JP2007228022A - Information processor and processing method, instruction device and method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a video image displayed on a large display from being switched against the intention of a user even when a plurality of portable displays exist. <P>SOLUTION: A display reproduction section 14 for reproducing a content is holding a table 101. The table 101 for managing the priority of devices issuing an instruction manages the priority in association with an apparatus. If an instruction from an "operation control section attached to the display reproduction section 14" of priority "2" has been performed when an instruction from the "operation control section 17" of priority "3" is received, the instruction from the operation control section 17 is not accepted, and the instruction from the operation control section 17 is accepted when the instruction from an "operation control section 18" of priority "4" has been performed. The invention is applicable to a television receiver connected with a network. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, an instruction apparatus and method, and a program. In particular, it is possible to display a video or an image on a desired apparatus with a simple operation and to perform an interruption by such display. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, an instruction apparatus and method, and a program that prevent the communication from being performed.

  Today, with the widespread use of video recorders that record television broadcast programs (hereinafter referred to as television broadcast programs) on videotapes, you can watch television broadcast programs at a time that is convenient for you, not the broadcast time. A viewing style based on the so-called “time shift” concept has been established. Many broadcast programs are recorded according to this viewing style, and are viewed with time.

  Furthermore, in recent years, recording media has been changed from videotapes to hard disks, so that more video data can be easily stored on a hard disk (storage device) without worrying about capacity. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, a video recorder using such a hard disk is described as a digital video recorder (DVR).

  Recently, a content display / playback system in which a content server and a display device such as a CRT, LCD, or plasma display are connected to a wired or wireless network configured in a home, office, region, or global region is known. It came to be able to. In this content display / playback system, if at least one digital video recorder is connected to a network as a content server, for example, a user can view a recorded television broadcast program at a location away from the content server via the network. Is possible.

  Conventionally, in a television receiver, image quality adjustment, timer setting, and the like are performed on a television receiver display screen by a remote operation device, an operation control device, or a remote commander button operation of the television receiver. A menu for selecting an executable process is displayed. Then, the user selects the target process using the remote controller of the television receiver, and operates the remote controller according to the guidance display displayed on the display screen, thereby adjusting the image quality and the timer. The target processing such as setting can be performed.

  In receivers that receive satellite broadcast signals, such as STB (Set-Top box) and IRD (Integrated Receiver Decoder), etc., data displays such as electronic program guides, such as EPG, are displayed on the monitor receiver's display screen. It has been done to display. In this case, the user selects the receiver by using the remote controller of the receiver and selecting the program to be viewed based on the electronic program guide displayed on the display screen of the monitor receiver. The station channel can be changed.

  Thus, in a television receiver or a receiver that receives a television broadcast signal, information processing such as a menu, guidance, or electronic program guide is combined with a remote controller operation to perform a target process. It is devised so that it is easy to understand and can be executed relatively easily.

  However, as described above, necessary information such as menus and guidance is displayed on the display screen of the television receiver, etc. in order to perform the desired processing on the television receiver, STB, or IRD. In the method of operating the remote controller while viewing the display information, the operation on the remote controller may be complicated.

  For example, in order to display a menu that includes a target process as a selection item from among a plurality of menus, the menu must be paged multiple times, or a remote controller to move the cursor on the display screen. There are cases in which operations must be frequently performed, and determination operations must be performed through a remote controller.

  In addition, monitor devices such as television receivers have also been reduced in size and weight by using LCDs, and can be carried and used in locations where users can reach them. In such a case, the remote controller of the television receiver is unnecessary, and the presence of the remote controller of an external input device such as a receiver that supplies video and audio signals to the television receiver becomes troublesome. End up.

  Therefore, the applicant can use the display device to view video information such as a TV program or listen to audio information, and display operation information displayed on the display element of the display device. And remote control of the base device that supplies video signals to the display device and the external input device connected to the base device through touch position detection means such as touch panel The two-way communication system that makes it possible to construct an easy-to-use home network is first proposed. According to this system, it is possible to remotely operate the base device and the external input device connected to the base device through the operation display information displayed on the display element of the display device and the contact position detecting means such as a touch panel. This image can be easily selected and displayed on the display device.

  Furthermore, in the case of supplying a video signal from a base device to a plurality of display devices using the interactive communication system described in Patent Document 1, the applicant of the present application performs an operation of tracing a screen with a finger by a user. Disclosed is a content display / playback system and a video display control device that enable video transmission / reception between video devices and that can be switched sensuously, unlike button operations like conventional remote controllers. did.

  Specifically, when the user inputs a finger upwards on the touch panel provided on the LCD of the portable display device, the video A displayed on the portable display device has displayed the video B until then. The slow function displayed on the display device is executed. Further, when the user inputs a finger downward with a finger on the touch panel provided on the LCD of the portable display device, the video B displayed on the large display device is changed to the portable display device that has been displaying the video A until then. The displayed catch function is executed. As described above, the slow / catch function disclosed in Patent Document 1 enables intuitive screen switching between a plurality of display devices.

JP 2003-333359 A

  As described above, images can be exchanged between the portable display device and the large display device by the functions of slow and catch, and such a function can be added to only one portable display device. For example, it is considered that the possibility of inconvenience occurring is low, but for example, when there are two portable display devices, the following inconvenience may occur.

  When the user A performs the slow operation on the portable display device A and displays the video A on the large display device, and then the user B performs the slow operation on the portable display device B, the large display device includes the portable display device B. The video B by the slow operation from is displayed. That is, the video A that the user A was watching on the large display device is switched to the video B.

  Such a situation is not preferable because the video A that the user A was watching is interrupted regardless of the intention of the user A. Further, even when the user B performs a slow operation on the large display device on which the video A is displayed, this may occur. For the user A, This is not a favorable situation for user B as well.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and even when there are a plurality of portable display devices, the video displayed on the large display device is contrary to the user's intention. It is possible to prevent switching from occurring.

  An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a processing unit that executes processing instructed by a first apparatus, and the first apparatus and the second apparatus when receiving an instruction from a second apparatus. Comparing means for comparing the priorities of the two, and determining means for determining whether or not to cause the processing means to execute an instruction from the second device according to a comparison result by the comparing means.

  The processing of the processing means is content viewing, and the determination by the determination means can be performed while the content is being viewed by the processing means.

  The information processing apparatus further includes a managing unit that manages a table that associates information about a device that receives an instruction and a priority assigned to each device, and the comparing unit includes: the first device and the second device; The priorities can be compared with reference to the table managed by the management means.

  The table managed by the management unit may include information on the information processing apparatus.

  When the instruction is received, information about priority is also provided along with the instruction, and the comparing means compares the priority between the first device and the second device based on the provided information. Can be.

  The information processing method according to one aspect of the present invention is the information processing method of the information processing apparatus including the processing unit that executes the process instructed by the first apparatus, and receives the instruction from the second apparatus when receiving the instruction from the second apparatus. A comparison step for comparing priorities between the second device and the second device, and whether to cause the processing means to execute an instruction from the second device according to the comparison result in the comparison step. A determination step of determining.

  When the program according to one aspect of the present invention receives an instruction from the second apparatus to an information processing apparatus including a processing unit that executes a process instructed by the first apparatus, the program of the first apparatus and the second apparatus A comparison step for comparing priorities with the second device, and a determination step for determining whether or not to cause the processing means to execute an instruction from the second device in accordance with a comparison result in the comparison step. Causes the computer to execute the processing that includes it.

  In the information processing apparatus, method, and program according to one aspect of the present invention, an instruction is received from a second device that is different from the first device while receiving and executing an instruction from the first device. If the second device has a higher priority than the first device based on the priorities set in advance between the first device and the second device, the second device An instruction from the apparatus is accepted.

  An instruction device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit configured to set and store information on a priority order used when determining whether or not a received instruction is to be preferentially processed on the side of receiving the instruction. And a transmission means for transmitting the information stored in the storage means together with the content of the instruction when the instruction is transmitted to another device.

  The setting of the information on the priority order can be performed based on a user instruction.

  An instruction method according to one aspect of the present invention is a storage control that controls setting and storage of information on priority order used when determining whether or not to preferentially process a received instruction on the instruction receiving side. And a transmission control step for controlling so that the information whose storage is controlled in the storage control step is transmitted together with the content of the instruction when the instruction is transmitted to another device.

  A program according to an aspect of the present invention is a storage control step for controlling setting and storage of information regarding priority order used when determining whether or not to preferentially process a received instruction on the side of receiving the instruction. When the instruction is transmitted to another device, the computer is caused to execute a process including the instruction content and a transmission control step for controlling the information whose storage is controlled in the storage control step to be transmitted.

  In the instruction device, method, and program according to one aspect of the present invention, the information on the priority order used when the instruction receiving side determines whether to process the received instruction preferentially is the instruction. Sent with content.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, instructions from a plurality of devices can be processed based on a predetermined rule. For example, an instruction issued from one device is canceled by another device. It is possible to prevent such inconvenience.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Correspondences between constituent elements of the present invention and the embodiments described in the specification or the drawings are exemplified as follows. This description is intended to confirm that the embodiments supporting the present invention are described in the specification or the drawings. Therefore, even if there is an embodiment which is described in the specification or the drawings but is not described here as an embodiment corresponding to the constituent elements of the present invention, that is not the case. It does not mean that the form does not correspond to the constituent requirements. Conversely, even if an embodiment is described here as corresponding to a configuration requirement, that means that the embodiment does not correspond to a configuration requirement other than the configuration requirement. It's not something to do.

  An information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention (for example, the display reproduction unit 14 in FIG. 4) includes processing means (for example, the content reproduction unit 43 in FIG. 4) that executes processing instructed by the first apparatus, When receiving an instruction from the second device, the comparison means (for example, the control reception availability determination unit 46 in FIG. 4) for comparing the priority order of the first device and the second device, and the comparison by the comparison device According to the result, there is provided judgment means (for example, the control reception availability judgment section 46 in FIG. 4) for judging whether or not the processing means is to execute an instruction from the second device.

  The instruction device according to one aspect of the present invention (for example, the operation control unit 17 in FIG. 7) is a priority order used when the instruction receiving side determines whether to process the received instruction preferentially. When the instruction is transmitted to the storage unit (for example, the CPU 71 and the storage unit 69 in FIG. 7) and other devices to set and store information related to the information, the information stored in the storage unit is transmitted together with the instruction content Transmitting means (for example, the CPU 71 and the network communication unit 63 in FIG. 7).

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a content display reproduction system to which the present invention is applied. In this content display / playback system 10, two content supply units 12 and a content supply unit 13, which are specific examples of a content server such as a digital video recorder, are connected to a home network 11 that combines a wireless network and a wired network. Yes. In addition, an operation control unit 17 and an operation control unit 18 that operate the content supply unit 12 and the content supply unit 13 are also connected to the home network 11.

  The home network 11 is a home digital network, and the content supply unit 12 and the content supply unit 13 are connected via a hub 11a by, for example, the IEEE 802.3 system or a wired cable 11b based on the developed system. . The home network 11 connects a wireless LAN access point 11c to the hub 11a, and operates the operation control unit 17 or the operation control unit 18 with a predetermined protocol such as an IEEE802.11 protocol or its developed protocol. Wireless connection. For this reason, the operation control unit 17 and the operation control unit 18 are connected to the content supply unit 12 and the content supply unit 13 on the home network 11, and are configured to be able to control their operations.

  Further, three display reproducing units 14 to 16 are connected to the hub 11a. The operation control unit 17 and the operation control unit 18 are configured so that the display reproduction units 14 to 16 connected to the home network 11 can also be operated. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the display reproduction units 14 to 16 are dedicated operation control units, for example, remote controllers that issue instructions to the display reproduction units 14 to 16 using infrared (IR), for example. You may make it provide.

  In the content display / playback system 10 shown in FIG. 1, content streamed from a server (for example, the content supply unit 12) that streams audiovisual content is played by a renderer (for example, the display / playback unit 14). . Control (operation) for such reproduction is performed by an operation control unit (for example, the operation control unit 17).

  In addition, the operation control unit 17 and the operation control unit 18 themselves have a function of displaying video, and are configured to be able to reproduce and display content from the content supply units 12 and 13.

  When the operation control unit (for example, the operation control unit 17) is reproducing the content A from the content supply unit (for example, the content supply unit 12), the content A is displayed and reproduced (for example, the display reproduction unit 14). In the following description, the operation that is displayed by the operation control unit 17 is performed by the operation control unit 17, and the content A is reproduced by the display reproduction unit 14 as a result of the operation. ).

  Further, when the display reproduction unit (for example, the display reproduction unit 14) is reproducing the content A from the content supply unit (for example, the content supply unit 12), the content A is an operation control unit (for example, the operation control unit). In the following description, the operation that is displayed in 17) is performed by the operation control unit 17, and the content A is reproduced by the operation control unit 17 as a result of the operation. (Catch operation).

  In the system shown in FIG. 1, content supplied from the content supply units 12 and 13 such as slow and catch is exchanged between the display reproduction units 14, 15 and 16 and the operation control units 17 and 18 (video reproduction, The display destination can be changed).

  In FIG. 1 and the following description, the description will be continued by giving an example in which three display reproduction units 14 to 16 are connected to the home network 11, but there are fewer than three display reproduction units. It goes without saying that the present invention described below can be applied even when connected or when more than three display / playback units are connected. Similarly, the description of the operation control unit continues with an example in which the two operation control units 17 and 18 are connected to the home network 11, but only two operation control units are connected to the home network 11. This does not mean that the present invention is limited to

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the content supply unit 12. Since the content supply unit 13 is also a similar functional block diagram, illustration and description thereof are omitted. Further, the following description will be continued with an example in which the content is supplied from the content supply unit 12 to the display reproduction unit 14, the operation control unit 17, and the like.

  The content supply unit 12 is a server configured by a digital video recorder or the like that stores content and supplies it to other devices. The content supply unit 12 has a function including a network I / F (interface) 20, a content distribution processing unit 21, and a content storage unit 22.

  The content supply unit 12 receives video and audio content received at home via BS (Broadcast Satellite) digital, CS (Communication Satellite) digital, terrestrial analog, the Internet, and the like (hereinafter collectively referred to as content). Is stored as streaming data in the content storage unit 22 formed of a large-capacity storage medium such as a hard disk as shown in FIG.

  In addition, the content supply unit 12 reads out and reproduces the streaming data stored in the content storage unit 22 by the content distribution processing unit 21 according to instructions from the operation control units 17 and 18, and displays the requested display reproduction units 14 to 16 and the operation. Streaming is delivered to the control units 17 and 18 through the network I / F 20.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the content supply unit 12. The CPU 23 executes various processes according to a server program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 24 or a server program loaded from a hard disk drive (HDD) 22 to a RAM (Random Access Memory) 25. The RAM 25 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 23 to execute various processes.

  The CPU 23, ROM 24, and RAM 25 are connected to each other via a bus 26. An input / output interface 27 is also connected to the bus 26. The input / output interface 27 includes an input unit 28 composed of buttons, switches, a keyboard or a mouse, a display such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and an output unit 29 composed of a speaker. The communication unit 20 configured by a modem or a terminal adapter that functions as the network I / F 20 (FIG. 2) and the HDD 22 that functions as the content storage unit 22 are connected.

  The communication unit 20 performs communication processing via the home network 11. In the content display / playback system 10, the communication unit 20 of the content supply unit 12 is connected to the wireless LAN access point 11c via a hub 11a by wire. Further, it is connected to the three display reproducing units 14, 15 and 16 by the wire 11b through the hub 11a. Therefore, the content supply units 12 and 13 are connected to the operation control unit 17 and the operation control unit 18 through the communication unit 20 through the wireless communication path in the home network 11, and the plurality of display reproduction units 14 are connected through the wired communication path 11b. 15 and 16 are connected. The wireless LAN access point 11c and the operation control unit 17 perform wireless communication in accordance with a predetermined protocol such as an IEEE 802.11 protocol or its developed protocol.

  In addition to the server program, the HDD 22 stores media data for streaming delivery. A drive 30 is also connected to the input / output interface 27 as necessary, and a magnetic disk 31, an optical disk 32, a magneto-optical disk 33, a semiconductor memory 34, or the like is appropriately mounted, and a computer program (server) read out from there. Programs, etc.) are installed in the HDD 22 as necessary.

  In relation to the functional block diagram of FIG. 2, each part of FIG. 3 is as follows. The communication unit 20 functions as a network I / F 20, and the HDD 22 functions as a content storage unit 22. Further, each of the media 31 to 34 connected to the CPU 23, the ROM 24, the RAM 25, and the drive 30 functions as the content distribution processing unit 21.

  Therefore, the operation of the content supply unit 12 will be described as follows based on the hardware configuration. The CPU 23 of the content supply unit 12 executes streaming data distribution processing based on the server program. For example, when the content supply unit 12 stores various media data in the HDD 22 and streaming distribution of predetermined media data is requested from the operation control unit 17 via the home network 11, the content supply unit 12 reads the corresponding content data and performs streaming. In order to perform distribution, a predetermined packet is generated and distributed via the home network 11.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the display / playback units 14, 15 and 16. The display / playback units 14 to 16 each have a function as shown in FIG. 4 and the configuration example is the same. Therefore, the display / playback unit 14 will be described as an example here.

  The display / playback unit 14 has a streaming playback function that receives streaming data distributed from the content supply unit 12, plays it back and displays it on the LCD or CRT, plays back audio data related to the video, This is a display reproduction device that outputs from a speaker. Therefore, the display reproduction unit 14 includes a network I / F 40 that is an interface function unit connected to the home network 11, a content reception processing unit 41 that receives streaming data (content data) via the network I / F 40, and a content A content decoding unit 42 that decodes data, a content reproduction unit 43 that reproduces content data decoded by the content decoding unit 42, a content display unit 44 that displays video of the reproduced content, and audio of the reproduced content Is output from the content audio output unit 45.

  In addition, the display / playback unit 14 may, for example, receive an instruction from the operation control unit 17 when a plurality of operation control units (in the case of FIG. 1, the operation control unit 17 and the operation control unit 18) are connected to the home network 11. However, it also has a function for giving priority over the instruction from the operation control unit 18. In order to realize such a function, the display reproduction unit 14 includes a control reception availability determination unit 46, a priority order management unit 47, and a priority order setting unit 48.

  The control reception availability determination unit 46 determines whether or not to receive an instruction from an operation control unit (for example, the operation control unit 17) that has issued the instruction (for example, as described later). The information is managed with reference to information managed in a format such as the table 101 in FIG. The priority management unit 47 manages the information as described above. That is, in this case, the priority management unit 47 manages the priority of the operation control unit that receives the instruction.

  The operation order setting unit 48 executes processing for setting information (order of the operation control unit) managed by the operation order management unit 47.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the display reproduction unit 14. For example, the display reproduction unit 14 includes a communication unit (I / F) 40, a reception processing unit 41, a decoding unit 42, a video signal processing unit 43-V, an LCD 44, an audio signal amplification unit 43-A, and a speaker. 45. Each unit of the display reproduction unit 14 is controlled by a control unit centered on the CPU 46. The control unit is a microcomputer configured by connecting a CPU 46, a ROM 48, a RAM 49, and an EEPROM 50 through a CPU bus 47. The CPU 46 is connected to the key input unit 52 via the input I / F 51, and accepts an operation signal such as volume adjustment, image quality adjustment, or power-on / off by the user.

  The ROM 48 records various processing programs executed in the display / playback unit 14 and data necessary for the processing. The RAM 49 is mainly used as a work area for various processes, such as temporarily storing and holding data obtained in various processes.

  The EEPROM 50 is a so-called non-volatile memory and does not lose stored information even when the power is turned off. For example, the EEPROM 50 can store and hold various setting parameters.

  The communication unit (I / F) 40 performs communication processing via the home network 11. In the content display / playback system 10, a communication unit (I / F) 40 of the display / playback unit 14 is connected to a wireless LAN access point 11c through a hub 11a via a wire 11b. In addition, it is connected to the content supply units 12 and 13 through the hub 11a by the wire 11b. Therefore, the display reproduction unit 14 is connected to the operation control unit 17 through a communication unit (I / F) 40 through a wireless communication path in the home network 11 and is connected to the content supply unit 12 through a wired communication path 11b. .

  The reception processing unit 41 performs processing such as demodulating the supplied signal and supplies the demodulated signal to the decoding unit (decompression processing unit) 42. The content supply unit 12 compresses and transmits display data and audio data such as text data and video data of terrestrial broadcast programs, or information signals such as video signals and audio signals of satellite broadcast programs. Therefore, the decoding unit 42 of the display / playback unit 14 receives the data-compressed signal from the reception processing unit 41, separates the video signal and the audio signal, and decompresses (compresses and decompresses) the separated signal. Thus, the original signal before data compression is restored.

  The decoding unit 42 performs D / A conversion (digital / analog conversion) on the restored video signal and audio signal to form an analog video signal and an analog audio signal. Then, the decoding unit 42 supplies the analog video signal to the video signal processing unit 43-V and supplies the analog audio signal to the audio signal amplification unit 43-A.

  The video signal processing unit 43 -V forms a display signal from the video signal supplied from the decoding unit 42 and supplies it to the LCD 44. As a result, a video corresponding to the video signal transmitted from the content supply unit 12 or 13 is displayed on the display screen of the LCD 44.

  On the other hand, the audio signal amplifying unit 43 -A amplifies the audio signal supplied thereto to a predetermined level and supplies it to the speaker 45. As a result, sound corresponding to the audio signal related to the video signal transmitted from the content supply unit 12 or 13 is emitted from the speaker 45.

  In this way, the display / playback unit 14 receives a video signal or an audio signal such as a television broadcast program transmitted from the content supply unit 12 via the home network 11 and plays back the received video signal or audio signal. And output.

  FIG. 6 shows a functional block diagram of the operation control unit 17 having a function of reproducing content. Since the operation control unit 17 and the operation control unit 18 have basically the same function, the operation control unit 17 will be described as an example here.

  The operation control unit 17 is a remote operation device (remote controller) for controlling operations of the content supply unit 12 and the display / playback unit 14 connected to the home network 11, and is a remote operation device having a streaming reproduction function. That is, the operation control unit 17 has a content streaming playback function and a control function for the plurality of content supply units 12 and 13 and the plurality of display playback units 14 to 16 connected to the home network 11.

  Specifically, the operation control unit 17 controls transmission / reception of video information between the units including the operation control unit 17 itself, and displays video and reproduces audio in the display reproduction units 14 to 16 and the operation control unit 17 itself. Control. Therefore, the operation control unit 17 has one function of an input operation receiving unit 60 that receives an operation input by a user and a video information transmission / reception signal generation function that generates an operation signal for transmitting and receiving video information between the units according to the operation input. And a content display unit 64 that displays video information that has been streamed and played back according to the operation signal generated by the control signal generation unit 62. In addition, an audio playback function for playing back audio information is provided, and sound can be heard with headphones or earphones via a built-in speaker or headphone terminal. The operation control unit 17 of this embodiment displays and plays back content. It can also be used as a display / playback unit.

  Further, the operation control unit 17 is a network I / F 63 for performing wireless communication with the wireless LAN access point 11c of the home network 11 according to a predetermined protocol such as an IEEE802.11 protocol or its developed protocol. Have In addition, it has a content reception processing unit 65 that receives information related to the content stored in the content supply units 12 and 13 and the content data itself and performs processing such as demodulation.

  In addition, the content reception processing unit 65 includes a list generation unit 66 that generates a list of content from information related to the demodulated content, and a list display unit 67 that displays the list generated by the list generation unit 66. In addition, a content reproduction unit 68 that decodes and reproduces the content data received and demodulated by the content reception processing unit 65 and a storage unit 69 that stores the content data reproduced by the content reproduction unit 68 are provided. The content data reproduced by the content reproduction unit 68 is displayed as a video by the content display unit 64.

  In addition, the operation control unit 17 includes an input operation determination unit 61 between the control signal generation unit 62 and the input operation determination unit 61 that determines what type of input operation is performed by the user received by the input operation reception unit 60.

  The control signal generation unit 62 generates various control signals based on the determination result by the input operation determination unit 61. As a specific example of the generated control signal, there is an operation signal for causing the desired display / playback unit 14 to stream-play the content data stored in the content supply unit 12. In addition, there is an operation signal for displaying the content data displayed on the display / playback unit 14 on the content display unit 64 of the operation control unit 17.

  In addition, the control signal generation unit 62 generates a content supply selection signal for selecting a desired content supply unit 12 or 13 based on a user input operation. In addition, a content selection signal for selecting desired content is generated. The content selection signal is generated by the list generation unit 66 from the information related to the content received by the content reception processing unit 65, and is generated according to the operation of the user who viewed the content list displayed by the list display unit 67. The control signal generator 62 generates a display / playback unit selection signal for selecting the display / playback units 14, 15 and 16. This display / playback unit selection signal is generated according to an operation of a user who has visually recognized the display / playback unit list displayed on the display / playback unit / list display unit 70.

  Of course, the control signal generation unit 62 reproduces, stops, and pauses the content on the content display unit 64 of the operation control unit 17 itself, as well as the display reproduction units 14 to 16 that have selected display. The operation signal for starting, stopping and pausing the reproduction of the content is also generated.

  FIG. 7 is a hardware configuration example of the operation control unit 17. The operation control unit 17 connects the CPU 71 to a network communication unit 64, a codec processing unit 74, a GDP (Graphics Display Processor) 78, and a VRAM 79 via a bus 72. The CPU 71 is connected to the ROM / RAM 73, the LCD 64, and the storage unit 69. Further, an input switch matrix unit 60 that is an input operation unit 60 is connected to the CPU 71.

  The network communication unit 64 performs wireless communication with the wireless LAN access point 11c via the antenna 80 in accordance with a predetermined protocol such as the IEEE 802.11 protocol or its developed protocol as described above. Through the wireless communication by the network communication unit 64, the operation control unit 17 causes the CPU 71 to function as the control signal generation unit 62 in response to a user input operation by the input operation unit (input switch matrix unit) 60, and the generated control signals are sent to the home. A plurality of content supply units 12 and 13 connected to the network 11 and a plurality of display reproduction units 14 to 16 can be transmitted through the access point 11c. Moreover, it is comprised so that the response signal from said each part can be received.

  The ROM 73 stores a content display / playback program executed by the operation control unit 17, various processing programs, and data necessary for the processing. The RAM 73 is mainly used as a work area for various processes such as temporarily storing and holding data obtained in various processes.

  The storage unit 69 is a memory that stores content data streamed from the content supply unit 12 when content is supplied from the content supply unit 12, for example, and includes a semiconductor memory, an HDD, and the like.

  The codec processing unit 74 decodes video data and audio data that are distributed by streaming via the network communication unit 64 and separated under the control of the CPU 71. The decoded video information is subjected to video signal processing by the GDP 78 and displayed on the LCD 64. The audio information is amplified by the amplifier 75 and then sent to the stereo 2ch speakers 76L and 76R and emitted from the speakers 76L and 76R.

  The operation control unit 17 of this embodiment can be used not only as a so-called remote controller (remote operation device) but also as a display / playback device capable of displaying / playing back content.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram of software executed by the CPU 71 of the operation control unit 17 having the above hardware configuration. There is a remote command application 81 for generating a remote operation signal and controlling each of the content supply units 12 and 13 and the display reproduction units 14 to 16. The video, music, image decoder unit 82, remote device control unit 83, graphics library 84, and video stream processing unit 85 are executed based on the operating system OS86. Further, the network protocol processing unit 87 executes the 802.11b wireless protocol 88. The graphic processor 89 is operated by the GDP 78.

  In the content display reproduction system 10, the display on the operation control unit 17, the display on the display reproduction unit by the slow operation, and the display on the operation control unit by the catch operation are shown in FIGS.

  Referring to FIG. 9, at time T <b> 1, the user adds an operation control unit 17-1 (here, a code corresponding to the passage of time in order to add an explanation of an operation (process) performed by the same operation control unit 17. And is described so as to be distinguished from the operation control unit 17 for each time. (The display device 14 is also described in the same manner). A content list of the content is displayed.

  At time T1, by using the cursor movement button 90 provided in the operation control unit 17-1, a content is selected and determined by matching a cursor 91 indicated by hatching on the list with a desired content name. The button 92 is operated. As a result, at time T2, streaming of the content A is started from the content supply unit 12, and the content A is displayed on the LCD 64 of the operation control unit 17-2.

  Next, a case where it is desired to control the content A selected and displayed on the operation control unit 17 to be reproduced by the display reproduction unit 14 (that is, in the case of a slow operation) will be described with reference to FIG. .

  At time T3, content A is displayed on the operation control unit 17-3. The operation control unit 17-3 is provided with a joystick operator 93 on the operation panel, and the operation is assigned to the content switching operation. The content A selected by the operation control unit 17-1 at time T1 is displayed on the display reproduction unit 14-4 at time T4 when a slow operation is performed at time T3. The slow operation at this time is performed by moving the joystick operator 93 upward (as indicated by a black arrow pointing upward).

  By this slow operation, the content A is streamed by the display / playback unit 14. At this time, the display of the content A on the LCD 64 of the operation control unit 17-4 disappears. Of course, it is also possible to continue playback without deleting the display of the content A on the LCD 64. Here, the slow operation is performed from the state in which the content A is displayed on the LCD 64 of the operation control unit 17. However, the slow operation may be performed immediately after the icon of the content A is selected by the operation control unit 17. it can.

  Next, a case where the content A displayed on the display device 14 is played back by the operation control unit 17 (that is, in the case of catch) will be described with reference to FIG. Also in the catch operation, it is assumed that the operation of the joystick operator 93 is assigned to the content switching operation as described above. At time T5, nothing is displayed on operation control unit 17-5 (at least content A is not displayed), and content A is displayed on display reproduction unit 14-5. It is.

  In such a state, when the catch operation, that is, when the joystick operator 93 is moved downward (as indicated by a black arrow pointing downward), the content A is displayed on the operation control unit 17 at time T6. Displayed at -6. That is, the content A is switched from the display reproduction unit 14-5 to the operation control unit 17-6 by the catch operation, and is streamed by the operation control unit 17-6. At this time, the display on the LCD of the display reproduction unit 14-6 disappears. Of course, the display on the LCD of the display reproduction unit 14-6 may be left as it is without being erased.

  As described above, the content display / playback system 10 displays the content existing in the content supply units 12 and 13 by the slow operation and the catch operation using the operation control unit 17 between the display playback units 14 to 16 or the operation control units 17 and 18. Can be transmitted and received via the home network 11.

  By the way, for example, when the user A performs a slow operation in the operation control unit 17 and the content A is displayed on the display / playback unit 14 (that is, in the state at time T4 shown in FIG. 10), the user B When a slow operation is performed by the operation control unit 18 (FIG. 1), the content (referred to as content B) played back by the operation control unit 18 is played back by the display playback device 14-4 (FIG. 10). become.

  For the user A who is viewing the content A with the display / playback unit 14-4, it is considered that it is not a preferable situation that the content A being viewed is switched to the content B. Therefore, the content A that the user A was watching is prevented from being interrupted by the slow operation of the user B. In other words, the operation at the operation control unit 17 is prevented from being canceled by the operation at the operation control unit 18.

  Such an unfavorable situation can occur not only during a slow operation but also during a catch operation. For example, when the user A is viewing the content A on the display device 14 and the user B performs a catch operation on the operation control unit 18, the reproduction of the content A is interrupted on the display reproduction unit 14, and the operation control is performed. The reproduction is started in the part 18. Therefore, this is prevented from occurring.

  Here, a superiority or inferiority relationship is provided between operation units that can issue instructions to the display reproduction unit 14 such as the operation control unit 17 and the operation control unit 18, and the display reproduction unit 14 manages information regarding the superiority or inferiority. Like that. Then, when receiving an instruction from the operation control unit 17 or the operation control unit 18, the display reproduction unit 14 refers to information on superiority or inferiority and determines whether to accept the instruction. By doing so, for example, when an instruction from the operation control unit 17 set to be dominant is being executed, an instruction from the operation control unit 18 being set to be inferior is not accepted (so as not to be executed). ) Can be executed.

  The slow operation including such processing will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 13 and 14, but before that, information regarding superiority or inferiority managed by each of the display reproduction units 14 to 16 will be further described. FIG. 12 is an example of a table for managing information related to superiority or inferiority. The table 101 is, for example, a table managed by the priority order management unit 47 of the display / playback unit 14. Here, the description is continued assuming that the table 101 shown in FIG. 12 is a table managed by the display reproduction unit 14.

  In the table 101, “priority order” and “device that receives control” are described in association with each other. In the table 101 shown in FIG. 12, “the operation unit of the main body of the display / playback unit 14” is associated as a device that receives control when the priority is “1”, and a device that receives control when the priority is “2”. “Operation control unit attached to display / playback unit 14” is associated with “3”, and “operation control unit 17” is associated with a device that receives control, with priority “4”. Is associated with “operation control unit 18” as a device that receives control, and with priority “5” is associated with “——” as a device that receives control (blank, a new device is assigned). Added and memorized).

  When such a table 101 is referred to and an instruction is accepted, it is determined whether or not to execute the instruction. In the table 101 shown in FIG. 12, the priority indicates that the smaller the numerical value, the more dominant. That is, in this case, the “operation unit of the main body of the display / playback unit 14” having the priority “1” is the most dominant.

  In FIG. 12, the names of the devices are shown in the respective columns of “devices that receive control”, but device IDs (IDs assigned as information that can be identified for each device in the home network 11 may be used). (The device manufacturing number may also be used), information for identifying the device, such as the logical session number on the control protocol, IP address, MAC address, etc., is described in each column, and an instruction is issued as described later. It is used as information for identifying the device.

  Processing performed by referring to such a table 101 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Here, the processing when the slow operation is performed will be mainly described (a series of processing including setting of the table 101 performed at a time point before the slow operation). Further, here, the content is supplied from the content supply unit 12, the supplied content is played back by the display / playback unit 14, and the slow operation to the display / playback unit 14 is described by an example performed by the operation control unit 17. do.

  In step S41, the display / playback unit 14 sets priority. This priority setting process is a process for creating the table 101 shown in FIG. 12, and is a process executed in the priority setting unit 48 (FIG. 4) of the display reproduction unit 14. The priority setting process is performed when the display / playback unit 14 is activated for the first time or when a user gives an instruction. Therefore, once the setting is performed, it is not necessary to perform the setting except when the user gives an instruction.

  The priority order may be set by the display / playback unit 14 examining, for example, a device connected to the network 11 and based on the investigation or a predetermined rule.

  Alternatively, it may be set by the user. For example, a mechanism may be provided in which a setting screen is displayed on the display / playback unit 14 and the user registers an operation control unit such as the operation control unit 17 while referring to the displayed setting screen. Further, the setting screen displayed on the display / playback unit 14 is a screen that can be registered in a state in which the priority order and the device that receives the control are associated with each other as in the table 101 shown in FIG. (The screen of “device that accepts control” can be left blank so that the user can arbitrarily register the operation control unit 17 and the like).

  Although any mechanism may be used, the table 101 is created and registered in the display reproduction unit 14 in step S41. When the creation and registration of the table 101 are completed, a process corresponding to the slow operation is performed.

  In step S <b> 21, the operation control unit 17 requests the content supply unit 12 to transmit content information. In step S61, the content supply unit 12 receives a request for transmission of content information from the operation control unit 17, and in response to the request, transmits content information in step S62. In this way, the operation control unit 17 receives the content information transmitted from the content supply unit 12 in step S22.

  In this way, the content information exchanged between the operation control unit 17 and the content supply unit 12 is information regarding content data stored in the content supply unit 12, and the operation control unit 17 receives the received content. Based on the information, a content list is displayed.

  When the content list is displayed on the operation control unit 17, one content is selected (for example, the cursor is positioned at one content name in the content list). In step S23, it is determined whether or not the operation control unit 17 has detected upward movement of the joystick operator 93 on the input switch matrix unit 60, that is, whether or not a slow operation has been instructed. .

  If the operation control unit 17 determines in step S23 that a slow operation has been instructed, the process proceeds to step S24. In step S24, the content information to be reproduced is transmitted to the display reproduction unit 14. The content information to be reproduced is information for identifying the content selected by the user from the content list (such as an address at which the content supply unit 12 manages the content to be reproduced), This is information such as the playback start point (time from the beginning of the content, number of bytes, etc.).

  The display / playback unit 14 that has received such content information in step S42 determines whether or not the content is being played back in step S43. If it is determined in step S42 that the content is being reproduced, the process proceeds to step S44. If it is determined that the content is not being reproduced, the process proceeds to step S47 (FIG. 14).

  If it is determined in step S42 that the content is being reproduced, the content has already been reproduced by another device, for example, the “operation unit included in the display reproduction unit 14” or the “operation control unit 18”. As a result of the instruction, reproduction of content (referred to as content A) is being executed. In this state, for example, when a slow operation is performed from another device, the playback of the content A at that time is interrupted by the slow operation, and the playback of a new content (content B) is performed. Will be started.

  However, there are cases where it is not preferable that the reproduction of the content A is interrupted by the reproduction of the content B. In the present embodiment, in order to prevent an unfavorable situation from occurring, as described above, priority is given to the device (operation unit), and an instruction from a device with a higher priority is given to a device with a lower priority. So that it will not be canceled.

  For this purpose, first, in step S43, it is determined whether or not the content is being reproduced. If the content is being played, the playback may be interrupted, so the process proceeds to step S44, and the priority order is determined. On the other hand, if the content is not being played, playback is performed. Is not interrupted, processing such as determination of the priority order executed in step S44 or step S45 is skipped, and the process proceeds to step S47.

  In step S44, the priority order is determined. That is, the display / playback unit 14 refers to the table 101 and determines a superiority / inferiority relationship between a device that has instructed processing (content playback) being executed at that time and a device that has newly issued a command. In order to make such a determination, the display reproduction unit 14 stores information (priority order and the like) related to the device that has issued the instruction. The determination result in step S44 is used, and in step S45, it is determined whether or not an instruction is received. The determination in step S44 and the determination in step S45 are performed in the control reception availability determination unit 46 (FIG. 4) of the display reproduction unit 14.

  For example, when the slow operation is performed by the “operation control unit 17” having the priority “3”, and as a result, when the predetermined content is played and displayed on the display / playback unit 14, the priority is “4”. When the “operation control unit 18” performs any operation, the display / playback unit 14 refers to the table 101, and performs an “operation” with a priority “4” lower than the priority “3” currently being executed. It is determined that an instruction from the control unit 18 ″ is not accepted.

  Further, for example, when a “slow operation” is performed by the “operation control unit 18” having the priority order “4”, and as a result, when the predetermined content is reproduced and displayed on the display reproduction unit 14, the priority order is “ When any operation is performed by the “operation control unit 17” of 3 ”, the display / playback unit 14 refers to the table 101 and has a priority“ 3 ”higher than the priority“ 4 ”currently being executed. It is determined that an instruction from the “operation control unit 17” is accepted.

  In this way, a new instruction is issued rather than the priority order of the apparatus that instructed the process that was being executed when the process of step S42 was executed (when an instruction was given to the display reproduction unit 14). If the priority of a device is high, an instruction from a device with a high priority is accepted, and if the priority of a device that has issued a new instruction is low, an instruction from a device with a low priority is not accepted (priority) Continue to give instructions from higher-ranking devices).

  If it is determined in step S45 that an instruction is not accepted, the process proceeds to step S46 (FIG. 14). If it is determined that an instruction is accepted, the process proceeds to step S47 (FIG. 14).

  In step S46, the display / playback unit 14 notifies the device that issued the instruction (in this case, the operation control unit 17) that the instruction is not accepted. Alternatively, in step S47, the display reproduction unit 14 notifies the device that has issued the instruction that the instruction is accepted.

  The operation control unit 17 receives a notification that the instruction is not accepted in step S25, or receives a notification that the instruction is accepted in step S26. In step S <b> 27, the operation control unit 17 determines whether the received notification indicates “not acceptable” or “acceptable”. If it is determined in step S27 that the notification indicates “not acceptable”, the process proceeds to step S28, and a message for causing the user to recognize that the notification is not accepted is displayed on the LCD 64 (FIG. 7). Is displayed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S27 that the notification indicates “acceptable”, the process of the operation control unit 17 is terminated. That is, since the instruction issued from the operation control unit 17 is executed by the display reproduction unit 14 and the content supply unit 12, the user can know that the instruction issued by the user has been accepted. Therefore, when an instruction is accepted, a message is not displayed to the user. However, even when an instruction is accepted, a message notifying the user of that fact may be displayed on the LCD 64, and it is possible to do so.

  When the display reproduction unit 14 does not accept the instruction, the display reproduction unit 14 issues a notification indicating that the instruction is not accepted to the operation control unit 17 and continues the processing being executed at that time. However, when the instruction is accepted, the display reproduction unit 14 accepts the instruction. Is sent to the operation control unit 17 and a process for executing the received instruction is started. That is, in step S47, the operation control unit 17 is notified that it can be accepted, and in step S48, a content acquisition request is transmitted to the content supply unit 12.

  As described above, the display / playback unit 14 receives the content information regarding the content to be played back from the operation control unit 17 in step S42. The display / playback unit 14 accesses the content supply unit 12 in order to acquire content data from the content supply unit 12 based on the received content information. That is, the display reproduction unit 14 generates content acquisition request information based on the content information, and transmits the request information to the content supply unit 12.

  The request information transmitted from the display reproduction unit 14 is received by the content supply unit 12 in step S63. Upon receiving the request information from the display / playback unit 14, the content supply unit 12 reads the content data of the content corresponding to the received request information and supplies it to the display / playback unit 14 in step S <b> 64.

  In step S49, the display / playback unit 14 receives the content data from the content supply unit 12. In step S50, the display / playback unit 14 starts playback and display of the content based on the received content data. In this way, when an instruction is received by the display / playback unit 14, a slow operation is performed.

  By the way, as described above, the display reproduction unit 14 compares the priority order of the device that has instructed the process being executed with the priority order that has newly issued the instruction, and determines whether to execute a new instruction. Therefore, the priority order of the device that has instructed the process being executed is stored. For example, in step S47, this storage is performed while notifying the operation control unit 17 that it can be accepted.

  In this way, the priority order of the device that issued the instruction is stored (updated).

  The priority order once stored is deleted, for example, when the power of the display / playback unit 14 is turned off. This is in consideration of the following situation. For example, when the display / playback unit 14 is executing an instruction given by the “operation unit of the main body of the display / playback unit 14” (see FIG. 12) having the priority “1”, the power of the display / playback unit 14 is Consider the situation turned off. Even if the power is turned off, if the priority order stored at that time, ie, in this case, the priority order “1” continues to be stored, the next time the power of the display / playback unit 14 is turned on, Comparison with the stored priority “1” is performed.

  In such a situation, if the device that has been instructed to turn on the power is, for example, the “control operation unit 17” having the priority “3”, the device has a priority lower than the stored priority “1”. Therefore, the instruction cannot be accepted, and as a result, the power of the display / playback unit 14 is not turned on.

  Therefore, in order to prevent such a situation from occurring, the stored priority order is deleted when the power is turned off. Or, when the power is turned on, a special process such as not comparing the priorities may be executed.

  Even when the power of the display / playback unit 14 is turned on, it is necessary to consider the following situation. For example, once an instruction is given by the “operation unit of the main body of the display / playback unit 14” with the priority “1”, the priority “1” is stored, and thereafter the “display” with the priority “1” is stored. No instruction from any device other than the “operation unit of the reproduction unit 14 main body” is accepted. When such a situation occurs, a remote controller such as the operation control unit 17 cannot be used. Such a thing is thought to reduce usability.

  Therefore, for example, even if the priority order is stored once, when the instruction is not received for a predetermined time or longer (for example, from the time when it is notified that the instruction from the operation control unit 17 can be accepted in step S47, If no instruction is received for a predetermined time or longer), the stored priority order may be deleted.

  In addition, it is determined that no operation has been performed from anywhere unless the operation unit (for example, the operation unit of the main body of the display / playback unit 14) is instructed only by turning on the power. The stored priority order may be deleted.

  Further, the priority order as described above is provided and the comparison is performed, for example, so that the slow operation from the operation control unit 17 is not canceled by the slow operation from the operation control unit 18. Because. In other words, in the present embodiment, the processing as described above is performed so that the started processing is not interrupted. The started processing includes, for example, reproduction of content supplied from the content supply unit 12, display of a television broadcast program, and the like.

  Focusing on the point that reproduction of the content supplied from the content supply unit 12 is not interrupted, that is, that streaming is not interrupted (the content being viewed is not interrupted). Then, when content is not being viewed (for example, when a television broadcast program is being displayed), the above-described priority comparison processing or the like may not be executed. .

  In step S28, a message for causing the user to recognize that the instruction has not been accepted is displayed on the operation control unit 17, and a button such as “force control” is displayed along with the message. You may make it. Then, when such a button such as “forced control” is operated, the operation control unit 17 repeats the process in step S24.

  Further, when the processing of step S24, that is, transmission of the content information to be reproduced is performed again, the priority from the instruction from the device (operation control unit 17) stored in the display reproduction unit 14 at that time The instruction content is transmitted together with a flag for instructing to be executed regardless of the case.

  If the receiving side (display reproduction unit 14 side) receives the instruction content with such a flag set, it does not perform processing such as priority comparison (processing in steps S43 to S47). Regardless of the priority order stored at that time, processing based on the received instruction is executed. When the process is executed, the stored priority order is updated to the priority order of the apparatus that has instructed the process.

  In the embodiment described above, the table 101 (FIG. 12) relating to the priority order is created by the display / playback unit 14, stored, and referenced to determine the priority order of the device that issued the instruction. Explained. In the case of such an embodiment, since the priority order can be set for each display device 14, for example, in the display reproduction section 14, the operation control section 17 is set to have a higher priority order than the operation control section 18. In the display / playback unit 15, it is possible to perform different settings for each device such that the operation control unit 18 is set to a higher priority than the operation control unit 17.

  By enabling such a setting, for example, in the display reproduction unit 14 installed in the living room, the parent operation control unit 17 is set in a state of higher priority than the child operation control unit 18, The operation of the child operation control unit 18 can be controlled so that the instruction issued from the parent operation control unit 17 is not canceled, and is installed in the child room. In the display reproduction unit 15, the child operation control unit 18 is set with a higher priority than the parent operation control unit 17, and is output from the child operation control unit 18 by the operation of the parent operation control unit 17. The instruction can be controlled so that the instruction is not canceled.

  Next, an embodiment in which priority can be set on the operation control unit 17 side will be described. If the priority order can be set on the operation control unit 17 side, for example, the priority order of the operation control unit 17 is temporarily increased and executed by an operation from another operation control unit (for example, the operation control unit 18). It is possible to interrupt the processing that has been performed and to execute an instruction from the operation control unit 17. Further, the priority of the operation control unit 17 is temporarily raised and an instruction is issued, and then the instruction issued from the operation control unit 17 is canceled by an instruction newly issued by another operation control unit. It is possible to prevent anything from happening.

  When setting the priority order on the operation control unit 17 side, the operation control unit 17 holds, for example, a table 110 as shown in FIG. The table 110 is stored in the storage unit 69 (FIG. 7) of the operation control unit 17. Further, processing relating to creation of the table 110 is performed by the CPU 71 (FIG. 7) executing processing based on a predetermined program. The table 110 illustrated in FIG. 15 is a table in which “priority to be displayed to the user” and “priority to be set” are associated with each other.

  The “priority order displayed on the user side” is a priority order presented to the user side when the user sets what priority order to give to the operation control unit 17. That is, in this case, “priority to be displayed on the user side” is information displayed on the LCD 64 (FIG. 7) of the operation control unit 17 when the user sets the priority of the operation control unit 17. This is because it is difficult for the user to understand the priority order (numerical values as will be described later) that is actually set, so that the user can easily understand the information.

  The “priority order to be set” corresponds to the priority order selected by the user and is actually the order set in the operation control unit 17. For example, when an instruction is given to the display / playback unit 14, This information is transmitted together with an instruction as information indicating the priority of

  In the table 110 shown in FIG. 15, an example in which a numerical value from “3” is described as “priority to be set” is shown. This is because the priority “1” is assigned to “the operation unit of the display / playback unit 14 main body” and the priority “2” is assigned to the “operation control unit attached to the display / playback unit 14”. That is, as in the case of using the table 101 shown in FIG. 12, instructions from the “operation unit of the display reproduction unit 14 main body” and “the operation control unit attached to the display control unit 14” are sent from the operation control unit 17. This is because processing is prioritized over the instruction.

  The user refers to the priority orders displayed on the LCD 64 such as “strongest”, “strong”, “normal”, “weak”, and “weakest”, and selects a priority order to be set. For example, when the priority order set by the user is “strongest”, the priority order “3” is set. When an instruction is issued from the operation control unit 17, information regarding the priority order “3” and information indicating the content of the instruction are transmitted to the display reproduction unit 14.

  Even in the case of the embodiment in which the operation control unit 17 transmits information related to the priority order, the operation of the display reproduction unit 14 has basically been described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. To be done. Therefore, detailed description of the processing in the display reproduction unit 14 is omitted.

  However, in step S44, the display reproduction unit 14 determines the priority order, and this determination is made by comparing the priority order stored at that time with the transmitted priority order. That is, this comparison is performed by determining the magnitude relationship of the numerical values. In step S45, it is determined whether or not an instruction is accepted. The judgment is that if the transmitted numerical value is smaller than the stored numerical value, it is determined that the instruction is accepted. It is judged.

  Since such processing is performed, the display reproduction unit 14 does not need to hold the table 101 as shown in FIG. For example, the display / playback unit 14 may hold only the priority side of the table 101 as shown in FIG. Alternatively, since only the comparison of numerical values is performed, it is only necessary to determine whether or not the stored numerical values are smaller than the transmitted numerical values without holding the table 101 or the like.

  As described above, even if the operation control unit 14 manages the table 110, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the case where the display reproduction unit 14 described above manages the table 101.

  Further, the “priority order to be set” value of FIG. 15 is set to a discontinuous numerical value or character string, and the information of FIG. 15 is recorded in the display reproduction unit 14 and the operation control unit 17 by default, and the operation control unit 17 is recorded. The value corresponding to the priority of control is transmitted from the “set priority” to the display / playback unit 14 and the value received by the display / playback unit 14 is checked against the information shown in FIG. The priority order may be determined.

  That is, the value corresponding to the above-mentioned “strongest” is a discontinuous value such as “10”, the value corresponding to “strong” is “20”, and the value corresponding to “normal” is “15”. . For example, when the priority set by the user is “strongest”, a priority of “10” is set. When an instruction is issued from the operation control unit 17, information regarding the priority order “10” and information indicating the content of the instruction are transmitted to the display reproduction unit 14.

  In step S44, the display / playback unit 14 determines the priority order, and the determination is made by comparing the priority order stored at that time with the transmitted priority order. That is, this comparison is performed by specifying the priority by comparing the received value with the information of FIG. 15 recorded by default. Then, in step S45, it is determined whether or not an instruction is accepted. This determination is made when the priority order of the transmitted values is superior to the stored priority order. In the case of, it is determined that it will not be accepted. By doing this, the priority can be specified using the session number on the control protocol, the control port number, the character string described in the protocol message, and the like.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a restriction against the viewing of content being played back by the display playback unit 14 or the like being interrupted by an instruction from another device.

  The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software may execute various functions by installing a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or various programs. For example, it is installed from a program storage medium in a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a program storage medium for storing a program installed in a computer and ready to be executed by the computer includes a magnetic disk 31 (including a flexible disk), an optical disk 32 (CD-ROM (Compact Disc- Removable media, which is a package media consisting of read only memory (DVD) (including digital versatile disc), magneto-optical disc 33 (including MD (mini-disc)), or semiconductor memory 34, or a program is temporarily Or it is comprised by ROM24, HDD22, etc. which are stored permanently. The program is stored in the program storage medium using a wired or wireless communication medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting via the communication unit 20 that is an interface such as a router or a modem as necessary. Done.

  In the present specification, the step of describing the program stored in the program storage medium is not limited to the processing performed in time series according to the described order, but is not necessarily performed in time series. Or the process performed separately is also included.

  Further, in this specification, the system represents the entire apparatus constituted by a plurality of apparatuses.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the content display reproduction | regeneration system to which this invention was applied. It is a figure which shows the example of a function of a content supply part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a content supply part. It is a figure which shows the function example of a display reproduction part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a display reproduction | regeneration part. It is a figure which shows the function example of an operation control part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an operation control part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the software of an operation control part. It is a figure explaining the display reproduction process in an operation control part. It is a figure explaining the slow operation by the operation control part. It is a figure explaining catch operation by an operation control part. It is a figure which shows an example of the table regarding a priority. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of a display reproduction apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of a display reproduction apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the table regarding a priority.

Explanation of symbols

10 content display reproduction system, 11 home network, 12, 13
Content supply unit 14, 15, 16 display / playback unit, 17 operation control unit, 18 operation control unit, 20 network I / F (communication unit), 21 content distribution processing unit, 22 content storage unit (HDD), 23 CPU, 24 ROM, 25 RAM, 26 bus, 27 I / O interface, 28 input section, 29 output section, 30 drive, 31 magnetic disk, 32 optical disk, 33 magneto-optical disk, 34 semiconductor memory, 40 network I / F (communication section ( I / F), 41 content reception processing unit (reception processing unit), 42 content decoding unit (decoding unit), 43 content reproduction unit (video signal processing unit, audio signal processing unit), 44 content display unit (LCD), 45 Content audio output unit (speaker), 46 CPU, 47 bus, 48 R M, 49 RAM, 50 EEPROM, 51 input I / F, 52 key input unit, 60 input operation accepting unit, 61 input operation determining unit, 62 control signal generating unit, 63 network I / F, 64 content display unit (LCD) , 65 content reception processing unit, 66 list generation unit, 67 list display unit, 68 content playback unit, 69 storage unit, 70 display playback unit / list display unit, 71 CPU, 72 bus, 73 ROM / RAM, 74 codec processing unit , 75 amplifier, 76L, 76R speaker, 81 remote command application, 82 video / music / image decoding unit, 83 remote device control unit, 84 graphics library, 85 video stream processing unit, 86 operation system (OS), 87 network protocol Processing unit, 88 802.11b, 89 graphics processor, 90 cursor movement button, 91 cursor, 92 enter button, 93 joystick operator, 101 table, 110 table

Claims (11)

Processing means for executing processing instructed by the first device;
A comparison means for comparing priorities of the first device and the second device when receiving an instruction from the second device;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines whether to cause the processing unit to execute an instruction from the second device according to a comparison result by the comparison unit. The processing of the processing means is content viewing,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination by the determination unit is performed while the content is being viewed by the processing unit. A management unit that manages a table that associates information about a device that receives an instruction and a priority assigned to each device;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the comparison unit compares the priorities of the first device and the second device with reference to the table managed by the management unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the table managed by the management unit includes information on the information processing apparatus. When receiving the instruction, along with the instruction, provision of information on the priority order is also received,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the comparison unit compares priorities of the first device and the second device based on provided information. In an information processing method of an information processing device including processing means for executing processing instructed by a first device,
A comparison step for comparing priorities of the first device and the second device when receiving an instruction from a second device;
An information processing method comprising: a determination step of determining whether or not to cause the processing means to execute an instruction from the second device according to a comparison result in the comparison step. An information processing apparatus including processing means for executing processing instructed by the first apparatus,
A comparison step for comparing priorities of the first device and the second device when receiving an instruction from a second device;
A program for causing a computer to execute a process including: a determination step for determining whether or not to cause the processing means to execute an instruction from the second device according to a comparison result in the comparison step. Storage means for setting and storing information on the priority order used when determining whether or not to preferentially process the received instruction on the side of receiving the instruction;
An instruction device comprising: a transmission unit that transmits the information stored in the storage unit together with the content of the instruction when an instruction is transmitted to another device. The instruction device according to claim 8, wherein the setting of the information related to the priority order is performed based on a user instruction. A storage control step for controlling the setting and storage of information relating to the priority order used when determining whether or not to preferentially process the received instruction on the side of receiving the instruction;
An instruction method comprising: a transmission control step for controlling so that the information whose storage is controlled in the storage control step is transmitted together with the instruction content when the instruction is transmitted to another device. A storage control step for controlling the setting and storage of information relating to the priority order used when determining whether or not to preferentially process the received instruction on the side of receiving the instruction;
A program for causing a computer to execute a process including a transmission control step of controlling the information whose storage is controlled in the storage control step together with the content of the instruction when transmitting the instruction to another device.

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