JP2008071193A - Information processor, content reproduction device, content transfer program, content reproduction program, content transfer method, and content reproduction method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique capable of easily and rapidly performing transfer to a music reproduction device even in such a situation that a music file to be transferred is displayed in a list screen of holder contents in front. <P>SOLUTION: The information processor functioning as a transfer means for performing transfer to a content reproduction device connected thereto for a predetermined file of content files stored in a storage means by a predetermined program comprises graphical user interfaces (21-25) for receiving a first instruction by a predetermined operation for a desired content file stored in the storage means and a second instruction subsequent thereto by a predetermined operation for an icon associated with the program or a selected item, and performs, upon receipt of the first and second instructions, the transfer to the content reproduction device for the desired content file. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a content transfer program, and a content transfer method for transferring a stored content file to a content reproduction apparatus, and a content reproduction for receiving and reproducing a content file transferred from the information processing apparatus. The present invention relates to an apparatus, a content reproduction program, and a content reproduction method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a portable music player that records a music file on a hard disk or a semiconductor memory and can select and play a desired music (see, for example, Patent Document 1). As music data to be recorded, for example, data transferred from a personal computer is applicable. As music transferred from a personal computer, for example, music obtained by a personal computer by CD ripping or content distribution service via the Internet is applicable. However, from the viewpoint of copyright protection, there is a case where a predetermined conversion is performed at the time of transfer so that it cannot be reproduced when transferred to another device.

  When a music file acquired on a personal computer is transferred from the personal computer to the music playback device, both are connected by USB, IEEE 1394 serial bus or the like, and a predetermined transfer program is started on the personal computer. The music file acquired in the personal computer is moved to a predetermined folder under the management of the transfer program as necessary. Then, the music data desired to be transferred to the music playback device is specified by the transfer program, and the transfer is performed in response to pressing of the transfer command button.

JP 2006-228086 A

  However, according to the above-described prior art, when transferring a music file from a personal computer to a music playback device, the user moves the music file to be transferred to a predetermined folder under the control of the transfer program, or starts the transfer program. It is necessary to specify a music file to be transferred in the transfer program, or to press a transfer command button. Therefore, there is a problem that the music file acquired by the content distribution service or the like cannot be immediately transferred to the content reproduction apparatus as it is, and it takes time to transfer the music file.

  The object of the present invention is to solve the problem of the prior art, when the music file to be transferred to the music playback device is in a situation as displayed on the list screen of the folder contents in front of the user, It is to provide a technique for enabling easy and quick transfer to a music reproducing apparatus.

  An information processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores a content file, and transfers a predetermined file among the content files stored in the storage unit to a connected content reproduction device The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus functioning as a means by a predetermined program. In order to achieve the above object, the information processing apparatus includes a first instruction by a predetermined operation for a desired content file stored in the storage unit, and an icon or A graphical user interface for accepting a second instruction by a predetermined operation for a selection item, and the transfer means, when receiving the first and second instructions, the content reproduction apparatus for the desired content file It is characterized by the fact that the transfer is performed.

  Here, for example, a personal computer corresponds to the information processing apparatus. As the content file, for example, a music file in MP3 format or WMA format obtained by ripping or content distribution service is applicable. Examples of the predetermined content file include a content file designated by the user on the interface screen of the predetermined program and a content file that needs to be transferred in order to synchronize with the content reproduction apparatus. As the content playback apparatus, for example, a portable music playback apparatus including a hard disk or a semiconductor memory is applicable. Examples of the icons associated with the program include the program icon, file name display, and shortcut icon.

  In this configuration, the information processing apparatus transfers the content file specified by the user among the content files stored in the storage unit or the synchronization instruction by the user by the transfer unit realized by a predetermined program. Is transferred to the connected content reproduction apparatus. On the other hand, even when the first and second operations are performed on the desired content file stored in the storage unit, the content file is transferred to the content reproduction apparatus. The first and second operations are performed by a first instruction by a predetermined operation for the desired content file and a predetermined operation for an icon or a selection item associated with the predetermined program following the graphical user interface. It is completed only by giving the second instruction. Therefore, when the content file to be transferred to the content playback apparatus is in a situation as displayed on the list screen of the folder contents in front of the user, only the first and second instructions are given for such content file. Thus, it can be transferred to the content reproduction apparatus. When transferring a content file, processing such as registration of the content file in a database managed by the program and encryption for preventing reproduction of the content file at the retransfer destination are performed as necessary.

  The information processing apparatus according to a second invention is the information processing apparatus according to the first invention, wherein the graphical user interface is configured to display the first and second instructions by a drag-and-drop operation on the icon of the program for any one of the content files. It is characterized by accepting. The function of processing a file by a program by such drag and drop is provided by an application program interface as a part of the OS function, for example.

  An information processing apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention provides a first instruction by a predetermined operation for a desired content file stored in a storage device, and a predetermined icon or selection item associated with the program following the first instruction. Receiving means for receiving a content file transferred from an information processing apparatus having a graphical user interface for accepting a second instruction by operation, storage means for storing the content file received by the receiving means, and the storage Among the content files stored in the means, the reproducing means for reproducing the instructed one and the content file transferred based on the first and second instructions in the information processing apparatus are stored in the storage means. , Different from other content files Storage means for storing in a folder, of the content files in the folder, characterized by comprising an indication receiving means for receiving an indication of what to be reproduced by said reproducing means.

  A content transfer program according to a fourth invention is a first program that causes a computer to function as a transfer unit that transfers a predetermined one of content files stored in a storage unit to a connected content reproduction device, In addition, a first instruction by a predetermined operation for a desired content file stored in the storage means and a second instruction by a predetermined operation for an icon or selection item associated with the first program following the first instruction. A second program for causing the computer to function as a graphical user interface for accepting, and the transfer means transfers the desired content file to the content playback device when the first and second instructions are given; Is something to do And wherein the Rukoto.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content reproduction program for causing a computer to execute a first instruction by a predetermined operation for a desired content file stored in a storage device, and an icon or a selection item associated with the subsequent program. Receiving means for receiving a content file transferred from an information processing apparatus having a graphical user interface for accepting a second instruction by a predetermined operation of the storage, storage means for storing the content file received by the receiving means, Among the content files stored in the storage unit, the playback unit that plays back the instructed one, and the content file transferred based on the first and second instructions in the information processing apparatus, in the storage unit , Other content Storing means for storing different predetermined folder and Airu, and, among the content files in the folder, characterized in that to function as an instruction receiving means for receiving an indication of what to be reproduced by said reproducing means.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content transfer method comprising: a storage step of storing a content file in a computer; and a connected content for a predetermined one of the content files stored in the storage unit according to a predetermined program A transfer step for transferring to the playback device, and a first instruction by a predetermined operation for a desired content file stored in the storage step by a predetermined graphical user interface, and an icon associated with the program or the subsequent An instruction accepting step for accepting a second instruction by a predetermined operation for the selection item; and in response to acceptance of the first and second instructions in the instruction accepting step, for the desired content file, transfer Characterized by comprising a transfer step of performing.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the content reproduction method according to the first instruction by the predetermined operation for the desired content file stored in the storage device and the icon or selection item associated with the program following the first instruction. Receiving a content file transferred from an information processing apparatus having a graphical user interface for accepting a second instruction by a predetermined operation, and storing the content file received in the receiving process in a storage device Regarding a storage step, a reproduction step of reproducing an instructed content file stored in the storage device, and a content file transferred based on the first and second instructions in the information processing device In the storage device, A storing step of storing a different predetermined folder from the content file, of the content file in the folder, characterized by comprising an indication receiving step of receiving an indication of what to be reproduced.

  According to the present invention, when there is a first instruction by a predetermined operation for any one of the content files and a second instruction by a predetermined operation for an icon or selection item associated with a predetermined program that follows. Since the content file is transferred to the content playback device by the transfer means of the program, the content file to be transferred to the content playback device is displayed on the list screen of the folder contents in front of you. Even when there is such a content file, it is easy and quick to use such a file format conversion and encryption function provided by the transfer means by the program simply by giving the first and second instructions. Can be transferred to the content reproduction apparatus. Therefore, it is necessary to move the music file acquired by the distribution service etc. to a folder managed by the program or to select and specify a content file to be transferred from many other content files on the interface screen of the program. Instead, the desired content file can be immediately transferred to the content reproduction apparatus.

  In particular, when the content file acquired by the distribution service is moved to a folder managed by the program, and the acquired file is designated on the interface screen of the program and is to be transferred to the content playback device, other contents are displayed on the interface screen. The content file cannot be distinguished from the content file acquired by ripping or the like, and it may be difficult to specify the content file. According to the present invention, the first and second content files acquired by the distribution service By simply performing the above operation, it is possible to easily and quickly transfer the contents to the content reproduction apparatus without having to display the interface screen.

  In addition, since a graphical user interface that accepts the first and second instructions by dragging and dropping the icon of the program for any content file is adopted, it is easy to use the application interface of the OS. The first and second instructions can be accepted.

  In addition, since the content file transferred based on the first and second instructions in the information processing apparatus is stored in a predetermined folder different from other content files, it is immediately transferred by drag and drop or the like. It is possible to immediately instruct and play the content file that has been received.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a music playback device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, this apparatus includes a control unit 11 that controls each part of the apparatus and processes various information, a hard disk 12 that is accessed by the control unit 11, and a display unit 13 that displays various information under the control of the control unit 11. , An input unit 14 for a user to input an operation to the control unit 11, an audio output unit 15 that converts a sound signal from the control unit 11 into a sound wave, and a USB signal to other devices The USB interface 16 for performing transmission / reception is provided.

  The hard disk 12 stores music files and the like used for music reproduction. The control unit 11 performs a user interface function using the input unit 14 and the display unit 13, reproduction of music specified through the function, and the like while referring to data in the hard disk 12 according to a predetermined program.

  The music playback device of FIG. 1 is connected to an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and can receive a music file transfer from the information processing device. As a configuration diagram of this information processing apparatus, FIG. 1 can be used as it is. The connection between the two apparatuses is performed by a USB cable via the USB interface 16.

  The information processing apparatus includes a transfer unit that stores a music file in a hard disk and transfers a predetermined one of the stored music files to a connected music playback device. This transfer means is configured using a predetermined transfer program. The predetermined music file to be transferred corresponds to, for example, a music file specified by the user on the interface screen by the transfer program or a music file that needs to be transferred in order to synchronize with the music playback device. Hereinafter, the transfer performed in this way is also referred to as “non-direct transfer”.

  The information processing apparatus also accepts a first instruction by a predetermined operation for one of the stored music files and a second instruction by a predetermined operation for an icon associated with the transfer program that follows. A graphical user interface function is provided. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, a desired music file such as “Music 3” displayed in a window 21 displaying a list of music files in a predetermined folder is displayed by clicking the mouse 22 with a graphic 22. (First instruction), drag it as figure 23, and drop it on shortcut icon 25 of the transfer program as shown by figure 24 (second instruction) Thus, the first and second instructions can be performed. When the first and second instructions are given, the desired music file is immediately transferred to the music player by the transfer program. Hereinafter, the transfer performed based on the first and second instructions is also referred to as “direct transfer”.

  FIG. 3 shows the front of the music player. In the same figure, 31 is a screen of a liquid crystal display constituting the display unit 13, 32 is an operation key constituting the input unit 14, 33 is a menu key similarly constituting the input unit 14, and 34 is a voice output unit 15. Headphones. The operation key 32 includes five keys: a center key M located at the center, an upper key U located above, a lower key D located below, a right key R located on the right side, and a left key L located on the left side. . Each is composed of tact switches. In particular, the upper key U and the lower key D are each constituted by a tact switch that operates in two steps by lightly pressing lightly and pressing strongly. That is, the upper key U and the lower key D can perform two types of operation inputs by light pressing and strong pressing with one key, respectively.

  The menu key 33 can be used to display a menu screen on which selection items for setting various operation modes are arranged in the vertical direction. The up key U and the down key D can be used to select a selection item on various menu screens. When the up key U or the down key D is pressed, the playback device moves the cursor indicating the currently selected item upward or downward in the menu. At this time, if the number of selection items is large, the menu display is scrolled up and down as necessary. The speed of cursor movement and menu display scrolling by pressing the up key U or down key D is slow when lightly pressed and fast when strongly pressed. The right key R can be used to display a lower screen related to the currently selected item.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a method for sorting music recorded on the hard disk of the music playback device. Based on information such as album name, artist name, and genre name attached to the music file of each music, each music can be classified for each album as shown in FIG. Each album can be classified by artist, and each artist can be classified by genre. That is, it is possible to form a hierarchical structure in which genres, artists, albums, and songs are categories in each hierarchy. As the hierarchical structure, in addition to the example of FIG. 4, various forms that can be formed using information such as album names, artist names, and genre names attached to music files can be adopted. For example, a hierarchical structure consisting of only a music category including all songs as a category element, an artist category hierarchy including all artists as a category element, and a music category divided for each artist as a lower hierarchy You may employ | adopt the hierarchical structure which consists of a hierarchy of.

  FIG. 5 shows the home screen displayed on the screen 31. On this screen, category names such as “artist”, “album”, “genre”, etc. are displayed. By selecting one of the categories and pressing the right key R, starting from the category hierarchy, According to the hierarchical structure as shown in FIG. 4, it is possible to search for an element in a desired hierarchical category.

  For example, when the cursor is positioned on “Artist” on the home screen of FIG. 5 and the right key R is pressed in a state where “Artist” is selected, the music reproducing device, according to the example of FIG. An artist list screen with “Artist A”, “Artist B”... As selection items is displayed. In this screen, when “Artist B” is selected by the operation of the upper key U and the lower key D and the right key R is pressed, albums having “album b” and “album c” belonging to artist B as selection items are selected. Display the list screen. In this screen, when the album c is selected by the operation of the up key U and the down key D and the right key R is pressed, the music having “music 12”, “music 13”. Display the list screen. On this screen, one of the displayed music pieces can be selected by operating the up key U and the down key D.

  In addition, by selecting and selecting a selection element in a desired hierarchy category in this way, it is possible to designate a reproduction range and a reproduction start position. For example, when artist B is selected and the center key M is pressed, the music playback device plays back all the music of all albums belonging to artist B or the first album b belonging to artist B, depending on the setting. Playback starts from song 6.

  FIG. 6 shows a music list screen displayed on the screen 31 when the album c in the example of FIG. 4 is selected and the right key R is pressed, that is, a music selection menu screen. As shown in the figure, on the menu screen, an album name “album c” of album c and an album jacket image 51 associated therewith are displayed at the top of the screen 31. In the list display area 61 below this display, a list of songs as selection items is displayed. As a music list, in the same figure, the music names “music 12”, “music 13”... “Music 16” of music 12 to 16 and images 52 to 56 associated with the music names are attached to each music name. Is displayed.

  FIG. 6 shows a state in which the music piece 14 is selected. That is, it is a state when the cursor 63 located at the position of the music piece 12 in the initial state of the menu screen of the same figure is positioned at the position of the music piece 14 by lightly pressing the down key D. As described above, for the selected music piece, an accompanying image is enlarged and displayed, characters such as a music title are displayed in a bright color scheme, and information on performance time is additionally displayed. Note that after the lower key D is kept lightly pressed and the cursor 63 reaches the selection item immediately before the lowermost selection item in the list display area 61, the music list is scrolled downward, In the order of 17, music 18..., The display items as selection items appear and selections are made. Note that the position of the cursor 63 during scrolling is not limited to the item position immediately before the lower end item, and may be, for example, an intermediate position in the list display area 61.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a part of processing by the control unit of the information processing apparatus. In this process, in step 71, the control unit detects whether or not a drag-and-drop operation has been performed on the transfer program for a music file of a predetermined format as shown in FIG. The music file in a predetermined format means a music file in a format that can be played back by the music playback device. When it is detected that the operation has been performed, in step 72, information relating to the dragged music file is given to the transfer program, control is transferred to the transfer program, and the processing of FIG. If the transfer program is not activated, it is activated. However, unlike the case of activation by a normal method, the user interface screen is not displayed.

  When control is transferred to the transfer program, according to the transfer program, the control unit transfers the music file on which the drag-and-drop operation has been performed to the music playback device with a flag indicating direct transfer. However, if the music playback device is not connected, a message to that effect is displayed to prompt connection. Until the connection is detected, the transfer of the music file may be suspended, and the transfer may be started when the transfer is detected. During the transfer, a progressive bar indicating the progress of the transfer may be displayed. At the time of transfer, a process for registering the music file to be transferred to a folder managed by the transfer program and a process such as encryption are also performed as in the case of non-direct transfer.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing transfer acceptance processing by the control unit of the music reproducing device. In this process, in step 101, the control unit detects whether or not music data is transferred from the connected information processing apparatus. When the transfer of the music data is detected, the process proceeds to step 102 to determine whether or not the transferred music file is a direct transfer. If it is determined that it is based on direct transfer, in step 103, the transferred music folder is stored in a predetermined folder for storing the music file transferred by direct transfer. If it is determined that it is not direct transfer, it is stored in a corresponding location in each folder having a hierarchical structure as shown in FIG.

  The music files stored in the predetermined folder are provided with “direct transfer” as a selection item on the home screen as shown in FIG. 5, for example, and are displayed in a list immediately by selecting this. Can be played immediately.

  According to the present embodiment, there is a first instruction by a predetermined operation for a desired music file, and a second instruction by a predetermined operation for an icon or selection item associated with the transfer program that follows. Since the desired music file is transferred to the music playback device, when the music file to be transferred to the music playback device is in a situation as displayed on the list screen of the folder contents in front of you, Such a music file can be easily and quickly transferred to the music playback device simply by giving the first and second instructions.

  In addition, since a graphical user interface that accepts the first and second instructions by dragging and dropping the transfer program icon for any of the music files is adopted, the application interface of the OS is used. It is possible to easily accept the first and second instructions.

  In addition, music files transferred by direct transfer are stored in a predetermined folder that is different from music files transferred by non-direct transfer, so the music file transferred by direct transfer is instructed immediately. Can be played.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified and implemented. For example, in the above description, a hard disk is used to store music files and related graphics, but a semiconductor memory may be used instead.

  Although not particularly mentioned in the above, for the direct transfer, the setting of whether to convert the music file into a predetermined file format or to overwrite if there is a music file with the same name exists. Can be activated on the interface screen of the program.

  In the above description, the case where the music content is targeted has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to video content.

  In the above description, it is assumed that the user interface screen by the transfer program is not displayed in direct transfer, but instead, a simplified interface screen may be displayed.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the portable music reproduction apparatus and information processing apparatus which concern on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the drag and drop operation by the graphical user interface function in the information processing apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the front surface of the music reproduction apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the method of classifying the music recorded on the hard disk of the apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the home screen in the apparatus of FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a music selection menu screen displayed when album c in the example of FIG. 4 is selected and the right key R is pressed. It is a flowchart which shows a part of process by the control part of the information processing apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the transfer acceptance process by the control part of the music reproduction apparatus of FIG. .

Explanation of symbols

  11: control unit, 12: hard disk, 13: display unit, 14: input unit, 15: audio output unit, 16: USB interface, 21: window, 22-24: figure, 25: shortcut icon, 31: screen, 32 : Operation key, 33: Menu key, 34: Headphone, M: Center key, R: Right key, L: Left key, U: Up key, D: Down key, 51-56: Image, 61: List display area, 63: Cursor.

Claims (7)

An information processing apparatus comprising storage means for storing a content file and functioning by a predetermined program as transfer means for transferring a predetermined one of the content files stored in the storage means to a connected content reproduction apparatus Because
A first instruction by a predetermined operation for a desired content file stored in the storage means, and a second instruction by a predetermined operation for an icon or a selection item associated with the program following the first instruction; An information processing apparatus comprising a graphical user interface, wherein the transfer means transfers the desired content file to the content reproduction device when the first and second instructions are given.   The said graphical user interface accepts the said 1st and 2nd instruction | indication by drag and drop operation with respect to the icon of the said program about the said desired content file, The said 1st and 2nd instruction | indication is characterized by the above-mentioned. Information processing device. Graphical for accepting a first instruction by a predetermined operation for a desired content file stored in a storage device and a second instruction by a predetermined operation for an icon or selection item associated with the program, Receiving means for receiving a content file transferred from an information processing apparatus having a user interface;
Storage means for storing the content file received by the receiving means;
Reproduction means for reproducing an instructed content file stored in the storage means;
Storage means for storing content files transferred based on the first and second instructions in the information processing apparatus in a predetermined folder different from other content files in the storage means;
A content reproduction apparatus comprising: an instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction of a content file to be reproduced by the reproduction unit among the content files in the predetermined folder. A first program that causes a computer to function as a transfer unit that transfers a predetermined content file stored in the storage unit to a connected content playback apparatus, and a desired file stored in the storage unit Functioning the computer as a graphical user interface for accepting a first instruction by a predetermined operation for a content file and a second instruction by a predetermined operation for an icon or selection item associated with the first program following the content file A second program to be executed,
The content transfer program, wherein when the first and second instructions are given, the transfer means transfers the desired content file to the content reproduction apparatus. Computer
Graphical for accepting a first instruction by a predetermined operation for a desired content file stored in a storage device and a second instruction by a predetermined operation for an icon or selection item associated with the program, Receiving means for receiving a content file transferred from an information processing apparatus having a user interface;
Storage means for storing the content file received by the receiving means;
Reproducing means for reproducing the instructed content file stored in the storage means;
For the content file transferred based on the first and second instructions in the information processing apparatus, the storage means stores in a predetermined folder different from other content files, and in the folder A content reproduction program that functions as an instruction accepting unit that accepts an instruction of a content file to be reproduced by the reproduction unit. A storage step for storing content files;
According to a predetermined program, a transfer step of transferring a predetermined content file stored in the storage means to a connected content reproduction device;
A first instruction by a predetermined operation for a desired content file stored in the storing step and a second operation by a predetermined operation for an icon or selection item associated with the program by a predetermined graphical user interface. An instruction acceptance process for accepting
A content transfer method comprising: a transfer step of transferring the desired content file to the content reproduction device in response to acceptance of the first and second instructions in the instruction acceptance step. . Graphical for accepting a first instruction by a predetermined operation for a desired content file stored in a storage device and a second instruction by a predetermined operation for an icon or selection item associated with the program, A receiving step of receiving a content file transferred from an information processing apparatus having a user interface;
A storage step of storing the content file received in the reception step in a storage device;
A reproduction step of reproducing the instructed content file stored in the storage device;
A storage step of storing content files transferred based on the first and second instructions in the information processing device in a predetermined folder different from other content files in the storage device;
A content reproduction method comprising: an instruction accepting step for accepting an instruction of a content file to be reproduced among the content files in the folder.

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