 to install in the terminal 11 an application that is less necessary for the reproduction of the content 14, so that the terminal 11 stores the application necessary for the format of various recent contents 14 each time as a server. 100 can be obtained and prepared. This eliminates the need for the terminal 11 to prepare all applications necessary for formatting the various contents 14 in advance. Therefore, it is not necessary to unnecessarily increase the storage capacity of the memory 13 of the terminal 11, and the resource load can be reduced.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration example of the content reproduction system 50a in the second embodiment. Note that the content reproduction system 50a shown in FIG. 9 corresponds to the content reproduction system 50 in the first embodiment.

The content reproduction system 50a according to the second embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the content reproduction system 50 according to the first embodiment and performs substantially the same operation. For this reason, in the second embodiment, the same configurations and operations are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 8 in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. In the following description, differences will be mainly described. .

In the second embodiment, the server 100 has a charging function. Specifically, the server 100 includes a calculation unit 104 and a billing unit 105. The application providing unit 103 stores an application return and distribution history (hereinafter also referred to as “log”), and the calculation unit 104 determines the number of application returns and distribution based on the log based on an instruction from the accounting unit 105. At least one of the times is calculated. The charging unit 105 performs charging based on at least one of the return count and the distribution count by the calculation unit 104.

In the second embodiment, the terminal 11 has, for example, two

standard applications

1 and 2 installed in the memory 13 and another application (hereinafter referred to as “additional application”) can be installed. That is, two

standard applications

1 and 2 are resident in the memory 13, and an additional application is stored as necessary, which exists in the library 101 of the server 100. For example,

applications

3, 4, and 5 can be listed.

In the second embodiment, the charging unit 105 charges an additional fee according to the number of distributions of the

applications

3, 4, and 5 distributed by the application providing unit 103 in response to the request from the terminal 11.

Specifically, the charging unit 105 charges an additional fee when the terminal 11 uses

applications

3, 4, and 5 other than the

standard applications

1 and 2, for example. Alternatively, the charging unit 105 charges an additional fee when, for example, the terminal 11 uses any application exceeding the number of

standard applications

1 and 2.

The content reproduction system 50 including the terminal 11 is one configuration example as described above. Next, an example of a charging method in the content reproduction method according to the one configuration example will be described with reference to FIG. The following description will be given with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 as necessary.

FIG. 10 is an image diagram showing an example of an application configuration exchange and charging method between the terminal 11 and the server 100. Since the replacement of the application configuration shown in FIG. 10 is almost the same as that in the first embodiment, the following description will mainly describe the accounting method.

In the charging method of the second embodiment, the terminal 11 has the

standard applications

1 and 2 and the additional application 3 installed in the memory 13 as an initial state. The terminal 11 can have a maximum of three applications installed in the memory 13 as described above.

First, the terminal 11 returns the additional application 3 to the library 101 of the server 100 and acquires the additional application 4 from the library 101 of the server 100.

Next, the terminal 11 returns the additional application 4 to the library 101 of the server 100 and acquires the additional application 3 from the library 101 of the server 100.

Then, the charging unit 105 of the server 100 counts, for example, acquisition of the application 3 and the application 4, and charges for both the application 3 and the application 4.

<Variation of charge format>
1. When the terminal 11 uses an application other than the

standard applications

1 and 2 and an additional fee is required, the charging unit 105 can charge as follows.
The billing unit 105 charges for each application once used, and thereafter, the terminal 11 can use the application configuration replacement service as many times as necessary.
The billing unit 105 charges for each application once used, and thereafter, the terminal 11 can use the application configuration replacement service as many times as possible within a predetermined period.
The charging unit 105 can charge each time the terminal 11 changes the application configuration of the memory 13.
The charging unit 105 may charge the terminal 11 every time the application configuration of the memory 13 is changed, and the terminal 11 may be limited in the use period after the acquisition.

2. When the terminal 11 uses an application exceeding the standard number of applications, when an additional fee is required, the charging unit 105 can charge as follows.
The charging unit 105 does not charge for replacement of the application configuration within the standard application number, but may add an application exceeding the standard application number, for example, according to the additional number of additions. .
The charging unit 105 does not charge for replacement of application configurations within the number of standard applications, but may be charged for each application replacement for application additions exceeding the number of standard applications.

In addition to the above-described configuration, the content playback system 50 in the above embodiment further includes a charging unit 105 (corresponding to a charging unit) that performs charging according to the playback state of the content 14 played back on the terminal 11. I have. Note that the concept of the accounting unit may include the calculation unit 104.

In this way, the terminal 11 is charged under various conditions according to the actual usage of the application required for the content 14 to be reproduced.

In addition, this embodiment is not restricted above, A various deformation | transformation is possible. Hereinafter, such modifications will be described in order.
In the above-described embodiment, the application is exemplified as the part program acquired from the outside such as the server 100 by the terminal 11. However, other parts programs and data can be exchanged between the terminal 11 and the server 100. Can also be illustrated.

In the above embodiment, the terminal 11 is exemplified as one. However, a plurality of terminals 11 exist, and the server 100 adopts a mode in which an application is distributed for each user and manages its distribution history. Form may be sufficient.

In addition to those already described above, the methods according to the above-described embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a configuration example of a content reproduction system as a first embodiment. It is a block diagram showing an example of the function of a server and a terminal shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of a content reproduction process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the specific procedure of the application preparation process shown in FIG. It is an image figure which shows an example which replaces an application structure between a terminal and a server. It is an image figure which shows the 1st example which replaces an application structure between a terminal and a server. It is an image figure which shows the 2nd example in which a terminal receives an application from a server. It is an image figure which shows the 3rd example of replacement | exchange of an application structure between a terminal and a server. It is a system block diagram which shows the structural example of the content reproduction system in 2nd Embodiment. It is an image figure which shows an example of the exchange of an application structure between a terminal and a server, and an accounting method.

Explanation of symbols

1 Standard application (part program)
2 Standard application (part program)
3 Additional applications (part programs)
4 Additional applications (part program)
5 Additional applications (part programs)
10 network 11 terminal (equivalent to content playback device)
14 content 50 content playback system 50a content playback system 100 server 101 library 103 application providing unit (corresponding to playback history management means)

Claims

Playback means for playing back content by performing processing for playback using a component program;
Obtaining means for obtaining the component program from outside via a network;
Storage means for storing the component program;
Control means for causing the acquisition means to acquire the necessary component program when the storage means does not have a component program required for reproducing the content when the reproduction means reproduces the content;
A content playback apparatus comprising:
The content playback apparatus according to claim 1,
The storage means defines a maximum number of component programs that can be stored,
The control means has no part program necessary for reproducing the content when the reproduction means reproduces the content in the storage means, and the number of component programs stored in the storage means reaches the maximum number. If there is, the acquisition means is controlled so that at least one of the stored component programs is transmitted to the outside via a network, and the necessary component program is acquired from the outside via the network. A content reproduction apparatus characterized by the above.
The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The control means includes
A content reproduction apparatus characterized by determining the format of the content and determining the necessity of performing a reproduction process for the determined format.
The content playback apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The control means includes
A content playback apparatus, wherein the acquisition unit is controlled to acquire a part program necessary for the format in accordance with the determination result of the necessity.
A content reproduction device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A server for providing the component program to the content reproduction device;
A content reproduction system comprising:
The content reproduction system according to claim 5, wherein
The server
A content reproduction system comprising charge means for performing charge according to a reproduction state of the content reproduced by the content reproduction device.