Reproducing apparatus and reproducing method

Disclosed herein is a reproducing apparatus including: an interface section configured to have a plurality of ports each connectable with a portable player including a storage medium; an integrated content management data creation section configured to identify the portable players; a reproduction content designation section configured to designate the content data to be reproduced in accordance with the integrated content management data; a content access section configured to gain access through the interface section; and a reproduction section configured to reproduce the accessed content.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention contains subject matter related to Japanese Patent Application JP 2006-347781 filed with the Japan Patent Office on Dec. 25, 2006, the entire contents of which being incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a reproducing apparatus and a reproducing method. More particularly, the invention relates to a reproducing apparatus for connecting a plurality of portable players with reproducing equipment mounted illustratively on board a vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is a fairly common practice to connect a plurality of audio players such as CD (Compact Disc) changers or MD (Mini Disc) changers illustratively to car audio equipment so that audio data recorded on the CDs or MDs in the changers may be reproduced through the audio equipment. Typically, each of the connected CD or MD changers is controlled individually to reproduce the data from audio equipment.

One such setup is disclosed illustratively in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2001-6276. The disclosed setup involves the use of techniques for easily controlling a plurality of audio players connected to a personal computer through an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 arrangement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Where multiple audio players are connected as mentioned above, it has proved to be difficult to perform shuffled play of recorded songs by artist or by genre from one audio player to another. Even if such shuffle play is somehow made possible, a relatively long muted state often takes place between songs due to the need to switch from one disk to another or from one player to another. Such interruptions can be a source of frustration or anxiety for users. Shuffled play is a mode in which the songs registered in a play list are reproduced in random order. Sometimes identical songs are reproduced at short intervals, but still randomly, from different CDs or MDs each carrying the same song by chance. This can be an awkward experience for the user expecting shuffled play.

The above problems are typically circumvented by first importing all audio data from the media of the connected players into a mass memory, then creating file management data about the imported audio data, and reproducing desired audio data based on the file management data thus created. This method involves the time-consuming chores of importing audio data from players at hand and integrating the imported audio data. If the connected players are replaced, their data needs to be imported anew. Such tiresome chores, as well as the need to deal with different players when they are newly connected, are incompatible with vehicle-mounted audio reproduction systems that are supposed to be easily operable.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances and provides a reproducing apparatus and a reproducing method for use therewith, the reproducing apparatus having a plurality of content players connected in such a manner as to make up a system which has no need for importing content data from the connected players or for becoming aware of the differences between the players and which permits access to contents in each of the players while keeping an inordinately prolonged pause from occurring between the accessed contents and inhibiting the same song from being reproduced again during shuffle play.

In carrying out the invention and according to one embodiment thereof, there is provided a reproducing apparatus including: interface means for having a plurality of ports each connectable with a portable player including a storage medium, a reproducing unit and an operating unit, the storage medium being configured to store files of content data and content management data for managing the files, the reproducing unit being configured to reproduce the files; integrated content management data creation means for identifying the portable players connected to the apparatus via the interface means, reading the content management data from the storage medium of each of the identified portable players into a memory, and integrating a plurality of groups of the content management data into a single group within the memory in order to create integrated content management data in which device identification data, attribute data, and file names are associated with each of contents constituted by the content data; reproduction content designation means for designating the content data to be reproduced in accordance with the integrated content management data; content access means for gaining access through the interface means to the designated reproduction content found on the storage medium of one of the portable players based on the device identification data and on the file names; and reproduction means for reproducing the accessed content.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a reproducing method including the steps of: having each of a plurality of ports of interface means connected with a portable player including a storage medium, a reproducing unit and an operating unit, the storage medium being configured to store files of content data and content management data for managing the files, the reproducing unit being configured to reproduce the files; identifying the connected portable players based on device identification data retrieved from the portable players; reading the content management data from the storage medium of each of the connected portable players into a memory; integrating a plurality of groups of the content management data into a single group within the memory in order to create integrated content management data in which the device identification data, attribute data, and file names are associated with each of contents constituted by the content data; designating the content data to be reproduced in accordance with the integrated content management data; gaining access through the interface means to the designated reproduction content found on the storage medium of one of the portable players based on the device identification data and on the file names; and reproducing the accessed content.

As outlined above, the inventive reproducing apparatus operating in conjunction with the inventive reproducing method reads the content management data from each of a plurality of portable players connected with the apparatus into the memory, integrates the retrieved content management data into integrated content management data, and designates songs to be reproduced on the basis of the integrated management data thus created. The inventive apparatus allows many more contents to be reproduced than the single portable player setup and can reproduce contents in seamless fashion, without becoming aware of the different portable players being connected. Since target contents are selected based on the integrated content management data, there is no need to perform operations to switch from one player to another for reproduction. The contents found on the storage medium of each of the multiple portable players are thus reproduced automatically.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described.FIG. 1is a block diagram outlining a typical reproducing system embodying the present invention. This system is constituted by main AV (audio-visual) equipment1connected to a plurality of content reproducing apparatuses. Contents in this context refer to audio information, video information, and other products created and offered by the media or by networks. The content reproducing apparatuses are illustratively portable music players2aand2bas well as portable audio/video players3aand3bconnected to the AV equipment1through an interface.

The interface is implemented in wired or wireless fashion. Typical wired interfaces include USB (Universal Serial Bus) and IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 1394 arrangements. Typical wireless interfaces include Bluetooth (registered trademark), wireless LAN (Local Area Network), and UWB (Ultra Wide Band) setups. Through the interface, content data is transferred (streamed) and content management data is transmitted.

The AV equipment1is a main component of the system and may typically be car audio equipment (main unit) or a personal computer. The AV equipment1has the interface for connecting with a plurality of portable audio and/or video players, and decoders and amplifiers compatible with various data compression standards. A reproduced audio signal is reproduced through speakers4and a reproduced video signal is displayed on a display unit5. The display unit5is capable of displaying a list of reproducible contents and their attributes based on integrated content management data that will be created.

The portable audio players2aand2bare each made up of a storage medium such as a flash memory (memory card or internal flash memory) or a hard disk for recording digital audio data and/or digital video data, a file system for managing a plurality of files, a decoding unit for decoding compression-encoded files, an audio amplifier, a display control circuit, a display unit, an operating unit formed by buttons and other controls, and a battery serving as a power source. Typically, the portable audio player may be a digital audio player or a mobile phone. The portable audio/video players3aand3bare each constituted, in addition to the components noted above, by a display control circuit for video reproduction and a display unit. Each portable audio/video player is capable of randomly accessing data on its storage medium.

Video data may be compressed illustratively using the MPEG-2 (Moving Picture Experts Group Phase 2), MPEG-4, H.264/AVC (Advanced Video Coding), or DivX standard. Audio data may be compressed typically according to the MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3), AAC (Advanced Audio Coding), ATRAC (Adaptive Transfer Acoustic Coding), or WMA (Windows (registered trademark) Media Audio) standard.

The storage medium in each of the portable audio players2aand2bholds audio content data and content management data for managing the audio content data. The storage medium in each of the portable audio/video players3aand3bretains audio/video content data and content management data for managing the audio/video content data. Furthermore, the portable audio players2aand2bas well as the portable audio/video players3aand3bhave device identification data for identifying each player. USB devices are each assigned a manufacturer ID and a product ID, both of which may be used as the device identification data. Bluetooth devices are each furnished with a BD (Bluetooth Device) address unique to the device in question.

Illustratively, the file system for managing audio files may be either a proprietary file system or a general-purpose file format such as FAT (File Allocation Table)16or FAT33for use by personal computers. If the proprietary file system is adopted, audio files are transferred only by dedicated transfer software; if the general-purpose file format is utilized, then audio files are transferred by a general-purpose file management tool such as Explorer. The AV equipment1as part of the embodiment of this invention complies with all types of portable players whether they employ the proprietary file system or general-purpose file format.

Where the portable audio player is connected to a USB device, the player retains WMA files or the like as data files in a USB storage on its storage medium. When this type of portable audio player is connected to the AV equipment1, the operating unit of the AV equipment1may be operated to designate a song or songs to be reproduced through the USB arrangement. Where the portable audio player adopts proprietary software, the software is installed in the AV equipment1in advance. If different portable audio players utilize proprietary software each, then the AV equipment1is designed to start the corresponding software whenever one such portable audio player is connected and identified. The same holds for portable audio/video players. The AV equipment1is capable of reproducing contents subject to DRM (Digital Rights Management).

The AV equipment1has means (function) for identifying the ports connected with the portable audio players2aand2bas well as the portable audio/video players3aand3b, and identifying the connected players by reading their device identification data. The AV equipment1also has means (function) for acquiring content management data from the connected players preparatory to retrieving content data therefrom for reproduction, and interpreting such attribute data as song information, artist names, and genres of the contents based on the acquired content management data. Such means (functions) may be constituted by general-purpose file management tools or by proprietary software as discussed above. In any case, the AV equipment1can access and retrieve the content management data from the connected players.

The audio reproducing system is not limited structurally to the setup shown inFIG. 1. Alternative systems are shown inFIGS. 2 and 3.FIG. 2shows an example in which the portable audio players2aand2bas well as the portable audio/video players3aand3bare connected via a USB hub6using the USB interface. The USB hub6has one USB port connected to the AV equipment1and a plurality of USB ports connectable with the players. In isochronous transfer mode with the USB interface in effect, data may be transferred at speeds of up to 12 Mbps.

Since each USB hub permits a tree-like connection structure, USB hubs6a,6band6cmay be interconnected in a tree-like pattern as shown inFIG. 3. The USB hub6cis connected with the USB hubs6aand6b, portable audio player2c, and portable audio/video player3d; the USB hub6ais connected with the portable audio player2aand portable audio/video player3a; and the USB hub6bis connected with the portable audio player2band portable audio/video players3band3c.

The AV equipment1itself may be furnished with the added functions of acquiring contents and content management data and storing them into a memory following their retrieval from a storage medium or through downloads over the network. In such cases, the acquired content management data is blended into integrated content management data, to be described later.

A typical structure of the AV equipment1will be described below by referring toFIG. 4. The AV equipment1has an interface11(e.g., USB interface) that interfaces to portable players (portable audio players2aand2b, and portable audio/video players3aand3b). Through the interfaced11, a controller12reads device identification data and content management data from the connected devices. Each portable player retains content management data wherein content data IDs, content data attributes (genres, artist names, album titles, song titles, and file names), and data storage locations are associated with each of the contents held on the storage medium. The content management data is imported from each portable player into the AV equipment1.

Of the content management data, certain attributes such as the data about the storage addresses of contents may be kept from being imported. Such attributes are not needed if the portable player is given an instruction to designate a target content using a content ID so that the portable player can recognize where the content in question is located on its storage medium. The content data itself need not be read by the AV equipment1from any portable player being connected.

The controller12provides the functions of integrated content management data creation means, reproduction content designation means, and content access means. The integrated content management data creation means identifies the portable players connected via interface means n, reads the content management data from the storage medium of each of the identified portable players into a memory, and integrates a plurality of groups of the content management data into a single group within the memory in order to create integrated content management data in which device identification data, attribute data, and file names are associated with each of the contents constituted by the content data. With a desired reproduction mode specified, the reproduction content designation means designates the content data to be reproduced in accordance with the integrated content management data. The content access means gains access through the interface means to the designated reproduction content found on the storage medium of one of the portable players based on the device identification data and on the file names.

The controller12is typically made up of a CPU (central processing unit), a ROM (read only memory), and a RAM (random access memory). The ROM stores in advance the programs to be run by the CPU and the data necessary to operate the programs. The RAM serves as a work memory for use by the CPU. The CPU reads programs and data from the ROM as occasions demand and, using the RAM as the work memory, controls the components of the AV equipment1. A memory13of a relatively large capacity and an operating unit14are connected to the controller12. The memory13may be a nonvolatile memory.

The operating unit14includes keys, a remote controller, and other controls to be operated by the user. When the user operates such keys or remote controller buttons, operation information reflecting the operations is generated and sent to the controller12. The operation information includes information for designating a menu, a reproduction mode, contents to be reproduced, and a sound level. Illustratively, a GUI is provided through the use of the display unit5. Audio contents may be reproduced in one of two principal modes: sequential play mode in which songs are reproduced as sequenced by the content management data, and shuffled play mode in which songs are reproduced randomly. It is also possible to reproduce contents by genre, by artist name, or by album title. When the user designates the desired reproduction mode, songs are automatically reproduced according to the selected mode.

The controller12identifies the connected portable players based on the device identification data read from the players. The content management data retrieved from the portable players is stored and analyzed. In the case of audio contents, the content management data is analyzed in terms of content-related attributes such as song information, artist names, and genres. A content management database is created and stored illustratively in the memory13.

When the user operates the operating unit14of the AV equipment1to designate a desired content, control information for identifying the designated content is sent through the interface11to the portable player that retains the content in question. Given the control information, the portable player accesses the designated content and reproduces the content data. The reproduced content data is transferred to the controller12of the AV equipment1through the interface11.

The controller12in turn forwards compression-encoded content data to a decoding unit15. The decoding unit15decompresses the encoded content data. Since a plurality of portable audio players and portable audio/video players are connectable through the interface, there can be a plurality of compression-encoding standards to be complied with. The decoding unit15is thus designed to perform decoding according to multiple standards. The decoding unit15need not be structured solely by hardware; it may be constituted by software. For example, suitable DSP programs may be designated selectively under control of a DSP (digital signal processor) and of the controller12to deal with decoding according to the multiple compression-encoding standards.

Based on the device identification data, content management data or content data having been imported, the controller12determines which compression-encoding standard is in effect and supplies the decoding unit15with coding identification information indicating the encoding standard in use. Given the encoding identification information, the decoding unit15decodes the compression-encoded content data accordingly. It is also possible first to acquire the content management data from the data decoded by the decoding unit15and then to supply the acquired content management data to the controller12.

A digital audio signal derived from decoding by the decoding unit15is sent to an electronic volume control17for sound level adjustment. The signal forwarded by the electronic volume control17to a D/A converter18is converted thereby to an analog audio signal. The analog audio signal thus acquired is fed to the speakers4through an amplifier18. The electronic volume control17is controlled by the controller12. A digital video signal derived from decoding by the decoding unit15is supplied to the display unit5through the display control unit20. The display unit5displays reproduced images. The display control unit20is controlled by the controller12.

FIG. 4shows one typical structure of the AV equipment1; other structures are also feasible. For example, the controller may be composed of a CPU whose bus may be connected to a memory, an interface, a decoding unit, a D/A converter, a display unit, and an operating unit.

FIG. 5shows typical content management data used by the portable audio player (2aor2b). As many as N songs (files) identifiable by content IDs (1,2,3, N) are each associated with such attribute information as a genre, an artist name, an album title, a song title, and a file name. Although not shown inFIG. 5, the locations of the audio contents found on the storage medium are also associated with the corresponding songs being stored.

Illustratively, the song identified by the content ID of “1” has attribute information formed by “ROCK, “MJ,” “AA,” “ABC,” and “ABC.mp3.” These alphabetic characters are given here for illustration purposes and have no specific meaning except for file name extensions that designate the compression-encoding standards adopted for the corresponding songs (files). The file name extension in the preceding example indicates MP3 as the compression-encoding standard in effect. Another extension “at3” stands for ATRAC3 and “mp4” for MPEG-4.

FIGS. 6A and 6Bshow typical content management data used by the portable audio/video player (3aor3b). In this case, audio management data (FIG. 6A) is separated from video management data (FIG. 6B). With the audio management data, as in the example ofFIG. 5, as many as N songs (files) are each associated with the attribute information made up of a genre, an artist name, an album title, a song title, and a file name. With the video management data, as many as N recorded programs (files) are each associated with attribute information formed by a genre, a director name, a title, and a file name. The extension of a file name indicates the compression-encoding standard adopted for the program (file) in question. For example, the extension “mpg” indicates that the file of interest is compression-encoded in MPEG-4 format. Although not shown inFIG. 6Aor6B, the locations of the video contents found on the storage medium are also associated with the corresponding programs being stored.

When portable players are connected to the AV equipment1, they are identified by the controller12of the equipment1. The content management data (e.g., content IDs and attribute data) of each connected player is then read into the AV equipment1. A plurality of groups of content management data imported from a plurality of portable players are interpreted by the AV equipment1(i.e., by controller12) in terms of content IDs and attribute information, before being organized into integrated content management data. Files are managed on the basis of the integrated content management data thus created. For example, the multiple reproduction modes mentioned above are brought about in keeping with the integrated content management data.

FIG. 7shows typical integrated content management data for use when contents are music (i.e., songs). Content management data is read into the AV equipment1from four portable audio players having device IDs of “ID#2,” ID#3,” “ID#4,” and “ID#5.” Multiple groups of content management data read from the multiple players are arranged in the order in which the devices have been connected to the AV equipment1, or in ascending or descending order of the device IDs of the connected players. For example, the items of attribute information about “n” songs (files with content IDs of “1,”2. . . , “n”) read from the portable audio player having the device ID of “ID#2” are first arranged into sequence. The attribute information is the same as that which was discussed above.

Then the items of attribute information about “n′” songs (files with content IDs of “1,” “2,” . . . , “n′”) read from the portable audio player having the device ID of “ID#3” are arranged into sequence. Thereafter, the items of attribute information about “n″n” songs (files with content IDs of “1,” “2,” . . . , “n″”) read from the portable audio player having the device ID of “ID#4” are arranged into sequence. After this, the items of attribute information about “n′″” songs (files with content IDs of “1,” “2,” . . . , “n′″”) read from the portable audio player having the device ID of “ID#5” are arranged into sequence. Finally, with these groups of attribute information organized into integrated content management data, the songs are associated consecutively with new content IDs of “1,” “2,” “3,” . . . , “n,” “n+1,” . . . , “m,” “m+1,” . . . , “N” “N+1,” . . . , “M.”

As described, in the content management data read from the multiple portable players, the data of each song can be identified by a device ID and a content ID. Although the same content ID could be used inadvertently by different portable players, the different device IDs allow the contents in question to be distinguished from one another. In the portable player with the same device ID, the content IDs usually do not overlap.

As shown inFIG. 8, it is possible to have the integrated content management data inFIG. 7supplemented with reproduction status flags corresponding to the individual songs, each flag indicating whether the corresponding song has been reproduced or has yet to be reproduced. InFIG. 8, one status flag indicates that reproduction of the content having the content ID of “1” and the device ID of “ID#2” is currently “underway.” The other status flags indicate that the reproduction is “not yet” complete or “complete.”

Within the integrated content management data, a search is made for the same content data that has the reproduction-underway status flag. The search is targeted for the songs with their status flags indicating “not yet.” Suppose that content data having an identical song title as part of its attribute information is found by search. In the example ofFIG. 8, the content with the song title “ABC” (designated by the device ID of “ID#3” and content ID of “n′”) is identified as the same song. In such a case, the status flag of the song “ABC” is set for “complete.” The search for the same song may be carried out in terms of not only one attribute but also a plurality of attributes (e.g., artist name and genre). Although not shown in the drawings, it is also possible to check for the same song among the candidate songs by comparing their playing times. When status flags are added to the songs, the user may prioritize a plurality of compression-encoding standards so as to give precedence to reproduction of the content data encoded by a desired standard.

Whereas the integrated content management data discussed so far applies only to audio data, similarly integrated content management data may be created for video data as well. Two groups of integrated content management data may be prepared separately for audio and video data. Alternatively, these groups of data may be organized into a single mixture of integrated content management data for both audio and video data.

The integrated content management data described above is displayed as occasions demand on the display unit5. The song being reproduced is displayed distinct from the other songs. For example, the title of the currently playing song may be highlighted. There may be diverse modes in which to reproduce songs. In sequential play mode, songs may be reproduced in the order in which they are arranged in the integrated content management data. In shuffled play mode, songs may be reproduced randomly. In genre-specific play mode, only the songs of a particular genre may be reproduced sequentially or randomly. In artist-specific play mode, only the song of a particular artist may be reproduced sequentially or randomly. In album-specific play mode, only the songs of a particular album may be reproduced sequentially or randomly. With any of these reproduction modes in effect, when particular songs are selected to be reproduced, a play list made up of the selected songs may be displayed.

Where the status flags are established as shown inFIG. 8, only the songs with their flags set for “not yet” are reproduced. This prevents the same song from getting played twice or more. The songs with their status flags set for “complete” may be removed from the display. When the songs to be reproduced are selected in genre-specific, artist-specific, or album-specific play mode, a play list constituted by only the selected songs may be displayed.

Described below in reference to the flowchart ofFIG. 9is what typically takes place when a portable player is connected to the AV equipment1. The control operations outlined by the flowchart are carried out by the controller12of the Av equipment1.

In step S1, a portable player is connected through a USB port to the AV equipment1. In step S2, the controller12acquires the device ID from the connected portable player in order to recognize its identity. In step S3, a check is made to determine whether the device ID of the connected device is #1. If the device ID of the connected device is found to be #1, then step S4is reached. In step S4, the content management data (also noted as DB inFIG. 9because the management data serves much like a database) is read from the portable player into the memory13. Although a manufacturer may assign the same device ID to multiple devices that happen to be connected to the AV equipment1, the different ports being used allow the devices to be distinguished from one another.

If in step S3the device ID of the connected device is not found to be #1, then step S5is reached. In step S5, a check is made to determine whether the device ID of the connected device is #2. If the device ID of the connected device is found to be #2, then step S6is reached. In step S6, the content management data is read from the portable player into the memory13.

If in step S5the device ID of the connected device is not found to be #2, then step S7is reached. In step S7, a check is made to determine whether the device ID of the connected device is #3. If the device ID of the connected device is found to be #3, then step S8is reached. In step S8, the content management data is read from the portable player into the memory13. The example ofFIG. 9involves three devices to be identified for purpose of simplification and illustration.

If in step S7the device ID of the connected device is not found to be #3, then step S9is reached. In step S9, the connected portable player is found to be a device that has no content management data, such as a USB memory. Step S9is followed by step S10in which the FAT of the file management system is read into the memory13.

After the content management data has been read into the memory13, step S11is reached in which integrated content management data is created. This brings the processing ofFIG. 9to an end. The procedure for creating integrated content management data is carried out every time a portable player is connected to the AV equipment1. What is stored in the memory13is deleted when power is removed; the memory13is initialized when power is applied. If the memory13is arranged to be a nonvolatile memory, then the content management data from the previously connected portable players remains stored. If any one of such players is again connected, only the updates in the content management data are read into the memory13.

Described below in reference toFIG. 10is a typical procedure made up of operations for reproducing songs, carried out under control of the controller12. In step S21, the currently effective reproduction mode is recognized. The reproduction mode in effect determines the songs to be reproduced and the order in which they are reproduced. In step S22, the next song to be reproduced is found by referring to the integrated content management data having been created. The compression-encoding standard applicable to the next song to be played is known from the file name extension of the song.

In step S23, reproduction of the current song is terminated. Step S23is followed by step S24in which the decoding unit15is switched for the compression-encoding standard of the next song preparatory to its reproduction. In the transition state in which the decoding unit15is being switched, the import of the song data from outside or the output of the song data by the controller12is temporarily stopped. Upon completion of the switching of the decoding unit15, step S25is reached. In step S25, the next song is imported. In step S26, the song of interest is reproduced. Thereafter, the above steps are repeated until all songs have been reproduced or unless an instruction to stop the ongoing reproduction is given.

Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims that follow. For example, the interface is not limited to supporting USB; such wireless systems as Bluetooth, wireless LAN (Local Area Network), or UWB (Ultra Wide Band) may be adopted alternatively for the interface.