JP2000011612A - Content playback synchronization system, content playback synchronization method, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide a content reproduction synchronization system and a content reproduction synchronization method that can easily change the content to be reproduced and grasp the timing of reproduction. SOLUTION: An audio input unit 1S and an image input unit 1G are
Upon receiving an instruction from the processing unit 3, the audio signal and the image signal are converted. When detecting the break of the audio signal, the audio input unit 1S notifies the processing unit 3 and the processing unit 3 responds to the notification by converting the data generated by the audio input unit 1S and the image input unit 1G into an audio file and an image file. Put together. The audio file and the image file are given file names for identifying the order of creation for each of the same type. At the time of reproducing the sound and the image, the sound file and the image file having the same creation order are supplied to the sound output unit 4S and the image output unit 4G, and the sound output unit 4S reproduces the sound and the image output unit 4G reproduces the image, respectively. .

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a content playback synchronization system, and more particularly, to a content playback synchronization system for playing back different types of content in parallel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a technique for simultaneously reproducing a plurality of types of content such as audio and images using a computer or the like has become popular. In this technology, for example, data representing each type of content is individually created in advance,
A device that reproduces each type of content reads each type of data that can be reproduced individually and reproduces the content while synchronizing with each other.

[0003]

However, data representing each type of content is usually collected in a file according to different standards. Specifically, for example, data representing voice is usually collected in units of one song, and data representing text is usually collected in units of the description contents of one document. It is.

For this reason, when a plurality of types of content are reproduced simultaneously, and when each type of content is represented by a plurality of files, each file has a certain time from the start of reproduction of the content. It was necessary to perform data processing to know whether it represented a range.

[0005] In order to smoothly play back contents, it is necessary to specify in advance which time range each file represents from the start of playback of the contents, and to create a time table or the like showing the specified result. The content has to be stored, and the reproduction of the content has been performed at the timing indicated by the time table.

However, the process of creating this time table for data compiled in files according to mutually different criteria is extremely complicated and takes time. In addition, when content is replaced or edited, the time table must be updated every time.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a content reproduction synchronization system and a content reproduction synchronization method that can easily change the content to be reproduced and grasp the reproduction timing. Aim.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a content reproduction synchronization system according to a first aspect of the present invention acquires a first content, and acquires the first content at a predetermined timing. A first content dividing means for generating a plurality of first time-division data representing time-division data according to the following, obtaining a second content, and obtaining the second content in a time-division manner according to the predetermined timing A second content dividing means for generating a plurality of second time-division data representing each of the first time-division data and the second time-division data representing substantially the same time range Storage means for storing the first time-division data stored in the storage means in association with each other, and first content reproduction means for sequentially reproducing the first time-division data stored in the storage means;
A second content reproduction unit that reproduces the second time division data associated with the first time division data when the first content reproduction unit reproduces the first time division data; It is characterized by having.

According to such a content reproduction synchronization system, the content to be reproduced is time-divided in accordance with the timing common to each of these contents.
Then, the obtained first time-division data and the second
The time division data is reproduced substantially simultaneously. Therefore, there is no need to separately prepare information indicating the timing of replacement of the time-division data to be reproduced, and therefore, it is possible to easily change the content to be reproduced and grasp the reproduction timing.

[0010] The content reproduction synchronization system may add, to each of the first time-division data, information indicating an order in which each of the first time-division data is to be reproduced by the first content reproduction means. The second time-division data may include means for adding information indicating an order in which each of the second time-division data itself should be reproduced by the second content reproduction means. Thereby, the order in which the first time-division data and the second time-division data should be reproduced can be easily grasped, so that the content to be reproduced can be easily changed and the reproduction timing can be easily grasped.

[0011] The content reproduction synchronization system may add, to each of the first time-division data, information indicating a timing at which each of the first time-division data is to be reproduced by the first content reproduction means. The second time-division data may include means for adding information indicating the timing at which each of the second time-division data itself should be reproduced by the second content reproduction means. Thereby, the timing at which the first time-division data and the second time-division data are reproduced can be easily grasped, so that the content to be reproduced can be changed and the timing of reproduction can be easily grasped.

A content playback synchronization system according to a second aspect of the present invention is a content playback synchronization system that provides time-division data representing time-division content to provide the content. Content reproducing means, a content dividing means, and a content transferring means, wherein each of the content reproducing means, when the time-division data is supplied, comprises means for reproducing the supplied time-division data, Content dividing means is means for acquiring a plurality of contents including the content consisting of one or more sections, and, for each of the acquired contents, for the content including the section having the smallest temporal length, Means for generating a first type of time-division data representing the section included in the content; The content other than the content represented by the first type of time-division data, the first
Means for generating a second type of time-division data representing each of the fragments when the data is divided into fragments representing substantially the same time range as the section represented by the time-division data of the type
Wherein the content transfer means reproduces each of the pieces of time-division data generated by the content division means, at substantially the same time, in each of the contents, the fragments occupying substantially the same time range. As described above, a means for sequentially supplying each of the content reproducing means is provided.

[0013] According to such a content reproduction synchronization system, the content to be reproduced is time-divided so as to be synchronized with the section having the smallest time length among the sections included in the content. The obtained time-division data is reproduced synchronously as desired by simply reproducing the data to be reproduced in synchronization with each other substantially simultaneously. Therefore, there is no need to separately prepare information indicating the timing of replacement of the time-division data to be reproduced, and therefore, it is possible to easily change the content to be reproduced and grasp the reproduction timing.

[0014] A content reproduction synchronization system according to a third aspect of the present invention is a content reproduction synchronization system for providing time-division data representing time-division content to provide the content. Content reproducing means, a content dividing means, and a content transferring means, wherein each of the content reproducing means is supplied with the time-division data representing a fragment having a time length equal to or less than a predetermined allowable amount for each of the content reproducing means. When the supplied time-division data is reproduced, the content division unit acquires a plurality of the contents from outside, and divides the acquired contents into a time length equal to or less than a minimum value of the allowable amounts. Generating the time-division data representing the fragment in the case of time-division into the fragment having The respective time-division data generated by the content division means are reproduced by the respective content reproduction means so that the fragments occupying substantially the same time range among the contents are reproduced substantially simultaneously. Are sequentially supplied.

According to such a content reproduction synchronization system, the content to be reproduced is time-divided so that the content reproduction means can reproduce the time-division data and synchronize with each other. The time-division data that are to be reproduced in synchronization with each other are reproduced in a synchronized manner as desired by simply being reproduced substantially simultaneously. Therefore, there is no need to separately prepare information indicating the timing of replacement of the time-division data to be reproduced, and therefore, it is possible to easily change the content to be reproduced and grasp the reproduction timing.

[0016] The content reproduction synchronization system includes selection means for selecting at least one of the content reproduction means in accordance with an operation of an operator, and the content division means acquires a plurality of the contents from outside and acquires the contents. When each of the contents is time-divided into fragments having a time length equal to or less than a minimum value of the allowable amount defined for the content reproduction means selected by the selection means, The time division data may be generated.

[0017] The content division means may include means for adding, to each of the time division data, information indicating an order in which each of the time division data is to be reproduced by the content reproduction means. Thereby, the order in which the time-division data should be reproduced can be easily grasped, so that the content to be reproduced can be easily changed and the timing of the reproduction can be easily grasped.

[0018] The content division means includes means for adding, to each of the time division data, information indicating the time range occupied by the fragment represented by each of the time division data itself in the content. Is also good. Thereby, the timing at which the time-division data should be reproduced can be easily grasped, so that the content to be reproduced can be easily changed and the timing of the reproduction can be easily grasped.

A content reproduction synchronization method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a content reproduction synchronization method for providing the content by reproducing time-division data representing a time-division of the content. A content reproducing step, a content dividing step, and a content transferring step, wherein each of the content reproducing steps includes a step of, when the time-division data is supplied, reproducing the supplied time-division data, The content dividing step is a step of acquiring a plurality of the contents including the content composed of one or more sections, and, for each of the acquired contents, the content including the section having the smallest temporal length, A first type of time-division data representing the section included in the content is Forming, and representing the content other than the content represented by the first type of time division data substantially the same time range as the section represented by the first type of time division data Generating a second type of time-division data representing each of the fragments when divided into fragments, wherein the content transfer step converts each of the time-division data generated by the content division step into The method further comprises the step of sequentially supplying each of the content reproduction steps such that the fragments occupying substantially the same time range in the content are reproduced substantially simultaneously.

According to such a content reproduction synchronization method, the content to be reproduced is time-divided so as to be synchronized with the section having the smallest time length among the sections included in the content. The obtained time-division data is reproduced synchronously as desired by simply reproducing the data to be reproduced in synchronization with each other substantially simultaneously. Therefore, there is no need to separately prepare information indicating the timing of replacement of the time-division data to be reproduced, and therefore, it is possible to easily change the content to be reproduced and grasp the reproduction timing.

A content reproduction synchronization method according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a content reproduction synchronization method for providing the content by reproducing time-division data representing a time-division content of the content. A content reproduction step, a content division step, and a content transfer step, wherein each of the content reproduction steps is supplied with the time-division data representing a fragment having a time length equal to or less than a predetermined allowable amount for each of the content reproduction steps. The supplied time-division data is reproduced, and the content division step acquires a plurality of the contents from outside, and divides the acquired contents into a time length equal to or less than a minimum value of the allowable amounts. The time-division data representing the fragment when the fragment is time-divided into Transferring the time-divided data generated by the content dividing step so that the fragments occupying substantially the same time range among the contents are reproduced substantially simultaneously. The contents are sequentially supplied to the content reproducing step.

According to such a content reproduction synchronization method, the content to be reproduced is time-divided so that the content reproduction step can reproduce the time-division data and is synchronized with each other. The time-division data that are to be reproduced in synchronization with each other are reproduced in a synchronized manner as desired by simply being reproduced substantially simultaneously. Therefore, there is no need to separately prepare information indicating the timing of replacement of the time-division data to be reproduced, and therefore, it is possible to easily change the content to be reproduced and grasp the reproduction timing.

A computer-readable recording medium according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, when time-division data representing time-division content is supplied, the content for reproducing the supplied time-division data is provided. A computer equipped with a reproducing unit acquires a plurality of the contents including the content composed of one or more sections, and among the acquired contents, regarding the contents including the section having a minimum temporal length, A first type of time division data representing the section included in the content is generated, and the content other than the content represented by the first type of time division data is divided into the first type of time division data. In the case of the second type representing each fragment when divided into fragments representing substantially the same temporal range as the section represented by the data Content dividing means for generating split data; and the time-division data generated by the content dividing means, wherein the fragments occupying substantially the same time range among the contents are reproduced substantially simultaneously. As described above, a program for causing the content transfer unit to function as the content transfer unit sequentially supplied to each of the content reproduction units is recorded.

A computer that executes a program recorded on such a recording medium may synchronize a content to be reproduced with a content having a minimum time length among sections included in the content. To divide. Then, the obtained time-division data is reproduced synchronously as desired by simply reproducing the data to be reproduced in synchronization with each other simply at substantially the same time. Therefore, there is no need to separately prepare information indicating the timing of replacement of the time-division data to be reproduced, and therefore, it is possible to easily change the content to be reproduced and grasp the reproduction timing.

Further, a computer-readable recording medium according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium comprising: When the time-division data representing the fragment is supplied, a computer including a plurality of content reproducing means for reproducing the supplied time-division data, acquiring a plurality of the contents from outside,
Content dividing means for generating the time-division data representing the fragment when the acquired content is time-divided into fragments having a time length equal to or less than the minimum value of the allowable amounts; and Each of the time-sharing data generated by the dividing means is sequentially supplied to each of the content reproducing means such that the fragments occupying substantially the same time range among the contents are reproduced substantially simultaneously. And a program for causing it to function.

The computer executing the program recorded on such a recording medium time-divides the content to be reproduced so that the content reproducing means can reproduce the time-division data and synchronizes with each other. . Then, the obtained time-division data is reproduced synchronously as desired by simply reproducing the data to be reproduced in synchronization with each other simply at substantially the same time. For this reason,
There is no need to separately prepare information indicating the timing of replacement of the time-division data to be reproduced. Therefore, it is easy to change the content to be reproduced and to grasp the timing of the reproduction.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A content reproduction synchronization system and a content reproduction synchronization method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, taking a reproduction system for simultaneously reproducing audio and images as an example.

As shown in FIG.
It comprises a voice input unit 1S, an image input unit 1G, a storage unit 2, a processing unit 3, a voice output unit 4S, an image output unit 4G, and an instruction input unit 5.

The audio input section 1S is provided with an A / D converter 11S.
, Encoder 12S, and RAM (Random Access Memo)
ry) 13S.

The A / D converter 11S acquires an analog audio signal representing the audio from the outside and samples it.
Convert to digital signal. It should be noted that the audio signal supplied to the A / D converter 11S includes a signal of a predetermined format representing an audio delimiter (for example, a substantially silent state that lasts a predetermined time).

The encoder 12S includes an A / D converter 11S
Converts the digital signal obtained by the conversion to generate data in a predetermined format (for example, WAV format). Further, when the digital signal includes a digital signal corresponding to the above-described signal indicating a break, the encoder 12S detects the signal and notifies the processing unit 3 of the signal.

The RAM 13S stores the data created by the encoder 12S, and responds to the access of the processing unit 3
The stored data is supplied to the processing unit 3 or deleted.

The image input unit 1G includes an A / D converter 11G
, An encoder 12G, and a RAM 13G. A
The / D converter 11G acquires an analog image signal representing an image from the outside, samples it, and converts it into a digital signal. The encoder 12G converts a digital signal obtained by the conversion performed by the A / D converter 11G to create data in a predetermined format (for example, MPEG format). R
The AM 13G stores the data created by the encoder 12G, and supplies the stored data to the processing unit 3 or deletes the stored data in response to the access of the processing unit 3.

The image signal may be a signal in which a plurality of signals representing different images are consecutively arranged before and after in time. However, it is assumed that the time length of a portion representing each image in the image signal is longer than the time interval of the break included in the audio signal.

The storage unit 2 is composed of a RAM or the like.
In response to the access, the data supplied from the processing unit 3 is stored, or the data stored therein is supplied to the processing unit 3. The data stored in the storage unit 2 includes an audio file and an image file, which will be described later, which are created and stored by the processing unit 3 through processing described below. The processing unit 3 uses C
It is composed of a PU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, and performs processing described later to control recording and reproduction of audio and images.

The audio output unit 4S includes a decoder 41S,
/ A converter 42S, amplifier 43S, speaker 44S
And The decoder 41S converts the data supplied from the processing unit 3 to create a digital signal representing audio. The D / A converter 42S converts the digital signal created by the decoder 41S into an analog audio signal. The amplifier 43S amplifies the audio signal obtained by the D / A converter 42S, drives the speaker 44S, and
S reproduces the audio signal into audio.

The image output unit 4G includes a decoder 41G,
A / A converter 42G and a display device 43G are provided.
The decoder 41G converts the data supplied from the processing unit 3 to create a digital signal representing an image. The D / A converter 42G converts the digital signal created by the decoder 41G into an analog image signal. Display device 4
3G is composed of a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), etc.
An image represented by the image signal obtained by the A converter 42G is displayed.

The instruction input unit 5 includes a keyboard and a mouse, and supplies data indicating the content of the operation to the processing unit 3 according to the operation of the user of the reproduction system.

Next, the operation of the reproducing system will be described with reference to FIGS. (Processing at the time of recording) When this playback system records sound and images, it consists of a microphone, an electronic musical instrument, etc.
A device for supplying an audio signal representing audio is connected to the audio input unit 1S. Further, a device for supplying an image signal representing an image, such as a video camera or a video deck, is connected to the image input unit 1G.

When the user of the reproduction system gives an instruction to start recording of voice and image to the processing unit 3 using the instruction input unit 5 (step S11), the processing unit 3 sends the audio input unit 1S the audio. An instruction to start recording is given, and the image input unit 1
G is instructed to start recording an image (step S1)
2).

Upon receiving the instruction, the A / D converter 11S of the audio input section 1S samples the audio signal supplied to itself, converts the signal into a digital signal, and supplies the digital signal to the encoder 12S. The encoder 12S converts the supplied digital signal into data conforming to a predetermined format (for example, a WAV format), and converts the data obtained as a result of the conversion into the RAM 13.
Stored in S.

The A / D converter 11G of the image input unit 1G that has received the instruction from the processing unit 3 samples the image signal supplied thereto, converts it into a digital signal, and supplies it to the encoder 12G. . The encoder 12G converts the supplied digital signal into data conforming to a predetermined format (for example, MPEG format), and stores the data obtained as a result of the conversion in the RAM 13G.

On the other hand, the processing section 3 waits for the encoder 12S of the audio input section 1S to detect a break in the audio signal and to notify itself of the detection of the break (step S13). Then, upon receiving the notification that the break has been detected, the process proceeds to step S14.

In step S14, the processing unit 3 reads the digital information stored in the RAM 13S of the audio input unit 1S, creates an audio file including the read digital information, and writes the audio file in the storage unit 2. Then, the digital information stored in the RAM 13G of the image input unit 1G is also read, and an image file including the read digital information is created and written to the storage unit 2.

In step S14, the storage unit 2
Each of the audio file and the image file to be written in is stored with a file name. It is assumed that the file name of each audio file indicates the creation order of audio files created after the start of audio recording.
It is assumed that the file name of each image file indicates the creation order of the image files created after the start of image recording.

More specifically, for example, both the audio file and the image file are MS-DOS manufactured by Microsoft.
The digital information included in the audio file conforms to the WAV format, and the digital information included in the image file conforms to the MPEG format. In this case, the file name of the seventh created audio file may be, for example, 0007.wav, and the file name of the seventh created image file may be, for example, 0007.mpg.

When the processing in step S14 is completed, the processing section 3 determines whether or not the user has operated the instruction input section 5 to instruct the end of the recording of the voice and the image (step S14).
15). If it is determined that no instruction has been given, the process returns to step S13. If it is determined that an instruction has been given, the process ends.

By the above-described processing, the reproduction system converts a signal supplied from a device for supplying an audio signal or a device for supplying an image signal into data of a predetermined format and stores the data.

The content of each audio file stored in the storage unit 2 represents a portion of the audio signal supplied to the audio input unit 1S between two consecutive breaks. The order in which the audio files are created and the order in which the end of the audio file is determined are in agreement with each other. However, the audio file whose creation order is the first is
The audio file represents the portion from the beginning to the first break of the audio signal, and the audio file whose creation order is the lowest represents the portion from the last break included in the audio signal to the end of the audio signal.

The content of each image file stored in the storage unit 2 is changed while the audio signal represented by the data contained in the audio file whose creation order is the same as that of the image file is supplied. This represents an image signal supplied to the image input unit 1G.

Since the time interval of the break included in the audio signal is shorter than the time length of a portion representing each image in the image signal, the amount of data included in the image file is Is always smaller than when an image file is converted to a part representing an individual image.

(Processing at the Time of Reproduction) When the user gives an instruction to start reproduction of voice and image to the processing unit 3 using the instruction input unit 5, the processing unit 3 of the reproduction system (step S2)
1) In response to this instruction, the first audio file created is read from the storage unit 2 and supplied to the audio output unit 4S to give an instruction to start audio reproduction. Processing unit 3
Reads out the first created image file from the storage unit 2 and supplies it to the image output unit 4G to give an instruction to start image reproduction (step S22).

When the image file is supplied from the processing section 3, the image output section 4G displays the image represented by the image file (step S23G). Specifically, first, the decoder 41G of the image output unit 4G converts the data included in the image file supplied from the processing unit 3 into a digital signal representing an image signal and supplies the digital signal to the D / A converter 42G. .
The D / A converter 42G converts the digital signal supplied thereto into an analog video signal and supplies the analog video signal to the display device 43G. The display device 43G displays an image represented by the video signal supplied thereto.

On the other hand, when the audio file is supplied from the processing unit 3, the audio output unit 4S reproduces the audio represented by the audio file (step S23S). (Step S)
24S).

Specifically, first, the decoder 41S of the audio output unit 4S converts data included in the audio file supplied from the processing unit 3 into a digital signal representing an audio signal, and converts the data into a D / A converter. 42S. D / A converter 4
The 2S converts the digital signal supplied thereto into an analog audio signal and supplies it to the amplifier 43S. The amplifier 43S amplifies the supplied audio signal, and
4S, and the speaker 44S reproduces the sound represented by the sound signal. On the other hand, when the data included in the audio file supplied from the processing unit 3 has been converted into a digital signal, the decoder 41S notifies the processing unit 3 of the end of the reproduction.

The processing unit 3 which has received the notification of the completion of the conversion from the decoder 41S determines whether or not the audio file created next to the audio file which is supplied to the audio output unit 4S by itself is stored in the storage unit 2. Is determined (step S2).
5) If it is determined that the file is stored, the corresponding audio file is read and supplied to the audio output unit 4S (step S26). Further, the processing unit 3 determines whether or not the image file created next to the image file that is supplied to the image output unit 4G most recently by itself is stored in the storage unit 2 (step S25). If it is determined that there is, the corresponding image file is read and supplied to the image output unit 4G (step S26).

If the processing unit 3 determines in step S25 that there is no file (audio file and image file) to be supplied to either the audio output unit 4S or the image output unit 4G, the reproduction system performs the audio and The process of reproducing the image ends.

By the processing described above, the voice input unit 1S
And the image supplied from the image input unit 1G are reproduced. In the processing described above, the replacement of the audio file to be played back by the audio output unit 4S and the replacement of the image file to be played back by the image output unit 4G are performed almost simultaneously. Therefore, there is no need to separately prepare data indicating the mutual relationship between the timing of changing the audio file and the timing of changing the image file.

When the recorded sound or image is edited later, for example, the contents of the sound file or image file stored in the storage unit 2 that includes the portion to be edited may be rewritten. You do not need to change the data contained in other files.

When the recorded old audio file or image file is exchanged with a file representing a new audio or image, for example, an audio signal or image signal representing a new audio or image is exchanged with the audio input unit 1S or the image input unit. 1G, and the above-described processing in steps S11 to S15 is performed, whereby the old audio file or image file may be overwritten and deleted.
Alternatively, after deleting an old audio file or image file in advance, an audio signal or an image signal representing a new audio or image is supplied to the audio input unit 1S or the image input unit 1G, and the processing in steps S11 to S15 is performed. Just do it.

The configuration of this reproduction system is not limited to the above-described one. For example, a method of converting an audio signal or an image signal into an audio file or an image file is arbitrary, and the audio file or the image file does not need to be generated sequentially. Therefore, for example, a plurality of audio files and image files may be generated by converting the entire audio signal or image signal into data of a predetermined format and dividing the data.

If the audio signal or the image signal supplied from the outside is of a digital type, the A / D converter 11
S and 11G are unnecessary. Further, a single CPU may perform the functions of any two or more of the processing unit 3, the encoder 12S, the encoder 12G, the decoder 41S, and the decoder 41G.

Each of the decoders 41S and 41G may directly read an audio file or an image file from the storage unit 2. Then, every time the conversion of the data included in the audio file is completed, the decoder 41S
Is sent to the decoder 41G in place of the
May read the next image file in response to the notification from the decoder 41S.

The file names of the audio files and the image files may include, in addition to the order in which they were created, information indicating the timing at which the content should be reproduced when the content is reproduced from the beginning. Specifically, for example, the file name of the image data to be reproduced one minute and 25 seconds after the start of the reproduction may be set to 0125.mpg.

In this case, when the user specifies the timing by using the instruction input unit 5 and instructs the reproduction of the part of the content to be reproduced after the specified timing, the processing unit 3 executes the processing at the specified timing. The audio file and the image file to be reproduced at the closest timing may be read and supplied to the decoder 41S and the decoder 41G.

The contents to be reproduced by the reproduction system are not limited to audio and images, but may record and reproduce characters, mechanical vibrations, and any other types of contents. In this case, the playback system
An input unit for creating data as the contents of a file representing the content to be played back in a time-divided manner (hereinafter referred to as a “time-sharing file”), an output unit for playing back the time-sharing file, and the time-sharing file And an output unit for reproducing the data.

Further, the audio signal does not need to include a delimiter, and a delimiter may be included in another content. In this case, the input unit that creates the content of the time-division file representing the content detects the break included in the content and notifies the processing unit 3 of the break.
May create a time-sharing file in response to the notification. Then, when the content is reproduced, the output unit that reproduces the time-division file may notify the processing unit 3 of the completion of the reproduction.

Further, at least a part of the output unit is
If there is an upper limit on the size of the time-division file that can be played back, the processing unit 3 determines whether or not the content includes a delimiter when recording the content, regardless of whether or not the content includes a delimiter. May be created.

More specifically, for example, information for designating the cycle of creating the time-division file is stored in advance in the storage unit 2 by the administrator of the playback system or the like. It is assumed that the period indicated by this information is short enough to make the size of the time-division file created by the processing described below equal to or less than the minimum value of the above-described upper limit.

The reproducing system performs, for example, the processing shown in FIG. 4 as the processing at the time of recording. That is, when the user of the reproduction system gives an instruction to start recording of sound and image to the processing unit 3 as in step S11 (step S31), the processing unit 3 accesses the storage unit 2 in response to the instruction. Then, information that specifies the cycle of the creation of the time-division file is acquired (step S32).

Next, the processing section 3 gives an instruction to start recording audio to the audio input section 1S, and gives an instruction to start recording image to the image input section 1G (step S33). The content is converted into data of a predetermined format, and the data obtained by the conversion is stored.

On the other hand, after giving an instruction to each input unit, the processing unit 3 sets the elapsed time since the instruction was given in step S33.
It waits until the period acquired in step S32 is exceeded (step S34). Then, when the period is exceeded, the processing unit 3 reads out the data stored in the input unit, creates a time-division file, and writes it in the storage unit 2 (step S35). When the processing in step S35 ends, the processing unit 3 waits for the elapsed time from the end of the latest processing in step S35 to exceed the cycle acquired in step S32 (step S36), and exceeds the cycle. Then, the process returns to step S35.

When the content represented by the time-division file created by the processing shown in FIG. 4 is reproduced, the output unit having the minimum upper limit of the size of the time-division file contains the data contained in the time-division file. Every time the conversion is completed, the processing unit 3 may be notified that the conversion has been completed. Then, the processing unit 3 having received the notification may supply the next time-sharing file to be reproduced by each output unit to each output unit in response to this notification.

The output unit does not need to send a notification to the processing unit 3 every time the reproduction of the time-division file is completed. The processing unit 3 does not wait for any notification from the output unit, and in a cycle longer than the cycle obtained in the process of step S32,
A time-division file to be reproduced may be sequentially supplied to each output unit.

The processing section 3 performs the processing in step S32
In place of the above processing, each output unit is accessed, and in response to this access, each output unit notifies the processing unit 3 of the upper limit of the size of the time-division file to be played back by each processing unit.
May be determined based on the minimum value of the notified upper limit values.

When the user specifies the type of the content to be recorded by using the instruction input unit 5, the processing unit 3 sets the size of the time-division file for each output unit that reproduces the specified type of content. May be specified. In this case, the processing unit 3 further determines the time-sharing file creation cycle so that the size of the time-sharing file created by itself becomes equal to or less than the specified minimum value, and generates the time-sharing file at the determined cycle. Just do it. Then, at the time of reproducing the content, among the output units designated by the user, the output unit having the smallest upper limit of the size of the time-division file indicates completion of the conversion every time the conversion of the data included in the time-division file is completed. The processing unit 3 is notified, and the processing unit 3 may supply the next time-division file to each output unit in response to the notification.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the content reproduction synchronizing system of the present invention can be realized using an ordinary computer system without using a dedicated system. For example, a content reproduction synchronization system that executes the above-described processing can be configured by installing the program for executing the above-described operation in a personal computer from a medium (a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, or the like) storing the program. Can be.

The medium for supplying the program to the computer may be a communication medium (medium for temporarily and fluidly storing the program, such as a communication line, a communication network, or a communication system). For example, the program may be posted on a bulletin board (BBS) of a communication network and distributed via the network. Then, by starting this program and executing it in the same manner as other application programs under the control of the OS, the above-described processing can be executed.

When the OS shares a part of the processing,
Alternatively, when the OS constitutes a part of one component of the present invention, the recording medium may store a program excluding the part. Also in this case, in the present invention, it is assumed that the recording medium stores a program for executing each function or step executed by the computer.

[0080]

As described above, according to the present invention, a content reproduction synchronizing system and a content reproduction synchronizing method for easily changing the content to be reproduced and grasping the reproduction timing can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a reproduction system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing at the time of recording audio and an image.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing at the time of reproducing sound and image.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a modified example of a process when recording content.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1S audio input unit 1G image input unit 11S, 11G A / D converter 12S, 12G encoder 13S, 13G RAM 2 storage unit 3 processing unit 4S audio output unit 4G image output unit 41S, 41G decoder 42S, 42G D / A converter 43S amplifier 43G display device 44S speaker 5 instruction input unit

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A first method for acquiring a first content and generating a plurality of first time-division data representing a time-division of the acquired first content according to a predetermined timing.
Content dividing means, and second content dividing means for acquiring a second content and generating a plurality of second time-division data representing a time-division of the acquired second content according to the predetermined timing Storage means for storing each of the first time-division data and each of the second time-division data in correspondence with each other representing substantially the same time range; and the storage means stored in the storage means First content reproducing means for sequentially reproducing the first time-division data, and when the first content reproduction means reproduces the first time-division data, the first content reproduction means is associated with the first time-division data. And a second content reproducing means for reproducing the second time-division data. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: adding, to each of said first time-division data, information indicating an order in which each of said first time-division data is to be reproduced by said first content reproduction means; In addition, each of the second time-division data itself is the second
The content reproduction synchronization system according to claim 1, further comprising means for adding information indicating an order to be reproduced by the content reproduction means. 3. The first time-division data is added to each of said first time-division data with information indicating a timing at which said first time-division data is to be reproduced by said first content reproduction means. 3. The content reproduction synchronization according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit for adding information indicating a timing at which each of the second time-division data itself is to be reproduced by the second content reproduction unit. system. 4. A content reproduction synchronization system for providing a content by reproducing time-division data representing a time-division of the content, the content reproduction synchronizing system comprising: a plurality of content reproduction means; a content division means; Wherein each of the content reproduction means includes means for reproducing the supplied time-division data when the time-division data is supplied, and wherein the content division means reproduces the content composed of one or more sections. Means for acquiring a plurality of the contents including: for each of the acquired contents, the content including the section having the smallest temporal length, the first type representing the section included in the content; Means for generating divided data, other than the content represented by the first type of time-division data, In the case where the serial content was divided into fragments representing the interval substantially the same time range indicated by the time-division data of the first type, the representing each fragment 2
Means for generating time-division data of the type described above, wherein the content transfer means converts each of the time-division data generated by the content division means to substantially the same time range among the contents. A content reproduction synchronization system, comprising: means for sequentially supplying each of the content reproduction means so that the occupied fragments are reproduced substantially simultaneously. 5. A content reproduction synchronization system for providing a content by reproducing time-division data representing a time-division of the content, comprising: a plurality of content reproduction means; a content division means; Wherein each of the content reproduction means reproduces the supplied time-division data when the time-division data representing a fragment having a time length equal to or less than a predetermined allowable amount is supplied for each of the content reproduction means. The content dividing means acquires a plurality of the contents from the outside, and divides the acquired fragments in a case where the acquired content is time-divided into fragments having a time length equal to or less than a minimum value of the allowable amounts. Generating the time-division data representing the time-division data; and Serial substantially as the fragments to each other occupying a same time range is reproduced substantially simultaneously, the content reproduction synchronization system characterized by sequentially supplies it to each of said content reproduction means of the content. 6. A content selection means for selecting at least one of the content reproduction means in accordance with an operation of an operator, wherein the content division means acquires a plurality of the contents from outside and divides each of the acquired contents. The time-division data representing the fragment when the time-division into the fragment having a time length equal to or less than the minimum value of the allowable amount defined for the content reproduction means selected by the selection means. The content reproduction synchronization system according to claim 5, wherein: 7. The content dividing means further comprises means for adding, to each of the time-division data, information indicating an order in which each of the time-division data is to be reproduced by the content reproducing means. The content reproduction synchronization system according to claim 4, 5 or 6. 8. The content dividing means includes means for adding, to each of the time-division data, information indicating the time range occupied by the fragment represented by each of the time-division data in the content. The content reproduction synchronization system according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein: 9. A content reproduction synchronization method for providing content by reproducing time-division data representing time-divided content, comprising: a plurality of content reproduction steps; a content division step; a content transfer step; Wherein each of the content reproduction steps includes a step of, when the time-division data is supplied, reproducing the supplied time-division data, wherein the content division step comprises: Obtaining a plurality of the contents including: for each of the obtained contents, the content including the section having the smallest temporal length, and for the first type representing the section included in the content; Generating divided data; and using the first type of time-division data. In a case where the content other than the content to be, divided into fragments representing the interval substantially the same time range indicated by the time-division data of the first type, the second representing each fragment
Generating time-division data of the type; wherein the content transfer step converts each of the time-division data generated by the content division step into substantially the same time range among the contents. A method of sequentially supplying each of the content reproducing steps such that the occupied fragments are reproduced substantially simultaneously. 10. A content reproduction synchronization method for providing content by reproducing time-division data representing time-divided content, comprising: a plurality of content reproduction steps; a content division step; a content transfer step; Wherein each of the content reproduction steps reproduces the supplied time-division data when the time-division data representing a fragment of a time length equal to or less than a predetermined allowable amount is supplied for each of the content reproduction steps. The content dividing step acquires a plurality of the contents from the outside, and divides the acquired fragments in a case where the acquired content is time-divided into fragments having a time length equal to or less than a minimum value of the allowable amounts. Generating the time-division data representing the content-dividing step; Each of the time-division data is sequentially supplied to each of the content reproduction steps so that the fragments occupying substantially the same time range in the content are reproduced substantially simultaneously. Content playback synchronization method. 11. When a time-division data representing a time-division content of a content is supplied, a computer provided with a content reproducing means for reproducing the supplied time-division data is provided. A plurality of the above-mentioned contents, and among the obtained contents, a first type of time-sharing data representing the section included in the content with respect to the content including the section having the smallest temporal length. And generating a fragment representing the time range substantially the same as the section represented by the first type of time-division data, using the content other than the content represented by the first type of time-division data. Content dividing means for generating a second type of time-sharing data representing each fragment when the content is divided into: Content transfer for sequentially supplying each of the generated time-division data to each of the content reproducing means such that the fragments occupying substantially the same time range in the content are reproduced substantially simultaneously. Means, and a computer-readable recording medium recording a program for causing the computer to function. 12. When time-division data representing a fragment obtained by time-dividing content and representing said fragment having a time length equal to or less than a predetermined allowable amount is supplied, A computer having a plurality of content reproducing means for reproducing the obtained time-division data, acquiring a plurality of the contents from the outside, and converting each of the acquired contents to a time length equal to or less than a minimum value of the allowable amounts. A content dividing unit that generates the time-division data representing the fragment when the time-division is performed into the fragment having: Content transfer means for sequentially supplying each of the content reproduction means such that the fragments occupying the same time range are reproduced substantially simultaneously. A computer-readable recording medium a program for, to to function.