Patent ID: 8434007
Filing Date: 2013-04-30
Classification: G06F,H04N

Abstract:
1. A multimedia reproduction apparatus, which is capable of reproducing contents; said multimedia reproduction apparatus comprising: an operation unit, which receives a command regarding content reproduction via an operation by a user; a storage unit, which is stored with data of a plurality of functional icons symbolizing types of content reproduction functions, a content to be reproduced by the apparatus, and data of a plurality of content icons symbolizing items for contents; a network control unit, which accesses an external device via a network to acquire from the external device, content classification information indicating classifications of contents to be reproduced and items for the classified contents; a display output unit, which outputs image data of a menu screen related to reproduction of the content to a display device, and reproduces the content acquired from either the storage unit or the network control unit in conformity with a command from the user received by the operation unit; and a display control unit, which generates image data of the menu screen with a two-dimensional array including a first array in which the plurality of functional icons is lined up in a specified direction on a screen, and a second array in which the plurality of content icons are lined up in a direction intersecting the first array on the screen, wherein the network control unit acquires content classification information of contents to be reproduced from the external device via the network, before acquiring the contents to be reproduced via the network, when of the plurality of reproduction functions, a reproduction function of a content acquired from the external device has been selected in conformity with a command from the user received by the operation unit, the display control unit analyzes the content classification information of the contents to be reproduced acquired by the network control unit via the network before acquiring the contents to be reproduced, classifies the content acquired from the external device, displays a content classification icon symbolizing that classification as the content icon on the menu screen, while when the content classification icon is selected in conformity with a command from the user received by the operation unit, the display control unit displays the content icon symbolizing a content item belonging to that classification on the menu screen.