JP2009032379A - Digital content reproduction apparatus and semiconductor integrated circuit - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention reserves switching of a playlist.
A playlist playback unit 101 plays back content based on a set playlist. The playlist reservation information storage unit 103 stores playlist reservation information indicating a switching destination playlist and a playlist switching condition (switching content). The content identification unit 104 identifies the content currently being played by the playlist playback unit 101. The playlist switching determination unit 105 monitors whether the reproduction of the content is completed in the playlist reproduction unit 101 while referring to the identification result by the content identification unit 102. When the playlist switching determination unit 105 detects that the playback of the switching content indicated in the playlist reservation information has been completed, the playlist switching processing unit 107 switches the playlist currently set in the playlist playback unit 101. Switch to the first playlist.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology for playing back content based on a playlist, and more particularly to playlist switching control.

  In recent years, in the digital content playback apparatus, the storage media have been diversified and the capacity has been increased, and a huge number of contents can be stored in the storage medium. Therefore, a method of managing a large number of contents by a plurality of playlists has been taken. The content refers to data to be reproduced such as sound, moving image, still image, and the playlist refers to information for managing the reproduction order of the content. Conventionally, the following two methods are mainly used in devices that control content reproduction using a plurality of playlists.

  (1) When another playlist is selected while content is being played back based on a certain playlist, the playlist is switched by immediately reflecting the selection result.

  (2) An editable playlist is provided, and the playlist is switched by combining the contents of the newly selected playlist with the editable playlist.

  However, in the method (1), since the selection result is immediately reflected even when the content of the playlist is being reproduced, the reproduction of the content is interrupted. In the method (2), the reproduction of the content is not interrupted. However, in order to make only the content of the selected playlist, it is necessary to edit the playlist again.

Also, in the field of DVD data reproduction, regarding a method for processing an event during reproduction of a playlist, it is executed when an event occurs in the playlist that manages the reproduction data and when the event occurs. There has been proposed a method for expressing various effects during data reproduction by describing parameters for processing to be performed (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-353212 A

  However, in the conventional digital content playback apparatus, if an operation for selecting a playlist is performed during content playback, the selection result is immediately reflected and the playlist is switched. There was a problem that it was not possible.

  A digital content playback apparatus according to the present invention plays back content using a plurality of playlists, and any one of the plurality of playlists is set, and playback is performed based on the playlists. Storing playlist receiving information indicating a switching destination playlist that is a playlist to be newly set for the playback unit and a playlist switching condition that is a condition for switching the playlist. A monitoring unit that monitors the playback state of the content by the playback unit, and whether the playback state monitored by the monitoring unit satisfies the playlist switching condition indicated in the playlist reservation information, If it is determined that the play list switching condition is satisfied, the play set currently set in the playback unit is performed. And a switching unit for switching the strike indicated switching destination playlist to the playlist opinions.

  In the digital content reproduction apparatus, switching of the playlist can be suspended until the playlist switching condition is satisfied. In this way, it is possible to reserve switching of playlists.

  As described above, switching of playlists can be reserved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a digital content playback apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The digital content playback device 10 plays back the content stored in the data storage device 100 in accordance with the playlist stored in the data storage device 100. The play list shows the content to be reproduced and the reproduction order thereof. In the digital content playback apparatus 10, a playlist to be newly set (switch destination playlist) and conditions for switching from the playlist currently set in the playlist playback unit 101 to the switch destination playlist ( Play list switching condition) is designated by a user operation. Here, content (switching content) that is a boundary for switching from the current playlist to the switching destination playlist is specified as the playlist switching condition.

  The digital content playback apparatus 10 includes a playlist playback unit 101, a playlist reservation information input unit 102, a playlist reservation information storage unit 103, a content identification unit 104, a playlist switching determination unit 105, and playlist switching control. Unit 106 and a playlist switching processing unit 107.

  The playlist playback unit 101 is set with any one of a plurality of playlists stored in the data storage device 100, and plays back the content stored in the data storage device 100 based on the set playlist.

  The playlist reservation information input unit 102 inputs information indicating a switching destination playlist specified by a user operation and information indicating a playlist switching condition (in this case, switching content), and sets the input information as a set. And stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103 as playlist reservation information.

  The content identification unit 104 identifies the content currently being played by the playlist playback unit 101 and notifies the playlist switching determination unit 105 of the identification result.

  The playlist switching determination unit 105 receives the identification result from the content identification unit 104 and monitors whether the reproduction of the content is completed in the playlist reproduction unit 101. Further, when the playlist switching determination unit 105 detects that the reproduction of the content is completed in the playlist reproduction unit 101, the reproduction completed content is indicated in the playlist reservation information stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103. It is determined whether or not the content matches, and if it matches, the playlist switching control unit 106 is notified of the switching request. In other words, when the playlist switching determination unit 105 detects that the reproduction of the content indicated in the playlist reservation information has been completed, the playlist switching determination unit 105 notifies the switching request.

  When the playlist switching control unit 106 receives a switching request from the playlist switching determination unit 105, the playlist switching control unit 106 notifies the playlist switching processing unit 107 of a switching instruction. Also, the playlist switching control unit 106 causes the playlist reproduction unit 101 to stop reproducing the content.

  When a switching instruction is notified from the playlist switching control unit 106, the playlist switching processing unit 107 displays the playlist currently set in the playlist reproducing unit 101 in the playlist stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103. Switch to the switching destination playlist indicated in the reservation information.

  In addition, when the playlist switching processing unit 107 completes the playlist switching, the playlist switching control unit 106 causes the playlist reproducing unit 101 to start reproducing the content.

  Next, the operation of the digital content reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, a switching destination playlist is specified by a user operation (step ST101), and a content (switching content) serving as a boundary for switching from the current playlist to the switching destination playlist is specified (step ST102). As a result, playlist reservation information indicating the switching destination playlist and the switching content is stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103. Note that step ST102 may be executed prior to step ST101.

  Next, when the reproduction of the switching content indicated in the playlist reservation information (the content specified in step ST102) is completed, the playlist switching determination unit 105 notifies the playlist switching control unit 106 of a switching request (step). ST103). Next, the playlist switching control unit 106 causes the playlist reproducing unit 101 to stop reproducing the content (step ST104), and the playlist switching processing unit 107 executes playlist switching (step ST105). Next, when the playlist switching is completed, the playlist switching control unit 106 causes the playlist reproducing unit 101 to start reproducing the content (step ST106). Thereby, the playlist reproduction unit 101 starts to reproduce the content based on the newly set playlist.

  As described above, switching of the playlist can be suspended until the reproduction of the designated content is completed. In this way, playlist switching can be reserved without immediately stopping the playback of the content.

  For video content, in combination with scene information, chapter information, etc. in video content, the end of the scene or chapter is detected, and playback is reserved to switch to the next content, scene, or chapter. It can also be realized in various forms.

  Further, in the image content, the playlist reproducing unit 101 is realized as a block that displays images included in the playlist in a slide show according to the given playlist. The timing of image switching may be either when there is a switching instruction from the user or when a predetermined time has elapsed.

(Modification 1 of Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIG. 3, the digital content playback apparatus 10 may include a playback content number counting unit 114 instead of the content identification unit 104 shown in FIG. 1. Here, the number of contents to be reproduced (the number of reproduced contents) before switching from the current playlist to the switching destination playlist is specified as the playlist switching condition.

  The playlist reservation information input unit 102 stores the information indicating the switching destination playlist specified by the user operation and the information indicating the number of playback contents as a set in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103 as playlist reservation information.

  The reproduction content count unit 114 counts the number of content items that have been reproduced from the time when the playlist reservation information is stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103 to the present time. Notify

  The playlist switching determination unit 105 determines whether or not the number of contents counted by the reproduction content number counting unit 114 has reached the number of reproduction contents indicated in the playlist reservation information stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103. When it is determined that the content has been reached, the playlist switching control unit 106 is notified of the switching instruction when the playback of the currently played content is completed.

  Next, the operation of the digital content playback apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, steps ST112 and ST113 are executed instead of steps ST102 and ST103 shown in FIG.

  First, a switching destination playlist is specified by a user operation (ST101), and the number of contents to be played (number of playback contents) before switching from the current playlist to the switching destination playlist is specified (step ST112). . As a result, playlist reservation information indicating the switching destination playlist and the number of playback contents is stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103. Note that step ST112 may be executed prior to step ST101.

  Next, the number of contents reproduced by the playlist reproduction unit 101 from the time when the playlist reservation information is stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103 to the present time is the number of reproduced contents indicated in the playlist reservation information. When reaching, playlist switching determination section 105 notifies playlist switching control section 106 of a switching request (step ST113). Next, the processes of steps ST104, ST105, ST106 are executed.

  As described above, switching of playlists can be suspended until a preset number of contents are reproduced. In this way, it is possible to reserve switching of playlists.

(Modification 2 of Embodiment 1)
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the digital content playback apparatus 10 may include a playback time management unit 124 instead of the content identification unit 104 shown in FIG. Here, time (reproduction time) until switching from the current playlist to the switching destination playlist is specified as the playlist switching condition.

  The playlist reservation information input unit 102 stores the information indicating the switching destination playlist specified by the user operation and the information indicating the reproduction time as a set in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103 as playlist reservation information.

  The reproduction time management unit 124 measures the elapsed time from when the playlist reservation information is stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103 to the present, and notifies the playlist switching determination unit 105 of the time measurement result.

  The playlist switching determination unit 105 determines whether or not the elapsed time counted by the reproduction time management unit 124 has reached the reproduction time indicated in the playlist reservation information stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103. If it is determined that it has reached, the playlist switching control unit 106 is notified of the switching request.

  Next, the operation of the digital content playback apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, steps ST122 and ST123 are executed instead of steps ST102 and ST103 shown in FIG.

  First, a switching destination playlist is specified by a user operation (step ST101), and a time (reproduction time) until switching from the current playlist to the switching destination playlist is specified (step ST122). Thereby, playlist reservation information indicating the switching destination playlist and the reproduction time is stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103. Note that step ST122 may be executed prior to step ST101.

  Next, when the elapsed time from when the playlist reservation information is stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103 to the playback time indicated in the playlist reservation information reaches the playlist switching determination unit 105, the playlist switching determination unit 105 The switching control unit 106 is notified of a switching request (step ST123). Next, the processes of steps ST104, ST105, ST106 are executed.

  As described above, playlist switching can be suspended until a predetermined playback time has elapsed. In this way, it is possible to reserve switching of playlists.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the digital content playback apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The digital content playback device 20 includes a playlist switching notification unit 201 in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. The playlist switching notification unit 201 receives the identification result from the content identification unit 104 and grasps the content currently being reproduced. In addition, when the content being currently reproduced is the content indicated by the playlist reservation information stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103, the playlist switching notification unit 201 reproduces the currently reproduced content. Notify the outside (user) that the playlist will be switched when completed.

  Next, the operation of the digital content reproduction device 20 shown in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, steps ST201 and ST202 are executed in addition to the processing shown in FIG.

  First, a switching destination playlist and playlist switching conditions are specified by a user operation (steps ST101 and ST102). Next, based on the identification result by the content identification unit 104, the playlist switching notification unit 201 switches the switching content indicated in the playlist reservation information stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103 (specified in step ST102). Content) is currently being reproduced by the playlist reproduction unit 101 (step ST201), and when the switching content is currently reproduced, the playlist is switched at the end of reproduction of the currently reproduced content. Notify the outside (user) (step ST202). Next, the processes of steps ST103 to ST106 are executed.

  As described above, not only can the switching of the playlist be reserved, but also the user can be notified that the content is to be switched.

  Note that the playlist switching notification unit 201 can also be applied to the digital content reproduction device 10 shown in FIG. In this case, the playlist switching notification unit 201 subtracts the content number counted by the reproduction content number counting unit 114 from the reproduction content number indicated in the playlist reservation information stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103. Is notified to the outside (user) as the number of remaining contents. By configuring in this way, it is possible to notify the user of the number of remaining contents until the playlist is switched.

  The playlist switching notification unit 201 can also be applied to the digital content playback device 10 shown in FIG. In this case, the playlist switching notification unit 201 receives the time measurement result from the playback time management unit 124 to grasp the elapsed time, and from the playback time indicated in the playlist reservation information stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103. The result of subtracting the elapsed time is notified to the outside (user) as the remaining time. By configuring in this way, it is possible to notify the user of the remaining time until the playlist is switched.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 9 shows a configuration of a digital content playback apparatus 30 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The digital content playback device 30 has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 1, but here, the content (playback) that is played back first after switching the playlist among the content shown in the switching destination playlist by a user operation. The start content) is further specified.

  The playlist reservation information input unit 102 includes a playlist reservation information storage unit as playlist reservation information by combining information indicating each of the switching destination playlist specified by the user operation, the playlist switching condition, and the reproduction start content. 103.

  The playlist switching control unit 106 starts playback from the playback start content indicated in the playlist reservation information stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103 after the playlist switching by the playlist switching processing unit 107 is completed. Thus, the playlist reproduction unit 101 is controlled.

  Next, the operation of the digital content reproduction device 30 shown in FIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, steps ST301 and ST302 are executed in addition to the processing shown in FIG.

  First, a switching destination playlist is specified by a user operation (step ST101), and content (reproduction start content) to be reproduced first after switching the playlist is specified from the contents indicated in the switching destination playlist ( Step ST301), playlist switching conditions are specified (step ST102). As a result, the playlist reservation information indicating the switching destination playlist, the playlist switching condition, and the reproduction start content is stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103. Note that the execution order of steps ST101, ST301, and ST102 is not limited to this, and step ST102 may be executed prior to step ST101.

  Next, processing by steps ST103, ST104, and ST105 is executed, and playlist switching processing unit 107 performs playlist switching. Next, the playlist switching control unit 106 controls the playlist playback unit 101 so that playback starts from the playback start content (content specified in step ST301) indicated in the playlist reservation information (step ST301). ST302). Next, the playlist reproduction unit 101 reproduces the contents shown in the newly set playlist in order from the reproduction start content (step ST106).

  As described above, not only can the switching of the playlist be reserved, but also the reproduction start content of the switching destination playlist can be designated.

  In addition to the reproduction start content, content for which reproduction is to be ended (reproduction end content) among the contents indicated in the switching destination playlist may be designated. In this case, the playlist reservation information storage unit 103 stores playlist reservation information indicating the reproduction end content in addition to the switching destination playlist, the playlist switching condition, and the reproduction start content. Also, the playlist switching control unit 106 identifies the content currently being played back, and when the currently played content is the playback end content indicated in the playlist reservation information, the currently played content is played back. When completed, the playlist playback unit 101 stops the playback of the content. With this configuration, it is possible to specify the playback end content of the switching destination playlist. In addition, the playback range of the switching destination playlist can be specified by specifying the playback start content and the playback end content.

  In addition, the digital content playback apparatus shown in each of FIGS. 3, 5, and 7 can be configured such that the playback start content and the playback end content are designated by a user operation.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 11 shows the configuration of a digital content playback apparatus 40 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The digital content playback apparatus 40 has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 1, but here, the playback effect to be executed when the content is played back based on the switching destination playlist is further specified by the user operation. Is done. The reproduction effect includes effects such as bass emphasis, stereo / monaural, surround, etc. for music reproduction, and contrast adjustment, saturation adjustment, filter effect, etc. for moving image / still image reproduction.

  The playlist reservation information input unit 102 includes a playlist reservation information storage unit as playlist reservation information by combining information indicating each of the switching destination playlist specified by the user operation, the playlist switching condition, and the reproduction effect. 103.

  The playlist switching control unit 106 performs the reproduction effect shown in the playlist reservation information stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103 after the playlist switching by the playlist switching processing unit 107 is completed. The playlist reproduction unit 101 is controlled.

  Next, the operation of the digital content reproduction device 40 shown in FIG. 11 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, in addition to the processing shown in FIG. 2, steps ST401 and ST402 are executed.

  First, a switching destination playlist is designated by a user operation (step ST101), a reproduction effect when reproducing the switching destination playlist is designated (step ST401), and a playlist switching condition is designated (step ST102). . As a result, the playlist reservation information indicating the switching destination playlist, the playlist switching condition, and the reproduction effect is stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103. Note that the execution order of steps ST101, ST401, and ST102 is not limited to this, and step ST102 may be executed prior to step ST101.

  Next, processing by steps ST103, ST104, and ST105 is executed, and playlist switching processing unit 107 performs playlist switching. Next, playlist switching control section 106 controls playlist playback section 101 so that the playback effect (playback effect specified by the user operation) indicated in the playlist reservation information is performed (step ST402). ). Next, the playlist playback unit 101 starts playback of the content based on the newly set playlist, and executes the playback effect specified by the user operation (step ST106).

  As described above, it is possible not only to reserve switching of playlists, but also to specify the playback effect of the switching destination playlist.

  Note that the digital content playback apparatus shown in each of FIGS. 3, 5, 7, and 9 may be configured such that the playback effect is designated by a user operation.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 13 shows the configuration of a digital content playback apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. The digital content playback device 50 includes a playlist reservation information management unit 501 and a display playlist creation unit 502 in addition to the configuration shown in FIG.

  The playlist reservation information management unit 501 manages the storage state of the playlist reservation information in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103 so as to be linked in the order in which a plurality of playlist reservation information is stored.

  The display playlist creation unit 502 grasps the playlist reservation information stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103 and the linkage order of the playlist reservation information based on the management result by the playlist reservation information management unit 501, A display play list indicating contents scheduled to be played after the present is created.

  Next, processing for storing playlist reservation information in the digital content playback device 50 shown in FIG. 13 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, a switching destination playlist is designated by a user operation (step ST501). Next, display playlist creation section 502 creates a display playlist that indicates content that is scheduled to be played back after the present, based on the management result by playlist reservation information management section 501 (step ST502). Thus, by providing the display playlist to the outside (user), the user can refer to the display playlist and use the content (switching content) as a boundary for switching from the current playlist to the switching destination playlist. ) Can be specified. Next, a playlist switching condition (here, switching content) is designated by a user operation (step ST503). Thereby, new playlist reservation information is stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103.

  Next, playlist reservation information management section 501 determines whether or not another playlist reservation information is already stored in playlist reservation information storage section 103 (step ST504). When another playlist reservation information is already stored, the playlist reservation information management unit 501 newly stores the playlist reservation newly stored in the playlist reservation information at the end of the already stored playlist reservation information. Information is linked (step ST505). On the other hand, when the playlist reservation information is not yet stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103, the playlist reservation information management unit 501 does not operate the storage status of the playlist reservation information newly stored this time ( Step ST506). In this way, as shown in FIG. 15, the plurality of playlist reservation information are stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103 in a state of being linked in the storage order.

  Next, processing for switching playlists in the digital content playback device 50 shown in FIG. 13 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The playlist switching determination unit 105 refers to the first playlist reservation information among the playlist reservation information stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103, and plays back the content indicated in the first playlist reservation information. When the completion is detected, the playlist switching control unit 106 is notified of a switching request (step ST511). Next, playlist switching control section 106 causes playlist reproduction section 101 to stop reproducing the content (step ST512). Next, the playlist switching processing unit 107 refers to the first playlist reservation information among the playlist reservation information stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103, and plays that are currently set in the playlist playback unit 101. The list is switched to the switching destination playlist indicated in the first playlist reservation information (step ST513). Next, playlist switching control section 106 causes playlist playback section 101 to start playback of content (step ST514).

  As described above, by managing playlist reservation information as a linked list, playlist switching can be reserved continuously, and playlist switching can be performed continuously.

  Note that the playlist reservation information management unit 501 and the display playlist creation unit 502 are also applicable to the digital content playback apparatuses shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11.

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 17 shows the configuration of a digital content playback apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. The digital content playback device 60 includes a playlist reservation information deletion unit 601 in addition to the configuration shown in FIG.

  The playlist reservation information deleting unit 601 deletes the playlist reservation information designated by the user operation from the playlist reservation information storage unit 103 and updates the storage state of the playlist reservation information.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 18, the playlist deletion process by the digital content reproduction device 60 shown in FIG. 17 will be described.

  First, the display playlist creation unit 502 creates a reservation information list indicating the playlist reservation information stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103 based on the management result by the playlist reservation information management unit 501, (Step ST601). Next, play list reservation information to be deleted from the reservation information list is designated by a user operation (step ST602). Next, the playlist reservation information deletion unit 601 refers to the management result by the playlist reservation information management unit 501, and is another playlist information linked to the end of the playlist reservation information designated by the user operation? It is determined whether or not (step ST603). When other playlist reservation information is linked, the playlist reservation information deletion unit 601 acquires the playlist switching condition from the playlist information (playback reservation information scheduled to be deleted) designated by the user operation. (Step ST604) The playlist switching condition of another playlist reservation information linked to the end of the playlist reservation information scheduled to be deleted is rewritten to the playlist switching condition of the playlist reservation information scheduled to be deleted (step ST605). Next, the playlist reservation information deleting unit 601 deletes the playlist reservation information to be deleted, and the playlist reservation information managing unit 501 updates the connection relationship of the playlist reservation information (step ST606).

  In this way, as shown in FIG. 19, the designated playlist reservation information is deleted, and another playlist reservation information linked to the end of the deleted playlist reservation information is updated. As described above, already reserved playlist reservation information can be deleted.

(Embodiment 7)
FIG. 20 shows the configuration of a digital content playback apparatus according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. The digital content playback device 70 includes a content error detection unit 701 in addition to the configuration shown in FIG.

  The content error detection unit 701 detects an error that occurs in the playlist playback unit 101, and plays the playlist when the number of errors that occurred while the playlist playback unit 101 is playing back one content exceeds a predetermined number of times. The unit 101 determines that it is in a reproduction error state, and notifies the playlist switching determination unit 105 of a reproduction stop request.

  Upon receiving a playback stop request from the content error detection unit 701, the playlist switching determination unit 105 forcibly stops playback of the content by the playlist playback unit 101.

  Next, an error detection process in the digital content playback device 70 shown in FIG. 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, when the number of times of error detection exceeds a predetermined number for the content currently being played back, the content error detection unit 701 notifies a playback stop request (step ST701). When the play list switching determination unit 105 is notified of the reproduction stop request, the play list reproduction unit 101 forcibly stops the reproduction of the content (step ST702).

  Next, the playlist switching determination unit 105 determines whether the content whose reproduction has been stopped matches the content (switching content) indicated in the playlist reservation information based on the identification result by the content identification unit 104 ( Step ST703).

  When the playback stopped content matches the switching content (that is, when the playlist switching condition is satisfied), the playlist switching determination unit 105 notifies the playlist switching control unit 106 of the switching request, and plays The list switching control unit 106 notifies the playlist switching processing unit 107 of a switching instruction. Thereby, the playlist switching processing unit 107 performs playlist switching (step ST105). When the playlist switching is completed, the playlist switching control unit 106 causes the playlist reproducing unit 101 to start reproducing the content. Thereby, the playlist reproduction unit 101 starts to reproduce the content based on the newly set playlist (step ST106).

  On the other hand, when the content whose reproduction has been stopped does not match the switching content (that is, when the playlist switching condition is not satisfied), the playlist switching determination unit 105 performs the playlist reproduction unit based on the current playlist. 101 causes the next content to be played back (step ST704).

  As described above, if an error occurs during content playback, playback of the current content is interrupted, and control is performed so that playback is switched to the next content in the playlist or a reserved playlist. can do.

  Note that the content error detection unit 701 can also be applied to the digital content playback apparatuses shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 17.

(Embodiment 8)
FIG. 22 shows the configuration of a digital content playback apparatus according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention. The digital content reproduction device 80 includes a playlist search unit 801 instead of the content identification unit 104 shown in FIG. Further, here, the condition of the content information to be reproduced (reproduction permission condition) is designated as the playlist switching condition. For example, the reproduction permission condition regarding the genre information includes a condition that only content classified as sports in a moving image is reproduced, and a condition that only content classified as pops in music is reproduced. Note that the reproduction permission condition is not limited to genre information, and may be set by artist information, date information, or the like.

  The content search unit 801 searches the currently set playlist for unplayed content that satisfies the playback permission condition indicated in the playlist reservation information stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103.

  The playlist switching determination unit 105 receives the search result from the content search unit 801. The playlist switching determination unit 105 causes the playlist reproduction unit 101 to reproduce the content found by the content search unit 801 next to the content currently being reproduced. Also, the playlist switching determination unit 105, when there is no unplayed content that satisfies the playback permission condition in the current playlist (that is, the content search unit 801 could not find unplayed content that satisfies the playback permission condition). In the case), the playlist switching control unit 106 is notified of the switching request.

  Next, processing for switching playlists in the digital content playback device 80 shown in FIG. 22 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, a switching destination playlist is designated by a user operation (step ST101), and a reproduction permission condition is designated (step ST802). Thereby, playlist reservation information indicating the switching destination playlist and the reproduction permission condition is stored in the playlist reservation information storage unit 103. Note that step ST802 may be executed prior to step ST101.

  Next, the content search unit 801 searches the current playlist for unplayed content that satisfies the playback permission condition indicated in the playlist reservation information (step ST803). When the unplayed content that satisfies the playback permission condition is not found, the playlist switching determination unit 105 notifies the playlist switching control unit 106 of a switching request. Thereby, playlist switching control section 106 causes playlist reproduction section 101 to stop reproducing the content (step ST104). Next, the playlist switching processing unit 107 executes playlist switching (step ST105). When the playlist switching is completed, the playlist switching control unit 106 causes the playlist reproducing unit 101 to start reproducing the content (step ST106). Thereby, the playlist reproduction unit 101 starts to reproduce the content based on the newly set playlist.

  As described above, after setting the playlist reservation information, it is possible to switch the playlist after reproducing only the content satisfying the specific condition.

  It should be noted that control may be performed so that content satisfying the reproduction permission condition is reproduced even after switching the playlist.

  In the above embodiment, the playlist reproduction unit 101, the playlist reservation information input unit 102, the content identification unit 104, the reproduction content number counting unit 114, the reproduction time management unit 124, the playlist switching determination unit 105, and the playlist switching control unit. 106, playlist switching processing unit 107, playlist switching notification unit 201, playlist reservation information management unit 501, display playlist creation unit 502, playlist reservation information deletion unit 601, content error detection unit 701, and content search unit Each of 801 can be typically realized by an MPU, a memory, or the like. Each processing procedure is usually realized by software, and the software is recorded in a recording medium such as a ROM. Further, such software may be distributed by software download or the like, or may be recorded and distributed on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM. It may be realized by hardware (dedicated circuit). Further, the playlist reservation information storage unit 103 can be usually realized by a memory or the like.

  Further, the display playlist creation unit 502 may be considered to include a display device or not. The display playlist creation unit 502 can be realized by display device driver software or display device driver software and a display device.

  The operation of the digital content playback apparatus according to each of the above embodiments may be interrupted by turning off the power or interrupting the end of processing.

  Further, the processing described in each embodiment may be realized by centralized processing using a single device (system), or may be realized by distributed processing using a plurality of devices. . Further, the computer that executes the program may be singular or plural. That is, centralized processing may be performed, or distributed processing may be performed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible, and it goes without saying that these are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, the digital content playback apparatus according to the present invention has an effect of realizing playlist reservation playback by storing playlist reservation information and switching the playlist at a timing specified in advance. It is useful as a device that reproduces voice, music, and still images.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital content reproduction apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation by the digital content reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. The block diagram which shows the modification of the digital content reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation by the digital content reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. 3. FIG. The block diagram which shows another modification of the digital content reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation by the digital content reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the digital content reproduction apparatus by Embodiment 2 of this invention. The flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement by the digital content reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the digital content reproduction apparatus by Embodiment 3 of this invention. The flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement by the digital content reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the digital content reproduction apparatus by Embodiment 4 of this invention. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an operation by the digital content reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the digital content reproduction apparatus by Embodiment 5 of this invention. 14 is a flowchart for explaining an operation by the digital content reproduction device shown in FIG. 13. The figure which shows a mode that play list reservation information is connected. The flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement by the digital content reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the digital content reproduction apparatus by Embodiment 6 of this invention. FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the digital content reproduction device shown in FIG. 17. The figure which shows a mode that play list reservation information is deleted. The block diagram which shows the structure of the digital content reproduction apparatus by Embodiment 7 of this invention. The flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement by the digital content reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the digital content reproduction apparatus by Embodiment 8 of this invention. 23 is a flowchart for explaining an operation by the digital content reproduction device shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 Digital content playback device 100 Data storage device 101 Playlist playback unit 102 Playlist reservation information input unit 103 Playlist reservation information storage unit 104 Content identification unit 105 Playlist switching determination unit 106 Play List switching control unit 107 Playlist switching processing unit 114 Playback content number counting unit 124 Playback time management unit 201 Playlist switching notification unit 501 Playlist reservation information management unit 502 Display playlist creation unit 601 Playlist reservation information deletion unit 701 Content Error detection unit 801 Content search unit

Claims (19)

An apparatus for playing back content using a plurality of playlists,
Any one of the plurality of playlists is set, and a playback unit that plays back content based on the playlists;
A storage unit that receives and stores playlist reservation information indicating a switching destination playlist that is a playlist to be newly set for the playback unit and a playlist switching condition that is a condition for switching the playlist;
A monitoring unit for monitoring the playback state of the content by the playback unit;
It is determined whether or not the playback state monitored by the monitoring unit satisfies the playlist switching condition indicated in the playlist reservation information, and if it is determined that the playlist switching condition is satisfied, the playback unit A digital content reproduction apparatus comprising: a switching unit that switches a currently set playlist to a switching destination playlist indicated in the playlist reservation information. In claim 1,
In the playlist reservation information, as the playlist switching condition, content serving as a boundary for switching from the current playlist to the switching destination playlist is shown,
The monitoring unit identifies the content currently being played by the playback unit;
The switching unit detects completion of reproduction of the content by the reproduction unit while referring to the identification result by the monitoring unit, and detects that the reproduction of the content indicated in the playlist reservation information is completed, A digital content reproduction apparatus characterized by executing switching. In claim 1,
The playlist reservation information includes, as the playlist switching condition, the number of contents to be played back by the playback unit from when the playlist reservation information is given to the storage unit until playlist switching is performed. Is shown,
The monitoring unit counts the number of contents played back by the playback unit from the time when the playlist reservation information is given to the storage unit to the present,
When the switching unit detects that the number of contents counted by the monitoring unit has reached the number of contents indicated in the playlist reservation information, the switching unit executes playlist switching. . In claim 1,
In the playlist reservation information, as the playlist switching condition, a playback time from when the playlist reservation information is given to the storage unit to when the playlist switching is performed is shown,
The monitoring unit measures an elapsed time from when the playlist reservation information is given to the storage unit to the present time,
When the determination unit detects that the elapsed time counted by the monitoring unit has reached the reproduction time indicated in the playlist reservation information, the digital content reproduction device performs playlist switching . In claim 2,
When it is detected that the content identified by the monitoring unit is the content indicated in the playlist reservation information, a notification that the playlist switching is executed when the reproduction of the currently reproduced content is completed. A digital content reproduction apparatus, further comprising a notification unit. In claim 3,
A notification unit for notifying the number of remaining contents until the playlist is switched based on the number of reproduced contents indicated in the playlist reservation information and the number of contents counted by the monitoring unit; A digital content reproducing apparatus characterized by the above. In claim 4,
And a notification unit for notifying a remaining time until the playlist switching is performed based on the reproduction time indicated in the playlist reservation information and the elapsed time measured by the monitoring unit. Digital content playback device. In any one of Claims 1-7,
In the playlist reservation information, content (reproduction start content) for starting reproduction of the content indicated in the switching destination playlist is indicated,
The switching unit further controls the playback unit such that playback is started from the playback start content indicated in the playlist reservation information after switching from the current playlist to the switching destination playlist. A digital content reproducing apparatus characterized by the above. In any one of Claims 1-8,
In the playlist reservation information, content that is to be played back (playback end content) among the content shown in the switching destination playlist is indicated,
The switching unit further causes the playback unit to stop playing the content when the playback of the playback end content indicated in the playlist reservation information is completed after switching from the current playlist to the switching destination playlist. A digital content reproduction apparatus characterized by the above. In any one of Claims 1-9,
In the playlist reservation information, an effect at the time of reproduction to be executed when content is reproduced based on the switching destination playlist is shown,
The switching unit further controls the playback unit so that the playback effect shown in the playlist reservation information is executed after switching from the current playlist to the switching destination playlist. Digital content playback device. In any one of Claims 1-10,
The digital content playback apparatus further comprising a management unit that operates a storage state of the playlist reservation information in the storage unit so that the playlist reservation information is linked in the storage order. In claim 11,
A digital content playback apparatus, further comprising: a list creation unit that creates a list indicating content scheduled to be played back from now on, based on playlist reservation information stored in the storage unit. In claim 11 or claim 12,
The playlist reservation information stored in the storage unit is deleted, and the playlist reservation information is deleted from the playlist switching condition indicated in the playlist reservation information linked to the end of the playlist reservation information. A digital content reproduction apparatus, further comprising a deletion unit that rewrites the switching condition. In claim 1,
An error detection unit for detecting a reproduction error in the reproduction unit;
The switching unit forcibly stops content playback by the playback unit when a playback error is detected by the error detection unit, and executes playlist switching when the playlist switching condition is satisfied. On the other hand, if the play list switching condition is not satisfied, the playback unit causes the playback unit to play back the next content. An apparatus for playing back content using a plurality of playlists,
Any one of the plurality of playlists is set, and a playback unit that plays back content based on the playlists;
A storage unit that receives and stores playlist reservation information indicating a switching destination playlist that is a playlist to be newly set for the playback unit and a playback permission condition that is a condition of content to be played back by the playback unit When,
A search unit for searching for content satisfying the playback permission condition indicated in the playlist reservation information from content whose playback order is later than the content currently being played back;
A switching unit that switches the playlist currently set in the playback unit to the switching destination playlist indicated in the playlist reservation information when content that satisfies the playback permission condition cannot be found by the search unit. ,
The digital content playback apparatus, wherein the playback unit plays back the content detected by the search unit. A semiconductor integrated circuit comprising the digital content reproduction device according to claim 1. A method for playing content using a plurality of playlists,
Playing back content based on any one of the plurality of playlists;
A step (b) of storing playlist reservation information indicating a switching destination playlist that is a playlist to be newly set and a playlist switching condition that is a condition for switching the playlist in a storage medium;
A step (c) of determining whether the reproduction state of the content in the step (a) satisfies the playlist switching condition indicated in the playlist reservation information stored in the storage medium in the step (b);
When it is determined in step (c) that the playlist switching condition is satisfied, the method includes a step (d) of starting reproduction of content based on the switching destination playlist indicated in the playlist reservation information. A digital content reproduction method characterized by the above. A digital content playback program for causing a computer to execute the digital content playback method according to claim 17. An apparatus for playing back content using a plurality of playlists,
When the second playlist is selected as the next playback target during content playback of the first playlist, the first playlist is stored at the end timing of the content being played back of the first playlist. A digital content reproduction apparatus characterized by switching to a second playlist.

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