Patent Publication Number: US-2015070249-A1

Title: Display system and reproduction control method

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a display system of contents data, and a reproduction control method. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventionally, there is known a technology of providing image data to a display device from an information terminal to a display device, and causing the display device to display images. In this conventional technology, values adjusted in advance are set as various setting values of the display device; however, in recent years, methods have been devised to omit the work of adjusting the setting values of the display device. 
     An example of a devised method that is already known, includes sending display setting information specifying a setting state relevant to the displaying of images, to a display device from an information terminal on the side that provides image data, and causing the display device to make settings according to the display setting information (Patent Document 1). 
     However, in the above method, the display device only sets values relevant to displaying, such as the display luminance and the color mode. Therefore, for example, in a case of causing the display device to display contents data including a plurality of images, it is difficult to set, in the display device, information relevant to the reproduction of contents data such as the order of displaying images and the display time. 
     Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2010-232760 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a display system and a reproduction control method, in which one or more of the above-described disadvantages are eliminated. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display system including a display device, and an information terminal capable of communication with the display device. The information terminal includes a setting item information acquisition unit configured to acquire setting item information relevant to control of reproduction of contents data at the display device, a display control unit configured to display a setting screen for setting a value of an item included in the setting item information, based on the acquired setting item information, and a generation unit configured to generate reproduction control information for controlling, at the display device, the reproduction of the contents data selected at the information terminal, by using the value of the item set in the setting screen. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a reproduction control program executed at an information terminal capable of communication with a display device. The reproduction control program causes a computer to execute a process including acquiring setting item information relevant to control of reproduction of contents data at the display device, displaying a setting screen for setting a value of an item included in the setting item information, based on the acquired setting item information, and generating reproduction control information for controlling, at the display device, the reproduction of the contents data selected at the information terminal, by using the value of the item set in the setting screen. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reproduction control method performed by a display system including a display device and an information terminal capable of communication with the display device. The reproduction control method includes acquiring setting item information relevant to control of reproduction of contents data at the display device, displaying a setting screen for setting a value of an item included in the setting item information, based on the acquired setting item information, and generating reproduction control information for controlling, at the display device, the reproduction of the contents data selected at the information terminal, by using the value of the item set in the setting screen. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a system configuration of a display system according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a usage scene of a display system according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of each device included in the display system according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example of a functional configuration of devices included in the display system according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an example of setting item information according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an example of a setting table according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an example of reproduction control information according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a sequence diagram for describing operations of the display system according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an example of a list screen of contents data displayed on the information terminal according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an example of a setting screen displayed on the information terminal according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an example of a functional configuration of devices included in a display system according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an example of the setting item information according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a sequence diagram for describing operations of the display system according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an example of a setting screen displayed in the information terminal of the second embodiment; and 
         FIG. 15  illustrates an example of a functional configuration of devices included in a display system according to a third embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     An embodiment of the present invention includes generating reproduction control information indicating how to reproduce contents data based on values set by a user, sending the generated reproduction control information to a display device, and causing the display device to set information relevant to the reproduction of contents data. 
     First Embodiment 
     A description is given, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a system configuration of a display system according to a first embodiment. 
     A display system  100  according to the present invention includes an information terminal  200  and a display device  300 . The information terminal  200  and the display device  300  are connected by a data transmission path N such as a network. 
     The information terminal  200  according to the present embodiment may perform communication by a communication method conforming to specifications of, for example, 3G (3rd Generation), LTE (Long Term Evolution), and 4G (4th Generation). Furthermore, the information terminal  200  according to the present embodiment may perform communication by a communication method conforming to, for example, ZigBee and Bluetooth (registered trademark). 
     The information terminal  200  according to the present embodiment may be a wireless communication terminal, such as a smartphone or a mobile phone. Furthermore, the information terminal  200  according to the present embodiment may be, for example, a tablet PC (Personal Computer) or a notebook computer. The information terminal  200  according to the present embodiment may be any kind of terminal as long as communication is possible with the display device  300 . 
     In the information terminal  200  according to the present embodiment, a reproduction control program  210  is installed. The information terminal  200  according to the present embodiment executes the reproduction control program  210  to generate reproduction control information for contents data to be displayed on the display device  300 , and sends the contents data and the reproduction control information to the display device  300 . 
     In the display device  300  according to the present embodiment, a reproduction program  310  is installed. The display device  300  according to the present embodiment executes the reproduction program  310  to display the contents data sent from the information terminal  200  based on reproduction control information. 
     The display device  300  according to the present embodiment is to have a display function capable of displaying the contents data based on the reproduction control information sent from the information terminal  200 . Specifically, the display device  300  according to the present embodiment is, for example, a projector or a display. 
     In the following descriptions of the present embodiment, the operation performed by the display device  300  of displaying the contents data according to the reproduction control information, is expressed as “reproducing contents data”. 
     Furthermore, the contents data according to the present embodiment is, for example, image data and video data. The image data that is the contents data is, for example, image data of a single image, or image data of a plurality of images. The contents data according to the present embodiment may be any kind of data as long as the contents data can be displayed by the display device  300 . 
     In the following description of the present embodiment, the contents data reproduced by the display device  300  is referred to as contents data to be reproduced, and other contents data, such as contents data stored in a predetermined storage area, is simply referred to as contents data. 
     In the following, a description is given of a usage scene of the display system  100  according to the present embodiment, with reference to  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a usage scene of a display system according to the first embodiment. 
     In the example of  FIG. 2 , the information terminal  200  is a smartphone or a tablet PC, the display device  300  includes a projector  301  and a screen  302 , and the display system  100  is, for example, a digital signage. 
     When a user makes a setting of the method of reproducing contents data to be reproduced, the information terminal  200  according to the present embodiment generates reproduction control information of contents data to be reproduced based on this setting. Then, the information terminal  200  sends the contents data to be reproduced and the reproduction control information to the projector  301 . The projector  301  saves the received contents data to be reproduced in a storage unit and reproduces the contents data to be reproduced according to the reproduction control information. 
     In the display system  100  according to the present embodiment, once the user sends the contents data to be reproduced and the reproduction control information to the display device  300 , it is possible to continuously reproduce the contents data to be reproduced according to the desired setting. 
     That is to say, when the display system  100  according to the present embodiment is applied to a digital signage, etc., the contents data is automatically reproduced as desired by the user, and therefore the user is spared of the trouble of having to set the display order of the contents data and the switching of the contents data, every time. 
     Next, a description is given of a hardware configuration of the devices included in the display system  100  according to the present embodiment, with reference to  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of each device included in the display system  100  according to the first embodiment. 
     The information terminal  200  according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit)  21 , a storage unit  22 , an input unit  23 , an external interface unit  24 , a network control unit  25 , an output unit  26 , and a driver  27 , which are connected to each other by a bus B 1 . 
     The CPU  21  controls various operations of the information terminal  200 . The storage unit  22  stores various kinds of information relevant to operations and calculations of the information terminal  200 , and various programs executed by the information terminal  200 . The input unit  23  is used for inputting various signals and information. The input unit  23  may have a display function such as a touch panel. Furthermore, the input unit  23  according to the present embodiment may be, for example, a pointing device or a keyboard. 
     The external interface unit  24  according to the present embodiment is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a NFC (Near Field Communication). The network control unit  25  includes a modem and LAN card, and is used for connecting to a network. The output unit  26  is used for outputting various kinds of information from the information terminal  200 . The output unit  26  according to the present embodiment may be, for example, a display, or a transmission unit for sending various kinds of data to an external device. 
     The reproduction control program  210  according to the present embodiment is at least one of various programs for controlling the information terminal  200 . The reproduction control program  210  is provided, for example, by being distributed in a recording medium  28  or by being downloaded from a network. As the recording medium  28  recording the reproduction control program  210 , various types of recording media may be used, including a recording medium for electrically or magnetically recording information such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, or a magnet-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory for electrically recording information such as a ROM or a flash memory. 
     Furthermore, when the recording medium  28  recording the reproduction control program  210  is set in the driver  27 , the reproduction control program  210  is installed in the storage unit  22  from the recording medium  28  via the driver  27 . The reproduction control program  210  downloaded from a network is installed in the storage unit  22  via the network control unit  25 . 
     The storage unit  22  stores the installed reproduction control program  210 , and also stores necessary files and data. The CPU  21  realizes various processes as described below, according to the reproduction control program  210  stored in the storage unit  22 . 
     The display device  300  according to the present embodiment includes a CPU  31 , a storage unit  32 , an input unit  33 , an external interface unit  34 , a network control unit  35 , a display unit  36 , and a driver  37 , which are connected to each other by a bus B 2 . 
     The CPU  31  controls various operations of the display device  300 . The storage unit  32  stores various kinds of information relevant to operations and calculations of the display device  300 , various programs executed by the display device  300 , and contents data reproduced by the display device  300 . The input unit  33  is used for inputting various signals and information. The input unit  33  is, for example, an operation member for operating the display device  300 . 
     The external interface unit  34  according to the present embodiment is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a NFC (Near Field Communication). The network control unit  35  controls the connection of the display device  300  to a network. The display unit  36  displays contents data for which the display device  300  has received a display instruction. 
     The reproduction program  310  according to the present embodiment is at least one of various programs for controlling the display device  300 . The reproduction program  310  is provided, for example, by being distributed in a recording medium  38  or by being downloaded from a network. Furthermore, when the recording medium  38  recording the reproduction program  310  is set in the driver  37 , the reproduction program  310  is installed in the storage unit  33  from the recording medium  38  via the driver  37 . The reproduction program  310  downloaded from a network is installed in the storage unit  33  via the network control unit  35 . 
     The storage unit  33  stores the installed reproduction program  310 , and also stores necessary files and data. The CPU  31  realizes various processes as described below, according to the reproduction program  310  stored in the storage unit  33 . 
     Next, a description is given of a functional configuration of devices included in the display system  100  according to the present embodiment, with reference to  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  illustrates an example of a functional configuration of devices included in the display system  100  according to the first embodiment. 
     The information terminal  200  according to the present embodiment includes a predetermined storage area  220  provided in the storage unit  22 . The storage area  220  stores, for example, contents data  221  and setting item information  222 . The contents data  221  is, for example, data that can be displayed on the display device  300 , such as image data and video data. 
     The setting item information  222  according to the present embodiment is information including items set by the user in the reproduction control information, and a range of setting values for each item. That is to say, the setting item information  222  according to the present embodiment is information relevant to controlling the reproduction of the contents data  221  in the display device  300 ; more specifically, information including information indicating the type of item relevant to controlling the reproduction and information indicating the range of setting values of each item. The setting item information  222  is determined in advance according to, for example, the performance and specifications of the display device  300 . In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the setting item information  222  that is determined in advance according to the specifications, etc., of the display device  300 , is stored in the storage unit  22 . 
     Note that in the following descriptions, information indicating the information of items in the setting item information  222  is simply referred to as items, and information indicating the range of setting values of each item is simply referred to as a setting range. 
     Furthermore, the information terminal  200  according to the present embodiment includes a display control unit  211 , an input reception unit  212 , a reproduction control information generation unit  213 , and a transmission unit  214 . 
     The display control unit  211  according to the present embodiment displays, on a display which is the output unit  26  of the information terminal  200 , a list screen of the contents data  221  and a setting screen for setting a value of the item included in the setting item information  222 . 
     The input reception unit  212  according to the present embodiment receives a selection of the contents data  221  selected in the list screen displaying a list of the contents data  221 . In the present embodiment, the contents data  221  selected in the list screen of the information terminal  200  is sent to the display device  300  as contents data to be reproduced  331  to be reproduced at the display device  300 . Furthermore, the input reception unit  212  according to the present embodiment receives input of a setting value in a setting screen for setting a value of the item included in the setting item information  222 . 
     The reproduction control information generation unit  213  according to the present embodiment generates reproduction control information  332  based on information included in the reproduction contents data. Specifically, the reproduction control information generation unit  213  according to the present embodiment holds a setting table  215  in which the items included in the reproduction control information  332  and values set for each item are associated with each other. The reproduction control information generation unit  213  refers to the setting table  215  and generates the reproduction control information  332  according to a predetermined format. 
     In the present embodiment, the items included in the setting item information  222  are part of the items included in the reproduction control information  332 . That is to say, the reproduction control information  332  according to the present embodiment includes values that the user has set for items included in the setting item information  222 . Details of processes by the reproduction control information generation unit  213  according to the present embodiment are described below. 
     The transmission unit  214  sends the contents data to be reproduced  331  and the reproduction control information  332  that has been generated, to the display device  300 . 
     In the information terminal  200  according to the present embodiment, the contents data  221  is described as being stored in the storage unit  22 ; however, the present invention is not so limited. For example, the contents data  221  may be stored in a portable recording medium that can be read by the information terminal  200 , or may be stored in an external device that can communicate with the information terminal  200 . 
     The display device  300  according to the present embodiment includes a save control unit  311 , a verification unit  312 , and a notification unit  313 . Furthermore, the display device  300  according to the present embodiment includes a display control unit  320  that controls the display with respect to the display unit  36 . 
     Furthermore, the display device  300  according to the present embodiment includes a storage area  330  storing the contents data to be reproduced  331  sent from the information terminal  200  and the reproduction control information  332 . Note that the storage area  330  according to the present embodiment may be, for example, provided in the storage unit  32  included in the display device  300 , or in a portable recording medium that can be read by the display device  300 . Furthermore, the storage area  330  may be provided in an external device that can communicate with the display device  300 . 
     The save control unit  311  according to the present embodiment stores the contents data to be reproduced  331  and the reproduction control information  332  received from the information terminal  200 , in the storage area  330 . Furthermore, when the save control unit  311  according to the present embodiment receives an instruction to reproduce the contents data to be reproduced  331  from the information terminal  200 , the save control unit  311  sets, in the display device  300 , values of the items included in the reproduction control information  332 . 
     The verification unit  312  verifies whether the contents data to be reproduced  331  can be reproduced in the display device  300 , based on the reproduction control information  332 . Details of processes by the verification unit  312  are described below. The notification unit  313  sends a notification of the verification result to the information terminal  200 . 
     In the following, a description is given of the generation of reproduction control information by the reproduction control information generation unit  213  according to the present embodiment. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example of setting item information  222  according to the first embodiment. 
     The setting item information  222  according to the present embodiment includes, for example, Order, Time, and Effect, as setting items. 
     The Order item is an item indicating the order of reproducing the contents data  221  included in the contents data to be reproduced  331 . In the present embodiment, for example, when the value of the Order item is 0, it means that the reproduction order of the contents data  221  included in the contents data to be reproduced  331  is specified. Furthermore, when the value of the Order item is 1, the reproduction order of the contents data  221  included in the contents data to be reproduced  331  becomes random. The reproduction order of the contents data  221  may be, for example, an order selected in the contents data to be reproduced  331  in the list screen of the contents data  221 . 
     The Time item is an item indicating the reproduction time of the contents data  221  included in the contents data to be reproduced  331 . In the example of  FIG. 5 , the Time item has a setting range of one second through 30 seconds, and this time can be set in units of one second. 
     The Effect item is an item indicating methods of switching the display of the contents data  221  included in the contents data to be reproduced  331 . In the example of  FIG. 5 , the Effect item is one of the methods in a setting range for switching the display corresponding to six values 0 through 5. 
     In the information terminal  200  according to the present embodiment, the display control unit  211  displays a setting screen of the items, based on the setting item information  222 . Details of the setting screen are described below. 
     In the following, consideration is given to the items, in a case where three items of contents data  221   a,    221   b,  and  221   c  are selected in the stated order, from the contents data  221  stored in the storage area  220 , at the information terminal  200 . 
     In this case, the contents data to be reproduced  331  is an assembly of the contents data  221   a,    221   b,  and  221   c.  Thus, when the value of the Order item is 0, the order of reproduction of the contents data  221   a,    221   b,  and  221   c  is set to be the stated order. Furthermore, when the value of the Order item is 1, the reproduction order of the contents data  221   a,    221   b,  and  221   c  becomes random. In the present embodiment, the value of the Order item may be set to be 0 in advance as an initial value. 
     As the Time item, the reproduction time of each contents data  221   a,    221   b,  and  221   c  is set. Note that as the Time item, five seconds is set in advance as an initial value. 
     As the Effect item, for example, the method of switching the display of the display device  300  from the contents data  221   a  to the contents data  221   b  is set, when the items of contents data  221   a,    221   b , and  221   c  are set to be reproduced in the stated order. Furthermore, as the Effect item, the method of switching from the contents data  221   b  to the contents data  221   c  is set. Note that as the Effect item, fade in is set as an initial value. Fade in is a method of switching the display such that the reproduced image gradually becomes clear. 
     In the present embodiment, as the method of switching the display, pushing and wiping from the left to right may also be set. For example, pushing is a method of switching the display by pushing out the displayed contents data to either the left or the right to display the next contents data. Furthermore, wiping is a method of switching the display by wiping out the displayed contents data to display the next contents data. 
     Note that in the present embodiment, values of items included in the setting item information  222  may be set collectively with respect to all of the contents data  221  included in the contents data to be reproduced  331 , or values of items may be set for each contents data  221  item included in the contents data to be reproduced  331 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an example of a setting table according to the first embodiment. The setting table  215  according to the present embodiment includes items of a Version, a Contents list, and a Path, in addition to the items of Order, Time, and Effect included in the setting item information  222 . 
     The Version item according to the present embodiment indicates the version of the format when generating the reproduction control information  332 . The value of the Version item according to the present embodiment is a value corresponding to the display device  300 , in order to display the contents data to be reproduced  331  on the display device  300 . 
     The Contents list item indicates the arrangement of the reproduction setting of the contents data. For example, the arrangement is the order in which the contents data  221  included in the contents data to be reproduced  331  is stored in the storage area  330 , or the order in which the contents data  221  has been selected. In the setting table  215  according to the present embodiment, it is assumed that the Version item and the Contents list item are set in advance. 
     The Path item indicates the storage location of each of the contents data  221  included in the contents data to be reproduced  331 . In the present embodiment, when the contents data  221  is selected, the storage location of the contents data  221  may be set as a value of the Path item in the setting table  215 . Furthermore, as the value of the Path item according to the present embodiment, a file name of the selected contents data  221  may be included. 
     When a user sets a value of each item included in the setting item information  222 , the reproduction control information generation unit  213  according to the present embodiment associates the value set by the user with a corresponding item in the setting table  215 . Then, the reproduction control information generation unit  213  refers to the setting table  215 , and generates the reproduction control information  332 . 
     Note that in the present embodiment, some of the items included in the setting table  215  are assumed to be included in the setting item information  222 ; however, the present invention is not so limited. For example, all of the items included in the setting table  215  may be included in the setting item information  222 . That is to say, it may be possible for the user to set the values of all of the items included in the setting table  215 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an example of the reproduction control information  332  according to the first embodiment. When the values of the items in the setting table  215  are set, the reproduction control information generation unit  213  according to the present embodiment generates the reproduction control information  332  of a predetermined format including values of all of the items. 
     In the example of  FIG. 7 , the predetermined format is a JSON format. The JSON format is a light-weight data description language based on the description method of objects in JavaScript (registered trademark). The format of the reproduction control information  332  according to the present embodiment is a format that is readable by the display device  300 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 7 , the value of the Version item is 1.1.0, the value of the Order item is 0, and as the value of the Contents list item, five items of the contents data  221  included in the contents data to be reproduced  331  are arranged in the order of being reproduced. Specifically, the values of the Contents list item include the value of the path, the value of the Time item, and the value of the Effect item of each contents data  221  included in the contents data to be reproduced  331 . 
     As described above, in the present embodiment, the reproduction control information  332  including values set by the user is generated and sent to the display device  300 . Thus, in the present embodiment, the method of reproduction desired by the user can be set in the display device  300 . 
     Note that  FIG. 7  illustrates an example of the reproduction control information  332  according to the present embodiment; however, the present invention is not so limited. The reproduction control information  332  may be any kind of information as long as it includes the storage location of the contents data  221  included in the contents data to be reproduced  331 . 
     Next, a description is given of operations of the display system  100  according to the present embodiment with reference to  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 8  is a sequence diagram for describing operations of the display system  100  according to the first embodiment. 
     In the display system  100  according to the present embodiment, when the user requests the information terminal  200  to display a list of the contents data  221  (step S 801 ), the information terminal  200  displays a list screen of the contents data  221 , by the display control unit  211  (step S 802 ). Note that details of the list screen are described below. 
     Next, the information terminal  200  receives a selection of the contents data  221  in the list screen, by the input reception unit  212  (step S 803 ). The information terminal  200  according to the present embodiment repeats the process of step S 803  until the user finishes selecting the contents data  221 . An assembly of the contents data  221  selected in step S 803  becomes the contents data to be reproduced  331 . 
     Next, the information terminal  200  refers to the setting item information  222 , and displays the setting screen of items included in the setting item information  222 , by the display control unit  211  (step S 804 ). Details of the setting screen are described below. 
     Next, the information terminal  200  receives, by the input reception unit  212 , the values of the items input in the setting screen (step S 805 ). The input values of the items are saved in the setting table  215  in association with the corresponding items. The items included in the setting item information  222  are as described above. 
     Next, when a request by the user to reproduce the contents data to be reproduced  331  is received (step S 806 ), the information terminal  200  generates the reproduction control information  332  by the reproduction control information generation unit  213  (step S 807 ). Specifically, when the reproduction request is received, the reproduction control information generation unit  213  according to the present embodiment assigns the values of the items stored in the setting table  215  in a predetermined format and generates the reproduction control information  332 . 
     Next, the information terminal  200  sends the reproduction control information  332  to the display device  300  by the transmission unit  214  (step S 808 ). 
     When the reproduction control information  332  is received from the information terminal  200 , the display device  300  stores the reproduction control information  332  in the storage area  330  by the save control unit  311  (step S 809 ). 
     Next, the information terminal  200  sends the contents data to be reproduced  331  to the display device  300  by the transmission unit  214  (step S 810 ). The display device  300  stores the contents data to be reproduced  331  in the storage area  330 , by the save control unit  311  (step S 811 ). In the present embodiment, for example, a folder corresponding to the information terminal  200  is provided in the storage area  330 , and the contents data to be reproduced  331  and the reproduction control information  332  may be stored in this folder. 
     Next, the display device  300  sends, by the notification unit  313 , a notification to the information terminal  200  indicating that the storing (uploading) of the contents data to be reproduced  331  in the storage area  330  has been completed (step S 812 ). 
     When this notification is received, the information terminal  200  sends an instruction to reproduce the contents data to be reproduced  331  to the display device  300  (step S 813 ). When the reproduction instruction is received from the information terminal  200 , the display device  300  according to the present embodiment sets, in the display device  300  itself, the values of the items included in the reproduction control information  332 , such that the reproduction of the contents data to be reproduced  331  is executed according to the reproduction control information  332 . 
     Furthermore, when the reproduction instruction is received, the display device  300  verifies whether the contents data to be reproduced  331  can be reproduced according to the reproduction control information  332 , by the verification unit  312  (step S 814 ). 
     In the following, a description is given of the verification performed by the verification unit  312  according to the present embodiment. The verification unit  312  according to the present embodiment refers to the reproduction control information  332  and verifies whether the reproduction control information  332  is in a format that is readable by the display device  300 . Furthermore, the verification unit  312  refers to the reproduction control information  332 , and verifies, for example, whether the value of the Version item corresponds to the display device  300 , or whether the reproduction control information  332  includes a path of each contents data  221 . 
     The notification unit  313  according to the present embodiment sends a notification to the information terminal  200  indicating the verification result obtained by the verification unit  312  (step S 815 ). Specifically, for example, when it is verified that the contents data to be reproduced  331  can be reproduced, the notification unit  313  according to the present embodiment may send a notification to the information terminal  200  indicating that communication is successful. When the notification is received from the notification unit  313 , the information terminal  200  displays the notification result (step S 816 ). 
     Furthermore, when the reproduction of the contents data to be reproduced  331  is not possible, the notification unit  313  sends a notification to the information terminal  200  indicating that the communication is unsuccessful. A case where the reproduction is not possible is, for example, a case where the reproduction control information  332  is in a format that cannot be read by the display device  300 , a case where the Version does not correspond to the display device  300 , or a case where the reproduction control information  332  does not include a path of the contents data  221 . 
     In the present embodiment, for example, when the communication is unsuccessful, a message prompting to resend the contents data to be reproduced  331  may be displayed on the information terminal  200 . When resending the contents data to be reproduced  331 , the information terminal  200  may repeat the processes of steps S 804  through S 808 . Furthermore, when resending the contents data to be reproduced  331 , the information terminal  200  may send only the values of the items included in the contents data to be reproduced  331  and the setting item information  222 , to the display device  300 . In this case, the display device  300  may store the values of the items that have been resent in the corresponding items of the reproduction control information  332 , and perform the verification by the verification unit  312 . 
     After step S 816 , the display device  300  reproduces the contents data to be reproduced  331  according to the reproduction control information  332  (step S 817 ). 
     Note that in step S 8 , the information terminal  200  sends the contents data to be reproduced  331  to the display device  300  after sending the reproduction control information  332  to the display device  300 ; however, the present invention is not so limited. For example, the information terminal  200  may associate the reproduction control information  332  with the contents data to be reproduced  331 , and send both of these to the display device  300  at the same time. 
     Furthermore, in  FIG. 8 , the reproduction control information  332  is generated after the contents data  221  is selected in the list screen and values of items of the setting item information  222  are set; however, the present invention is not so limited. For example, the information terminal  200  may generate the reproduction control information  332  in parallel with the selecting of the contents data  221  and the setting of values of items of the setting item information  222 . 
     Furthermore, the setting of values of items of the setting item information  222  may be performed, for example, when the reproduction control program  210  is activated, or immediately after receiving a request to display a list of the contents data  221 . The values of items of the setting item information  222  may be set any time as long as these values are set when generating the reproduction control information  332 . 
     In the following, a description is given of an example of a screen displayed on the information terminal  200 , with reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 .  FIG. 9  illustrates an example of a list screen of contents data displayed on the information terminal  200  according to the first embodiment. 
     A list screen  91  of contents data illustrated in  FIG. 9  includes a display area  92  in which a list of the contents data  221  stored in the storage area  220  is displayed, and a display area  93  in which the contents data (to eventually become the contents data to be reproduced  331 ) selected in the display area  92  is displayed. Note that in the display area  92 , a list of thumbnails of the contents data  221  may be displayed. Furthermore, similarly, also in the display area  93 , a list of thumbnails of the contents data  221  selected in the display area  92  may be displayed. 
     In the example of  FIG. 9 , from the list of contents data  221  displayed in the display area  92  of the list screen  91 , contents data  221   a,    221   b  are selected. The selected contents data  221   a,    221   b  are displayed in the display area  93  as the contents data (to eventually become the contents data to be reproduced  331 ). Furthermore, in the thumbnails of the contents data  221   a,    221   b  of the display area  92 , tick marks indicating that the data is selected, may be displayed in a superposed manner. 
     In the present embodiment, the contents data  221  is reproduced in the order displayed in the display area  93 . That is to say, the contents data (to eventually become the contents data to be reproduced  331 ) of  FIG. 9  is reproduced in the order of contents data  221   a,    221   b.    
     The order of the contents data  221  displayed in the display area  93  may be, for example, the order in which the contents data  221  is selected in the display area  92 . The arrangement order of the contents data  221  displayed in the display area  93  may be arbitrarily changed by the user. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an example of a setting screen displayed on the information terminal  200  according to the first embodiment. A setting screen  101  illustrated in  FIG. 10  includes a display area  102  for setting a value of the Time item included in the setting item information  222 , and a display area  103  for setting a value of the Effect item. 
     In the example of  FIG. 10 , as a user interface for setting the value of the Time item, a slider  102   a  is used. Furthermore, in the example of  FIG. 10 , as a user interface for setting a value of the Effect item, icons of animations indicating methods of switching the contents data  221  corresponding to the respective values, are used. 
     In the present embodiment, the user interfaces for setting the values of the items are easy to visually recognize as described above, and therefore it is easy for the user to set the values of the items. 
     As described above, in the display system  100  according to the present embodiment, the information terminal  200  sends, to the display device  300 , the contents data to be reproduced  331  constituted by the contents data  221  selected by the user, and the reproduction control information  332  including values of the items set by the user. Furthermore, the display device  300  sets information relevant to the reproduction of the contents data to be reproduced  331  based on the reproduction control information  332  received from the information terminal  200 , and reproduces the contents data to be reproduced  331  according to the reproduction control information  332 . 
     Thus, in the present embodiment, it is possible to set, in the display device  300 , information relevant to the reproduction of the contents data as desired by the user. 
     Second Embodiment 
     A description is given, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment of the present invention, item setting information is acquired from the display device, which is the point that is different from the first embodiment. Thus, in the following, only the differences between the first embodiment and the second embodiment are described, and the same functional configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof are omitted. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an example of a functional configuration of devices included in a display system  100 A according to the second embodiment. 
     The display system  100 A according to the present embodiment includes an information terminal  200 A and a display device  300 A. 
     In the information terminal  200 A according to the present embodiment, a reproduction control program  210 A is installed, and the information terminal  200 A includes a display control unit  211 A and a setting item information acquisition unit  216 . 
     The display control unit  211 A according to the present embodiment refers to setting item information  222 A, generates a setting screen with the use of text data and image data corresponding to the display control unit  211 A included in setting screen data  223  described below, and displays the setting screen. 
     The setting item information acquisition unit  216  according to the present embodiment receives an instruction of ending the selection of the contents data to be reproduced  331  in the information terminal  200 A, sends a request to the display device  300 A to acquire the setting item information  222 A, and acquires the setting item information  222 A. When values of items included in the setting item information  222 A are set, the reproduction control information generation unit  213  according to the present embodiment uses these values to generate the reproduction control information  332 . 
     Furthermore, the information terminal  200 A according to the present embodiment includes a storage area  220 A. The storage area  220 A according to the present embodiment stores the contents data  221  and the setting screen data  223 . 
     The setting screen data  223  according to the present embodiment includes image data and text data that are used when displaying a setting screen for setting values of items included in the setting item information  222 A. The setting item information  222 A according to the present embodiment is associated with, for example, the types of items and the setting range of values of the items. More specifically, for example, the setting screen data  223  according to the present embodiment includes text data corresponding to the Time item and image data corresponding to the setting range of the Effect item. 
     Image data is, for example, icon data corresponding to the setting item. Icon data is, for example, an image that indicates the method of switching the display as an animation, in the setting screen for setting the Effect item. Text data includes, for example, characters for indicating the time in the setting screen for setting the Time item. For example, when a plurality of display devices  300 A are included in the display system  100 A, the setting screen data  223  according to the present embodiment includes the image data and the text data corresponding to the setting item information  222 A of all of the display devices  300 A included in the display system  100 A. 
     Note that in the present embodiment, the setting screen data  223  is stored in the storage area  220 A; however, the present invention is not so limited. For example, the setting screen data  223  may be stored in another device connected to the information terminal  200 A. In this case, after acquiring the setting item information  222 A, the display control unit  211 A acquires the setting screen data  223  corresponding to the items included in the setting item information  222 A and the setting range of the values of items, and displays the setting screen. 
     In the display device  300 A according to the present embodiment, a reproduction program  310 A is installed, and the display device  300 A includes a setting item information sending unit  314 . Furthermore, the display device  300 A according to the present embodiment includes a storage area  330 A. In the storage area  330 A, the setting item information  222 A is stored. 
     The setting item information sending unit  314  according to the present embodiment receives a request to acquire the setting item information  222 A from the information terminal  200 A, and sends the setting item information  222 A to the information terminal  200 A. 
     The setting item information  222 A according to the present embodiment includes predetermined items included in the reproduction control information  332  that is referred to when the contents data to be reproduced  331  is reproduced in the display device  300 A, and the range of values that can be set as the predetermined items. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates an example of the setting item information  222 A according to the second embodiment. 
     The setting item information  222 A illustrated in  FIG. 12  includes, for example, an Order item, a Time item, and an Effect item, as predetermined setting items. 
     Furthermore, the setting item information  222 A illustrated in  FIG. 12  includes a setting range of the values and initial values corresponding to the respective items. Note that an initial value is a value included in the setting range. 
     In the setting item information  222 A according to the present embodiment, for example, the value that can be set as the Order item is 0, and the contents data  221  included in the contents data to be reproduced  331  is reproduced in the selected order. Furthermore, the values that can be set as the Time item are 1 second through 20 seconds at intervals of 5 seconds, and the initial value is 5 seconds. The values that can be set as the Effect item are any one of 0 corresponding to “fade in”, 1 corresponding to “push to left”, 2 corresponding to “push to right”, or 3 corresponding to “none”. 
     Next, a description is given of operations of the display system  100 A according to the present embodiment with reference to  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 13  is a sequence diagram for describing operations of the display system  100 A according to the second embodiment. 
     The processes of steps S 1301  through S 1303  of  FIG. 13  are the same as the processes of steps S 801  through S 803  of  FIG. 8 , and descriptions thereof are omitted. 
     When a notification indicating the end of selections of the contents data  221  by the user is received (step S 1304 ), the information terminal  200 A sends a request to acquire the setting item information  222 A to the display device  300 A of the display system  100  by the setting item information acquisition unit  216  (step S 1305 ). Upon receiving this request, the display device  300 A sends the setting item information  222 A to the information terminal  200 A (step S 1306 ). 
     The information terminal  200 A displays, by the display control unit  211 A, a setting screen for setting items included in the setting item information  222 A and the values of the items (step S 1307 ). Details of the setting screen displayed in step S 1307  are described below. 
     The processes of steps S 1308  through S 1320  are the same as the processes of steps S 805  through S 817  of  FIG. 8 , and descriptions thereof are omitted. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates an example of a setting screen displayed in the information terminal  200 A of the second embodiment. 
     The display control unit  211 A according to the present embodiment uses the image data and the text data included in the setting screen data  223 , and causes the information terminal  200 A to display a setting screen  141  corresponding to the items included in the setting item information  222 A and the setting range. 
     The setting screen  141  includes a display area  102 A for setting a value of the Time item included in the setting item information  222 A, and a display area  103 A for setting a value of the Effect item. 
     In the display area  102 A, text data  102 B,  102 C corresponding to the setting range of the Time item included in the setting screen data  223 , are displayed. 
     Furthermore, in the display area  103 A, image data  103 B for setting a value of the Effect item included in the setting screen data  223 , and text data  103 C corresponding to the image data  103 B, are displayed. 
     Furthermore, in the present embodiment, upon receiving an instruction of the end of the selection of the contents data  221  in the information terminal  200 A, a request to acquire the setting item information  222 A is made to the display device  300 A; however, the present invention is not so limited. For example, when a connection with the display device  300 A is detected, the information terminal  200 A may request to acquire the setting item information  222 A. 
     Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the information terminal  200 A displays a setting screen immediately after acquiring the setting item information  222 A; however, the present invention is not so limited. When the connection with the display device  300 A is detected, the information terminal  200 A may acquire the setting item information  222 A and save the setting item information  222 A, and display the setting screen at an arbitrary timing determined by the user. 
     Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the setting item information  222 A is acquired from the display device  300 A; however, the present invention is not so limited. For example, the display device  300 A may include the setting item information  222 A in the SSID (Service Set Identifier) of the display device  300 A, and send the SSID to the information terminal  200 A. 
     Furthermore, for example, when the information terminal  200 A according to the present embodiment fails to acquire the setting item information  222 A, the information terminal  200 A may send a notification indicating the failure to the display control unit  211 A. In this case, the display control unit  211 A may display an error message indicating the failure of the acquisition of the setting item information  222 A when receiving an instruction to display the setting screen  141 , or the display control unit  211 A may make another request to acquire the setting item information  222 A. 
     Furthermore, for example, the information terminal  200 A according to the present embodiment may acquire the model information of the display device  300 A together with the setting item information  222 A, and save the model information in association with the setting item information  222 A. According to this configuration, there is no need to make a request twice to acquire the setting item information  222 A of the display device  300 A that has already been connected. 
     As described above, in the information terminal  200 A according to the present embodiment, based on the setting item information  222 A acquired from the display device  300 A, the values of the times included in the reproduction control information  332  are set. Therefore, in the present embodiment, for example, when there are a plurality of display devices  300 A included in the display system  100 A, the information terminal  200 A can set the values of the items that can be realized in the display device  300 A connected with the information terminal  200 A. 
     Third Embodiment 
     A description is given, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment of the present invention, item setting information is stored in a server in the network, which is the point that is different from the second embodiment. Thus, in the following, only the differences between the second embodiment and the third embodiment are described, and the same functional configurations as those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the second embodiment, and descriptions thereof are omitted. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates an example of a functional configuration of devices included in a display system  100 B according to the third embodiment. 
     The display system  100 B according to the present embodiment includes an information terminal  200 B, a display device  300 B, and an information providing server  400 . 
     In the present embodiment, the information providing server  400  stores an association table  410 , in which the model information of the display device  300 A and the setting item information  222 A are associated with each other. 
     The information providing server  400  according to the present embodiment is present in a network, and provides the setting item information  222 A to the information terminal  200 B in response to a request to acquire the setting item information  222 A from the information terminal  200 B. 
     In the information terminal  200 B according to the present embodiment, a reproduction control program  210 B is installed, and the information terminal  200 B includes a model information acquisition unit  217 . The model information acquisition unit  217  according to the present embodiment makes a request to acquire model information to the display device  300 B, and acquires model information from the display device  300 B. 
     Furthermore, in the display device  300 B according to the present embodiment, a reproduction program  310 B is installed, and the display device  300 B includes a model information sending unit  314 A. Furthermore, the display device  300 B according to the present embodiment includes a storage area  330 B. The storage area  330 B stores model information  333  of the display device  300 B. The model information  333  according to the present embodiment is, for example, the model name or product identification information for identifying the display device  300 B, which is information that is set in the display device  300 B in advance. 
     The model information sending unit  314 A according to the present embodiment receives a request to acquire model information from the information terminal  200 B, reads the model information stored in the storage area  330 B, and sends this model information to the information terminal  200 B by the model information sending unit  314 A. 
     In the display system  100 B according to the present embodiment, for example, when a request to display a list of the contents data  221  is received, the information terminal  200 B acquires the model information  333  of the display device  300 B by the model information acquisition unit  217 . Then, the information terminal  200 B sends a request to acquire the setting item information  222 A together with the acquired model information  333 , to the information providing server  400  by the setting item information acquisition unit  216 . 
     The information providing server  400  refers to the association table  410 , and sends, to the information terminal  200 B, the setting item information  222 A associated with the model information  333  sent from the information terminal  200 B. 
     When the information terminal  200 B acquires the setting item information  222 A, the information terminal  200 B executes a process by the display control unit  211 A. 
     Note that in the present embodiment, the model information  333  of the display device  300 B may be sent to the information terminal  200 B, as information included in the SSID of the display device  300 B. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to cause a display device to set information relevant to the reproduction of contents data. 
     The display system and the reproduction control method are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     The present application is based on and claims the benefit of priority of Japanese Priority Patent Application No. 2013-185964, filed on Sep. 9, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.