JP2014093560A - Content reproduction system, communication apparatus, content reproduction method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply perform content data reproduction of as high quality as possible in accordance with the communication quality of a communication line, with minimum interruption of the content data reproduction.SOLUTION: A communication apparatus comprises: a reproduction unit for reproduction of data stored in a second storage unit; a communication quality monitoring unit for monitoring the communication quality of the communication line; and a reproduction control unit which, if determining that the communication quality being monitored by the communication quality monitoring unit is at a predetermined level or more while the reproduction unit reproduces low-quality content data, requires via a second communication unit an information processor to transfer original content data stored in a first storage unit, and causes the reproduction unit to reproduce the transferred original content data.

Description

  The present invention relates to a content playback system, a communication device, a content playback method, and a program for playing back content data stored in an information processing device using a communication device.

  Communication devices represented by smartphones are used not only for voice calls using this communication device and access to the Internet, but also for applications such as acquiring content data via the Internet and viewing the content data. . From the viewpoint of portability, there is a strong demand from users for a small and lightweight communication device, so a general communication device does not have a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). Therefore, when a user plays back a large amount of content data on a communication device, the content playback data is acquired by streaming from a content server on the Internet via a communication line and played back on the communication device, or from the content server. It is common to play back content data on a communication device while downloading it via a communication line.

  As described above, since content data is often acquired via a communication line, in order to play and view the content data smoothly, that is, without interruption, it affects the content data reproduction such as the communication speed of the communication line. It is preferable that various parameters of the communication line (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “communication quality”) are good. However, the communication device is not always in an environment where good communication quality can be obtained. For example, when a communication line passes through a mobile communication network, the user can receive content data in a place where the radio wave intensity from the base station is weak. The communication speed of the mobile communication network may be much lower than the maximum communication speed, for example, when an acquisition instruction is issued or when many users are connected to the mobile communication network in the vicinity. Furthermore, it is conceivable that continuous communication is not possible (communication is interrupted instantaneously).

  In such a situation, when the communication device acquires content data via a communication line and reproduces the content data, for example, content reproduction data to be reproduced arrives because content reproduction data cannot be continuously acquired. The communication device may temporarily interrupt the reproduction of the content data until it is in a standby state. When this phenomenon occurs repeatedly, the content data is not reproduced smoothly and continuously, and it appears to the user that the content data is reproduced with frequent stops.

  In view of such a problem, content data viewed on a communication device is converted into low-quality image data with a reduced amount of information and capacity by a method such as a compression operation and stored in the communication device (Patent Documents 1 and 2). (See, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-26083), in which the CM data included in the streaming data in advance is reproduced when the quality of the radio channel is deteriorated.

JP 2009-10708 A JP 2008-33454 A JP 2003-46923 A

  However, even the conventional techniques described above have problems to be solved. First, in the technology for storing low image quality data in the communication device, the user views the low image quality data even if the communication device is under good line quality. If good line quality can be obtained, it is possible to acquire content data from the content server and reproduce it on the communication device. The user can check the line quality at that time each time, and if the line quality is good, it is possible to manually connect to the content server and instruct to acquire the content data to reproduce the content data. Such an operation forces the user to perform an additional operation and is troublesome.

  Further, in the technology for reproducing CM data when the quality of the radio channel is deteriorated, the communication apparatus can reproduce some data without interruption, but there is a possibility that data that the user does not want to view may be reproduced. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. When content data stored in an information recording device is reproduced by a communication device via a communication line, the communication data line is reproduced without interruption as much as possible. It is an object of the present invention to provide a content reproduction system, a communication device, a content reproduction method, and a program capable of easily performing as high quality content data reproduction as possible according to the communication quality.

  The present invention includes an information processing apparatus having a first communication unit and a first storage unit, and a communication apparatus having a second communication unit and a second storage unit. Is applied to a content reproduction system capable of communicating with each other via the first and second communication units and a communication line between these communication units. The first storage unit stores the original content data and the low-quality content data obtained by reducing the quality of the original content data, and the second storage unit stores the low-quality content data stored in the first storage unit. The quality content data is transferred and stored, and the communication device further reproduces the data stored in the second storage unit, the communication quality monitoring unit monitoring the communication quality of the communication line, and the reproduction unit. When the quality content data is being reproduced, if it is determined that the communication quality monitored by the communication quality monitoring unit is a predetermined level or higher, it is stored in the first storage unit via the second communication unit. Providing a reproduction control unit that requests the information processing apparatus to transfer the original content data and reproduces the transferred original content data by the reproduction unit, It has solved at least one of the mentioned problems.

  When the playback unit is playing back low-quality content data, the communication quality monitoring unit monitors the communication quality of the communication line, and the playback control unit determines that the communication quality monitored by the communication quality monitoring unit is a predetermined value. If it is determined that the level is higher than the level, the information processing apparatus is requested to transfer the original content data stored in the first storage unit via the second communication unit, and the transferred original content data is reproduced by the reproduction unit. I am letting. That is, when the communication quality monitored by the communication quality monitoring unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the original content data is reproduced by the reproduction unit, and the communication quality monitored by the communication quality monitoring unit is lower than the predetermined level. The reproduction unit reproduces low-quality content data having a lower quality than the original content data.

  Here, when the reproduction control unit determines that the communication quality monitored by the communication quality monitoring unit is lower than a predetermined level when the reproduction unit reproduces the original content data, the second storage is performed. Preferably, the reproduction unit reproduces the low-quality content data stored in the unit.

  Also, information for accessing the original content data stored in the first storage unit through the communication line is described in the low quality content data, and the playback control unit plays back the low quality content data by the playback unit. It is preferable to access the original content data stored in the first storage unit via the second communication unit.

  Further, the second storage unit stores a time table indicating the relationship between the data reproduction position and the reproduction time. When the reproduction control unit switches reproduction between the original content data and the low-quality content data, the time table is stored. Referring to FIG. 6, it is preferable to perform the playback switching so as to reduce the difference between the playback time of the original content data and the playback time of the low quality content data at the time of playback switching.

  Further, the beginning content data having a predetermined time width from the start of the reproduction of the low quality content data is set as the beginning content data having the same quality as the original content data, and the reproduction control unit starts the reproduction of the low quality content data at the beginning of the reproduction of the low quality content data. Is preferably reproduced by the reproducing unit.

  In addition, the present invention includes a communication unit and a storage unit, and the communication unit and the communication line are used to store an original content data and an information processing apparatus in which low quality content data in which the quality of the original content data is reduced is stored. The present invention is applied to a communication device configured to be able to communicate with each other. Then, the low-quality content data stored in the information processing device is transferred to the storage unit and stored, and the communication unit further reproduces the data stored in the storage unit, and monitors the communication quality of the communication line. When the communication quality monitoring unit and the playback unit are reproducing low-quality content data, if the communication quality monitored by the communication quality monitoring unit is determined to be higher than a predetermined level, At least one of the above-mentioned problems is solved by providing a reproduction control unit that requests the information processing apparatus to transfer the original content data and causes the reproduction unit to reproduce the transferred original content data.

  Furthermore, the present invention includes a storage unit, and is configured to be able to communicate with an information processing apparatus in which original content data and low-quality content data in which the quality of the original content data is reduced are stored through a communication line. The present invention is applied to a content reproduction method in a communication device. A step of storing the low quality content data stored in the information processing apparatus in the storage unit; a step of reproducing the low quality content data stored in the storage unit; a step of monitoring the communication quality of the communication line; When reproducing the quality content data, if it is determined that the monitored communication quality is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the information processing apparatus is requested to transfer the original content data, and the transferred original content data is By providing the reproducing step, at least one of the above-described problems is solved.

  The present invention includes a storage unit, and is configured to be able to communicate with an information processing apparatus in which original content data and low-quality content data in which the quality of the original content data is reduced are stored through a communication line. Applies to programs executed by a computer. When the program is executed by the computer, the step of storing the low quality content data stored in the information processing apparatus in the storage unit, the step of reproducing the low quality content data stored in the storage unit, and a communication line If the communication quality being monitored is determined to be a predetermined level or higher when the low quality content data is being reproduced and the process of monitoring the communication quality of the content, the information processing device is requested to transfer the original content data. In addition, at least one of the above-described problems is solved by providing a step of reproducing the transferred original content data.

  According to the present invention, when the communication quality monitored by the communication quality monitoring unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the original content data is reproduced by the reproduction unit, and the communication quality monitored by the communication quality monitoring unit is predetermined. When the level is lower than the original content data, the reproduction unit reproduces low-quality content data having a lower quality than the original content data. Therefore, when the content data stored in the information recording device is played back by the communication device via the communication line, the highest possible content according to the communication quality of the communication line without interrupting the playback of the content data as much as possible Data reproduction can be performed easily.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the content reproduction system which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the communication apparatus used for the content reproduction system which is one Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the information processing apparatus used for the content reproduction system which is one Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function structure of the content reproduction system of one Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline of operation | movement of the content reproduction system of one Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of operation | movement of the content reproduction system of one Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the other example of operation | movement of the content reproduction system of one Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating another example of operation | movement of the content reproduction system of one Embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(One embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a content reproduction system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, 1 is a content reproduction system of this embodiment, and this content reproduction system 1 includes a communication device 2, an information processing device 3, and a router 4.

  The communication device 2 is a so-called smartphone or the like, can perform a voice call via the mobile communication network 5, and can be connected to the Internet 6 via the mobile communication network 5. Furthermore, the communication device 2 of the present embodiment is capable of wireless communication with other wireless terminals including the router 4 via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 3 includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) unit, and can communicate with other terminals including the router 4 via a wired or wireless LAN. The router 4 is connected to the Internet 6 as a WAN (Wide Area Network), and relays communication between the communication device 2 or the information processing device 3 and the Internet 6.

(Schematic configuration of communication device)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the communication device 2 used in the content reproduction system 1 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, a communication device 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 21, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 22, a liquid crystal driver 230, a liquid crystal panel 231, a wireless LAN module 240, an antenna 241, and a movement. Body communication module 250, audio interface (I / F) 251, microphone 252, speaker 253, antenna 254, input interface (I / F) 260, touch panel 261, internal storage unit 27, USB (Universal Serial Bus) controller 280 and USB A connector 281 is provided, and the CPU 20, ROM 21, RAM 22, liquid crystal driver 230, wireless LAN module 240, mobile communication module 250, input interface 260, internal storage unit 27, and USB controller 280 are common. Connected by a bus.

  The CPU 20 is executed after a program such as firmware stored in the ROM 21 is expanded in the RAM 22, thereby controlling the operation of the entire communication apparatus 2 and executing the functions shown in the functional units shown in FIG. 4. To do. Each functional unit shown in FIG. 4 will be described later. The ROM 21 stores programs such as the above-described firmware and various setting data. The RAM 22 operates as a work memory of the communication device 2 and temporarily stores various programs and data.

  The liquid crystal panel 231 is provided with its display surface exposed on the surface of the communication device 2. When the data constituting the display screen is supplied from the CPU 20 to the liquid crystal driver 230, the liquid crystal driver 230 drives the liquid crystal panel 231 so as to display a desired display screen on the display surface of the liquid crystal panel 231.

  The wireless LAN module 240 performs wireless communication via the antenna 241 in accordance with, for example, IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 standard. The wireless module 240 can cause the communication device 2 to operate as a client device that performs communication via a wireless LAN access point (relay device).

  The mobile communication module 250 performs mobile wireless communication with the mobile communication network 5 via the antenna 254 in accordance with, for example, the IMT (International Mobile Telecommunication) -2000 standard. That is, the mobile communication module 250 generates an audio signal obtained by decoding the radio wave received from the base station of the mobile communication network 5 from the speaker 253 via the audio interface 251, and transmits the audio signal via the audio interface 251. The sound collected by the microphone 252 is encoded and transmitted as a radio wave to the base station of the mobile communication network 5 via the antenna 254. The standards supported by the mobile communication module 250 include at least one of 3G / HSDPA (3rd Generation / High-Speed Downlink Packet Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), and WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access). It can be done.

  In the present embodiment, the touch panel 261 is provided so as to be superimposed on the upper surface of the display surface of the liquid crystal panel 231, and has substantially the same size as the display surface of the liquid crystal panel 231. When the user touches the surface of the touch panel 261, that is, when a specific position on the surface of the touch panel 261 is touched by the user, the specific position on the surface of the touch panel 261 is detected as a two-dimensional coordinate position, and this coordinate position is input. It is output via the interface 260.

  The internal storage unit 27 includes an internal storage 270 and an internal storage interface (I / F) 271. The internal storage 270 is a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, for example, and stores application programs used in the communication device 2, music / photo / movie data, and the like. In particular, in the internal storage 270 of this embodiment, the original content data 332, the low-quality content data 333 in which the amount of information is reduced by performing a compression operation or the like on the original content data 332, and the original content The data 332 and the time seek table 334 of the low quality content data 333 are stored as appropriate. Details of the original content data 332, the low quality content data 333, and the time seek table 334 will be described later. When there is a data read / write command to the internal storage 270, the internal storage interface 271 controls the entire internal storage 270, performs data read / write control, and outputs the read data. . Note that the internal storage 270 may be a removable memory card such as a microSD, and in this case, the internal storage interface 271 further includes a memory card slot in which the memory card is inserted.

  The USB controller 280 transmits and receives data (including content data) to and from a USB device connected via the USB connector 281 in accordance with the USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 standard. The USB connector 281 is a so-called female USB connector (USB receptacle), and both are configured so that a male USB connector (USB plug) of a USB cable (not shown) can be inserted.

(Schematic configuration of information processing device)
Next, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the information processing apparatus 3 used in the content reproduction system 1 of the present embodiment. 3, the information processing apparatus 3 includes a CPU 30, a ROM 31, a RAM 32, an HDD unit 33, a wired LAN module 34, a USB controller 350, and a USB connector 351. The CPU 30, the ROM 31, the RAM 32, the HDD unit 33, the wired LAN module 34, and The USB controllers 350 are connected by a common bus.

  The CPU 30 executes a program such as firmware stored in the ROM 31 after being expanded in the RAM 32, thereby controlling the operation of the entire information processing apparatus 3 and performing the functions shown in the functional units shown in FIG. Run. Each functional unit shown in FIG. 4 will be described later. The ROM 31 stores a program such as the firmware described above. The RAM 32 operates as a work memory of the information processing apparatus 3 and temporarily stores various programs and data.

  The HDD unit 33 includes an HDD 330 and an HDD interface (I / F) 331. The HDD 330 includes a disk that is a recording medium, a rotating unit that rotates the disk, and a head unit that reads / writes data from / to the disk (all not shown). When there is a data read / write command to the HDD 330, the HDD interface 331 controls the entire HDD 330, performs data read / write control, and outputs the read data. In the HDD 330, application programs, music / photo / moving image data, etc., transferred from the information processing apparatus 3 to the communication apparatus 2 and used in the communication apparatus 2 are stored as appropriate.

  In particular, the HDD 330 according to the present embodiment includes original content data 332 that is played back by the communication device 2 and low-quality content data that reduces the amount of information by performing a compression operation on the original content data 332. 333 and a time seek table 334 of the original content data 332 and the low quality content data 333 are stored.

  The original content data 332 is content data relating to a moving image, in which at least one of image quality and sound quality is good. The low-quality content data 333 is obtained by reducing the amount of information and thus the capacity by performing a compression operation or the like on the original content data 332. When the original content data 332 is digital data, the low quality content data 333 can be obtained by performing a transcoding process that reduces the bit rate of the original content data 332. Further, when the original video signal is encoded, it is also possible to obtain the original content data 332 having a high bit rate and the low quality content data 333 having a low bit rate by performing the encoding process simultaneously. Further, the formats of the original content data 332 and the low quality content data 333 are MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) -2, MPEG-4, H.264, and H.264. In the case of H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC (Advanced Video Coding), it is also possible to obtain the original video signal by encoding the original content data 332 and the low-quality content data 333 with different profiles. .

  The low quality content data 333 describes information for accessing the original content data 332 while being stored in the HDD 33 of the information processing apparatus 3. As a preferred example, this information is information that can specify the storage location of the original content data 332 when the information processing apparatus 3 is accessed via the Internet 6, for example, the URL (Unique Resource Locator) of the original content data 332 as an example. ). However, in the content reproduction system of the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 3 is connected to the Internet 6 via the router 4, and the router 4 has a network address conversion function, so that information processing connected to the router 4 is performed. Direct access from the Internet 6 to devices including the device 3 is restricted. For this reason, it is preferable that the information described above can realize so-called NAT (Network Address Translation) transmission. Since the NAT transmission technique is well known, the description thereof is omitted here.

  The time seek table 334 is a table describing the relationship between the data positions of the original content data 332 and the low quality content data 333 and the elapsed time from the start of reproduction. With reference to FIG. 5, an example of the time seek table 334 of the present embodiment will be described. The time seek table 334 of this embodiment is prepared in two types, one accompanying the original content data 332 and one accompanying the low quality content data 333. This time seek table 334 describes an elapsed time area 334a in which the elapsed time from the start of reproduction of each original content data 332 and low-quality content data 333 is described, and the data position of the original content data 332 at each elapsed time. Original content data location area 334b, low quality content data location area 334c describing the data location of low quality content data 333 at each elapsed time, and original content data 332 or low quality content data at each elapsed time 333 includes a scene change area 334d in which a scene change is described. This time seek table 334 is generated simultaneously with the generation of the low-quality content data 333, for example.

  The wired LAN module 34 performs wired communication with the router 4 in conformity with, for example, the IEEE 802.3 standard. The USB controller 350 transmits / receives data (including content data) to / from a USB device connected via the USB connector 351 in accordance with the USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 standard. The USB connector 351 is a so-called female USB connector (USB receptacle), and is configured such that a male USB connector (USB plug) of a USB cable (not shown) can be inserted.

(Functional configuration of one embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the content reproduction system of the present embodiment. The content reproduction system of this embodiment includes the communication device 2 and the information processing device 3 as described above.

  The information processing apparatus 3 includes a first communication unit 41, a content conversion unit 42, and a first storage unit 43. The first communication unit 41 communicates with various devices such as the communication device 2 via a communication line such as the Internet 6. When the original content data 332 is stored in the first storage unit 43, the content conversion unit 42 performs a compression operation or the like on the original content data 332, thereby reducing the amount of information and thus the capacity. Content data 333 is generated. The first storage unit 43 stores various data at least temporarily. The first storage unit 43 stores original content data 332, low-quality content data 333, and a time seek table 334. .

  The communication device 2 includes a second communication unit 51, a communication quality monitoring unit 52, a reproduction control unit 53, a reproduction instruction unit 54, a second storage unit 55, a reproduction unit 56, and an output unit 57. Prepare. The second communication unit 51 communicates with various devices such as the information processing apparatus 3 via a communication line such as the Internet 6.

  When the second communication unit 51 is communicating with various devices, the communication quality monitoring unit 52 monitors the communication quality of the communication line to which the second communication unit 51 is connected, and the result is The data is output to the reproduction control unit 53. The communication quality monitored by the communication quality monitoring unit 52 is various parameters of the communication line that affect the content data reproduction. As an example, the amount of data actually transmitted / received per unit time can be given. The amount of data actually transmitted / received in the unit time in the Internet 6 may be referred to as “Internet communication speed”, and is expressed in units of bps (bit per second), for example. As an example, the communication quality monitoring unit 52 measures the communication speed in real time, more precisely, per unit time. Alternatively, the communication quality monitoring unit 52 may monitor the reproduction speed of content data by the reproduction unit 56 described later, and monitor the difference as the communication quality of the communication line by comparing with the communication speed of the Internet 6. The radio wave intensity in real time (more precisely, per unit time) when the second communication unit 51 of the communication device 2 is performing the transmission / reception operation may be monitored as the communication quality of the communication line. Further, when the second communication unit 51 has a wireless LAN communication function, an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) measured by the second communication unit 51 is obtained and monitored as the communication quality of the communication line. May be.

  The reproduction control unit 53 instructs the reproduction unit 56 to reproduce the content instructed to be reproduced by the reproduction instruction unit 54. At this time, the reproduction control unit 53 acquires the communication quality monitoring result of the communication line output from the communication quality monitoring unit 52, and based on the monitoring result, either the original content data 332 or the low quality content data 333 is obtained. Decide whether to play. In addition, when performing a playback switching operation between the original content data 332 and the low-quality content data 333 as will be described later, the time seek table 334 is referred to and the playback time of the original content data 332 is reduced before and after the playback switching operation. The reproduction times of the original content data 332 and the low quality content data 333 are controlled so that a time lag does not occur as much as possible between the reproduction times of the quality content data 333 and the quality content data 333.

  The reproduction instruction unit 54 obtains a list of contents stored in the second storage unit 55, and when the user inputs an instruction for contents desired to be reproduced / viewed while viewing the list of contents, the instruction input is performed. The result is accepted and the result is output to the reproduction control unit 53. The second storage unit 55 stores various data at least temporarily. The second storage unit 55 appropriately stores original content data 332, low-quality content data 333, and a time seek table 334. . The playback unit 56 reads content data stored in the second storage unit 55, converts the content data into data in a format that can be viewed by the user, and outputs the data to the output unit 57. Based on the data input from the reproduction unit 56, the output unit 57 outputs the content data in a state that the user can view.

  In the above configuration, the first communication unit 41 is mainly configured by the wired LAN module 34, the USB controller 350, and the USB connector 351, the content conversion unit 42 is mainly configured by the CPU 30, and the first storage unit 43 is mainly configured. The second communication unit 51 mainly includes a wireless LAN module 240, a mobile communication module 250, antennas 241, 254, a USB controller 280, and a USB connector 281, and a communication quality monitoring unit. 52 and the playback control unit 53 are mainly configured by the CPU 20, the playback instruction unit 54 is mainly configured by the liquid crystal driver 230, the liquid crystal panel 231, the input interface 260 and the touch panel 261, and the second storage unit 55 is mainly configured by the RAM 22 and The internal storage unit 27 The reproduction unit 56 is mainly composed of the CPU 20, the output unit 57 is mainly composed of the liquid crystal driver 230, the liquid crystal panel 231, the audio interface 251 and the speaker 253, and the communication line is mainly composed of the mobile communication network 5 and the Internet. 6 and a USB cable for connecting the USB connectors 281 and 351.

(Operation of one embodiment)
Next, the operation of the content reproduction system of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of acquiring content data in the content reproduction system of this embodiment.
First, in step S <b> 1 of FIG. 6, the information processing apparatus 3 acquires the original content data 332 and stores the acquired original content data 332 in the first storage unit 43. The original content data 332 may be acquired from the Internet 6 or the like via the first communication unit 41, or a USB external device is connected to the USB connector 351 provided in the information processing apparatus 3, and the USB external device is provided. The original content data 332 may be acquired via the USB connector 351 and the USB interface 350. Further, the wired or wireless LAN is connected to the router 4 via a wired or wireless LAN, such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a recording device, or a DMS (Digital Media Server) according to a digital living network alliance (dlna) standard. The original content data 332 and the like may be acquired via the router 4.

  Next, in step S2, the content conversion unit 42 of the information processing device 3 performs a compression operation or the like on the original content data 332 acquired in step S1, thereby reducing the amount of information and thus the capacity. Quality content data 333 is generated. At the same time, the content conversion unit 42 describes information for accessing the original content data 332 in the low-quality content data 333 in a state stored in the first storage unit 43 of the information processing device 3. As described above, when the original content data 332 and the low-quality content data 333 can be acquired simultaneously, step S2 is omitted.

  Next, in step S <b> 3, the communication device 2 accesses the information processing device 3 via the second communication unit 51 and the communication line, and stores the low quality content stored in the first storage unit 43 of the information processing device 3. Request transfer of data 333. In step S4, in response to the transfer request for the low quality content data 333 from the communication device 2 in step S3, the information processing device 3 transmits the low quality content data 333 stored in the first storage unit 43 to the first communication. The data is transferred via the unit 41 and the communication line. In addition, the information processing apparatus 3 also transfers the time seek table 334 stored in the first storage unit 43 via the first communication unit 41 and the communication line. The time seek table 334 may be multiplexed and transferred to the low quality content data 333, or may be transferred as a single time seek table 334. In the case of multiplexing, for example, the format of the low quality content data 333 is MPEG-2 TS (Transport Stream), MPEG-4, H.264. In the case of H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC, the time seek table 334 may be included in a part of the transmission packet and transferred. In step S <b> 5, the communication device 2 receives the transferred low quality content data 333 and the time seek table 334 via the communication line and the second communication unit 51 and stores them in the second storage unit 55. .

Next, FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of reproducing content data in the content reproduction system of this embodiment.
First, in step S10 of FIG. 7, the reproduction instruction unit 54 of the communication device 2 instructs the reproduction of the low quality content data 333 stored in the second storage unit 55. In step S11, the low quality content in step S10 is instructed. Based on the reproduction instruction of the content data 333, the reproduction control unit 53 instructs the reproduction unit 56 to reproduce the low quality content data 333, and the reproduction unit 56 stores the low quality stored in the second storage unit 55. The content data 333 is read and content reproduction data is output. The content reproduction data output from the reproduction unit 56 is output from the output unit 57.

  Next, in step S12, the playback control unit 53 confirms the access information stored in the low-quality content data 333. In step S13, the playback control unit 53 receives the information from the information processing apparatus 3 via the second communication unit 51. The original content data 332 stored in the first storage unit 43 is accessed.

  In step S 14, the communication quality monitoring unit 52 detects the communication quality of the communication line at that time, and outputs the result to the reproduction control unit 53. In step S15, the reproduction control unit 53 determines whether or not the communication quality of the communication line at that time output from the communication quality monitoring unit 52 is equal to or higher than a predetermined level. The predetermined level here refers to a minimum level at which the reproduction unit 56 of the communication device 2 can reproduce the original content data 332 without interruption when the original content data 332 is transferred from the information processing device 3 and sequentially reproduced by the communication device 2. If the communication quality is the communication speed of the communication line, it is the minimum communication speed that can satisfy the above-mentioned conditions. If the communication quality of the communication line at that time output from the communication quality monitoring unit 52 is equal to or higher than a predetermined level (YES in step S15), the program proceeds to step S16 and is output from the communication quality monitoring unit 52. If the communication quality of the communication line at that time is below a predetermined level (NO in step S15), the program proceeds to step S22. Here, the fact that the communication quality of the communication line at that time output from the communication quality monitoring unit 52 falls below a predetermined level includes the case where communication on the communication line is interrupted.

  In step S16, the playback control unit 53 confirms the playback position of the low quality content data 333 being played back at that time, and refers to the time seek table 334 stored in the second storage unit 55, The reproduction position of the original content data 332 corresponding to the reproduction position of the quality content data 333 is confirmed. More specifically, the playback control unit 53 indicates the elapsed time from the start of playback of the low-quality content data 333 being played back at that time as the elapsed time of the time seek table 334 stored in the second storage unit 55. The data position of the original content data 332 corresponding to the elapsed time from the start of reproduction of the low quality content data 333 is acquired with reference to the original content data position area 334b.

  In step S17, the reproduction control unit 53 transfers the original content data 332 starting from the data position of the original content data 332 corresponding to the elapsed time from the reproduction start of the low quality content data 333 confirmed in step S16. The information processing device 3 is requested through the second communication unit 51 and the communication line. The information processing device 3 that has received the transfer request for the original content data 332 from the communication device 2 receives the original content data 332 stored in the first storage unit 43 from the start position requested by the communication device 2. 1 to the communication device 2 via the communication unit 41 and the communication line. The method of transferring the original content data 332 from the information processing device 3 to the communication device 2 is arbitrary, and the file storing the original content data 332 may be transferred as it is, or the information processing device 3 may transfer the original content data 332. May be converted into stream data for streaming delivery.

  In step S <b> 18, the original content data 332 transferred from the information processing device 3 is received via the second communication unit 51, and the original content data 332 is temporarily stored in the second storage unit 55. In step S19, when the data is stored in the second storage unit 55 to such an extent that the original content data 332 can be reproduced, the reproduction control unit 53 instructs the reproduction unit 56 to reproduce the original content data 332 and reproduces it. The unit 56 reads the original content data 332 stored in the second storage unit 55 and outputs the content reproduction data. The content reproduction data output from the reproduction unit 56 is output from the output unit 57.

  Next, in step S20, the process waits for a predetermined time to elapse from the communication quality confirmation of the communication quality monitoring unit 52 in step S14. The predetermined time is a time predicted that the communication quality of the communication line does not vary greatly, and is set in advance. In step S21, the communication device 2 determines whether or not the reproduction of the original content data 332 or the low-quality content data 333 being reproduced has been completed. If the reproduction has been completed (YES in step S21), the program is executed. If the reproduction is not finished yet (NO in step S21), the process returns to step S14 and the subsequent operations are repeated.

  On the other hand, in step S 22, when the data being reproduced at that time is the original content data 332, the reproduction control unit 53 confirms the reproduction position and stores the time seek table stored in the second storage unit 55. 334, the playback position of the low-quality content data 333 that is not played back at that time, corresponding to the playback position of the original content data 332, is confirmed. More specifically, the playback control unit 53 acquires the elapsed time from the start of playback of the original content data 332 with reference to the elapsed time area 334 a of the time seek table 334 stored in the second storage unit 55. Then, the data position of the low quality content data 333 corresponding to the elapsed time from the start of reproduction of the original content data 332 is acquired with reference to the low quality content data position area 334c.

  In step S23, when the data being reproduced at that time is the original content data 332, the reproduction control unit 53 confirms the low time corresponding to the elapsed time from the start of reproduction of the original content data 332 confirmed in step S22. The reproduction unit 56 is instructed to reproduce the low quality content data 333 starting from the data position of the quality content data 333, and the reproduction unit 56 reads the low quality content data 333 stored in the second storage unit 55 to obtain the content. Output playback data. Alternatively, when the data being reproduced at that time is the low quality content data 333, the reproduction control unit 53 continues to instruct the reproduction unit 56 to reproduce the low quality content data 333. The content reproduction data output from the reproduction unit 56 is output from the output unit 57.

  As described above, according to the content reproduction system of the present embodiment, the low quality content data 333 is stored in advance in the second storage unit 55 of the communication device 2 when the content data is reproduced in the communication device 2. Next, when the low-quality content data 333 is reproduced by the reproduction unit 56 of the communication device 2, the communication quality monitoring unit 52 detects the communication quality of the communication line at that time, and the communication quality monitoring unit 52 detects the communication quality. When the communication quality of the line is equal to or higher than the predetermined level, the reproduction control unit 53 confirms the reproduction position of the low quality content data 333 and acquires the reproduction position of the corresponding original content data 332 by referring to the time seek table 334. . Then, the playback control unit 53 instructs the information processing device 3 to transfer the original content data 332 starting from the acquired playback position, and the information processing device 3 stores the original content data 332 stored in the first storage unit 43. The reproduction control unit 53 of the communication device 2 causes the reproduction unit 56 to reproduce the transferred original content data 332. On the other hand, when the communication quality of the communication line detected by the communication quality monitoring unit 52 is lower than the predetermined level, the reproduction control unit 53 reproduces the low quality content data 333 stored in the second storage unit 55 by the reproduction unit 56. Let

  As described above, in the content reproduction system according to the present embodiment, the optimum content data to be reproduced is selected according to the communication quality of the communication line at that time, that is, the communication quality of the communication line is equal to or higher than a predetermined level. Therefore, even if the original content data 332 is transferred from the information processing device 3 and reproduced in the communication device 2, it is estimated that the reproduction of the original content data 332 is low, so the original content data 332 is selected. Since the communication quality of the communication line is below a predetermined level, it is estimated that there is a high possibility that the reproduction of the original content data 332 is interrupted even if the original content data 332 is transferred from the information processing device 3 and reproduced on the communication device 2. Therefore, the low quality stored in the second storage unit 55 of the communication device 2 They are selected and reproduced content data 333. Therefore, according to the content reproduction system of the present embodiment, it is possible to reproduce the optimum content data according to the communication quality of the communication line without interrupting the reproduction of the content data as much as possible, and the communication quality of the communication line. Since the original content data 332 is reproduced when the value is equal to or higher than the predetermined level, it is possible to reproduce the content data with the highest possible quality.

  In addition, in the content reproduction system of the present embodiment, the selective reproduction of content data is performed by the reproduction control unit 53 in accordance with the monitoring and detection results of the communication quality monitoring unit 52, so that the communication at that time is performed whenever the user reproduces the content data. Unlike the case where the communication quality of the line is checked to determine whether to reproduce the original content data 332 or the low quality content data 333, the user does not need to select the content data, and thus is possible. High-quality content data can be easily reproduced as much as possible.

(Modification)
The content reproduction system of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. As an example, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in steps S10 to S14 of FIG. 7, the communication device 2 detects the communication quality of the communication line after starting the reproduction of the low-quality content data 333. When the reproduction instruction unit 54 instructs content reproduction in step S10, the processing shown in step S14, that is, the communication quality monitoring unit 52 immediately detects the communication quality of the communication line at that time, and as shown in step S15, Content data to be played back may be selected based on the detection result. As a result, when the communication quality of the communication line is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the original content data 332 can be played back from the playback start point, and the high-quality content data playback can be easily performed as much as possible. It becomes.

  In the above-described embodiment, the playback control unit 53 of the communication device 2 corresponds to the elapsed time from the start of playback of the low-quality content data 333 confirmed in step S16, as shown in step S17 of FIG. Although the information processing apparatus 3 is requested to transfer the original content data 332 starting from the data position of the original content data 332, the original information processing apparatus 3 actually sends the original content data 332 from the transfer request of the original content data 332 to the information processing apparatus 3. Since it may be considered that it takes a little time (time lag) before the content data 332 is transferred, even if the information processing apparatus 3 is requested for the data position of the original content data 332 preceding the expected time lag. Good. Alternatively, the original content data 332 having a certain amount of data is stored until the original content data 332 transferred from the information processing device 3 is stored in the second storage unit 55 of the communication device 2 and can be played back by the playback unit 56. May need to be stored in the second storage unit 55. In this case, only the time required until the original content data 332 having a certain amount of data is stored in the second storage unit 55 is stored. The information processing apparatus 3 may be requested for the data position of the preceding original content data 332. Of course, the data of the original content data 332 that precedes the amount of time required until the expected time lag and the original content data 332 having a certain amount of data are stored in the second storage unit 55 are added. The position may be requested from the information processing device 3. In this way, it is possible to easily reproduce the optimum content data according to the communication quality of the communication line without further interrupting the reproduction of the content data.

  Here, for the “expected time lag” described above, for example, a log of communication between the communication device 2 and the information processing device 3 is recorded, and an information transmission request (from the communication device 2 to the information processing device 3) ( Based on the average value of the time from when the request is transmitted to when the communication device 2 receives the response from the information processing device 3 (this corresponds to the measured value of the time lag in each communication), the latest measured value of the time lag, etc. Can be determined. Further, the “time required for the original content data 332 having a certain amount of data to be stored in the second storage unit 55” may be determined according to the reproduction performance of the reproduction unit 56 and the like.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, in the reproduction position confirmation operation of the content data confirmed in step S16 and step S22 of FIG. 7, the reproduction control unit 53 has elapsed since the start of reproduction of the content data being reproduced at that time. The time is acquired by referring to the elapsed time area 334a of the time seek table 334 stored in the second storage unit 55, and then the closest scene change position after the elapsed time from the start of reproduction of the content data is determined as the scene. It is obtained by referring to the change area 334d, and the reproduction position of the original content data 332 requested to be transferred by the reproduction control unit 53 in step S17 in FIG. The playback position of the quality content data 333 is changed to the scene change position. It may be. In this way, the playback switching position between the original content data 332 and the low-quality content data 333 can be set to the closest scene change position after the elapsed time from the start of playback of the content data, and the original content data 332 and It is possible to smoothly switch the reproduction of the low-quality content data 333 and to reduce the possibility that the user notices the switching operation as much as possible.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the head portion of the low quality content data 333 has the same quality as the original content data 332, in other words, the head portion of the low quality content data 333 is the same as the head portion of the original content data 332. It may be data. The data length of the initial content data is at least equal to the time lag from the request for transferring the original content data 332 to the information processing device 3 until the original content data 332 is actually transferred from the information processing device 3, preferably more than that. It is long. As a result, the playback unit 56 of the communication apparatus 2 plays back the first high-quality content data identical to the original content data 332 at least during the time lag. Therefore, the high-quality content data playback can be easily performed as much as possible. It becomes possible.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the low-quality content data 333 is obtained by reducing the amount of information and thus the capacity by performing a compression operation or the like on the original content data 332. Normally, when the original content data 332 is moving image data, the compression operation is a compression operation related to video data, specifically, a bit rate conversion operation, but audio data may also be compressed. In addition, if the audio data of the original content data 332 is 5.1 channel surround data, the amount of information can be reduced even if this audio data is converted to 2 channel stereo data. The audio data may be two-channel stereo data.

  In addition, the video data of the low-quality content data 333 is low quality, but the audio data may be data having the same quality as the audio data of the original content data 332. In particular, the format of the original content data 332 is MPEG-2 TS (Transport Stream), MPEG-4, H.264. In the case of H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC, if the low-quality content data 333 is generated by thinning out the frames of the video data of the original content data 332, the video data of the low-quality content data 333 is reduced in quality and the audio data is original. It can be equivalent to the audio data of the content data 332.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, two types of content data, original content data 332 and low-quality content data 333, are prepared, but at least medium-quality content data with different compression rates is set by setting the compression rate. One type may be further prepared, and the reproduction control unit 53 may determine which content data is reproduced according to the communication quality of the communication line. As described above, when preparing a plurality of low-quality content data 333 and medium-quality content data in addition to the original content data 332, depending on the performance of the communication device 2, for example, the resolution of the liquid crystal panel 231, the playback speed of the playback unit 56, and the like. The content data to be transferred may be selected. As for the performance of the communication device 2, a table in which the model name and performance of the communication device 2 are associated with each other is prepared in the information processing device 3 or a server on the Internet 6, and the information processing device 3 at the time of content data transfer shown in FIG. May acquire the model name of the communication device 2 and refer to the above table to select content data to be transferred to the communication device 2. The method of acquiring the performance of the communication device 2 by the information processing device 3 is arbitrary, but as an example, the information processing device 3 and the communication device 2 are connected to the USB connectors 281 and 351 and the USB when transferring the content data shown in FIG. In this case, when the USB controller 350 of the information processing device 3 authenticates the communication device 2, the communication device 2 requests the model name of the communication device 2, and the communication device 2 sends itself to the information processing device 3. A method of notifying the model name of the. Alternatively, when the content data shown in FIG. 6 is transferred, the communication device 2 may transmit information relating to its performance to the information processing device 3, and when the content data transmission request shown in FIG. Information regarding its own performance may be transmitted to the information processing device 3.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the time seek table 334 is stored in the storage units 43 and 55 of the communication device 2 and the information processing device 3, respectively. If the time seek table 334 is held in the storage unit 55, the present invention can be realized. However, by holding the time seek table 334 also in the first storage unit 43 of the information processing device 3, when the original content data 332 transfer request from the communication device 2 is requested, only the elapsed time at that time is processed. The transmission to the apparatus 3 is sufficient, and the operation of confirming the data position of the original content data 332 in the communication apparatus 2 can be omitted, and there is an advantage that the operation on the communication apparatus 2 side can be reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the programs for operating the communication device 2, the information processing device 3 and the like are provided by being stored in the ROMs 21 and 31, but the optical disk drive, the USB connectors 281 and 351, not shown, Using a USB controller 280, 350, etc., a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a USB flash memory device, etc. in which the program is stored is connected, and the program is read from the DVD etc. into the communication device 2 etc. It may be operated. Further, a program is stored in a device on the Internet 6, and the program is read into the communication device 2 through the wireless LAN module 240, the mobile communication module 250, the wired LAN module 34, etc. May be operated. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the communication device 2 and the like are configured by a plurality of hardware elements. However, the CPUs 20 and 30 and the like may realize some operations of these hardware elements by the operation of the program. It is.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Content reproduction system 2 Communication apparatus 3 Information processing apparatus 4 Router 5 Mobile communication network 6 Internet 20, 30 CPU
21, 31 ROM
22, 32 RAM
27 Internal Storage Unit 33 HDD Unit 34 Wired LAN Module 41 First Communication Unit 42 Content Conversion Unit 43 First Storage Unit 51 Second Communication Unit 52 Communication Quality Monitoring Unit 53 Playback Control Unit 54 Playback Instruction Unit 55 Second Storage unit 56 Playback unit 57 Output unit 57
230 Liquid crystal driver 231 Liquid crystal panel 240 Wireless LAN module 241, 254 Antenna 250 Mobile communication module 251 Audio interface 252 Microphone 253 Speaker 260 Input interface 261 Touch panel 270 Internal storage 271 Internal storage interface 280, 350 USB controller 281 351 USB connector 330 HDD
331 HDD interface 332 Original content data 333 Low quality content data 334 Time seek table

Claims (8)

An information processing device having a first communication unit and a first storage unit, and a communication device having a second communication unit and a second storage unit, wherein the information processing device and the communication device are In a content reproduction system capable of communicating with each other via a communication line between the first and second communication units and the communication units,
The first storage unit stores original content data and low quality content data in which the quality of the original content data is reduced,
The second storage unit is transferred and stored with the low-quality content data stored in the first storage unit,
The communication device
A reproducing unit for reproducing data stored in the second storage unit;
A communication quality monitoring unit for monitoring the communication quality of the communication line;
When it is determined that the communication quality monitored by the communication quality monitoring unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined level when the low-quality content data is being reproduced by the reproduction unit, the second communication unit A playback control unit that requests the information processing apparatus to transfer the original content data stored in the first storage unit, and causes the playback unit to play back the transferred original content data. Content playback system.   When the reproduction control unit determines that the communication quality monitored by the communication quality monitoring unit is lower than a predetermined level when the original content data is being reproduced by the reproduction unit, the second control unit 2. The content reproduction system according to claim 1, wherein the low-quality content data stored in the storage unit is reproduced by the reproduction unit. In the low-quality content data, information for accessing the original content data stored in the first storage unit through the communication line is described.
The reproduction control unit accesses the original content data stored in the first storage unit via the second communication unit when the reproduction unit reproduces the low-quality content data. The content reproduction system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above-mentioned. The second storage unit stores a time table indicating a relationship between a reproduction position and a reproduction time of the original content data and the low-quality content data,
The playback control unit refers to the time table when switching between playback of the original content data and the low quality content data, and refers to the playback time of the original content data at the time of playback switching and the low quality content data. 3. The content reproduction system according to claim 2, wherein reproduction switching is performed so as to reduce a difference from the reproduction time. The low-quality content data is the beginning content data having a quality equivalent to that of the original content data at the beginning of a predetermined time width from the start of reproduction,
5. The content reproduction system according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction control unit causes the reproduction unit to reproduce the initial content data at the start of reproduction of the low-quality content data. It has a communication unit and a storage unit, and this communication unit and communication line can communicate with each other between the original content data and the information processing device storing the low-quality content data whose quality is reduced. A communication device configured to:
In the storage unit, the low-quality content data stored in the information processing apparatus is transferred and stored,
The communication device
A playback unit for playing back data stored in the storage unit;
A communication quality monitoring unit for monitoring the communication quality of the communication line;
When the low quality content data is being reproduced by the reproduction unit, if the communication quality monitored by the communication quality monitoring unit is determined to be a predetermined level or higher, the original content is transmitted via the communication unit. A communication apparatus comprising: a reproduction control unit that requests the information processing apparatus to transfer data and causes the reproduction unit to reproduce the transferred original content data. Content reproduction in a communication device having a storage unit and configured to be able to communicate with each other between an original content data and an information processing device storing low-quality content data whose quality of the original content data is reduced by a communication line A method,
Storing the low-quality content data stored in the information processing apparatus in the storage unit;
Reproducing the low-quality content data stored in the storage unit;
Monitoring the communication quality of the communication line;
When the low-quality content data is being played back, if it is determined that the monitored communication quality is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the information processing apparatus is requested to transfer the original content data and has been transferred. And a step of reproducing the original content data. It is executed by a computer having a storage unit and configured to be able to communicate with each other between an original content data and a low quality content data in which the quality of the original content data is reduced by a communication line. A program,
When this program is executed by the computer,
Storing the low-quality content data stored in the information processing apparatus in the storage unit;
Reproducing the low-quality content data stored in the storage unit;
Monitoring the communication quality of the communication line;
When the low-quality content data is being played back, if it is determined that the monitored communication quality is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the information processing apparatus is requested to transfer the original content data and has been transferred. A program for causing the computer to execute the step of reproducing the original content data.

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