Abstract:
To provide a data display method for displaying an attribute item information linked to a content data on a display screen, having the following steps of: displaying a list including an attribute item information respectively allocated to a plurality of content data in a predetermined region of the display screen, and displaying, when a predetermined attribute item information is selected for reproduction from the list, the list and a plurality of attribute item information linked to a content data corresponding to the selected attribute item information in part of the predetermined region.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present invention contains subject matter related to Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-146818 filed in the Japan Patent Office on May 19, 2005, the entire content of which being incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a data display method for displaying a content data on a reproduction screen and a reproduction apparatus. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    In recent years, advances in technology increasing the capacity of recording media and compressing music, moving images, still images, and other data have enabled the recording media used in a portable audio reproduction apparatus to store enormous amounts of music data. 
         [0006]    Such portable audio reproduction apparatus is provided with for example a liquid crystal display, and causes its reproduction screen to display only attribute names such as title, artist name, album name of a producing music data due to a restriction on a space. 
         [0007]    This is described for example in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2001-76415. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The above described portable audio reproduction apparatus is demanded to inform a user of not only the producing music data but a music data to be subsequently reproduced by the reproduction screen. 
         [0009]    There is the same demand in a reproduction apparatus for reproducing a content data such as an image data other than the music data. 
         [0010]    To satisfy the above demand, it is therefore desirable to provide a data display method and a reproduction apparatus capable of effective displaying an information informing a user of a content data to be reproduced other than the reproducing content data. 
         [0011]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a data display method for displaying an attribute item information linked to a content data on a display screen, having the following steps of: displaying a list including an attribute item information respectively allocated to a plurality of content data in a predetermined region of the display screen; and displaying, when a predetermined attribute item information is selected for reproduction from the list, the list and a plurality of attribute item information linked to a content data corresponding to the selected attribute item information in part of the predetermined region. 
         [0012]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a reproduction apparatus for reproducing a content data, having: a reproduction unit configured to reproduce a content data; a display unit configured to display an information associated with the content data; and a control unit connected to the display unit through a bus, and configured to cause the display unit to display in a predetermined section a list including an attribute item information respectively allocated to a plurality of content data, and, when detecting that a predetermined attribute item information is selected for reproduction from the list, cause the display unit to display the list and a plurality of other attribute item information linked to a content data corresponding to the selected attribute item information in part of the predetermined region. 
         [0013]    According to the reproduction apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to effectively display information informing a user of a content data to be reproduced other than the reproducing content data. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The above and other features of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a view of a configuration of a portable audio reproduction apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a view for illustrating attributes allocated to a music data stored in the portable audio reproduction apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 3A to 3C  are views for illustrating an outline of the portable audio reproduction apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a view for illustrating a reproduction screen displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a view for illustrating reproduction screens displayed on the LCD panel shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart for illustrating an exemplary operation of the portable audio reproduction apparatus shown in  FIG. 1  when receiving a reproduction instruction; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart for illustrating an exemplary operation of the portable audio reproduction apparatus when receiving a drag movement instruction or delete instruction to a predetermined title data in response to a touch-panel operation by a user in a reproduction list section of a reproduction screen DISP 1  shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart for illustrating an exemplary operation of the portable audio reproduction apparatus when an artist image and an album image are designated in a reproducing music attribute section shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a view for illustrating a reproduction screen of a portable audio reproduction apparatus of a second embodiment according to the present invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart for illustrating a display operation on the production screen of the portable audio reproduction apparatus shown in  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    Preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. 
         [0026]    First, a relationship between components of the present embodiments and components of the present invention will be explained. 
         [0027]    A music data of the present embodiments is an example of the content data according to the present invention. 
         [0028]    Each of a genre, an artist, and an album of the present embodiments is an example of the attribute and each item of the attributes is an example of the attribute item according to the present invention. 
         [0029]    Further, a reproduction list section  61  shown in  FIG. 4  is an example of the first section and a reproducing music attribute section  62  is an example of the second section according to the present invention. 
         [0030]    Hereinafter, a reproduction apparatus of the present embodiment according to the present invention will be explained. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is a view of a configuration of a portable audio reproduction apparatus  1  of the present embodiment according to the present invention. 
         [0032]    The portable audio reproduction apparatus  1 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , for example has a universal serial bus (USB) interface  11 , a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM)  12 , a hard disk drive (HDD)  13 , a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel  14 , an input device  15 , a flash memory  16 , a central processing unit (CPU)  17 , and an audio output circuit  18 . 
         [0033]    The USB interface  11 , the SDRAM  12 , the HDD  13 , the flash memory  16 , the CPU  17 , and the audio output circuit  18  are for example connected through a data line  10 . 
         [0034]    The USB interface  11  is connected to a personal computer  3  and inputs and outputs data with the personal computer  3 . Note that, as the interface used for connecting the personal computer or other exterior equipments, not only a wired interface but a wireless interface can be used. 
         [0035]    The SDRAM  12  temporarily stores data for processing of the CPU  17 . 
         [0036]    The HDD  13  stores compressed or uncompressed music data. 
         [0037]    The music data is written via the USB interface  11  from the personal computer  3  to the HDD  13 . 
         [0038]    The HDD  13  has for example a storage capacity of 20 GB and can store a music data of almost 100 million tracks (700 compact disks&#39; worth of data) compressed by adaptive transform acoustic coding (ATRAC) 3 etc. 
         [0039]    Each track&#39;s worth of the music data stored in the HDD  13  (hereinafter simply referred to as “music data”) is linked by a management data TABLE to an identification data M_ID, an artist name data AR_N, an album name data AL_N, and a track name data T_N as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0040]    The management data TABLE is stored in the HDD  13  and read out by the SDRAM  12  for example at starting the portable audio reproduction apparatus  1 . 
         [0041]    The LCD panel  14  is positioned at a front of the housing of the portable audio reproduction apparatus  1  as shown in  FIG. 3B . 
         [0042]    The LCD panel  14  displays various screens by the CPU  17 . 
         [0043]    As the screens displayed on the LCD panel  14 , there are for example mainly a menu screen, a selection screen, a setting screen, and a reproduction screen. These screens switch (transit) in accordance with key operation by the user. 
         [0044]    Further, the LCD panel  14  may be a touch-panel, which detects on the screen a position touched by a user with a finger and outputs a detected position signal S 14  indicating the position to the CPU  17 . 
         [0045]    The LCD panel  14  may be an organic electroluminescence (EL) display for example. 
         [0046]    The input device  15  as shown in  FIG. 3  includes the keys provided at the housing of the portable audio reproduction apparatus  1  and operated by a user. 
         [0047]    The input device  15  inputs data by a touch-panel function of the LCD panel  14 . 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 3A , a headphone terminal  21  and a HOLD key  32  are provided at one side surface of the portable audio reproduction apparatus  1 . 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 3B , the LCD panel  14 , a BACK key  38 , a direction key  37 , a VIEW key  39 , and a MODE key  40  are provided at a front of the portable audio reproduction apparatus  1 . 
         [0050]    The direction key  37  has an up direction key  37   a  moving a cursor in an upward direction of the screen, a left direction key  37   b  moving the same in a leftward direction (lower hierarchy), a down direction key  37   c  moving the same in a downward direction, a right direction key  37   d  moving the same in a rightward direction (upper hierarchy), and an execute key  37   e  inputting a reproduction instruction or other execute instructions. 
         [0051]    As shown in  FIG. 3C , a fast-return key  34 , a reproduction and pause key  35 , a fast-forward key  36 , and a volume adjustment dial  33  are provided at a side surface of the portable audio reproduction apparatus  1 . 
         [0052]    The flash memory  16  for example stores a program PRG defining the operation of the CPU  17 . 
         [0053]    The audio output circuit  18  outputs an audio signal corresponding to the music data decoded by the CPU  17  to the headphone terminal  21 . 
         [0054]    The CPU  17  centrally controls the operation of the reproduction apparatus  1  based on the program PRG read out from the flash memory  16 . 
         [0055]    Further, the CPU  17  reads out the selected music data from the HDD  13 , decodes it, and reproduces it. 
         [0056]    The CPU  17  for example allows the LCD panel  14  to display the reproduction screen DISP 1  shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0057]    The reproduction screen DISP 1  for example includes a setting section  60 , a reproduction list section  61 , and a reproducing music attribute section  62  as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0058]    The setting section  60  for example includes a reproduction mode image  51 , a sound image  52 , and volume adjustment image  53  as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0059]    The reproduction mode image  51  for example is an image indicating a designated reproduction mode. As the reproduction mode, for example an artist reproduction mode, an album reproduction mode, and a shuffled reproduction mode could be designated. 
         [0060]    The sound image  52  is an image indicating a designated sound mode. In the present embodiment, as a sound mode, a normal mode, a pops mode, a jazz mode, a studio mode, and a live mode could be designated. 
         [0061]    The volume adjustment image  53  is an image indicating a designated volume. 
         [0062]    The reproduction list section  61  is successively displayed (arranged) with title name data of a plurality of the music data selected for reproduction in the designated reproduction mode. 
         [0063]    The reproduction list section  61  is displayed with a reproduction time data of the music data linked to the respective title name data. 
         [0064]    The reproduction list section  61  is displayed with a cursor image  59  on the title name data and the reproduction time data of the reproducing music data. 
         [0065]    Further, the reproduction list section  61  has a function button image  56  for moving the cursor image  59  in an upward direction of the screen, a function button image  57  for moving the same in a downward direction, and a function button image  55  for moving the same by dragging, in the screen on right side. 
         [0066]    The CPU  17  allows the LCD panel  14  to display in the reproduction list section  61  the title name data of a plurality of music data including the reproducing music data and a prior and posterior music data by a predetermined number with respect to the reproducing music data in a reproduction order when the number of music data to be produced exceeds to a predetermined number. 
         [0067]    The reproducing music attribute section  62  is displayed with a title name data, an artist name data and an album name data of the reproducing music data. 
         [0068]    Further, the reproducing music attribute section  62  for example is displayed with an information display image  65  and a menu display image  66 . 
         [0069]    The information display image  65  for example is an image for allowing a predetermined information associated with the reproducing music data to be displayed in response to a designation. 
         [0070]    The menu display image  66  is an image for transiting the existing screen to the menu screen. 
         [0071]    A rating  67  and a reproduction position image  68  are displayed at a lower end portion of the screen. 
         [0072]    The rating  67  is an evaluated information given from a user based on a user&#39;s preference. 
         [0073]    The reproduction position image  68  is an image indicating a present reproduction timing per total reproduction time of the reproducing music data. 
         [0074]    The CPU  17 , for example as shown in  FIG. 5 , when the cursor image is moved on the album list screen DISP 11  to designate an album and a reproduction instruction is received as input, reproduces the music data belonging to the designated album successively from the beginning. 
         [0075]    At this time, the CPU  17  for example causes the LCD panel  14  to display a reproduction screen DISP 12  shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0076]    The reproduction screen DISP 12  as shown in  FIG. 5  is displayed with a reproduction list section  61   a  indicating part of the album list displayed in the album list screen DISP 11  and a reproducing music attribute section  62   a  of the reproducing music data. 
         [0077]    Namely, in this example, the CPU  17  causes the LCD panel  14  to display in the reproduction list section  61   a  an information associated with the attribute displayed at a timing where a reproduction instruction is received as input. 
         [0078]    The CPU  17  for example causes the LCD panel  14  to display in the reproduction list section  61   a  an information associated with a genre or artist when the reproduction instruction is received as input on a search (music select) screen based on the genre and artist. 
         [0079]    Note that, the CPU  17  for example causes the LCD panel  14  to display a reproduction screen DIS 13  shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0080]    The reproduction screen DISP 13  is displayed with a reproduction list section  61   b  indicating a title name data of the music data belonging to the designated album, and a reproducing music attribute section  62   a  of the reproducing music data. 
         [0081]    Next, examples of the operation of the portable audio reproduction apparatus  1  shown in  FIG. 1  will be explained. 
       First Operation Example 
       [0082]    In this example of the operation, the case where the reproduction instruction is received as input will be explained. 
         [0083]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart for illustrating the example of the operation of the portable audio reproduction apparatus  1  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0084]    Step ST 11   
         [0085]    When the CPU  17  decides that the reproduction instruction is received as input, the routine proceeds to step ST 12 . 
         [0086]    Note that, the reproduction instruction is generated by the execute key  37   e  being operated shown in  FIG. 3  in a predetermined hierarchy while the CPU  17  causes the LCD panel  14  to display a predetermined search screen for example. 
         [0087]    Otherwise, the reproduction instruction is generated by depressing the reproduction and pause key  35  placed on the side surface of the body shown in  FIG. 3C . 
         [0088]    The CPU  17  for example causes the LCD panel  14  to display the artist list screen, the album list screen shown in  FIG. 5 , the genre list screen, the truck list screen, or other search screens successively in response to user&#39;s operation. 
         [0089]    The CPU  17  receives as input the reproduction instruction while the attribute item such as an artist, an album, a genre, or a track is designated on any one of the above search screens. 
         [0090]    Step ST 12   
         [0091]    The CPU  17  for example decides the music data to be reproduced and the reproduction order thereof based on the reproduction mode set by the MENU key  40  shown in  FIG. 3  and a hierarchy positioned in the search screen at step ST 11  where the reproduction instruction is input. 
         [0092]    The CPU  17 , for example when the reproduction instruction is received as input while a predetermined artist name is designated on the search screen, decides to reproduce the music data corresponding to the designated artist name in a predetermined order, for example, in a released-day order, which is an order based on released days of the content data. 
         [0093]    Further, the CPU  17 , when the reproduction instruction is received as input while the shuffle mode is designated, randomly decides the reproduction order of the entire music data stored in the HDD  13 . 
         [0094]    Step ST 13   
         [0095]    The CPU  17  causes the LCD panel  14  to display the title name data and the reproduction time data of the music data in the reproduction order determined at step ST 12 , in the reproduction list section  61  of the reproduction screen DISP 1  shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0096]    Step ST 14   
         [0097]    The CPU  17  specifies the following music data to be reproduced in accordance with the reproduction order decided at step ST 12 , starts the reproduction (decoding) of the specified music data, and outputs the decoded data to the audio output circuit  18 . 
         [0098]    Step ST 15   
         [0099]    The CPU  17  as shown in  FIG. 4  causes the cursor screen  59  to be positioned on the title name data and the reproduction time data of the reproducing music data in the reproduction list section  61 . 
         [0100]    Step ST 16   
         [0101]    The CPU  17  decides whether or not the reproduction of the music data is completed, when deciding it is completed, the routine returns to step ST 14 . 
       Second Operation Example 
       [0102]    In this example of the operation, the case where a predetermined title name data is dragged and dropped, or instructed to be deleted in response to a touch-panel operation from a user in the reproduction list section  61  of the reproduction screen DISP 1  shown in  FIG. 4 , will be explained. 
         [0103]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart for illustrating this example of the operation. 
         [0104]    Step ST 21   
         [0105]    The CPU  17  decides whether or not the title name data is dragged and dropped in the reproduction list section  61  of the reproduction screen DISP 1  shown in FIG.  4  based on an operation signal in accordance with the touch-panel operation of the LCD panel  14 , when deciding it is moved, the routine proceeds to step ST 22 . 
         [0106]    Step ST 22   
         [0107]    The CPU  17  changes the reproduction order of the music data based on the dropped position after dragging at step ST 21 . 
         [0108]    Step ST 23   
         [0109]    The CPU  17  decides whether or not a delete instruction is received to the title name data displayed in the reproduction list section  61 , when deciding it is received, the routine proceeds to step ST 24 . 
         [0110]    The delete instruction may be generated by dragging the title name data to be deleted while the cursor image  59  is designated on the reproduction list section  61  in the left direction of the screen, or by dragging and dropping the title name data on a dust box image while a predetermined dust box is displayed on the reproduction screen DISP 1 . 
         [0111]    Step ST 24   
         [0112]    The CPU  17  deletes the title name data, to which the delete instruction is received at step ST 23 , from the reproduction order list. 
       Third Operation Example 
       [0113]    In this example of the operation, the case where the artist image (AR_ 1 ) and the album image (AL_ 1 ) are designated in the reproducing music attribute section  62  shown in  FIG. 4 , will be explained. 
         [0114]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart for illustrating the example of the operation. 
         [0115]    Step ST 31   
         [0116]    The CPU  17  decides whether or not the artist image is designated in the reproducing music attribute section  62  of the reproduction screen DISP 1  shown in  FIG. 4 , based on the operation signal in response to the touch-panel function of the LCD panel  14 , when deciding it is designated, the routine proceeds to step ST 32 . 
         [0117]    Step ST 32   
         [0118]    The CPU  17  specifies an artist of the reproducing music data for example in shuffled reproduction, and decides the music data of the specified artist to be reproduced in the music data stored in the HDD  13 . 
         [0119]    The CPU  17  causes the LCD panel  14  to display the title name data of the music data of the specified artist in the reproduction list section  61  in a reproduction order in accordance with the above decision. 
         [0120]    Step ST 33   
         [0121]    The CPU  17  decides whether or not the album image is designated in the reproducing music attribute section  62  of the reproduction screen DISP 1  shown in  FIG. 4 , based on the operation signal in response to the touch-panel function of the LCD panel  14 , when deciding it is designated, the routine proceeds to step ST 34 . 
         [0122]    Step ST 34   
         [0123]    The CPU  17  specifies an album of the reproducing music data for example in the shuffled reproduction, and decides the music data of the specified album to be reproduced in the music data stored in the HDD  13 . 
         [0124]    The CPU  17  causes the LCD panel  14  to display the title name data of the music data of the specified album in the reproduction list section  61  in the reproduction order in accordance with the above decision. 
         [0125]    As explained above, according to the portable audio reproduction apparatus  1 , the title name data, the artist name data, and the album name data of the reproducing music data are displayed in the reproducing music attribute section  62 , and a table of the music data to be reproduced is displayed in the reproduction list section  61 . 
         [0126]    The reproduction list section  61  is displayed with the music data to be reproduced subsequent to the reproducing music data and the title name data of an already reproduced music data. 
         [0127]    Therefore, according to the portable audio reproduction apparatus  1 , a user can know the music data to be reproduced subsequent to the reproducing music data and perform a skip operation before reproducing the following music data if the following music data is not preferable. 
         [0128]    Further, the portable audio reproduction apparatus  1  displays in the reproduction list section  61  only the title name data and the reproduction time data (part of the attribute data) of a plurality of the music data to be reproduced, and displays in the reproducing music attribute section  62  the entire attribute data of the reproducing music data. 
         [0129]    Therefore, the LCD panel  14  can effectively be utilized in a limited size in terms of displaying a valuable information for a user. 
         [0130]    The portable audio reproduction apparatus  1  as shown in  FIG. 6  in the shuffled reproduction decides randomly the reproduction order at step ST 12 , and displays the same on the reproduction list section  61 . Therefore, a user knows the reproduction order of the music data selected randomly in advance, and if a music is not preferable, he or she could delete the music data from the reproduction order. 
         [0131]    According to the portable audio reproduction apparatus  1 , a user&#39;s operation for example with drag and drop to the title name data on the reproduction list section  61  results in a change of the reproduction order and a delete of the music data from the reproduction list. Therefore, the reproduction suitable to the user&#39;s preference is possible. 
         [0132]    Further, according to the portable audio reproduction apparatus  1 , by the processing shown in  FIG. 8 , when a user finds a preference music data in randomly reproduction of the music data in the shuffled reproduction, a music data of the artist or the album associated with the preference music could be reproduced successively. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0133]    The portable audio reproduction apparatus  1  of the present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for part of a processing of the CPU  17  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0134]    In the above first embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the reproduction screen DISP 1  separately arranged with the reproduction list section  61  and the reproducing music attribute section  62  is displayed on the LCD panel  14 . 
         [0135]    In the present embodiment, a CPU  17   a  as shown in  FIG. 9  causes the LCD panel  14  to display the reproduction screen DISP 11  including a reproducing music attribute section  162  in a reproduction list section  161 . 
         [0136]    The reproduction list section  161  as shown in  FIG. 9  is successively displayed (arranged) with the title name data of a plurality of the music data selected for reproduction in the designated reproduction mode. 
         [0137]    Further, the reproduction list section  161  is displayed with a reproduction time data of the music data linked to the respective title name data. 
         [0138]    The cursor image  59  is displayed on the title name data and the reproduction time data of the reproducing music data in the reproduction list section  161 . 
         [0139]    The reproduction list section  161  has a function button image  56  for moving the cursor image  59  in the upward direction of the screen, the function button image  57  for moving the same in the downward direction, and the function button image  55  for moving the same by dragging, in the right end portion of the screen in the same way as the first embodiment. 
         [0140]    The reproducing music attribute section  162  is displayed in the reproduction list section  161  downwardly adjacent to a portion displaying the title name data of the reproducing music data displayed in the reproduction list section  161 , and displayed with the artist name data and the album name data. 
         [0141]    Next, an example of the operation in the case where the portable audio reproduction apparatus  1  receives the reproduction instruction, will be explained. 
         [0142]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart for illustrating the example of the operation. 
         [0143]    Step ST 41   
         [0144]    The CPU  17   a  decides that the reproduction instruction is received as input, the routine proceeds to step ST 42 . 
         [0145]    Step ST 42   
         [0146]    The CPU  17   a  for example decides the music data to be reproduced and the reproduction order thereof based on a reproduction mode set by the MENU key  40  shown in  FIG. 3  and a hierarchy positioned on the search screen at step ST 41  where the reproduction instruction is input. 
         [0147]    The CPU  17   a , for example when the reproduction instruction is received as input while a predetermined artist is designated on the search screen, decides to reproduce the music data corresponding to the designated artist name in a predetermined order, for example, in the released-day order. 
         [0148]    Further, the CPU  17   a , when the reproduction instruction is received as input while the shuffled mode is designated, randomly decides the reproduction order of the entire music data stored in the HDD  13 . 
         [0149]    Step ST 43   
         [0150]    The CPU  17   a  causes the LCD panel  14  to display the title name data and the reproduction time data of the music data in the reproduction order decided at step ST 42  in the reproduction list section  161  of the reproduction screen DISP 11  shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0151]    Step ST 44   
         [0152]    The CPU  17   a  specifies the following music data to be reproduced subsequent to the reproducing music data in accordance with the reproduction order decided at step ST 42 , starts the reproduction (decoding) of the specified music data, and outputs the decoded data to the audio output circuit  18 . 
         [0153]    Step ST 45   
         [0154]    The CPU  17   a  as shown in  FIG. 9  causes the LCD panel  14  to display in the reproducing music attribute section  162  the artist name data and the album name data of the music data downwardly adjacent to a portion displaying the title name data and the reproduction time data of the reproducing music data in the reproduction list section  161 . 
         [0155]    Further, the CPU  17   a  does not cause the LCD panel  14  to display in the reproducing music attribute section  162  an already reproduced music data. 
         [0156]    Step ST 46   
         [0157]    The CPU  17   a  decides whether or not the reproduction of the music data is completed, when deciding it is completed, the routine returns to step ST 44 . 
         [0158]    According to the present embodiment, the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained. 
         [0159]    The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. 
         [0160]    The above embodiments are illustrated with reference to the case of applying the present invention to a portable audio reproduction apparatus, but the present invention can also be applied to a personal computer or other apparatuses other than a portable type. 
         [0161]    Further, the above embodiments are illustrated with reference to a music data or other audio data as a content data, but the invention may also be used with video, photo, or other image data. 
         [0162]    Further, the recording means used for storing the content data may be an MD (Registered Trademark) or other magneto-optical recording medium, a recordable CD (CD-R), a recordable DVD (DVD-R), or other optical recording medium or a Memory Stick (Registered Trademark), SD Card (Registered Trademark), or other semiconductor memory instead of the HDD  13  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0163]    Further, the present invention may be applied to a personal computer, a compact disk or other optical disk reproduction apparatus, or other magneto-optical disk reproduction apparatus. 
         [0164]    Furthermore, the music data reproduced in the present invention may be a music data other than the music data stored in the recording means of the reproduction apparatus. For example, the music data stored in an exterior server may be reproduced by downloading or streaming through a communication circuit if necessary. 
         [0165]    It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors in so far as they are within scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.