JP2010067097A - Information processing apparatus and method, and information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate a complicated operation such as selection of a content management server and a folder, when acquiring information of a content stored in the folder same to that of a content under playback. <P>SOLUTION: The information processing apparatus includes: a storage part for storing playback content attribute information transmitted from a controller device requesting the playback of a content data managed by the content management server, and including attribute information of the content data and identification information of the content management server; a content data acquisition part for acquiring, from the content management server, the content data requested to be played back from the controller device, based on the attribute information of the content data included in the playback content attribute information; a content playback part for playback of the acquired content data; and a playback content attribute information providing part for transmitting the playback content attribute information corresponding to the content data under playback to the controller device, in response to the request from the controller device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing system.

  With the recent spread of data communication networks, so-called home networks that enable communication between devices by directly connecting home appliances, computers, and other peripheral devices or connecting them to the network at home. Is penetrating. In a home network, communication between network-connected devices provides users with convenience and comfort, such as sharing the data processing function of each device and sending and receiving content between devices. In the future, more and more popular is expected.

  For example, in the system described in Patent Document 1 shown below, after a content is shared between a server and a client device, the client device acquires the content from the server and plays it.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-164449

  Here, the system as shown in the above Patent Document 1 (1) manages the content, and the content can be reproduced on the other device by transferring the content to the other device via the network. (2) Renderer device that receives content transferred from the content management server via the network and reproduces the content, and (3) notifies the renderer device which content of the content management server is to be reproduced A case is considered in which the apparatus is constituted by three types of devices, that is, a controller device that performs content reproduction control in the renderer device.

  In such a situation, the user uses the controller device to play back the content managed by a content management server on the renderer device, and then plays back related content stored in a folder in the same content management server. Consider the case. At this time, for example, when the power of the controller device is once turned off, the controller device cannot recognize which content management server manages the content being played back by the renderer device. Therefore, it is necessary for the user to select the content management server again and trace the folder hierarchy, and then select the related content. Such an operation is troublesome for the user.

  Further, for example, even when the user instructs the renderer device to play back related content using another controller device, the content being played back is managed by any content management server. Cannot recognize whether Therefore, the user also has to select the content management server again and trace the folder hierarchy, and then select the related content.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such problems, and its purpose is to select a content management server and a folder when acquiring information on content stored in the same folder as the content being played back. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing system that can eliminate such complicated operations.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to an aspect of the present invention, information transmitted from a controller device that requests reproduction of content data managed by a content management server, the attribute of the content data requesting reproduction A storage unit in which reproduction content attribute information including information and identification information of the content management server that manages the content data is recorded, and an attribute of the content data included in the reproduction content attribute information recorded in the storage unit Based on the information, a content data acquisition unit that acquires the content data requested to be played back from the controller device from the content management server, a content playback unit that plays back the content data acquired by the content data acquisition unit, Request from the controller device In response, the reproduction content attribute information providing unit of the reproduction content attribute information corresponding to the content data being reproduced which is recorded in the storage unit and transmits to the controller device, an information processing apparatus including a is provided.

  With this configuration, the storage unit transmits from the controller device that requests the reproduction of the content data managed by the content management server, the attribute information of the content data that requests reproduction, and the identification information of the content management server that manages the content data Can be stored. The content data acquisition unit may acquire content data requested to be played back from the controller device from the content management server based on content data attribute information included in the playback content attribute information recorded in the storage unit. it can. Further, the content reproduction unit can reproduce the content data acquired by the content data acquisition unit. Further, the reproduction content attribute information providing unit can transmit reproduction content attribute information corresponding to the content data being reproduced recorded in the storage unit to the controller device in response to a request from the controller device.

  Further, when the controller device requests to play back the content data managed before and after the content data being played back by the content management server in the same folder as the content data being played back by the content playback unit The content data acquisition unit is configured to determine the content data before and after the content data being reproduced based on the identification information of the content management server and the attribute information of the content included in the reproduction content attribute information recorded in the storage unit. Content data may be acquired from the content management server.

  In order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, a server identification for identifying a content management server from content management server that manages content data corresponding to the content and attribute information of the content data. Information and a server information acquisition unit for acquiring server information including a list of the content data, and renderer identification information for identifying the renderer device from the renderer device that acquires and reproduces the content data from the content management server A renderer information acquisition unit for acquiring the renderer information, and specifying the renderer device for reproducing the content data selected from the list of content data, and the attribute information of the selected content data and the content data Manage A content reproduction control unit that transmits reproduction content attribute information including the server identification information of the content management server to the specified renderer device, and requests the renderer device to acquire and reproduce the selected content data; An information processing apparatus is provided.

  Further, a reproduction content attribute information acquisition unit that acquires the reproduction content attribute information corresponding to the content data being reproduced by the renderer device from the renderer device may be further provided. In this case, the server information acquisition unit displays a list of content data managed in the same folder as the content data being reproduced by the renderer device based on the reproduction content attribute information acquired by the reproduction content attribute information acquisition unit. It can also be acquired from the content management server.

  The server information acquisition unit may further include a display control unit that displays a list of content data managed in the same folder as the content data being reproduced by the renderer device.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, attribute information of the content data requesting reproduction transmitted from a controller device requesting reproduction of content data managed by the content management server, and Based on the recording step in which the reproduction content attribute information including the identification information of the content management server that manages the content data is recorded, and the attribute information of the content data included in the reproduction content attribute information recorded in the storage unit A content data acquisition step of acquiring the content data requested to be played back from the controller device from the content management server, a content playback step of playing back the content data acquired in the content data acquisition step, and the controller A reproduction content attribute information providing step of transmitting the reproduction content attribute information corresponding to the content data being reproduced recorded in the storage unit to the controller device in response to a request from a device. Provided.

  In order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, a server identification for identifying a content management server from content management server that manages content data corresponding to the content and attribute information of the content data. Server information acquisition step for acquiring server information including information and a list of the content data, and renderer identification information for identifying the renderer device from the renderer device that acquires and reproduces the content data from the content management server A renderer information acquisition step including: a renderer information acquisition step; specifying the renderer device that reproduces the content data selected from the list of content data; and attribute information of the selected content data and the content data A content reproduction control step of transmitting reproduction content attribute information including the server identification information of the managed content management server to the specified renderer device, and requesting the renderer device to acquire and reproduce the selected content data An information processing method is provided.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, a content management server that manages content data corresponding to content and attribute information of the content data, and the content management server includes: A server information acquisition unit that acquires server information including server identification information for identification and a list of the content data, and a renderer device that acquires and reproduces the content data from the content management server. Renderer information acquisition unit for acquiring renderer information including renderer identification information for performing, and specifying the renderer device for reproducing the content data selected from the list of content data, and for the selected content data Attribute information and relevant Content that transmits reproduction content attribute information including the server identification information of a content management server that manages content data to the specified renderer device, and requests the renderer device to acquire and reproduce the selected content data A playback control unit; a storage unit in which the playback content attribute information transmitted from the controller device is recorded; and the content data included in the playback content attribute information recorded in the storage unit Based on the attribute information, a content data acquisition unit that acquires the content data requested to be played back from the controller device from the content management server, and a content playback unit that plays back the content data acquired by the content data acquisition unit And before A renderer device comprising: a reproduction content attribute information providing unit that transmits the reproduction content attribute information corresponding to the content data being reproduced recorded in the storage unit to the controller device in response to a request from the controller device; , An information processing system is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate a complicated operation such as selection of a content management server and a folder when acquiring information on content stored in the same folder as the content being reproduced.

  Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification and drawing, about the component which has the substantially same function structure, duplication description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

The description will be made in the following order.
(1) Description of content sharing system (2) First embodiment (2-1) Information processing system (2-2) Configuration of controller device (2-3) Configuration of content management server (2-4) ) Configuration of renderer device (2-5) Information processing method (3) Hardware configuration of information processing device according to each embodiment of the present invention (4) Summary

(1) Description Regarding Content Sharing System First, prior to describing the information processing system according to each embodiment of the present invention, technical matters that form the basis for realizing the information processing system according to each embodiment of the present invention. This will be described in detail. In addition, each embodiment of this invention is comprised so that a more remarkable effect can be acquired by adding improvement on the fundamental technique described below. Therefore, the technology related to the improvement is the only part that characterizes this embodiment. In other words, the present embodiment follows the basic concept of the technical matters described here, but the essence is rather concentrated in the improved portion, the configuration is clearly different, and the effect is in line with the basic technology. Please note that

  Hereinafter, as a basic technology, a content sharing method and a reproduction method currently proposed on a home network will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 10 to 14 are explanatory diagrams for explaining a content sharing method and a reproduction method on the home network.

  Currently, there is a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) as a standard for constructing a home network using an AV device, a personal computer, a mobile device, or the like.

  According to the DLNA guidelines, content such as photos, music, and videos is stored in a device called a digital media server (DMS) 1001 and has a folder hierarchy called a content directory service (CDS). Manage content list by structure. Each content in the CDS is provided with an ID value for uniquely identifying, metadata that is detailed content information, and a URL that indicates the acquisition destination of the content data. The CDS is disclosed to other devices on the home network 1003, and a client device that plays back the content follows the CDS on the DMS 1001, selects the content, acquires content data indicated by the URL from the digital media server 1001, Perform playback. Here, HTTP is used as a protocol used for communication between the DMS 1001 and the client device (for example, mutual communication such as list acquisition and content data acquisition).

  In addition, the DLNA guidelines define a device 1005 called a digital media renderer (DMR) that does not actively follow the content list itself but only plays back the content specified by other devices. When the URL of the content to be played back is notified, the DMR 1005 acquires the previous content data indicated by the URL using HTTP, and plays it. A device that performs operations such as content specification, playback, stop, and seek for the DMR 1005 is referred to as a controller (Digital Media Controller: DMC) 1007. The DMC 1007 generally has a function of selecting content by following the CDS on the DMS 1001. The content sharing / playback communication model configured by DMS, DMC, and DMR as shown in FIG. 10 is called a 3-Box model.

  Note that the above-described devices such as DMS, DMC, and DMR are conceptual devices that are classified based on their functions, and therefore do not have to correspond one-to-one with physical hardware. In addition, since communication between devices is performed based on a protocol based on IPv4 (for example, TCP / UDP, HTTP / SOAP, etc.), hardware that implements each device is an Internet protocol (Internet Protocol). : IP) is assumed to have a communication function (typically Ethernet (registered trademark), wireless LAN, etc.).

  Here, with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13, the operation of each device in the system including the DMC, the DMS, and the DMR will be briefly described. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, each device in a system including one DMC 1007, one DMS 1001 that stores video content, and two DMRs 1005 (DMR 1005A and DMR 1005B) that display video content. Will be described. 11-13, the DMC 1007 causes a video content stored in the DMS 1001 to be played back by the DMR 1005A, and then another video content related to the video content being played back by the DMR 1005A is played back by the DMR 1005B. Will be described as an example.

  First, the DMC 1007 detects the DMS 1001 connected to the network 1003 (step S1). The DMC 1007 broadcasts a server discovery protocol on the network 1003 via a communication control unit (not shown). As such a server discovery protocol, DLNA uses SSDP (Simple Service Discovery Protocol).

  The DMS 1001 acquires the server discovery protocol that has flowed on the network 1003, creates a response packet including server identification information, and sends it back to the DMC 1007 via a communication control unit (not shown) (step S2). . When there are a plurality of DMSs connected on the network 1003, each DMS returns a response bucket to the DMC 1007.

  Next, the communication control unit (not shown) of the DMC 1007 receives a response packet to the server discovery request from the DMS 1001, and creates a server list that is a list related to the DMS 1001 that has responded (step S3).

  The DMC 1007 detects the DMR 1005 connected to the network 1003 (step S4). The DMC 1007 broadcasts a renderer device discovery protocol on the network 1003 via a communication control unit (not shown).

  A communication control unit (not shown) of each DMR 1005 acquires a renderer device discovery protocol that has flowed on the network 1003, creates a response packet including renderer identification information, and a communication control unit (not shown). ) To the DMC 1007 (steps S5 and S6).

  The DMC 1007 receives a response packet for the renderer device discovery protocol from each DMR 1005, records the renderer identification information of each DMR 1005 included in the response packet in a storage unit (not shown), and responds to the DMR 1005. A renderer list that is a list related to is created (step S7).

  Through the above steps S1 to S7, the DMC 1007 is in a state of knowing the existence of the DMS 1001 and the DMR 1005 connected via the network 1003. Steps S1 to S7 are processes that are automatically executed when the DMC 1007 is powered on, for example.

  At a certain timing, the user of the DMC 1007 operates the operation unit (not shown) to instruct display of a list of video contents on the DMS 1001 (step S8). Then, the DMC 1007 displays the server list including the manufacturer name, device model name, identification information, etc. of the DMS 1001 created in step S3 based on the signal transmitted from the operation unit (not shown). (Not shown)) (step S9). The user selects a server in which video content desired to be viewed is stored from the displayed server list (step S10). Here, a case where the DMS 1001 is selected by the user will be described.

  When the DMS 1001 is selected by the user, the DMC 1007 transmits a request for acquiring a list of video folders on the DMS 1001 to the DMS 1001 (step S11). As a request for acquiring this folder list, DLNA uses SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) and tries to acquire attribute information of video content by using a command “CDS: Browse” in particular.

  A communication control unit (not shown) of the DMS 1001 acquires a request for acquiring a video folder list transmitted from the DMC 1007. In the DMS 1001, there are a large number of video contents, and the video contents are classified and stored in folders. The DMS 1001 acquires the folder information of the video content managed by the DMS 1001 from the video attribute information regarding the video content, and returns it to the DMC 1007 (step S12).

  The DMC 1007 receives the video folder list acquisition response transmitted from the DMS 1001, creates the name of the video folder and the like as a video folder list (step S13), and displays it on the display unit (not shown). The user of the DMC 1007 selects a video folder to be viewed by operating an operation unit (not shown) while viewing the displayed video folder list. If there are more folders under the selected video folder, the user operates an operation unit (not shown) and follows the folder hierarchy until the desired video folder is displayed. At this time, the DMC 1007 repeats Steps S11 to S13 based on a signal transmitted from the operation unit (not shown).

  Next, the DMC 1007 generates a request for obtaining a list of video contents on the DMS 1001 based on a predetermined signal generated by the operation unit (not shown), and transmits the request to the DMS 1001 (step S14).

  When receiving the request for acquiring the video content list transmitted from the DMC 1007, the DMS 1001 acquires the attribute information of the video content managed by the DMS 1001 from the video attribute information and returns it to the DMC 1007 (step S15).

  The DMC 1007 receives the video content list acquisition response transmitted from the DMS 1001, creates a title of the video content and the like as a video content list (step S16), and displays it on the display unit (not shown). The user of the DMC 1007 selects a video content to be viewed by operating an operation unit (not shown) while viewing the displayed video content list. If there is a large amount of content and information on all the content cannot be acquired at once, the DMC 1007 repeats steps S14 to S16.

  Thereafter, the user of the DMC 1007 operates an operation unit (not shown) to select video content to be reproduced (step S17).

  Through the above steps S8 to S17, the user of the DMC 1007 can determine the video content to be reproduced.

  Next, the DMC 1007 displays the manufacturer name, device model name, identification information, etc. of the DMR 1005 recorded in the renderer identification information on a display unit (not shown) (step S18), and plays back the selected video content. The user selects the DMR 1005 (step S19). In the following description, it is assumed that DMR 1005A is selected by the user in step 19.

  Subsequently, the DMC 1007 acquires video attribute information corresponding to the video content for which playback has been determined, and generates playback content attribute information. Also, the DMC 1007 notifies the generated reproduction content attribute information to the DMR 1005A (step S20). This reproduction content attribute information is performed using a command “AVT: SetAVTransportURI” in DLNA. The information notified to the DMR 1005A includes attribute information such as the title of the playback video content, the size of the content, the length of the content, and a URL for accessing the content.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of reproduction content attribute information transmitted from the DMC 1007 to the DMR 1005A. It can be seen that the reproduction content attribute information shown in FIG. 14 describes attribute information such as the title of the reproduction video content, the content size, the content length, and the URL for accessing the content. However, the reproduction content attribute information shown in FIG. 14 does not include information (server identification information) indicating in which DMS the video content decided to be reproduced is stored. That is, based on the reproduction content attribute information shown in FIG. 14, the DMS in which the reproduction content is stored cannot be recognized.

  The DMR 1005A receives the attribute information of the video content transmitted from the DMC 1007, stores the attribute information of the video content in a storage unit (not shown) (step S21), and indicates that the attribute information has been received. Notify

  The DMC 1007 requests the DMR 1005A to start playback of the selected video content (step S22). This reproduction request is made by using a command “AVT: Play” in DLNA.

  Upon receiving the video content playback request transmitted from the DMC 1007, the DMR 1005A refers to the video content attribute information, acquires the content access URL, accesses the acquired URL, and sends the content data acquisition request to the DMS 1001. Transmit (step S23).

  Upon receiving the content data acquisition request transmitted from the DMR 1005A, the DMS 1001 refers to the video attribute information and returns the content data corresponding to the URL to the DMR 1005A (step S24).

  When the DMR 1005A receives the content data transmitted from the DMS 1001, the DMR 1005A transmits the received content data to a content reproduction unit (not shown). The content reproduction unit (not shown) decodes the acquired content data and displays it on the display unit (not shown) (step S25).

  As described above, steps S18 to S25 are processes for displaying the video content decided to be reproduced on the DMR 1005A.

  Here, it is assumed that during video playback, the user turns off the power of the DMC 1007 (step S26), and data such as video attribute information, server identification information, renderer identification information, and playback content attribute information is lost.

  In this situation, consider a case where the user of the DMC 1007 turns on the power of the DMC 1007 again (step S27) and wants to view video content related to the video content played back by the DMR 1005A on the DMR 1005B.

  At this time, the DMC 1007 repeats the same processing as Steps S1 to S7, detects the DMS and the DMR 1005 (Step S28), and re-acquires the server identification information and the renderer identification information.

  Next, assume that the user operates the DMC 1007 to instruct to display the attribute information of the video content being played back by the DMR 1005A (step 29). Then, the DMC 1007 transmits an acquisition request for attribute information of the video content being reproduced to the DMR 1005A (step S30). The attribute information acquisition request for the content being played back is made with a command “AVT: GetMediaInfo” in DLNA.

  When the DMR 1005A receives the request for acquiring the attribute information of the video content being played back transmitted from the DMC 1007, the DMR 1005A returns the attribute information of the video content being played back to the DMC 1007 (step S31).

  When the DMC 1007 receives the attribute information of the video content being played back returned from the DMR 1005A, the DMC 1007 records the received information as attribute information of the content being played back and displays it on a display unit (not shown) (step S32). ). However, as described above, this attribute information does not include information on which DMS stores the video content.

  Here, for example, when the user desires to play back related content stored in the same folder of the content management server as the content being played back by the DMR 1005A, the user instructs display of a list of video content on the DMS 1001 ( Step S33).

  In response, the DMC 1007 performs the folder list display process again by the same process as in steps 9 to 13 (step S34). Specifically, the DMC 1007 generates a server list including the manufacturer name, device model name, identification information, and the like of the DMS 1001 based on the signal transmitted from the operation unit (not shown) by the same processing as Step S9. Displayed on a display unit (not shown). Similarly to step S10, the user selects again the DMS 1001 in which the video content being played back by the DMR 1005A is stored from the displayed server list. Thereafter, the DMC 1007 transmits a request for acquiring a list of video folders on the DMS 1001 to the DMS 1001 by the same processing as Step S11. In response to this, the DMS 1001 acquires the folder information of the video content managed by the DMS 1001 and returns it to the DMC 1007 by the same processing as in step S12. Further, the DMC 1007 receives the video folder list acquisition response transmitted from the DMS 1001 by the same processing as in Step 13, and displays the name of the video folder and the like as a video folder list on a display unit (not shown). The user traces the hierarchy of the displayed video folder and selects the video folder in which the content being played back by the DMR 1005A is stored. That is, the DMC 1007 repeats the same process as in Steps S11 to S13.

  Next, the DMC 1007 performs the same processing as Step S14 to Step S16 again, sequentially acquires the video content information stored in the video folder of the DMS 1001 that is the same as the video content being played back by the DMR 1005A, and displays the display unit (not shown). (Step S35). The user of the DMC 1007 designates the content to be viewed next (related content of the video content being reproduced by the DMR 1005A) from the list-displayed content (step 36).

  Next, as in step S18, the DMC 1007 displays a list of DMRs 1005 that can be selected as playback destinations on a display unit (not shown) (step S37), and selects the playback destination DMR 1005 to the user. get. As a result, the user operates the operation unit (not shown) of the DMC 1007 to select either the DMR 1005A or the DMR 1005B (step S38). In the following description, it is assumed that the DMR 1005B is selected by the user.

  Subsequently, the DMC 1007 acquires video attribute information corresponding to the video content for which playback has been determined, and generates playback content attribute information. Also, the DMC 1007 notifies the generated reproduction content attribute information to the DMR 1005B (step S39). This reproduction content attribute information is performed using a command “AVT: SetAVTransportURI” in DLNA. The information notified to the DMR 1005B includes, for example, attribute information such as the title of the playback video content, the size of the content, the length of the content, and a URL for accessing the content. However, as in step S20, the reproduction content attribute information does not include information on which DMS stores the video content determined to be reproduced.

  The DMR 1005B receives the video content attribute information transmitted from the DMC 1007, stores the video content attribute information in a storage unit (not shown) (step S40), and indicates that the attribute information has been received. Notify

  The DMC 1007 requests the DMR 1005B to start playback of the selected video content (step S41). This reproduction request is made by using a command “AVT: Play” in DLNA.

  When the DMR 1005B receives the video content playback request transmitted from the DMC 1007, the DMR 1005B refers to the video attribute information, acquires the content access URL, accesses the acquired URL, and transmits the content data acquisition request (step). S42).

  Upon receiving the content data acquisition request transmitted from the DMR 1005B, the DMS 1001 refers to the video attribute information and returns the content data corresponding to the URL to the DMR 1005B (step S43).

  When the DMR 1005B receives the content data transmitted from the DMS 1001, the DMR 1005B transmits the received content data to a content reproduction unit (not shown). The content reproduction unit (not shown) decodes the acquired content data and displays it on the display unit (not shown) (step S44).

  By performing such processing, devices existing on the home network can perform content sharing and content reproduction control.

  However, as described above, the attribute information of the video content received by the DMC 1007 in step S31 does not include information on which DMS the video content is stored in. Therefore, the DMC 1007 cannot recognize in which DMS the video content related to the video content being reproduced by the DMR 1005A is stored based on the attribute information of the video content received from the DMR 1005A.

  Therefore, the user selects again the DMS 1001 in which the video content being played back by the DMR 1005A is stored, traces the folder hierarchy of the DMS 1001, and selects the video folder in which the content is stored, Steps S9 to S9. It is necessary to perform the same process (step S34) as step S13. Such an operation has a problem that it is complicated and unusable for the user.

  In some cases, the DMS in which the video content is stored can be specified based on the IP address included in the URL for accessing the video content. For example, a plurality of DMSs are provided on one personal computer. There may be cases where it exists. In such a case, since a plurality of DMSs have the same IP address, the DMC 1001 still has a problem that it cannot recognize in which DMS the video content is stored.

  In step S26, it is assumed that data such as video attribute information and server identification information is lost when the user turns off the power of the DMC 1007. However, the DMC 1007 stores these data in, for example, a non-volatile storage area. It is also possible to store information. In this way, when the DMC 1007 is turned off, by storing data such as video attribute information, server identification information, renderer identification information, and reproduction content attribute information, the user can perform steps S9 to S13 described above. It may not be necessary to perform the same process. However, for example, when the user reproduces video content using another DMC (not shown), the other DMC is data such as video attribute information, server identification information, renderer identification information, and reproduction content attribute information. Does not have. Therefore, after all, it is necessary to perform the same processing as step S9 to step S13 again, and there is a problem that it is complicated and unusable for the user.

  As a result of intensive studies on such problems, the present inventor has come up with an information processing system and an information processing apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention as described below.

(2) First Embodiment (2-1) Information Processing System First, an information processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the information processing system according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a communication network 3, an information processing apparatus (DMC) 10, content management servers (DMS) 20A and 20B, and an information processing apparatus (DMR). ) 30A and 30B.

  The communication network 3 is a communication network that connects the information processing device (DMC) 10, the content management server (DMS) 20, and the information processing device (DMR) 30 so as to enable bidirectional communication or one-way communication. This communication network includes, for example, the public network such as the Internet, NGN (Next Generation Network), telephone line network, satellite communication network, broadcast communication path, WAN (Wide Area Network), LAN (Local Area Network), It is composed of an IP-VPN (Internet Protocol-Virtual Private Network), Ethernet (registered trademark), a dedicated line network such as a wireless LAN, etc., regardless of wired / wireless. In general, when an SSDP broadcast packet is not transmitted, such as the public line network such as the Internet, NGN network, telephone line network, satellite communication network, broadcast communication path, or WAN, the LAN is connected by IP-VPN or the like. It needs to be handled equally.

  The information processing device (DMC) 10 acquires a content list such as video content, music content, and photo content from a content management server (DMS) 20 described later, and stores the content list in the information processing device (DMR) 30 described later. This is an apparatus capable of reproducing content selected from among them. The information processing apparatus (DMC) 10 may be a computer apparatus such as a personal computer or a server, such as a television receiver, a DVD / HDD recorder, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, or a home game. It may be an information home appliance having a communication function via a network, such as a digital video camera. Further, the information processing apparatus (DMC) 10 may be a portable device (Portable Device) that can be carried by a contractor, for example, a portable game machine, a PHS, a portable video / audio player, or the like.

  The information processing apparatus (DMC) 10 is a “controller apparatus” having a function of a digital media controller (Digital Media Controller) that complies with DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) guidelines. Further, the information processing apparatus (DMC) 10 may further have the functions of a digital media server (Digital Media Server: DMS) and a digital media player (Digital Media Player: DMP). In the following description, the information processing apparatus (DMC) 10 may be referred to as a controller apparatus 10.

  Content management servers (DMS) 20A and B (hereinafter also referred to as controller management server (DMS) 20) associate content such as video content, music content, and photo content with location information, metadata, and the like of the content. to manage. In addition, the content management server 20 responds to a request from the controller device 10 or the information processing device (DMR) 30 connected via the communication network 3 and manages the content managed by the content management server 20 and the content meta. Provide data etc. The content management server 20 may be a computer device such as a personal computer or a server, such as a television receiver, a DVD / HDD recorder, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, a consumer game machine, a digital It may be an information home appliance having a communication function via a network such as a video camera. Further, the content management server 20 may be a portable device (Portable Device) that can be carried by a contractor, for example, a portable game machine, a PHS, a portable video / audio player, or the like. The content management server 20 is a “content management server” having the function of a digital media server (DMS) that complies with the DLNA guidelines.

  Information processing devices (DMR) 30A and 30B (hereinafter also referred to as information processing device (DMR) 30) acquire content data corresponding to content specified by the controller device 10 from the content management server 20 and reproduce it. It is. The information processing apparatus (DMR) 30 may be a computer apparatus such as a personal computer or a server, such as a television receiver, a DVD / HDD recorder, a mobile phone, a PDA, a digital camera, a home game machine, or a digital video camera. The information household appliance which has a communication function via networks, such as, may be sufficient. Further, the information processing apparatus (DMR) 30 may be a portable device that can be carried by a contractor, for example, a portable game machine, a PHS, a portable video / audio player, or the like. The information processing apparatus (DMR) 30 is a “renderer apparatus” having a function of a digital media renderer (DMR) that complies with the DLNA guidelines. In the following description, the information processing apparatus (DMR) 30 may be referred to as a renderer apparatus 30.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, only one controller device 10 is connected to the communication network 3, but a plurality of controller devices 10 may be connected to the communication network 3. Similarly, in the example shown in FIG. 1, two content management servers 20A and 20B and renderer devices 30A and 30B are connected to each other, but one or three or more content management servers 20 are connected to the communication network 3. And the renderer apparatus 30 may be connected.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the controller device 10, the content management server 20, and the renderer device 30 are connected to each other via the communication network 3, but the information processing device 10, the content management server 20, and the renderer device 30 are connected. May be directly connected to each other without using the communication network 3.

  The controller device 10, the content management server 20, and the renderer device 30 will be described in detail later.

(2-2) Configuration of Controller Device 10 Next, the configuration of the controller device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the controller device 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the controller device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a communication control unit 101, an operation unit 103, a server information acquisition unit 105, a renderer information acquisition unit 107, and a content reproduction control unit 109. The display control unit 111, the reproduction content attribute information acquisition unit 113, and the storage unit 117 are mainly provided.

  The communication control unit 101 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a communication device, and the like. The communication control unit 101 performs communication control of various data transmitted / received between the controller device 10 and the content management server 20 and between the controller device 10 and the renderer device 30.

  More specifically, the communication control unit 101 receives requests from the processing units included in the controller device 10 according to the present embodiment, and transmits various data and signals to the content management server 20 and the renderer device 30. Further, the communication control unit 101 receives various data and signals transmitted from the content management server 20 and the renderer device 30, and transmits them to each processing unit provided in the controller device 10 according to the present embodiment.

  Further, the communication control unit 101 can use a storage unit 117 described later as a transmission / reception buffer.

  The operation unit 103 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input device, and the like, and is made for various input switches such as a content selection switch, a playback switch, and a stop switch provided in the controller device 10. The operation is converted into a predetermined signal and transmitted to the corresponding processing unit. The operations performed on the input switch as described above are, for example, operations for acquiring content attribute information from the content management server 20, and operations for causing the specific renderer device 30 to play / stop specific content. And so on.

  The server information acquisition unit 105 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and acquires server information related to the content management server 20 from the content management server 20 connected via the communication network 3.

  More specifically, the server information acquisition unit 105 broadcasts a server discovery protocol on the communication network 3 using a protocol such as SSDP, and acquires server identification information from the content management server 20 that has responded. The server identification information includes, for example, an identification such as an IP address given to the content management server 20, a manufacturer name / device model name of the content management server 20, and a UUID (Universally Unique IDentifier) given to the content management server 20. Contains information.

  In addition, the server information acquisition unit 105 transmits a request for acquiring a list of content folders managed by the content management server 20 to the content management server 20 using a protocol such as SOAP, which is managed by the server. Get a list of content folders. Further, the server information acquisition unit 105 transmits a request for acquiring a list of contents managed by the content management server 20 to the content management server 20, and acquires a list of contents managed by the server. Such information about the content folder and information about the content itself include attribute information and location information of the folder and content.

  The server information 119 including the server identification information acquired by the server information acquisition unit 105 and the attribute information related to the content managed by the server is acquired in, for example, a server information recording area of the storage unit 117 described later. It is recorded in association with information related to the time. This server information can be freely referred to by each processing unit included in the controller device 10 according to the present embodiment.

  The server information acquisition unit 105 also includes a server list that is a list of servers to which the controller device 10 can be connected and a content folder to which the controller device 10 can be connected based on the acquired server identification information and attribute information about the content. It is possible to generate a content folder list that is a list, a content list that is a list of contents that can be acquired by the controller device 10, and the like.

  The server information acquisition unit 105 can transmit the generated list to the display control unit 111 described later and display the list on a display unit (not shown) of the controller device 10. Further, the server information acquisition unit 105 may record these generated lists in the storage unit 117 described later.

  Further, when performing these processes, the server information acquisition unit 105 refers to various parameters and databases recorded in the storage unit 117 and the like described later, and various types of information recorded in the storage unit 117 and the like described later. May be executed.

  The renderer information acquisition unit 107 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and acquires renderer information 121 related to the renderer device from the renderer device 30 connected via the communication network 3.

  More specifically, the renderer information acquisition unit 107 broadcasts a renderer device discovery protocol on the communication network 3 using a protocol such as SSDP, and acquires renderer identification information from the responding renderer device 30. The renderer identification information includes, for example, identification information such as an IP address assigned to the renderer device 30 and a manufacturer name / device model name of the renderer device 30, and a UUID (Universally Unique IDentifier) assigned to the renderer device 30. ) Etc. may be included as information.

  In addition, the renderer information acquisition unit 107 can also acquire information related to the type of content that can be reproduced by the renderer apparatus 30 from the renderer apparatus 30.

  The renderer information 121 including the renderer identification information acquired by the renderer information acquisition unit 107 is recorded in a renderer information recording area of the storage unit 117, which will be described later, in association with information regarding the time when the renderer information 121 was acquired. The The renderer information 121 can be freely referred to by each processing unit included in the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

  Further, the renderer information acquisition unit 107 can generate a renderer list that is a list of renderer devices to which the information processing apparatus 10 can be connected, based on the acquired renderer identification information and the like.

  The renderer information acquisition unit 107 can transmit the generated list to the display control unit 111 described later and display the list on a display unit (not shown) of the information processing apparatus 10. In addition, the renderer information acquisition unit 107 may record the generated list in the storage unit 117 described later.

  In addition, when performing these processes, the renderer information acquisition unit 107 refers to various parameters and databases recorded in the storage unit 117 and the like described later, and various types of information recorded in the storage unit 117 and the like described later. May be executed.

  The content reproduction control unit 109 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and performs control for causing the renderer device 30 selected by the user of the controller device 10 to reproduce the content selected by the user.

  More specifically, the content playback control unit 109 generates playback content attribute information related to the content determined to be played back when the renderer device 30 that plays back the content and the content that is played back by the renderer device 30 are determined. To the renderer device 30. The reproduction content attribute information includes, for example, attribute information such as the title of the content desired to be reproduced, the content size, the content length, and a URL for accessing the content. Further, the content reproduction control unit 109 of the controller device 10 according to the present embodiment adds the server identification information acquired by the server information acquisition unit 105 described above to the reproduction content attribute information. Specifically, the content reproduction control unit 109 generates reproduction content attribute information including server identification information of the content management server 20 in which content desired to be reproduced is stored, and transmits the reproduction content attribute information to the renderer device 30.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of reproduction content attribute information generated by the content reproduction control unit 109 and transmitted to the renderer device 30 via the communication control unit 101. Unlike the playback content attribute information shown in FIG. 14, the playback content attribute information shown in FIG. 3 describes UUID (Universally Unique Identifier) which is server identification information of the content management server 20 in which the content to be played back is stored. Yes. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the UUID that is server identification information is represented by a 16-byte numerical value of “12345678-1234-1234-1234-12345789abc”. The reproduction content attribute information shown in FIG. 3 is an example for explaining the present embodiment, and the description content and the like are not limited to this.

  The content playback control unit 109 generates the playback content attribute information as described above based on the server information 119 recorded in the storage unit 117 described later, and the renderer information 121 recorded in the storage unit 117 described later. Based on this, the generated reproduction content attribute information is transmitted. The content reproduction control unit 109 may record the generated reproduction content attribute information in the storage unit 117 described later.

  When the content reproduction control unit 109 receives a notification that the attribute information has been received from the renderer device 30 that has transmitted the reproduction content attribute information, the content reproduction control unit 109 transmits a content reproduction request to the renderer device 30. The content playback control unit 109 can also transmit a content playback stop request (that is, a content stop request) to the renderer device 30 that is playing back the content.

  Further, when performing these processes, the content reproduction control unit 109 refers to various parameters and databases recorded in the storage unit 117 and the like described later, and various types of information recorded in the storage unit 117 and the like described later. May be executed.

  The reproduction content attribute information acquisition unit 113 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and in response to an instruction from the user of the controller device 10, reproduction content attribute information corresponding to the content being reproduced by the renderer device 30 is obtained. Control to get.

  More specifically, the reproduction content attribute information acquisition unit 113 is reproducing from the renderer device 30 when the user instructs a request to display attribute information of the content currently being reproduced on the renderer device 30 via the operation unit 103. The reproduction content attribute information corresponding to the content is acquired. Although details will be described later, the renderer device 30 records the reproduction content attribute information transmitted from the content reproduction control unit 109 of the controller device 10 in the storage unit 313. Therefore, the renderer device 30 can return the playback content attribute information corresponding to the content being played back to the controller device 10 in response to a request from the playback content attribute information acquisition unit 113 of the controller device 10. Thereby, the reproduction content attribute information acquisition unit 113 can reliably acquire the reproduction content attribute information corresponding to the content being reproduced by the renderer device 30.

  The reproduction content attribute information acquisition unit 113 can transmit the acquired reproduction content attribute information to the display control unit 111 described later and display it on a display unit (not shown) of the controller device 10.

  Here, as described above, the reproduction content attribute information includes not only the content attribute information but also server identification information of the content management server 20 that manages the content. Therefore, the reproduction content attribute information acquisition unit 113 transmits the acquired reproduction content attribute information to the server information acquisition unit 105, and acquires a list of contents stored in the same folder of the content management server 20 as the content. It is also possible to make it. In addition, a list of contents acquired in this way can be transmitted to the display control unit 111 described later and displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the controller device 10.

  Further, the reproduction content attribute information acquisition unit 113 may record the acquired reproduction content attribute information 123 in the storage unit 117 described later.

  In addition, when performing these processes, the reproduction content attribute information acquisition unit 113 refers to various parameters and databases recorded in the storage unit 117 and the like described later, or is recorded in the storage unit 117 and the like described later. Various programs may be executed.

  The display control unit 111 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and each processing unit included in the controller device 10 according to the present embodiment displays various data, information, and the like (not illustrated). Display control when displaying on the screen. When performing these processes, the display control unit 111 refers to various parameters and databases recorded in the storage unit 117 and the like described later, and stores various programs recorded in the storage unit 117 and the like described later. It may be executed.

  The storage unit 117 stores the server information 119 and the renderer information 121 described above. The storage unit 117 stores reproduction content attribute information 123 transmitted from the renderer device 30 and related to the content currently being reproduced by the renderer device 30.

  In addition, the storage unit 117 appropriately records various parameters, intermediate progress of processing, and various databases that need to be saved when the controller device 10 according to the present embodiment performs some processing. May be. The storage unit 117 includes a communication control unit 101, an operation unit 103, a server information acquisition unit 105, a renderer information acquisition unit 107, a content reproduction control unit 109, a display control unit 111, a reproduction content attribute information acquisition unit 113, and the like. It is possible to read and write.

  Heretofore, an example of the function of the controller device 10 according to the present embodiment has been shown. Each component described above may be configured using a general-purpose member or circuit, or may be configured by hardware specialized for the function of each component. In addition, the CPU or the like may perform all functions of each component. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately change the configuration to be used according to the technical level at the time of carrying out the present embodiment.

(2-3) Configuration of Content Management Server 20 Next, the configuration of the content management server 20 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the content management server 20 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the content management server 20 according to the present embodiment includes a communication control unit 201, an operation unit 203, a server identification information providing unit 205, a content information providing unit 207, and a storage unit 213. Is mainly provided.

  The communication control unit 201 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a communication device, and the like, and transmits and receives between the content management server 20 and the controller device 10 and between the content management server 20 and the renderer device 30. It performs communication control of various data.

  More specifically, the communication control unit 201 receives a request from each processing unit included in the content management server 20 according to the present embodiment, and transmits various data and signals to the controller device 10 and the renderer device 30. Further, the communication control unit 201 receives various data and signals transmitted from the controller device 10 and the renderer device 30 and transmits them to each processing unit included in the content management server 20 according to the present embodiment.

  Further, the communication control unit 201 can use a storage unit 213 described later as a transmission / reception buffer.

  The operation unit 203 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input device, and the like, and is made for various input switches such as a content selection switch, a playback switch, and a stop switch provided in the content management server 20. The operation is converted into a predetermined signal and transmitted to the corresponding processing unit.

  The server identification information providing unit 205 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and transmits server identification information for identifying the content management server 20 to the controller device 10. This server identification information is information unique to the content management server 20, for example, an IP address assigned to the content management server 20, a manufacturer name / device model name of the content management server 20, and a content management server 20. Identification information such as the UUID that has been generated. More specifically, the server identification information providing unit 205 uses the server identification information acquired from the storage unit 213 (described later) as a response to the server discovery protocol broadcasted by the controller device 10 via the communication network 3. 10 to send.

  The content information providing unit 207 is constituted by, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The content information providing unit 207 relates to attribute information related to the content folder managed by the content management server 20 or content managed by the content management server 20 in response to various information acquisition requests transmitted from the controller device 10. Attribute information and the like are provided to the controller device 10. In addition, the content information providing unit 207 provides content data corresponding to the content managed by the content management server 20 to the renderer device 30 in response to the content data acquisition request transmitted from the renderer device 30.

  More specifically, the content information providing unit 207 is stored in the storage unit 213 to be described later in response to a request for acquiring a list of content folders and a request for acquiring a list of content transmitted from the controller device 10. The requested information is provided to the controller device 10 while referring to the content attribute information 217.

  In addition, the content information providing unit 207 acquires content data designated by the renderer device 30 from the storage unit 213 in response to a content data acquisition request corresponding to the specific content transmitted from the renderer device 30, and renders the renderer. To device 30.

  The storage unit 213 stores content data 215 related to content managed by the content management server 20 and content attribute information 217. The storage unit 213 also stores server identification information 219 for identifying the content management server 20.

  In addition, the storage unit 213 stores various parameters, intermediate progress of processing, and various databases that need to be saved when the content management server 20 according to the present embodiment performs some processing, as appropriate, and the like. It may be recorded. The storage unit 213 can be freely read and written by the communication control unit 201, the operation unit 203, the server identification information providing unit 205, the content information providing unit 207, and the like.

  Heretofore, an example of the function of the content management server 20 according to the present embodiment has been shown. Each component described above may be configured using a general-purpose member or circuit, or may be configured by hardware specialized for the function of each component. In addition, the CPU or the like may perform all functions of each component. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately change the configuration to be used according to the technical level at the time of carrying out the present embodiment.

(2-4) Configuration of Renderer Device 30 Next, the configuration of the renderer device 30 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the renderer device 30 according to the present embodiment.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the renderer device 30 according to the present embodiment includes a communication control unit 301, an operation unit 303, a renderer information providing unit 305, a content data acquisition unit 307, a content reproduction unit 309, A playback content attribute information providing unit 311 and a storage unit 313 are mainly provided.

  The communication control unit 301 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a communication device, and the like, and is variously transmitted / received between the renderer device 30 and the content management server 20 and between the renderer device 30 and the controller device 10. Performs data communication control.

  More specifically, the communication control unit 301 receives requests from the processing units included in the renderer device 30 according to the present embodiment, and transmits various data and signals to the controller device 10 and the content management server 20. Further, the communication control unit 301 receives various data and signals transmitted from the controller device 10 and the content management server 20 and transmits them to each processing unit included in the renderer device 30 according to the present embodiment.

  Further, the communication control unit 301 can use a storage unit 313 described later as a transmission / reception buffer.

  The operation unit 303 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input device, and the like, and is made for various input switches such as a content selection switch, a playback switch, and a stop switch provided in the renderer device 30. The operation is converted into a predetermined signal and transmitted to the corresponding processing unit.

  The renderer information providing unit 305 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The renderer information providing unit 305 transmits, to the controller device 10, renderer information including renderer identification information for identifying the renderer device 30 and attribute information describing the type of content that can be reproduced by the renderer device 30. . The renderer identification information is information unique to the renderer device 30, such as an IP address assigned to the renderer device 30, a manufacturer name / device model name of the renderer device 30, a UUID assigned to the renderer device 30, and the like. Contains identification information. More specifically, the renderer information providing unit 305 receives the renderer information acquired from the storage unit 313 (to be described later) as a response to the renderer device discovery protocol broadcasted by the controller device 10 via the communication network 3. Send to.

  The content data acquisition unit 307 is configured from, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The content data acquisition unit 307 acquires content data corresponding to the content specified by the reproduction content attribute information from the content management server 20 based on the reproduction content attribute information transmitted from the controller device 10. The reproduction content attribute information transmitted from the controller device 10 is stored in a storage unit 313 described later. Therefore, the content data acquisition unit 307 acquires content data corresponding to the content specified by the reproduction content attribute information 317 from the content management server 20 based on the reproduction content attribute information 317 stored in the storage unit 313. be able to. Further, the content data acquisition unit 307 transmits the content data acquired from the content management server 20 to the content reproduction unit 309 described later. The content data acquisition unit 307 may store the acquired content data in the storage unit 313 described later.

  The content playback unit 309 performs playback processing of content data transmitted from the content data acquisition unit 307. More specifically, the content reproduction unit 309 decodes the content data transmitted from the content data acquisition unit 307 and performs reproduction processing of the decrypted content data. At this time, the content reproduction unit 309 may perform the content reproduction process while decoding the content data, or may perform the content reproduction process after the decoding of the content data is completed. Note that the content reproduction unit 309 can use data, a database, or the like recorded in a storage unit 313 or the like described later.

  The reproduction content attribute information providing unit 311 is constituted by, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The reproduction content attribute information providing unit 311 transmits reproduction content attribute information corresponding to the content being reproduced by the renderer device 30 to the controller device 10. More specifically, the playback content attribute information providing unit 311 adds the content being played back acquired from the storage unit 313 described later in response to a playback content attribute information acquisition request transmitted from the controller device 10 via the communication network 3. Corresponding reproduction content attribute information is transmitted to the controller device 10.

  The storage unit 313 stores renderer information 315 including renderer identification information for identifying the renderer device 30 and attribute information describing the type of content that can be reproduced by the renderer device 30. The storage unit 313 stores reproduction content attribute information 317 transmitted from the controller device 10.

  In addition, the storage unit 313 appropriately records various parameters, intermediate progress of processing, and various databases that need to be saved when the renderer device 30 according to the present embodiment performs some processing. May be. The storage unit 313 can be freely read and written by the communication control unit 301, the operation unit 303, the renderer information provision unit 305, the content data acquisition unit 307, the content reproduction unit 309, the reproduction content attribute information provision unit 311, and the like. It is.

  Heretofore, an example of the function of the renderer device 30 according to the present embodiment has been shown. Each component described above may be configured using a general-purpose member or circuit, or may be configured by hardware specialized for the function of each component. In addition, the CPU or the like may perform all functions of each component. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately change the configuration to be used according to the technical level at the time of carrying out the present embodiment.

(2-5) Information Processing Method Next, the information processing method performed by the controller device 10 according to the present embodiment and the content management server 20 according to the present embodiment will be performed with reference to FIGS. The connection management method to be performed will be described in detail. 6 to 8 are flowcharts for explaining the information processing method according to the present embodiment.

  6-8, the DMC 10 performs a process of causing a video content stored in the DMS 20 to be played back by the DMR 30A, and then another video content related to the video content being played back by the DMR 30A to be played back by the DMR 30B. Explained as an example.

  First, the controller device 10 (hereinafter abbreviated as DMC 10) according to the present embodiment detects a content management server 20 (hereinafter abbreviated as DMS 20) connected to the communication network 3 (step S101). The server information acquisition unit 105 of the DMC 10 broadcasts a server discovery protocol on the communication network 3 via the communication control unit 101. As such a server discovery protocol, for example, SSDP is used.

  The server identification information providing unit 205 of the DMS 20 acquires the server discovery protocol that has flowed on the communication network 3 and creates a response packet including the server identification information 219 while referring to the storage unit 213, and sets the communication control unit 201. It returns to DMC10 via (step S102). Another DMS (not shown) also returns a response packet including server identification information to the DMC 10 in accordance with the server discovery protocol that has flowed on the communication network 3.

  Next, the communication control unit 101 of the DMC 10 acquires a response to the server discovery request from the DMS 20, and the server information acquisition unit 105 stores the server identification information of the DMS 20 included in the response in the storage unit 117, and A server list, which is a list related to the DMS 20 with the error, is created (step S103).

  The DMC 10 detects renderers 30A and 30B (hereinafter abbreviated as DMRs 30A and 30B) connected to the communication network 3 (step S104). The renderer information acquisition unit 107 of the DMC 10 broadcasts a renderer device discovery protocol on the communication network 3 via the communication control unit 101.

  The communication control unit 301 of the DMRs 30 </ b> A and 30 </ b> B acquires the renderer device discovery protocol that has flowed on the communication network 3, and the renderer information providing unit 305 creates a response packet including renderer information while referring to the storage unit 313. The message is returned to the DMC 10 via the communication control unit 301 (steps S105 and S106). Another DMR (not shown) also returns a response packet including renderer information to the DMC 10 in accordance with the renderer device discovery protocol that has flowed on the communication network 3.

  The renderer information acquisition unit 107 of the DMC 10 acquires a response to the renderer device discovery protocol from the DMRs 30A and 30B, records the renderer information of each DMR included in the response in the storage unit 117, and relates to the DMR that has responded A renderer list that is a list is created (step S107).

  Through the above steps S101 to S107, the DMC 10 is in a state of knowing the existence of the DMS 20, DMR 30A, and 30B connected via the communication network 3.

  Note that steps S101 to S107 are processes that are automatically executed when the DMC 10 is powered on, for example.

  At a certain timing, the user of the DMC 10 operates the operation unit 103 to instruct display of a list of video contents on the DMS 20 (step S108). Then, the display control unit 111 of the DMC 10 displays the server list including the manufacturer name, device model name, identification information, and the like of the DMS 20 created in step S103 based on the signal transmitted from the operation unit 103. (Not shown)) (step 109). The user selects a server in which video content desired to be viewed is stored from the displayed server list (step 110). 6 to 8, only one DMS 20 selected by the user is displayed for convenience of explanation.

  When the user operates the operation unit 103 to select the DMS 20, the server information acquisition unit 105 of the DMC 10 sends a request to acquire a video folder list on the DMS 20 based on the signal transmitted from the operation unit 103. (Step S111). As a request for acquiring this folder list, SOAP is used, and in particular, acquisition of video content attribute information is attempted by a command “CDS: Browse”.

  The communication control unit 201 of the DMS 20 acquires a request for acquiring a video folder list transmitted from the DMC 10. In the DMS 20, there are a large number of video contents, and the video contents are classified and stored in folders. The content information providing unit 207 of the DMS 20 acquires the folder information of the video content managed by the DMS 20 from the content attribute information 217 stored in the storage unit 213, and returns it to the DMC 10 (step S112).

  The server information acquisition unit 105 of the DMC 10 receives the video folder list acquisition response transmitted from the DMS 20, creates a name of the video folder and the like as a video folder list (step S 113), and displays the display unit via the display control unit 111 ( (Not shown). The user of the DMC 10 operates the operation unit 103 while viewing the displayed video folder list, and selects a video folder to be viewed. If there are more folders under the selected video folder, the user operates the operation unit 103 to follow the folder hierarchy until the desired video folder is displayed. At this time, the server information acquisition unit 105 of the DMC 10 repeats steps S111 to S113 based on the signal transmitted from the operation unit 103.

  Next, the server information acquisition unit 105 of the DMC 10 generates a request for acquiring a list of video contents on the DMS 20 based on the predetermined signal generated by the operation unit 103, and transmits the request to the DMS 20 (step S114).

  When the content information providing unit 207 of the DMS 20 receives the request for acquiring the video content list transmitted from the DMC 10, the content information providing unit 207 acquires the attribute information 217 of the video content managed by the DMS 20 from the storage unit 213 and sends it back to the DMC 10. (Step S115).

  The server information acquisition unit 105 of the DMC 10 receives the video content list acquisition response transmitted from the DMS 20, creates a video content title and the like as a video content list (step S 116), and displays the display unit (via the display control unit 111). (Not shown). The user of the DMC 10 operates the operation unit 103 while viewing the displayed video content list, and selects video content to be viewed. If a large amount of content exists and information on all the contents cannot be acquired at once, the DMC 10 repeats the above steps S114 to S116.

  Thereafter, the user of the DMC 10 operates the operation unit 103 to select video content to be reproduced (step S117).

  Through the above steps S108 to S117, the user of the DMC 10 can determine the video content to be reproduced.

  Next, the renderer information acquisition unit 107 of the DMC 10 displays the manufacturer name, device model name, identification information, and the like of the DMRs 30A and 30B recorded in the renderer identification information on a display unit (not shown) via the display control unit 111. Display (step S118), and ask the user to select a DMR (that is, a playback destination DMR) for reproducing the selected video content (step S119). Here, in step S119, the user operates the operation unit 103 of the DMC 10 to select one of the two DMRs 30A and 30B. In the following description, it is assumed that DMR 30A is selected.

  Subsequently, the content playback control unit 109 of the DMC 10 acquires attribute information corresponding to the video content for which playback has been determined, and generates playback content attribute information. At this time, the content playback control unit 109 of the DMC 10 adds the identification information of the server that manages the video content that has been determined to be played back to the playback content attribute information. Further, the content playback control unit 109 of the DMC 10 notifies the generated playback content attribute information to the DMR 30A (step S120). This reproduction content attribute information is performed using a command “AVT: SetAVTransportURI”. The playback content attribute information notified to the DMR 30A includes, for example, attribute information such as a title, a size of the content, a length of the content, and a URL for accessing the content, in addition to identification information of a server that manages the playback video content.

  The content data acquisition unit 307 of the DMR 30A receives the reproduction content attribute information transmitted from the DMC 10, stores it in the storage unit 313 (step S121), and notifies the DMC 10 that the reproduction content attribute information has been received.

  The content playback control unit 109 of the DMC 10 requests the DMR 30A to start playback of the selected video content (step S122). This reproduction request is made using a command “AVT: Play”.

  When the content data acquisition unit 307 of the DMR 30A receives the playback request for the video content transmitted from the DMC 10, the content data acquisition unit 307 acquires the access URL of the content by referring to the attribute information of the content, accesses the acquired URL, and stores the content data An acquisition request is transmitted (step S123).

  When receiving the content data acquisition request transmitted from the DMR 30A, the content information providing unit 207 of the DMS 20 refers to the content attribute information 217 and returns the content data 215 corresponding to the URL to the DMR 30A (step S124). ).

  When the content data acquisition unit 307 of the DMR 30A receives the content data transmitted from the DMS 20, the content data acquisition unit 307 transmits the received content data to the content reproduction unit 309. The content reproduction unit 309 decodes the acquired content data and displays it on the display unit (not shown) (step S125).

  As described above, steps S118 to S125 are processes for displaying the video content decided to be reproduced on the DMR 30A.

  Here, it is assumed that during video playback, the user turns off the power of the DMC 10 (step S126), and data such as video attribute information, server identification information, renderer identification information, and playback content attribute information is lost.

  In this situation, consider a case where the user of the DMC 10 turns on the DMC 10 again (step S127).

  At this time, the DMC 10 repeats the same processing as in steps S101 to S107, detects the DMS 20 and detects the DMRs 30A and 30B (step S128), and re-acquires server identification information and renderer identification information.

  Next, it is assumed that the user operates the operation unit 103 of the DMC 10 to instruct to display the attribute information of the video content being played back by the DMR 30A (step 129). Then, the playback content attribute information acquisition unit 113 of the DMC 10 transmits a playback content attribute information acquisition request corresponding to the video content being played back to the DMR 30A (step S130). This reproduction request is made by a command “AVT: GetMediaInfo” in DLNA.

  When the playback content attribute information providing unit 311 of the DMR 30A receives the playback content attribute information acquisition request transmitted from the DMC 10, the playback content attribute information providing unit 311 stores the playback content attribute information 317 corresponding to the video content being played back recorded in the storage unit 313. Return to the DMC 10 (step S131).

  When the playback content attribute information acquisition unit 113 of the DMC 10 receives the playback content attribute information returned from the DMR 30A, the playback content attribute information acquisition unit 113 records the received information in the storage unit 117 and transmits it to the display control unit 111 to display a display unit (not shown). .) Is displayed (step S132).

  Here, for example, when the user desires to play back related content stored in the folder of the DMS 20 that manages the content being played back by the DMR 30A, the user lists the video content stored in the folder of the DMS 20 Display is instructed (step S133).

  At this time, the playback content attribute information recorded in the storage unit 117 of the DMC 10 includes server identification information of the DMS 20 that manages the video content being played back by the DMR 30A. The reproduction content attribute information also includes attribute information including the URL of the video content. Therefore, the DMC 10 can specify the DMS 20 that manages the video content being played back by the DMR 30A and the folder in which the video content is stored based on the playback content attribute information.

  As a result, the server information acquisition unit 105 of the DMC 10 displays a list of video contents stored in the same folder as the video content being played back by the DMR 30A by a process similar to steps S114 to S116. (Not shown) can be displayed (step S134). That is, the user does not need to operate the operation unit 103 of the DMC 10 to select again the DMS 20 that manages video content and the folder in which the video content is stored.

  Thereafter, using the parent folder information included in the content attribute information, it is also possible to move to another folder and display a list of contents.

  Next, the user of the DMC 10 operates the operation unit 103 to specify video content to be played back (related content of the video content being played back by the DMR 30A) (step S135).

  Through the above steps S129 to S135, the user of the DMC 10 can specify another video content stored in the same folder as the content being played back by the DMR 30A. At this time, the user operates the operation unit 103 to select a DMS 20 or to search the folder in which the DMR 30A stores the video content being played back by tracing the folder hierarchy. There is no need.

  Next, the renderer information acquisition unit 107 of the DMC 10 displays the manufacturer name, device model name, identification information, and the like of the DMRs 30A and 30B recorded in the renderer identification information on a display unit (not shown) (step S136). Then, the user selects the DMR for reproducing the selected video content (that is, the reproduction destination DMR) (step S137). Here, in step S137, the user operates the operation unit 103 of the DMC 10 to select one of the two DMRs 30A and 30B. In the following description, it is assumed that DMR 30B is selected.

  Subsequently, the content playback control unit 109 of the DMC 10 acquires attribute information corresponding to the video content for which playback has been determined, and generates playback content attribute information. At this time, the content playback control unit 109 of the DMC 10 adds the identification information of the server that manages the video content that has been determined to be played back to the playback content attribute information. Further, the content playback control unit 109 of the DMC 10 notifies the generated playback content attribute information to the DMR 30B (step S138). This reproduction content attribute information is performed using a command “AVT: SetAVTransportURI”. The reproduction content attribute information notified to the DMR 30B includes, for example, attribute information such as a title, the size of the content, the length of the content, and a URL for accessing the content, in addition to the identification information of the server that manages the reproduction video content.

  The content data acquisition unit 307 of the DMR 30B receives the reproduction content attribute information transmitted from the DMC 10, stores it in the storage unit 313 (step S139), and notifies the DMC 10 that the attribute information has been received.

  The content playback control unit 109 of the DMC 10 requests the DMR 30B to start playback of the selected video content (step S140). This reproduction request is made using a command “AVT: Play”.

  When the content data acquisition unit 307 of the DMR 30B receives the playback request for the video content transmitted from the DMC 10, the content data acquisition unit 307 acquires the access URL of the content by referring to the attribute information of the content, accesses the acquired URL, and stores the content data An acquisition request is transmitted (step S141).

  Upon receiving the content data acquisition request transmitted from the DMR 30B, the content information providing unit 207 of the DMS 20 refers to the content attribute information 217 and returns the content data 215 corresponding to the URL to the DMR 30B (step S142). ).

  When the content data acquisition unit 307 of the DMR 30B receives the content data transmitted from the DMS 20, the content data acquisition unit 307 transmits the received content data to the content reproduction unit 309. The content reproduction unit 309 decodes the acquired content data and displays it on a display unit (not shown) (step S143).

  As described above, steps S136 to S143 are processes for displaying the video content related to the video content being played back by the DMR 30A on the DMR 30B.

  The information processing method according to the present embodiment has been described above. In the above description, the case where the content related to the video content being played back by the renderer device is played back by another renderer device has been described. However, the problem that can be solved by the method according to the present embodiment is the above example. It is not limited to. For example, when the same video content as the video content being played back by the renderer device 30A is played back by another renderer device 30B, the video content related to the video content being played back by the renderer device 30A is played back by the same renderer device 30A. In some cases, the method according to the present embodiment can be used. That is, in the method according to the present embodiment, the controller device acquires the playback content attribute information corresponding to the video content that is being played by a certain renderer device, so that the content management server and the folder in which the video content is stored are stored. Can be identified automatically. This eliminates the need for the user to perform complicated operations such as selecting a content management server and selecting a folder in the other examples described above.

  In the information processing method described above, the controller device obtains reproduction content attribute information corresponding to the video content being reproduced from the renderer device, and the user designates the related content. However, the information processing method is not limited to these. It is not limited. For example, the renderer device can directly acquire the video content from the content management server based on the playback content attribute information and play it back. As described above, the renderer device records the reproduction content attribute information corresponding to the video content being reproduced in the storage unit. In addition, the reproduction content attribute information describes attribute information including server identification information of a content management server that manages the video content, a URL of the video content, and the like.

  Therefore, for example, when the user operates the operation unit of the controller device to request playback of video content before and after the video content currently being played by the renderer device, the controller device transmits the request to the renderer device. . In response to this, the content data acquisition unit of the renderer directly accesses the content management server based on the playback content attribute information corresponding to the video content being played back recorded in the storage unit, and obtains the video content requested by the user. It can also be acquired. As a result, the content reproduction unit of the renderer apparatus can display the acquired video content. Note that the video content before and after the video content being played back is video content stored in the same folder of the same content management server and having the same title.

(3) Hardware Configuration Next, the hardware configuration of the controller device 10 according to each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram for explaining a hardware configuration of the controller device 10 according to each embodiment of the present invention.

  The controller device 10 mainly includes a CPU 901, a ROM 903, a RAM 905, a host bus 907, a bridge 909, an external bus 911, an interface 913, an input device 915, an output device 917, a storage device 919, A drive 921, a connection port 923, and a communication device 925 are provided.

  The CPU 901 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls all or part of the operation in the controller device 10 according to various programs recorded in the ROM 903, the RAM 905, the storage device 919, or the removable recording medium 927. The ROM 903 stores programs used by the CPU 901, calculation parameters, and the like. The RAM 905 primarily stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 901, parameters that change as appropriate during the execution, and the like. These are connected to each other by a host bus 907 constituted by an internal bus such as a CPU bus.

  The host bus 907 is connected to an external bus 911 such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interface) bus via a bridge 909.

  The input device 915 is an operation unit operated by the user, such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a button, a switch, and a lever. Further, the input device 915 may be, for example, remote control means (so-called remote control) using infrared rays or other radio waves, or an external connection device 929 such as a mobile phone or a PDA corresponding to the operation of the controller device 10. It may be. Furthermore, the input device 915 includes an input control circuit that generates an input signal based on information input by a user using the above-described operation means and outputs the input signal to the CPU 901, for example. The user of the controller device 10 can input various data and instruct processing operations to the controller device 10 by operating the input device 915.

  The output device 917 is, for example, a display device such as a CRT display device, a liquid crystal display device, a plasma display device, an EL display device and a lamp, a sound output device such as a speaker and headphones, a printer device, a mobile phone, a facsimile, etc. It is comprised with the apparatus which can notify the information which carried out visually or audibly to a user. The output device 917 outputs, for example, results obtained by various processes performed by the controller device 10. Specifically, the display device displays the results obtained by various processes performed by the controller device 10 as text or images. On the other hand, the audio output device converts an audio signal composed of reproduced audio data, acoustic data, and the like into an analog signal and outputs the analog signal.

  The storage device 919 is a data storage device configured as an example of a storage unit of the controller device 10. For example, a magnetic storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a semiconductor storage device, an optical storage device, or an optical storage device It is composed of a magnetic storage device or the like. The storage device 919 stores programs executed by the CPU 901 and various data, and acoustic signal data and image signal data acquired from the outside.

  The drive 921 is a reader / writer for a recording medium, and is built in or externally attached to the controller device 10. The drive 921 reads information recorded on a removable recording medium 927 such as a mounted magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or semiconductor memory, and outputs the information to the RAM 905. In addition, the drive 921 can write a record on a removable recording medium 927 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory. The removable recording medium 927 is, for example, a DVD medium, a Blu-ray medium, a CompactFlash (registered trademark) (CompactFlash: CF), a memory stick, or an SD memory card (Secure Digital memory card). Further, the removable recording medium 927 may be, for example, an IC card (Integrated Circuit card) on which a non-contact IC chip is mounted, an electronic device, or the like.

  The connection port 923 includes, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, i. A port for directly connecting devices such as an IEEE 1394 port such as Link, a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) port, an RS-232C port, an optical audio terminal, and an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) port to the controller device 10. . By connecting the external connection device 929 to the connection port 923, the controller device 10 directly acquires acoustic signal data and image signal data from the external connection device 929, or acquires acoustic signal data and image signal data from the external connection device 929. Or provide.

  The communication device 925 is a communication interface including a communication device for connecting to the communication network 931, for example. The communication device 925 is, for example, a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Bluetooth, or WUSB (Wireless USB) communication card, an optical communication router, an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) router, or various types. It is a modem for communication. The communication device 925 can transmit and receive signals and the like according to a predetermined protocol such as TCP / IP, for example, with the Internet or other communication devices. The communication network 931 connected to the communication device 925 is configured by a wired or wireless network, and may be, for example, the Internet, a home LAN, infrared communication, radio wave communication, satellite communication, or the like. .

  Heretofore, an example of the hardware configuration capable of realizing the function of the controller device 10 according to each embodiment of the present invention has been shown. Each component described above may be configured using a general-purpose member, or may be configured by hardware specialized for the function of each component. Therefore, the hardware configuration to be used can be changed as appropriate according to the technical level at the time of carrying out the present embodiment.

  Also, a hardware configuration capable of realizing the function of the renderer device 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention can be realized by providing the same function as the hardware configuration of the controller device 10 shown in FIG. Details are omitted here. Each component of the renderer device 30 may also be configured using a general-purpose member, or may be configured by hardware specialized for the function of each component. Therefore, the hardware configuration to be used can be changed as appropriate according to the technical level at the time of carrying out the present embodiment.

  The controller device 10 according to each embodiment of the present invention can be provided as a program having the following functions. That is, this program obtains server identification information for identifying the content management server and server information including a list of the content data from the content management server that manages the content data corresponding to the content and the attribute information of the content data. A server information acquisition process to be acquired, and a renderer information acquisition process to acquire renderer information including renderer identification information for identifying the renderer apparatus from a renderer apparatus that acquires and reproduces the content data from the content management server. A content management server that identifies the renderer device that reproduces the content data selected from the list of content data, and manages the attribute information of the selected content data and the content data Content reproduction control processing for transmitting reproduction content attribute information including the server identification information to the specified renderer device and requesting the renderer device to acquire and reproduce the selected content data is realized in the computer It is a program to make it.

  According to this configuration, the computer program is stored in the storage unit included in the computer, and is read and executed by the CPU included in the computer, thereby causing the computer to function as the controller device 10 described above. A computer-readable recording medium in which a computer program is recorded can also be provided. The recording medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory, or the like. Further, the above computer program may be distributed via a network, for example, without using a recording medium.

  The renderer device 30 according to each embodiment of the present invention can be provided as a program having the following functions. That is, this program is information transmitted from a controller device that requests the reproduction of content data managed by the content management server, and is attribute information of the content data that requests reproduction and the content management that manages the content data. Based on the recording process for recording the playback content attribute information including the server identification information, and the content data attribute information included in the playback content attribute information recorded in the storage unit, the controller device requests playback. In response to a request from the controller device, a content data acquisition process for acquiring the content data obtained from the content management server, a content reproduction process for reproducing the content data acquired by the content data acquisition unit, Part Is a program for realizing the reproduction content attribute information providing process of transmitting the reproduction content attribute information corresponding to the content data being reproduced has been recorded to the controller device, to the computer.

  According to this configuration, the computer program is stored in the storage unit included in the computer, and is read and executed by the CPU included in the computer, thereby causing the computer to function as the renderer device 30 described above. A computer-readable recording medium in which a computer program is recorded can also be provided. The recording medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory, or the like. Further, the above computer program may be distributed via a network, for example, without using a recording medium.

(4) Summary As described above, in the information processing system according to each embodiment of the present invention, when the controller device 10 requests the renderer device 30 to reproduce the content managed by the content management server 20, the server identification is performed. Playback content attribute information including information can be transmitted. In response to this, the renderer device 30 records the received reproduction content attribute information in the storage unit, and transmits the reproduction content attribute information corresponding to the content being reproduced to the controller device in response to a request from the controller device 10. can do. As a result, the controller device 10 acquires a list of contents stored in the same folder as the content being played by the renderer device 30 from the content management server 20 based on the received playback content attribute information and displays the list. be able to. As a result, when the user desires to play back content stored in the same folder as the content being played on the renderer device 30, it is not necessary to perform a complicated operation such as selecting a content management server or a folder. That is, when the information processing system according to each embodiment of the invention acquires content information stored in the same folder as the content being played, complicated operations such as selection of a content management server and a folder are not required. It becomes possible.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to this example. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the content is video content (video content) has been described as an example. However, the type of content is not limited to video, and the same applies to content such as music / photos. Can be processed.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the description has been made on the assumption that the DMS owns the content itself. However, the DMS is a server that manages only the content attribute information of other servers without holding the content. There may be.

  Further, although the DMR has been described on the assumption that the content is displayed by itself, the DMR may be a DMR having a function of subcontracting reproduction to another DMR without reproducing the content by itself.

It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the information processing system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the controller apparatus 10 which concerns on the same embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of reproduction | regeneration content attribute information transmitted to the renderer apparatus 30 from the controller apparatus 10 which concerns on the embodiment. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the content management server 20 concerning the embodiment. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the renderer apparatus 30 which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the information processing method which concerns on the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the information processing method which concerns on the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the information processing method which concerns on the embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the controller apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the sharing method and reproduction | regeneration method of a content on a home network. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the sharing method and reproduction | regeneration method of a content on a home network. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the sharing method and reproduction | regeneration method of a content on a home network. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the sharing method and reproduction | regeneration method of a content on a home network. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the sharing method and reproduction | regeneration method of a content on a home network.

Explanation of symbols

1 Information processing system 10 Information processing device (controller device)
20 Content management server 30 Information processing device (renderer device)
101, 201, 301 Communication control unit 103, 203, 303 Operation unit 105 Server information acquisition unit 107 Renderer information acquisition unit 109 Content playback control unit 111 Display control unit 113 Playback content attribute information acquisition unit 117, 213, 313 Storage unit 119 Server Information 121,315 Renderer information 123,317 Playback content attribute information 215 Content data 217 Content attribute information 219 Server identification information 305 Renderer information provision unit 307 Content data acquisition unit 309 Content playback unit 311 Playback content attribute information provision unit

Claims (8)

Information transmitted from a controller device that requests reproduction of content data managed by the content management server, including attribute information of the content data that requests reproduction and identification information of the content management server that manages the content data A storage unit for recording reproduction content attribute information;
A content data acquisition unit that acquires, from the content management server, the content data requested to be played back by the controller device, based on attribute information of the content data included in the playback content attribute information recorded in the storage unit When,
A content reproduction unit for reproducing the content data acquired by the content data acquisition unit;
A reproduction content attribute information providing unit for transmitting the reproduction content attribute information corresponding to the content data being reproduced recorded in the storage unit to the controller device in response to a request from the controller device;
An information processing apparatus comprising: When the controller device requests the content management unit to play back the content data managed before and after the content data being played by the content management server in the same folder as the content data being played,
The content data acquisition unit includes content before and after the content data being reproduced based on the identification information of the content management server and the attribute information of the content included in the reproduction content attribute information recorded in the storage unit The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein data is acquired from the content management server. Server information acquisition for acquiring server identification information for identifying the content management server and server information including a list of the content data from a content management server that manages content data corresponding to the content and attribute information of the content data And
A renderer information acquisition unit that acquires renderer information including renderer identification information for identifying the renderer device, from a renderer device that acquires and reproduces the content data from the content management server;
A reproduction that identifies the renderer device that reproduces the content data selected from the list of content data, and includes the attribute information of the selected content data and the server identification information of the content management server that manages the content data A content reproduction control unit for transmitting content attribute information to the specified renderer device and requesting the renderer device to acquire and reproduce the selected content data;
An information processing apparatus comprising: A reproduction content attribute information acquisition unit that acquires the reproduction content attribute information corresponding to the content data being reproduced by the renderer device from the renderer device;
The server information acquisition unit, based on the reproduction content attribute information acquired by the reproduction content attribute information acquisition unit, displays a list of content data managed in the same folder as the content data being reproduced by the renderer device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, acquired from a server.   5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a display control unit configured to display a list of content data acquired by the server information acquisition unit and managed in the same folder as the content data being reproduced by the renderer device. Information transmitted from a controller device that requests reproduction of content data managed by the content management server, including attribute information of the content data that requests reproduction and identification information of the content management server that manages the content data A recording step for recording reproduction content attribute information;
A content data acquisition step of acquiring, from the content management server, the content data requested to be played back by the controller device based on attribute information of the content data included in the playback content attribute information recorded in the storage unit When,
A content reproduction step of reproducing the content data acquired by the content data acquisition step;
In response to a request from the controller device, a playback content attribute information providing step of transmitting the playback content attribute information corresponding to the content data being played back recorded in the storage unit to the controller device;
Including an information processing method. Server information acquisition for acquiring server identification information for identifying the content management server and server information including a list of the content data from a content management server that manages content data corresponding to the content and attribute information of the content data Steps,
A renderer information acquisition step for acquiring renderer information including renderer identification information for identifying the renderer device, from a renderer device that acquires and reproduces the content data from the content management server;
A reproduction that identifies the renderer device that reproduces the content data selected from the list of content data, and includes the attribute information of the selected content data and the server identification information of the content management server that manages the content data A content reproduction control step of transmitting content attribute information to the specified renderer device and requesting the renderer device to acquire and reproduce the selected content data;
Including an information processing method. A content management server that manages content data corresponding to content and attribute information of the content data;
A server information acquisition unit for acquiring server information including a list of server identification information for identifying the content management server and the content data from the content management server;
A renderer information acquisition unit that acquires renderer information including renderer identification information for identifying the renderer device, from a renderer device that acquires and reproduces the content data from the content management server;
A reproduction that identifies the renderer device that reproduces the content data selected from the list of content data, and includes the attribute information of the selected content data and the server identification information of the content management server that manages the content data A content reproduction control unit for transmitting content attribute information to the specified renderer device and requesting the renderer device to acquire and reproduce the selected content data;
A controller device comprising:
A storage unit for recording the reproduction content attribute information transmitted from the controller device;
A content data acquisition unit that acquires, from the content management server, the content data requested to be played back by the controller device, based on attribute information of the content data included in the playback content attribute information recorded in the storage unit When,
A content reproduction unit for reproducing the content data acquired by the content data acquisition unit;
A reproduction content attribute information providing unit for transmitting the reproduction content attribute information corresponding to the content data being reproduced recorded in the storage unit to the controller device in response to a request from the controller device;
A renderer device comprising:
Including an information processing system.

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