JP6510108B2 - Reproducing apparatus, reproducing program and reproducing system - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments relate to playback of content.

  In recent years, various content reproduction apparatuses provided with the ability to reproduce content (mainly, web content) have been developed. The user selects a desired device from, for example, a desktop PC (Personal Computer), a laptop, a smartphone, a tablet PC, a slate PC, a smart phone, a feature phone, a DAP (Digital Audio Player), a video game machine, etc. You can watch the content. On the other hand, the playback environment of content continues to diversify, and there may be a situation where content that can be properly played back in one playback environment is not properly played back in another playback environment.

  As a countermeasure for diversification of the reproduction environment of the content, there is proposed a technique for enabling the appropriate reproduction of the content by adapting the content itself to the reproduction environment. As one of the techniques, responsive web design is known.

  For example, in JavaScript (registered trademark), functions called onOrientationChange and Viewport are provided. By producing content using these functions, the content reproduction apparatus can determine the display direction or display size of the content based on the orientation, angle of view, size, etc. of the display screen of the content.

  In CSS3, a function called Media Queries is provided. By producing content using this function, the content reproduction apparatus can determine the style to be applied to the content based on the size of the display screen of the content.

  Furthermore, in HTML5, a function called Flexible Images is provided. By producing content using this function, the content reproduction apparatus can update the content based on the change in size of the display area of the content.

  However, even with responsive design, it is not easy to produce content that can be adapted to any playback environment. For example, problems may occur when the content is reproduced in a reproduction environment that is completely different from the reproduction environment assumed at the time of design of the content. Therefore, in order to produce content adaptable to any playback environment, advanced design technology and production flow are required together with sufficient knowledge about the content playback apparatus and the application for content playback (for example, a web browser). Furthermore, design modifications may be required to adapt the pre-made content to the newly developed content reproduction device and application for content reproduction. Therefore, when producing content using responsive design, the burden placed on the content creator is heavy.

  Therefore, in general, contents having different designs are produced for each type of content reproduction apparatus or type of application for content reproduction. According to such a production method, the content creator only has to produce content having a different design for a specific type of content reproduction apparatus or a specific type of application, so the burden required for producing each content as compared to responsive design Is reduced. Then, upon receiving the content acquisition request, the content providing device (for example, the web server) determines the type of the content reproduction device or the type of the application based on the acquisition request, and selects and provides the appropriately designed content. You can also Although the contents different in the design are individually assigned addresses, the acquisition request does not have to include the address of the contents of the desired design, and may include the common address of the contents different in the design. However, if the type of the content reproduction apparatus or the type of the application is not assumed in advance, the content providing apparatus can not provide the content having an appropriate design. One solution to this problem is to produce content targeting multiple types of content playback devices or application types, but such a solution increases the total number of produced content, so the content producer or web server As a result, the burden imposed on the operator becomes heavy.

  There is also known a technique that enables an application for content reproduction (for example, a web browser) to call a process (that is, an external process) executed by an application or function different from the application. URL schema is known as one of the techniques.

  The URL schema is associated with the application or function. This association is performed, for example, at the time of initial setting of the web browser or at the time of installation of the application. For example, when the content reproduction apparatus reproduces a web page using a web browser, the web browser will start the e-mail software when the URL scheme of "mailto:" included in the web page is selected.

  However, the content including the URL schema is produced on the premise that the content reproduction apparatus is provided with an application or function activated by the URL schema. Therefore, for example, when a content produced for a certain content reproduction apparatus is reproduced by another content reproduction apparatus, even if the URL schema included in the content is selected, the corresponding application or function is prepared in the content reproduction apparatus. It is expected that the application or function does not operate because it is not done.

“A List Apart: Articles: Responsive Web Design”, [online], Internet <URL: http: // www. alistapart. com / articles / responsive-web-design /> “URI scheme-Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia”, [online], Internet <URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/URI_scheme#Unofficial_but_common_URI_schemes>

  The embodiment aims to improve the convenience when the user views the content.

  According to an embodiment, the playback device includes an acquisition unit and a playback unit. When an external process executed by at least one of an application and a function is called, the acquiring unit determines whether an external processing device associated with call information of the external process exists based on the management data. If there is an external processing device associated with the call information of the external processing, the external processing device is made to execute the external processing, and the execution result of the external processing is acquired from the external processing device. The reproduction unit reproduces the execution result of the external process. The management data associates call information of an external process with an external processing apparatus capable of executing the external process.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a content reproduction apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a content reproduction system including the content reproduction apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of display of content in the content reproduction apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of display of content in the content reproduction apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of display of content in the content reproduction apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of display of content in the content reproduction apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of display of content in the content reproduction apparatus of FIG. 1; 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the content reproduction apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of display of content in the content reproduction apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of display of content in the content reproduction apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of display of content in the content reproduction apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of display of content in the content reproduction apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of display of content in the content reproduction apparatus according to the second embodiment. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the content reproduction apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a content reproduction apparatus according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a content reproduction system including the content reproduction apparatus of FIG. 9; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the content reproduction device of FIG. 9; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the content reproduction device of FIG. 9; 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the content reproduction apparatus of FIG. 9; FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a content reproduction apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a content reproduction system including the content reproduction apparatus of FIG. 13;

Hereinafter, the description of the embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, elements that are the same as or similar to the elements described above will be assigned the same or similar reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions will be basically omitted.
First Embodiment
As exemplified in FIG. 1, the content reproduction apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment includes a reproduction condition determination unit 101, an acquired information determination unit 102, a content acquisition unit 103, and a content reproduction unit 104.

  The reproduction condition determination unit 101 determines at least the reproduction condition of the content scheduled to be reproduced. The reproduction condition determination unit 101 may further determine the reproduction condition of the content being reproduced. The reproduction condition determination unit 101 notifies the acquired information determination unit 102 of information indicating the determined reproduction condition. The reproduction condition determination unit 101 may further notify the content reproduction unit 104 of information indicating the determined reproduction condition. When the reproduction condition of the content changes, the reproduction condition determination unit 101 may notify the content acquisition unit 103 of information indicating the change of the reproduction condition, in order to prompt reacquisition of the content. The reproduction condition determination unit 101 may determine the reproduction condition according to a request from the acquired information determination unit 102 or another element, or may autonomously determine the reproduction condition.

  The playback conditions may include the size (i.e., resolution) of the display screen or display area (e.g., window) of the content. The reproduction conditions may include the angle of view (for example, aspect ratio) of the display screen or display area of the content. The reproduction conditions may include the display screen or the display area of the content (for example, landscape mode / portrait mode). The reproduction condition may include the size (ie, actual size) occupied by the display screen or display area of the content in the real space. The reproduction condition may include the distance between the display screen or display area of the content and the user. The distance may be determined by any distance measuring method using, for example, infrared light, GPS or the like.

  Furthermore, the reproduction conditions may include, for example, the user's content viewing state, the user's content use state, and the like. The user's content viewing state is, for example, the viewing time of the content (for example, current time), the viewer of the content (for example, identification information of the viewer, the number of viewers, etc.), the viewing location of the content (for example, latitude and longitude, area , Country, facility type, etc.). The content usage status of the user may include, for example, the type of a UI (User Interface) device (for example, a remote controller, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc.) that the user is using to play back the content.

  When the acquisition information determination unit 102 receives an inquiry from the content acquisition unit 103 for information for acquiring content (hereinafter referred to as acquisition information), the acquisition information determination unit 102 determines acquisition information. Specifically, the acquired information determination unit 102 determines acquired information based on the information indicating the reproduction condition notified from the reproduction condition determination unit 101. The acquisition information determination unit 102 notifies the content acquisition unit 103 of the determined acquisition information. The acquisition information determination unit 102 may determine the acquisition information through local access to the information stored in the content reproduction apparatus 100, or the acquisition information may be acquired using information stored outside the content reproduction apparatus 100. You may decide.

  The acquired information determination unit 102 may determine acquired information, for example, by using an acquired information management table. The acquired information management table may be stored in the content reproduction apparatus 100 or may be stored outside the content reproduction apparatus 100. The acquisition information management table associates the reproduction condition with the acquisition information for acquiring the content of the design suitable for the reproduction condition.

  A type of content providing device (typically, a web server) uses the value of the User-Agent included in the content acquisition request to refer to the type of content reproduction device that transmitted the acquisition request or for content reproduction The type of application is determined, and the content of the design suitable for the determined type of content reproduction apparatus or the type of application is provided. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the acquired information may include a User-Agent header.

  For the size of the content display screen or display area, the type of User-Agent header representing the type of content reproduction apparatus (for example, PC (here, desktop PC), tablet PC, smartphone, etc.) suitable for the size Values may be associated. For example, if the size is larger than a first threshold (for example, a value greater than or equal to the screen resolution of a certain tablet PC), content for PC may be acquired and reproduced (FIG. 3A). If the size is equal to or less than a first threshold and greater than a second threshold (for example, a value greater than or equal to the screen resolution of a certain smartphone), content for tablet PCs may be acquired and reproduced (FIG. 3B). If the size is equal to or less than the second threshold, content for smartphones may be acquired and reproduced (FIG. 3C).

  The value of the User-Agent header representing the type of the content reproduction apparatus suitable for the orientation may be associated with the orientation of the display screen or the display area. For example, if the orientation is a portrait mode, content for a tablet PC may be acquired and reproduced (FIG. 4A). If the orientation is landscape mode, content for PC may be acquired and reproduced (FIG. 4B).

  A value of a User-Agent header representing the type of the content reproduction apparatus suitable for the size may be associated with the size occupied by the display screen or display area of the content in the real space. For example, if the size is larger than a first threshold (for example, a value greater than or equal to the size occupied by the screen of a certain tablet PC in real space), content for PC may be acquired and reproduced (FIG. 3A). If the size is equal to or less than the first threshold and larger than the second threshold (for example, a value greater than or equal to the size occupied by the screen of a certain smartphone), content for a tablet PC may be acquired and reproduced (FIG. 3B). If the size is equal to or less than the second threshold, content for smartphones may be acquired and reproduced (FIG. 3C).

  The value of the User-Agent header representing the type of the content reproduction apparatus suitable for the distance may be associated with the distance between the content display screen or display area and the user. For example, if the distance is longer than a threshold, content for PC may be acquired and reproduced (FIG. 3A). If the distance is equal to or less than the threshold, content for smartphones may be acquired and reproduced (FIG. 3C).

  Furthermore, the acquired information may include other parameters in addition to the value of the User-Agent header. For example, the start of reproduction of a web page for PC is instructed, acquired information including the value of User-Agent header representing a tablet PC or a smartphone is determined, and the value of the Uesr-Agent header and the URL indicating the web page are set. When transmitting the acquired acquisition request to the content providing device, the user may be redirected to a webpage for tablet PC or smartphone. That is, when the value of the URL corresponding to the value of the User-Agent header is not set in the acquisition request, overhead due to redirection may occur.

  Therefore, in order to suppress the occurrence of redirection, for example, in the above-mentioned acquired information management table, the redirection destination for the combination of the value of the User-Agent header and the value of the original URL (ie, the URL for which reproduction is instructed) is indicated. The value of the URL may be further managed. Then, the acquired information determination unit 102 determines the value of the User-Agent header for the reproduction condition of the content, and for the URL indicating the redirect destination for the combination of the value of the User-Agent header and the value of the original URL. The value may be further determined. In this case, the acquired information includes the value of the URL indicating the corresponding redirect destination in addition to the value of the User-Agent header.

  The URL indicating the redirect destination may be managed by updating the acquired information management table when a redirect to the original URL occurs. Alternatively, information associating the combination of the value of the User-Agent header and the value of the original URL with the URL indicating the redirect destination may be prepared outside the content reproduction apparatus 100, for example, in the form of a metafile.

  For example, when start of reproduction of content is instructed by an operation from the user, the content acquisition unit 103 inquires of the acquired information determination unit 102 about acquired information to acquire the content. The inquiry may or may not include information (for example, the value of the URL) of the content instructed to start reproduction. When notified of acquired information from the acquired information determination unit 102, the content acquisition unit 103 transmits a content acquisition request to the content providing apparatus using the acquired information, and acquires the content. For example, if the acquired information includes the value of the User-Agent header, the content acquisition unit 103 may transmit an acquisition request in which the value of the User-Agent header is set. In addition, if the acquired information includes the value of the corresponding URL in addition to the value of the User-Agent header, the content acquiring unit 103 may transmit the acquisition request in which the value of the User-Agent header and the URL is set. Good.

  The content acquisition unit 103 provides the acquired content to the content reproduction unit 104. When the information indicating the change of the reproduction condition is notified from the reproduction condition determination unit 101, the content acquisition unit 103 may reacquire the content being reproduced unconditionally or conditionally. By re-acquiring the content being reproduced, the design of the content can be adapted to the changed reproduction condition. On the other hand, when the content is reacquired, for example, the reproduction time of the moving image content or music content being reproduced may be reset, or the text in the middle of the input may be cleared.

  The content reproduction unit 104 reproduces the content provided by the content acquisition unit 103. The content reproduction unit 104 may include a display, a speaker, and the like. The content reproduction unit 104 indicates the reproduction condition (for example, the size, angle of view or direction of the display screen or display area of the content, or the user's content viewing state or content using state) notified from the reproduction condition determination unit 101. The content may be played according to the information.

  The content reproduction apparatus 100 can form a content reproduction system as illustrated in FIG. The content reproduction system of FIG. 2 includes a content reproduction apparatus 100, a content providing apparatus 110, and an acquired information management apparatus 120.

  The content providing apparatus 110 provides the content in response to the acquisition request transmitted from the content acquisition unit 103. The acquired information management apparatus 120 manages, for example, information associating the reproduction condition with the acquired information in the form of the above-described acquired information management table. The acquired information management device 120 can assist the process in which the acquired information determination unit 102 determines acquired information. Specifically, the acquired information management apparatus 120 may notify the acquired information determination unit 102 of the determined acquired information in response to an inquiry from the acquired information determination unit 102 (including information indicating reproduction conditions). Alternatively, the above-described acquisition information management table may be provided to the acquisition information determination unit 102.

  When the acquisition information determination unit 102 can determine acquisition information through local access in the content reproduction apparatus 100, the acquisition information management apparatus 120 is unnecessary. For example, when the above-mentioned acquisition information management table is stored in the content reproduction apparatus 100, the acquisition information management apparatus 120 is unnecessary.

  The content reproduction apparatus 100 operates as illustrated in FIG. For example, when start of content reproduction is instructed by an operation from the user (step S201), the content acquisition unit 103 queries the acquired information determination unit 102 about acquired information (step S202).

  When the acquisition information determination unit 102 receives an inquiry in step S202, the acquisition information determination unit 102 determines acquisition information based on the information indicating the reproduction condition notified from the reproduction condition determination unit 101 (step S203).

  The content acquisition unit 103 transmits a content acquisition request to the content providing apparatus using the acquisition information determined in step S203, and acquires the content (step S204). The content reproduction unit 104 reproduces the content acquired in step S204 (step S205).

  As described above, the content reproduction apparatus according to the first embodiment determines the acquisition information based on the reproduction condition of the content scheduled to be reproduced, and acquires the content using the determined acquisition information. Therefore, according to the content reproduction apparatus, content having a design suitable for the reproduction condition is automatically acquired, so that even content not produced so as to be adaptable to the reproduction environment can be appropriately reproduced. .

  That is, this content reproduction apparatus can appropriately reproduce even content produced for different types of devices. For example, it is possible to realize a usage form in which smart TV displays news content for smartphones in the corner of the screen while playing back a TV program. In addition, when the size of the display area of the content is changed, a mode of use can be realized in which the screen is automatically switched from the smartphone to the site for the PC and displayed. Therefore, according to this content reproduction apparatus, it is possible to improve the convenience when the user views the content. Furthermore, since the content reproduction apparatus can divert the content produced for the existing device according to the reproduction condition, the content creator and the content manager are rich in the content reproduction apparatus while saving the production cost and the management cost. Content can be used.

Second Embodiment
The content reproduction apparatus according to the first embodiment described above automatically acquires content of a design suitable for the reproduction condition. The content reproduction apparatus according to the second embodiment starts reproduction of content different from the content being reproduced according to the change of the reproduction condition. The content reproduction apparatus according to the present embodiment is different from the content reproduction apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 described above in part of the operation. The content reproduction apparatus according to the present embodiment can also be formed the same as or similar to the content reproduction system illustrated in FIG. 2.

  In the present embodiment, the reproduction condition determination unit 101 determines at least the reproduction condition of the content being reproduced. The reproduction condition determination unit 101 may further determine the reproduction condition of the content scheduled to be reproduced, as in the first embodiment described above. The reproduction condition determination unit 101 notifies the acquired information determination unit 102 of information indicating the determined reproduction condition. The reproduction condition determination unit 101 may further notify the content reproduction unit 104 of information indicating the determined reproduction condition. When the reproduction condition changes, the reproduction condition determination unit 101 instructs the content acquisition unit 103 to display information indicating a change in the reproduction condition in order to urge acquisition of a content different from the content being reproduced (that is, the next content). It may be notified. The reproduction condition determination unit 101 may determine the reproduction condition according to a request from the acquired information determination unit 102 or another element, or may autonomously determine the reproduction condition. The regeneration conditions may be the same as or similar to those described in the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, when the acquisition information determination unit 102 receives an inquiry for acquisition information from the content acquisition unit 103, the acquisition information determination unit 102 determines acquisition information. Specifically, the acquired information determination unit 102 determines acquired information based on the information indicating the reproduction condition notified from the reproduction condition determination unit 101. The acquisition information determination unit 102 notifies the content acquisition unit 103 of the determined acquisition information. The acquisition information determination unit 102 may determine the acquisition information through local access to the information stored in the content reproduction apparatus 100, or the acquisition information may be acquired using information stored outside the content reproduction apparatus 100. You may decide.

  The acquired information determination unit 102 may determine acquired information, for example, by using an acquired information management table. The acquired information management table may be stored in the content reproduction apparatus 100 or may be stored outside the content reproduction apparatus 100. The acquired information management table associates the reproduction condition with the acquired information (typically, the value of the URL) for acquiring the next content. Alternatively, the acquisition information management table may be a combination of reproduction conditions and information on content being reproduced (typically, a URL value) and acquisition information for acquiring the next content (typically, a value of the URL). And may be associated with each other.

  The value of the URL specifying the content to be acquired next may be associated with the orientation of the display screen or the display area. For example, when the orientation changes to the portrait mode during reproduction of the information browsing web page, an information input web page corresponding to the information browsing web page may be acquired and reproduced (FIG. 6A). When the orientation changes to the landscape mode during reproduction of the information input web page, an information browsing web page corresponding to the information input web page may be acquired and reproduced (FIG. 6B).

  The value of the URL specifying the content to be acquired next may be associated with the size of the display screen or display area of the content. For example, when the size changes to a value larger than the first threshold during reproduction of the input web page or the input result confirmation web page, for analysis result browsing corresponding to the input web page or the input result confirmation web page Web pages may be obtained and played back (FIG. 7A). If the size changes to a value smaller than the first threshold and larger than the second threshold during reproduction of the input web page or the analysis result browsing web page, the size corresponds to the input web page or the analysis result browsing web page An input result confirmation web page may be obtained and reproduced (FIG. 7B). If the size changes to a value equal to or less than the second threshold during playback of the input result confirmation web page or the analysis result viewing web page, the input corresponding to the input result confirmation web page or the analysis result viewing web page Web pages may be obtained and played back (FIG. 7C).

  The value of the URL specifying the content to be acquired next may be associated with the distance between the content display screen or display area and the user. For example, when the distance changes to a value longer than the threshold during reproduction of the information input web page, an information browsing web page corresponding to the information input web page may be acquired and reproduced (FIG. 6B). When the distance changes to a value equal to or less than the threshold during reproduction of the information browsing web page, an information input web page corresponding to the information browsing web page may be acquired and reproduced (FIG. 6A).

  In the present embodiment, for example, when information indicating a change in reproduction condition is notified from the reproduction condition determination unit 101, the content acquisition unit 103 inquires of the acquisition information determination unit 102 about acquisition information to acquire the next content. The inquiry may or may not include information on the content being reproduced (for example, the value of the URL). Also, for example, when start of reproduction of content is instructed by an operation from the user, the content acquisition unit 103 may inquire about acquired information or may transmit an acquisition request based on the instruction.

  When notified of acquired information from the acquired information determination unit 102, the content acquisition unit 103 transmits a content acquisition request to the content providing apparatus using the acquired information, and acquires the content. For example, if the acquired information includes the value of the URL of the content to be acquired next, the content acquiring unit 103 may transmit an acquisition request in which the value of the URL is set. The content acquisition unit 103 provides the acquired content to the content reproduction unit 104.

  In the present embodiment, the content reproduction unit 104 reproduces the content provided by the content acquisition unit 103. The content reproduction unit 104 may include a display, a speaker, and the like. The content reproduction unit 104 indicates the reproduction condition (for example, the size, angle of view or direction of the display screen or display area of the content, or the user's content viewing state or content using state) notified from the reproduction condition determination unit 101. The content may be played according to the information.

  In the present embodiment, the content reproduction apparatus 100 operates as illustrated in FIG. For example, when an instruction from the user to start reproduction of content is issued (step S301), the process proceeds to step S302. The above-described steps S202 and S203 may be inserted between steps S301 and S302.

  In step S302, the content acquisition unit 103 transmits a content acquisition request to the content providing apparatus, and acquires content. The content reproduction unit 104 reproduces the content acquired in step S302 (step S303).

  When the reproduction condition determination unit 101 determines a change in the reproduction condition during reproduction of the content (step S304), the content acquisition unit 103 is notified of information indicating the change. When notified of the information indicating the change of the reproduction condition, the content acquisition unit 103 inquires of the acquired information determination unit 102 about acquired information for acquiring the next content (step S305).

  When the acquisition information determination unit 102 receives an inquiry in step S305, the acquisition information determination unit 102 determines acquisition information based on the information indicating the reproduction condition notified from the reproduction condition determination unit 101 (step S306), and the process returns to step S302.

  As described above, the content reproduction apparatus according to the second embodiment determines the acquisition information for acquiring the next content according to the change of the reproduction condition of the content, and uses the determined acquisition information to perform the next operation. Get the content of Therefore, according to this content reproduction apparatus, since the content to be reproduced is automatically changed according to the change of the reproduction condition, the convenience when the user views the content can be improved.

Third Embodiment
As exemplified in FIG. 9, the content reproduction apparatus 400 according to the third embodiment includes the reproduction condition determination unit 101, the acquired information determination unit 102, the content acquisition unit 401, the related process execution unit 402, and the content. And a reproduction unit 403.

  In the present embodiment, the reproduction condition determination unit 101 may be the same as or similar to that described in the first embodiment, or the same as or similar to that described in the second embodiment. It is also good.

  In the present embodiment, the acquired information determination unit 102 may be the same as or similar to that described in the first embodiment, or the same as or similar to that described in the second embodiment. It is also good.

  The content acquisition unit 401 may or may not have the same or similar function as the content acquisition unit 103 described in the first embodiment. The content acquisition unit 401 may or may not have the same or similar function as the content acquisition unit 103 described in the second embodiment.

  For example, when call information (typically, a URL schema or a URL) of an external process is selected by an operation from the user, the content acquisition unit 401 detects the call of the external process. Here, the external processing means processing executed by an application or function different from the application for content reproduction (for example, a web browser).

  The content acquisition unit 401 determines whether there is a proxy device associated with the call information of the external process. Specifically, the content acquisition unit 401 refers to, for example, the proxy information management table, and determines whether or not the proxy device associated with the call information of the external process is registered. The proxy information management table associates call information of external processing with information of a proxy apparatus capable of executing external processing. The proxy information management table may be stored in the content reproduction apparatus 400 or may be stored outside the content reproduction apparatus 400. When there is a proxy device associated with call information of external processing, the content acquisition unit 401 transfers the external processing to the proxy device.

  The content acquisition unit 401 further determines whether the external process can be executed by the related process execution unit 402 when there is no proxy device associated with the call information of the external process. Specifically, the content acquisition unit 401 refers to, for example, the related processing information management table, and determines whether an application or a function associated with the call processing information of the external processing is registered. The related process information management table associates the call information of the external process with the information or function information of the application. The related processing information management table may be stored in the content reproduction apparatus 400 or may be stored outside the content reproduction apparatus 400. However, it is assumed that the function or application registered in the related process information management table is prepared in the related process execution unit 402. When the external processing can be executed by the related processing execution unit 402, the content acquisition unit 401 transfers the external processing to the related processing execution unit 402.

  If there is no proxy device associated with the call information of the external process, and the external process can not be executed by the related process execution unit 402, the content acquisition unit 401 acquires the alternative content Good. The alternative content may be acquired from the content providing apparatus or may be acquired by local access in the content reproduction apparatus 400. Also, the content acquisition unit 401 may acquire the alternative content even when there is a proxy device associated with the call information of the external process but the proxy device can not be accessed. When acquiring the alternative content, the content acquisition unit 401 provides the alternative content to the content reproduction unit 403.

  The substitute content means content reproduced by the content reproduction unit 403 instead of external processing being performed. The substitute content may be, for example, a web page for recommending the user to purchase an agency apparatus or application capable of executing external processing, or a web page for explaining to the user a registration method of the agency apparatus. It may be a web page simply notifying the user of an execution error of the external processing.

  The content acquisition unit 401 may make the determination in the reverse order to the above description. Specifically, the content acquisition unit 401 determines whether the external process called by the related process execution unit 402 can be executed by the call process information of the external process, and the external process can be executed by the related process execution unit 402. If not, it may further be determined whether there is a proxy device associated with the call information.

  The external processing can be executed by the related processing execution unit 402, and there may be a proxy device associated with the call information of the external processing. Furthermore, it can be assumed that there are a plurality of related process execution units 402 that can execute external processes, and that there are a plurality of proxy devices associated with call information of external processes. In such a case, the content acquisition unit 401 may automatically select, or may be selected by the user as to which related process execution unit 402 or the proxy apparatus to transfer the external process.

  When the content acquisition unit 401 selects the transfer destination of the external process, the selection criteria may be determined collectively for the call information of all the external processes, or may be determined for each of the call information of the external processes. . When the user selects the transfer destination of the external process, the content reproduction unit 403 may present the user with a candidate list of the transfer destination at the time of calling of the external process, and may accept the selection from the user. Note that the presentation of the candidate list may be performed only at the first call of the external process, or may be performed each time. Alternatively, the user may manually set the transfer destination at the time of registration of the proxy device.

  As described above, the external processing transferred to the proxy device is executed by the proxy device (FIG. 11A). The execution result of the external processing by the proxy device may or may not be transferred to the content acquisition unit 401 (FIG. 11B). Furthermore, the execution result may be transferred in the form as it is, or may be converted to another form and then transferred. For example, the proxy device may display the execution result on the screen and then use the screen capture function to create display screen data, and transfer the display screen data to the content acquisition unit 401. The content acquisition unit 401 provides the content reproduction unit 403 with the execution result of the external processing from the proxy device.

  If the content reproduction unit 403 reproduces the execution result of the external process by the proxy device, the content reproduction unit 403 continuously reproduces the content, so the convenience at the time of the user's content viewing and listening can be improved.

  When the external processing is transferred from the content acquisition unit 401, the related processing execution unit 402 executes the external processing using an application or a function corresponding to call information of the external processing. The related process execution unit 402 provides the content reproduction unit 403 with the execution result of the external process.

  The content reproduction unit 403 may or may not have the same or similar function as the content reproduction unit 104 described in the first embodiment. The content reproduction unit 403 may or may not have the same or similar function as the content reproduction unit 104 described in the second embodiment.

  When the content reproduction unit 403 receives an execution result of the external process from the related process execution unit 402, the content reproduction unit 403 reproduces the execution result. Also, when the content reproduction unit 403 receives an execution result of the external processing by the proxy device from the content acquisition unit 401, the content reproduction unit 403 reproduces the execution result. Further, when the alternative content is input from the content acquisition unit 401, the content reproduction unit 403 reproduces the alternative content.

  The content reproduction apparatus 400 can form a content reproduction system as illustrated in FIG. The content reproduction system of FIG. 10 includes a content reproduction apparatus 400, a content providing apparatus 110, an acquired information management apparatus 120, a proxy information management apparatus 430, and a proxy apparatus 440. The content providing device 110 and the acquired information management device 120 are as described with reference to FIG.

  The proxy information management device 430 associates the call information of the external processing with the information of the proxy device, for example, in the form of the above-described proxy information management table. The proxy information management device 430 can assist the process in which the content acquisition unit 401 determines whether there is a proxy device associated with the call information of the external process. Specifically, in response to an inquiry from the content acquisition unit 401 (including call information for external processing), the proxy information management device 430 determines the determination result (for example, the proxy device associated with the call information for external processing). The content acquisition unit 401 may be notified of information, information indicating that the proxy device associated with the call information of the external process is not registered, or the like. May be provided.

  When the content acquisition unit 401 can determine whether there is a proxy device associated with the call information of the external processing through the local access in the content reproduction device 400, the proxy information management device 430 is unnecessary. . For example, when the above-described substitution information management table is stored in the content reproduction apparatus 400, the substitution information management apparatus 430 is unnecessary.

  The proxy device 440 is typically, but not limited to, a content reproduction device of a type different from the content reproduction device 400. Also, the proxy device 440 may be, for example, a real device such as a smart phone, or a VM (Virtual Machine) server that provides cloud computing.

  The content reproduction device 400 operates as illustrated in FIG. For example, when the external process is called by an operation from the user (step S501), the content acquisition unit 401 determines whether there is a proxy device associated with the call information of the external process (step S502).

  If there is a proxy device associated with the call information of the external processing in step S502, the content acquisition unit 401 transfers the external processing to the proxy device (step S503). As described above, the proxy device may transfer the execution result of the external processing to the content acquisition unit 401. In such a case, the content reproduction unit 403 may reproduce the execution result of the external processing by the proxy device.

  If there is no proxy device associated with the call information of the external process in step S502, the content acquisition unit 401 determines whether the external process can be executed by the related process execution unit 402 (step S504). The order of step S502 and step S504 may be reversed, or may be performed in parallel.

  If the external processing can be executed by the related processing execution unit 402 in step S504, the content acquisition unit 401 transfers the external processing to the related processing execution unit 402 (step S505). The external processing execution unit 402 executes external processing and provides the content reproduction unit 403 with the execution result. The content reproduction unit 403 reproduces the execution result (step S506).

  If the external processing can not be executed by the related processing execution unit 402 in step S504, the content acquisition unit 401 acquires alternative content (step S507). The content reproduction unit 403 reproduces the alternative content acquired in step S507 (step S508).

  As described above, when the external processing is called, the content reproduction apparatus according to the third embodiment determines whether or not there is a proxy apparatus associated with the call information of the external processing, and the proxy apparatus Transfers external processing if it exists. Therefore, according to this content reproduction apparatus, even when an external process that can not be executed in the content reproduction apparatus is called, the external process can be executed through the proxy apparatus.

  That is, according to this content reproduction apparatus, it is possible to normally reproduce even a content accompanied by a call of an external process that can not be executed by the content reproduction apparatus. For example, it is possible to normally reproduce content produced for a smartphone on a smart TV. Therefore, according to this content reproduction apparatus, it is possible to improve the convenience when the user views the content. Furthermore, since this content reproduction apparatus can divert the content that is produced for an existing device and needs to utilize the application or function provided in the device, the content creator and content manager can create the production cost and management The content reproduction apparatus can use abundant content while saving costs.

Fourth Embodiment
As exemplified in FIG. 13, the content reproduction apparatus 600 according to the fourth embodiment includes a content acquisition unit 401, a related processing execution unit 402, and a content reproduction unit 403. The content acquisition unit 401, the related processing execution unit 402, and the content reproduction unit 403 are as described with reference to FIG.

  Furthermore, the content reproduction apparatus 600 can form a content reproduction system as illustrated in FIG. The content reproduction system of FIG. 14 includes a content reproduction apparatus 600, a content providing apparatus 110, an agency information management apparatus 430, and an agency apparatus 440. The content providing device 110 is as described with reference to FIG. The proxy information management device 430 and the proxy device 440 are as described with reference to FIG.

  According to the content reproduction apparatus of the fourth embodiment, the same or similar effect as that of the content reproduction apparatus of the third embodiment can be obtained.

  The processing in each of the above embodiments can be realized by using a general-purpose computer as basic hardware. The program for realizing the processing of each of the above embodiments may be provided by being stored in a computer readable storage medium. The program is stored on the storage medium as an installable file or an executable file. The storage medium may be a magnetic disk, an optical disk (CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD or the like), a magneto-optical disk (MO or the like), a semiconductor memory or the like. The storage medium may store the program and may be readable by a computer. Further, the program for realizing the processing of each of the above embodiments may be stored on a computer (server) connected to a network such as the Internet, and downloaded to the computer (client) via the network.

  While certain embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and the gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

100, 400, 600 ... content reproduction apparatus 101 ... reproduction condition determination unit 102 ... acquisition information determination unit 103, 401 ... content acquisition unit 104, 403 ... content reproduction unit 110 ... content Providing device 120 ... acquisition information management device 402 ... related processing execution unit 430 ... substitution information management device 440 ... substitution device

Claims (7)

When an external process executed by at least one of an application and a function is called, it is determined based on management data whether or not there is an external processing device associated with call information of the external process, and the external process is performed. An acquisition unit that causes the external processing apparatus to execute the external processing and acquires an execution result of the external processing from the external processing apparatus when there is an external processing apparatus associated with the call information of
And a reproduction unit that reproduces the execution result of the external processing,
The management data associates call information of the external process with an external processing apparatus capable of executing the external process.
Playback device.   The reproduction device according to claim 1, wherein the call information of the external process includes at least one of a URL schema and a URL.   The reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the execution result of the external process includes display screen data. It further comprises an execution unit that executes processing using at least one of an application and a function,
The acquisition unit determines whether the execution unit is capable of executing the external process when there is no external processing device associated with the call information of the external process, and the execution unit executes the external process. Cause the execution unit to execute the external process if
The execution unit executes the external process,
The reproduction unit reproduces the execution result of the external process acquired from the execution unit.
The playback device of claim 1. The acquisition unit acquires alternative content when the execution unit can not execute the external process.
The reproduction unit reproduces the alternative content.
The playback device according to claim 4. When an external process executed by at least one of an application and a function is called, the computer is judged based on management data whether or not there is an external processing device associated with the call information of the external process, Means for causing the external processing device to execute the external processing when there is an external processing device associated with call information of the external processing;
A unit for acquiring an execution result of the external processing from the external processing device;
A reproduction program for functioning as means for reproducing the execution result of the external processing,
The management data associates call information of the external process with an external processing apparatus capable of executing the external process.
Playback program. A reproduction system comprising a reproduction device and an external processing device, the reproduction system comprising:
The playback device is
When an external process executed by at least one of an application and a function is called, it is determined based on management data whether or not there is an external processing device associated with call information of the external process, and the external process is performed. An acquisition unit that causes the external processing apparatus to execute the external processing and acquires an execution result of the external processing from the external processing apparatus when there is an external processing apparatus associated with the call information of
A reproduction unit that reproduces the execution result of the external processing;
The management data associates call information of the external process with an external processing apparatus capable of executing the external process.
The external processing device is
An execution unit that executes external processing transferred from the playback device using at least one of an application and a function;
A transfer unit for transferring the execution result of the external processing to the playback device;
Reproduction system.