JP4670723B2 - Information processing apparatus and method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, method, and program, and in particular, an information processing apparatus, method, and program capable of simultaneously displaying an artist related to a content artist and reasons related to the artist. About.

  In recent years, music data is recorded on a personal computer (PC) by ripping music recorded on a CD (Compact Disc) or downloading desired music from a music distribution server using a music distribution service or the like. The method of importing is popular, and the user enjoys contents such as music data imported to a PC using a PC or a portable device (PD).

  Therefore, as one of the new proposals for the user to entertain the content captured in the PC or PD, the applicant, for example, as shown in Non-Patent Document 1, is an artist related to the music data captured in the PC or PD. Link information (that is, classification information indicating the relation of one attribute of content called artist) is acquired via the network, and based on this information, the relation between artists is displayed on the monitor, and the user is asked next. A product that allows users to choose content according to their preferences has been released first.

  That is, the proposal of Non-Patent Document 1 causes the monitor to display the icon of artist A of the content being played on the left side as shown in FIG. 1, and the right side of the icon of artist A relates to artist A. By displaying the icons of other artists B to E and X to Z so as to be connected by lines, it is recommended that the user listen to the next content to be listened to from the displayed artists. When the user selects one of the icons of other artists B to E and X to Z, the content of the artist will be reproduced next.

"NW-A3000, NW-A1000," Catalog Information "(Artist Link)", [online], SonyDrive, [March 31, 2006 search], Internet <URL: http://www.walkman.sony. co.jp/products/Aseries.html>

  However, in this display, the user cannot know from what viewpoint the artist A being reproduced and the other artists B to E and X to Z are related.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and makes it possible to simultaneously display an artist related to an artist of content and a reason related to the artist.

An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention specifies an artist that provides content based on metadata of content to be reproduced based on artist link information edited by a user, and the artist group to which the artist belongs storage means for storing in association with, of the artist, the artist belonging to the selected same artist group and artist, and a first display control means for controlling the associated display to be displayed as associated artists, the The first display control means displays the artist group of the selected artist, and also displays the related artist so as to display the related artist separately for each artist group that is the same as the selected artist. controls, the When displaying the communicating artist, to control the associated display to display the number set in advance in the order of priority for each artist set by the user in advance.

Second display control means for controlling a list display of artist groups corresponding to all artist groups stored in the storage means, and when the artist group is indicated in the related display, the indicated instruction group is indicated. The artist group list display can be controlled so that the artist group display position is displayed at a predetermined position in the list display.

According to an information processing method of one aspect of the present invention, an artist group that identifies an artist that provides the content based on metadata of content to be reproduced based on artist link information edited by a user and to which the artist belongs storage means for storing in association with, of the artist, the information processing comprising the artist belonging to the selected same artist group and artist, and a first display control means for controlling the associated display to be displayed as related artists In the information processing method of the apparatus, the artist group of the selected artist is displayed, and the related display is displayed so that the related artist is divided into the same artist group as the selected artist. System And, when displaying the related artist, comprising controlling the related display to display the number set in advance in the order of priority for each artist set by the user in advance.

The program according to one aspect of the present invention specifies an artist that provides the content based on metadata of content to be played back based on artist link information edited by a user, and corresponds to the artist group to which the artist belongs An information processing apparatus comprising: storage means for storing information; and first display control means for controlling related display for displaying artists belonging to the same artist group as the selected artist among the artists as related artists. and displays the artist group of the selected the artist, the related artist, and controls the associated display to display separately for each of the selected artist said same and artist groups, the relevant articulator When displaying the door to execute a process including the step of controlling the associated display to display the number set in advance in the order of priority for each artist set by the user in advance.

In the present invention, the related display is controlled so that the artist group of the selected artist is displayed and the related artists are displayed separately for each artist group that is the same as the selected artist. When displaying the related artists, the related display is controlled so that a predetermined number is displayed in the order of the priority of each artist set in advance by the user .

  According to the present invention, the artist related to the artist of the content and the reason related to the artist are displayed at the same time. As a result, it is possible to provide the user with a viewing environment for content that is easy to understand and intuitive and easy to use.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of a content providing system to which the present invention is applied.

  Personal computers (PCs) 1-1 and 1-2 are connected to a network 2 represented by the Internet. Hereinafter, if it is not necessary to distinguish between them, the PCs 1-1 and 1-2 are simply referred to as PC1. In this example, only two PCs 1 are shown, but an arbitrary number of PCs are connected to the network 2.

  The network 2 is connected to a content server 3 that provides content such as moving images and music to the PC 1 and a detailed metadata server 5. An arbitrary number of content servers 3 and detailed metadata servers 5 are also connected to the network 2. In the example of FIG. 2, a case where music content is provided will be described.

  The content server 3 includes a content database (DB) 4 that stores content data such as music (hereinafter also referred to as content data) and metadata corresponding to the content. For example, the metadata is composed of a plurality of attributes of the content such as the name of the album in which the content is included, the name of the artist who plays or provides the content, the genre of the content, the tone, the rhythm, or the ranking value (parameter) of the content in the market. Is done.

  The content server 3 authenticates a user who is registered to provide content for access from the PC 1. Then, the content server 3 transmits the content data and metadata of the content requested by the user from the various contents stored in the content database 4 to the PC 1 that has authenticated the user via the network 2. . The content provider can also provide content data of various types of content that the user is recommended to view.

  The detailed metadata server 5 has a content detailed metadata database (DB) 6 in which detailed metadata of various contents distributed in the market is stored. Detailed metadata includes content ID (Identification) that is an identifier of content, metadata (for example, artist name and genre) added to the content data, and a category (for example, sub-genre) for classifying similar content. It consists of category data to represent.

  This sub-genre is, for example, information on a genre that is closest to (ie, similar to) the content A other than the genre in the metadata of the content A, and is included in the genre P in the metadata The content can be classified into a plurality of sub-genres similar to the genre P. In other words, the content is classified into only one genre in the metadata, but can be classified into a plurality of sub-genres. That is, it can be said that the contents classified into the sub-genres are similar. For example, the detailed metadata includes a content ID of the content, an artist name of the content, and a sub-genre name into which similar content is classified.

  For the access from the PC 1, the detailed metadata server 5 sends the detailed metadata of the content ID of the content acquired in the PC 1 among the detailed metadata stored in the detailed metadata database 6 via the network 2. To send.

  The PC 1 accesses the content server 3 using client software such as a Web browser, records the content data and metadata received from the content server 3, or reads content data read from a CD (Compact Disc). Is encoded (for example, ATRAC3plus (trademark)) and recorded together with the metadata. This metadata is acquired from a CD or another metadata server (not shown).

  When the content data and metadata are recorded, the PC 1 accesses the detailed metadata server 5, receives detailed metadata of the corresponding content from the detailed metadata server 5, and based on the received detailed metadata, Artist link information related to the artist is generated, and the generated artist link information is recorded. The PC 1 edits the recorded artist link information or creates a playlist in which the playback order of contents is described according to the user's operation, and plays back the recorded content data using them. To do.

  In addition, portable devices (PD) 7-1 and 7-2, which are portable recording / reproducing devices, can be attached to and detached from the PCs 1-1 and 1-2, for example, via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable. It is connected. When it is not necessary to distinguish between PD7-1 and 7-2, they are appropriately referred to as PD7. The PC 1 transfers the recorded content data, metadata, edited artist link information, created playlist, or the like to the connected PD 7.

PD7 records a wide variety of content data from PC1, its metadata , edited artist link information or playlist, etc., and uses the recorded content data, metadata, artist link information or playlist, Play content data. In addition, the PD 7 can play back the content data recorded on the removable medium in which a variety of content files are recorded in advance.

  In the case of FIG. 2, the PD 7 describes an example in which the content file is acquired from the content server 3 via the PC 1. However, the PD 7 directly connects to the network 2 or does not communicate via the PC 1. For example, data from the content server 3 or the detailed metadata server 5 can be directly acquired.

  FIG. 3 illustrates a hardware configuration example of the PC 1.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 executes various processes according to a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 or a program loaded from a storage unit 18 to a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13. The RAM 13 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 11 to execute various processes.

  The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are connected to each other via a bus 14. An input / output interface 15 is also connected to the bus 14.

  The input / output interface 15 includes an operation input unit 16 including a keyboard and a mouse, a display unit 17 which is a display including a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a speaker 18 and a hard disk. A communication unit 20 including a storage unit 19, a modem, a terminal adapter, or a USB interface is connected. The communication unit 20 performs communication processing via the network 2 or a USB cable.

  A drive 21 is connected to the input / output interface 15 as necessary, and a removable medium 22 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory is appropriately mounted, and a computer program read from them is It is installed in the storage unit 19 as necessary.

  Although illustration is omitted, the content server 3, the detailed metadata server 5, and the PD 7 are also configured by a computer having basically the same configuration as the PC 1 shown in FIG. Therefore, in the following description, the configuration of FIG. 3 is also referred to as the configuration of the content server 3, the detailed metadata server 5, and the PD 7.

  Here, when the CPU 11 executes various programs, the computer in FIG. 3 functions as the PC 1, the content server 3, the detailed metadata server 5, or the PD 7 in FIG. 2. In this case, the program can be recorded in advance in the ROM 12 or the storage unit 19 as a recording medium built in the computer of FIG. Alternatively, the program can be stored (recorded) temporarily or permanently in a removable medium 22 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and provided as so-called package software.

  The program is installed on the computer shown in FIG. 3 from the removable medium 22 as described above, and is transferred from the download site to the computer shown in FIG. (Local Area Network) and the network 2 can also be installed by transferring to the computer of FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the PC 1. The functional blocks shown in FIG. 4 are realized by the CPU 11 of the PC 1 executing, for example, a predetermined program for registering music content and selecting and viewing the registered content.

  4 includes an artist link display processing unit 51, an artist link GUI control unit 52, an artist link processing control unit 53, a database access processing unit 54, a basic display processing unit 55, a basic GUI control unit 56, and a PD ( Portable Device) transfer control unit 57, network communication control unit 59, PD (Portable Device) communication unit 58, network communication unit 60, ALM (Artist Link Map) database (DB) 71 constructed in storage unit 19, etc. A content information database (DB) 72 and a content file storage unit 73 are included.

  Under the control of the artist link GUI control unit 52, the artist link display processing unit 51 displays an artist link map editing screen 301 (FIG. 14) for editing artist link information and artist link information based on the artist link information. A GUI image such as the artist link map preview screen 201 (FIG. 13) for reference is generated, and the artist link map editing screen 301 and the artist link map preview screen 201 composed of the generated images are displayed on the display unit 17.

  The artist link GUI control unit 52 inputs an operation signal corresponding to a user operation related to the artist link map editing screen 301 or the artist link map preview screen 201 via the operation input unit 16, and sends it to the artist link processing control unit 53. In addition to performing processing related to artist link information, the artist link display processing unit 51 is controlled based on feedback from the artist link processing control unit 53 to update the artist link map editing screen 301, the artist link map preview screen 201, and the like. .

  When the detailed metadata is supplied from the database access processing unit 54, the artist link processing control unit 53 generates artist link information based on the detailed metadata, and sends the generated artist link information to the database access processing unit 54. To be registered in the ALM database 71.

  As described above, the detailed metadata includes the content ID of the content, the artist name of the content, and the sub-genre name into which similar content is classified. Therefore, the detailed metadata includes the artist name and sub-genre of the content. Is obtained. Therefore, the artist link processing control unit 53 considers that artists classified (belonging) to the same sub-genre are related to each other, make the sub-genre an artist group, and the artist name (content) classified into the sub-genre is The artist link information in which the artist group is associated with the artist is generated so as to be included in the artist group.

  That is, the artist link information is information for associating artists in the same artist group and can be edited. Thus, for example, if artist A is currently a member of artist B (group), has been a member of artist B (group) in the past, or has inherited the line of artist C, then artist A will receive a song. It is possible to create a predetermined artist group and associate them so as to be included in the same artist group, assuming that there is a relationship between artists in the case of providing them.

  The artist link processing control unit 53 performs editing such as addition and deletion of artist link information managed in the ALM database 71 by the database access processing unit 54 under the control of the artist link GUI control unit 52. The artist link information update information by the editing is returned to the artist link GUI control unit 52.

  The database access processing unit 54 stores data stored in the ALM database 71, the content information database 72, and the content file storage unit 73 according to instructions from the artist link processing control unit 53, the PD transfer control unit 57, the network communication control unit 59, and the like. Read and write.

  The basic display processing unit 55 generates a GUI image of a basic function of a predetermined program under the control of the basic GUI control unit 56 and causes the display unit 17 to display a screen including the generated GUI image.

  The basic GUI control unit 56 inputs an operation signal corresponding to a user operation related to the GUI image of the basic function via the operation input unit 16 and supplies the operation signal to the PD transfer control unit 57 and the network communication control unit 59. Based on feedback from the PD transfer control unit 57, the network communication control unit 59, and the like, the basic display processing unit 55 is controlled to update a screen composed of GUI images of basic functions. Further, the basic GUI control unit 56 supplies an image corresponding to the screen data supplied from the content server 3 to the basic display processing unit 55 via the network communication control unit 59, and the monitor constituting the output unit 17. To display.

  In response to an operation signal from the basic GUI control unit 56, the PD transfer control unit 57 describes data instructed to transfer (for example, content data, metadata, edited artist link information, or content playback order). The playlist is read out by the database access processing unit 54, the PD communication unit 58 is controlled, and transmitted to the PD 7.

  The network communication control unit 59 controls the network communication unit 60 in accordance with an operation signal from the basic GUI control unit 56 and makes the content server 3 and the detailed metadata server 5 access. The network communication control unit 59 supplies screen data supplied from the content server 3 to the basic GUI control unit 56, content data and metadata acquired from the content server 3, or acquired from the detailed metadata server 5. The detailed metadata is supplied to the database access processing unit 54.

  The PD communication unit 58 transmits the data supplied from the PD transfer control unit 57 to the PD 7 via the communication unit 20 and a USB cable (not shown). The network communication unit 60 accesses the content server 3 and the detailed metadata server 5 via the communication unit 20 and the network 2, and screen data, content data and metadata acquired from the content server 3, and detailed metadata. Detailed metadata acquired from the server 5 is supplied to the network communication control unit 59.

  The ALM database 71 stores artist link information of various artists. The artist link information stored in the ALM database 71 is generated by the artist link processing control unit 53 based on the detailed metadata acquired from the detailed metadata server 5 in correspondence with the artist of the content, and is used for the user's operation. In response, editing such as addition and deletion is performed.

  The content information database 72 stores information related to content (content information). The content information database 72 stores information such as a content name, a content file name, a reproduction count history, and a transfer history to a PD in association with the content ID. Note that playlist information (information including a playlist name and a content ID belonging to the playlist) created based on a user operation is also stored in the content information database 72. Note that the sub-genre name of the detailed metadata can also be stored in the content information database 72 in association with the content ID as one of the metadata.

  In the content file storage unit 73, content data is stored as content files managed by the content information database 72.

  FIG. 5 shows a detailed configuration example of the ALM database 71.

  In the example of FIG. 5, the ALM database 71 includes an artist group (AG) list table 81, an artist list table 82, and an artist link correspondence table 83.

  The artist group list table 81 includes an artist group ID (Identification), an artist group name, and attribute information. The artist group name is a name representing a category for classifying the artists related to each other, and can be freely changed or newly added by the user, but when created based on detailed metadata, the name of the sub genre Is registered as an artist group name.

  The attribute information represents who created this artist group. For example, the user A represents that the user is created by the user of the PC 1, and the system is created by the artist link processing control unit 53 based on the detailed metadata. This attribute information is used for, for example, processing performed by giving priority to the user's creation over the system's creation.

  The artist group list table 81 of FIG. 5 stores that the artist group ID “AG1” is “AGID_1”, the attribute information is “system”, and the artist group name is “system”. It is stored that the artist group ID of “AG2” is “AGID_2”, the attribute information is “user A”, the artist group ID of the artist group name “AG3” is “AGID_3”, and the attribute It is stored that the information is “user A”. That is, in the artist group list table 81, the artist group ID and the artist group name are stored in association with each other. The artist group “AG1” is created by the artist link processing control unit 53, and the artist groups “AG2” and “AG3” are created by the user of the PC1.

  The artist list table 82 includes an artist ID (Identification) and an artist name. The artist list table 82 in FIG. 5 has an artist ID “AT1”, an artist ID “AID_1”, an artist name “AT2”, an artist ID “AID_2”, and an artist name “AT3”. The artist ID and the artist name are stored in association with each other such that the ID is “AID_3”.

  The artist link correspondence table 83 includes an artist group ID and an artist ID. 5 includes an artist group ID “AGID_1”, an artist ID “AID_1”, an artist ID “AID_2”, and an artist ID “AID_3”. The artist group ID “AGID_2” The artist group ID and the artist ID are stored in association with each other such that the artist ID “AID_2” and the artist ID “AID_4” are included.

  That is, in the artist link correspondence table 83, one artist group ID can include a plurality of artist IDs, and the plurality of artist group IDs can include the same artist ID.

  As described above, by referring to the artist link information including the artist group list table 81, the artist list table 82, and the artist link correspondence table 83, the artist ID of the artist group ID “AGID_1” is the artist ID of the artist group AG1. It can be seen that artist AT1 with "AID_1", artist AT2 with artist ID "AID_2", and artist AT3 with artist ID "AID_3" are included. Further, it can be seen that the artist group AG2 with the artist group ID “AGID_2” includes the artist AT2 with the artist ID “AID_2” and the artist AT4 with the artist ID “AID_4”.

  That is, in this artist link information, artist AT1 with artist ID “AID_1”, artist AT2 with artist ID “AID_2”, and artist AT3 with artist ID “AID_3” are related to each other. It is assumed that artist AT2 whose ID is “AID_2” and artist AT4 whose artist ID is “AID_4” are related to each other.

  The artists registered in the ALM database 71 include those for which no content corresponding to the content information database 72 is registered.

  FIG. 6 shows a more detailed configuration example of the artist link correspondence table 83. In the example of FIG. 6, the artist link correspondence table 83 has order information and attribute information in addition to the artist group ID and artist ID shown in FIG.

  The order information is referred to, for example, when artist link information is transferred to the PD 7 having a limited data storage capacity compared to the PC 1 or when the artists included in the artist group are displayed side by side on the display unit 17. It is a priority order and can be changed by a user operation. For example, information of only the artists having the top 20 priorities among the artists included in the artist group is transferred to PD7.

  The attribute information in the artist link correspondence table 83 indicates who added the artist to the artist group. As described above, the user A represents that the user is created by the user of the PC 1, the system is created by the artist link processing control unit 53 based on the detailed metadata, , User B represents that it was created by a user of another PC 1. This attribute information is referred to as the initial value of the order information.

  That is, in order to give priority to the user's desire over the detailed metadata, the initial value of the order information is based on the attribute information, for example, the one created by the user as user A (self)> user B (friend)> system However, the priority is set high.

  The artist link correspondence table 83 in FIG. 6 includes order information “1” and attribute information “user A” for the artist AT1 whose artist ID is “AID_1” included in the artist group AG1 whose artist group ID is “AGID_1”. Are stored in association with each other. Order information “2” and attribute information “user B” are stored in association with artist AT2 with artist ID “AID_2” included in artist group AG1 with artist group ID “AGID_1”. Order information “3” and attribute information “system” are stored in association with artist AT3 with artist ID “AID_3” included in artist group AG1 with artist group ID “AGID_1”.

  That is, among the artists included in the artist group AG1 with the artist group ID “AGID_1”, the artist AT1 with the artist ID “AID_1” has the highest priority, and the artist AT3 with the artist ID “AID_3” has the highest priority. It turns out that it is set to the lowest. Further, artist link information that artist AT1 is included in artist group AG1 is created by user A, and artist link information that artist AT2 is included in artist group AG1 is created by user B, and artist AT3 is stored in artist group AG1. It can be seen that the artist link information that is included is created by the system.

  Here, the artist group AG1 will be specifically described with reference to the attribute information of the artist group correspondence table 81 in FIG. 4 as well. For example, the artist group processing control unit 53 performs the artist group processing based on the detailed metadata. After the artist link information that the artist AT3 is included in the artist group AG1 and the AG1 is created, the artist link information that the artist AT1 is included in the artist group AG1 is added by editing the PC1 user. As will be described later, artist link information that an artist AT2 is included in the artist group AG1 is added by importing a file in which artist link information of a user of another PC 1 is imported and the information is merged.

  In the artist link correspondence table 83, the order information “2” and the attribute information “user A” are included in the artist AT2 whose artist ID is “AID_2” included in the artist group AG2 whose artist group ID is “AGID_2”. It is stored in association with each other. Order information “1” and attribute information “user A” are stored in association with artist AT4 with artist ID “AID_4” included in artist group AG2 with artist group ID “AGID_2”.

  That is, among the artists included in artist group AG2 with artist group ID "AGID_2", artist AT4 with artist ID "AID_4" has the highest priority, and artist AT2 with artist ID "AID_2" has the highest priority. It turns out that it is set to the lowest. Further, it can be seen that artist link information that artist AT2 is included in artist group AG2 is created by user A, and artist link information that artist AT4 is included in artist group AG2 is also created by user A.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a content information table stored in the content information database 72.

  The content information table includes a content ID for identifying content (music), a content name, an album name including the content, an artist name of the artist who is the content performer or provider, and a genre name of the genre to which the content belongs. The content file name of the content and content attribute information such as a played flag are configured. The playback completion flag is reset to 0 once when shuffle playback is started to randomly play back the content, and then the playback flag of the content selected to be played is set to 1 to repeat the playback once. This is to prevent selection.

  For example, in the content information table of FIG. 7, the content name of the content whose content ID is “TID_1” is “Song1”, the album name is “Album1”, the artist name is “Artist AT1”, The content information that the genre name is “Pops”, the content file name is “Song1.oma”, and the reproduced flag is “0” is stored.

  The content name of the content whose content ID is “TID_2” is “Song2”, the album name is “Album1”, the artist name is “Artist AT1”, the genre name is “Pops”, The content information that the content file name is “Song2.oma”, the played flag is “0”, the content ID of the content whose content ID is “TID_3” is “Song3”, The album name is “Album2”, the artist name is “Artist AT2”, the genre name is “Rock”, the content file name is “Song3.oma”, and the played flag is “0” Content information is stored.

  Although not shown in the example of FIG. 7, as described above, the content information database 72 associates the content ID with the content speed, tune, rhythm, age (release date), ranking. Information such as information, playback history, transfer history to PD, and playlist such as playlist name are also stored. The ranking information includes the sales ranking of content in the market, the viewing ranking of users who use the content server 3 and the like.

  When the content is a video content, for example, the content information database 72 includes a program name, a movie title name, and an age (release year). Furthermore, the rating value of the content (evaluation) created based on the operation of the operation input unit 16 by the user can also be recorded in the content information database 72 as content metadata. The evaluation value may be created before viewing the content or after viewing the content.

  Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 8, in the content providing system of FIG. 1, the PC 1 acquires content data from the content server 3, acquires detailed metadata from the detailed metadata server 5, and generates artist link information. An example of processing to be performed will be described.

  For example, a list of contents is displayed on the display unit 17. The user requests access to the content server 3 by instructing desired content using a mouse or the like constituting the operation input unit 16 of the PC 1.

  The basic GUI control unit 56 of the PC 1 inputs a signal corresponding to a user operation through the operation input unit 16 and supplies the signal to the network communication control unit 59. In step S <b> 1, the network communication control unit 59 controls the network communication unit 60 according to the operation signal from the basic GUI control unit 56 to access the content server 3 and request the content desired by the user. The network communication unit 60 accesses the content server 3 via the communication unit 20 and the network 2 and requests content desired by the user.

  Upon receiving access from the PC 1, the communication unit 20 of the content server 3 requests a user ID (identification) and password registered in advance in order to use the content providing system under the control of the CPU 11 in step S11. Authentication screen data to be transmitted is transmitted via the network 2.

  In step S2, the network communication unit 60 of the PC 1 receives the authentication screen data from the content server 3 via the communication unit 20 and the network 2, and receives the received authentication screen data via the network communication control unit 59. This is supplied to the basic GUI control unit 56. The basic GUI control unit 56 controls the basic display processing unit 55 and causes the display unit 17 to display an authentication screen corresponding to the authentication screen data from the network communication control unit 59. The user inputs a user ID and password using a mouse or the like constituting the operation input unit 16 according to the authentication screen displayed on the display unit 17.

  The basic GUI control unit 56 inputs a user ID and password in response to a user operation via the operation input unit 16, and supplies the input user ID and password to the network communication control unit 59. In step S3, the network communication control unit 59 controls the network communication unit 60 to transmit the user ID and password from the basic GUI control unit 56 to the content server 3. The network communication unit 60 transmits the user ID and password to the content server 3 via the communication unit 20 and the network 2.

  The communication unit 20 of the content server 3 receives the user ID and password from the PC 1 and supplies them to the CPU 11. In step S12, the CPU 11 authenticates the user of the PC 1 based on the user ID and password received by the communication unit 20, proceeds to step S13, and among the various contents stored in the content database 4, the user The content data and metadata of the desired content are read out, and the read content data and metadata are transmitted via the network 2 by controlling the communication unit 20.

  In step S4, the network communication unit 60 of the PC 1 receives the content data and metadata from the content server 3 via the communication unit 20 and the network 2, and receives the received content data and metadata as the network communication control unit 59. Are supplied to the database access processing unit 54 and stored in the content file storage unit 73 and the content information database 72, respectively. That is, the database access processing unit 54 stores the content data as a file in the content file storage unit 73, and registers the content ID, the stored content file name, metadata, and the like in the content information database 72 as content information. . Here, the content information registered in the content information database 72 is displayed on the screen as, for example, My Library.

  In step S <b> 5, the network communication control unit 59 controls the network communication unit 60 to access the detailed metadata server 5 and request the detailed metadata of the content acquired from the content server 3. The network communication unit 60 accesses the detailed metadata server 5 via the communication unit 20 and the network 2, transmits the content ID of the content stored in the PC 1, and requests the detailed metadata.

When the communication unit 20 of the detailed metadata server 5 receives an access from the PC 1, the CPU 11 authenticates the user in step S21. When the detailed metadata server 5 is used for the first time, user registration is performed. Therefore, the CPU 11 authenticates the user of the PC 1 when the user of the PC 1 is a registered user, proceeds to step S 22, and includes the detailed metadata of various contents stored in the detailed metadata database 6. reads the detailed metadata of the user desired content, the read detailed metadata, and controls the communication unit 20 to transmit over the network 2. If the user is not a registered user, the user of the PC 1 is requested to perform user registration.

  In step S6, the network communication unit 60 of the PC 1 receives the detailed metadata from the detailed metadata server 5 via the communication unit 20 and the network 2, and supplies the received detailed metadata to the network communication control unit 59. To do. The network communication control unit 59 controls the database access processing unit 54 to store the detailed metadata in association with the content in the content information database 72 and supply it to the artist link processing control unit 53.

  In step S 7, the artist link processing control unit 53 generates artist link information based on the detailed metadata from the detailed metadata server 5, controls the generated artist link information to the database access processing unit 54, and ALM Store in the database 71.

  For example, the detailed metadata includes a content ID of content, genre information, sub-genre information, artist name, and the like. Detailed metadata is not limited to genres, but other metadata (such as “Tempo” indicating the speed (Bpm) of the content), “Major (major) indicating whether the content tune is major or minor. ) ”,“ RythmRatio ”indicating whether the content rhythm is percussive or quiet, and the content range is high (Hi) or low (Low) ) “HiMid (high frequency range)”, “year” indicating the year when the content was released (released), “Ranking” indicating the user's viewing ranking, etc.) There may be. In addition, analysis data obtained by analyzing the content can be configured. The analysis data is data obtained by analyzing the speed (tempo) of the content, the tone of the entire content (major, minor), the rhythm of the content (percussion instrument usage rate), and the like.

  The artist link processing control unit 53 sets the sub-genre as an artist group, registers it in the artist group list table 81 in association with the artist group ID, and associates the artist in the content in association with the artist ID in the artist list table 82. Each ID is registered in the artist link correspondence table 83 so that the artist group of the sub-genre includes the artist name of the content classified into the sub-genre.

  If the sub-genre is already registered as an artist group, the artist whose content is classified into the sub-genre is added to the registered artist group.

  As described above, in the PC 1, artist link information is generated based on the detailed metadata acquired from the detailed metadata server 5, and the generated artist link information is stored in the ALM database 71.

  In the above description, the example in which the PC 1 acquires the detailed metadata when the content data is acquired has been described, but the detailed metadata is searched by searching the content information database 72 at the time of starting or every predetermined time. If you don't have one, you can get it.

  Next, an example of processing for transferring data from the PC 1 to the PD 7 in the content providing system of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Although not shown, in the PD 7 as well as the PC 1, the artist link display processing unit 51 to the database access processing unit 54 and the ALM database 71, the content information database 72, the content built in the storage unit 19 in FIG. A file storage unit 73 is configured.

  The PD 7 is connected to the PC 1 via a USB cable (not shown), and a display unit 17 of the PC 1 displays, for example, a transfer button for instructing transfer to the PD 7. The user selects a content to be transferred to the PD 7 by pressing a transfer button using a mouse or the like constituting the operation input unit 16 of the PC 1.

  The basic GUI control unit 56 of the PC 1 inputs an operation signal corresponding to a user operation via the operation input unit 16 and supplies the operation signal to the PD transfer control unit 57. In step S51, the PD transfer control unit 57 controls the database access processing unit 54, and in response to the operation signal from the basic GUI control unit 56, the data related to the content that the user desires to transfer is transferred to the ALM database 71, the content information. It is read from the database 72 and the content file storage unit 73.

  That is, the PD transfer control unit 57 controls the database access processing unit 54 to read out data related to user-desired content. The database access processing unit 54 refers to the content information database 72, reads user-desired content information (metadata, etc.), supplies metadata to the PD transfer control unit 57, and stores the content file from the content file name. The content file stored in the unit 73 is read, and the data (content data) is supplied to the PD transfer control unit 57.

  For example, when content is transferred together with a playlist, the content data that has been transferred can be found to have been transferred by, for example, checking the PD transfer history in the content information database 72. In this case, the content data Is not read, and only the playlist is transferred.

  The PD transfer control unit 57 also controls the database access processing unit 54 to read artist link information associated with the artist name of the user-desired content read from the content information database 72 from the ALM database 71. Let The database access processing unit 54 refers to the artist table 82 and the artist link correspondence table 83, reads the artist ID of the artist name of the content desired by the user, and the artist group ID corresponding to the artist name, and from the artist group list table 81, The artist group name corresponding to the artist group ID is read, and the read artist link information is supplied to the PD transfer control unit 57.

  In step S 52, the PD transfer control unit 57 causes the PD communication unit 58 to transfer data (content data, metadata, and artist link information) related to the content read from the database access processing unit 54. At this time, as described above, the PD transfer control unit 57 obtains information on only the artists having the top 20 priorities among the artists included in the artist group based on the order information in the artist link correspondence table 83. Let it be transferred. Correspondingly, the PD communication unit 58 transfers data regarding the content that the user desires to transfer to the PD 7 via the communication unit 20 and the USB cable.

  In step S <b> 61, the communication unit 20 of the PD 7 receives data related to the content from the PC 1 via the USB cable and supplies the data to the database access processing unit 54. In step S62, the database access processing unit 54 of the PD 7 stores the content data and metadata in the content file storage unit 73 and the content information database 72 of the PD 7, and stores the artist link information in the ALM database 71 of the PD 7.

  That is, the database access processing unit 54 stores the content data as a file in the content file storage unit 73, and registers the content ID, the stored content file name, metadata, and the like in the content information database 72 as content information. The artist link information from the PC 1 is registered in the ALM database 71.

  As described above, artist link information is also stored in the ALM database 71 in the PD 7. Accordingly, the artist link information editing process and display control process in the PC 1 described below are similarly performed in the PD 7.

  FIG. 10 shows a detailed configuration example of the artist link display processing unit 51 of FIG.

  The artist link display processing unit 51 has three types of display screens related to artist link information. Under the control of the artist link GUI control unit 52, each artist link display processing unit 51 generates one type of display screen. An artist link tree display processing unit 101, an artist list display processing unit 102, and an artist group list display processing unit 103 are displayed.

  The artist link tree display processing unit 101 refers to the information in the ALM database 71 from the artist link GUI control unit 52, for example, as shown in FIG. A GUI image such as a display screen for displaying the artist link information in a tree format is generated, and a display screen including the generated GUI image is displayed on the display unit 17.

  FIG. 11 shows a display example of artist link information of the base artist. In the example of FIG. 11, the artist link information of the base artist when the base artist is artist A is displayed in a tree format.

  That is, an icon representing artist A as the base artist is arranged on the left side of FIG. 11, and icons representing artist groups AG1 to AG3 including the base artist are arranged on the right side (center of FIG. 11). . Between the icons representing the artist groups AG1 to AG3 and the icon representing the artist A, a line is displayed so as to indicate the connection with the artist A.

  Further, the artist group AG1 including the base artist includes an artist included other than the base artist (that is, an artist related to the base artist in terms of the artist group AG1 because it is included in the same artist group AG1 as the base artist) B To D, icons representing the related artists C and E included in addition to the base artist are disposed in the artist group AG2 including the base artist, and an artist group AG3 including the base artist is included in the artist group AG3 including the base artist. , Icons representing related artists F to H included in addition to the base artist are arranged.

  The icons representing the related artists B to D are displayed connected to the icon representing the artist group AG1 in a line so as to indicate the connection to the artist group AG1, and the icons C and E are linked to the artist group AG2. As shown, the icons representing the artist group AG2 are connected and displayed in a line, and the icons representing the related artists F to H are connected to the icon representing the artist group AG3 and the line representing the connection with the artist group AG3. Connected and displayed.

  Thus, as the artist link information of the base artist, not only the related artists as a result of searching the artist link information but also the artist group including these related artists and the base artist is displayed, thereby displaying the related artists. And the relationship with the base artist (that is, they are connected by the same artist group category). Thereby, the user can understand the reason why the base artist and the related artist are related.

  In the example of FIG. 11, related artists for all artist groups including the base artist are displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, only related artists of the focused artist group are displayed. It can also be displayed.

  In the example of FIG. 12, among the artist groups AG1 to AG3 including the base artist A, for example, the artist group AG2 is focused, and only the related artists C and E icons for the artist group AG2 are displayed. At this time, since the artist groups AG1 and AG3 are not focused, each line between the icon representing the base artist A and the icon representing the artist groups AG1 and AG3 is displayed lightly (in a dashed line).

  Then, by switching the artist group to be focused in response to the user's operation, the other artist groups AG1 or AG3 are focused, and related artists of the focused artist group are displayed.

  As described above, displaying only the related artists of the focused artist group has an advantage that it is particularly easy to see when there are many related artists included in each artist group.

  Returning to FIG. 10, the artist list display processing unit 102 displays the list of artists stored in the artist list table 82 by referring to the information of the artist list table 82 from the artist link GUI control unit 52. A GUI image such as a screen is generated, and a display screen including the generated GUI image is displayed on the display unit 17.

  The artist group list display processing unit 103 refers to the information in the ALM database 71 from the artist link GUI control unit 52, thereby displaying a GUI such as a display screen on which a list of artist groups stored in the artist group list table 83 is displayed. An image is generated, and a display screen including the generated GUI image is displayed on the display unit 17.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the display unit 17.

  13 includes an artist link map preview screen 211 that switches to another display screen for displaying artist link information according to a user operation, and a basic function display screen 212 that is displayed without switching. Has been.

  The artist link map preview screen 211 is a screen displayed by the artist link tree display processing unit 101. The artist link map preview screen 211 displays artist link information of the base artist serving as the base point in a tree format as described above with reference to FIG. 11 in response to a user operation.

  Specifically, on the artist link map preview screen 211, a small circle 221 is displayed on the left side, a large circle 222 is displayed surrounding the small circle 221, and the base artist is displayed on the left side in the small circle 221. The artist name “Artist A” and the content name “Song 1” of the content being reproduced among the contents of the base artist are displayed. A white triangle icon displayed to the left of the content name indicates that the content is being played back.

  Icons indicating artist groups AG1 to AG3 including the base artist are sequentially displayed on the right circle of the small circle 221, and the corresponding artist groups AG1 to AG3 are displayed outside the circle on the right of the large circle 222. The icons of the related artists B to H included in each of the artist groups AG1 to AG3 connected via the line with the icon of are displayed.

  That is, in order from the top, the icons of the related artists B, C, and D included in the artist group AG1 are displayed so as to be connected to the icon of the artist group AG1 via a line. The icons of the related artists C and E included in the artist group AG2 are displayed so as to be connected to the icon of the artist group AG2 via a line. The icons of the related artists F, G, and H included in the artist group AG3 are displayed so as to be connected to the icon of the artist group AG3 via a line.

  The display order of the related artist icons in each artist group is based on the order information shown in FIG. That is, in the example of FIG. 13, the related artist icons are displayed so that the higher the priority in each artist group, the higher the priority.

  Further, the black triangle icon shown on the right side of the artist name of the related artist indicates that the content of the corresponding artist is registered in the content information database 72 and can be reproduced. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 13, it can be seen that the content of the related artist E for which the black triangle icon is not displayed on the right side is not registered in the content information database 72.

  In the artist link map preview screen 211, when an icon of a related artist (for example, artist C) to which a black triangle icon is added is designated by an operation of a mouse or the like constituting the operation input unit 16 of the user, The content data of the artist C set as the base artist is reproduced, and the artist link information of the artist C set as the base artist is displayed as a tree based on the ALM database 71.

  That is, the artist name of the artist C is displayed on the left side in the small circle 221, the content name of the content being reproduced among the contents of the base artist C is displayed, and on the right circumference of the small circle 221, the base point is displayed. Icons indicating artist groups AG1 and AG2 including the artist C are displayed in order, and the outer side of the right circle of the great circle 222 is included in the artist group AG1 connected to the icon of the artist group AG1 via a line. The icons of the related artists A, B, D and the icons of the related artists A, E included in the artist group AG2 connected to the icons of the artist group AG2 via lines are displayed.

  On the other hand, in the artist link map preview screen 211, when an icon of a related artist (for example, artist E) to which a black triangle icon is not added is designated by an operation of a mouse or the like constituting the operation input unit 16 of the user, The content data of artist E is not stored in PC1. Therefore, the network communication control unit 59 controls the network communication unit 60 in response to an operation signal from the artist link GUI control unit 52, and a web page (for example, the content server 3) related to the artist via the network 2. In the URL, etc., where the target content can be downloaded.

  On the small circle 221 of the artist link map preview screen 211, an arrow 223-1 arranged above the artist AG1 icon and an arrow 223-2 arranged below the artist AG3 icon are currently displayed. In addition to the above, when there are other group artists including the base artist, the icons for scrolling the display of the group artist icons are displayed so that the icons of the other group artists are displayed. Similarly, on the great circle 222, the arrow 224-1 arranged above the line connecting the icon of artist group AG1 and the icon of artist B and the line connecting the icon of artist group AG3 and the icon of artist H are below. In addition to the currently displayed arrow, the arrow 224-2 arranged in the icon displays the icon of another related artist so that the icon of another related artist is displayed when there is another related artist. It is an icon for scrolling.

  Further, an artist link edit button 231 for switching the display to an artist link map edit screen 301 (FIG. 14) described later, which is a screen for editing artist link information, is displayed at the top of the artist link map preview screen 211. A return button 232 for returning to the previous screen is arranged.

  The basic function display screen 212 is a screen displayed by the basic display processing unit 55. The basic function display screen 212 is an artist link map preview screen 211 whose display is switched according to a user operation, an artist link map editing screen 301 shown in FIG. On the other hand, it is always displayed outside the screen so as to surround them.

  The basic function display screen 212 has a volume button 281 for adjusting the volume, a capture button 282 for capturing (encoding and recording) content from a CD, and transfer for transferring the content and playlist to the PD 7. A button 283, a communication button 284 for accessing an external server via the network 2 in order to communicate with other users using the content, instructing playback when the content is stopped, and during playback of the content A playback operation button 285 for instructing a pause, a stop button 286 for stopping the playback of content, a “Previous” button 287 for instructing the previous content with respect to the content to be played back, a playback target To indicate the next content for the content of A “next” button 288 and a presentation unit 289 that presents the name of the content being played, the name of the artist, an image, and the like are configured.

  Here, when the artist link edit button 231 is pressed by the user's operation of the mouse or the like constituting the operation input unit 16, the artist link map preview screen 211 on the display screen 201 of FIG. The display is switched to the artist link map editing screen 301 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 14 shows a display example of the artist link map editing screen. In the example of FIG. 14, only the artist link map editing screen 301 on the display screen 201 is shown.

  The artist link map editing screen 301 is roughly composed of an artist list screen 311, an artist group list screen 312, and an artist link tree screen 313. As an arrangement, an artist list screen 311 and an artist group list screen 312 are arranged side by side under the artist link tree screen 313.

  In the upper part of the artist link tree screen 313, an artist link editing end button 314 for returning the display from the artist link map editing screen 301 to the artist link map preview screen 201 in FIG. A return button 232 for returning to the previous screen is arranged, and the artist link tree is moved up and down between the artist link tree screen 313, the artist list screen 311 and the artist group list screen 312. A splitter bar 316 for changing the display ratio of the screen 313, the artist list screen 311 and the artist group list screen 312 is arranged.

  The artist list screen 311 is a screen displayed by the artist list display processing unit 102, the artist group list screen 312 is a screen displayed by the artist group list display processing unit 103, and the artist link tree screen 313 is an artist. It is a screen displayed by the link tree display processing unit 101. The editing of the artist link information performed on the artist list screen 311 and the artist group list screen 312 is immediately reflected on the display of the artist link tree screen 313. In addition, the selection instruction of the user and the editing of the artist link information on the artist link tree screen 313 are immediately reflected in the display of the artist group list screen 312.

  Hereinafter, each screen will be described in detail. The artist list screen 311 displays a list of artist names (A to H) stored in the artist list table 82 together with artist icons. The artist icon to which artist E is attached (hereinafter also referred to as artist E icon) is displayed in a color different from the icons of other artists. This indicates that the content of artist E is not stored in PC1. On the icon of artist D, a cursor 321 indicating that it is selected by the user is displayed.

  At the bottom of the artist list screen 311, an artist addition button 322 for adding a new artist to the artist list table 82, an artist deletion button 323 for deleting the artist currently selected by the cursor 321 from the artist list table 82, An artist link search button 324 for displaying the artist link information on the artist link tree screen 313 with the artist selected by the cursor 321 as the base artist is arranged. A scroll bar 325 for scrolling a list of artist names displayed on the artist list screen 311 is provided on the right side of the artist list screen 311.

  Between the artist list screen 311 and the artist group list screen 312, an artist group addition button 331 for adding the artist selected by the cursor 321 on the artist list screen 311 to the artist group selected on the artist group list screen 312. Is arranged.

  The artist group list screen 312 displays a list of artist groups stored in the artist group list table 81 together with folder icons. Note that the folder icon to which the artist group AG2 is attached (hereinafter also referred to as the artist group AG2 icon) is displayed in a different color from the icons of other artist groups. This indicates that the artist included in the artist group AG2 is the base artist, and the artist link information is displayed on the artist link tree screen 313. Further, a cursor 341 indicating that the user is selected is displayed on the icon of the artist group AG2.

  In the artist group list screen 312, the folder icon is displayed in a closed state by default. By clicking the folder icon in the closed state, the folder icon in the opened state is displayed and the information in the artist link correspondence table 83 is referenced, and the corresponding folder icon is displayed under the opened folder icon. The icon of the artist included in the artist group to be displayed is displayed. In the example of FIG. 14, all the folder icons of artist groups AG1 to AG3 are opened, and the icons of artists included in each artist group are displayed from the top in order of order information in the artist link correspondence table 83.

  That is, artist icons of artists A, B, C, and D included in artist group AG1 are displayed under the folder of artist group AG1, and included in artist group AG2 under the folder of artist group AG2. Artist icons for artists A, C, and E are displayed. Under the artist group AG3 folder, artist icons for artist A included in artist group AG3 are displayed. In addition, artist group AG3 includes artists F, G, and H, but in the example of FIG. 14, since there is no display space, it is not displayed on artist group list screen 312. For example, it is displayed on the artist group list screen 312 when the user operates a scroll bar 346 described later.

  Further, in the artist group list screen 312, the order in the artist link tree screen 313 is changed by changing the order of the artists included in each artist group in accordance with the operation of the mouse or the like constituting the operation input unit 16 of the user. Then, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 15, the priorities (order information) of artists included in the corresponding artist group in the artist link correspondence table 83 of FIG. 5 can be switched.

  In the lower part of the artist group list screen 312, an artist group addition button 342 for adding a new artist group to the artist group list table 81 and an artist group selected by the cursor 341 from the artist group list table 81 are deleted. Alternatively, a delete button 343 for deleting the artist selected by the cursor 341 from the corresponding artist group, a capture button 344 for capturing artist link information written in an XML (Extensible Markup Language) file, and A write button 345 for writing artist link information of at least one artist group selected by the cursor 341 to an XML file is arranged. On the right side of the artist group list screen 312, a scroll bar 346 for scrolling the list of artist groups displayed on the artist group list screen 312 is provided.

  Similar to the artist link map preview screen 211 in FIG. 13, artist link information of the base artist is displayed on the artist link tree screen 313 in a tree format.

  Specifically, on the artist link tree screen 313, a base point icon 351 representing the base artist is displayed on the left side, and folder icons 352-1 to 352-3 representing the artist group including the base point artist are displayed in the center. On the right side, related icons 353-1 and 353-2 of related artists included in the focused artist group among the artist groups including the base artist are displayed. A line representing a link is displayed between the base point icon 351 and the folder icons 352-1 to 352-3 by connecting the icons, and between the folder icon 352-2 and the related icons 353-1 and 353-2. Similarly, a line is also displayed.

  Hereinafter, the folder icons 352-1 to 352-2 are simply referred to as folder icons 352 when it is not necessary to distinguish them. The related icons 353-1 and 353-2 are also simply referred to as related icons 353 when it is not necessary to distinguish them.

  In the artist link tree screen 313 as well, the artist group is also displayed in this manner, so that the user can recognize why the base artist and the related artist are related (ie, the artist group). . When there are a plurality of artist groups including the base artist, a plurality of folder icons 352 are also displayed. Furthermore, when a plurality of related artists are included in the artist group, a plurality of related icons 353 are also displayed.

  In the example of FIG. 14, since artist A is selected as the base artist, the character of artist A is displayed attached to the base point icon 351, and artist groups AG1, AG2, AG3 including artist A are displayed. Are attached to the folder icons 352-1 to 352-3, and the characters of the other artists C and E included in the focused artist group AG2 are related icons 353- 1 and 353-2 are displayed.

  Here, in the artist list display screen 311, when the artist link search 324 is pressed after the artist C icon is selected by the operation of the mouse constituting the operation input unit 16 of the user, or the artist link is displayed. When the related icon 353-1 is clicked on the tree screen 313, the artist C indicated by the related icon 353-1 becomes the base artist, and the artist link information of the artist C that has become the base artist is stored in the ALM database 71. Based on this, the artist link tree screen 313 is displayed.

  That is, in the artist link tree screen 313 that is displayed, the character of artist C that has become the base artist is displayed attached to the base icon 351, and the characters of artist groups AG1 and AG2 that include artist C are the folder icon 352. Characters of other artists included in the artist group displayed and attached to 1 and 352-2 are attached to the related icon 353 and displayed.

  In the artist link tree screen 313, for example, when the artist group AG1 is focused by the operation of the user operation input unit 16, the artist group AG1 folder icon is displayed on the artist group list screen 312. Scrolling is performed so as to be arranged at the top position, and the icons are displayed in a color different from the icons of other artist groups. On the other hand, the folder icon of artist group AG2 out of focus is displayed in the same color as the icons of other artist groups.

  Further, in the artist link tree screen 313, as in the artist link map preview screen 211, the base point icon 351 or the related icon 353 is selected (for example, double-clicked) by the operation of the mouse constituting the operation input unit 16 of the user. If it is, the artist content data indicated by the selected icon is reproduced. At this time, the artist corresponding to the related icon 353 is set as the base artist, and the artist link information of the artist who becomes the base artist is displayed in a tree based on the ALM database 71.

  When the artist content indicated by the double-clicked icon is not stored in the PC 1, the network communication control unit 59 controls the network communication unit 60 according to the operation signal from the artist link GUI control unit 52. Then, a web page related to the artist (for example, a URL on the content server 3 where the target content can be downloaded) can be accessed via the network 2.

  Further, scroll buttons 361-1 and 361-2 for moving the display to a folder icon representing another artist group including the base artist are arranged above and below the folder icon 352 on the artist link tree screen 313, respectively. Scroll buttons 362-1 and 362-2 for moving the display to related icons representing other related artists are arranged above and below the related artist icon 353, respectively.

  In the artist link tree screen 313, for example, by changing the order of the related icons by operating the mouse constituting the operation input unit 16 of the user, the corresponding artist group in the artist link correspondence table 83 in FIG. It is also possible to change the priority order (order information) of artists included in.

  Next, rearrangement of artist order information on the artist group list screen 312 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 15, a display example on the artist link tree screen 313 and order information on the artist group AG1 stored in the artist link correspondence table 83 are shown in order from the left.

  That is, the artist link tree screen 313 displays artist A as a base artist, an icon representing artist A is displayed at the position of the base artist, and an artist group including artist A as artist link information of artist A An icon representing AG1 and icons representing artists B, C and D included in the artist group AG1 are displayed from the top in the descending order of order information (priority order) stored in the artist link correspondence table 83. ing.

  Although not shown, for the artist group AG1 on the artist group list screen 312, artist names are displayed together with icons from the top in the order of higher order information, such as artist A, artist B, artist C, and artist D. Yes.

  Here, for example, in the artist group AG1 on the artist group list screen 312, the artist D icon is dragged to a position above the artist B icon in accordance with the operation of the mouse or the like constituting the operation input unit 16 of the user. Then, the artist B icon is dragged and dropped to a position below the artist C icon, thereby editing the positions of the artist B icon and the artist D icon.

  As a result, the artist link tree screen 313 immediately reflects the editing in the artist group list screen 312 as the icon of artist D, the icon of artist C, and the icon of artist B, as indicated by the arrow, and the artist. The order of the order information stored in the link correspondence table 83 is also updated in the descending order of artist link D, artist C, and artist B.

  The order information updated as described above is then used for transfer to the PD 7 as described with reference to FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 16, the order information for the artist groups AG1 to AG3 stored in the artist link correspondence table 83 and the transfer order of the artist link information are shown.

  That is, artist group AG1 includes artists D, C, and B, and their order information is set higher in the order of artist D> C> B. The artist group AG2 includes artists C and E, and their order information is set higher in the order of artist C> E. The artist group AG3 includes artists F, G, and H, and their order information is set higher in the order of artist F> G> H. The artist order in artist AG1 in FIG. 16 is the result of rearrangement by the rearrangement editing in FIG.

  Here, as described above with reference to FIG. 9, when artist link information is transferred to the PD 7, the storage capacity of the PD 7 is limited to be smaller than the storage capacity of the PC 1. When there is an artist group, as shown by the arrows, for example, from the artist link information of the artist with the highest priority, the top 20 are selected and transferred, for example, in order from the artist group.

  In the example of FIG. 16, the artist link information of artist D having the highest priority in artist group AG1 is transferred in the first transfer order, and the artist having the highest priority in artist group AG2. The artist link information of C is transferred in the second transfer order, and the artist link information of artist F having the highest priority in the artist group AG3 is transferred in the third transfer order.

  Next, since the artist link information of the artist C with the second highest priority in the artist group AG1 has already been transferred, the artist link information of the artist B with the third highest priority is the fourth transfer order. The artist link information of the artist E having the second highest priority in the artist group AG2 is transferred in the fifth transfer order. Further, the artist link information of the artist G having the second highest priority in the artist group AG3 is transferred in the sixth transfer order, and finally the artist G having the third highest priority in the artist group AG3. Artist link information is transferred in the seventh transfer order.

  As described above, the artist priority order can be rearranged for each artist group, and the artist link information is transferred to the PD 7 in the order in which the rearranged editing results are reflected. Therefore, it is possible to preferentially transfer user-desired information to the PD 7 having a limited storage capacity.

  Next, display control processing of the artist link map editing screen 301 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  For example, when the user operates the operation input unit 16 to instruct artist link editing, the artist link display processing unit 51 causes the display unit 17 to display the artist link shown in FIG. 14 under the control of the artist link GUI control unit 52. A map editing screen 301 is displayed. For example, the user operates the operation input unit 16 to select an icon of an artist, for example, artist D, whose artist link information is to be displayed on the artist list screen 311 as indicated by the cursor 321 in FIG. Then, an artist link search button 324 arranged at the bottom of the artist list screen 311 is pressed.

  In step S101, the artist link GUI control unit 52 stands by until the artist link search button is pressed. The artist link GUI control unit 52 receives an operation signal corresponding to the depression of the artist link search button 324 by the user via the operation input unit 16. In response to this, the artist link GUI control unit 52 determines that the artist link search button has been pressed, and the process proceeds to step S102. In step S102, the artist link GUI control unit 52 determines whether or not an artist is selected. If it is determined that no artist is selected, the process returns to step S101 and repeats the subsequent processes.

  For example, the artist D icon is selected by the cursor 321 on the artist list screen 311 of FIG. If it is determined in step S102 that an artist has been selected, the process proceeds to step S103, where the artist link GUI control unit 52 sets the selected artist (artist D) as the base artist, and step In step S104, the artist link processing control unit 53 is controlled to search the ALM database 71 for an artist group including the base artist.

  That is, the artist link processing control unit 53 controls the database access processing unit 54 to search for an artist group including artist D from the ALM database 71 in step S104. The searched artist group information is supplied to the artist link GUI control unit 52 via the artist link processing control unit 53.

  In step S105, the artist link processing control unit 53 controls the database access processing unit 54 to search for related artists included in each searched artist group. That is, the database access processing unit 54 searches the ALM database 71 for related artists included in each artist group in step S105. The searched related artist information is supplied to the artist link GUI control unit 52 via the artist link processing control unit 53.

  In step S106, the artist link GUI control unit 52 uses the artist link information of the base artist (that is, the artist group information searched in step S104 and the related artist information searched in step S105) as update information. This is supplied to the link display processing unit 51.

  In response to this, in step S107, the artist link display processing unit 51 redraws the artist link map editing screen 301 based on the update information. That is, the artist link tree display processing unit 101 redraws the artist link tree screen 313, and the artist list display processing unit 102 and the artist group list display processing unit 103 respectively perform the artist list screen 311 and the artist as necessary. The group list screen 312 is redrawn.

  As a result, the artist link tree screen 313 of the artist link map editing screen 301 redrawn by the artist link tree display processing unit 101 is updated and displayed as shown in FIG.

  In the artist link tree screen 313 of FIG. 18, artist link information of the artist D who is the base artist is displayed. That is, the character of artist D, who has become the base artist, is displayed attached to the base icon 351, the character of artist group AG1 including artist D is displayed attached to the folder icon 352-1, and the focused artist group The characters of the other artists A, B, and C included in are attached to the related icons 353-1 to 353-3 and displayed.

  At this time, although not shown, in the artist group list screen 312 redrawn by the artist group list display processing unit 103, the folder of the artist group AG2 displayed in white on the artist group list screen 312 of FIG. The icon is displayed in black like the other folder icons, and the folder icon of the artist group AG1 focused on the artist link tree screen 313 in FIG. 18 is displayed in a different color (white) from the other folder icons.

  As described above, the result of editing on the artist list screen 311 of the artist link map editing screen 301 is immediately reflected in the display of the artist link tree screen 313 and the artist group list screen 312. Therefore, since the user can easily perform the editing work, the burden of the user's editing work is reduced. As a result, the user can easily edit without hesitation.

  Next, another example of the display control process of the artist link map editing screen 301 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  For example, when the user operates the operation input unit 16 to instruct artist link editing, the artist link display processing unit 51 causes the display unit 17 to display the artist link shown in FIG. 14 under the control of the artist link GUI control unit 52. A map editing screen 301 is displayed. In the example of FIG. 14, the artist link AG2 is focused on the artist link tree screen 313 and the related artists are displayed. In this case, for convenience of explanation, the artist group AG1 is focused and the artist group AG2 is displayed. Assume that related artists of group AG1 are displayed.

  The user operates the operation input unit 16 to select an artist group, for example, artist group AG2, to be focused for editing on the artist link tree screen 313.

  In step S121, the artist link GUI control unit 52 stands by until an artist group on the artist link tree screen 313 is selected. The artist link GUI control unit 52 receives an operation signal corresponding to the selection of the artist group AG2 by the user via the operation input unit 16. In response to this, the artist link GUI control unit 52 determines that an artist group on the artist link tree screen has been selected, and the process proceeds to step S122.

  In step S122, the artist link GUI control unit 52 sets the selected artist group AG2 as a target artist group. In step S123, the artist link GUI control unit 53 controls the artist link processing control unit 53 to search for artists included in the target artist group. .

  That is, the artist link processing control unit 53 controls the database access processing unit 54 to search for artists included in the artist group AG2 from the ALM database 71 in step S123. The searched artist information is supplied to the artist link GUI control unit 52 via the artist link processing control unit 53.

  In step S <b> 124, the artist link GUI control unit 52 acquires the relative position of the icon of the target artist on the artist group list screen 312 from the artist group list display processing unit 103.

  In step S125, the artist link GUI control unit 52 displays the position of the target artist's icon at the top position on the artist group list screen 312 from the relative position of the acquired target artist's icon. The scroll position and scroll speed of the artist group list screen 312 are calculated.

  In step S126, the artist link GUI control unit 52 displays the obtained information (that is, the artist information acquired in step S123, the scroll position and scroll speed calculated in step S125) as update information, and the artist link display. This is supplied to the processing unit 51.

  In step S127, the artist link display processing unit 51 redraws the artist link map editing screen 301 based on the update information. That is, the artist link tree display processing unit 101 redraws the artist link tree screen 313 based on the artist information acquired in step S123, and the artist group list display processing unit 103 displays the artist acquired in step S123. The artist group list screen 312 is redrawn based on the information and the scroll position and scroll speed obtained in step S125.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 20, an artist link including an artist link tree screen 313 redrawn by the artist link tree display processing unit 101 and an artist group list screen 312 redrawn by the artist group list display processing unit 103. A map editing screen 301 is displayed.

  The artist link tree screen 313 in FIG. 20 is included in the artist group AG2 selected (focused) based on the artist information acquired in step S123 among the artist groups including the artist A who is the base artist. Related icons 353-1 and 353-2 with characters of related artists C and E are displayed.

  Also, in the artist group list screen 312 of FIG. 20, as shown by the arrow R1, the result of scrolling based on the scroll position and scroll speed obtained in step S125 is the selected artist group AG2 and the selected artist group AG2. The icons of the related artists included are moved from the substantially central position in FIG. 14 and displayed at the top position.

  As described above, by reflecting the selection instruction on the artist link tree screen 313 on the artist group list screen 312, the information of the artist group that the user wants to edit can be immediately confirmed, which is convenient for the user in editing. Will improve.

  Note that the movement of the artist group position on the artist group list screen 312 is not limited to the scroll display described above with reference to FIG. 20, but can be realized by changing the display order as shown in FIG. 21, for example. .

In FIG. 21, when artist group AG2 is selected on artist link tree screen 313, the display position of artist group AG2 on artist group list screen 312 is displayed on artist group list screen 312 as indicated by arrow R2. The position of artist group AG1 displayed at the top position has been replaced. That is, the artist group AG2 information is displayed at the top position of the artist group list screen 312, and the artist that has been focused on the artist link tree screen 313 and displayed at the top position so far. The group AG1 is displayed in the lower part of the artist group AG2 on the artist group list screen 312.

  This display can be easily realized by changing the sort key specified when opening the record set of the artist group.

  As described above, the information on the artist group that is focused (selected) on the artist link tree screen 313 and the related artist is displayed can be displayed on the top of the artist group list screen 312. Thus, when editing, it is possible to save the user from searching for the artist group by scrolling the display of the artist group list screen 312. The position to be displayed may be the top position, or may be a predetermined position other than the top position as long as the position is easy to edit and has visibility. .

  Next, the artist link information editing process in the PC 1 performed with reference to the artist link map editing screen 301 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  When the user operates the operation input unit 16 to instruct artist link editing, the artist link GUI control unit 52 displays the artist link map editing screen 301 in FIG. 14 on the display unit 17. For example, by operating the operation input unit 16, the user selects the icon of the artist D to be added on the artist list screen 311 as shown by the cursor 321 in FIG. The icon of the artist group AG2 to which D is to be added is selected, and then the artist group addition button 331 is pressed.

  In step S141, the artist link GUI control unit 52 determines whether or not an instruction to add an artist to the artist group is given. When an operation signal corresponding to pressing of the artist group addition button 331 is input from the operation input unit 16, the artist link GUI control unit 52 determines in step S141 that the addition of an artist to the artist group has been instructed. The process proceeds to S142.

  In step S142, the artist link GUI control unit 52 controls the artist link processing control unit 53 to edit the artist link correspondence table 83. That is, the artist link processing control unit 53 controls the database access processing unit 54 to add information on the selected artist to the selected artist group in the artist link correspondence table 83. At this time, in the artist link correspondence table 83, the artist ID of artist D is additionally registered in association with the artist group ID of artist group AG2. The update information of the artist correspondence link table 83 is supplied to the artist link GUI control unit 52.

  In step S 143, the artist link GUI control unit 52 supplies the artist link display processing unit 51 with the update information of the artist correspondence link table 83 from the artist link processing control unit 53.

  In step S <b> 144, the artist link display processing unit 51 redraws the artist link map editing screen 301 based on the update information of the artist link correspondence table 83. That is, the artist list display processing unit 102 redraws the artist list screen 311, the artist group list display processing unit 103 redraws the artist group list screen 312, and the artist link tree display processing unit 101 displays the artist link tree. The screen 313 is redrawn.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 25, the artist group list screen 312 redrawn by the artist group list display processing unit 103 displays the artist icons of artists A, C, and E under the artist group AG2 folder. An artist icon of artist D is added and displayed.

Further, in the artist link tree screen 313 redrawn by the artist link tree display processing unit 101, an artist group is connected via a line to the folder icon 352-2 with the artist group AG2 including the artist A as the base artist. The related icon 353-3 of artist D is added and connected to related icons 353-1 and 353-2 to which the characters C and E, which are other artists included in AG2, are attached.

  In this example, the added artist is set to the lowest order information in the artist group. However, the highest order order or the medium order order may be set. it can.

  As described above, the editing of the artist link information performed on the artist list screen 313 and the artist group list screen 312 is immediately reflected on the artist link tree screen 313.

  Returning to FIG. 22, if it is determined in step S141 that an instruction to add an artist to the artist group is not given, the process proceeds to step S145.

  In step S145, the artist link GUI control unit 52 determines whether or not deletion of an artist from the artist group is instructed. For example, in the artist group list screen 312 of the artist link map editing screen 301 in FIG. 25, the cursor 341 is displayed on the artist D icon included in the artist group AG2 (that is, the artist D icon is selected). In the state), when the user operates the operation input unit 16, the delete button 343 is pressed.

  When an operation signal corresponding to pressing of the delete button 343 is input from the operation input unit 16, the artist link GUI control unit 52 determines in step S145 that deletion of an artist from the artist group is instructed, and the process is as follows. The process proceeds to step S146.

  In step S146, the artist link GUI control unit 52 controls the artist link processing control unit 53 to edit the artist link correspondence table 83. That is, the artist link processing control unit 53 controls the database access processing unit 54 to delete information on the selected artist from the selected artist group in the artist link correspondence table 83. At this time, in the artist link correspondence table 83, information in which the artist group ID of the artist group AG2 and the artist ID of the artist D are associated is deleted. The update information of the artist correspondence link table 83 is supplied to the artist link GUI control unit 52.

  In step S147, the artist link GUI control unit 52 supplies the artist link display processing unit 51 with the update information of the artist correspondence link table 83 from the artist link processing control unit 53.

  In step S <b> 148, the artist link display processing unit 51 redraws the artist link map editing screen 301 based on the update information of the artist link correspondence table 83. That is, the artist list display processing unit 102 redraws the artist list screen 311, the artist group list display processing unit 103 redraws the artist group list screen 312, and the artist link tree display processing unit 101 displays the artist link tree. The screen 313 is redrawn.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 14, the artist link list editing screen 301 of the artist group list screen 312 and the artist link tree screen 313 in which the artist D is released from the link (related) of the artist group AG 2 is displayed on the display unit 17. Is displayed.

  If it is determined in step S141 that the addition of an artist to the artist group has been instructed, and if it is determined in step S145 that the deletion of the artist from the artist group has been instructed, the process is performed in step S144. The redrawing of the artist link editing screen 301 is performed simultaneously with the redrawing of the artist link editing screen 301 in step S148.

  If it is determined in step S145 that deletion of an artist from the artist group is not instructed, the process proceeds to step S149 in FIG. In step S149, the artist link GUI control unit 52 determines whether or not an instruction to add a new artist group has been given. For example, when an artist group addition button 342 is pressed on the artist group list screen 312 of the artist link map editing screen 301 in FIG. 14, the artist group list display processing unit 103 controls the artist link GUI control unit 52. An unnamed artist group is displayed.

  Here, the user inputs an artist group name (for example, AG4) using a keyboard or the like constituting the operation input unit 16. Here, the user can input a desired group name. For example, if you want to create a group of artists produced by the same music producer, enter the artist group name “◎◎ Project” or create a group of ballet music. It is possible to input a desired group name such as inputting a group name. That is, since a new artist group with a desired group name can be created, it is possible to give a reason for how the artists included in the artist group are related to each other.

  When an operation signal corresponding to the addition of a new artist group (artist group AG4) is input from the operation input unit 16, the artist link GUI control unit 52 determines in step S149 that an addition of a new artist group has been instructed, Proceed to step S150.

  In step S150, the artist link GUI control unit 52 controls the artist link processing control unit 53 to edit the artist group list table 82. That is, the artist link processing control unit 53 controls the database access processing unit 54 to add information on the designated artist group to the artist group list table 82. For example, at this time, in the artist group list table 82 of FIG. 5, the name (AG4) and artist ID (for example, AGID_4) of the artist group AG4 are added. In this case, since no artist is added to the artist group AG4, the artist link correspondence table 83 is not edited. The updated information of the artist group list table 82 is supplied to the artist link GUI control unit 52.

  In step S 151, the artist link GUI control unit 52 supplies the updated information of the artist group list table 82 from the artist link processing control unit 53 to the artist link display processing unit 51.

  In step S152, the artist link display processing unit 51 redraws the artist link map editing screen 301 based on the update information of the artist group list table 82. That is, the artist list display processing unit 102 redraws the artist list screen 311, the artist group list display processing unit 103 redraws the artist group list screen 312, and the artist link tree display processing unit 101 displays the artist link tree. The screen 313 is redrawn.

  Thereby, the display unit 17 displays an artist group list screen 312 in which the icon of artist group AG4 is added to the icons of artist groups AG1 to AG3 of FIG.

  If it is determined in step S149 that addition of a new artist group has not been instructed, the process proceeds to step S153. In step S153, the artist link GUI control unit 52 determines whether deletion of the artist group is instructed. For example, in the artist group list screen 312 of the artist link map editing screen 301 in FIG. 14, the cursor 341 is displayed on the icon of the artist group AG3 (that is, the icon of the artist group AG3 is selected). When the user operates the operation input unit 16, the delete button 343 is pressed.

  When an operation signal corresponding to pressing of the delete button 343 is input from the operation input unit 16, the artist link GUI control unit 52 determines in step S153 that deletion of the artist group is instructed, and the process proceeds to step S154. move on.

  In step S154, the artist link GUI control unit 52 controls the artist link processing control unit 53 to edit the artist group list table 82. That is, the artist link processing control unit 53 controls the database access processing unit 54 to delete information on the currently selected artist group from the artist group list table 82. For example, at this time, the name (AG3) and artist group ID (AGID_3) of the artist group AG3 are deleted from the artist group list table 82 of FIG.

  In step S 155, the artist link GUI control unit 52 controls the artist link processing control unit 53 to edit the artist link correspondence table 83. In other words, the artist link processing control unit 53 controls the database access processing unit 54 to delete information on the currently selected artist group from the artist link correspondence table 83. For example, at this time, all the information corresponding to the artist group ID (AGID_3) of the artist group AG3 is deleted from the artist link correspondence table 83 of FIG. Update information of these ALM databases 71 is supplied to the artist link GUI control unit 52.

  In step S 156, the artist link GUI control unit 52 supplies the update information of the ALM database 71 from the artist link processing control unit 53 to the artist link display processing unit 51.

  In step S157, the artist link display processing unit 51 redraws the artist link map editing screen 301 based on the update information of the ALM database 71. That is, the artist list display processing unit 102 redraws the artist list screen 311, the artist group list display processing unit 103 redraws the artist group list screen 312, and the artist link tree display processing unit 101 displays the artist link tree. The screen 313 is redrawn.

  Accordingly, the artist link map editing screen 301 including the artist group list screen 312 and the artist link tree screen 313 in which the icon of the artist group AG3 is deleted from the icons of the artist groups AG1 to AG3 in FIG. Is displayed.

  If it is determined in step S149 that an addition of a new artist group has been instructed, and if it is determined in step S153 that deletion of an artist group has been instructed, the artist link editing screen 301 performed in step S152. Is redrawn simultaneously with the redrawing of the artist link editing screen 301 in step S157.

  If it is determined in step S153 that deletion of the artist group is not instructed, the process proceeds to step S158 in FIG. In step S158, the artist link GUI control unit 52 determines whether or not an artist rearrangement is instructed. For example, when the user operates the operation input unit 16 on the artist group list screen 312 of the artist link map editing screen 301 in FIG. 14, the artist icon of artist E included in the artist group AG2 is dragged, and artist A and artist A Drop it at a position between the artist icons of C.

  When the operation signal corresponding to the drop of the artist icon in the artist group list screen 312 is input from the operation input unit 16, the artist link GUI control unit 52 determines in step S158 that the artist rearrangement is instructed, The process proceeds to step S159.

  In step S159, the artist link GUI control unit 52 controls the artist link processing control unit 53 to edit the artist link correspondence table 83. That is, the artist link processing control unit 53 controls the database access processing unit 54 to change the order information of the corresponding artist in the corresponding artist group in the artist link correspondence table 83. For example, in the artist group AG2, the order information of the second artist C is changed to the third, and the order information of the third artist E is changed to the second. The update information of the artist link correspondence table 83 is supplied to the artist link GUI control unit 52.

  In step S160, the artist link GUI control unit 52 supplies the artist link display processing unit 51 with the update information of the artist correspondence link table 83 from the artist link processing control unit 53.

  In step S161, the artist link display processing unit 51 redraws the artist link map editing screen 301 based on the update information of the artist link correspondence table 83. That is, the artist list display processing unit 102 redraws the artist list screen 311, the artist group list display processing unit 103 redraws the artist group list screen 312, and the artist link tree display processing unit 101 displays the artist link tree. The screen 313 is redrawn.

  As a result, the artist link map editing screen 301 shown in FIG. 26 is displayed on the display unit 17.

  26, the artist list screen 311 redrawn by the artist list display processing unit 102, the artist group list screen 312 redrawn by the artist group list display processing unit 103, and the artist redrawn by the artist link tree display processing unit 101. An artist link map editing screen 301 including a link tree screen 313 is shown.

  Under the artist group AG2 folder on the artist group list screen 312, the artist icons of the artists C and E are switched as compared with the example of FIG. 14 as indicated by an arrow R3. Further, as indicated by an arrow R4, the artist names assigned to the related icons 353-1 and 353-2 connected to the icon 352-2 corresponding to the artist group AG2 on the artist link tree screen 313 are the artist. E and C are switched in this order.

  Returning to FIG. 16, if it is determined in step S158 that the artist rearrangement is not instructed, the process proceeds to step S162.

  In step S162, the artist link GUI control unit 52 determines whether or not the end of artist link editing has been instructed. For example, when the user operates the operation input unit 16, the user presses the artist link editing end button 314 arranged at the top of the artist link tree screen 313 of the artist link map editing screen 301 in FIG. 14.

  In response to pressing of the artist link editing end button 314 using the operation input unit 16, the artist link GUI control unit 52 determines in step S162 that the end of artist link editing has been instructed, and the artist link map editing screen 301. The display of is terminated. Thereby, the editing of the artist link information is completed.

  If it is determined in step S162 that the end of artist link editing has not been instructed, the process returns to step S141 in FIG. 22, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  In the above description, in the artist link information editing process, the addition and deletion of artists to the artist group, the addition and deletion of artist groups, the replacement of artist priorities in the artist group in the artist link correspondence table 83, and the like are representative. As described above, for example, other editing such as addition and deletion of an artist to the artist list file 81 or writing and importing artist link information can be performed in the same manner. Similarly, those editing results are immediately reflected on the display screen.

  As described above, the artist link information generated based on the detailed metadata can be easily edited according to the user's operation, and the edit is immediately reflected on the display screen. Can easily perform an editing operation, and can generate more effective artist link information for the user.

  In other words, in the artist link information generated based on the detailed metadata, it is possible to cope with cases where the artists assumed to be related (link) are not related to each other, or conversely, the relationship is wrong. Even if it is not possible, the association can be easily edited. Thereby, artist link information effective for each user is generated.

  In addition, since the artist group is displayed, the user can understand the reason for the relationship between the artists, so that the user can improve the operability of editing the artist link information, searching for the content, and instructing the reproduction. .

  Further, as described above with reference to FIG. 13, when the content of the artist instructed to select is not stored in the PC 1, a Web page related to the artist can be accessed. Therefore, as a result, it is possible to promote the purchase of the content that is not possessed and to promote the sales of the content.

  Since detailed metadata is acquired every time content is acquired, the edited artist link information is updated based on the detailed metadata thereafter. Moreover, even if there is link information deleted by editing by the user, it can be added again based on detailed metadata acquired thereafter. That is, in artist link information, automatic update and manual update can coexist.

  In the above description, an example in which artist link information editing processing is performed on the PC 1 has been described. However, as described above with reference to FIG. 9, the PD 7 also performs artist link information editing processing and artist link information display control. In processing, it has the same configuration as the PC 1 and can basically perform the same processing. In this case, for example, the operation input unit 16 is different from the mouse and keyboard in the PC 1, as shown in FIG. 27, the artist link button 411, the option button 412, the back button 413, and the like provided on the housing 401 of the PD 7. It consists of a cross button 414 and an enter button 415.

  FIG. 27 shows an example of the external configuration of the PD 7.

  An artist for displaying an artist link map preview screen 421 corresponding to the artist link tree screen 313 of FIG. 14 (or the artist link map preview screen 211 of FIG. 13) on the PC 1 on the upper left side of the housing 401 of the PD7. A button 411 is provided.

  On the front surface of the housing 401, a display unit 17 composed of an LCD is provided, and an artist link map preview screen 421 is displayed as enlarged and shown on the right. Similar to the artist link tree screen 313 of FIG. 14, the artist link map preview screen 421 includes a base point icon 351 representing a base artist, a folder icon 352 representing an artist group including the base point artist, and a base point artist in the center. Related icons 353-1 to 353-3 of artists included in the artist group (that is, related artists related to the base artist) are shown in the artist group.

  In the artist link map preview screen 421 of FIG. 27, artist A is the base artist as indicated by the letter A of the base point icon 351, and the base artist is included in the artist group AG1, as indicated by AG1 of the folder icon 352. In addition, as shown in B to D of the related icons 353-1 to 353-3, a case where artists B to D are also included in the artist group AG1 is displayed.

  Further, an option button 412 and a back button 413 for returning the display to the front are provided on the lower right side of the display unit 17 on the front surface of the housing 401. For example, when the option button 412 is pressed while the artist link map preview screen 421 is displayed, for example, a screen corresponding to the artist link map editing screen 301 of FIG. 14 capable of editing artist link information is displayed. Is done. Since the display unit 17 of the PD 7 has a wide displayable area, the screen corresponding to the artist link tree screen 313 is excluded, and the artist link map editing screen of the PD 7 includes a screen corresponding to the artist list screen 311 and an artist group. At least one of the screens corresponding to the list screen 312 is configured.

  Furthermore, a cross button 414 is provided on the lower left side of the display unit 17 on the front surface of the housing 401, and a determination button 415 is provided in the center thereof. For example, a screen corresponding to the artist list screen 311 or an artist The artist link information can be edited by selecting the artist or artist group displayed on the screen corresponding to the group list screen 312 with the cross button 414 and determining with the determination button 415 corresponding to the user's operation. it can.

  As described above, also in the PD 7, not only the related artists related to the base artist but also the artist group that indicates the reason for the relationship is displayed. Thereby, the user can grasp the relevance between the base artist and the related artist, and can improve the operability such as editing and reproduction of the content.

  Next, another screen example for displaying artist link information will be described.

  FIG. 28 shows another configuration example of the artist link display processing unit 51 of FIG. The artist link display processing unit 51 in FIG. 28 includes an artist link tree display processing unit 501, an artist list display processing unit 502, and an artist group list display processing unit 503.

  The artist link tree display processing unit 501 refers to the information in the ALM database 71 to display the artist link information of the base artist selected in response to the user's operation in a tree format, as shown in FIG. 29. The artist link tree screen 611 including the generated GUI image is displayed on the display unit 17.

  The artist list display processing unit 502 generates and generates a GUI image such as the artist list screen 612 of FIG. 29 that displays a list of artists stored in the artist list table 82 by referring to the information of the artist list table 82. Then, an artist list screen 612 composed of the GUI images is displayed on the display unit 17.

  The artist group list display processing unit 503 generates a GUI image such as the artist group list screen 613 in FIG. 29 of the list of artist groups stored in the artist group list table 83 by referring to the information in the ALM database 71, and the like. An artist group list screen 613 composed of the generated GUI image is displayed on the display unit 17.

  FIG. 29 shows a display example of the artist link map editing screen 601. That is, the artist link map editing screen 601 is another example of the artist link map editing screen 301 of FIG. 14 that constitutes the display screen 201 of FIG. 13 together with the basic function display screen 212.

  The artist link map editing screen 601 includes an artist link tree screen 611, an artist list screen 612, and an artist group list screen 613. Note that in the example of FIG. 29, the artist group list screen 613 is arranged below the artist list screen 612.

  The artist link tree screen 611 is similar to the artist link map preview screen 211 of FIG. 13 in that the artist link information of the base artist serving as the base point is displayed in a tree format. The artist link information can be edited, which is different from the artist link map preview screen 211 of FIG. Therefore, in the artist link tree screen 611, portions corresponding to the artist link map preview screen 211 are denoted by the corresponding reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  That is, in the artist link tree screen 611, on the right circumference of the small circle 221, in addition to the icons of the artist groups AG1 to AG3 including the base artist, an artist group for adding a new artist group is added. A button 621 is displayed.

  Also, at the bottom of the artist link tree screen 611, a shuffle playback button 631 indicated as “AutoPlay ON” for randomly shuffling content and a file import indicated as “Import” for importing artist link information are displayed. A button 632, a save button 633 indicated as "Save" for saving artist link information as an XML file, and a delete button 633 indicated as "Delete All" for deleting all are arranged.

  The artist list screen 612 displays a list of artist names (artists A to O) stored in the artist list table 82. The artist list screen 612 further includes a scroll bar 641 for scrolling the artist names displayed on the artist list screen 612 and an edit box 642 for inputting a new artist.

  That is, the artist list screen 612 is similar to the artist list screen 311 of FIG. 14 in that a list of artist names stored in the artist list table 82 is displayed. However, the artist list screen 612 has an edit box 642 on the artist list screen 612. Is different in that it is placed.

  In the example of FIG. 29, the artist group list screen 613 displays a list of artist groups stored in the artist group list table 81, which is not overlapped with the artist list screen 612, and scrolls the artist group name. Therefore, a scroll bar is arranged.

  That is, the artist group list screen 613 is similar to the artist group list screen 312 in FIG. 14 in that the list of artist groups stored in the artist group list table 81 is displayed. The artist link information cannot be edited.

  Further, the artist link tree screen 611 will be described.

  When an artist name (for example, artist A) displayed on the artist list screen 612 is dragged on the artist link tree screen 611 and dropped at a position in the small circle 221 by the user's operation input unit 16, The dropped artist A is set as the base artist, the artist link information of artist A is requested, the artist name of the base artist displayed in the small circle 221 is changed to “Artist A”, and the right side of the small circle 221 The artist link tree screen 611 is redrawn so as to display the artist link information obtained for the artist A who is the base artist.

  That is, icons indicating artist groups AG1 to AG3 including the base artist A are sequentially displayed on the right circle of the small circle 221, and further, on the outer side of the right circle of the great circle 222, the artist group AG1 is displayed. The icons of the related artists B, C, and D included are displayed connected to the icon of the artist group AG1 via a line. In addition, the icons of the related artists C and E included in the artist group AG2 are displayed connected to the icon of the artist group AG2 via a line, and the icons of the related artists F, G, and H included in the artist group AG3 are displayed. Connected and displayed via icon and line of artist group AG3.

  Not only the drag and drop of the artist name, but also when the artist name (for example, artist A) displayed on the artist list screen 612 is pressed by the operation of the operation input unit 16 by the user, it is selected by pressing. The artist link information of artist A can be obtained by setting artist A as the base artist, and the artist link tree screen 611 can be redrawn accordingly.

  Further, when an artist name (for example, artist F) displayed on the artist list screen 612 is dragged on the artist link tree screen 611 by the operation of the operation input unit 16 by the user, as shown in FIG. The artist F icon is displayed. Outside the great circle 222, the position of the icon of the nearest artist group as viewed from the drag position is searched, and the icon of the searched nearest artist group (artist AG1 in the example of FIG. 30) is searched. From the position of, a dotted line representing the indeterminate state connecting the icon of the artist F is displayed.

  When the artist F icon is dropped at the position where the dotted line is connected to the artist F icon from the position of the artist AG1 icon by the operation of the operation input unit 16 by the user, the position of the artist AG1 icon The dotted line from the artist F to the icon of the artist F is changed to a solid line indicating confirmation, and the artist link correspondence table 83 is updated so that the artist F is included in the artist AG1.

  When dragged inward from the great circle 222, the artist F icon displayed on the outside is not displayed. When the name of the artist being dragged is outside the small circle 221 and dropped into the large circle 222, the artist link correspondence table 83 is set so that the icon group is included in the artist group closest to the drop position. The icon of artist F is updated and moved out of the nearest great circle 222 from the drop position, and is connected to the icon of the nearest artist group and displayed.

  On the other hand, when the name of the artist being dragged is dropped in the small circle 221, as described above, the dropped artist F is set as the base artist, and artist link information of the artist F is obtained, and correspondingly. Thus, the artist link tree screen 611 is redrawn.

  FIG. 31 shows an example of adding a new artist on the artist link map editing screen 601.

  When adding a new artist, the user operates the keyboard or the like constituting the operation input unit 16 to input a new artist name (for example, artist P) in the edit box 642 of the artist list screen 612. Then, the artist list table is displayed. Information on artist P is added to 81, and an icon is displayed on the left side of artist P.

  Also in the case of a new artist, when the icon of artist P is dragged on the artist link tree screen 611 by the user's operation, the position of the icon of the nearest artist group is searched from the drag position. From the position of the icon of the nearest artist group (artist AG3 in the example of FIG. 31), a dotted line indicating unconfirmed connecting the icon of the artist P is displayed.

  Then, when the artist P icon is dropped at the position where the dotted line is connected to the artist P icon from the position of the artist AG3 icon by the operation of the operation input unit 16 by the user, from the position of the artist AG3 icon The dotted line to the icon of artist P is changed to a solid line indicating confirmation and displayed, and artist link correspondence table 83 is updated so that artist P is included in artist AG3.

  FIG. 32 shows an example of adding a new artist group on the artist link map editing screen 601.

  When adding a new artist group, the user operates the mouse constituting the operation input unit 16 to press the artist group addition button 621 on the small circle 221 on the artist link tree screen 611. A new icon 661 is displayed, and an edit box 662 for inputting a new artist group name is displayed on the left side of the icon 661.

  When a new artist group name is entered in the edit box 662 of the artist link tree screen 611, the artist group information is added to the artist group list table 82, and the artist group name is displayed in place of the edit box 662 on the left side of the icon 661. Is displayed.

  FIG. 33 shows an example of changing the order of artists in the artist group on the artist link map editing screen 601.

  When changing the order of the artists in the artist group, the user operates the mouse or the like constituting the operation input unit 16 to drag and move the artist (eg, artist D) icon on the artist link tree screen 611. And drop at the desired position. For example, when the icon of artist D is dropped at a position between the icons of artist B and artist C included in the same artist AG1, as shown in FIG. 34, the icon of artist C and the icon of artist D are displayed. The artist link correspondence table 83 is updated so that the screen is redrawn with the position changed and the order information of artist C and artist D in artist group AG1 is exchanged.

  Even if the icon of artist D is dropped between the icons of artists included in different artist groups, the drop is invalid, and the icon of the dropped artist D is returned to the original position and displayed. The

  Next, editing display control processing of the artist link map editing screen 601 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S601, the artist link GUI control unit 52 stands by until it is determined that the artist name has been dragged.

  For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 30, when an artist name (for example, artist F) displayed on the artist list screen 612 is dragged onto the artist link tree screen 611, the artist name is changed in step S601. If it is determined that the item has been dragged, the process advances to step S602, and the artist link GUI control unit 52 controls the artist link tree display processing unit 501 to draw the artist name (characters) at the drag position.

  In step S603, the artist link GUI control unit 52 determines whether or not the drag position is within a predetermined area (the area outside the great circle 222 in the example of FIG. 30), and the drag position is the predetermined area. If it is determined that it is within, the process proceeds to step S604.

  In step S604, the artist link GUI control unit 52 causes the artist link tree display processing unit 501 to extract the artist group having the closest icon position from the drag position, and use the artist group as a connection candidate.

  For example, an artist group having a minimum distance between two points of an artist group icon position and an artist name position (drag position) is simply extracted and set as a connection candidate.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 36, when the artist group icon position is AG (a, b) and the artist name position is AT (c, d), the distance between the two points is expressed by the following formula ( It is obtained in 1).

  In step S605, the artist link GUI control unit 52 causes the artist link tree display processing unit 501 to draw an icon next to the artist name based on the drag position, and from the icon to the icon of the artist group to be connected. Draw an auxiliary line (dotted line).

  In step S606, the artist link GUI control unit 52 determines whether the drag position (artist name position) has been determined. For example, by the operation of the operation input unit 16, the user drops the artist F icon at a position where a dotted line is connected to the artist F icon from the position of the artist AG 1 icon. Correspondingly, it is determined in step S606 that the drag position has been confirmed, and the process proceeds to step S607.

  If it is determined in step S606 that the drag position has not been confirmed, the process returns to step S603, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  In step S <b> 607, the artist link GUI control unit 52 controls the artist link processing control unit 53 to add the artist whose icon has been dropped to the artist group of connection candidates in the artist link correspondence table 83. At this time, the order information of the existing artist and the additional artist is changed according to the drop position. In other words, in this case, if it is dropped at a position above the existing artist, the highest order information is set, and if it is dropped at a position below the existing artist, the order information is set lowest. The update information of the artist link correspondence table 83 is supplied to the artist link GUI control unit 52, and the process proceeds to step S612.

  On the other hand, for example, when the drag position is within the small circle 221, it is determined in step S603 that the drag position is not within the predetermined region (the region outside the great circle 222 in the example of FIG. 30). Then, the process proceeds to step S608.

  In step S608, the artist link GUI control unit 52 determines whether or not the drag position (artist name position) has been determined. For example, the user drops the icon of artist F at a position in the small circle 221 by operating the operation input unit 16. Correspondingly, it is determined in step S608 that the drag position has been confirmed, and the process proceeds to step S609.

  If it is determined in step S608 that the drag position has not been confirmed, the process returns to step S603, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  In step S609, the artist link GUI control unit 52 sets the dropped artist F as the base artist. In step S610, the artist link GUI control unit 52 controls the artist link processing control unit 53 to include the artist F that is the base artist. To search. The artist link processing control unit 53 supplies the searched artist group information to the artist link GUI control unit 52.

  In step S611, the artist link GUI control unit 52 controls the artist link processing control unit 53 to search for related artists included in each artist group. The artist link processing control unit 53 supplies the searched related artist information to the artist link GUI control unit 52.

  In step S612, the artist link GUI control unit 52 updates the artist link correspondence table 83 supplied in step S605 or the information obtained in steps S609 to S611 (information on the base artist, artist group, and related artists). Etc.) is supplied to the artist link display processing unit 51 as update information.

  In step S613, the artist link display processing unit 51 redraws the artist link map editing screen 601 based on the update information from the artist link GUI control unit 52. That is, the artist list display processing unit 502 redraws the artist list screen 612, the artist group list display processing unit 503 redraws the artist group list screen 613, and the artist link tree display processing unit 501 displays the artist link tree. The screen 611 is redrawn.

  Thus, the display unit 17 includes an artist link map editing screen 601 in which artist F is added to the artist group AG1, or an artist link map editing screen 601 in which artist link information in which artist F is the base artist is displayed. Is displayed.

  As described above, by dragging and dropping an artist name within a predetermined area on the artist link map editing screen 601, a base artist is set, and artist link information of the set base artist is obtained and displayed. Or, an artist is added to a predetermined artist group, and the added artist is displayed.

  As a result, the user can edit the artist link information as desired simply by performing an operation that is simple and easy to visually understand by simply clicking, dragging and dropping predetermined characters and icons.

  Next, artist link information editing processing in the artist link map editing screen 601 when a new artist is added will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

  In step S631, the artist link GUI control unit 52 stands by until information is input to the edit box. For example, the user inputs a new artist name (for example, artist P) in the edit box 642 of the artist list screen 612 by operating a keyboard or the like constituting the operation input unit 16. In response to this, the artist link GUI control unit 52 determines in step S631 that information has been input to the edit box, and the process proceeds to step S632.

  In step S632, the artist link GUI control unit 52 sets the input information as the artist name of the new artist, and in step S633, controls the artist link display processing unit 51, as described above with reference to FIG. To draw an icon corresponding to the new artist.

  In step S634, the artist link GUI control unit 52 executes the edit display control process described above with reference to FIG. That is, in the case of a new artist, as in the case of a registered artist, when the character (artist P) of the artist name is dragged on the artist link tree screen 611 by a user operation, it is seen from the drag position. The position of the icon of the nearest artist group is searched, and the icon of the artist P is connected from the position of the icon of the searched nearest artist group (in the example of FIG. 31, artist AG3). , A dotted line indicating indefinite is displayed.

  Then, when the artist P icon is dropped at the position where the dotted line is connected to the artist P icon from the position of the artist AG3 icon by the operation of the operation input unit 16 by the user, the artist P becomes the artist AG3. The artist link correspondence table 83 is updated so that it is included, and the dotted line from the position of the artist AG3 icon to the artist P icon is changed to a solid line indicating confirmation and displayed.

  When an artist P is dropped at a position within the small circle 221, the artist P is set as a base artist, and artist link information of the artist P is obtained and displayed. However, in this case, since the new artist P has not been added to the artist group, the artist group and related artists are not displayed.

  As described above, even when a new artist is registered, the artist can be immediately added to the artist group.

  FIG. 38 shows another example of a functional configuration example of the PC 1. The functional block in FIG. 38 is common to the functional block in FIG. 3 in that the artist link display processing unit 51 through the network communication unit 60 and the ALM database 71 through the content file storage unit 73 are provided. The difference is that a modeless dialog display processing unit 701 and a modeless dialog GUI control unit 702 are added.

  That is, the modeless dialog display processing unit 701 refers to the artist link map editing screen for editing the artist link information and the artist link information based on the artist link information under the control of the modeless dialog GUI control unit 702. A GUI image such as the artist link map preview screen is generated, and a screen including the generated GUI image is displayed on the display unit 17 as a modeless dialog 751 shown in FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 39, a display screen 201 composed of an artist link map editing screen 301 of FIG. 14 and a basic function display screen 212 of FIG. 13 is displayed. As a modeless dialog 751 separately from the display screen 201, FIG. 13 artist link map preview screens 211 are displayed.

  The modeless dialog GUI control unit 702 inputs user operation signals related to the artist link map editing screen and artist link map preview screen displayed as the modeless dialog 751 via the operation input unit 16, and inputs them to the artist link processing control unit 53. The artist link map editing screen or artist link map is displayed as a modeless dialog 751 by controlling the modeless dialog display processing unit 701 based on feedback from the artist link processing control unit 53. Update the preview screen.

That is, in the functional block of FIG. 38 , the function (artist link display processing unit 51 and artist link GUI control unit 52) for displaying artist link information and inputting operations related to artist link information is individually configured. 39, displaying artist link information as a modeless dialog 751 only requires adding a modeless dialog display processing unit 701 and a modeless dialog GUI control unit 702 as clients of the artist link processing control unit 53. This is easily realized.

  As described above, in the present invention, the artist link information of the content artist is displayed as the artist group including the artist and the related artists included in the artist group and related to the artist. Can easily grasp the reason why the artist related to the artist is related.

  For example, for artist A, if an artist group called “Uptempo” containing artists with similar tunes and an artist group called “1999” containing artists whose contents were hit in a certain era are created, artist A In the case of the base artist, the artist groups of “Uptempo” and “1999” and related artists included in each group are displayed.

  As a result, when viewing content, for example, if you want to listen to the content of an artist whose tune is similar to the artist of the currently viewed content, The related artists included can be selected immediately. Similarly, if you want to listen to the content of an artist that was popular around the same time as the artist of the content you are currently viewing, select the relevant artist in the displayed “1999” artist group immediately. Can do. Therefore, the user can easily search for desired content and view it.

  This can be applied not only to the artist link information of the artist of the content but also to a tree display for visualizing the reason between the relations. For example, it can also be applied to content, and when displaying the base content, the category group that includes the base content, related content included in the category group, etc., by displaying the category group (reason), The user can easily grasp the reason why the content related to the content is related.

  In this case, for example, a category group “mood” that includes content (base content and related content) similar in mood, and “composer name” that includes content (base content and related content) of the same composer And a category group “2006 Sports” including related content “Torino Olympics“ base content ”and“ Soccer World Cup ”.

  In addition, as described above, intuitive visual feedback is listed for editing operations performed on lists such as artist groups or editing operations performed on a screen displaying the artist link information of the base artist in a tree format. Since the artist link information of the base artist is displayed on the tree display screen, the user can edit the artist link information in an easy-to-understand manner. Can be reduced.

  In addition, since order information can be set and edited within an artist group, the user's desired information can be transferred even when transferring artist link information to a device or medium that has a limited amount of data that can be transferred. It can be preferentially transferred.

  It should be noted that the artist link map preview screen 211, artist link tree screen 313, artist link map preview screen 421, artist link tree screen 611, etc. that store the above-mentioned artist link information of the base artist in a tree format are stored in the artist link correspondence table. In the above description, the icons of related artists included in each artist group are displayed in order from the top based on the order of the order information. However, the order of the order information stored in the artist link correspondence table is the icon of the artist group. It can also be expressed as a distance from.

  That is, in this case, in an artist group, as the order information stored in the artist link correspondence table has priority, the icon is arranged closer to the icon of the corresponding artist group, and the order information The icon of the artist with a low is arranged at a position far from the icon of the artist group.

  When the artist link tree screen 611 is configured in this way, in step S607 of FIG. 35, the order information of the additional artist is set according to the distance from the artist group icon at the drop position.

  In each screen described above, an artist group indicating the relationship is displayed between the base artist and the related artist. However, the artist group is not necessarily displayed between the base artist and the related artist. Also good. For example, related artists may be arranged on the right side of the base artist, and an artist group may be displayed on the right side.

  In the above description, moving images and music contents are used. However, the present invention can be applied not only to moving images and music but also to contents such as applications.

  In the above description, the information processing apparatus has been described using a personal computer such as the PC 1 in FIG. 2 or the PD7 which is a portable recording / reproducing apparatus, but is not limited to the PC 1 or PD7. It can also be constituted by other PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) devices, playback devices such as AV (Audio Visual) devices, and CE (Consumer Electronics) devices such as recording / playback devices and home appliances (home appliances).

  The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware, but can also 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 network or a recording medium into a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the recording medium is distributed to provide a program to the user separately from the apparatus main body, and includes a magnetic disk (including a flexible disk) on which the program is recorded, an optical disk (CD- Package such as ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), DVD (including Digital Versatile Disk)), magneto-optical disk (including MD (Mini-Disk) (trademark)), or removable media 22 such as semiconductor memory In addition to being configured by media, it is configured by a ROM 12 on which a program is recorded and a hard disk included in the storage unit 19 provided to the user in a state of being incorporated in the apparatus main body in advance.

  In the present specification, the steps shown in the flowcharts include not only processes performed in time series according to the described order, but also processes executed in parallel or individually even if not necessarily performed in time series. Is included.

  In the present specification, the term “system” represents the entire apparatus constituted by a plurality of apparatuses.

It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the conventional artist link information. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the content provision system of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of PC of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the function structural example of PC of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the ALM database of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the artist link corresponding | compatible table of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the content information database of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the example of a process of the content provision system of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the other example of a process of the content provision system of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the artist link display process part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the artist link information of a base point artist. It is a figure which shows the other example of a display of the artist link information of a base point artist. It is a figure which shows the example of the display screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an artist link map edit screen. It is a figure explaining rearrangement of the order information of an artist. It is a figure explaining the order information and transfer order of an artist. It is a flowchart explaining the display control processing of the artist link map edit screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of an artist link tree screen. 15 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the display control process of the artist link map editing screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the artist link map edit screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of a display of the artist link map edit screen of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining an artist link information edit process. It is a flowchart explaining an artist link information edit process. It is a flowchart explaining an artist link information edit process. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing still another display example of the artist link map editing screen of FIG. 14. It is a figure which shows the other example of a display of the artist link map edit screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the external appearance of PD of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the other structural example of the artist link display process part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of an artist link map edit screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the artist link map edit screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of a display of the artist link map edit screen of FIG. FIG. 30 is a diagram showing still another display example of the artist link map editing screen of FIG. 29. It is a figure which shows the other example of a display of the artist link map edit screen of FIG. FIG. 30 is a diagram showing still another display example of the artist link map editing screen of FIG. 29. It is a flowchart explaining the edit display control process of the artist link map edit screen of FIG. It is a figure explaining the vicinity. It is a flowchart explaining the artist link information edit process of the artist link map edit screen of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the other example of a function structure of PC of FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of the display screen of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  1-1, 1-2 personal computer, 7-1, 7-2 portable disk, 16 operation input unit, 17 display unit, 51 artist link display processing unit, 52 artist link GUI control unit, 53 artist link processing control unit, 54 database access processing unit, 55 basic display processing unit, 56 basic GUI control unit, 57 PD transfer control unit, 58 PD communication unit, 71 ALM database, 72 content information database, 73 content file storage unit, 81 artist list table, 82 Artist group list table, 83 Artist link correspondence table, 101 Artist link tree display processing section, 102 Artist list display processing section, 103 Artist group list display processing section, 201 Display screen, 211 Artist link map display screen, 301 Artist link map edit screen, 311 Artist list screen, 312 Artist group list screen, 313 Artist link tree screen

Claims (4)

Storage means for specifying an artist providing the content based on metadata of the content to be reproduced based on artist link information edited by the user and storing the artist in association with the artist group to which the artist belongs ;
First display control means for controlling related display for displaying artists belonging to the same artist group as the selected artist among the artists as related artists ;
The first display control means displays the artist group of the selected artist and displays the related artist separately for each artist group that is the same as the selected artist. Control the display,
An information processing apparatus that controls the related display so as to display a predetermined number in the order of priorities of artists set in advance by the user when displaying the related artists . Second display control means for controlling the list display of artist groups corresponding to all artist groups stored in the storage means;
The list display of the artist group is controlled so that the display position of the specified artist group is displayed at a predetermined position in the list display when the artist group is specified in the related display. The information processing apparatus described. Storage means for specifying an artist providing the content based on metadata of the content to be reproduced based on artist link information edited by the user and storing the artist in association with the artist group to which the artist belongs ;
In an information processing method of an information processing apparatus, comprising: first display control means for controlling related display for displaying , as related artists, artists belonging to the same artist group as the selected artist .
Displaying the artist group of the selected artist and controlling the related display to display the related artist separately for each artist group that is the same as the selected artist ;
An information processing method including a step of controlling the related display such that when the related artists are displayed, a predetermined number is displayed in the order of priorities of the artists set in advance by the user . Storage means for specifying an artist providing the content based on metadata of the content to be reproduced based on artist link information edited by the user and storing the artist in association with the artist group to which the artist belongs ;
An information processing apparatus comprising: first display control means for controlling related display for displaying , as related artists, artists belonging to the same artist group as the selected artist among the artists ,
Displaying the artist group of the selected artist and controlling the related display to display the related artist separately for each artist group that is the same as the selected artist ;
A program for executing a process including a step of controlling the related display so as to display a predetermined number in the order of priorities of artists set in advance by the user when displaying the related artists .

Images