JP2007243560A - Reproduction system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reproduction system capable of storing set information suited to each user. <P>SOLUTION: The reproduction system 1 is constituted so that a server apparatus 2 is connected to a plurality of client apparatuses 3a, 3b, 3c for reading out contents data from the server apparatus 2 and reproducing the read data, through Ethernet (R)N. Set information set by each of the client apparatuses 3a, 3b, 3c is stored in a detachably loaded memory card. During the loading of the memory card storing the set information in each of the client apparatuses 3a, 3b, 3c, the operation of the client apparatuses 3a, 3b, 3c is respectively controlled on the basis of the set information stored in the memory card. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a playback system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a reproduction system including a server device that stores content data such as music and video and a plurality of client devices connected to the server device via a network is used. Each client device can read and reproduce the content data from the server device.

For example, an audio distribution system that transmits identification information from a terminal to a server and distributes audio data corresponding to the identification information has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-145055 A

  By the way, in the conventional playback system, when settings such as viewing level and sound settings are made in a certain client device, they are not reflected in other client devices, so the user performs settings suitable for his / her preference for each client device. I had to.

  Further, when a single client device is used by a plurality of users, the setting must be changed every time it is used. Even when the client device is a model capable of storing a plurality of settings, the settings for each user must be called up.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to store setting information suitable for each user.

  In order to solve the above problem, the invention described in claim 1 is a playback system in which a plurality of client devices capable of playing back various content data are connected via a network, and each client device is connected to the client device. A control unit is provided that stores the set setting information in a storage medium that is detachably attached to the client device.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the reproduction system according to the first aspect, when a storage medium storing the setting information is loaded in any one of the plurality of client devices, The control unit of the client device controls the operation of the client device based on setting information stored in the storage medium.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the reproduction system according to the second aspect, the control unit of the client device controls the operation of the client device based on setting information stored in the storage medium. When the storage medium is removed halfway, the operation of the client device is controlled based on setting information predetermined in the client device.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the playback system according to the first aspect, the control unit of each client device stores setting information set in the client device in a storage unit provided in the client device. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, since the setting information set in the client device is stored in the storage medium detachably attached to the client device, the setting information suitable for each user can be saved. Therefore, not only the client device that has been set but also another client device can be used with settings suitable for each user.

Hereinafter, the reproduction system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the reproduction system 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the playback system 1 is configured by connecting a server device 2 and a plurality of client devices 3a, 3b, 3c via an Ethernet (registered trademark) N. Yes. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which three client devices 3a, 3b, and 3c are connected to one server device 2, the number of client devices may be any number.

  The server device 2 includes a storage unit (not shown) that stores a plurality of content data. The content data includes audio data such as music, video data such as moving images and still images, and the like.

  The client devices 3a, 3b, and 3c are installed in different rooms, and read content data to be reproduced from the server device 2 and reproduce it.

  FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration of the client device 3a. As shown in FIG. 2, the client device 3a includes a microcomputer 4, an operation unit 5, a nonvolatile memory 6, an Ethernet controller 7, a decoder 8, a DAC (Digital Analog Converter) 9, a display unit 10, a speaker 11, and a data buffer. A memory 12, a memory controller 13, and a card slot 14 are provided.

  The microcomputer 4 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory) (not shown), and comprehensively controls the processing operation of each unit of the client device 3a. The ROM stores a main control program for controlling the client device 3a and various application programs related to this program. The RAM temporarily stores execution files of these various programs and various data generated during the execution. Stored.

  The operation unit 5 includes various operation keys such as a power key, an operation dial, and the like. When these operation keys and operation dial are operated, an operation signal is output to the microcomputer 4.

  The nonvolatile memory 6 stores various data related to the client device 3a.

  The Ethernet controller 7 controls communication with the server device 2 via the Ethernet N.

  The decoder 8 decodes the content data received from the server device 2.

  The DAC 9 converts audio data and video data, which are digital data, into analog data, and outputs the analog data to the display unit 10 or the speaker 11.

  The display unit 10 includes a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays video data output from the DAC 9, various operation screen data, and the like.

  The speaker 11 outputs the sound data converted into analog data by the DAC 9 as sound.

  The data buffer memory 12 is a memory that temporarily stores content data.

  The memory controller 13 controls writing and reading of data to and from the memory card 15 that is detachably attached to the card slot 14.

  The memory card 15 is a storage medium for storing various data and is owned for each user. The memory card 15 stores setting information such as audio settings, display settings, network settings, playlist settings, viewing level settings, resume information set in the client device 3a.

  Audio settings include volume settings, speaker settings (number, each level), equalizer settings, DSP (Digital Signal Processor) settings, surround settings, input level settings, digital input settings, audio settings (language), and the like.

  Display settings include language settings, graphic output such as image aspect ratio, resolution, image quality settings such as brightness and contrast, screen saver, and the like.

  The network settings include an IP address, automatic IP address acquisition, subnet mask, default gateway, DNS server, and the like. The playlist settings include sort contents, best hits, display methods, favorites, and the like. The viewing level setting includes a parental level and the like.

  The resume information includes file information indicating the content data being reproduced when paused during reproduction, stop position information, and the like.

  The microcomputer 4 stores the setting information set in the client device 3 a in the memory card 15 mounted in the card slot 14.

  The microcomputer 4 controls the operation of the client device 3 a based on the setting information stored in the memory card 15 when the memory card 15 storing the setting information is inserted into the card slot 14.

  Further, the microcomputer 4 operates in the client device 3a when the memory card 15 is removed from the card slot 14 during the operation control of the client device 3a based on the setting information stored in the memory card 15. The operation control of the client apparatus 3a is performed based on predetermined setting information.

  Further, the microcomputer 4 stores the setting information set in the client device 3a in the nonvolatile memory 6 based on a user instruction.

  Since the client devices 3b and 3c have the same configuration as the client device 3a, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

Next, the operation of the client device 3a will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing executed when the client apparatus 3a is powered off.

  First, when there is a power OFF command from the power key of the operation unit 5 (step S1), it is determined whether or not the setting has been changed in the client device 3a (step S2).

  When the setting is changed in the client device 3a (step S2; Yes), it is determined whether or not the memory card 15 is mounted in the card slot 14 (step S3). When the memory card 15 is not inserted into the card slot 14 (step S3; No), a message prompting the user to insert the memory card 15 is displayed on the display unit 10 (step S4), and the memory card 15 is inserted into the card slot 14. It is determined whether or not it is attached (step S5).

  If the memory card 15 is installed in the card slot 14 in step S3 (step S3; Yes), or if the memory card 15 is installed in the card slot 14 in step S5 (step S5; Yes), the client The setting information of the device 3a is written into the attached memory card 15 (step S6).

  After step S6 or when the memory card 15 is not inserted into the card slot 14 in step S5 (step S5; No), the display unit 10 is selected to write setting information to the main body of the client device 3a. A prompt message is displayed (step S7), and Yes or No is input by an operation from the operation unit 5 (step S8).

  When Yes is input (step S9; Yes), the setting information of the client device 3a is written into the nonvolatile memory 6 of the client device 3a main body (step S10).

  After step S10, or when No is input in step S8 (step S9; No), or when the setting of the client device 3a is not changed in step S2 (step S2; No), the client device 3a Is turned off (step S11), and the process ends.

  In the client devices 3b and 3c, the same processing is performed when the power is turned off.

  As described above, according to the reproduction system 1, when the setting is changed in the client devices 3a, 3b, and 3c, the setting information is stored in the memory card 15. Therefore, the setting information set by each user can be saved. Can do.

  Next, processing executed when the client apparatus 3a is turned on will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, when there is a power ON command from the power key of the operation unit 5 (step S21), the power of the client device 3a is turned ON (step S22), and it is determined whether or not the memory card 15 is inserted in the card slot 14. (Step S23).

  When the memory card 15 is inserted in the card slot 14 (step S23; Yes), the data of the memory card 15 is read (step S24), and it is determined whether the setting information is stored (step S24). Step S25).

  When the setting information is stored in the memory card 15 (step S25; Yes), the setting of the client device 3a is changed based on the read setting information (step S26). Based on the setting information read from the memory card 15, the operation control of the client device 3a is performed.

  If the memory card 15 is not inserted in the card slot 14 in step S23 (step S23; No), or if the setting information is not stored in the memory card 15 in step S25 (step S25; No), the client Setting information is read from the nonvolatile memory 6 of the main body of the device 3a (step S27), and operation control of the client device 3a is performed based on setting information predetermined in the client device 3a.

  In the client devices 3b and 3c, the same processing is performed when the power is turned on.

  As described above, according to the reproduction system 1, the setting information set in any one of the client devices 3a, 3b, and 3c and stored in the memory card 15 can be reflected in the other client devices. it can. Even when the client devices 3a, 3b, 3c are used by a plurality of users, the settings suitable for each user can be easily reproduced because the settings for each user are stored in the memory card 15. Further, when the memory card 15 is not attached, the setting information stored in the nonvolatile memory 6 of the client device 3a, 3b, 3c main body can be used.

  Next, processing when the memory card 15 is inserted into the card slot 14 while the client device 3a is powered on will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, when the memory card 15 is inserted into the card slot 14 (step S31), data of the inserted memory card 15 is read (step S32), and it is determined whether or not setting information is stored (step S32). Step S33).

  When the setting information is stored in the memory card 15 (step S33; Yes), the setting of the client device 3a is changed based on the read setting information (step S34). Based on the setting information read from the memory card 15, the operation control of the client device 3a is performed.

  If the setting information is not stored in the memory card 15 in step S33 (step S33; No), the current setting is continued.

  In the client devices 3b and 3c, when the memory card 15 is inserted into the card slot 14 with the power turned on, the same processing is performed.

  Next, a process when the memory card 15 is removed from the card slot 14 while the client apparatus 3a is powered on will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, when the memory card 15 is removed from the card slot 14 (step S41), it is determined whether or not the client device 3a is set based on the setting information of the memory card 15 (step S42).

  When the client device 3a is set based on the setting information of the memory card 15 (step S42; Yes), the setting information is read from the nonvolatile memory 6 of the client device 3a body (step S43), and the client device 3a The operation control of the client apparatus 3a is performed based on the setting information determined in advance.

  If the client device 3a is not set based on the setting information of the memory card 15 in step S42 (step S42; No), the current setting is continued.

  In the client devices 3b and 3c, the same processing is performed when the memory card 15 is removed from the card slot 14 while the power is on.

  As described above, according to the playback system 1, only when the memory card 15 is mounted in the card slot 14, the operation control of the client devices 3a, 3b, 3c is performed based on the setting information stored in the memory card 15. It can be carried out.

  As described above, according to the reproduction system 1, since the setting information set in the client devices 3a, 3b, 3c is stored in the memory card 15, the setting information suitable for each user can be saved. Therefore, not only the client device that has been set but also another client device can be used with settings suitable for each user.

  The description in the above embodiment is an example of the reproduction system according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this. The detailed configuration and detailed operation of each device constituting the system can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the memory card 15 is used as a removable storage medium has been described. However, the storage medium is not limited to a card-type memory, and may be a storage medium such as a USB memory. .

  A plurality of setting information may be set for each type of content data. For example, different settings may be used for watching a movie and listening to music, or settings may be changed for an action, comedy, etc. in a movie.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a playback system 1 in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the client apparatus 3a. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed when the power supply of the client apparatus 3a is turned off. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed when the power supply of the client apparatus 3a is turned ON. 10 is a flowchart showing processing when the client device 3a is powered on and a memory card 15 is inserted into the card slot 14. 10 is a flowchart showing processing when the memory card 15 is removed from the card slot 14 while the client device 3a is powered on.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Playback system 2 Server apparatus 3a, 3b, 3c Client apparatus 4 Microcomputer 5 Operation part 6 Non-volatile memory 7 Ethernet controller 8 Decoder 9 DAC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Display part 11 Speaker 12 Data buffer memory 13 Memory controller 14 Card slot 15 Memory card N Ethernet

Claims (4)

In a reproduction system in which a plurality of client devices capable of reproducing various content data are connected via a network,
Each of the client devices includes a control unit that stores setting information set in the client device in a storage medium that is detachably attached to the client device.   When a storage medium storing the setting information is attached to any one of the plurality of client apparatuses, the control unit of the client apparatus is based on the setting information stored in the storage medium. The playback system according to claim 1, wherein operation control of the client device is performed.   The control unit of the client device is predetermined in the client device when the storage medium is removed during operation control of the client device based on setting information stored in the storage medium. 3. The playback system according to claim 2, wherein operation control of the client device is performed based on the set information.   The playback system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit of each client device stores setting information set in the client device in a storage unit provided in the client device.

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